You Are Worthy

Since the start of the month of February, people are talking about the coming Valentine’s Day. Almost every establishment I went to have decorations with either a red balloon or a heart shape posted on their wall, or the combination of these.

You can also feel this season of love in the web. Netizens have their way of expressing their excitement and enthusiasm on this much awaited February 14 and post it on twitter, instagram or facebook.

Some are happily married. Some are happy with their boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. Some are happy being single. By the way, not all single are happy being single: some singles are looking for a partner; and some are emotionally unstable single who have not been able to move on from their past relationship.

I don’t know what status are you right now. I don’t know where you’ve come from. But whatever you’re going through right now, understand that you are valuable, you are worthy.

Our value is intrinsic. It is not something you and I have earned; indeed we cannot earn it. God built value into us when He created us. That means you can stop obsessing about all your faults and give yourself a break.

Some people are always putting themselves down. “I’m so slow.” “I’m unattractive. Look at my height; look at my nose?” “How can I live? My boyfriend dumped me.” “I was rejected by the woman I’m courting, maybe she’s right; I look like a toad.”

Don’t be so hard on yourself!

The Scripture says we are God’s workmanship. The word workmanship implies that you are not yet a finished product; you are a “work in process.” Certainly, there may be some things in your life that you aren’t happy about; you may have some habits you need to break. But remember, God is not finished with you. Whether you realize it or not, right now God is moving you onward toward greater things.

Imagine that I’m handing you a new, crisp one-thousand-peso bill. Would you want it? Probably so! Suppose I crumpled it up so it wasn’t quite as good-looking as it was. Would you still want it? Sure! But what if I took it out in the parking lot, threw it on the ground and stomped on it until the bill was barely perceptible? Would you still want it?

Of course. Why? Because it is still valuable despite the rough treatment it has experienced.

That’s the way God sees each one of us. Sometimes we feel like that one-thousand-peso-bill, all crumpled and soiled. But just as that one-thousand-peso-bill still has value, we do too! In fact, we will never, ever lose our value.

Our value has been placed in us by God and nobody can take it away from us.

Friend, no matter what you go through in life, no matter how many disappointments you suffer, your value in God’s eyes always remain the same. He will never give up on you so don’t give up on yourself.

Develop a Prosperous Mind-set

There’s this young man in the Old Testament by the name of Bosh.

Okay, it’s Mephibosheth (can we just call him Bosh?). He was the grandson of King Saul and the son of Jonathan.  You may recall that Saul’s son, Jonathan, and David were best friends. They actually entered into a covenant relationship, similar to the ancient covenant of being “blood brothers.” That means whatever one had, it belonged to the other. Moreover, in the covenant relationship, if something were to happen to one of these two men, the remaining “brother” would be obliged to take care of the other’s family.

King Saul and Jonathan were killed in the battle on the same day, and when word got back to the palace, a servant grabbed Bosh, Jonathan’s little son picked him up, and took off running. Going out of Jerusalem in such haste the servant tripped and fell while carrying the child. Bosh became crippled as a result of the fall. The servant transported Jonathan’s son all the way to a city called Lodebar, one of the most poverty-stricken, desolate cities in that entire region. That is where Bosh, grandson of the king, lived almost his entire life. Think about that. He was the grandson of the king, yet he was living in those terrible conditions.

David succeeded Saul as king, and years later, long after Saul and Jonathan were memories in the minds of most people, David asked his staff the question in 2 Samuel  9:1 “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul that I could show kindness to for Jonathan’s sake?” Remember, that was part of the covenant Jonathan and David had entered.

One of David’s staff members replied, “Yes, David. Jonathan has a son that’s still alive, but he’s crippled. He lives in Lodebar.

David said, “Go get him and bring him to the palace.”

When Bosh arrived, he was no doubt fearful.

But David said to him, “Don’t be afraid. I’m going to show kindness to you because of your father, Jonathan. I’m going to give you back all the land that once belonged to your grandfather Saul. And from this day forward, you will eat at my table as though you are one of my sons.”

David treated Bosh as royalty. After all, he was the grandson of the king. And David was in a covenant relationship with father.

