Church Update February 2011

To my beloved Brethren,

Just this night, the turn over ceremony & induction of the new AMMNE Officers was held @ the God Is Alive Temple. About 150 persons, consists of Pastors, Chairmen of Pastoral Associations, Denominational Heads, Bishops & other leaders & workers came to this special event of the NUEVA ECIJA Body of Christ.

 

It gave us deep joy that they have chosen the Temple for the venue of this event. We all know that the house of God was built for the very reason like this one, for the use of all His servants & children. A place of worship and prayer, a place for godly training, study & celebrations. A place of refuge & salvation. In the said event, your humble servant, was chosen to minister the message & to officiate the induction ceremony & prayers.

 

Everyone who attended was so glad and surprised and stood in awe and appreciaton of the beauty and splendor of God's house, as they entered the sanctuary, many say that they feel God's presence all over the place, HALLELUJAH!!!... Many fellow ministers were so excited to take pictures of themselves at the altar of God's house. Thank You Lord that You have chosen us to be caretakers and stewards of Your house! Thank You Lord  that You have led our hearts to participate and contribute in the building of Your awesome house.

 

As of the present, we have planted some ornamental plants at the front outer court entrance, with bermuda grass, a colorful pavement, and added a few lights at the gate. More plants along the pathway to the backyard going to the comfort room. Just a few months ago all the windows were completed with aluminum and glass. And just a few weeks ago the side gates were now completed with colored-glass doors. All the doors are now completed. And its completion was because God used all of you to take part, the Lord moved you to have this burden and desire, the zeal for God's house to be built. But not just to be simply built, but to be built complete, beautiful and awesome, because we all know that this house is not any man's house but the house of the Lord, and it should be awesome!

 

Last October 2010, we completed the payment of the church building, it seemed so impossible few years ago, in the natural, it could not be done, but we believe, we trust, we know our God, "with God nothing is impossible". And truly you are part of this miracle, because God used you to be His channel.Thank you so much.

 

And now, there are still other areas that needs to be continued to be fully complete. Up to 2012, we still need to pay RCBC bank for the lots of God's temple. Around P15 thousand per month. The mezzanine floor also should be tiled as soon as possible, depending on the financial blessing that may come. A friend pastor, who is a part-time construction contractor offered to tile the mezzanine for P32 thousand, stairs included. The pastor's office, the library, the conference room & upper room for prayers will be situated at the mezzanine by the time it is completely tiled. Praise the Lord!, last December, a sister from Hong Kong suddenly offered to donate an aircon for the church office.

 

The whole church lot is now almost complete with gravel, sand and soil, thanks to the city mayor's office that gave 40 trucks of back fill soil and sand for just P15 thousand pesos. Though we still need another 30 trucks to fill up all areas. By the time all the grounds are filled, we can begin to build a simple classroom and playground for the little children in the community especially for the Badjao Tribe kids living around the temple as neighbors, remember ''you shall love your neighbors"...and we can start also the kitchen and dining rooms, that are under the care of our ever-faithful Women's Ministry.

May this report and update, encouraged your heart, that what you contributed was not wasted but all used for the glory of God, for the fulfillment of everything that God planned and desired.

 

Dearest brethren, may you continue to pray and serve the Lord. This year 2011, is the "year of overflow and of running over" as Psalm 23:5 says. The requirement for you to receive the overflow is simply to always be in the Lord's table, the table He prepared for you and me, and with the cup that is for you.

 

The Lord bless us and use us always,

Rev. Ferdy Y. Gonzalez

GIA Central Senior Pastor

Church Update October 2010

Sept 14, 2010

To the beloved Brethren, Update for the month of October 2010

This whole month of October ang ating month-celebration ng 23rd anniversary ng God Is Alive Central Church Cabanatuan City. Ang tawag natin dito ay OCTOBER FESTIVAL.

