today's devotional

August 30, 2006
Persecution That Backfired
READ: 1 Peter 2:18-25
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. —1 Peter 2:21

In AD 64, someone set fire to Rome. A few days later, two-thirds of the city lay in smoldering ruins. A rumor spread that the emperor Nero had set the fire because he wanted to rebuild the city and name it after himself. Needing a scapegoat to get himself off the proverbial hot-seat, he chose to blame a defenseless and unpopular minority—Christians. He then initiated such intense persecution that he’s been referred to as the first Antichrist. It’s believed that both Peter and Paul were martyred during this time.
Because Christianity was new and its followers still relatively few, the sadistic treatment that Nero leveled against believers, which included using them as human torches to light his palace garden, continued with little opposition.
His persecution eventually backfired, however. Instead of weakening the new faith, it strengthened it. History tells us that within a few hundred years Christianity became so influential that Emperor Constantine made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.
God always has a purpose in persecution. He will use it for good if we follow the example of Christ, who, “when He suffered, He . . . committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). -Julie Ackerman Link

The purposes of God are right,
Although we may not see
Just how He works all things for good
And transforms tragedy. —Sper

It is better to suffer for the cause of Christ than for the cause of Christ to suffer.

MARRIED COUPLES FELLOWSHIP (MCF) UPDATE

Last Friday, 25th of August, we wrapped up our MCF Study on Dr. Chapman's "The Five Love Languages". It was a two-month long study that made us realize that as couples, we complement, not compete with, each other and we are in a continuous learning process on how it is to have a wonderful and exciting partnership.

The Five Love Languages

by Dr. Gary Chapman

Words of Affirmation

Mark Twain once said “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” Verbal appreciation speaks powerfully to persons whose primary Love Language is “Words of Affirmation.” Simple statements, such as, “You look great in that suit,” or “You must be the best baker in the world! I love your oatmeal cookies,” are sometimes all a person needs to hear to feel loved.

Aside from verbal compliments, another way to communicate through “Words of Affirmation” is to offer encouragement. Here are some examples: reinforcing a difficult decision; calling attention to progress made on a current project; acknowledging a person’s unique perspective on an important topic. If a loved one listens for “Words of Affirmation,” offering encouragement will help him or her to overcome insecurities and develop greater confidence

Quality Time

Quality time is more than mere proximity. It’s about focusing all your energy on your mate. A husband watching sports while talking to his wife is NOT quality time. Unless all of your attention is focused on your mate, even an intimate dinner for two can come and go without a minute of quality time being shared.
Quality conversation is very important in a healthy relationship. It involves sharing experiences, thoughts, feelings and desires in a friendly, uninterrupted context. A good mate will not only listen, but offer advice and respond to assure their mate they are truly listening. Many mates don’t expect you to solve their problems. They need a sympathetic listener.
An important aspect of quality conversation is self-revelation. In order for you to communicate with your mate, you must also be in tune with your inner emotions. It is only when you understand your emotions and inner feelings will you then be able to share quality conversation, and quality time with your mate.
Quality activities are a very important part of quality time. Many mates feel most loved when they spend physical time together, doing activities that they love to do. Spending time together will bring a couple closer, and, in the years to come, will fill up a memory bank that you can reminisce about in the future.Whether it’s sitting on the couch and having a brief conversation or playing together in a tennis league, quality time is a love language that is shared by many. Setting aside focused time with your mate will ensure a happy marriage.

Receiving Gifts

Some mates respond well to visual symbols of love. If you speak this love language, you are more likely to treasure any gift as an expression of love and devotion. People who speak this love language often feel that a lack of gifts represents a lack of love from their mate. Luckily, this love language is one of the easiest to learn.
If you want to become an effective gift giver, many mates will have to learn to change their attitude about money. If you are naturally a spender, you will have no trouble buying gifts for your mate. However, a person who is used to investing and saving their money may have a tough time adjusting to the concept of spending money as an expression of love. These people must understand that you are investing the money not in gifts, but in deepening your relationship with your mate.
The gift of self is an important symbol of love. Sometimes all your mate desires is for someone to be there for them, going through the same trials and experiencing the same things. Your body can become a very powerful physical symbol of love.
These gifts need not to come every day, or even every week. They don’t even need to cost a lot of money. Free, frequent, expensive, or rare, if your mate relates to the language of receiving gifts, any visible sign of your love will leave them feeling happy and secure in your relationship.

