Endure Now, Enjoy Later

There was a story of a man who went to  Heaven and got bored. He asked permission to  try Hell. St. Peter reluctantly agreed.

The man rode the elevator and went down. The lower it went, the more beautiful the music sounded. The door opened and formal-dressed people welcomed him. He said. "Hell is good after all" Then, the most handsome and sharply-suited man approached him and said.  I'm Lucifer, welcome to your party place!"

He left quickly and decided to ask if he could transfer to Hell. When granted, he excitedly rode the elevator. The lower it went, the scarier the music sounded. When the door opened,black dressed snickering people welcomed him. The scariest devil approached and said. "I'm Satan, welcome to the jungle!"

The man asked. "Why is Hell different now?" Satan answered. "Because at first you were a visitor, but now you are a resident! Har Har Har!"

Choose.
mani
Enjoy now and endure later?

Listen to today's talk and prepare your Real Eternal Plan.

Bringing out the best in you,

Obet Cabrillas
Feast Daddy

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To Good People

What is common among the following:
 - Peck of Sand
 - Ore
 - Coal

At first, there seems to be none.

Yet the more we think and research (or Google), the more we realize that they are of low value, common and insignificant.

Now, what is common among these:
 - Pearl
 - Gold
 - Diamond

Immediately, we realize that all of them are valuable, rare and significant.

But wait, there's more!!!

There are impeccable relationships between the two lists.
- Pearl is produced when a peck of irritating sand is surrounded by a clam with glowing sunstances.

- Gold is produced when ore goes throught fire and hammer blows.
- Diamond is produced when coal goes through extreme pressure and chiseling.

If bad things can bring out the true worth of insignificant things, bad things can bring out the best in good people.

Good people of God, listen to the talk today and be strengthened unto victory!-

Bringing out the best in you,

Obet Cabrillas

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The Journey Of Truth

It's September already!

The "ber-beri" months are on.

We can hear Christmas carols being played. We feel warm inside. Deep within we ask, "why?"

One psychologist friend of mine tagged this seasonas S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder), the season of the year when people become overly sentimental. But then we ask, "wher did this come from?"

Question are always there.

Even as people move on ...

From one season to another ...

From one concern to another ...

From one question to another ...

From one learning to another ...

Ultimately we arrive at an answer.

Life must go on.

It's a journey of tough questions ...

That the almighty will answer and unveil throught the thivk or thin, the hustle and bustle; the daily grind. His infinite wisdom, will always be revealed.

Somebody said. "Life is a strict Teacher. He gives the test first then the lessons after."

In our new series. "?" we'll attempt to answer life's toughest questions, using Godly wisdom.

Because God wants you to go..

He wants you to glow ...

He wants you to grow ...

Listen with your heart! Who knows, your very own deepest questions might be answered along the way.

Bringing out the best in you,

Obet Cabrillas
Feast Daddy

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Is This It?

I just returned from Feast Davao and I preached the word of God to over 600 people who attended the gathering. I believe in my heart that I gave my best, but there is a part of me that tells me the opposite. Something in me assumes that because of the language barrier, the audience did not get the message and in turn, I felt like I gave a lousy talk.

In Makati Feast, I also go through tough times. There are weeks that I don’t feel like preaching because of my sins and shortcomings. These are the few moments wherein I ask God, “Is this what You want me to do?” I mean, I was really okay in my previous work – fixing network problems, computer hardware malfunctions, supporting clients, and testing software products.

But, God always has his ways of reminding of what truly matters. After the Feast Davao, my friends andI went out for dinner. They told me that they were touched and a lot of people were able to relate to my talk and went home blessed.

The moment I heard those words, I prayed in my heart that from this day on I will not make preaching about me. Preaching is not about me. Preaching is about loving God and loving the people around me.

Friends, I believe that God’s will is about how you can best love God and love the people around you by using the gift that He gave you. Let us together pray and ask God for the direction He wants us to have in our lives.

