Why I Do What I Do?

Almost a year ago, God lead me to something mysterious and serious. Today, I would like to share it with you.

 

Actually, this is the first time I'm going to speak about this ‘revelation’ here in the World Wide Web. I’m not sure if there were writers who have already wrote in this topic but this is something that I personally learned from God.

My invitation to you now my friend is to discover this ‘revelation’ more and to consistently proclaim and apply it in your life.  So to begin, I invite you to get your Bible and read these biblical passages below:  

James 3:16 

1 John 3:16  

John 3:16
 

Were you able to see the connections of these three passages? Obviously, they are all 3:16’s but there’s more.  

Look at this.  

James (3:16) presents to us the 'problem' why our world now is getting worst than ever- it's because of jealousy and selfishness, the "real" root of all evil. On the other hand, John (1 Jn. 3:16) presents to us the 'answer' why the world "still" has a hope- it's by generous giving of oneself, God’s “way” of loving.
 

Yes. James 3:16, speaks about the CAUSE of the world's problem, while 1 John 3:16 speaks about the ANSWER to the world's problem!
 

Coincidence?  I think not. Here's why...
1. James and John are brothers.  

2. James and John (together with Peter) are close collaborators of Jesus. Compared to other apostles, Jesus chooses them to be the primary witnesses of some of His miracles, teachings and special events in life. 

3. The books of James, Peter and John were arranged in the New Testament one after the other like how they were usually addressed in the Gospels. 

4. The book of James, 1 John (and 1 Peter) has the same 5 chapters. (See it yourself) 

5. 1 John 3:16 and John 3:16 speak of the same truth: God loved us by 'giving' Jesus to us. That through Jesus' "self-giving", we were saved!    

I'm not sure if these already surprised you but here's something more.  

Some biblical scholars believe that some of the books of the Bible may not have been written by the "apostles" themselves. They may be written by their collaborators or someone who wanted to be associated with them.  

If they were written by different authors, do they know that their writings complement each other? And do they know that they were not just complimenting each other’s message but also by the "Apostle” they used in ‘naming’ their books. Is the arrangement of the books of James, Peter and John in the New Testament coincidental, or purposive? Did Stephanus (the one who puts chapters and verses in the New Testament books) meticulously planned this? That John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16 will speak the same essence.

These mysteries still surprise me until this day. And you know what, these things made me more convinced and serious. Serious for what? To believe and promote the following:

1. The greatest expression of God's Love is His generosity.
2.  That if we want to change the course of our world’s history, we all need to be generous! There’s no other way.
3.  More than yesterday and far more than tomorrow, generosity is a “Must” for all of us today.

These are the reasons why I do the things I’m doing now. It is not just something that I would like to do but something that God wants me to do. And the mere fact you’re reading this post, I’m very thankful to God that He also reveals this to you. I’m telling you, this is not a coincident that you are reading this now. Like me, God is calling you to proclaim and live His “Generosity way”- The PASAHERO way!

Thank you my friend for being patient with me in this biblical exposition and thank you for your generosity in proclaiming God's love.
 

May our generous God bless you more!

No Regret, No Surrender

“Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”    Mt. 8: 20

Normally, Jesus will surprise us.
And on our part, we will be amazed.
We will be amazed of how beautiful Jesus is.
We will be overwhelmed how great companion He is.
We will be astonished of how grandeur His love is.

And so with much enthusiasm, we’ll tell him…
“Let me come with you.” “I will go following you.”
Without saying a word, Jesus will normally look at us and will hold our hands. There, we’ll feel more of His great love that we cannot help but close our eyes… Just to feel more, just to savor the moment like we’re enjoying a fresh and wonderful scent.

Then suddenly, as we open our eyes, we find ourselves in the shore line.
Yes, still with the beautiful, grandeur, and great Jesus; but we hardly see Him now.
What we see and hear now is a wide ocean and a loud windy roar.
“An unfamiliar place!” we say.
“Why we're he....?” Jesus knows and so he tells you.
“I’ll be crossing this ocean for the other shore, there I will go.”

“I can’t see the other side Jesus, I’m sure it will be a long trip.”
“Yes, my friend. You can’t see the other shore now, but believe me it’s there.” Jesus answered. “I’ve been there.” He continued.

Now, you can’t hear Him, what you hear is the pounding of your heart questioning… 
“Are we going back? When?
“How about my family?” “How about my friends?” “How about my work?”

Then you feel Jesus giving you a sudden grip of your hand, asking you…
“Will you still want to go?”

