#isave4poorchallenge

                                 “Half of what I own, Lord, I will give to the poor…”

Looking at him Jesus said, “Salvation has come to this house today.” Lk. 19:8-9

“While saving for oneself is good and saving also for love ones is better, 

saving for oneself, love ones and one’s neighbor is best!”

I. WHAT IS THIS CHALLENGE?

I know that you are saving for yourself and for your family (if not, today, make it a habit). This time my friend, I’m challenging you to save also for others- particularly the poor.  

II. WHY SHOULD I TAKE THIS CHALLENGE?

Do you usually miss the chance to help others because you don’t have the extra money to share with them? Have you put in a situation wherein you really want to help a friend in dire need but you cannot because you only have enough for yourself? If you don’t want to experience this anymore, I challenge you to “SAVE” for this kind of occasions. And yes, not only this challenge can give you more chance and ability to help others financially, but in the long run you will enjoy the following benefits:

a.    You will develop the habit of wise budgeting and saving.

b.    You will remove most of your vices.

c.    You will be more financially blessed.

d.    You will learn to be simple and contented.

e.    You will become more compassionate and generous.

f.     You will become more happy and healthy.

g.    You will gain more friends.

h.    You and others will enjoy living in a more loving and generous world.

III. HOW AM I GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CHALLENGE?

There are 5 basic ‘habitual’ steps:

1.    THINK: Look into your resources and ways of spending. Do you have extra amount that you can save for others? If there is none, are you willing to skip some of your “can-let-go” expenses (such as vices, accessories, extra snacks, too much mobile loads, etc.) and save the amount for others? My advice here is to start with a small amount and increase it as your financial resources permit it.

2.    SAVE: Save the amount in a container of your choice for 8 consecutive ‘habit-forming’ days. My suggestion also here is to label your container (see sample label below). If your saving becomes big, you may opt to open an account for this purpose. Just see to it that the bank or an ATM is accessible for you to easily withdraw if need arises.

Note: You can also download this sample label in www.facebook.com/Iampasahero  or in www. iampasahero.blospot.com.

3.    POST: After 8 days, post a picture of yourself together with your labeled container in facebook with #isave4poorchallenge. (see sample below)

4.    INVITE: Tag all your friends and ask them to take up the challenge.                     

5.    GIVE: After passing the 8 ‘habit-forming’ days, saving should continue daily and for the many years to come. Once you have a good amount of savings, use it to respond generously to the needs of others (‘others’ pertain to poor and/or “in need” individuals who are not part of your immediate family). My suggestion here is to give or lend it (without interest) personally to them as much as possible. In this way, you will experience “first-hand” the joy of giving more than just being used to chip-in or donate to an organization or movement.

IV. HOW THIS CHALLENGE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE?

Through this challenge, we cannot only make a huge difference; we can ADD value to life! And it’s infinite, believe me.

Take a look at this. If I’ll be saving 6.00 a day and be able to continue it for the next 30 years, the estimated (estimated because the amount may be less or more depending on how frequent I will be using it or increase the amount of my saving) will look like this:

6 x 7 = 42 / week.

42 x 4 = 168 / month

168 x 12 = 2,016 / year

2016 x 30 = 60,480 after 30 years

Now, if you can also save for example 4.00 a day, for the next 30 years, your saving for the poor will look like this:

4x7 = 28 / week

28 x 4 = 112/ month

112 x 12 = 1,344 / year

1344 x 30 = 40,320  after 30 years

If we will be adding your amount with mine (just for computation, for you and I will maintain our saving separately), we’ll have something like this:

60,480 + 40,320 = 100,800

It’s not that much to make a difference I guess. But what if you and I can invite 30 more friends (here and abroad) or 40 or 50 more saving like you and me for the next 30 years or more? What if we can invite 100 generous savers for every country and race in the world and each one of them will also be successful in inviting 100? With longer years and much bigger amounts every day? Can you imagine that?

Yes! Just imagine the impact that this can make into our life and to the world. It is like we have opened the very first “world-wide saving account for the poor” not manage single-handedly by one organization but by numerous and generous people like you.