Jimly (Jesus in me loves you),
Jan Silan

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The Opposing Finger

Among the 5 fingers we have in our hands, the only finger going the other direction is the thumb. For example, close your hand to form a fist, you’ll see that the thumb does not go the same direction as the other 4 fingers.

But, I want you to imagine, what if you don’t have a thumb? You would have no opposing finger in your hand and all your 4 fingers will be pointing in the same direction. Now, try shaking the hand of another person. Will it feel weird? It does, right? Also, the task of grabbing your bag, holding your phone or as simple as writing on paper would be a difficult feat without your thumb.

Now, what’s my point? You need the opposing finger. You need your thumb, which opposes all your other fingers, so that your hands can be used to their full potential.

Friends, there are people whose role in your life is like the opposing finger. They don’t agree with everything you say or do, and would even find ways to point out what’s wrong about you or the work that you do. But, always keep this in mind, you need them so that you can reach your full potential.

As we end this wonderful series, may you realize that God’s hand will always be upon you every single day. Submit to His plan of love, and trust that He always has the best intentions in your life.

JIMLY,

Jan Silan

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Flow In Abundance!

What are my wishes that came true?

•    Recovery from long years of poverty in my family

•    A scholarship in High School and College

•    Freedom from vices (smoking, drinking, drugs and violence)

•    My reconciliation with my Father

•    Reconciliation and solidarity of my entire family (which used to have daily squabbles became one of Kalookan City’s Ulirang Pamilya Awardee)

•    The Cabrillas Family Prayer Meeting (my family of origin)

•    Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, UP Diliman

•    Master’s Degree in Public Administration in the National College of Public Administration and Governance, UP Diliman

•    A strong Preaching Ministry and Motivational Speaking Profession

•    Marry my beautiful and loving wife – Joie, and live happily ever after (yey!)

•    Handsome, intelligent and obedient son (Robbie!)

•    A beautiful, adorable and sweet baby girl (Reese!)

•    Own new house, new car, businesses and investments

•    Reconciliation, transformation and spiritual revolution of YMPACT (former name of the LOJ Youth

Missions)

•    The Formation and Brotherhood of the Radical Training Course 

•    Optimum health and wellness in body, mind and spirit at 37

•    The phenomenon of Feast Manila (big weekly spiritual event for the youth and youth-at-heart)

•    The momentum of the Feast (Valle Verde) Pasig Youth and Family-Oriented Session

•    The Campus Missions Feasts (now 7 Campus Missions Feast)

Hallelujah!  Only upon writing this list did I fully realize that all these wishes are the very wishes of

God!  Truly: In order to flow in abundance, you need to wish God’s wishes.

Start wishing Godly dreams and let Godly abundance flow!

Bro. Obet Cabrillas

Manila Feast Builder

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Linawin mo kaya

Lumaki akong nangangarap.  Lahat naman tayo.  Sigurado ako, walang taong hindi nangarap kahit isang beses sa buhay.  Kasi lahat tayo may pangarap.  Bahay, lupa, kotse, laruan, magandang trabaho, mapagmahal na asawa, boyfriend, girlfriend, makalipad, makapunta sa ibang planeta, makita si Marian Rivera, maging kamukha ni Tom Cruise, at kung anu-ano pa.  Kahit anong naisip mo na gusto mong makamit sa buhay, materyal man o hindi, makatotohanan man o hindi, may kabuluhan man o wala, basta’t may hiniling ka, basta’t may gusto kang makamit, basta’t may gusto kang makuha, nangarap ka.  At yung gusto mo, pangarap yun.

At dahil hindi ko alam kung paano itutuloy ang pagmumuni ko, magkukwento na lang ako.

