It’s December!

Dear All.,

It’s December! For many it may only mean one thing — Christmas!  I
think the kids are the most excited about Christmas!  Actually some
kids have a hard time waiting for Christmas (or I should say is
because they can’t wait for their gifts!).  How about you, what are
you waiting for Christmas?  Are you longing for anything?  Maybe you
are expecting special coming or looking forward for it?  Or, it will
just be another ordinary “so – so” Christmas?

In the Gospel of Luke chapter 2, there were two characters that made
their appearance in the final drama of the first Christmas.  This was
the time when the infant Jesus was dedicated in the temple.   One was
named Simeon and the other was woman named Anna. We know that they
don’t appear in any nativity or in any Christmas cards, but I believe
that they played significant roles.

We’re introduced to Simeon in Luke 2:25 “Now there was a man in
Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.  He was waiting
for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”
Simeon was righteous before people, and he was devout in his
relationship with GOD.  While Anna was introduced in Luke 2:28 “Coming
up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about
the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of
Jerusalem.”

Things weren’t going real well for the nation of Israel during the
birth of Jesus.  They hadn’t heard from GOD for many years and were
under Roman rule.  They had lost their independence and were living in
fear of the capable, crafty and cruel King Herod .. and many were
wondering if the “Messiah” would ever come for redemption and comfort.

It strikes me that the desire to be redeemed and comforted are
universal human needs!  We all struggle with loneliness, emptiness,
insecurity and even desperation.  And Christmas season is one of the
major crisis time of the year … in fact the highest for depression and
suicide!

Going back to Luke 2, the Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to go to the
temple and looked at the baby Jesus, maybe about 6 weeks old, and saw
the promise of GOD fulfilled!  Here was Immanuel, “God with us,” to
make everything right, to provide significance and to eliminate
rejection, fear and loneliness!  Then in verse 34, it puzzled me by
what Simeon told Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling
and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will spoken
against…”  Hmm, that’s not really a joyful Christmas greeting, isn’t
it?

Here I believe is the answer… whether we like it or not, I think
Christmas splits people into two camps. Since Jesus has entered the
world, He has divided the human race. Jesus will cause the “falling
and rising” of many because of who Jesus is and what He came to do.
It forces people to make a decision about Him. The Bible uses powerful
imagery of Jesus as either the Rock that you build your life upon
(rising) or He’s the rock that you stumble over (falling)!  Here’s the
point:  you can’t stay neutral about Jesus. You are either for Him or
against Him. You’re moving closer to Him, or further away from Him.
You either have Christ or you don’t.

On the other hand, when Anna saw Jesus, she gave thanks to God and
spoke of Him to all who were waiting for redemption. The word
redemption is related to the idea of captivity.  Here, at last, is the
One who would save His people from their sins — the ultimate
redemption and the symbol of God’s love and power to release the
captives!

Allow me to ask the question again, “What are you waiting for this
Christmas?”  For me, even if Christ is born in Bethlehem a thousand
times, unless He is born in you … life will be always empty!

~get aLife~
-p.a. <><

The End

Dear All,

In less than ten days, 2009 is over!  It’s the end of the year.  The
first decade of 21st century is coming to an end.  There is this verse
in the Scriptures that says:  “The end of a matter is better than its
beginning…” –Ecclesiastes 7:8

Sometimes you wonder, how an end becomes better than its beginning!?
Well, many that I can think of.  If coming from a very long trip, you
know that at the end of a trip is much better than the beginning. It
always feels so good to come back home and know that all the
travelling hours are behind us. Imagine a ship with all its cargo
coming from a far, the captain knew just what storms they weathered in
the trip. Sometimes I hear stories from seamen where they were in the
middle of nowhere spending nights without ever seeing the stars and
even days without the sun. After being away for a long period of time,
for them the end of the voyage is clearly better than the beginning.
Or, we can think of a soldier, going off to war. Is not the end of a
duty better than the beginning for him? How he longs to complete his
tour and be safely home!

