Balaash: No Business is Small

I went to Batha yesterday and was lifted to see banners all over that building near Electron (where ANB is located) and see a new store named Pinoy Sherbetes. It’s encouraging to see Pinoy businesses sprouting here and there, or at least, named after Pinoys, regardless if the owner is a Filipino or not.

This store sells ice-creams in cones or cups at very enticing prices. They have these brochures and fliers that they give out, obviously, to increase their sales and make a buzz in that big Pinoy community market.
The owner, by the way, is a Filipino and unfortunately, he is presently on vacation. I spoke with the Operations Manager, Mr. Leo and talked to him about Balaash.com’s intent of helping them improve their sales by putting their products in the site that will actually help online prospective customers see what they have to offer, first hand, along with other shops that have great products and services but are unknown to most of their target market. The guy mentioned to me that it is actually what he was thinking over and thought that it was a brilliant idea. They are targeting for online customers who will order for delivery purposes!

I mentioned to him about the idea of giving discounts to Balaash.com customers or something that could actually push them to come and visit their store and he said that they are actually geared towards anything that will increase their sales.

For Balaash.com, no business is indeed small. They think big. Whatever the shop is, for as long as you want to increase your sales and presence, Balaash.com is  surely a great partner. And the best thing about it is- it’s FREE!

Lessons I Learned: Watch and Read Global News

It's rare to have a clean and just purely intellectual Saudi friendship.

I met this guy, his name is Sami, around 3 weeks ago in the gym. He is a businessman, married, with 4 kids. He goes around the world to meet contacts, try new businesses, etc. (which I think, he is open to literally all kinds of business, just trying to know what is there for him, or maybe just because he literally have no idea on how he should spend his money).

There was wisdom in what he said last night to me, about his reason why he watches global news. He said, it's good to watch news that features other countries and what is happening to them, because you begin to think and finally convince yourself that your big problem is NOTHING compared to what is happening to that side of the world.

Come to think of it, what he said was true. There is such a therapeutic effect if we look at these news that way. We begin to be thankful of what small we have.

I remember a friend though, whom I was watching news with, he was really upset and angry about what he is watching, he was saying words like "uhhm! buti nga sayo! sige!". I asked why the passionate remarks, he said "those guys are just annoying me, etc., and what they got is what they really deserve".

We have different views of things really. Some people look at things as if there is nothing wrong with them, and so, they become too arrogant to malign and put others down. They easily forget that they too have just been given the chance (or multiple chances), have been forgiven, and have been accepted inspite of who they really are. They easily pass judgement on others who committed a mistake, instead of being a part of the solution and make the life of that person better. This is the same with what someone said in the past, you become like a person who just looked at yourself in the mirror, but immediately forgotten what you looked like right after.

I super agree with what the Bible said in the first few sentences of 1 Corinthians 13:

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. "

We may be very talented, religious, Christians of years more than others, if we fail to love, we are nothing. We may be gifted, read religious materials all day and night, scholars in fields unphatomable for the ordinary, filled with knowledge and can perform miracles, but we don't know how to love, we are nothing. We may be blessed with so much, but don't love, we gain nothing.

In closing, we should not only know how to define love, but more than anything, we should know and be able to practice it to others. Afterall, we can love especially if we know how much God loved us first.

Lessons I Learned: Give and be Blessed

I am an Ilocano (half, at least). In the Philippines, they would say, that if you are an Ilocano, you are nakermet but as redeemed as I am, I would translate that as frugal, prudent, and responsible.

But generally, we are in nature, selfish. We don't want to share, or at least it offends us when we are asked to share or even worse, give what we have. Even me sharing this, will actually offend a lot of people. The Bible says in Galatians 5:19 about the acts of the sinful nature which are obvious, and included there are hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy- all these I would say act as a family because you would notice that they always come together.

The Word of God teaches us to give. Even Jesus Himself said in Acts 20:35b that ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ The amazing miracle of giving is only felt if we claim that promise of God- the blessing that follows after the giving, if we put our faith to the One who "fulfills" this promise, indeed, it is more blessed to give.