Bosh’s life was transformed instantly – that’s the good news – but think of all the years that he lived in that dirty city of Lodebar. All the while, he knew he was royalty. Beyond that, it was commonly known that David and Jonathan were in a covenant relationship. Based on that alone Bosh knew he had rights.

Why didn’t he just go into the palace and say, “King David, I’m Jonathan’s son. I’m living in poverty down in Lodebar, and I know that I’m made for more than that. I’m here to claim what belongs to me through my father’s covenant relationship with you.”

Why did Bosh settle for mediocrity? We catch a clue from his initial response to David. When David told him that he was going to take care of him, the Bible says, “Bosh bowed his head low and he said. ‘Who am I that you notice such a dead dog like me?”

Do you see his self-image? He saw himself as defeated, as a loser, as a dead dog.

Yes, he was the grandson of the king, but his image of himself kept him from receiving the privileges that rightfully belonged to him.

Why did I share you that story? Because for once in our lives, if not many times, we do the same thing. Confession, I was like Bosh. I saw myself as a dead dog. My self image was so contrary to the way God sees me that I miss out on God’s best. Thankfully I’m thinking and seeing a new perspective. I’m learning to see myself as what God sees me. And God sees us as champions.

Friends, start stepping up to the dinner table. Start enjoying God’s blessings for you. Develop a prosperous mind-set, seeing yourself as the royalty God made you to be.

Become an Eagle

I love to write! I dreamt of publishing ten books before I turn 40. How will I do that? I don’t know yet.

I remember after I graduated, I wrote a book which is a compilation of the poems I have written during my college years made with a story. I was foolish then to present the manuscript to my favorite Filipino author Bo Sanchez and asked to publish the book during the break of his financial seminar I attended. This happened months after graduation in 2011 and I just turned 20.

I was enthusiastic and confident that he’d respond to my request on a positive approach because I know that my book is one-of-a-kind and many college students can relate to it.

I was wrong.

But looking back, I’m grateful that he didn’t publish it.

He said in his email,

“Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the book.

It shows your tenacity, your gift, and your confidence.

Your writing style is very easy to read, and that's very important.

Keep at it.

Don't ever loose those qualities--confidence, hard work, patience, and hope...

Because of them, I know you'll be a success.

Right now, my non-profit publications house, Shepherds Voice, doesn't publish other authors anymore, except "in house" authors.

I suggest you try other publication outfits.

Just google them and submit your manuscript.

Another option is to try self-publishing.

It's very big nowadays to do that.

Start a blog.  Get a following.

Give away eBooks to that following.

Praying for your success,

Bo”

Today, I realized that I was not a good writer then. That first unpublished book was a disaster. Who would want to buy a hard copy of that? Haha! I asked myself now, “Did I write that book?”

But I didn’t give up writing. I know that I have a long way to learn about it. I just have to write and write and write.

I’m not a born writer. I was not even a member of the school publication from elementary to college. But it gives me sense of fulfillment and joy everytime I get to write an article, wrestle with my thoughts and share my ideas.

I’m thankful that I have a mentor like Bo (through his books and seminars) who gave me an eagle advice not chicken’s.

Let me share with you a wonderful story.

Once upon a time, at a large mountainside there was an eagle nest with 4 large eagle eggs inside.

One day, an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down to a chicken farm, located in the valley below.

The chickens knew that they must protect the eagle egg. Eventually, the eagle egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born.

Being chickens, the chickens raised the eagle to be a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family but it seemed his spirit cried out for more.

One day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring. ”Oh,” the eagle cried, “I wish I could soar like those birds.”

The chickens roared with laughter, “You cannot soar like those. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar.” The eagle continued staring at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be like them.

Each time the eagle talked about his dreams, he was told it couldn’t be done.

That was what the eagle learned to believe. After time, the eagle stopped dreaming and continued to live his life as a chicken.

Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.

In life, there are chickens who steal our dreams away. Sometimes it is tempting to believe what they’re saying is true.

Friends, you become what you believe you are. If you ever dream to become an eagle, follow your dreams, not the words of chickens.

Yourself is the Best Commodity

"Imagine that a Genie offers you any car in the world. The catch is that it is the only car you will ever own. What would you do?

