How a Taxi Driver Became a Bank President? by Bo Sanchez

[smurky]

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Nov. 2006 - Find Your Place Under the Sun (by: bo sanchez)

Today was superduper busy.

Funny I say that because every single day of my life is busy!

Like today, I worked again on my reality TV show, Preacher In Blue Jeans, and boy, it’s huge work. (Remember, you’ll see the first episode on November 1 on this website. Get ready to have fun and be inspired!)

Two dedicated, passionate guys are working with me on this: Randy Borromeo, our Director, and Edwin Marcelo, my cameraman and video-editor.

Oh, I pity Edwin.
Let me tell you what he did.

Yesterday, he captured me with his Sony 3CCD camera, rushed home to edit the film, and uploaded it to the internet. He slept at 4am this morning and woke up at 6am just to finish one thirty minute episode.
By 11am today, he was at my place shooting another one.
Poor guy. But you don’t see it on his face.
Because he loves his work.
And when you do, it isn’t work.

Edwin was telling me he was doing media work years ago, but then lost his way some years back. He ventured into selling insurance. But he was never happy. Until he finally went back to what he loved doing (media work) and viola—he rediscovered his call. He found his place under the sun.
And when you discover your place under the sun, you’re a different person.
You wake up with passion.
You get out of bed ready to conquer the world.

Man, I love working with my team. They’re fantastic guys.
Guess what.
Preacher In Blue Jeans isn’t the only thing I did today.

Are you ready? (Take a deep breath.) I also wrote 3 articles for Kerygma, wrote an article for Fish, wrote 2 project plans, wrote a marketing letter, wrote 27 letters to readers, wrote a blog (this one), and worked on the book I’m currently writing, Secrets Of The Rich.

Whew!
But I love my work too.

Like Edwin, for a time, I got involved in administration and pastoral work in my Catholic Community, the Light of Jesus. I had to do that because I was the founder and presiding elder for many years. But thank God, I finally was able to pass on that work to guys better than me. And I finally returned fulltime to what I was born to do: preaching and writing. I’m still an elder of Light of Jesus (for some reason, they don’t want to kick me out) but I’m no longer the head honcho carrying all the problems of the world.
Yes, I’ve been playing all these years!
I’m having the time of my life and I can’t live any other way.

Gosh, I better end this blog.
It’s almost 1:00am and I need to sleep for another exciting day tomorrow.

In the meantime, find your place under the sun and live with passion!

[smurky]

Nov. 2006 - "I Left My Meeting With Mike Velarde A Changed Man" (by: bo sanchez)

I had a special blessing from God this morning.

I spent 3 beautiful, spiritually enriching hours with Bro. Mike Velarde, Founder of El Shaddai.
(Thanks to my friend Chona Velasco for linking us together.)

I know. When some people think of Bro. Mike, they think of him only as that funny TV preacher with an accent wearing a red bowtie who makes his audience jump up and invert their umbrellas under the rain.

Don’t be fooled. God is using him to bless the world in a mighty way.
You may not agree with his style, his accent, his wardrobe, or even his theology—but millions are drawn to God because of him.
Believe me, I can’t express how much he inspired me this morning.

Finally, I now know why millions gather at his feet every Saturday night (either physically or through his Radio and TV broadcast) to listen to him.

It was Cardinal Sin who asked Bro. Mike in one Luneta Grandstand El Shaddai prayer rally, “What do you have that I don’t have? I can’t draw this crowd, but you can.”
His answer to the Cardinal: “This is pure grace from God, your Eminence.”
And I experienced that powerful grace this morning.

As he spoke to me, telling me simple stories of faith, I felt drawn to the Lord.
I wanted to trust God more, to serve God more, and to love God more.
That was the effect he had on me. And yes, the same effect on millions of others.

Next month, you’ll be able to watch a video of our entire conversation together—here in KerygmaFamily - Shepherd's Voice Radio and Television Foundation, Inc. (If you’re not yet a member of the kerygmafamily.com, just sign in, and you’ll be able to watch all these great videos. Membership is free anyway, because donations are totally optional.)

But let me summarize what I learned from Bro. Mike:

1) People need to know that God cares for us—body, soul, and spirit
Bro. Mike believes that God is interested not only with our spiritual needs, but also with our next meal. He cares for our material and physical needs as well. This comes out in his talks. I use a different approach, but I totally agree with him and preach in the same way.

