#laministry

[aicomarie]

LOSSES TURNED INTO GAIN

By Aico and Bivz, Published at LDI Newsletter 2013

True in its very depth that joining this LDI training digs a lot of purpose and motivations. It can’t be denied that many had left substantial matters for the sake of pursuing this. And some came across dreadful blows upon this pursuit. Each participant has varying stories to tell. One common thing can be found though: LOSSES. We can say that literally, for we know better—we know that they are just losses on the surface.

Peeling out the cover, we can see tremendous gain that far outweighs what had been lost. Part of that are the lessons learned from this one month training. But we don’t want to call them “lessons learned”. We’d rather call them “losses turned into gain.” And here’s some of that:

“Work with LOVE when you work for the Lord.”—Reyn (MSU-Marawi)

“There’s no royal rule in learning; learn it and live it.”—Gia (CDO)

“Be creative in doing evangelism.”—Oliver (MSU-Marawi)

“The treasure that a Christian can give to the people is the gospel.”—Shelou (Kabacan)

“Give up everything that hinders us to follow Jesus.”—Eli (CLSU)

“Act BIG for the Lord.”—Flop (MSU-Marawi)

“Surrender all things to God and nothing is impossible through Him.”—JM (Laoag)

“Vision is caught first, and then taught.”—Jekert (MSU-Marawi)

“There is no room for a disciple who’s living a selfish life. Diciplemaking needs urgency.”—Kim (Kabacan)

“Learning can only be justified through its results. Therefore, we must bear fruit.—Franz (GenSan)

“There’s a need to have a fully developed vision in your personal ministry in order to fulfill the Great Commission.”—Mayen (Iligan)

“The best way to combat fear is LOVE.”—Jana (GenSan)

“The only way to live is to live for Christ.”—Sarah Jean (VSU)

“There is no division between sacred and secular. Christian life is to think spiritual and do spiritual.”—Mark (VSU)

“Intimacy results to fruitfulness. How can I love God if I don’t know Him?”—Rose (VSU)

We were truly blessed upon hearing these from our co-participants. And just as what Franz from Gen-San had said, “Learning can only be justified through its results.” The real challenge of the battle will be the application of all of these as we return to our ministry areas. Surely, greater GAINS are yet to come.

Ciao,

Aico Marie

[aicomarie]

LDI Lectures: More of Him

By Aico Marie C. Sanico, Published at LDI Newsletter 2013

“Through the years, You’ve shown me more of You… more of You.”—Christian Song

That simple line from a common song truly means a lot to me. I marvel at the thought that the Lord of lords and the King of kings continually reveals more of Him day after day, drawing us intimately closer to Him. It’s such a blessing that in every situation, in people we encounter, in all that surrounds us, there’s this opportunity to know Him better.

I won’t say that the LDI lectures spoke about Him because that would be an understatement. Rather, I would say that the lectures shouted vastly more of Him. The topics can’t just say enough of His glory and there’s so much to write. Few of what I have seen behind the surface are these:

Our God is the God of Order. He wants discipline to be grasped by His people that even a simple task of being an usher or an emcee is so important to Him. He doesn’t settle for mediocrity that He wants even the plain matter of program preparations to be handled critically.  He’s against confusion and chaos that He even teaches us the smallest facets of communication. He doesn’t want us to go astray and so He teaches us to obey authorities. He teaches us to set our goals, for He desires that His people will find their way over the crossroads of Christian life. These are just few of the topics in LDI that show how he sets everything in place, with order and excellence, for His glory.

Our God is also the God of Certainty. All in Him is true. He is genuine and He wants His people to be genuine. He doesn’t stop at the sight of the things we do in serving Him—He digs deeper at the attitude of our hearts. He doesn’t want His word to be misunderstood and so He teaches us how to interpret (Hermeneutics) and deliver (Homiletics) them well. He hates deception and falsehood that’s why He made known to us the different doctrines and revealed the book “Total Truth” as a fight against deceit. He equips us in evangelism and disciplemaking because He wants the world to know the truth. These topics remind us that all in Him is inevitable.

Above all, God is love. I was amazed at how God used these lectures to make it clear that because of his supreme love, He wants to be the Lord of every area in our lives. He has to be. He knows we can’t do it on our own. He should rule our personal ministry, our families, our studies, our profession, our skills, our plans, even our decisions towards marriage—everything. Sensibly, He desires for us not to fall in every aspect, for He know what will terribly happen if we will have our own way. How loving our God is.

Indeed, all throughout the LDI, He has shown us more of Him.

[aicomarie]

HEARTS AND PAPERS

(By Aico Marie C. Sanico, published at LDI Newsletter 2013)

God, in His sovereign power, can do great things out of a piece of paper and some volume of ink. If I don’t believe on that simple truth then I should not be giving gospel tracts on streets, markets, jeepneys or buses. It would be a sad picture. It’s just like giving blank papers to people and God will not be pleased at all. As His word clearly emphasized, “…without FAITH, it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6)

I encountered God’s discipline regarding this matter one afternoon during our fieldwork. We’re leaving for bus and jeep evangelism and I asked from the office some tracts. I asked for tagalog tracts because in my mind I was thinking, “Tagalog tracts na lang, since sa community naman kami pupunta. Hindi masyadong maa-appreciate ang English tracts doon. Mas okay lang ‘yon sa UP-campus.” And I left with my mind jailed on that thought. We rode a jeep towards San Pablo and the unexpected thing happened. Three Indian men rode the jeep we were in. I immediately asked my companions if they have English tracts and they have none. I searched through my bag keeping my hopes high. I found one. We gave that one single tract for the three of them and explained that we can’t give enough, for what’s left are tagalong ones.

That very moment, on my seat, I really felt like He’s talking to me in a very gentle voice, saying “This is why you should bring English tracts. “ My heart was so pierced and I praised Him for His correction. Indeed, He doesn’t want His children to fall on the lies of the enemy. I searched my heart and I understood that there’s more to what He’s saying. God wanted to remind me that I should not put limitations on what He can do through those tracts. That it’s not about the tracts but about His power that will work through them.

How I thought I’ve already learned in this area. I thought I’ve grown in this simple task. Yet, God reminded me that what’s in the heart of His children is more important to Him. I rejoiced at what He has done that day. It gave me a different standpoint and I know I won’t look at that piece of paper the same way again.

These are captures of our Evangelism Activity from Leadership Development Institute 2013:

This family welcomed me in their house and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior after I shared to them the Gospel of Salvation. Such wonderful smiles of redeemed souls. Glory to Him, forever!

These girls are awesome! They gladly received Jesus after we visited their house and shared to them the Message of the Cross--the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Another family who listened, believed and received the Salvation freely offered by Jesus Christ on Calvary. That’s Kuya Eldrin sharing to them the gospel during that beautiful day at San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines.

Jeep Evangelism with my teammates. (Go team 6!)

Jeep Evangelism with my teammates. (Go team 6!)

This was last May 18, 2013 when we had our Mass Crusade at Laguna, Philippines and shared the word of God through songs, dances, mime, magical tricks and drama presentations. We gathered people from the streets and their houses. We distributed gospel tracts and rendered counseling sessions. This was a glorious day we will never forget!

The crusade ended victoriously! :)

Ciao,

Aico Marie <3