Prudy's Thought Box

"When you give you will receive!"

This is always being taught in churches and is almost a religious cliché. People mostly take this as a catch for religious organizations to gather bigger funds.

Some church people termed an intensive teaching of this as "Prosperity Gospel."  When a preacher speaks almost always about giving saying that the good Lord will bless you, so if you wanted to be blessed give, give and give. On this teaching, the blessings to be received become the motivation to give rather than Compassion and an issue of Faith, which are supposedly the main reason why we should give!

In this post I'd like to share with you two stories which made me realize that when you give from compassion and a test of faith, it is just but natural for God to open the windows and gates of heaven to pour His blessings!

Story 1: Last Saturday I was on my way to my regular Bible Study group. While crossing the busy crossing of Buendia and Taft Avenues a certain lady ran after me asking for a favor, 'she lost her wallet' she has to go home to Lucena and if I can spare some amount she will be very thankful.  I don't like it and it has been my practice not to give to any bum in the street, rather I give to institutions. Besides, as a pastor, in the stage of our church life now, I am only provided a weekly budget. But that day I heard an inaudible voice telling me to give her so I did, putting away the thought, "Kukulangin budget ko for my meal until tomorrow."

After our Bible Study, the members of our group gave an offering that is 4 times the amount of what I gave to the needing woman. God did His promise!

Story 2: Yesterday I went to a church leaders' accountability group.  The practice in that group was to share something on the food, I thought of sharing the drinks, again from a limited budget. During the talk time I was introduced by the leader to a lady-pastor who was recently widowed, left with two young boys, one is autistic. My heart poured out for her! I cannot imagine her dilemma on taking care of two boys alone and leading a church at the same time! Knowing the insurmountable challenges of leadership - it is a big bulk of responsibility!

Out of compassion once again, I took out some amount and gave her, feeling sorry because I knew it was very meager comparing to her needs!

Then while the meeting was still going on my cell phone alarmed an incoming text message. When I checked on the message, it was inquiring "how should I give tithes to your church?" Last night I called the one who inquired. If you are interested how much she will give - it was 40 times more than the amount I gave the needing widowed pastor and the amount of the soft drinks I bought for the church leaders!

It was a witness to God's faithfulness when we give out of Compassion and a test of Faith - He will pour us blessings in 'a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over' (Luke 6: 38)

Me: Hi Jesus, I'm glad we've had this time to talk again today!

Jesus: I am more than glad to have a talk with...You don't know how I always long to have a talk with you Prudy...You are always in my thoughts! I'm always excited to sit down & converse with you.

Me: I know & it is always very good to be reminded of that...yet you know, there are times I don't feel it & there are times I don't want to talk with you...sorry!  Really I am very sorry!

Jesus: You don't need to say sorry, I understand.  Even if that is not okay but I always understand!

Me: Yon nga Jesus eh nahihiya ako sa 'Yo!

Jesus: No! you don't need to feel that way - I always, always understand & I am always, always, always here beside you kahit di mo feel makipag-usap sa 'kin.

Me: Thank you for always understanding me! Sobrang pasalamat ko sa 'Yo kasi ikaw lang ang nakakaintindi ng mga bagay about me & things that I'm doing & passionate about, that sometimes I don't even understand myself.

Jesus: Don't mention it, ikaw talaga - until now I guess you really don't know me because iniisip mo pa rin ang ganyan.  Tama na nga yang emo, emo mo - I know what's bothering you now.

Me: Hehehe oo nga tama na yon - ganyan naman ako laging nakakalimutan na nandyan Ka lang & ganyan Ka naman laging understanding. O, Here we are again even before I say things to you alam mo na...can I just say what I think & feel? It's more of me na naman than of You hearing it from me. Sorry again ha parang selfish na naman ako...???

Jesus: Ayan na naman tayo don't worry I understand again - I know your concern, actually parang selfish ka but you're concern of my purpose in your life for you - kala mo lang selfish pero when you come to think of it, you think not of yourself but of my concern.

Me: Thanks for saying it that way Jesus ha? Pero I know you know that talagang passion ko ang maka-lead ng people to become your fully devoted followers.  Yet there are times I get tired & down while doing it.

