Saturday, January 26, 2008

Missed Opportunities


The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer's  beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, "Son, go stand out in that field
and I'm going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter."

The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood -- pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber -- as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed ... but the bull had no tail!

We may miss out altogether.

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass -- often in hopes of something better -- those opportunities may never again be available.
The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors -- opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us. If we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray  for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his  message (Colossians 4:2-3 NCV). 
  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all,  especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians  6:10).

May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

YEAREND FELLOWSHIP

The congregation of the church of Christ at Pongpong, Sto. Tomas, La Union, Philippines held their yearend fellowship last December 30, 2007.  The expanded chapel for worship services was also inaguarated. It is not yet fully finished but it is now conducive for meetings and services.

The event was well attended (see the pictures).  Some brethren from Rabon, San Fabian, Pangasinan;  San Julian, Agoo, La Union; and Tubao, La Union joined the fellowship.  Brother Ruben Mendoza, worker of the OPEN DOOR MINISTRY and the College at Dagupan City, Pangasinan, was present.  The event was captured in video and in still pictures.  The DVD format of the event will be distributed to the members. We are posting the pictures taken during affair.

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PERSE JIMENEZ-TRINIDAD COMES HOME

After several years of staying in the United States where HERMAN TRINIDAD, her husband died in 2005, Perse Jimenez-Trinidad came home to the Philippines last December 27, 2007. She spent her New Year's Eve at the family's residence at Cabilocaan, Calasiao, Pangasinan.  This writer, together with some members of the family, went to see her on January 1, 2008.  She tendered a thanksgiving party for having survived the "BIG C".

Sister Perse was so accommodating in bringing home an LCD Multimedia Projector which was ordered by the writer for use in his home congregation at the expense of leaving behind some baggage which were earlier intended to be brought home.  She will accommodate this writer again in bringing to America the payment (she accepted Philippine Peso and converts it in America later).  The said projector was used last Lord's Day, January 6, 2008.

Perse is continuing the ministry left behind by Herman by sending help to several Preachers in the Philippines through the ARO Foundation established by several brethren in the USA including Herman and his in-laws. ARO is a word in Pangasinan dialect which means "LOVE".

Here are some pictures taken by means of a Phone Camera used by the writer.  Shown are: Perse (Lady in brown), Leony Lachica, Yoling Bravo, Felix Bravo, Marilyn Lachica & Adelina Lachica (daughter and wife of Trifon Lachica, respectively), Trifon Lachica, Ricardo Nieto, Daughter and grandson of Ric Nieto, Teofilo Alcayde,  Roland Lazo, Mar Bernanrdo, and several others.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!