Meron daw isang lalake na namatay. Nasa tamang edad naman na siya noong kunin siya ni Lord kaya okay lang. Pagdating sa langit, nakaharap niya si Bro.  Kinausap niya si Bro at nagreklamo.  “Lord,” sabi niya, “bakit ka naman ganyan?  Bakit hanggang kamatayan ko e hirap ako.  Hikahos. Lagi naman akong nagsisimba.  Kahit hindi araw ng Linggo, nagsisimba ako. Sinunod ko lahat ng utos mo.  Nagsipag ako sa trabaho.  Di ako sumipsip.  Pero bakit hindi ganun kaginhawa ang buhay ko.  Wala akong kotse.  Tapos ang bahay ko ang liit lang.  Tapos yung mga anak ko hindi man lang nakaranas kumain ng mga sobrang sasarap na pagkain.  Pero yung kaibigan ko, tignan mo.  Ang laki ng bahay.  Ang daming kotse.  E ni hindi ko nga madalas makita yan sa simbahan eh.  Pag Linggo lang.  Tapos siya mas okay ang buhay.  Unfair naman Lord!  Bakit ganun?”

“Sandali lang ah,” sagot ni Bro.  Ipinasok Niya ang kamay niya sa bulsa at may inilabas na remote control.  Tapos pumitik siya.  At isang higanteng screen ang lumabas.  “Ano yan Lord?” tanong ng lalake.  “Buhay mo.  Lahat ng nangyari sa buhay mo naka-record.  At dahil patay ka na, tapos na.  So rewind natin.”

Ni-rewind nga ni Lord ang buhay ng lalake.  “Ooops.  Ayan.  Naalala mo ‘to?” tanong ni Lord.

“Yes Lord.  College graduation ko yan.  Kasama ko yung kaibigan kong sinasabi ko sa iyo na ang yaman.”

“O sige panoorin natin.” 

Ito ang nangyari nung graduation:

“Tol, ngayong graduate na tayo, anong plano mo?” tanong ng lalake sa kaibignan.  “Tol maghahanap kaagad ako ng trabaho.  Di na ako magpapahinga.  Gusto ko sa malaking kumpanya.  Yung malaki ang kita.  Kasi pare gusto ko ng malaking bahay.  Yung mansyon!  Tapos gusto ko rin ng maraming kotse.  Ayaw ko lang ng isa.  Gusto ko mga lima.  Para may choice di ba?  Tapos gusto ko mga anak ko masarap kinakain.  Tsaka anytime dapat nakakakain sila.  Tapos gusto ko nakakapag-abroad kami every summer.  Yung ganun tol.  Ikaw?”

“Ang ambisyoso mo naman!  Wag ganun pare!  Ako gusto ko simple lang.  Tamang bahay lang.  Tapos kahit walang kotse.  Okay naman mag commute eh, sanay na ako.  Tapos basta makakain lang tatlong beses isang araw okay na yun.  Abroad?  Gastos lang yun.  Sa bahay na lang.”

“Ooops!  Pause natin,” sabi ni Lord. “O ayan.  Di ba sabi mo yan?  Simpleng buhay lang.  Binigay ko naman ah.  Walang labis, walang kulang.  So anong unfair dun?”

Kapatid, kung mangangarap ka, hindi pwedeng “Gusto kong magkaroon ng kotse.”  Dapat “Gusto ko ng brand new na Volvo XC60, kulay black, tinted yung salamin, Goodyear yung gulong, at kumikinang yung mags.”  Hindi pwedeng “Gusto ko ng bahay at lupa” dahil pag bahay-kubo ang binigay sa iyo, wag kang magrereklamo.

Ibibigay naman ni Bro ang mga gusto natin eh (basta’t hindi ito makakasama sa iyo at sa iba).  Naniniwala ako dun.  Magsabi lang tayo.  Kaso ang problema, magsasabi na lang tayo sa Kanya, napaka-general pa.

So anong point ko?  Eto: KUNG MANGANGARAP KA, DAPAT MALINAW.  Dahil kung hindi, baka ibinigay na pala sa iyo yung pangarap mo e naghahanap ka pa.  At imbes na magpasalamat, magrereklamo.