One thing is for sure; the year 2009 is becoming part of history.
Another life year is quickly passing by which means we have one year
less to live!  This year, perhaps you are mindful of opportunities
that you have missed, mistakes that you have made, or even regrets
that are hunting you. How you wish to go back in time! But it is not
wise to wish to go back in time. Be like that ship’s captain for a
moment. Would you really like to relive the storms of 2009? Maybe you
have undergone some physical storms, while others emotional storms,
would you really like to relive the pains. For some, maybe the
struggles were spiritual. Think of the arrows that the enemy has slung
at your faith this year are gone! They can never be used against you.
To be sure, he will sling more, but you have outlasted them. Would you
really like to go back and struggle with those temptations again? 2009
is going to an end and as a result you are older and maybe wiser for
having lived through it. The book of James says it better, “My
brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing
that the testing of your faith produces patience.” –James 1:2-3

Think of Jesus. Throughout His human life He was rejected and abused
and finally killed, yet now He is glorified in Heaven. The same thing
waits for us. The apostle Paul reasons with the Romans and says, “Now
if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.
Death no longer has dominion over Him.”  Endure tough times – hang on
to your faith, because we will also be glorified in the end.

The end is better than the beginning because now you can choose to end
those crippling hang-ups, bad habits and wrong attitude in your life.
Let me share you a story I heard of the little bird. He had his wing
over his eye and he was crying. The owl said to the bird, “You are
crying.” “Yes,” said the little bird, and he pulled his wing away from
his eye. “Oh, I see,” said the owl. “You’re crying because the big
bird hurt your eye.” And the little bird said, “No, I’m not crying
because the big bird pecked my eye. I’m crying because I let him.” We
can choose to end a life of being a victim… both from our own doing
and from the negative influence of others.

For me, GOD has used this year’s many events, opportunities,
experiences and even my own failures to help me grow. I hope the same
is true for many. It is not what happens that determines the major
part of our future. Whatever happens… happens to us all. It is what
you do about what happens that counts. Here’s the truth:  we are freed
from our past! And the best part, the end is better than its beginning
because we truly can start all over again!  A new beginning is coming
very soon to give us a fresh start again.  The key is not to bring the
pains, faults and failures from the past… but to bring the new lessons
learned, the new wisdom acquired, and the new hope built into the
coming new year!

Lastly, here’s another thought — you cannot end what you have never
begin!  Maybe there are wonderful plans and dreams that you have put
off for a long time now.  You cannot end what you do not begin. As we
face the beginning of a new year, why not make a new beginning in your
life…

Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year!

Get aLife,
-p.a. <><

Our Heavenly Father

Dear Worship teams., This Sunday is “Happy Father’s Day!” … I pray that we will continue to have good fathers in aLife. Someone said, a good father.. means, “Being a man, functioning as a man, taking responsibility as a man, thinking like a man, acting like a man, working like a man, all of these are some prerequisites to being a good Father!” We know that we don’t have perfect fathers in this world… yet the good news is that we have a Pefect Father in Heaven that we all can rely on! The message will focus on “The Promises of our Heavenly Father.”. Our main text will be on Joshua chapter 23, whereby Joshua reiterated and reminded the Israel of the goodness of our Father in heaven. He fulfilled all His promises! Yet it comes with a promise of both blessings and curses too. It also comes with a warning .. as well as a challenge of choosing whom you will serve in this life: Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” All the husbands (and fathers) are called by GOD to take the lead especially on the spritual life of his family. In short, he is the spiritual leader of his home! (From “ask-ma” into “ask-pa”… he-he-he!) This coming Sunday, may we celebrate and worship our true Father … our “Father in Heaven!”. May we pick worship songs that honors Him! By the way., Father’s Day is like Mother’s Day, except the gift is cheaper! Oops, joke only..! Thanks and GOD bless

We Thrive at Five

Dear All, We in Abundant Life Fellowship Church or ‘aLife’ for short, are so grateful and excited as we celebrate our coming fifth year anniversary this Sunday! It is by our GOD’s amazing grace that He continues to grow us where we are now from a humble beginning five years ago… because through Him, “We thrive at five!” “We thrive at five” because we believe GOD wants His church to grow! We need to remind ourselves that we do not grow for our benefit — but we grow for the benefit of other people. We grow because we believe people need the Lord. This is our commitment! There are a lot of hurting, lonely, lost, and struggling people out there. Not the government, nor any school, nor anyone can change life, only Christ can “transform” life! The Bible clearly states that people without Christ cannot make it eternally! It is a reality that we cannot ignore. We believe that growth requires commitments, because without commitment there is no growth. We see it all around, average people wanted to know if it works, while successful people are committed to make it works. Big difference! That is why it is important that we make the commitment in our hearts… 2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” As you can see from the above verse, commitment is a heart thing and not a head thing! Now, here’s another important key that we believe in — without truth there is no growth! Why? Because you can’t grow based on a lie. The Bible emphasizes that Jesus is the truth, He’s the solid Rock… all other ground is sinking sand! And you cannot grow on a sinking sand… you can only grow in Jesus! So, in case you’re around, we would like to invite you and your loved ones to celebrate with us and experience GOD in a mighty way! GOD bless… -ptr.arnel <>< alifeministry.org

Police Officers

Dear All,

I was in a coffee shop when a group of four police officers came and
sat across my table.  They’re so close that I couldn’t help but overhear
their conversations.  Sometimes I wonder what people of the same
professions are talking about.  This time, I was hearing stories of
risks and challenges, and of triumphs and struggles of a police
officer.