Jesus: Prudy Prudy if that is your concern & passion - don't forget that from the beginning it is my GREATEST PASSION together with the Father!  In fact, I know you know, that I died for all of them, and don't forget I died for you too! Remember that I have a lot of children like you who have the same passion... Just be reminded that I am glad together with your church family you are using your abilities to lead people to me.

Me: Jesus I'm again grateful you are reminding me that!

Jesus: Oo naman! I know there are times that you will really get tired, there will be moments that in doing so you will be down - I am saying this by what I went through - do you remember my Gethsemane experience? I was really troubled, I was pressured, I was depressed, even my closest friends are not with me & didn't understand what I was going through. They didn't even prayed with me. But I was doing what Abba was telling me to do & it was the passion of caring for people.

Me: Opo nga eh...when I remember that part of your story - encouraged ako! Tapos  nanliliit  din nga ako kasi ako nga I don't need to go through the Via Dolorosa & be nailed on the cross - while Kayo, you have to go through it and die!  Kakahiya.

Jesus: O ayan ka na naman - I understand!  I understand how you feel pero alam mo ba that I am very glad for you & your church family for sharing my passion?

Me: Ganun po?

Jesus: Oo naman! I am glad that you & your church is there, going together, loving each other, learning more about my Words & caring for your friends to be brought to my feet!  Have you noticed I have geared you up through the years - all of you even became my better followers?  Have you noticed your faith has matured than the first time you gathered together to serve me?  Have you noticed that I have equipped all of you in a lot of ways? Just remember this you have a lot of fellow workers in my business who are concern with you and are praying for you.  They are even willing to help you!

Me: Yes nga po eh! I am recognizing it more and more now!

Jesus: Kaya may you be encouraged by those! I am giving you strength!  I am with you always as I have said in my commission to you, all my disciples ,in Matthew 28.  I'd like to tell this to you: You have been faithful in doing small things, I know I can trust you with greater things! Just be assured of that!  I am preparing a lot of people that you will lead to me!

Me: Jesus salamat ha! Even before I openly tell this to You, You already have this in  your mind!

Jesus: Sige tama na muna ito...nandito lang ako di umaalis sa tabi mo & tabi nyong lahat who are serving me!  If I will add more to what I  have said  baka ma-overwhelmed ka eh mag-regress ka na! Hahaha  Basta don't be so much down & fret - because you see, I care for those who doesn't care about my passion - sa inyo pa kaya who are willing to go through difficulties just to accomplish the mission I gave you!

Me: Salamat po ulit!  Galing Nyo talaga at ang bait-bait Nyo pa!

Jesus: O tama na yan you don't need to praise me ng ganyan kasi whether with that or without that I will still be with you, hahaha di ba it is my nature to be with you & to bless you?

Me: Oo nga po eh! Pero I just need to appreciate You lang po!  Accept Nyo na lang appreciation ko!

Jesus: Oo naman I always accept it! Halika nga I'll give you my spiritual hug! HMMMMM Be impressed by it!

Me: Wow thanks Jesus I needed that!  Thank you!

Jesus: Yeah I know that is the reason I did that!

Me: Sige po over & out na muna talk natin!

Jesus: Hey kahit over & our na tayo sa chat I still can see you & is always with you!

Me: Okay po! Okay po! Mamya ulit ha...bye!

Jesus: Sige bye bye na...hear from you ulit mamya!

Lately I have questions about church affairs that bother me a lot!

Church leaders have many concerns on church developments, church growth, church attractions, church teachings, church programs, church events and church etc. etc.

But still I find people in our churches today lonely, sad, fearful, abandoned, neglected, not cared for!  I find church people seeking friendship & comfort and care from people outside of their churches.  And irony of ironies even some pastors and church leaders feel the same way!

What is our focus?

TEACHINGS and DOCTRINAL STUDIES? Which are not bad in fact very good!  But if it remained to be teachings yet with out application those are nothing! 

PROGRAMS AND EVENTS to promote our churches?  Which are good because with those we introduce people to Jesus!  Yet when we neglect caring for people whom God brought to us those programs and events are nothing!

