LIFE BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS (Part 2)

Continued….

17. World Conference - I enjoyed my new year in Taipei,Taiwan for a week long celebration of the World Conference on Youth and Community Service.

18. Sponsors - Relatives and friends helped fund my trip to Taiwan. Thanks for the unforgettable experience. Thanks for your sacrifices.

19. Distance Learning - Our church conference has sponsored our distance learning masteral classes. I took 9 units this year.

20. AWE4Him - iDREAM's Praise Team was given this name early this year. It stands for Adoration, Worship, Esteem 4 (4-all four corners of the earth) our Holy, Immutable, Majesty.

21. Bulihan, Silang Crusade - The public evangelism held at Bulihan Silang led to the baptism of 215 souls. AWE4Him led in the praise time.

21. Biga, Silang Crusade - 40 souls surrendered their lives to Jesus through baptism.

22. Iba Church Planting - It all started as a small group. Now it’s growing and envisions to become the largest church in Silang town.

23. New Assignments - Effective Dec 22, I am moving to Adventist University of the Philippines’ church while still being the area 10 (Cavite province) chairman.

24. Church Organization - Batas SDA company was finally organized to Batas Seventh-Day Adventist Church on April 26, 2008.

to be continued....

LIFE BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS (Part 1)

Pssst! Pastor Ardie! How was 2008?

Let me summarize a pastor's life for 2008 according to Gerald L. Borchert: "Jesus is the agent of wholeness, of eternal life, of secure pasture, and of release from the realm of darkness. He is, as the Samaritans confessed, “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42), and here he is the one who provides life to the fullest (John 10:10). The Greek perisson means “that which goes way beyond necessity.” John wanted all his readers to know that the gift of Jesus is life beyond our wildest dreams.

For this year John 10:10 has been my central theme. Check out this text in my favorite versions:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. The NET Bible 1st Edition

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. The Message

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. NLT

Here are a few of God's surprises for me for the year 2008. Here's to life beyond my wildest dreams:

1. An Awesome God - John 10:10. With you God, life is beyond my wildest dreams
2. Eternal Life - In spite of my shortcomings, Jesus would never let me go.
3. Excitement - Each morning as I wake up, I am excited to start another day.
4. Passion - Although it may dwindle from time to time, my passion for God and ministry
grows each day.
5. Lovely Wife - How would I survive without my heaven-sent angel?
6. Fiona Sedrol - Born July 8, 2008. My second child boasts of being the next Ms.
Universe.
7. Sean Ardis - Why of course my first born leaves me wondering if Einstein was his uncle.
8. Parents - Hmmm. Why are they so patient with me?
9. Siblings - I pray that their journey in life will be Jesus-driven.
10. Ordination - God finally says, “It’s time!” I got ordained as a full-pledge pastor on May 2, 2008.
11. Church - Church still puzzles me and sometimes leave me wounded as a pastor but it will always be the object of God’s love. Jesus calls her his bride.
12. iDREAM - This young professionals organization keeps my passion for ministry alive. Geniuses at work!
13. 1st Gen Macbook - Why this 2 1/2 year old laptop has been instrumental to the baptism of 1,902 souls.
14. Nokia 3120c Phone - Why this cheap 3g phone keeps me connected to the net anywhere in the Philippines.
15. ardisonbernardo.multiply.com - This social network now houses my personal blogs & keeps me in touch with friends.
16. nextgenadventist.blogspot.com - This blog keeps my vision and passion alive of what a new generation Adventist and pastor should be - ever growing, ever changing, ever-reaching the next generation for Christ!

to be continued...

I Will Still Praise You

Oh that You can take me into our arms right now and just embrace me the whole day, Lord. I can’t find any words to say to you right now. In my heart you are telling me that it is more than just knowing the right words to speak. Worship is just coming with a God-hungry heart. In silent adoration I can still worship you with my mind. I can still think of you, love you, and adore you with my mind.

When my body is tired and my lips are swollen, I will still praise you. For I will glorify no one else but You. I will still try to put the best of my praise for You. I will honor You with my life. And thank You Jesus for speaking to my heart this morning.

I have nothing in need particularly for You supplied my needs. Perhaps if I can beg, let me ask for You strength. Speak to me, Lord. For my heart is ready to receive Your message. My heart is ready for Your divine instructions. I need to plant my self deeper into Your words. Come and take me right now into Your arms. Speak, Lord.

Although Lord there are times when I don’t sense your presence, when I feel low, I will still offer You my life. Yes, Lord, there is so much to do. And whether I feel like praying or not I will still pray. Whether I feel like reading your Word I will still ponder on it. And I will do it again and again. Thank you so much Lord.

Please keep me in your hands and arms. It is only through your grace that I can remain strong and secure. The world will never understand all the troubles I go through. But I pray that they see in my countenance the love that Jesus has.

Lord,today, renew my strength. Help me fight again. Please help me take my sword and stand up and fight again. Thank you so much for that promise. In Jesus name. Amen. - Your son, Ardie

To Quit or To Worship

What is it about You Lord that I should adore? What is it about You that I should praise? When I fail, do You love me less? When I succeed, do You love me more? As your handiwork why have You created me? For what purpose? For what reason?

Lord, You know my heart. I am not perfect. I am not pure. Your presence alone makes me all that I am - perfect in Christ Jesus. You have given me a status so clean. Help me to live clean.

God You are a holy God. In You holiness I cannot stay unclean. Unholy. A holy God only can make a holy person. Make me holy, Father. Help me to live a holy life. That is what I need. That is what I want.

Lord, honestly at times I doubt my calling. I want to open my heart to you. There have been instances when I wonder why I am in the ministry. I often ask myself why do I have to go through all the pressures in this kind of work. But it is more than work I know. It is a calling. That makes all the difference in the world. That transforms my attitude and outlook in life. But whatever one's profession is, we all have been called. Called for the purpose of living for Your glory.