One funny story I heard was when one officer told of his experience
when he caught a car speeding at 65 mph on a 45 mph limit area.  He
stopped the car only to face an old lady demanding that she’s driving
on the limit and complained that the officer’s laser gun was the one
speeding!  Anyways, I can only say that the more I hear their stories,
the more I admire these people!  They are out there for their sworn
duty … to keep “peace and order.”  Whenever they see someone breaking
the law, or notice something that is not right, they are there to
respond.  No doubt, they are our community’s peace keepers!

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons
of God.” –Matthew 5:9

Wow, isn’t it great if we have believers that will commit to help keep
“peace and order” among the community of brethren… even in the church?
Here is what I know – to love is a believer’s duty! Every believer
has a duty to love.  We have a duty to love even those that wrong us.
To forgive those that hurt us. Yet, please do remember that this duty
cannot exist without faith and hope in Christ.  Very important!

Sadly, others feel that they were given a “judge’s robe” and they need
to judge other people. That they always see the faults at others…
becoming a condemner rather than an encourager.  We forget that we
have this duty to help people see the light and not push them more to
darkness, to love mercy rather than hate,  and to extend grace rather
than criticize.

In the city where I live, I learned that we have more assigned police
officers in proportion to the number of dwellers as compared to other
neighboring cities.  As a result, we have relatively more peace and
order.  Interestingly, have you notice that whenever we see a police
officer — we tend to “behave” peacefully and orderly!

What a blessing, if we can all model the peacemaker. By His grace I
know we can! If we can just be intentional and continue to strive
become more loving and not condemning, being more understanding and
not accusing, be part of the solution and not the problem, and to be
an advocate of peace and not conflict!  We need to post this critical
job opening:  “Wanted — Spiritual Police Force!”

Joy and Peace,
-p.a.
alifeministry.org

facing our unseen enemies

Dear all,

I just got back from my trip to LA and by GOD’s grace, I was able to attend my sister’s awesome 30th year wedding anniversary! Given the current sad trend of marriage relationships, it is really something to celebrate! Anyway, the other aspect I like of attending this occasion is to have the opportunity to bond again with loved ones, long lost relatives and friends… and for the most part, hearing of their latest stories of triumphs and fears … and of challenges and courage. I believe all of us are not born with courage, but neither are we born with fears. Maybe some of our courage and fears are brought in along the way… by our own experiences, by influence from others, or by what we’ve seen and heard. And how those courage and fears developed in you may determine on how you face the unseen enemies…“for we wrestle not against flesh and blood” –Ephesians 6:12. I think one of the worst enemies are those unseen enemies that are WITHIN us! Surely some fears are valid. Yet there are fears, even the most basic ones, can totally destroy our ambitions. For we know that fear can destroy opportunities and fear can even destroy relationships. Fear, if left unchecked, can destroy our lives. Whether we like it or not, fear is one of the many enemies lurking inside us. I think there are other ‘sisters of fear’ that we face from within.

To begin, the first sister of fear is indifference. Some people are unconcerned maybe due to fear of accountability and fear of responsibility. They just say, “I’ll just drift along.” Here’s one problem with drifting: you can’t drift your way to the top of the mountain. I believe, to drift is always downward and sometimes you have no clue as to the height of the fall!

The second sister of fear is indecision. Indecision can be a thief of opportunities. I see a lot of people missed their chances due to indecision … afraid to make the tough decision at a critical moment. It will steal your chances for a better future.

The third unseen sister inside is doubt. Sure enough, there’s always room for positive skepticism. You can’t believe everything. But you also can’t let doubt to take over! Many people doubt the past, doubt the present, doubt the future, doubt each other, doubt the possibilities and doubt the opportunities. Worse of all, they doubt themselves!

The fourth sister within is worry. I know we’ve all got to worry some because worry can be useful. Just don’t let it conquer you! Instead, let it alarm you.