Acts of Service

Sometimes simple chores around the house can be an undeniable expression of love. Even simple things like laundry and taking out the trash require some form of planning, time, effort, and energy. Just as Jesus demonstrated when he washed the feet of his disciples, doing humble chores can be a very powerful expression of love and devotion to your mate.
Very often, both pairs in a couple will speak to the Acts of Service Language. However, it is very important to understand what acts of service your mate most appreciates. Even though couples are helping each other around the house, couples will still fight because the are unknowingly communicating with each other in two different dialects. For example, a wife may spend her day washing the cars and walking to dog, but if her husband feels that laundry and dishes are a superior necessity, he may feel unloved, despite the fact that his wife did many other chores throughout the day. It is important to learn your mate’s dialect and work hard to understand what acts of service will show your love.
It is important to do these acts of service out of love and not obligation. A mate who does chores and helps out around the house out of guilt or fear will inevitably not be speaking a language of love, but a language of resentment. It’s important to perform these acts out of the kindness of your heart.
Demonstrating the acts of service can mean stepping out of the stereotypes. Acts of service require both mates to humble themselves into doing some chores and services that aren’t usually expected from their gender. However, these little sacrifices will mean the world to your mate, and will ensure a happy relationship.

Physical Touch

Many mates feel the most loved when they receive physical contact from their partner. For a mate who speaks this love language loudly, physical touch can make or break the relationship.
Sexual intercourse makes many mates feel secure and loved in a marriage. However, it is only one dialect of physical touch. Many parts of the body are extremely sensitive to stimulation. It is important to discover how your partner not only physically responds but also psychologically responds to these touches.
It is important to learn how your mate speaks the physical touch language. Some touches are irritating and uncomfortable for your mate. Take the time to learn the touches your mate likes. They can be big acts, such as back massages or lovemaking, or little acts such as touches on the cheek or a hand on the shoulder. It’s important to learn how your mate responds to touch. That is how you will make the most of this love language.
All marriages will experience crisis. In these cases, physical touch is very important. In a crisis situation, a hug can communicate an immense amount of love for that person. A person whose primary love language is physical touch would much rather have you hold them and be silent than offer any advice.
It is important to remember than this love language is different for everyone. What type of touch makes you feel secure is not necessarily what will make your partner happy. It is important to learn each other’s dialects. That way you can make the most of your hugging, kissing, and other physical contacts.

ARE YOU A BLESSING TO OTHERS?

A touching story

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives."
He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak
Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others .

Christian, Shine On!!

Thanks to Rev. Anacleto Guerrero for this e-mailed article.

PANSOL UMC SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

PANSOL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
No. 15 P. Bautista St.,Pansol, Balara Quezon City



Pastor Florenio Heradura Jr. Pastor Ramoncito Mison
Administrative Pastor Associate Pastor

Pastor Noemi Credo Joanna Calpito
Mission Pastor Student Deaconess

ACTIVITIES
WEEKDAYS
BIBLE STUDIES
Tuesdays at 8:00 P.M.
P. Bautista Cluster Bro. Boy Domingo, Coordinator

Plaza Cluster Bro. Manny Sambilay , Coordinator
Tel. 4353739
Thursdays at 8:00 P.M.
Paltok Cluster Sis. Agnes Villanueva, Coordinator
Cel. 0917-8163908
Balara Cluster Sis. Marissa Austria, Coordinator
Cel. 0921-3495469

MARRIED COUPLES FELLOWSHIP
Fridays, 8:00 P.M. at the Villanueva Residence, No. 39 Pansol cor. P. Castillo Sts., Pansol, Balara, QC
Next weeks' topic "The Five Languanges of a Happy Family"

DAWN PRAYER MEETING
Every 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 5:30 A.M. at the Church

SUNDAYS
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sundays at 8:30 A.M. at the Church

PRAISE AND WORSHIP
Sundays at 9:00 A.M. at the Church

DIVINE WORSHIP SERVICE
Sundays at 9:15

WELCOME TO PANSOL UMC

WELCOME !!