God you know how at times I wanted to quit ministry. I know too of ministers who have already burned out because of too much demands. Ministry, Lord, can really be exhausting. Pressures come from all sides. Anyway, any people-oriented work is really stressful. So perhaps, Lord, that is not an excuse. Besides, You promised to grant me with power and grace. Grace for every moment. Grace for every trial. Grace for every defeat. Grace for every pressure. Grace for every relationship. Grace for every day.

Lord, I am so sorry for trying to run away from You. Instead of running away, let me face that solemn responsibility of drawing your flock closer to your throne. Near to where you are. Keep me patient and humble. Keep me wise. Keep me forever secured in you love.

Almighty God, I just can't help but to wonder at Your grace. Wonder at Your magnificent love. You love me. How can you love a minuscule creation like me in such a vast universe. That is the wonder of Your love. How wonderful You are! Just when I am not at my best, You remind me of Your love that never change. You remind me there is power in your love.

You created me to worship You! Thank you for the privilege. There is power and life when I come to worship and serve You. You are wonderful! Wonderful to look at. Wonderful to serve. Wonderful to love and worship.

A Board Taker's Prayer

If you are taking a national board exam (nursing, law, accountancy, etc.), you can download the "A Board Taker's Prayer" attachment, print it, and pray this prayer as you prepare for and take the board exam.

As part of iDREAM's ministry to young professionals in AUP and other places, we conduct a praise and worship service for board takers. It is a Spirit-filled, prayer-driven, and Bible-based celebration of God's guidance and goodness over the board taker's preparations for the national board exam. The AWE4HIM praise team leads out to help us connect with God through praise songs, followed by a study of God's word on the importance of prayer, and formation of prayer warrior groups who intercede for the board takers until the last day of the exam.

The printed prayer is distributed after the service to be kept in their wallets to become a constant reminder of their commitment to God and their small groups.

For invitations on how to organize the Board Taker's Praise & Worship event, contact me at ardisonbernardo@gmail.com.

A Pastor's Choice

Lord, today is a new day. A new gift. A fresh encounter. Another chance to meet You. Another opportunity to do good. Another day to fill my heart with your goodness. An occasion to celebrate your love. A good time to rejoice in your presence.

Lord, here am I in your presence. Asking for your gracious touch to transform me today. Praying that today you will make me a better pastor, a loving husband, a hardworking minister, a compassionate person, a faithful Christian, a responsible father, and a dependable friend. Pour out your life in me, Lord . Fill this day with many opportunities to break new grounds of ministry and mission. Take me to higher heights of your glory, Lord.

Let the sun’s rays warm my heart and being to live through the day in the spirit of worship. Permit the ground I thread on to become a witness of a life lived faithfully

TODAY, I am making a choice. A choice of eternal value.

Today, I decided to become religiously spiritual. Making God first, last, and best in everything I think, say, and do today. Today’s schedule will be preoccupied by the living, intimate God. A refreshing worship encounter minute by minute.

Today I decided to walk in humility. Yielding my life to the divine control of my Supreme Ruler, Master, CEO, Senior Pastor, and Boss. Respecting my co-workers and church leaders. Submitting my personal rights and sacrificing self for the sake of others.

Today I decided to become God’s wonderful masterpiece of creativity. I will allow God’s voice to shape and mold my thoughts that his mission may find new form, method, and ways of reaching his lost children. I will allow imagination to help jump-start a new ministry. I will think of new ways of doing old things which will be more effective and efficient. My thoughts will be filled with God’s imaginative creativity that molded me into what I was, I am , and will be.

Today I decided to mobilize my God given gifts, skills, and talents to good use. I will allow God to put them to work. I will invest my time for their good use. Harnessing, honing, equipping, and further enhancing my discovered gifts. I will allow the Spirit to give me a chance to discover other gifts and try them out. I will permit the Spirit to start new ministries using my God-given abilities. It will be unselfishly used for the expansion of the kingdom. I offer my heart, my hands, and my feet for the vicious mobilization of the gospel.

Today, Lord, I will go further than just discovering and knowing the spiritual gifts I already have. I will make use of them for a specialized ministry I love to do and enjoy doing.

Today I choose to do things extraordinarily better than what I used to do. I will excel in the area you want me to shine. Lord, I ask that you will help reshape my views of ministry and take me into new circumstances that will put this specialized ministry at work.

Today Lord I will innovate or help reshape an established ministry, introducing better methods, ideas, or forms. And it will be the product of the creative juice you’ve put inside me Lord, teach me to innovate for the sake of a more fruitful and functional ministry. How to do old things in a new manner with a fresh approach. I will not promote visionary innovation for the sake of change but for the sake of growth.

Today, Lord, I will concentrate on my goals. What the mind perceives is what the soul can achieve. And this mind is no longer mine. The mind of Christ is in me. Today I decided to focus only on good thoughts, on my purpose, my mission, my vision, and my Christ. Today I decided to concentrate on what truly matters most leaving no room for the devil to suggest unhealthy thoughts, selfish desires, egocentric behavior, destructive criticisms. And I choose a heart which is driven by the heart of Christ. Let this heart of mine be filled with your divine love.

And in all these,Lord, I resolve to be determined. Determined to live a godly life, exercise firmness in my purpose in life, steadfast resolution to excel.

Today, I decided to have the strength of Your will, the resiliency of Your character, the single-mindedness of focus, steadfastness in my faith, perseverance in life’s trials, commitment and dedication to You and You alone. I live for You alone, Lord. Take me now and help me live out my prayer. For I ask it in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.