And because you manage it personally you can deposit and withdraw (and even invest) it in the way you design it. Just make sure it is all for the benefit of the poor. And by the way, our target is not primarily to save a big amount, but to have a “GENEROUS AMOUNT” always ready to respond for the needs of our poor neighbors not only during calamities or deaths but particularly to their present emergency and even simple “in-need” situations.

And you know what? This challenge is not only about money. It’s all about our hearts. It’s all about our generous hearts. I firmly believe that when we were able to train our hearts to have mercy and compassion for the poor, the needy and abandoned, our pockets will follow. And we’re not only saving them, we’re also saving our own children and the children to come. Indeed, we are saving the world!

So again, I invite you and all the people of good will. Together, let us take this challenge. Let us conquer our hearts more than planets. Let us establish loving relationships more than malls. And let us open our hearts more than businesses. And today, as you continuously save for yourself and love ones, let us also save for our poor. In the end, like Christ, we can truly say “Salvation has come to this house today!”

Stay inspired!

_Chad Vergara

P.S.

Take this life-changing challenge with me now. Save for the poor. I assure you, this will change your life tremendously and the life of others around you. If you have some queries or thoughts regarding this, please feel free to contact me at any of the following:

Email: campusmin_chad@yahoo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Richard Vergara or facebook/Iampasahero. 

Blog: www.iampasahero.blogspot.com

Thank you for your generosity. Join us today and experience a more generous self and a more generous world!

Susunod Ka Rin

"Ito ang Kanyang kalooban: huwag kong pabayaang mawala kahit isa sa mga ibinigay niya sa akin, kundi muling buhayin sila sa huling araw." Jn. 6:39

“Susunod ka rin.” Nakakatakot mang isipin, ito ang aking madalas masambit kapag dumadalaw ako sa patay. Kaya habang nasa sementeryo, hindi ko maalis itanong, “Handa na ba ako?” Sakali ngang sumunod na ako sa kanila.

Una, ako ba ay isang mabuting halimbawa?

Hindi ko tiyak ang sagot dito, ngunit salamat na naalaala ko ito.

Napakahalaga nito para sa akin. Bakit?

Dahil kapag sumunod na ako, alam kong may maiiwan- lalong higit ang aking asawa at anak. At sana nga, makapagbigay ako ng mabuting halimbawa sa iba- lalong higit sa pagbibigay. Sa ganon, may maiwan akong mapagbigay na mundo, bansa at komunidad para sa aking mag-ina.

Pangalawa, ginagawa ko ba ang lahat ng aking makakaya araw-araw?

Maiksi naman kasi talaga ang buhay ng tao, naisip ko.

Kaya hindi dapat ako mag-aksaya ng panahon.

Sa halip, yung mga bagay na mabuti at dapat na kaya kong gawin, gawin ko na ngayon!

Sabi ko nga, kung kaya ko namang magpatawad, bakit hindi ko ito gawin ngayon?

Kung kaya ko namang maglingkod, bakit hindi ko ito gawin ngayon?

Kung kaya ko namang magbigay, bakit hindi ko ito gawin ngayon?

Ngayon- ito lang naman talaga ang panahon ko. Ang bukas- hindi ko sigurado. 

Panghuli, may daratnan ako.

Hindi ko man masagot ng tiyak ang mga nauna kong tanong,

Sa bahaging ito, sigurado ako.  May daratnan ako!

Kaya naman may dahilan talagang bisitahin ang mga yumao na.

Sapagkat alam ko (at alam mo) na hindi naman talaga sila patay,

Buhay na buhay sila!

Sa kabuoan, tila kagabi ay para bang hindi ako ang dumalaw sa mga patay,

Sila ang dumalaw sa akin! (Ikaw ba, dinalaw nila?)

Naisip ko lang kasi na minsan mas ‘patay’ pa ako kumpara sa kanila,

At ang araw nila ngayon ay tila araw ng ‘pagpaparamdam’

At ng mga makabuluhang paalaala.

Salamat Panginoon sa araw ng mga kaluluwa!