The early church "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer"...so..."Everyone was filled with awe...All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people." (Acts 2: 42-47a)

What were their most focused of?  Teachings or relationships?  If there were  programs and events, what were those?

How can we do the New Testament Church scenarios in our present times so that we may experience what they have experienced as a result... "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" ???

It is a BIG CHALLENGE TO US!

Lining up to buy a ticket at MRT Taft Station a big guy inserted just in front of me, won't dare to complain because one, he was big and I am small. Two, I know he didn't notice that he was wrong due to the big ads post hiding the real line, where I was, and he was just a single insert, so that was okay with me.  Which in a while he apologetically smiled at me.

But then another person, now a lady, tried to get ahead of me after that guy, so naturally I reacted and checked her out and said, "Miss, that is not the right line!"  To my surprise, she shouted at me with her two eyes bulging out in anger!  That was to all the astonishment of the people around us!  She accused me of shouting at her, which I never did, or maybe my voice was loud because I have colds and I couldn't hear my voice clearly.  So I really shouted, my goodness, I just thought of it now!  My natural reaction was to get back, but I checked out myself, she's a lady and maybe she has a problem.  I laughed it over, and exchanged words about it, with the big guy who became an instant friend!

But the lady's anger did not end there.  She went to another line just adjacent to where I was and there still furious calling me an angry guy!  So, I answered back, "Miss I wasn't really angry with you!"  My third eye (if I have) saw from my back that she was giving me angry looks and heard her angry mumbles!

When eventually I was on the station's platform SHE stood at my back and got into the  same car and seated just opposite mine, glancing at me still with angry looks.  This is what I did: when an old lady entered the car, I asked her to sit on my seat, I stood up and gently walked just in front of the furious lady, hold the safety bar just right above her seat with smiling eyes, were those insulting too?  Maybe!  Then on one station just before my stop, the very next seat on her left was vacated and with introvert smile I sat beside the maybe-not-very-angry-lady by then, or maybe she was still furious, it was just I was already seated next to her.  Then at my stop I intentionally slowly walked in front of her!

Do I acted right or that was wrong? How should have I handled that situation?

Grace Placers and Friends, there will be a new series to launch at the Celebration Sunday of Grace Place starting on November 1, 2009 VERY TIMELY!!! :-)


If you have many questions about the afterlife...this is the event you need to attend!

This is an intimate acoustic worship experience!

Venue: Tiara Hotel, Malugay St., Makati City (at the back of Makati Post Office & few meters away from Makati Fire Station, near the corner of Ayala & Buendia)

Time: 10: 30AM

BE OUR GUEST!  Casual attire...enjoy this event!  FREE ADMISSION!

Pupulsuhan ko pa kung sinong isusunod ko!

Little by little I'm learning more about him!  It started when he was placed by the palace as the Defense Secretary, then when he was featured at Phil. Star's weekly magazine some months ago, long time before he was pushed by Malacanang as it's 'bato' at lalo na kagabi pinanuod ko ang Profile!  Admirable person: family background, academic performances & passion for his job, pero malalim pa rin ang pagiisip ko kung iboboto ko sya kasi...

...kung di lang sana sya nasa puder ng administrasyon ngayon.  It will be difficult to convince me because I see him like John McCain of the recent US presidential bid. Gibo maybe sincere & credible, but the Filipino people is tired already of the way how the present administration is handling the governance.  Kung mananalo sya ay ang anino ng kasalukuyang admin ang sya pa ring babalot.  Ang mga taong nakapaligid kay PGMA ngayon ang sya pa ring magma-manipulate sa kanya, whether he likes it or not.  Kasi machinery nila at pera nila ang gagastos sa kanyang bid.  Hirap nyan di ba?

...di sya kilala ng tao, kahit pa sya Cojuanco, hirap syang kilalanin. At kahit pa Defense secretary sya ngayon, lalo na napalpak ang impression ng mga Ondoy victims, and the very concerned Filipinos, on the way how he handled the NDCC. 

Pilitin nya sanang i-prove that he is himself. Again mahirap!

Tama na ito, mahaba na yong 1st item at sobrang discouraging yong last part ng 2nd point.