Let us pray.
Lord, help me to answer “Yes” to you. Help me to follow you. Help me to sustain the enthusiasm, the joy and my love for you. Amen.

It’s Better to be Unfair

"Do not oppose evil with evil" Mt. 5:39

Let me introduce you to something that you might not hear before.

It’s something that you might not want to experience, but you need to.
It’s something that the world might not teach you, but you need to learn it.
It’s something that you might avoid doing, but I advise you to practice it.

What is that? 

Don’t be fair.
Yes, you hear me right. 
Be unfair!
Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not telling you to become bad.
I’m telling you to become “extremely” good to combat what is bad.

Look at this.

When someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other. Is this fair?
When someone gets your shirt, give your coat as well. Is this fair?
When someone forces you to walk one mile, walk also the second mile. Is this fair?
When someone barrows from you, never expect that it will be returned. Is this fair?
When someone gets something from you, don’t demand it back. Is this fair?

I don’t think so. But why Jesus is summoning us to do these.

The answer- To be fair!
Yes, we need to be unfair, to be fair. Confusing? Maybe, but never doubt it.
Christianity is all about them, and if we are not ready for these;
I think we’re being unfair to our identity.

Listen. Generous giving and loving made us really a Christian.

And we can only do them better if we will learn not always to get what we deserve,
But to give what is deserving to others,
Yes, when we learn not to demand love, but to share love even more to those who don’t
love us.

How is your loving? How is your giving? Is it a Christ-like loving and giving?

Let us pray. Generous Father, teach me to be generous in giving and loving, not only to
those who are lovable but to those who needs them the most. Amen.

   
Want to see how this so called "Spirituality of Unfairness" works? Click this link and be inspired!

THE PANATANG PASAHERO

It’s me again Kapasahero!

WELCOME to the PANATANG PASAHERO!

Together with our PASAHERO Ticket, we also launched yesterday the PANATANG PASAHERO by distributing PANATANG PASAHERO bookmarks. (Many thanks to all the people who generously received them)

PANATANG PASAHERO states some Jeepney etiquette that a pasahero (passenger) like you can observe to promote safe and inspiring travel. By practicing them, you can cultivate generosity in your heart by always making yourself available and respectful to your “kapasahero” (co-passenger) whether known to you or a stranger.

Its basic premise: “Kapag natutong magpahalaga ang isang tao sa kanyang kapwa pasahero, matuto rin syang magmahal kahit kanino.” (When someone learns to value his co-passengers, he will also learn to love whoever).

The first part of the PANATANG PASAHERO (see picture 1) presents the 2 basic etiquettes of pasahero: Waking up early and smiling always. It also includes the habit of falling in line when riding and giving seats to those most in need like the elderly and differently able persons.

The second part (see picture 2) depicts some attitudes that a pasahero should exhibit while already in the jeepney (or any means of transportation). This includes sharing seats, paying honest fare using smaller bills, giving a hand to the fare of his co-passengers, and being respectful and considerate to people around him.

The third part (see picture 3) shows some acts that the pasahero shouldn’t do while inside (or even outside) public transport like smoking and littering. It also invites the pasahero to take care of his belongings and making sure it doesn’t frustrate other passengers.  It also promotes positive disposition while traveling.

And lastly, (see picture 4) this part confirms again the identity and commitment of the pasahero to be a good example and a generous passenger. In doing so, he knows that all of these he can only fulfill with the help of God.

There are still other jeepney etiquttes that can be practice by a pasahero that was not directly stated here in our bookmark. But I assure you; just observing what’s in our bookmark, you can already observe all. (Kindly click the link above, PASAHERO ACT: Be a generous Passenger to see other jeepney etiquette that I’m telling you)

I hope I was able to give you a good background of the PANATANG PASAHERO bookmark. I urge you to grab a copy of it and let’s prepare a safe and inspiring travel for all!

Once again, thank you for your generosity.

May God bless you more!

_Bro Chad

P.S. If ever you still have concerns, please feel free to reach me through my email: campusmin_chad@yahoo.com or at Facebook: www.facebook.com/Richard Vergara or facebook/Iampasahero.  Thank you very much.

THE PASAHERO TICKET

Hi there Kapasahero!

Welcome to a more GENEROUS YOU!

Thank you for generously visiting and launching with us today the PASAHERO TICKET. To help you be acquainted with this initiative, I invite you to read the presentation below. I hope this will give you a good idea of the pasahero ticket and how it can help you create a more generous “YOU” and a more generous world.