As young as Matt and Dave are, Connie and I fully agree with each other that they should learn giving. Not just the idea of giving away what they have, but knowing and believing that God's promise of being blessed follows right after. Convincing them of the giving part is easy, and in fact, they would obey (sometimes with tears in their eyes), but then again, depositing the TRUTH in their hearts that God will indeed bless them "a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into their lap", the focus begins to be shifted from us and the giving part- to GOD. They begin to trust God and be thankful to Him for everything (even starting with the small things). They should share their toys with each other. Even in Kids' church, they should learn to play with other kids without getting someone else's while playing with it. And if someone grabs the toy they are holding, they should give it right away, without having to feel hurt or offended, because it is better to give. My eyes got sweaty, when Connie told me about Matti praying faith-fully for a toy car he saw in Robinsons, and Connie told him to pray for it, and when we bought that for him, and it was time for prayer, he closed his eyes and said "Thank you Jesus for this toy". It was surely a marvelous sight, a sincere, true-to-his-heart prayer, focusing on God and no one will ever take that away from him.

If we are convinced by this, then I cry foul to people who would say "Ok lang, huwag ka na mag-bigay..." all because sorry, there is NO TRUTH on that. The Bible gave us a way on how to be blessed- and this is to give. Even Jesus commended a poor widow who gave out of her poverty (the 2 very small copper coins). Jesus said she gave more. Was Jesus talking about the quantity? Well, I think He was focusing on the heart and the faith. Does that mean that the rich gave without their hearts on it? Not really, but I am sure, they have not given "their all" with what they gave. The old woman who gave 2 very small copper coins was poor, and the money she gave might have been the only money she had, but "she gave it all". Let's be careful of the theology we subtly preach (or for the benefit of the doubt, "carelessly say") to people just because we are careful not to offend them. The only way to be blessed is to obey the Word of God, and yes, He said- GIVE.

All these things can only be learned and accepted if we are fully convinced of the God we worship, we serve and we put our faith into. Our giving, and even the way we talk with others about giving, is definitely dependent of our perception of our God.

Is your God indeed capable to bless you? How? Is your God faithful to His promises? (and some will say, what promises are you talking about?)

My God is an awesome God. He said in Luke 12:31, that if I seek his kingdom, and all things will be given to me as well. My God teaches me to give because He said it will be given back to me- a thousandfold.

My God is generous Himself, he gives generously to all without finding fault (James 1:5).

This Christmas Season, and all the seasons of our lives, let's Honor God by giving. With this becoming our practice, we will surely experience His abundant blessings after obeying His word. This season is a reminder in itself- when God gave us His Son to die for our Sins and redeem us from the wrath that should be upon us.

All for His glory and honor.

Top 10 John Wooden Quotes I LIKE!

Top 10 John Wooden Quotes I like:


10. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

9. Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights.

8. I'd rather have a lot of talent and a little experience than a lot of experience and a little talent.

7. It isn't what you do, but how you do it.

6. It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.

5. Never mistake activity for achievement.

4. Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.

3. Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.

2. If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me.

1. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior

PS. John Wooden was one of the most-awarded Basketball Coaches of all time.

Lessons I Learned: Respect and Honor Your Leaders

For a Christian like me who literally grew (in faith and in weight) in church since 1997, I quite certainly observed a few things which makes it dynamic or not, exciting or not, sinner-friendly or not, etc. Thanks to a bunch of wise leaders who were there, willingly showing how they do things, how they decide and what they do before deciding. I have seen the churches where God placed me, grow, not just in quantity but in quality. I am arrogantly listing a few reasons I observed in Church Admin which I guess (I say this with all my heart, because I am not even sure) made the church more than just a body of believers, but a family:

Respect and high honor for leaders. I have to put this as No. 1. I believe that the first thing we need to unlearn from all other organizations we belong, is throwing unnecessary comments to our leaders. We can do that in all other organizations, but definitely not in church. In other organizations, we may question their ability, or even their decisions, but in church, it is like saying we don't believe in the God who appointed them. I have seen my leaders contradict Senior Pastors in front of the staff meeting table, but never held grudges after, or even take offense if their suggestions were not implemented. My respect for them even increases and all the more, I highly regard them for such a matured stand. I served Pastors of different styles, but 2 things standard and should be done are to make their lives easier and PRAY FOR THEM. If blessings and fresh revelations are upon them, everyone benefits.

To question the leader that God has given us is to question the God we serve.

Hebrews 13:16-18 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

What is Hindering You?

It's been a long while since I have posted something here in my blog account. Here I am again, now in a completely different world, with different people I get to hang out with, a different set of "country" rules, and so on and so forth.

I was worrying when I left the Philippines. In fact, when I stepped my foot here in Riyadh, there was this fear inside of me that anything can happen, specially if the Mutawas (Saudi Police) will ask me of anything and might do something to me. The same feeling or even a little more terrifying when I temporarily moved to the Visayas (more of the language barrier).