2) People need rest in God’s Presence
He told me that the only time he heard God’s audible voice was when God told him, “Build a center where my people can rest.” At first, he thought it was a physical center. So he designed it, even had the Pope bless the plans, even had Cardinal Sin in the groundbreaking ceremony—but soon, he realized it wasn’t a physical center. It was El Shaddai where people would get their rest.

Because the crowd would never fit any enclosed building anymore! Here’s what I picked him from him: From a very tiring week of work, people need to go to happy place with God.
And that’s what happens in El Shaddai—people go home from these meetings refreshed and happy. I’ve noticed that my gatherings (The FEAST) have the same effect in people too.
Church should be a place of rest and joy!

3) You need simple faith to do His work
Bro. Mike has a simple faith. I feel that it’s because of this simple faith that he can do all that he does.
I need to cultivate this kind of faith in God if I want to be used more by Him.
Sometimes, I get too complicated. I need to learn from him.

4) Be generous if you want to succeed in life
Bro. Mike is extremely generous. At one point in 1981, he gave his seed money (P50,000) to fund a huge charismatic gathering. He wasn’t preaching yet at that time. He just gave away his money. Until God asked him to form El Shaddai. I believe God is blessing him because of his generosity.

5) Love people—like really!
Bro. Mike loves people from the heart. I felt it. He welcomes both the poor and the rich in his office. Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, Senators, and Generals seek his advice almost everyday.
But in that same room, he also welcomes the poor, the sick, and terminally ill who need his prayer.

Bro. Mike Velarde is already 67 years old, but doesn’t look like it at all.
He still jogs everyday.
Even when he travels, he sees to it that his hotel is beside a park for his daily exercise.

After 28 years of serving God, I asked him, “Do you ever feel tired?”
He smiled, “I feel that it’s just my first day with the Lord. I feel like I’m still 18.”
But he also explained to me his weekly regimen, which is very sensible.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, he does his business—which is real estate.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he does his ministry work.
On Fridays and Saturdays, he hides in Tagaytay to pray and prepare his weekly talk.
On Saturday night, he delivers that talk to a massive crowd in El Shaddai.
On Sunday, he rests at home—totally drained by the work he did the night before.

He adds, “Life is a choice. We can choose to be miserable, or we can choose to be happy in the midst of miserable circumstances.” I had to laugh. We almost use the exact words! It was as though I was hearing myself preach.

Hey, I’ve got to stop writing now. It’s 11:20pm and I’ve got sleep.
I have four meetings tomorrow. (Tell you about it.)
But watch for that video, okay?
See ya!

[smurky]

Nov. 2006 - Manny Pacquiao Knows His Core Gift (by: bo sanchez)

Kerygma Preacher Arun Gogna told me that while he and his wife Lalaine were watching The Pacman knock down El Terrible Last Sunday, Lalaine told him that were probably only two people in the entire world who wasn’t watching the fight: Pope Benedict and Bo Sanchez.

Sorry Lalaine, only one person didn’t watch.

Because last Sunday, after giving a retreat in Tagaytay, I had lunch with my family in a restaurant, and together with every breathing, living creature in that building, we watched the fight on public TV.
And all of us—waiters, cooks, and customers—went berserk every time Pacquiao’s punch landed on Morales.
What a fight and what a boxer.

Obet Cabrillas, another Kerygma Preacher, was once a fierce boxer.
(If you ask me, he still looks like one. Don’t let his height fool you!)
We met last Sunday night and I asked him to analyze the fight and the fighter for me.
He had followed Manny’s career from the start. And what he said fascinated me.
Obet said that in one interview, one journalist asked Manny, “Meron ka bang agimat?”
(Do you have an amulet?) And Manny said, “Wala akong agimat. Ang alam ko, Nagbibigay ng Diyos ng mga regalo sa tao. At ang binigay Niya sa akin, malakas akong sumuntok. Kaya ginagamit ko ito sa pagbigay ng kaluwalhatian sa Kanya…” (I don’t have an amulet. What I know is that God gives gifts to people. And He gave me the gift of a strong punch. I will use it to give glory to Him.”)
This is a loose quotation, but it captures the essence of what Pacquiao said.
I’m reminded of another athlete who spoke about this same powerful principle.