You would read the manual ten times, change the oil twice as often as required, and you would take fastidious care so that that car remained the car of your dreams forever.

Think about what this tells you about your body.

You get only one mind and one body–the same ones you will have at 20, 40, 60, etc.

Take care of them and maximize their potential. It will be too late to take care of your body and mind (and car) later on. You can maintain them, but it is hard or impossible to undo big mistakes or negligence later on. You do not want to end up with a wreck on your hands.

Your main asset in life is yourself.

Treat yourself as a valuable asset. I often explain to students that I would be willing to pay today for a percentage of the future earnings of good students.

If you value yourself, and invest in yourself, you will be worth a great deal through out your lifetime, both to yourself and to your community."

- Warren Buffet

The Twelve Gifts of Birth

Christmas is near! I'm excited about Christmas gifts! Whether it will come from our friends, family or a gift from ourselves, it does help to uplift and feel the spirit of Christmas.

I read an article that I want to share with you. It's about the 12 gifts we received when we were born.

Once upon a time, a long time ago, when princes and princesses lived in faraway kingdoms, royal children were given twelve special gifts when they were born. You may have heard the stories. Twelve wise women of the kingdom, or fairy godmothers as they were often called, traveled swiftly to the castle whenever a new prince or princess came into the world. Each fairy godmother pronounced a noble gift upon the royal baby.

As time went on, the wise women came to understand that the twelve royal gifts of birth belong to every child, born anywhere at anytime. They yearned to proclaim the gifts to all children, but the customs of the land did not allow that.

One day when the wise women gathered together they made this prophecy:

Some day, all the children of the world will learn the truth about their noble inheritance. When that happens a miracle will unfold on the kingdom of Earth.

Some day is near. Here is the secret they want you to know.

At the wondrous moment you were born, as you took your first breath, a great celebration was held in the heavens and twelve magnificent gifts were granted to you.

1. Strength is the first gift. May you remember to call upon it whenever you need it.

2. Beauty is the second gift. May your deeds reflect its depth.

3. Courage is the third gift.May you speak and act with confidence and use courage to follow your own path.

4. Compassion is the fourth gift. May you be gentle with yourself and others. May you forgive those who hurt you and yourself when you make mistakes.

5. Hope is the fifth gift. Through each passage and season, may you trust the goodness of life.

6. Joy is the sixth gift. May it keep your heart open and filled with light.

7. Talent is the seventh gift. May you discover your own special abilities and contribute them toward a better world.

8. Imagination is the eighth gift. May it nourish your visions and dreams.

9. Reverence is the ninth gift. May you appreciate the wonder that you are and the miracle of all creation.

10. Wisdom is the tenth gift. Guiding your way, wisdom will lead you through knowledge to understanding. May you hear its soft voice.

11. Love is the eleventh gift. It will grow each time you give it away.

12. Faith is the twelfth gift. May you believe.

Now you know about your twelve gifts of birth. But there is more to the secret that the wise women knew. Use your gifts well and you will discover others, among them a gift that is uniquely you. See these noble gifts in other people. Share the truth and be ready for the miracle to unfold as the prophecy of the wise women comes true.

 

Share your gifts,
Kev

It’s the first day of December

It’s the first day of December.

Do you feel it too? I’m talking about the Christmas breeze. It’s amazingly cold isn’t it? I believe that this is the season when men look more handsome than any time of the year. We can now open our mahiwagang baul  (old box), bring out and wear our jackets and sweatshirts. (Ha ha!)

Okay, women also.

We try to look better. And when we do that, we feel good about ourselves.

Isn’t that wonderful? Because when we feel good about ourselves, we attract more positive things and are now open for more blessings into our lives.

I’m also excited about Christmas meals. The Vegetable salads, fruit salads and pizzalads.

But it’s not just food, mind you. It is about being together. Relatives and friends from other provinces and other parts of the globe catching up. It’s going be a long-hour lunch and a long-hour dinner talking about relationships and all good stuff.

I believe this is what Christmas is all about.

Together thanking the Lord for the blessings of the year and praying for new blessings for the coming year.

I will write more about the Christmas season in my next article.

Advance Merry Christmas,

Kev