Malinaw ba?  ^^,

by Ilaw Cruz

Manila Feaster

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Wish Upon God

"Twinkle twinkle little star how I wonder what you are, up above the world so high like a diamond in the sky, twinkle twinkle little star how I wonder what you are.” Do you remember this song? When I was a kid, I used to sing this song while looking at the stars and whispering my wish hoping that it would come true. Yup! I grew up believing that the stars would hear me. Funny right? But it’s true and I know many of you guys, especially the young ones out there, experienced the same situation as I have. Let me share a story.

Ryan is like a lot of 17-year-old guys. He loves baseball and is a pitcher on his high school baseball team. He also plans to attend college and hopes to be on the school’s baseball team.

But unlike a lot of 17-year-old guys, Ryan had cancer. When he began chemotherapy treatments it took a lot out of him, but he managed to show up for team practices – even if he wasn’t able to participate. By the first official team practice, Ryan had lost all of his hair due to chemotherapy treatments. His dad, coaches and teammates were waiting in the dugout with a stool and hair clippers. Many of them shaved their heads in solidarity with Ryan. They rallied around him so he wanted his wish to include baseball and all the people who supported him when he was going through his toughest days. Ryan’s wish was to go to an Angels’ game and throw the first pitch in front of his teammates and family.

On Ryan’s wish day, while he was waiting for the game to begin, he was able to meet players during pre-game batting practice and get autographs and photos. Ryan then threw the opening pitch for the game with his family and teammates cheering him on as his perfect pitch went straight across home plate.

Ryan still wears his hospital admittance wristband. “It reminds me of what I went through” he says. “I’ll remember this, too” he says of his Angels’ Baseball experience – “I’ll remember this forever.”

 You see wishes wouldn’t be created without your aim, like Ryan, even though he has cancer he is still determined to do it!  That’s the magic of wish; it creates hope and determination to a person. For me wishing is another term for prayer, because as I wish to God I know and I believe that He will grant it and fulfill my desires. That’s how great and generous God is. And now as I take my steps to the highest peak in my life, I will never forget to look up and make a wish to God that every step that I will take and every breath I will make I will make sure that God is part of it.

Be Blessed and make a wish! *hug*

Abie Liwaliw

Manila Feaster

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GREAT-FULL IN THE STORM

"Mag-madre ka na lang kaya!” That’s what I used to hear from my dad especially ever since I started attending the Feast. He says that in irritation when I go home late from the Music Ministry practice and after our ‘Friday Party’. I’ve tried inviting him several times to the Feast but he just wouldn’t budge.

You see my dad is kinda strict. He doesn’t want me going home late for whatever reason, may it be for schoolwork, extra curriculars, business or ‘lakwatsa’. It has no difference for him. He worries a lot and usually expresses it in irritation and anger. “Madaming masasamang taong nagkalat dyan, umuuwi ka nang ganyang oras?! Hihintayin mo pang may masamang mangyari sa ‘yo bago ka madala!” That’s how my dad worries. Now, of course I wouldn’t answer him back even if I wanted to because it just wouldn’t ease his worrying and he wouldn’t listen to me anyway because his mind is not open to these things. I just try to understand him and keep quiet and try to have a ‘taingang-kawali’ because there’s just no way for me to do what he wants me to do—to stop going to the Feast. NO WAY, EVER! I’m not doing this as an act of rebellion but the thought of it just makes me cringe! (Yes, I’m addicted to the Feast just like you are.;) But what I would want to tell him if given the opportunity is that he doesn’t have to worry at all for me whenever I go home late. I am always with my BIG DAD who takes care of me and blocks every bad guy that might come my way! I feel His protective arms around me and I always feel safe even during the late hours.