Eric Liddell, the Olympic champion sprinter, said, “God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure…” (You can watch this inspiring story in the true-to-life movie, Chariots of Fire.)
Eric Liddell knew his core gift.
Manny Pacquiao knew his core gift.

Unless you know your core gift, you’ll never be a champion.

Kerygma Preacher Alvin Barcelona talks about his music mentor, Freddie Aguilar.
He says that whenever he watched Freddie sing, he did it with 100% passion.
In every concert, the audience would always ask Freddie to sing his worldwide “legendary” song, Anak. But even if he has sung this song a thousand times, he sings it with so much passion, you’d think he was singing it for the first time.

Alvin tells me a good story. He says that because Freddie helped in the EDSA Revolution, President Cory Aquino offered him a government position. (Department of Music?)
His politely turned down the offer and said, “Tita Cory, gusto kong maglingkod sa bansa. Pero pagkanta lang alam ko.” (Auntie Cory, I want to serve the country. But I only know how to sing.)

I’m sure Freddie has many gifts. But he stuck to his core gift.

On November 21, I’m kicking-off the provincial tour of my Inspirational and Comedy Concert, Botoks. (Six cities for this year: Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, Ormoc, and Bohol.) It’s entitled Botoks—not Bosings, Bocooks, or Bodances. Because my core gift is to speak. Yes I can sing too, but I’d rather let my fellow Kerygma Preachers wow the audience with their incredible singing voices.

My role is to preach God’s love to the world.
What is your core gift? It’s the only way to be a Champion.

[smurky]

(Dec 2006) Do you Want to Preach? Here are 8 Suggestions From An `Old` Preacher (bo sanchez)

Hi, Preachers. And Would-Be Preachers.
I’m also a Preacher. Been one for 25 years now.
But many times, I’m also your audience.

Many times, I’m also the ordinary Mr. Guy-At-The-Pew because I too listen to Lay Preachers
and Priests give their talks. So I see you, the Preacher, the way 90% of the world sees
you: A figure in front some seventy feet away, three-fourths of your body covered by an old pulpit.
Competing against your talk is the humidity of the Philippines, the noisy kids around me, plus the lovely girl in front of me wearing a spaghetti strap blouse that exposes her exquisite neck and flawless shoulders.

And as if all these aren’t enough, I’m very distracted by my problems at my job and my family that keep replaying in my mind like the refrain of a hit song on radio. I’m thinking of my big and small concerns.
The debt that needs to be paid on Tuesday. The electric fan that my wife asked me to fix 6 weeks ago. The DVD that my son wants me to rent after Mass…

How can you compete?

I have 8 suggestions.
I gave this talk to a group of 90 priests—and they were immensely grateful.
Here they are…

For starters, I want to see you.
Move out of the pulpit. Don’t hide.

If you have something to say, show yourself.
Remember, you’re speaking to a generation raised by television, spending 5 hours a day with it since birth. So we’re visually-wired. We need to see something moving in front of us if you want to speak to us.

Second, connect with me.
My friend complained, “When my parish priest gives his talk, I sometimes feel he’s autistic. He just babbles his words to the wind. It’s as though we’re not even there in front of him. I have this great desire to shout and wave my hand, ‘Yoohoo, Father, I’m here! Hello!’”

Yes, Preachers.
Speak to me. Look at me. Talk to me. Converse with me.
Connect.

Third, use small words.
For example, I noticed that priests love this word: Dichotomy.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard it from the pulpit.
Father, you’re no longer a seminarian taking a compre, impressing your theo prof.
Do people go to the market and say, “Isang kilo lang ang bibilhin ko sa malaking isda na yan. Paki-dichotomize mo nga…” I don’t think so.

If you know that 90% of your listeners don’t use the word dichotomy,
and your goal is to communicate, then don’t you use it.
You might as well speak German if you do.

Fourth, tell stories.
Here’s what I’ve learned from sales people: Facts tell but stories sell.
I need to see it in my imagination—and then I’ll understand it.
Use analogies. Use personal experiences.
Use details, and make me see, touch, taste, smell, and feel the story.
Like Jesus and his parables, be the best story-teller in the world.
Don’t say it’s impossible. Hone your craft!

Fifth, don’t forget my needs.
You may criticize Mike Velarde for his neon-colored barong,
but you have to admit that he’s an incredibly effective speaker.
(Proof? 300,000 people gather in front of him every week voluntarily.)
Why? He always speaks with their problems in his mind.

