It’s true. With a tap, swipe, and an Internet connection, the iPad is changing the world in how we consume information. Being a Christian for more than 20 years and soon-to-be a decade old Pastor, believe it or not but my iPad brought me closer to the Lord.

Ever heard of the often stated, “God works in mysterious ways.” shtick? Well, this is one of them.

When I got my iPad, I was excited with the limitless possibilities this thin touchscreen tablet can offer. I’m not an impulse buyer. I don’t buy for the sake of buying. Being a technology junkie, I have carefully studied the pros and cons of getting an iPad considering that it does cost a significant amount. But I believe it was a worthy investment.

As a pastor, I do a lot of things. Plenty. My calling is similar to a doctor: On call. 24/7. Without the big paycheck. But I’m good. God is taking care of me.

But, to be honest, I sometimes neglect what is vital for every Bible-believing Christian: a daily meeting with God.

Not just praying a short prayer asking for guidance throughout the day. But an actual allotted time to open His Word, meditate, and pray.

Shocked that this pastor skips devotionals sometimes? Unintentionally, of course. But skips nevertheless. I’m coming clean. Forgive me?

Deep inside me, I yearned to hear from God daily. But perhaps life passes by like a speeding bullet, you get caught in the urgent v.s. important bouts. But I had to decide. I knew reserving a time with God was both urgent and important. It’s a one-sided contest. No debate there.

I prayed. Pleaded. Lord, help me spend time with you. Reveal to me in a way I can understand. God created us, you know. And He knows how we tick.

You know what he did in me? Ask me what.

One day, I woke up, opened the cover of my iPad, and read God’s Word. A Bible App called YouVersion was installed in my iPad. It’s been a few weeks since I visited it. I tapped on the icon and, behold, the Word of God in digital form. For those who are purists would say that the reading the Word of God on paper is the most sincerest way of scripture reading. However, it is not the medium that makes the Bible Holy but the words written on it. God’s Word is God’s Word because of God’s Word. I think there should be no debate on that.

And so I read. For the next few minutes, I read the digitized Bible without thinking if this would be a great sermon series or not. I ate it like a starving person hungry for bread. I was having devotions.

Later on, I visited a few websites, which I know would help me with my reading. Some blog posts from pastors I admire. I watched snippet videos of sermons. Even the simple “Our Daily Bread”, which got a lot of new Christians started in Bible reading became part of my daily regimen. Consider it the appetizer before the main course.

Now, I’m not saying that you need to get an iPad to get closer to God. You are missing the point. The point is that God can use something you have now to bring you closer to Him. God is not hard to find. He doesn’t play hide and seek. If you truly seek Him, you will find Him. And He will find a way to make it happen.

If you jog, use the time and listen to God’s Word with your iPod or mp3 player. If you take breakfast in a coffee shop somewhere, use that to read the Bible on paper or on a computer. Commuting to and from work? That’s a great opportunity to dive into His presence even if you’re stuck in traffic.

It was the decision I made that brought me closer to God. My longing. My yearning. If it can happen to me, it can happen to you too. You can have the iPhone, iPod and iPad but do not have the iHeart to do it. If you “mean” to be with God, then He will take care of the “means”. Get it?

God is not limited. He can make things happen; even using a piece of technology to bring you closer to Him.

So I write this account using the same iPad I use to read God’s Word daily. Come to think of it. It has been a long while since I sat and wrote something this lengthy. God uses the iPad to encourage someone in the world? Perhaps. But that… is another story.

To my wife, Aida, of 11 years (this year), I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

And to all, Happy Valentine’s Day.

- – -

By the time you read this, I would have done something I have wanted to do for 10 years – propose to my wife.

You see, before I got married to my wife (Aida), I didn’t know much about romance and how things worked. Yes. I was cuddly and showy with my feelings. But there are just some things a guy doesn’t know about love.