On the 1st Sunday ay GIA-Word Feast, whole day seminar & teachings; 2nd Sunday ay GIA-MuzikFest, launching concert na rin ng ating album; 3rd Sunday ay GIA-Lympics or Sportsfest; 4th Sunday ay GIA-Got Talent; & 5th Sunday ay GIA-Giving & Feeding para sa talagang mahihirap at dukha. Dito sa Giving & Feeding ay nag alok ang mga kapatiran sa GIA Hongkong na magpapadala ng mga kung ano ano na maipapamigay sa mga dukha, galing daw sa mga amo nila na gustong tumulong, marami ring mga chinese na may busilak na puso. May kung ilang sako rin ng mga used clothing at kung ano ano rin ang ipinadala ni Sis Marian Colorado galing sa Little Merry Hearts School, project nila ito to help the needy na ipinadaan sa atin. Yung malaking baul na ipinadala rin noon ni Sis Sabel Ong ay marami pa ring hindi naibibigay ay magagamit din natin ngayon.

Paki-dagdag nyo rin sa prayer na matambakan ng lupa ang buo nating lote dito sa temple, para magamit sa sportsfest at buong october celebration activities. Mayroon din tayong Food-Feast sa isang gabi nito...bar b cues at pot lock at bonfire at praise & worship, outdoor. Lahat ng activities natin sa October festival ay may kahalong evangelism para maakay natin ang maraming ligaw na mga tao...Isang bagay pa this last Sunday ay isinilang ang God Is Alive Umiray, Aurora Church...Praise the Lord forever!!!

Thank you so much, All for the glory of God,

Bsp Ferdy Gonzalez
GIA Central Philippines

A Message by George Carlin

This message was found on one of the spam mails but the content seems worth posting.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember to say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Image source from here.

More information about George Carlin.

 