Next time yong Spiritual Leader naman na gusto maging politician!

He is the most charismatic of all the presidentiables, so far, but not necessarily as one of the former Philippine presidents.  Mahal na mahal sya ng masa.  Pero noon pa lang di nya nakuha boto ko...makukuha nya ang aking boto ngayon kung...

...babawasan nya ang 'actor image' nya, na pinaghuhugutan ng kanyang charisma.  Kasi isa lang ang pagiging charismatic sa mga elements for a leader to lead well.  Maraming-marami pang iba, dapat alamin nya ang mga ito - isa na ang integrity!

...patuloy nyang ipapakita sa buhay nya yong sinasabi nya na natutunan nya from his imprisonment - gaya ng pagkakilala nya lalo sa Dios.  Sana ipamuhay nya ito.

...at ang huli ay di ko alam kung papano nya gagawin, kasi, his former leadership as a president has failed already (no matter what circumstances led to that), dapat bawiin nya yon - eh mahirap nang bawiin at kunin ang pagtitiwala ulit ng kagaya ko, when someone failed sa isang malaking responsibilidad, de ja, like being a nation's president.

Aba parang kay Manny na rin ang dami nito, tama na muna.

Next...yong napipisil ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.

This may seem a very selfish idea to say, what will they do to get MY vote! Yet I'm one of the citizenry that represents many who will benefit who ever will win.  Many Filipinos are like me, whose concern is not only for ourselves but for the whole nation!

I will start with marami-raming gagawin para makuha ang boto ko...si Manny!

...bawasan sana nya ang mga infomercials nya at hindi ipangangalandakan na di sya trapo, kasi nagmumukha syang defensive!

...di sana sya extravagantly rich, because contrary to the idea that the rich politician will not get money from anything that should benefit the country, by nature man is greedy and unfortunately wealth & power exagerate greediness!  Proven na yan sa ating bansa!

...pinakita nya sana sa nakalipas nyang leadership which sana his colleages rallied behind him but hindi.

Teka madami na ito unfair naman sa iba!

Next time yong dating presidente naman...

This is the title of the new blogsite that I created for the work-force of Metro Manila. 

When we work we will experience elation, fulfilment, excitement, at the same time challenge, problems, dilemma, difficulties, etc., etc.  I hope & pray that this site I launched today will be able to give inspiration in times that the former enumerated experiences are gone. 

Visit (click) my new site & be blessed: theworkplace

Last night my mind was flooding with thoughts about our church plant family - Grace Place.

"Church" is God's business and as church planters we are spiritual entrepreneurs.  We think about the church's mission, vision & values; its financial investments, marketing strategies, manpower resources, business operations, the ROI (changed lives) which are all for God!

Being an independent church plant things are not easy for us.  Yet all along we see God's hand working.  He is the COO anyway.

We see His hands in our manpower!  We are blessed to have a passionate directional leadership team that is dedicated and focused to advance God's corporation.  In that team we have an Analyst, a Strategist and they call me the Executioner as the pastor.  Yet, our church plant will not function well without our volunteers.  They are the ones who, after following Jesus, become the movers.  They work, sing, invite & welcome people.  They even invest financial support for Grace Place's operations.  What an amazing group of strong volunteers we have!

Then, like in the corporate world, businessmen associates with other businessmen for empowerment, technology sharing, and for friendship.  We are privilege to associate with other passionate church leaders here in the Philippines and abroad, who are willing to help or just be friends who listen!

Flooded with these thoughts I realized that God will not fail in our church plant with these overwhelming support.  Added to the fact that He Himself is the strong Foundation!

All of you Grace Placers & Friends - thank you so much!  I can see now how our Big Boss welcomes us in a service full of parties & celebrations!

In every man’s life, there is a cause worth fighting for and a victory worth claiming. What is yours? Discover how to not only prepare for the battles ahead, but more importantly, how to emerge victoriously. It’s time to stop playing the role of the nice guy and instead live as The Warrior.


Tiara Oriental Hotel, Malugay St. Makati City (few meters away from Makati Fire Station)

7:45pm

This is a free Friday night event!