Your audience is a bunch of people that have debts to pay, fears about their kids,
burdened by marital fights, suffer from hypertension, arthritis, migraine, and cancer.
Believe me, the Gospel of the day is very far from their minds.

So when you begin your homily by saying, “The Gospel for the day is about…” you tune
out half of your audience.
Begin with where people are. And then talk about how the Gospel addresses their problems.

Sixth, speak more than fifteen minutes only if you’re really good
A fifteen-minute talk is purgatory if you’re boring.
But a thirty-minute talk from an excellent preacher is bitin.
So if you know you’re still growing in the skill of preaching, shorten your homilies.
Some great preachers are even known for the brevity of their talks.

Many love (adore, worship) Bishop Soc Villegas’ three-minute sermons,
which I compare to solid punches to one’s solar plexus.
On target, every time—with the least amount of words.

Seventh, be real.
Tell me a bit of your struggles. Your sins. Your temptations.
Tell me about the problems you go through.
I need to know you’re just like me—needing God at every breath.
Open up and I’ll open up to your message.
Doing so will make you cease being another statue in church.
You’ll become a friend.

Eight, speak from your passion.
I’m not talking about bombast.
You could speak very quietly, but I know if you’re speaking from an inner passion — or if you’re speaking from your head and your hastily prepared notes.
This is probably the most important lesson in preaching.
Don’t talk about trust, or repentance, or love, or service— if you don’t feel a fire in your belly for trust, or repentance, or love, or service… It just won’t work.
People will know you’re a phony.

PREACHERS’ HABITS
I’ve been preaching for 25 years.
Here are some habits that have helped me through the years…
• Read as much as you breathe
• Listen to preaching videos and audiotapes
• Prepare your talks way in advance
• Most of all, deepen your relationship with God
The last point is decisive. I try (strive, strain, struggle, stumble) to strengthen my spiritual life. That’s where the passion comes from.

For without passion—a love for God and for others—the preacher is a noisy gong and a clanging bell.

[smurky]

(Jan 2007) Is Your Child Being Bullied In School? (by: bo sanchez)

Is Your Child Being Bullied In School?

I was shocked by an article I read in NEWSWEEK (Jan 15, 2007) on school bullies.
In Japan, 7 kids committed suicide during a 2-month period late last year.
All because they were being bullied.

I guess the article hit me hard because I was bullied as a kid too.

On the part of the bullies, it’s a sad story as well.
I googled some websites and discovered these statistics: bullies are more likely to drop out of school, and more likely to smoke, drink, vandalize, and fight.
And in America, 60% of all high school bullies will already have a criminal conviction by the age of 24.

Why was I bullied? I was smaller, thinner, quieter, less athletic, and less bright than my other classmates—a perfect target for the bullies.
They harassed me everyday, called me names, laughed at me, pushed me around, kicked my bag, “confiscated” my stuff for their use, and forced me to do errands for them—like buy food for them at the ground floor canteen when our classroom was on the fourth floor. Daily.

I never reported this to my teachers. Why? Because bullying happened everyday, kids like me accepted this as a part our pathetic lives.

Sometimes, the bullying wasn’t physical. For example, a gang of kids wouldn’t talk to me, period.
As though it was below their dignity to do so. To them, I didn’t exist.

When I tell people that we homeschool our child, people immediately ask me,
“What about his socialization? Aren’t you robbing your child of his socialization in school?”

Yes, we are. We’re taking away from him the sometimes cruel socialization he’ll be getting from school.
Instead, we’re giving him loving socialization—encouraging, respectful, and affirming—inside our home and among his friends. We surround him with kids from other families that think the way we do. (By the way, I don’t have scientific surveys to prove this, but just from observation, I’ve noticed that homeschooled kids are more sociable—not less. Because their high self-esteem gives them the confidence to approach people and make friends.)

Some people tell me, “But Bo, that’s the real world. All of us went through some rough time and we’re fine! Let your boys go through the rough world so they’ll know what the real world is like. It’ll toughen him! If you keep on protecting your child, he’ll be a sissy and be unprepared for the harshness of reality.”

To these people, bullying is almost a manhood rite of passage.

I say chicken poop. That’s not true.

I agree that difficult experiences can make you tough.
But there are other ways to grow in toughness.