Message from Reverend Ferdy Gonzalez

Date: Sunday, March 7, 2010, 8:35 PM

Beloved Brethren,
Tuloy ang pag ikot ng mundo at pag agos ng panahon, isang pasko na naman at bagong taon ang lumipas at dumating. Hindi natin maiwasan na alalahananin ang lahat ng nangyari ng 2009, mga ginawa natin at mga ginawa sa atin ng iba....mga prayers at good desires natin na tinugon ng Panginoon. Sinusukat din natin yung pagtaas ng antas ng success na ating naabot sa 2009...success na may kinalaman sa mission na pinagagawa sa atin ng ating Panginoon, at syempre maaalala natin ang mga tao at mga pangyayari na ginamit ni Lord na makatulong at naging mga kabalikat natin sa gawain ng Diyos. Sa Kaharian ng Diyos nag set up si Lord at nag pre appoint sya ng team at partnership para magtulong-tulong sa katuparan ng ibat iba Nyang mga plano at layunin. Tuloy tayo at walang dapat maging hadlang. ...John 4:34. Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Sinabi rin ng Panginoon "watch & pray"...be alert, discern the situations, understand the times..." maraming mga natural calamities at earthquakes, naka prophesy ito na mangyayari (Matt 24) earthquakes in various places...our role as sons of God ay lumago to become servants of God, hanggang maging soldiers of God...hindi tyo dapat matakot Jesus will come to deliver us from the wrath that will come to earth, & God did not appoint us to wrath but to salvation (1 Thess 1 & 5)...Jihn 14 says I will go to prepare a place in heaven, when everything is ready, I will come again & receive you to Myself, so that where I am you will be there also...These are the 4 major points of our faith= JESUS DIED,...JESUS LIVES,...JESUS REIGNS,...JESUS WILL COME AGAIN...habang wala pa si Lord, nandito pa tayo sa mundo to become servants & soldiers of the Lord...we all have work & mission to fully accomplish.....kapag natapos ang isa project ni Lord meron uli at uli at uli, hanggang dumating Siya...dapat tayong matuwa kung patuloy na may pinagagawa sa atin si Lord ibig sabihin tayo ay kinalulugdan nyang mga alipin, dahil kung hindi sisante na tayo sa Kaharian Niya...Sa Acts 12 & 13, ay nag report si Pablo at Silas bumalik sa headquarters pagkatapos nilang ma accomplish ang misyon o project at doon sa kanilang pagsamba at pananalangin ay nangusap uli ang Holy Spirit at nagbigay ng panibagong misyon sa kanila kayat sumunod muli at humayo...ang mga misyon ay kaugnay ng pinaka layunin ng Diyos, iligtas ang mga ligaw na kaluluwa at dalhin ang mga tupa sa kawan at tahanan ng Panginoon.sila'y alagaan at sanayin at at gawin ding mga lingkod at sundalo ng Diyos...at iyan ang patuloy nating ginagawa at pinagsisikapan gawin ng ating church dito sa Pilipinas. Kaya't nawa ay patuloy tayong magbalikatan at huwag magsawa sa bagay na ito. Gawin natin ng kumpleto, buong puso at masagana ang mga nais ng Diyos. Rev 22 Narito akoy madaling darating, at dala ko ang mga gantimpalang ipagkakaloob sa bawat isa ayon sa kanyang mga ginawa." Gawin natin ang lahat sa paraang ikaluligod at ikararangal ng Diyos, gawin ang lahat dahil mahal natin SIYA....Sa kasalukyan tuloy ang ating pag aalabga sa mga tupa, tuloy ang pangangaral at pagtuturo sa ibat ibang lugar,malayo at malapit, pag abot sa mga dukha at mga maliliit na bata na kapos sa edukasyon at materyal na bagay, tuloy ang pagtulong sa mga nakabilanggo, at pag abot sa mga kabataan, mga pagsasanay at pag re -recruit ng mga maglilingkod sa Panginoon...tuloy syempre ng mga pagsamba at mga prayer warriors sa dakilang gawain...Sa ngayon nga pala last week ng Feb at at 1st week of March ang ating 23rd church anniversary celebration, dahil nagtitipid tayo sa ngayon dahil sa mga bayarin ay minabuti namin na pagsabayin na ang family day outing at anniversary celebration simple na lamang sa isang resort sa March 20, kasama nito ang ating water baptism...we are commanded to "preach the gospel, he who believes and is baptized will be saved..." ...At sa darating na April 29 to May 9 ay hinilingan ako ng gawain natin sa God Is Alive Hong Kong na dumalaw sa kanila for reinforcement at encouragement sa kanila, maganda ang nagyayari sa kanila lumalago at umuunlad, syempre kaakibat nito ang mga suliranin kaya dadalawin ko sila, isasama ko ngayon ang aking maybahay para makapasyal naman siya at maka kain ng pansit doon.Please continue to support our work here in your prayers and everything that the Lord is leading you to do...WE WILL TOGETHER CONTINUE TO SHOUT TO THE WORLD THAT JESUS SAVES!, JESUS HEALS!, JESUS PROVIDES!, JESUS EMPOWERS!......MATTHEW 24:14 " & THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM SHALL BE PREACHED INTO ALL THE WORLD AS A WITNESS TO ALL THE NATIONS AND THEN THE END SHALL COME"...THIS IS OUR WORK AND DUTY UNTIL HE COMES.

All for the love & glory of God,
Ptr Ferdy Y. Gonzalez

Effectiveness

A giant ship engine failed. The ship's owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine.

Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a young. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.

Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed!

A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars.

"What?!" the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything!"

So they wrote the old man a note saying, "Please send us an itemized bill."

The man sent a bill that read:

Tapping with a hammer...... ......... ........ $ 2.00
Knowing where to tap.......... ......... ...... $ 9, 998.00

Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort makes all the difference!

Temple Dedication and Ordination as Bishop

Beloved Brethren,

Kumusta uli? Nakalipas ang All souls day, naalala natin ang mga mahal sa buhay na hindi na natin kapiling ngayon...Pumapasok sa isip natin minsan na talagang kahit tayo man ay darating sa ganoon, lilipas din ang ating katawang lupa...Ang pinakamalaking tanong lamang ay ano, paano at saan natin ginugol o gugugulin ang ating buhay ngayon na pinahiram sa atin ni Lord...