Tooth Care is Soul Care

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.
For what children are not disciplined by their father?”  Heb. 12:7

“Everyone must choose one of two pains: 

the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.” Jim Rohn

For almost a month, I allowed my tooth and gum problem to distract me. Last Saturday, I decided to end it. Yes, I visited my friend dentist and allowed her to save me from unnecessary pain by inflicting me with the necessary one.  

Two Kinds of Pain

There are many kinds of pain. The MD’s, PhD’s, EdD’s, JD’s, STD’s, SCD’s and all other with ‘D’s’ knows it for sure. But let me just categorize them into two. The toxic or unnecessary pains and the healthy or necessary pains.

Are you in pain right now?

The next question is equally important to answer. Is it a toxic or a healthy one?

Avoid Toxic or Unnecessary Pains

You and I know that pains are part of our life. They are one of most important communication tools used by our body to tell us that there is something wrong. Imagine, for example, what would happen if you felt nothing when you accidentally cut your finger while preparing meals? Or shall we say you accidently placed your hand in a cutting machine. I’m sure you’ll lose your hand in no time.

But here’s the thing. The ‘No pain, No gain!’ slogan is not always true. Why?

Because not all ‘pain’ are necessary for us to ‘gain.’ There are pains that will only cause us more pain and they will only sip our focus, energy and dreams. These pains are called toxic pains. They are basically worthless and useless and we should pray and try our very best not to experience them. Jesus Christ has taught us to avoid them.

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Mt. 6:13

Failing in the class is painful. But it is more painful to know that you failed because you don’t study hard and you were caught cheating. Now, don’t tell yourself “God has a reason.”-that’s plain mediocrity, self-inflicted toxic pain!

Ending a marriage is painful. But when you lose your marriage because you habitually drink, don’t work or passionately date someone else other than your wife (or husband), don’t tell yourself: “It’s my destiny”- that’s plain selfishness, self-inflicted, unnecessary toxic pain!

Poverty is painful. And when you find you’re poor because you’ve never tried applying for work, building a business or investing into something, in short you’re lazy, don’t claim “Blessed are the poor”- that’s plain stupidity, self-inflicted, useless toxic pain!

Toothache is indeed painful (You know it). But when you experienced it because you never visited a dentist, never drink  water regularly, never brushed your teeth well, don’t be like me – for almost a month, I had just gave myself useless, worthless, unnecessary, toxic pain!

From Toxic Pains to Healthy Ones

(IMPORTANT! Even though there is still a way for us, or better say for God to replace toxic pains by ‘healthy’ ones, this should not give us the permission to be mediocre, lazy, stupid, or careless in life. Know this; all self-inflicted pains out of laziness and stubbornness are deadly. They can kill us in no time, giving us no more chance to fix the problem and relieve the pain we inflicted to ourselves and particularly to our love ones. Remember still, prevention is better than cure!)

Here’s the good news!  

I believe God is like my friend dentist. With God’s tool of mercy, compassion and love, He can remove our toxic pains and be free from it forever. But take note- for Him to be able to do this, we should be ready to go and visit God and ‘allow’ Him to ‘inflict’ us with the pain of commitment and self-discipline. I’m telling you, it’s indeed painful but they are healthy pains and you and I need it. God said,

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.
For what children are not disciplined by their father?”Heb. 12:7

He also added,

“Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, 

so the LORD your God disciplines you.” Deut. 8:5.

Nobody Said It’s Easy But Everything Will Be Worthwhile

Getting a diploma is painful. I mean, we should be ready to sleep late and wake up early if we must. We need to go to school early and arrive on time. We need to refuse tempting but unnecessary invitations from friends. We need to budget our allowances and be honest in our requirements. Of course, we need to study and do a lot of research (particularly for the thesis). These are not easy but these are healthy pains and we need it to become successful students.

Happy marriage and family life is painful. I mean, when we prioritize our wife and kids more than a basketball game with friends. When we need to leave our work behind and chat with our wife and play with our kids at home (this is really hard for me sometimes). When we need to skip meals or shopping galore with friends for us to get home on time to enjoy our wife’s specialty. When we exchange our dream Nike shoes for the schooling of our kids.  These and more are not easy but these are healthy pains and we need it to be successful and fulfilled in our family life.