I’ll tell you a few real manhood rites of passage I want for my boys:

· Starting a small business and handling more responsibility as the years go by.
· Speaking to strangers with confidence
· Doing service work in an orphanage, a slum area, or a home for the aged.
· Taking more household chores and being responsible for them.
· Treating all women with respect and chivalry.

Now these are great rites of passage. But being bullied isn’t one of them!

By the way, this blog post isn’t about homeschooling.
I know that many parents won’t be able to homeschool their kids.
(But in case you want to know more about homeschooling, I’ll send you an article I wrote about it. Email me at bomarowe@info.com.ph) This article is about bullying.

So what should parents do if their child is being bullied in school?

Here are a few recommendations from me, a former victim (me!):
1.) Tell your child that bullying is always wrong and is done by insecure boys and girls who need help badly.

2.) Tell your child to always tell an adult right away if she is being bullied.
Tell your child to disregard ridicule that she’s a sumbungera or a snitch.
Tell her she’s doing the right thing.

3.) Tell your child to either stand up against the bully (if its safe) or to walk away from the bully. Sometimes, all it takes is a scream, “Stop that!” and then walk away.
And then tell the teacher right away.
If a teacher doesn’t do anything about it (because some adults take bullying lightly), go to another teacher who will take you seriously.
If the bullying is a mean text message or an email, don’t respond. Just show it to a teacher.

4.) Tell your child to be with other kids. Loners are easy objects of bullies.

5.) Talk to the teachers in school and discuss what can be done against bullying.

I hope these points helped.

[smurky]

(Jan 2007) How Grateful, Positive, and Affirming Are You? (by: bo sanchez)

How Grateful, Positive, and Affirming Are You?
I need to be more grateful. And positive. And affirming.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Some people will actually
say, `But Bo, you’re one of the most positive people I know.`

Yes, I know I’m positive. I sometimes drive my wife nuts because in the midst of a huge crisis, I’m Mr. Cool. As she cries and experiences a panic attack, I put my arm around her and say, “Everything will work out. You’ll see.” Which drives her up the wall even more.

But I’m not all that positive.

To be honest, there are days when I get so focused on my ministry—with all its problems, such as money shortage, relationship conflicts, money shortage, project delays, money shortage, staff problems, and… did I mention money shortage?
Because of that, I fail to see how beautiful life is. Or how wonderful people are.
And I end up meditating on my petty trials. (Imagine me in lotus position, thinking of nothing else except my problems, and instead of saying “Ommmm” I say “Owwww…” And instead of a tranquil face, imagine the face of someone eating raw garlic.)

That’s when my wife senses my despondency and gives me the hug.

A few nights ago, I met people who were so grateful, positive, and affirming—it was refreshingly inspiring. We were in the happy home of Derek and Amanda Ross, a lovely young American missionary couple. Derek left his profitable construction business in the US to serve here in the Philippines through "True Love Waits International".

Munching on pasta with white sauce and gorgeous vegetables, we relaxed and chatted the night away. And for dessert, I ate the best homecooked chocolate chip oatmeal cookies I’ve ever tasted in the world (and I’ve been around the world), baked by their 10-year old daughter, Sunday. Chewy, soft, yummy.

Yes, they have five kids. Sunday (10), Honor (, Kennon (6), Ada (4), and Eli, a 6-week old baby. For a moment there, I wondered if they were Filipino and Catholic.

But all of them had blond or brownish hair, so Filipino was out. Though Derek impressed with the heavyweight Tagalog words he knew like “karimaldimal” and “kagilalagilalas”.
And he mentioned that he already passed the test of being Filipino by eating “balut” through the power of the Holy Spirit.

They’re actually Baptist, but they don’t talk about doctrines or denominations.
They simply want to encourage young people to live pure lives—to give them the message that True Love Waits. (Their website has an incredibly cool name: Welcome to True Love Waits Philippines)
He’s worked in Catholic and Non-Catholic schools, teaching young people to remain pure.
We already invited them to speak to our youth group, and our kids loved it.

As I said, Derek and Amanda blessed me by their character: They were incredibly grateful, affirming, and positive. They kept praising their co-workers (who were not even present) again and again and again. They spoke about how fantastic the people around them are—their helpers at home, the friends they meet, the young people they work with… With glowing terms, they spoke of the Filipino people and the Philippines. They talked about their life and raved about how God blessed them with overwhelming blessings.