Lahat ng nasa atin ay hiram, kapag naging tapat tayo sa hiram at pansamantala at panglupang mga bagay ay bibigyan tayo ng talagang atin at tunay na kayamanan na pangwalang hanggan ang kahalagahan...Lahat ngayon ay panglupa lamang walang madadala sa langit, ngunit kung pamamahalaan at gagamitin natin ng ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos ay nag iipon tayo ng tunay na kayamanan.(Read Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 16:10-13)...Lahat tayo ngayon ay parang mga apprentice at nasa probation period na siyang batayan kung ano ang ating magiging role, reward, at responsibility sa Kaharian ng Diyos. Sabi sa Hebreo 9:27, "it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement.."...ibig sabihin: ONE LIFE, ONE DEATH & ONE JUDGEMENT.

Binigyan tayo ng buhay at hanggang ngayon ay buhay pa, ibig sabihin ay gusto pa tayong gamitin ni Lord. (read Joshua 14:6-13) Si Caleb ay nagsimulang gamitin ni Lord ng 40 years old, at siyay napakalakas at napakatapang, peak of his strength ang 40, after 45 years, sya'y 85 years old na, the same strength, the same faith, the same heart pa rin for the Lord, ready & willing to fight for God..& is very much willing to "wholly & fully" follow the Lord... sabi ng mundo kapag 30 plus years ka na ay pahina na lahat sa iyo...pero kapag nagpakatapang tayo, sumunod ng buong boo at nagtiwala ng buong buo kay Lord, 40 years old is the peak of your strength...Mga kapatid nag uumpisa pa lang tayo sa dakilang paglilingkod natin sa dakilang Diyos, may tinanggap tayong dakilang misyon....Kung ako po tatanungin I am aiming for 120 years ng buhay ng paglilingkod sa Diyos, tulad ni David, Moses, Abraham at iba pa...kaya lang kung wala na mga ka partners ko at ka team work na tulad ninyo, parang kulang na...magpakatapat at magpakatapang tayong lahat...

Nakakamangha talaga ang biyaya ng Panginoon, at ito'y mamamalagi sa atin habang tayo'y nabubuhay, 'surely goodness & mercy

& unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, & I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever...ini attach ko po dito ang ilang pictures nung nakaraang dedication at ordination at attach na rin ang song & lyrics ng kantang Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone...Purihin ang Panginoon sa Kanyang kabutihan sa atin, na bagamat tayo'y tao lamang hindi perpekto, minahal niya tayo at patuloy na ginagamit...Hallelujah!!!

Hanggang dito na lang muna. . . More pictures can be viewed here.

All for the LOVE & GLORY of God,

Rev.Ferdy Y. Gonzalez

God Is Alive

Present Update God Is Alive Philippines

Beloved Brethren,

Ano ba ang ating akmang masasabi sa mga kalamidad na nangyari sa nakaraang mga linggo? at hanggang ngayon ay may mga naka amba pa rin na mga bagyo na darating, hindi basta bagyo mga super typhoons...maraming nasalanta at naging biktima ang bagyong Ondoy, mga mahihirap at mayayaman, kahit mga christian churches ay maraming na apektuhan, yung 2 church chapters natin sa marikina na pinamumunuan nina Pstr Nelson Anastacio at Pstr Orlan Reyes ay lumubog pareho at ang mga kagamitan ay nabaha...mapapabuntunghininga tayo, pero, sabi ni Lord Huwag tayong matakot, huwag tayong manghinawa, huwag tayong mag alinlangan, huwag tayong sumuko, huwag tayong huminto sa pagsamba at paglilingkod at pananalangin sa KANYA,"in everything give thanks for this is the will of God FOR YOU in Christ Jesus."...sa ngayon ay naka recover na sila, nakapagpadala tayo agad ng tulong sa kanila...more than 10 sacks of clothing, boxes of food, voluntary financial contributions from various persons, inabot yata ng P7,000.00 at mula sa GIA board para sa mga pastors na affected sa Metro Manila ay P30,000.