Pansol United Methodist Church celebrated its 14th Founding Anniversary last Sunday, the 27th of August with the Rev. Hermogenes Joy Cera as anniversary speaker. We would like to share with you the church's mission, vision and history..

OUR VISION
The Pansol United Methodist Church and Kaingin Mission shall be one church organized to reach the residents and visitors of Barangay Pansol in Quezon City: and put up branches with the same mission in nearby barangays.

OUR MISSION
For God saved us through our Lord, Jesus Christ; He placed us in His church by His Holy Spirit to equip us and help one another for His glory; so that when people around us observe us, they will accept our message, approve our mission and gain maturity as Christ’s follower.

PANSOL UMC HISTORY
In the late 1980’s, a small Bible study group emerged in the corner of Pansol, Balara. Rev. Nonato Vengco of the Kamuning First United Methodist Church (KFUMC) urged the couple Manny and Cel Sambilay to take an active part in spreading God’s saving Word in the community.

It all started with a kiddie extension class, leading on to the adults’ bible study sessions. Starting out with mostly relatives and close neighbors, these activities flourished with the dedication of then lay leader now Pastor Paquito and wife tita Thelma Florendo. Eventually, Rev. Nelson Castorillo took over KFUMC and continued with the vision that Rev. Vengco started. Thereafter, Rev. Armando Arellano took to lead his flock in Pansol. Together with wife Debbie, they enabled the group to become even stronger and united until it was recognized as a worshipping congregation and many other activities followed suit.

All these activities were made livelier with the presence of Atty. Ramoncito (Pastor Mon) Mison and wife tita Noni, who to this day continue to serve the Lord, give time and effort, and share their blessings and faith beyond measure.

On August 9, 1992, the very first worship service was held at the humble abode of the Sambilay family. At this point, it was realized that a more spacious venue was needed. Two weeks after, our prayer for a bigger place was graciously answered when the second floor of a residential apartment was made available for the congregation. In this venue, Rev. Anacleto Guerrero of KFUMC provided assistance and joined the various activities of Pansol. It was during that year also, at the Annual Conference held in Taytay UMC, that Pansol was formally recognized as a local church – the Pansol United Methodist Church (PUMC). During this time, different programs were held to equip the members, more particularly in discipleship, with additional hands from Engr. Edgar (now Pastor Egay) Refuerzo.

Not long after, in perfect timing, the Lord blessed us with a place on which to build our church. Using materials recycled from Kamuning, and with the support of our lay leaders and pastors, the Pansol United Methodist Church was built.
Ever faithful, Pastors Paquito and Mon continued to lead the congregration from 1994-96. Weekly activities consisted of two worship services (morning & vesper), two Sunday School groups (adult and children) , three bible study groups (two for adults and one for the youth), children and youth choir practices on Saturdays, two visitation teams, and the dawn prayer for intercession on Saturdays. The unwavering support and untiring efforts of Pastors Mon and Paquito and their wives brought many people into the Church.

As the church in Pansol assumed a more mature role, a need was felt for a full time Administrative Pastor. In 1996, Rev. Salde Sandy Bolus was appointed administrative Pastor of PUMC with Pastor Mon as part-time local pastor. In the same year, our Lord planted a desire in the heart of our brother Abcede Barbero to serve the Lord. The church positively responded by offering a scholarship for him to finish a course in education while serving as part-time pastor in charge of the youth. In March 1999, he finished his bachelor’s degree, a requisite to a Masters in Divinity, and has been serving the Taytay UMC for a number of years now.

In 1997, the Church heeded the calling to reach out to an unchurched group of Warays living in Block 7 Kaingin 1. Amidst the difficulties of passing through a steep, narrow road, coupled by lack of water and electricity, the Lord’s hand moved mightily. He used the families of Joe and Gin Tugas, Engr. Ric Manaloto, the Tans and Misons to put up a church building and parsonage. Our Bro. Boy Domingo supervised the construction work. Before the end of the year, the building was dedicated to the Lord, with Pastor Juan Biblanias as the first Kaingin Mission Pastor, followed by a younger pastor, Ralph Dumagpi, in 1998. Sis Eden, his charming wife, formed and led the choir. The members felt the love of Jesus in the service of Pastor Ralph.