Ten years ago, in a Starbucks Coffee in Makati, I gave my wife an engagement ring. Unfortunately, I gave it in the most stupidest way. No music. No flowers. No nothing. How unromatic, isn’t it? Yup.

And for years, my wife had longed to have a proposal that is truly worth remembering. Every time she saw something like that on television or in movies, she wished he had that too. And I wish that for her as well.

Today, I get to change everything. I’m given a second chance.

By the time you read this, I would have already swept her off her feet in surprise.

She doesn’t know that I will be singing to her today or giving her flowers or proposing in front of a crowd with a ring in tow. Yes. A ring.

So I hope that as I write my next post, I have photos and video to show you all.

Frankly, I’m scared to death. But I’m willing to do this because I love my wife. I have been with her for 14 years. Married for 10 years. We’ve gone through a lot.

I want to give her something I neglected to give her – a proper proposal.

And today, we start again. Anew.

I love you, Aida. Hope you like my surprise.

Rodney

“Honor, to people like General Reyes, is of great[er] value than life itself, and they’re willing to give their lives to defend that honor,” retired Philippine Navy chief Mateo Mayuga told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Tuesday night at the wake.

Now, this article is not judging General Reyes or the current Armed forces scandal. That is not the issue. But I do want to set the record straight – there is nothing honorable in committing suicide.

I may not be a military man. I may not understand the inner workings of the military. I may not understand the mind of a military man. But there is nothing honorable in committing suicide.

I write this message not to bash General Reyes. I respect him as a person who has served his country well. That is not the issue of this article. But I write this because I do not want people especially the teens and young adults to think that committing suicide is honorable.

I write this article for my son who might read statements like this one day and think of suicide as something to be celebrated. I make a stand for my son.
There is nothing honorable in suicide. Killing one’s self is not honorable.

What is honorable?

Honorable is a mother who leaves his family to go to another country and become someone’s servant just to provide dollars for her family. Honorable is the teenager who cleans toilets in your favorite fast food chain just to put himself through college. Honorable is the government employee who doesn’t accept bribes and does fair service in spite of his low salary. Honorable is the father who sacrifices his personal happiness so that his son may have a better life. That, my friends, is honorable.

In the eyes of God, there is no little or big sin. Sin is sin. Period. Though we may not know what God’s judgement is on us, I do still believe that we need to decide properly for ourselves about what is right and wrong. Suicide is wrong.

Considering the state of our people today especially the youth and young adults, let us be careful in labeling suicide as honorable. Taking one’s life is not to be glorified. It is to be condemned.

There may be people reading this article who might contemplate in committing suicide. Please do not. There is hope. You may be suffering because of the choices you have made. That is something you need to face. But I believe that God’s grace will help you go through it and conquer it.

Folks. Let us face life’s challenges head on. Let us make good and wise decisions. Ask God for supernatural strength and believe that this, too, shall pass.

Never give up. Now, that is honorable.

7:30am.

Zahn Garduce has passed away.

I was shocked. My heart sank. My tears flowed.

We have been trying to get in touch with him for weeks. The last time we saw each other was during the Christmas Rocks party for the street kids and during one of the last Sunday services he attended. We wanted to know how he was and that we missed him.

Kuya Zahn walked into the doors of THE ROCK CAMPUS on November 25, 2009 as an invited guest. He arrived just on time for me to give my talk during a typical Wednesday night Speaklife. Somehow, the inspirational message spoke to his heart. During the usual fellowship time, I got to shake his hand as I looked him in the eyes. He was happy to be there. Over iced tea and house music at the background, he couldn’t help but audibly appreciate me and the message I just spoke of. He publicly told people how impressed he was. Frankly, he made me feel like a million bucks.

Most people who attend Speaklife start off with curiosity and don’t come back. But Kuya Zahn returned the following week. He arrived on the scene with his big smile, warm hug and even tugging a few friends along. He wanted to share what he had experienced in the church to his friends. And share, he did. He understood the concept of “EACH ONE. BRING ONE.” with, sometimes, bringing three.