“Mag-madre ka na lang kaya!” Now my sister hears that statement too since she started getting involved in the UP Feast and comes home late every Tuesday for their Caring Group. Now I worry for her. Not because she comes home late but because she might not be able to withstand the objections of our dad. She might stop attending because she’s not as hard-headed as I am (hehe…). I’m afraid that if she stopped attending, she might backslide again. My efforts of trying to magnet this family back to our God would be in vain… Or if she withstands the objections, I would be worried for our dad because of the headache that we’re gonna give him. In either situation, I have my worries waiting. But in the middle of these worries and fears, a song saves me once again. The song that brought me to tears the first time I listened to it. I haven’t heard this one for a long time and now I hear my sis listening to it. “Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear? For I am yours…” That is ‘Who am I?’ by the Casting Crowns. He assures me once again of my identity and tells me to stop my worries because He is in control.

For the meantime I cannot change them no matter how much I wanted to. God did not give me the power to change them anyway. The only power He gave me is to love them. So I do my best to love them in my own little ways. They may not see it right now but I have faith that they will, eventually. ;)

It might seem like there’s a storm in my family. It might seem like they wouldn’t want to be a part of this wonderful community. But I strongly detest that! In one of our sessions, I remember it was said, “All of us have happy endings. If it’s not happy, then it’s not yet the end.” I have a vision and I’m claiming that one day, God is going to bring my whole family in this bigger family of believers. He’s gonna fill them with so much love and they’re gonna become active members of LOJ. Together we’re gonna worship Him and give Him thanks for bringing all of us here. That vision alone makes me want to jump and praise God even during this storm. Being nurtured by the Feast, my heart has amazingly become “great-full” in ALL circumstances! =D

by Anna DelaCruz

Manila Feaster

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Be Great-full!

BeToday I shall reveal to you one of the secrets to my seemingly limitless energies!

Ready?  One, two, three… My secret?  A grateful heart! Many people fill their hearts with very bad stuff!

I fill mine with great stuff!

Not that I don’t experience bad stuff, I do, and in plentiful ways.

But I don’t let them linger.  Ancient Chinese Philosophers would say that you cannot prevent the birds from flying over your thoughts but you can prevent them from building their nest.

What I ONLY allow to “nest” in my thought and my heart are the good stuffs.

Oh they’re not just good stuff, because when I embrace them and savor them,  and praise and thank

God because of them, they become great stuff.

That is why my heart is Great-Full!

It is overwhelmingly full of great things I’m so thankful about.

I’ve 3 reflections to share with you my beloveds:

•    1 Thessalonians 5:19, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ

Jesus.”

•    Luke 6:45, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil

man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his

mouth speaks.” 

•    Rabbi Harold Kushner, “If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will

discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.

Therefore I give thanks to the Lord in ALL circumstances and obey God’s will.  I fill my heart with

great things and from the overflow, I worship and praise God. 

I concentrate on the good things in every situation and nurture my soul! Then from that vantage point I praise the Lord! From that vantage point I serve Him and His people!  With seemingly unlimited potential.

Then I can rock on till Kingdom come!

Maranatha Lord Jesus!

Bro.Obet Cabrillas

Manila Feast Builder

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Big Returns!

It would take me months before I get a haircut.

I always wait for heavenly “manna” to meet my needs.

St. Francis was my model.

I feel light and free that I have no money in my pockets.

I seldom shave.

I brush my teeth occasionally.

I take a bath only when I remember to.

If saints would have odor of sanctity, I have the odor of calamity.

The only time that people would be convinced that I was human is when I was giving talks.

Weird?  Wait till you hear my belief.

I believe that the real servant of God must be poor!

That being a poor missionary deprived of all material wealth and convenience is the Holiness and a

mark of a Big Time Servant of God.

I was a Poverty Gospel Preacher.

I love God but I was very poor.

Then God radicalized and revolutionized my belief system! 

(And Repentance means change of mind)

Now I regularly visit the Barbershop (Bruno’s, every now and then)

St. Francis is still my model of internal simplicity.