Getting rich is painful. Yes, it’s a hard work especially getting rich through honest and legitimate means.  You need to study and research hard. You need to plan about it, implement it, test it and evaluate it. You need to do budgeting, go places and meet unfamiliar faces. All in all, you need to go out of your comfort zone and be ready and familiar with the mistakes and defeats. Indeed they are not easy and painful, but they are healthy pains and we need them to be ‘truly’ rich- so we can also be rich in giving.

Toothache is painful but tooth care is more.  I mean, when you purposely include in your schedule and in your budget the dentist check-up. When you skip sweets such as candies and soft drinks for plain water. When you take time to really brush your teeth well, up and down, in and out, round and round ‘til 3 minutes (especially when you’re getting late). When you need to change your brush and gurgle regularly. Yes, they are not easy and painful for me (I admit, they  never become a habit for me)but I’m willing to seriously undergo with it now for I believe they are healthy pains and I need them to have a clean and healthy teeth and gums.

Remember, God can remove our toxic pains and replaced it with healthy ones.

Soul Care Lessons From a Generous Dentist

Allow me to end by sharing you 3 great lessons about tooth care. If you’ll make them a habit, I guarantee you that it will not only make your teeth strong and shinny but also your soul dashing white and holy.

Have Your Check-up With A Dentist Regularly

I don’t have the habit to visit a dentist regularly. I think, like any other typical Filipino, I usually see a dentist only and only if I can no longer stand the hell-like pain headache caused by my tooth or gum problems. (Alam mo yun, ‘pag sumasakit na, gusto nang ipabunot, pero pag nawala na ang sakit, hindi naman pinabubunot).

Sometimes, I also behave like this in my relationship with God. If everything is well, I never find time to visit Him, or consult Him. If there is something wrong but I can still manage it, still, ‘never visit Him. But when I cannot stand it anymore, there I’ll go. And during this time, of course, the ‘problematic tooth’ can no longer be saved without extracting it from my gums. You know what I mean?

I think most of my tooth could have been saved if only I visited my dentist regularly. (My dentist reminded me that for more healthy teeth and gums, twice or once a year check-up is a must). I believe it is also the same with life. Many difficulties or challenges didn’t have to turn into monstrous and uncontrollable one if and only if we only learn to consult God – the Dentist regularly. Meaning, in bad or good times, small challenges and big ones, in sickness or in health, we must give regular time for prayer.

Drink Lots of Water

I also learned that to protect our teeth and gums, we need to drink lots of water.  It is very good especially for those who like to eat sweets, drink sodas as well as to those who likes to talk like me. It is because, as my friend dentist explains, when we eat sweets or our mouth is dry, bacteria acids grow faster and they begin to damage our teeth. And so to wash away these bacteria, we need to drink lots of water and gurgle regularly.

In spiritual life, I firmly believe that the deadliest bacteria that can cover and destroy the ‘enamel’ of our  soul are selfishness and envy. The book of James reveals it:

 “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”  James 3:16

And so today, I invite you also to wash it by drinking the ‘Water of Generosity’ regularly. Indeed when generosity becomes part of our lifestyle, we can and will escape from the disastrous and hell-like pain effects of sins as individuals and as a people. The gospel of John reveals this:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Did you notice? The problem and the solution have the same chapter and verse? I think this is now easy for us to remember. Bacteria -selfishness, Water- generosity. Today, I invite you to gurgle out your bacteria of selfishness through the saving water of generosity.

Brush Well

I also need to admit that more than I rush; it’s not really part of my vocabulary to brush well. I thought when I have my tooth brush, (whatever kind it is or how long I’ve been using it), a pinch of toothpaste, a glass of water, mix them through a minute or less of brushing, then that’s it. I was really wrong. And I think one of the hardest pains to admit that God showed me last Saturday is that I’ve been careless and I took for granted my dental health.  (Thank you God for ‘inflicting’ me with this necessary and healthy pain).

I really thanked my friend dentist for this.  It is because through her, God reminds me that I need to take care of my health, if I also want to continue with my ministry. Without healthy teeth, gums and all in all, healthy body, it would be impossible for me to love and serve my family and the rest.

