God's way of cheering me up!!!

It may be shallow but it's really effective...

Last Thursday I got a call from someone unexpected. Tian Yu, our Malaysian marketing personnel told me that someone's on the line looking for me. I asked him jokingly if its from a female, and he said "yes". I was wondering who could that be. Who would call me from work @ 3:00 pm on our office land line. So I took the handset and said "Hello! This is Joseph, how may I help you?". And then a warm voice from the other line introduced herself...

A year ago, I was checking Asian Institute of Management's (AIM) website. I wanted to gather information about their 16 months Masters in Business Administration (MBA) course. It was my lifelong dream to be able to study in that prestigious school, after reading their school brochure when I was in high school. I even downloaded their application forms and registered in their website and after wards, started preparing the necessary admission requirements for the course. Then, just last week I checked their website again after a year and read that they will be having their student intake this September. And this is what happened after two days. I was shocked when the lady told me that she was calling directly from Makati-AIM Admission's office. I was saying to myself, "what in the world, how did they get this number?". She started telling me that she had one slot left for the September intake and asked me if I would like to be in. I was already overwhelmed that time, but I declined nicely. This year is not yet time for me. I told her that my employment will reach two years next March which is major requirement. That I plan to sign up for next year's second intake. She said it was a perfect choice. She also told me that they are coming to Dumaguete early next year, and promised to include my name on the list of applicants.

I was really happy in so many ways. One is that my waiting was not in vain. That God was still on track and is ahead of my vision even when I placed it on the shelf for some time. That He has been faithful all this time and that my life is actually going somewhere. Two, is because it is somehow a confirmation to my prayers. That my dream is starting to unfold right before me. I had so many plans-I want to do what the Lord wants me to do and at the same time be a blessing to the community and to my country. And, I think getting this education will be a big help to achieving the vision. Lastly, is that God is a God of "Perfect Timing" as He has always been. He knows when to cheer me up and how to do it.

I know, it's still a long way and a long wait. If ever I get accepted to the course, the tuition will be a problem. The 16 month course cost 36, 000 USD and I am the same amount short of it. My plan is to to be on the 5% top scorers of the Admission exams so that I can be admitted as full scholar. It is like a punch to the moon which seems to be impossible. But, I know with His help I can do it-along with a lot of hard work and prayer. At this time, I am already starting to discipline myself more rigid. I have to read a lot of books from now on. I have to make use of my time wisely, as time is not a luxury for me because I have to balance work, ministry and recreation. But this will be a new challenge I need to square off. I still have less than a year.

At the end of the day, I'm glad I waited even though not that patiently (still I waited) and did not push through with my premature plans. God is in control of my life and I will put my Trust in Him...

I am saving it for last...

It' s kinda hard sometimes to answer, when my friends bombard me with a lot of questions about my "LOVE LIFE".
When they ask, "how about yours?".
And I just respond jokingly " there's love and there's life..." (means I don't want to reiterate) .
I wish they'd stop there...
But then again they want me to qualify my answer, " so, your seeing someone?".
I do, like I see everyone with my two eyes. Then I have to nail it, "seriously, I'm single and I'm waiting on God for my future wife".
'What??? Are you serious, why wait?" is the common reply, and the familiar look on their faces as if they get it-that I have a vow of celibacy to fulfill. (Nope, pastors are allowed to marry-thank God..hahaha)
Its not about my vocation, and certainly unrelated about not entertaining the thought of having someone...
Yup. I long for someone to hold, someone to talk to with my funniest dreams, and someone to share my life with forever.
So why wait? I sometimes ask that question too. Why not be with the next girl who comes along? Why not date anyone and then maybe God would reveal the one for me along the way?
Hmmm...sounds biblical. (hehehe)
Its been more than a year since my last relationship with the opposite sex. I ask God sometimes, "When Lord, when will I return to the dating scene?" (not the actual words though)
I examined myself, asking those "why" questions again and again, and I came up with this short list of reasons why I have waited, still waiting, and will be waiting...

1. Top of the List. Because, I am sure that this is what God wants me to do right now. Not that I am on a heroic act or on a special mission, but simply just because God wants to teach me a lot of things in this waiting period of my life.

2. Because I am enjoying my being single. Single blessedness, or single with a purpose is what I call it. A stage in my life where I am enjoying the most and living it to the fullest. Doing things I may not have the chance to do again if I'm with someone.

3. Right now, I am not ready for another relationship and commitment with someone. I am a very conditional person, impatient, slow to listen and quick to speak, and full of pride at times. I still have so many things to work at.

4. I'm complete at this stage in my life (note: at this stage). The next stage may not be the same...

5. I will be giving my heart to the girl God shows me as my wife. I may sound a hopeless romantic, but I truly believe that somewhere out there, under the same sky-my future wife exists.

6. I have better things in mind right now. Big plans for the future. So many responsibilities to shoulder, sometimes beyond what my age can handle. But, I'm learning so many things in my job, ministry, family and with the people around me.

7. Lastly, because I know that God is busy writing the most romantic love story that will sweep me off my feet. Therefore I will wait.


Everyday is an endless battle of the mind and the heart. Sometimes I ask myself, "what am I doing?". When everything is said and done, will it be worth the wait?? I really don't know. All I know is that I will just have to trust God. I also believe that in His time all things will be beautiful. In His proper time.

I want to give my heart to the right person. That's why, I am saving it for it last...

Waiting, Dreaming, Running after a Vision...

I just finished reading the book by Matthew Barnett, "The Church that Never Sleeps" for the third time. It's a story of a young man who was sent to pastor a church in the inner city of Los Angeles. The church reaches out to gang members, prostitus, the homeless and every need present in the inner city. The Dream Center began as a typical local church. But with the fresh vision and desire to impact the entire city that God birthed in Matthew’s heart, the church grew from 39 members at its conception in September of 1994, to reaching more than 30,000 people each week in the Center’s 40 services and nearly two hundred ministries and outreaches today. The Dream Center houses close to 500 people who are being rehabilitated for the glory of God. Over 35,000 people a week receive food and many other services are offered to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the community. titutes, drug addicts, the hurting and almost eve

This just shows how God can work in the lives of those who have a vision and choose to trust him no matter what ...

I am reminded of Henry Varley's parting words to D.L. Moody.

The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. -Henry Varley

to which D.L. Moody responded...

“I will try my utmost to be that man.”

and went on to Evangelize most parts of Great Britain and America...

I have a vision too.

I am in the waiting part right now. The prayer and the planning stage. The dreaming leg of the journey...I guess this is the hardest part!!! Not knowing until when or how long is the wait. I guess the length of wait and preparation is a reflection of the magnitude of the task to be done. God is growing me into my vision and is at work in my life and in others behind the scene.

So WHY WAIT???

" Developing a vision or discovering a vision for a particular area of our lives takes time. Visioneering is a process. Sometimes its a painful process. Because of the time required, it can be agonizing. But it is a process that yields a product worth every bit of the agony along the way." -Andy Stanley from the book "Visioneering"

So I'll have to wait...Till when??? Only God knows. Meanwhile it will be a time for me to examine myself and become totally sold out for this God ordained vision.


ps. I highly recommend these 2 books that have impact my christian walk greatly- The Church that Never Sleeps by Matthew Barnett and Visioneering by Andy Stanley.