In September, 1998, Pastor Bolus was assigned as chaplain to pioneer a newly organized maritime Ministry. Because of this sudden development, DS Rev. Hermogenes Joy Cera took over as administrative pastor, assisted by Pastor Mon (who was then on leave), and Bro.Tito Villanueva, PUMC’s lay leader. In 1999, Pastors Mon Mison and Conrado San Pedro were appointed local pastors of Pansol and Kaingin respectively. Then, the Church slowly revived the fellowship activities – bible study sessions, married couples fellowships. With the acquisition of several musical instruments, and the talents of our musicians – Bro. Nanding, Allan, Balong and Macmac, the praise and worship at PUMC became an intense and wonderful experience for both the young and adult worshippers.

Pastor Mon and tita Noni committed themselves all the more to serve the Lord in PUMC. Meanwhile, in the absence of a local Pastor in Kaingin, Bro. Tito took aver the role of a church worker. The immediate relatives of those who regularly attend were drawn closer to the Lord. While the church workers did not receive any compensation from their service, but in fact gave more from their own personal blessings into the service, extra funds were made available to finance fellowship and bonding activities for members and their respective families. In addition to the generous blessings and selfless giving of the Mison family, Pastor Mon also extended pro-bono legal assistance, scholarship and medical assistance not only to members but also to the community as a means of reaching out. It was this inspiration that led to the vision of someday building a multi-level church; thus, the Building Fund was set up.

In 2001, the Annual Conference confirmed the re-appointment of Pastor Mon and the appointment of Pastor Romulo Bolgado for Pansol and Kaingin respectively. Pastor Romy decided to reside at the parsonage in Kaingin. Again, at this point, the members pooled efforts and resources to make the parsonage a comfortable place for Pastor Bolgado and his family. The demise of Pastor Romy was indeed a loss to the Kaingin Mission Church. But hopes were renewed when Pastor Moody Cullamar was assigned to replace Pastor Bolgado. As if going through the fire, Pastor Cullamar took a leave after only a short while. Once again, Pastor Mon and lay leader Bro. Tito willingly took over without any second thoughts.

However, in June 2002, Pastor Mon sought to take a leave of absence. It was indeed a bitter pill to swallow for most since the living example set by the Mison couple has touched the lives of many. But the assurance that he gave to the Pansol congregation that he will be back has somewhat appeased the heavy hearts.

In 2002, the appointment of Pastor Porfirio (Pastor Jun) Ardales, Jr. and Romeo Diaros for Pansol and Kaingin respectively was read in the Annual Conference. For three years of Pastor Jun’s assignment as administrative Pastor of Pansol, he has shown his gift of healing, making sure he readily administered prayers and anointed the sick . Pastor Jun even shared the regular blessings coming from his niece from USA to the members of the congregation. Thereafter, Pastor Diaros took over PUMC for a year in 2005 as Administrative Pastor, with Pastor Jun Herradura as Student Pastor of Kaingin.

In the past fourteen years, there have been difficulties and challenges. But the Lord is faithful and just to fulfill His promise, that ‘where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them”. The dedication of Pastor Mon as one of the founding lay leaders of the Church, along with Pastors Paquito and Armand, and DS Joy Cera and their wives, has greatly contributed to building the church and her hopes on Christ, the solid ground., and in keeping the members bonded in genuine love.

Today, 2006, our Church has never been more alive and blessed with the discipleship of Pastor Mon Mison and Tita Noni - who to this day continue to embrace the entire community, become one with the people, understand and willingly respond to the people’s needs. Because of the couple’s example of selfless giving, the members are gradually evolving into more mature Christians – learning the value of giving, tithing and sharing. Pastor Jun, on the other hand, shares his gift of youth and ideals to build the Kaingin congregation with fitting activities such as feeding programs, start-up bible studies and fellowship musical sessions with the youth.

The first members are reunited, and new ones are welcomed and embraced into the flock. Feeling the great revival, there are now very active groups within the congregation – the PUMC kids, MYF, MYAF, and the MCF – whose togetherness can be felt and seen beyond the physical walls of the Church.

There may be struggles in the coming years, but our history of 14 years stands witness to His promise never to leave us nor forsake us! And, as we continue to write the story of our church with our lives, services and dedication, let us ask the divine providence to also stand strong in our mission to continuously Build the People, Build the Church.