So what are we waiting!? Let us now ride for an inspiring and generous life!

THE PASAHERO TICKET

WHAT: The ticket presents the 3rd act of a pasahero- Being a GENEROUS SAVER! This act moves and reminds the pasahero to save not only for himself but also FOR OTHERS.

WHY: This act helps the pasahero to develop inner and external expressions of generosity. Inwardly, it helps him to develop the character of wise (and holy) budgeting, saving, prioritizing, concern and compassion. Externally, it will give him the opportunity to give material help to people who will come for his aid.

HOW: There are 3 basic steps to practice this act:

1. BUDGET: The pasahero is invited to look into his resources; helping him to see a certain amount that can be save for others. Budgeting can also help him find where and how he will save this amount.
2. SAVE: Once the amount is determined, he will devotedly (with the help of God) to save this every day. He will also write the amount to the pasahero ticket (see red arrow), the day when he started to practice the act (see yellow arrow) and his name (see blue arrow) to remind him of this commitment.
3. GIVE: The pasahero is now invited to use his saving to generously help others in their material or financial needs.

WHERE: The pasahero is advised to keep the accomplished pasahero ticket and have it posted to the official iampasahero page at facebook. By doing this, he can also inspire other to continuously practice this act. This will also give us an idea of the total approximation of the amount we are all saving for others.

Note: You (the pasahero) are the one to keep your savings and also the one to decide to whom and how you will going to use it. So I invite you to be committed and honest with it.

So that’s your pasahero ticket. Your ticket to a more inspiring and generous life!

If you still have some questions and suggestions, please feel free to contact me at any of the following:

Email: campusmin_chad@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.vergara.33 or  www.facebook.com/Iampasahero

Once again, thank you for your generosity.
Join us today and discover a more inspiring and generous you!

May God bless you more!

_Bro. Chad

P.S. You can also click the link above the PASAHERO ACT: The generous Saver for more insformation. Thank you

The Doctor’s Doctor

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Prov. 15:33

During the last day of confinement of my son, I had the opportunity to visit one of the most prestigious and advance hospitals in the Philippines- Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

I went there to buy some supplies and to pay the doctor who had generously lent his machine for my son's operation. While finding my way out, the elevator led me (yes it was an accident) to the hospital’s chapel. I entered and I noticed that it’s not that big but it is a very serene place. It’s a very conducive haven to entrust your cares and thanksgiving after days of uncertainty.

But more than the ambiance, what inspires me more inside the chapel is to see doctors making signs of the cross, kneeling and praying. Some of them stayed for about two to three minutes, some of them just came to dropped-by. But just the same, it was an inspiring moment. It was inspiring to me because it’s my first time to see doctors in uniform praying in front of the Greatest Healer of all. Doctors who somehow I considered “gods” and entrusted the fate of my son the past days are now knelling and teaching me to depend on God. What a display of humility, dependence and faith!

So then and there, while praying with these professionals, I was reminded of my own profession too. As an educator, am I humble, dependent and placing my faith in God? Or am I just playing my role, or just being confident to myself that I can deliver the goods?

                                                                                        

I thank the Lord for this encounter...
Surely, one of the blessings He gave me through these trying times.
For He reminded me again to be humble and always depend on Him.
And not only that! He made me realized that He really stayed, indeed He never leaves…
That indeed he never leaves me, my wife and definitely my son.

For this Great Doctor and Teacher of all, always be the glory!

P.S. Dedicated with prayers to all the doctors, nurses, pharmacist and staff of Ospital ng Muntinlupa and Asian Hospital and Medical Center who generously assist my son. Thank you very much.

Learn from the Experts

“As the Father has loved me so I have loved you; remain in my love” Jn. 15:9

Many people will tell you that if you want to succeed in life,
You need to learn from the experts.
That you need to learn from the professionals.

And so if today, you are pursuing love…
Meaning- you want to give more love or receive more love,
Please don’t miss the words above, for they really are from the experts.

Try to see this.
Jesus was able to give us an unconditional love because he learned it from the expert.
Who? No other than His Loving Father!
He said: “As the Father has loved me so I have loved you.”
And now, Jesus is inviting us. He continued: “Remain in my love.”
Remaining in Jesus’ love mean- 
Learning to love “FROM” Him,
Loving someone “LIKE” Him.

Indeed, the love of our Father and of our brother Jesus is our ultimate "Pattern of Love."
If we really want to love and be loved...
Let us always seek their advice. 
Let us always look at their example. 
Let us always follow their commands.

Today, learn to love from the experts.