Now I have money to raise up my family and to help many people.

Now I shave regularly and brush my teeth three times a day.

Now I take a bath everyday and have the odor of reality.

Now people would believe in God more when I give talks

Now I believe that it is no longer a time of OR;

Now is the time of AND!

Now a person can be both a missionary and a millionaire.

Now I am both a steward and a servant.

Now I am a Practical Gospel Preacher!

Now I worship and I work.

Now I earn and I share.

Now I give painfully and generously.

Now big returns regularly come.

Now it’s all happening to me!

Now make it happen to you!

Bro.Obet Cabrillas

Manila Feast Builder

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Time

Deadlines.  We’re all familiar with this word and its demand.

And we’ll be beating deadlines for the rest of our lives.

Projects, reports and endless requirements need to be submitted in classes, offices and businesses, on an on-going basis.

This article is not exempted.

As I write this, it’s already night time and our layout artists are just waiting for this message for inclusion to this Feast Bulletin.

Could have finished and passed it this morning yet. I wasn’t able to. I was preoccupied. Yet it was a beautiful preoccupation.

My preoccupation’s name is Reese. My one year old daughter.  My adorable princess.  My beautiful one.  My smile and laughter.  My heartbeat and heart-tickler.  My stress-vanisher. (Great timing: As I write about her she rushed towards me and gave me a hug that soothed my spirit.  I love you my baby girl! Muahugs!!!!)

Yes she is a “pre-occupation” alright. My occupation is important because it is my bread and butter.

But my loved ones are my “pre-occupations”. Before my occupation, they need to and MUST come first.

Everything else could wait. 

Because love is work in progress beautifully growing through time. It’s so easy to detect what’s important to you. Know what preoccupies your time. Because what’s consumes your time is what’s important to you.

I chose mine.  I chose my love.  I love my choice. Give quality time to anything in life and you’ll reap life’s

greatest benefits.

Don’t be slaves of deadlines.

Don’t let your lines die.

Most specially your life-line.

Give quality time to your life’s pulsating line.

So that at the end of your time called “flat-line.”

The Author of Life would solemnly say,

“Well done, you are Mine.”

Bro.Obet Cabrillas

Manila Feast Builder

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TOTAL (Fight to the Finish!)

I’m a warrior! When I fight, I give my all – totally! And the warrior’s spirit flows through my bloodstream!

In college, during a frat-rumble encounter, what we thought were five rival frat men turned out to be fifteen! In scenes like this, fighters would gang up on the smallest rival frat man! You guessed it right, it was me.

I was down on my back, yet I parried what seemingly endless hitting of lead pipes, chains and baseball bats from numerous foes. In split seconds, I disarmed one opponent and hit my way out of the frenzy. Blood spilled. Both mine and theirs (in hindsight, had they succeeded in hitting me hardon the head several times, there would never have been a Bro. Obet to write this to you today.)

I’m a renewed person now (praise be to God!)

Yet, I still carry the same warrior’s spirit! I still fight hard! I still fight strong! No, not against anybody.

I’m God’s warrior now! Through God’s grace work through the following weapons of war: my preaching break hardened hearts for the Spirit of God to enter; my godly friendships drag the youth from the quagmire of temptations and sins back to God’s embrace; my counseling and coaching regroup His servants back into the service when they once wallowed in spiritual dryness, burn out or resentment; my loving kindness, raise up a Godly family and friendships!

My secret? Feel the fall! Know its pain, ugliness and bitterness. Then let that feeling fuel your fire within! This is called falling forward. Then, stand up again, fight fiercely, fight to the finish! I give my all because at the end of my “mission tour,” people will say, “here is a man who lived to the fullest who loved to the end”. That’s my dream: to shed light and endure burning till the last embers of my breath…of my spirit!

Bro.Obet Cabrillas

Manila Feast Builder

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