So I learned that we should take care of ourselves well, think well, speak well, and do things well. Not half-hearted, not always in a hurry, but to take ample time to savor health, family, friends and ministry. Remember brush your teeth well.

Thank You Doc!

To close, allow me to express my gratitude to my generous friend and dentist, Dr. Cindy Lopez of Toothcare Dental Clinic here in Carmona, Cavite. Thank you again Doc for the cleaning, extraction, freebies and timely inspirations. It’s been a pleasure having my tooth extracted while sharing your wisdom with me. By the way, you did not only clean my teeth, you also bless my spirit. God will surely bless your generous heart and plans.

Friends, I invite you, avoid toxic pains. But if ever you already have one or two today, believe that God can remove them and replace them with healthy ones. He did remove mine; allow Him to remove yours today.

Let us pray.

Generous Father, thank you for the wisdom that you have given me today. Take away my toxic pains and replace them with healthy ones. Help me to have the courage and trust to receive discipline from you. Help me also to give time for you in prayer, in generous service, and in fulfilling my responsibilities well. In Jesus name, I humbly pray. Amen.  

‘Til next time.  

 God loves you!

TRUTH INSPIRES

Nothing is covered that will not be uncovered; or hidden, that will not be made known.      Lk. 12:2

If truth hurts, I firmly believe that it also brings joy.

I remember a friend, Chito, a former student.
He called me the other day to tell me that what I told him is true.
That even though he’s a drunkard, he can change and finish college.
He will graduate this October. Indeed, the truth gives him joy!

Sheila, a talented singer yet a shy type of person.
She sung once in my class. Her classmates were amazed.
With them, I convinced her that she’s a good singer and she has a potential.
During our evaluation, with teary eyes, she thanked the class for believing in her. Indeed, truth brings her joy!

He’s failing in most of his major subjects.
For two years now, James indeed find it hard to do programming.
I asked him to draw, and he didn’t do it well- He did it great!
Why not try fine arts? I told him. Now, he’s happy and about to shift.
Indeed, truth gives him joy!

Today, I invite you to be generous in revealing truths that can lighten someone’s day. Don’t think of big ones, even the simple yet heart felt truths can really do much.

Good morning!
You’re important!
Congratulations!
I really appreciate this!
You did great!
Thank you!
I'm happy you're here!
I care.
I love you!
God loves you!

Indeed, these truths bring us joy.
I pray that you’ll give and find one today.

Stay inspired!

The Life-Changing Generosity Celebration is Here, Be There!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 

Inspiring day!
Advance happy and inspiring 3^rd Anniversary to you all my dear kapasaheros. Indeed, the days, months, and years are really fast that this September 18, 2014, we will be turning 3. And to celebrate this blessing, I’m happy to announce and to invite you to IAMPASAHERO's 3rd Anniversary Celebration on Sept. 27, 2014 (Saturday) 1:00-5:00 pm at Di Francia Auditorium, Rogationist College, Km. 52, Aguinaldo Highway, Lalaan 2^nd, Slang, Cavite. 

This will be the first and major gathering of all IAMPASAHERO members and partners. It will give us the chance to get to know each other well and to Celebrate Generosity through worship, talk, group sharing and out-reach. This event is for the benefit of the poor yet talented boys being supported by Saint Anthony’s Boys Village-Silang and Alternative Learning System (ALS) students of Society of Divine Word (SVD) Tagaytay.

We would like to reserve a seat and light snacks for you and your friends. Just kindly confirm to us your attendance by leaving a comment below or using any of the contact information:  

Call/Text:        +63 0925-884-0131 (Willie)
                        +63 0923-427-1298 (Bell)
Email:              campusmin_chad@yahoo.com
Facebook:       www.facebook.com/Iampasahero

Once again, I invite you to celebrate the Generous You and the Generous World. See you at IAMPASAHERO's 3rd Anniversary Celebration, Sept. 27, 2014 (Saturday) 1:00-5:00 pm at Di Francia Auditorium, Rogationist College, Silang, Cavite.

Our most awaited and life-changing generosity event is here- be there!

_Bro. Chad Vergara