I was waiting for the usual complaints about life.

About the heat of the Philippines.

The traffic of Manila.

The corrupt government.

The irresponsible young people.

But none came.

Instead, praise was on their lips. They spoke of how blessed they were.
They shared their small and big blessings from God.

Oh sure, they have problems: They wiped out their entire savings to come to the Philippines.
They had immigration hurdles for their staff.
And they have the usual insane days of raising five kids…

But that wasn’t their focus. They focused on the blessings—which to them was out of this world.
And that was the reason why they were grateful, positive, and affirming.

Gosh, it was so refreshing to speak to people like that.

For example, one of Derek’s questions to me was, “So Bo, what do you do for fun?”
He was concerned that workers of God don’t have fun.
He said, “It’s not all about studying your Bible all the time. God also wants us to have fun.”

“I have dates with my wife,” I answered. (Which is true. One of the happiest things I ever do is being with her.) His questions led me to be grateful for what I have.

The 5 kids were replicas of their parents. Fun. Happy. Wonderfully pleasant.

And this is what I found out: They don’t watch TV in their home. (They watch pre-selected videos.)

I’ve been to a few (very few!) homes where kids don’t watch TV.
And I’ve observed that the kids in these homes are more pleasant than kids inundated with TV.
I don’t see the typical angst, disrespect, or negativity in them.

Amanda said, “I’ve noticed that among kids who are homeschooled.”

Amanda homeschools all her kids. When we learned about this, my wife and I could only stare at her with our jaws hitting the floor. “Wow, and I have my hands full on homeschooling one boy,” my wife said.

Amanda said, “I’m reading a book now written by a mother of ten kids. And she homeschooled them all.”

I went home with my spirit refreshed. Grateful, positive, and affirming people energize you in that way.

Can I ask you a question?

What kind of effect do you have on the people you meet?

Do they leave your presence refreshed and energized? Inspired and lifted up?

Or do they leave your presence discouraged and despondent, wanting to meditate on their petty trials (in lotus position and saying “Owwww…”)

say thid prayer: "Lord, help me to be more grateful, positive, and affirming.
Help me to bless the world."

[smurky]

(i posted this topic for ambik, demonyito, anaknitatay, secret_anx, coolnumber9, honey2723, nram, ryze, etc... - you see, they're parents like me or soon-to-be parents - smurky )

(Jan 2007) Are You A Real Man? (by: Bo sanchez)

The crisis of the world today is a crisis for real manhood.

My eldest boy Bene is turning 7 this month and he’s thrilled.
One reason: I’m making him a special manhood “Ritual of Passage” for his 7th birthday.
I told him it’s the first of a three-part series: The first at age 7, the second at age 14, and the third at age 21.

I copied this pattern from the knighthood culture, where a boy becomes a “Page” at age 7, a “Squire” at age 14, and a “Knight” at age 21—and since my son loved reading about knights, he’s giddy with excitement. I’ve learned that ancient and medieval cultures always had great manhood “Rituals of Passage”. The Jews have the Bar Mitzvah. Australian Aboriginal Tribes had circumcision. African Tribes sent their boys into the wilderness—alone.

But prior to these ceremonies, Dads usually passed on their craft to their son.
That meant countless hours teaching their boys how to hunt boar, or saw wood, or shape iron, or throw a spear. Fathers also taught their sons how to endure difficulty and pain so they could fight for what they loved.

But once they got initiated in these rituals, the boys knew without a doubt that they were no longer boys, but men. They took the leap—from irresponsibility to responsibility, from being carefree to being disciplined, from ignorance to wisdom, from being a follower to being a leader.

Today, we no longer have these “Rituals of Passage”.
Why? Because we don’t know what a real man is anymore.

Some guys think they can prove their manhood by getting drunk or picking a fight.

Manhood, my foot. Drunks are Sissies with a capital S.
And hot-headed bullies are really disguised kids still throwing temper tantrums.

Real men have so much respect for themselves, they prize their self-control.

Because we don’t know what real manhood is, many boys, for most of their teen-age life, lose their way. For many years, they get stuck in limbo. They don’t know who they are or where they should go.

As Christian Dads, we need to teach what real manhood is to our sons and also recreate “Rituals of Passage” for them today.