After a few months, he got more involved. He attended bible studies. He was one of those who helped us during the Sunday service launch. Eventually, he was being trained as an usher, welcoming people to the service and collecting tithes and love offerings. His jolly countenance was a perfect fit for the task. I’ve heard stories from people who felt good because he was greeted by Kuya Zahn.

In spite of his age, there were times that he would help carry heavy speakers, arrange chairs and push carts. One time, I remember Aida, my wife, receiving a phone call from Kuya Zahn because he got lost. He was going to the place where he will help haul the equipment for the Sunday service. During Sunday morning set-up, he would even climb ladders to post the tarpaulins. Then, he would change hats and collect the tithes and love offerings before the end of the service. Truly, he was dedicated to his new found passion for God.

During the PLUNGE water baptism event we had last September 4, 2010, though the water baptism was ongoing, he hurriedly came over, changed his clothes and went through with it. One of the attendees asked him why he was shaking. “Are you cold?”, she asked Zahn. “No.”, he said. “I’ve never felt like this before.” We knew it was the Holy Spirit already moving inside of him.

I can write a lot of instances how Kuya Zahn was able to touch my life and those he met in THE ROCK CAMPUS. He was the embodiment of INSPIRE TO IMPACT.

This is not to exalt myself. Please. That is further from the truth. But permit me this opportunity to just share how much his words meant to me. As much as I spoke life to him, he breathed life into me. Being a young pastor, you also aim to get the approval of those older than you. He did just that. Not only did he approve me but appreciated me in public without hesitation. He made sure people knew how happy he was with the church and with the things I spoke about.

I have spent some time with him regarding his personal struggles and innermost pains. He spoke to me about his bitterness and those who may have stolen his earthly wealth. During our talks, I believe that God was able to calm his heart, assure him that He understand his pain and that He will replace everything that was taken away with something more precious. God did deliver.

We are deeply and truly saddened by his death. We never expect that this giant of man would leave us in such an untimely fashion – at least in our own judgement. In the short time he was with us at THE ROCK CAMPUS, he has done so much and even beyond what was expected of him. But we are happy to know that, by God’s grace, He is now with Jesus as promised in His word.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.“ – John 3:16

We miss you Kuya Zahn. Your impact in our lives is felt deep. You will never be forgotten.

I’ll be honest. One of the toughest times for me is the night before I preach. Many things happen. My mind starts wondering what could happen on Sunday morning. Will people come? Will the worship be great? Will the sermon speak to their hearts?

Then, you start becoming excited and anticipative at the same time. I don’t know if you’ve felt that way. Trust me, it doesn’t help you sleep. Of course, there’s the last minute jotting of notes here and there which I hope to remember by Sunday morning.

Next time you know, you’re typing this blog post at 1:14am wishing you can close your eyes and rest. Yet, your soul is alive and kicking.

Perhaps it is more about excitement than worry. Maybe it’s the thrill of seeing your friends on a Sunday morning, singing songs to the Lord and speaking life to them during the sermon. Perchance, it could be the electricity you expect when people gather to worship the ever-living God. Or maybe just the mixture of anticipation and agitation because you will be preaching the Living Word of God to their people.

No matter the thought, it is obvious that the energy level is high and that church can be exciting. All I know is this: we will do our best to exalt God’s name and proclaim His word so that people’s lives are changed for the better.

It’s almost 2am. Just a few more hours before the Sunday service. Off to bed.

See you in a few hours in church.

More blessings to all of you!

My son surprised me by wearing the shirt I wore when I was his age. It was truly amazed how my mom kept it all this time. Perhaps she saw this time will happen. And it did. I’m blessed to experience this moment that not a lot of fathers get too.

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If you can read this, them it means that my post using my iPod touch works. Amazing, isnt it?

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