Napakaliit na halaga ito kumpara sa mga nawala...nung unang bugso ng kalamidad ay nakasama pa ang inyong lingkod sa relief distribution at evangelism na rin sa OPeration blessing (700 Club arm para sa ganitong mga sitwasyon) at ang David Stockwell Evangelistic Association. Nung panahon na iyon maraming natulungan at maraming tumanggap kay Lord. Pero syempre napakalawak at napakarami ng talagang nangangailangan ng kaligtasan at tulong....pero hindi pa tapos, super thypoon Pepeng naman sa North & Central Luzon, affected naman ang GIA church chapters at mga magsasakang mga members, sa GIA Asingan, Pangasinan, GIA Bautista Pangasinan, GIA Tarlac, at GIA Narvacan Guimba...hindi talaga tayo dapat tumigil sa pananalangin at paggawa ng gawain ng Diyos...at ngayon ay may nagbabanta na namang super thypoon uli...Huwag tayong padadala sa anumang nagyayari, tuloy tayong magtiwala at gumawa ng mga nais ng Panginoon...nanawagan uli tayo sa mga kapatid para makatulong naman sa mga affected sa North & Central. Ang GIA Board ay magpapadala ng kaunting financial aid sa mga GIA churches na affected tig P3thou man lang...pinuntahan namin uli ng aking asawa ang aparador at tumingin pa ng pwedeng maipamigay, mga barong na hindi ko naman nagagamit, pwede yon dahil marami rin namang mga pastors ang na apektuhan sa North Luzon...

Sa kabila ng lahat, dapat lamang na ituloy ang ating paglilingkod, pagsamba, pagpapasalamat, pagbibigay luwalhati sa ating Panginoon.dapat mapanatili ang galak sa Panginoon, hindi naman po dahil hindi tayo nakikiramay sa mga nasalanta kundi nagtitiwala tayo na "all things work together for good to those who love God & are called according to His purpose"...

Kaugnay nito, nais ko rin pong ipabatid na itutuloy po natin sa October 24 ang Temple dedication at ang ordination as bishop ng inyong lingkod. matagal na itong naka plano at ilang beses na nga pong na re schedule...itutuloy na po natin ng may pasasalamat at pagluwalhati sa Diyos...sana'y nandito tayong lahat sa araw na ito, sa darating na sabado na po...Sa ngayon ay konti na lang at mapipinturahan na lahat, loob at labas ng temple, marami na ring mga improvements, nagpahakot po tayo ng 22 trucks na lupang panambak para hindi bumaha at para playground ng mga bata, garden at parking spaces ng mga tricycle at bisikleta at syempre ilang kotse at van at tri-bike.

Kanina ay nag invite sa isang dinner treat ang mag asawang Eric & Jane para sa mga pastors ng GIA Central church together with the pastors ng outreaches, dahil kahapon ay Pastor's Day. Sa aming food fellowship ay nagkatuwaan na magpatak-patak para bumili ng tiles para sa 2 comfort rooms ng temple, kaya ito'y ihahabol din para sa Sabado.

Nakakagalak at talagang nakaka encourage na marami ding may burden at heart sa house of God, tulad ni David, ni Solomon, ni Nehemiah, ni Ezra, at mrami pa, at kasama ka na roon. May mga laborers, mason, painters, engineers, piyon, welders, carpenters, craftsman, designers, dressmakers, cooks, servants na boluntaryong tumulong sa paggawa ang iba'y nagpa bayad pero sa maliit na halaga lamang. Ang ating working contract kay Lord ay hanggang sa muli nyang pagbalik, at dapat ay matapos natin ng tama, napapanahon at excellent ang overall project ng Panginoon na ibinigay sa atin.

Tayong lahat ay katiwala o pinagkalooban o pina hawak ng lahat ng uri at antas ng resources na gagamitin sa mga proyekto na galing sa Diyos.

Huwag manghihinawa, huwag magsasawa, huwag uurong o matatakot, tapusin natin lahat, tiyak ang gantimpala.

"Well done good & faithful servant, you've been faithful over a few things, you will now be ruler over many things, enter into the joy of your Lord."

Glory to God,

Rev Ferdy Y. Gonzalez -God Is Alive Philippines