For example, before my son’s “Page” ceremony on his 7th birthday, I’ll have 3 weekly father-and-son sessions with him. I’ll bring him out to his favorite restaurant (Thank God it’s inexpensive Jollibee), and while he eats his burger steak with mushroom sauce, I’ll discuss with him the 3 virtues necessary for a Page: Responsibility, Obedience, and Service—one virtue per weekly date.

I’ll read stories, answer his questions, and give examples.

And here’s the hard part: I’ll give him specific projects to do connected to these virtues.
It could mean doing things he never did before—like walking to Lolo’s house on his own to visit and serve him.

And on his birthday itself, we’ll have his “Page” ceremony.
All the men in the family (his Lolo, Uncles, etc.) will gather around him.
We’ll ask Bene to offer a symbol of his being a “Page for the Lord”—which would be a pair of brown sandals. We then bless him, sing a song, and invite the women of the family to join us for a festive meal together.

I’m going to be very blunt here.

Do you know why the world is in crisis today?

I’ll tell you why: Because men don’t know how to become real men.

Because fathers don’t train their sons how to live life.

Because fathers don’t raise their sons in the ways of the Lord.

Because fathers don’t mentor their sons to take responsibility.

Because fathers don’t teach their sons how to relate to women.

Because fathers don’t love and protect their wives.

Because fathers don’t lead their families towards a vision.

They’re cowards. They’re macho on the outside but flakes on the inside.
They’re irresponsible. They’re passive. They’re parasitic jello.

Fathers don’t really “father” their kids on a daily basis.
They leave childrearing to the mothers.
They have no vision for their families.

Make no mistake about it.
Families are in crisis today because we lack godly husbands and godly fathers.

The crisis of the world today is a crisis for manhood.

Let me give you this set of facts you may not know:

· Men commit 90% of major crimes.

· Men commit 100% of all rapes.

· Men commit 95% of all thefts.

· Men commit 91% of all offences against the family.

· Men commit 94% of all drunk drivers.

In one study, they asked fathers how much time they spent with their kids.

They were very honest and apologized that because of their busy schedule, they could only spend 15 minutes a day with their kids. After the interview, these same fathers were equipped with audio recorders—and for the next few days—the behavioural scientists measured the actual time they spent with their children. Average time a father spends with kids? 45 seconds a day.

No joke.

By the way, raising your children isn’t just about spending time with them.
A father could be spending time with his children watching TV.
Hearts don’t engage when you sit passively in front of the idiot box.

Here are the three things fathers need to do with their kids.

First, you bond with them.
Play with them. Laugh with them. Do things they enjoy doing.
Because my sons are small, I play their games, no matter how silly they seem to me.
“Waste” your time with them, doing what you may consider totally unproductive.
In reality, playing with your kids is the most productive thing you can ever do as a human being.

Second, you teach values.
Yes guys, you actually open your lips. Not classroom lectures, mind you. But you tell stories. Exciting, inspiring stories. Don’t leave this to Mom.
Men, pick good books and read stories to your sons. Stories of courage. Stories of service.
Stories of heroism. Stories about God.

Third, you pray together.
That’s right, Dads. Don’t let Mom be the priestess at home.
You’re the priest of the family, so act like one.
On Judgment Day, God won’t first ask the mother, “Did you bring your family closer to Me?”
He’ll ask this important question to Dad first.
Fathers, let your children watch you pray and see your heart for the Lord.

How can you do all these three assignments if you don’t spend at least a weekly date with each of your kids?

Fatherhood isn’t for wimps. It’s requires men of steel.
It requires rocklike warriors totally committed to winning the battle for the hearts of their children.

Will you be a real man?

[smurky]

nourish yourself everyday read this thread

[demonyito]

possible baya bro... pero maybe on the 10th or 11th eyebiz na....
kay dili ta ka-afford niya... hehehe...

but i have an idea.... i'll try to contact my idol Bo Sanchez, then ask
him if he's willing to conduct a seminar of the "trulyrichclub" if we can
organize a certain number of participants... we'll just have to know
how much ang rate/fee sa seminar per attendee...

nice idea bro! hope this will happen sooner..
idol nasd nko si Bo sanchez.. hehe!

[smurky]

nice to meet you ganiha bro (the "2nd" time) for a short while....

nice idea bro! hope this will happen sooner..
idol nasd nko si Bo sanchez.. hehe!