The fifth, we can call it over-caution. Some said it is the timid approach to life. Timidity can be an illness if you’re not careful. Timid people don’t advance and grow and become powerful. Most of the time, you see them living as a victim rather than a victor. It is the opposite of boldness! Bottom line, we have no choice but to battle with these unseen enemies. You have to conquer them or it will conquer you! So, do battle with your fears and its sisters by building your courage to fight what’s holding you back, what’s keeping you from your purpose, goals and dreams. Be courageous in your life and in your pursuit of the things you want and the person you want to become… “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9

Thanks and GOD bless

happy mother’s day

Dear All,

I hope that this letter finds you in your very best!  I pray that your
lives are filled with hope and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Well,
it’s mother’s day!  Years back, I wrote this thought about my own
mother…

One thing is for sure with my mother – she is full of reminders!  She
always alerts me for my siblings’ birthdays even their anniversaries.
(“My son, hears the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the
law of your MOTHER.” Proverbs 1:8)

By the way, I did not choose my own mother.  God did!  For He already
knew the BEST mother for me. Wow, I owe my life to her.  By God’s
grace, I was with her womb for nine months to nourish me and covered
me with her protection and love! (“For You formed my inward parts; you
covered me in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13)

Surely my mom is not perfect but obviously I could talk today about
many different areas that my mom has excelled in over the years and
made a positive impact in my life.  By sharing this, I hope that you
will also remember your own mother’s legacy on you.

First and foremost I was given the gift of life.  I learned that I was
once a very sickly baby.  So sickly and weak that I was still crawling
even at the age of 3!  My mother was so worried that I may never able
to walk due to signs of polio. She reminded me once in a while that as
a very small kid I will just crawl and watched from afar the other
kids playing outside of our house.  She did not give up on me… as she
believed in her heart that I could walk one day … and she was right!
(Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to
him who believes.”  Mark 9:23)

I was given the gift of faith.  She was the one who first introduced
us to prayer … a family that prays together stays together.  I
remember growing up to always being reminded to wear my BEST whenever
going to church.  I will never forget my first daily prayer devotion
with my mother. This was when my younger brother got into a vehicle
accident.  I think he was only about 5 years old when his head was
pinned between the light post and the vehicle, and that a piece of
metal went through my brother’s head.  The doctor said that he had
only 50-50 chances to live.  Hmmm, I saw my mother really prayed very
hard everyday for him.  Thanks to God, my younger brother lives!
(“Pray without ceasing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:17)

I was given the gift of discipline.  I believe that I received much
more spanking from my mother than my father.  I learned early in life
the “painful” consequences of the wrong choices I made. (“He who
spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him
promptly.”  Proverbs 13:24)

I was given the gift of a strong work ethic. Laziness was never part
of the scenery in my childhood. My mom worked three jobs – her day job
at the factory, her buy-&-sell business, and her night and weekend job
- raising 5 kids! Only a parent with kids can fully appreciate the
sacrifice and the persistence required. (“The soul of a lazy man
desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made
rich.” Proverbs 13:4)

I was given the gift of education.  I remember growing up whereby
school enrollment times were one of my saddest moments.  Either my
mother will sell one of my favorite appliances or she will sell one of
her jewelries to pay for our school tuition fees.  With this, I
learned to value my education and really worked hard in my studies.
They said that they have no wealth to give BUT they will do their best
to provide us with the wealth of education. (“To do what is right and
just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21:3)

I was given the gift of respecting others.  I grew up always being
reminded to respect people and to honor trust and promises.  Sometimes
my mom will let us have little food to eat in order for her to pay our
debts on time.  Up to now, not only people trusted her but her banks
too! (“Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take
charge of ten cities.”  Luke 19:17)

I was given the gift of persistence and ingenuity. My mom is a dreamer
against all odds.  She has always found a way to just get it done,
usually through her unique way combined with her style! Her
persistence, creativeness and ingenuity have always been a great
example to me of life’s infinite possibilities!  Because she reminds
me that there is always hope. (“At least there is hope for a tree: If
it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not
fail.” Job 14:7)

And I was given the gift of love. I know I’m not a perfect son and yet
have never doubted my parents’ love for me. I know that they are
always there for me, no matter what.  I can honestly say that I have
always known that God loves me — through my mother!

To all of you mothers, I salute you! (For God said, ‘Honor your father
and mother’… Matthew 15:4)

Thanks and GOD bless
<p.a><

Re: I’ll be at Irvine this week …

Dear aLife., I thought I share with you all some pics I took from this
church’s campus… awesome by His grace!   Well, to dream is FREE …
let’s dream too of aLife campus one day (by faith of course, hehehe)
!!!