Before boarding the plane from the Philippines, there were these immigration guards who checked our stuff inside our bags. It's different when you are headed to KSA, they are quite strict, they check your wallet if you possess a picture of your god, if you have a rosary in your bag, and all the religious stuff Filipinos might bring. Only the food I bought was confiscated. Everything else passed. I made sure I removed my Bible software from my iTouch, mahirap na. One of the lady guards even asked me, Sir, sigurado po kayo? Mahirap daw sa Saudi eh, grabeng strikto, tamo nga kami dito, required talaga kami ng Kingdom na maghigpit sa mga papasok sa Saudi, to which I thought, It might be really a serious crime to even mention the name of Jesus in that country.

When I set my foot in Saudi, it is really different, I thought. The air tells you that you can't just do anything here, and that they are seriously ISLAM, if you may. No pork, no pork flavored noodles, no hopiang baboy, no chicharon. You disobey, you are deported back to the Philippines. 

But something inside me is saying that God is the Lord of the Earth, even of Saudi. I knew it, it was God comforting me and telling me that I will be just fine.

To make the story short, I am now living with fellow Christians (whom I just met here, through other people whom I also just met here). I did not choose things to come this way, I know, it was God who orchestrated everything. Ang daming Pinoy dito na mapagsamantala, at alam ko, hindi aksidente na ang proteksiyon ni God ay sumama sa akin, at hindi niya ako pinabayaan. 

The second week of my stay in Saudi is another eye-opener. I had my first Christian service in an underground church. It made me realize that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GOD. That nothing can hinder those who are hungry, those who feel desperate of the Lord, and those who stick to the TRUTH. 

I read a verse just now- in Matthew 27:51, which was the time when Jesus died on the cross. What happened there? Let me share it with you:

"At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom...."

It was a simple verse, a few words, but it means a lot. During the Old Testament days (or prior to Jesus' death), only the High Priests can enter inside the temple, otherwise, something terrible will happen to the one who enters. In other words, only the High Priest can commune with God. Again, all because of Sin. We cannot communicate with God, not because He doesn't want to, but because our SINS separated us away from God. THE HINDRANCE IS SIN. 

In that verse, it signifies freedom. It signifies forgiveness. It signifies acceptance. Because of Jesus' death, we can worship God in Spirit and Truth- without guilt and condemnation- all because Jesus made the way for us. He removed the HINDRANCE once and for all, so that we can freely go to God- and commune with Him. Now, God can hear us. We can have an exciting relationship with God again, because of what Jesus did on the cross.

Here in Saudi, there maybe hindrances from the government, BUT NEVER A HINDRANCE TO GO AHEAD AND SEEK, WORSHIP, AND LIFT UP JESUS. There maybe resistance in the physical, but it is God who makes things possible. We still gather, we still choose to lift up HIS Name. We still choose to humble ourselves and allow HIS hands to move in our midst.

Are you discouraged? Are you going through tough times? Things are hard in your life? Remember us here. Remember also, above all, what JESUS did on the cross- and what happened after. The curtain was torn for you to enter His throne of GRACE. Allow HIM to speak to your life. Experience life to the full- with Jesus ruling over your life. Is there anything too hard for God? Is there any problem or situation you can think of that God cannot fix? The thing is, we have to let him TAKE CHARGE. Let Him be the Boss- even of our emotions, our understanding (intellect)- in other words, the LORD OF EVERYTHING.


It's hard to express how is it to have a relationship with the Lord. Just think of this: even in a restricted country like Saudi, we come together and have fun in His presence.

Romans 8:35, 37-39  

³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?....³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

typhoon

you show your strength from afar
by the distance, everyone's warned at your wrath
how you managed to become famous
people are scared at your mere presence

suddenly you come
as a matter of fact, you come in power
even though we hide, you get within
slamming everything you can, no one's exempted

you bring in with you rains that you pour like there is no more tomorrow,
winds that are strong, you bring in sadness and sorrow,
oh typhoon, you are like the tongue of the hollow
nothing inside you, but devastation will surely follow

who can avoid you, bitching winds of typhoon?
how many lives, in fact you have taken?
like the tongue of the one who have mastered,
you leave and hurt, yet you never really care

who has hurt you, typhoon of destruction?
that you approach us like this, like there is no other season?
don't you know the horror you bring?
can't you feel the curse that you bring?

then you're gone, everyone's out again,
feeling empty and discouraged, with what you've left behind,
you made us down, you tongue of destruction,
well, that is what you were made of, who can question?