GOD bless
<p.a><

Busy Busy

Dear All,

Busy, busy, always busy! Why is it that almost everyone I know is
busy!? (Hmm… look who’s talking!?) Even retired people I know are
busy. You can be busy for the sake of being busy. Or you are busy
for the same old without making any progress.

Yesterday, I’m so glad that a few friends invited us for a break or I
should say, “rest” … a hearty lunch and a restful afternoon BBQ
picnic at the lake. Where the breeze is comforting, the sun’s rays
are energizing and the water that’s very calming. Truly, I missed it!
I missed GOD’s gift of rest and relaxation. I highly recommend that
you spend some of your “busy time” in resting too once a week.

A new lesson for me.., either you run the day or the day runs you!
Either you run your work or your work runs you. Being busy and
working hard may give you satisfaction which can be deceiving. I
think rewards come from the result –and NOT on the busyness. I
believe that our days are very EXPENSIVE. Our Creator gave each of us
a number of days to live in this earth, which means– when you spend a
day you have one less day to spend! And when you don’t spend a day of
rest, your days to live may depletes more quickly.

“Man’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months
and have set limits he cannot exceed.” –Job 14:5

Here’s what happened at my yesterday’s day of rest… it gave me the
vision to see the glimpse of the finish line while running the race. I
heard the cheers while in the middle of surmountable tasks ahead. Most
importantly, I see that it is helping me through the paces of doing
the uncomfortable until it becomes comfortable again. It reminds me
of my dreams, reinforces my passion, and rekindles my joy!

By GOD’s grace, may you find your day of rest each week. There is no
better rest, than to spend it with the Author of rest… for “He makes
me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He
restores my soul!”

Joy and Peace,

<p.a.><

What are friends for!?

Dear All,

While I hear of the latest news of more coming job cuts from other big
companies, I’m so glad to learn of few people trying to call and check
on their friends that so happen to work on those companies. Often,
it’s in desperate situations that you will find true friends!

I remember reading an article on why the “bars” in America are doing
well. They found out that in a bar, people talk about anything and
they usually don’t care. The bar flourishes not because most people
are alcoholics, but because the human hearts have these basic desires
– to know and be known, to care and be cared, to love and be loved!
The “bar” can be a place of imitation: dispensing liquor instead of
care; escape rather than reality! So many seeking a temporary relief
at a price of a few glasses!

The fact is, we all need friends! We need people that will listen,
appreciate and even help us especially in times of need. I think that
one of the best investments you will ever make in your life will not
be a financial one, but rather the investment made in relationships.
You see, your job won’t take care of you when you are in trouble or
sick. Your friends will! So, stay in touch. Life is too short to waste
time hating anyone. Someone said, we need to learn to make peace with
the past so it won’t mess up the present…

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their
work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man
who falls and has no one to help him up!” –Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Now, you may have a lot of people in your life. You may wonder, “How
can I tell the difference between acquaintances and friends.” That’s
easy. I learned by experience that when you get into trouble, the
people that are still around are your real friends, and there may not
be as many left as you would have thought.

We all know that one reality of life is that when we encounter a lot
of people they send our emotional gauge either to go up or go down.
Some people may drain us down, but there are other people that when we
spend time with them, our emotion gauge goes all the way up. In other
words, some are encouragers while some are discouragers. Which one
characterizes you?

In building relationships, one important lesson I learned: whatever
people think of you is none of your business. Just enjoy the ride as
you can. Realizing that life is like a school and you are there to
learn and pass all the tests. That problems and challenges are simply
part of the curriculum that appear and fade away (maybe like physics
or algebra classes!) but the lessons you learn will last for a
lifetime!

But real friends will never stab you in the back; in fact they will
help guard your back. A true friend never puts up with gossip about
their friends. Here’s what I know., real friends want to see us
continue to grow. They cry when we cry and they laugh when we laugh.
The not so true friends will do otherwise: they will laugh when you
cry, and will cry when you laugh…

The Bible says, “… But there is a friend who sticks closer than a
brother.” (Proverbs 18:24). So let me close by inviting you to let
JESUS CHRIST be your best Friend. There are some very important
reasons to do so. First, He deserves to be your best Friend because
He already knows you better than anyone else! One definition of a true
friend is someone who knows all about us and likes us anyway. Well, no
one better fulfills that qualification than Him! Second, He deserves
to be your best Friend because He had done more for you than anyone
else, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life
for his friends.” (John 15:13). Third, He deserves to be your best
Friend because He will always be there when you need Him! (Hebrews
13:5).

Remember that you are so blessed to be stressed … in this life, we all
need the True Best Friend!

Get a Life,
-p.a. <