Saturday, 23 June 2007
Sunday, 17 June 2007
The Missing Link Of Success: Who Are Your Mentors?
The Missing Link Of Success:
Who Are Your Mentors?
Yesterday, I finally met him.
My mentor on the stock market.
Okay, let me backtrack a bit.
When I got married at 32 years old, my life changed. From a single missionary wandering around the country (and the world) without a centavo in my pocket, I now needed to make serious money fast. The Bible doesn’t say, “Man doesn’t live on bread but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.” One word is missing. The Bible says, “Man doesn’t live on bread alone but on every Word…”
That means I still need to eat bread even if I have the Word of God!
But I knew next to nothing about money.
And boy, did I need to change my psychology of money in my brain. Because deep inside, I knew I was programmed to be poor.
I had to unlock my brain from a distorted theology of wealth—that money was bad, that rich people were crooks, and that God wanted me to be poor, etc… (To know more about what I’m talking about, read my newest book 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich. To get your copy, go to http://www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph/ now. But people who support our ministry KerygmaFamily get a FREE autographed copy as my big ‘thank you’ gift to them. Join now at http://www.kerygmafamily.com/ and receive a ton of blessing.)
Once my psychological wallet grew (and did this take a long time!), I was ready to earn money. But how?
Immediately, I knew my missing link to success: I had no Financial Mentors.
I Had Mentors For Every Area Of My Life Except…
You see, I had mentors for my spiritual life. I had mentors for my family life. I even had a mentor for my ministry life. And much of my success came from the fact that I had these wonderful people who taught me, inspired me, and showed me the way.
But I had no financial mentors in my life!
So I prayed to God for mentors to lead me in my journey to financial abundance.
First, I searched for successful entrepreneurs among my friends. I made a bee-line towards a few multi-millionaires I knew and invited them for lunch. I picked their brains and took down copious notes. I then put up my small businesses, lost money, tried something else, failed again, until I found my niche. Today, my little businesses are doing well.
It was time to conquer another financial mountain…
Can I Buy Real Estate If I Have No Money?
Second, I read that almost all wealthy people have real estate investments. I had none. So I prayed that God give me a mentor in real estate. But I had a preference: I wanted a specific type of mentor—someone who was doing Robert Kiyosaki’s kind of real estate as outlined in his book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, here in the Philippines. He bought foreclosed properties from banks and turned them around for a profit. Reason: I had no money to invest in real estate! But Kiyosaki said that with his system, you don’t need money. You could get the property from the bank for a tiny amount (which you could borrow somewhere else) and start earning from day one—not when it appreciates in value. Was there a guy already in the Philippines doing this thing?
After one year of praying and waiting, all the while reading books on real estate and attending seminars on real estate—boom—I bumped into Larry Gamboa in Powerbooks. He was an old friend that I have not met in years. I asked him, “What are you doing Larry?” and he answered me, “I’m investing in real estate, buying foreclosed properties and turning them around, just like Robert Kiyosaki in his book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad.”
When he said that, I felt like Heaven opening up and God giving me a wink.
So I asked Larry to mentor me and we did some properties together. Today, we are partners in Think Rich Pinoy Millionaire Network where people can simply get a franchise of the system he uses to earn through real estate. He provides everything—his personal coaching, the entire system, the legal documents, the bank procedures, from A to Z. (You can read Larry’s two great books, Think Rich, Pinoy and Grow Rich, Pinoy. Go to http://www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph/ now.)
Collect Specific Pieces Of Paper—And You’ll Be Rich!
Now that I had businesses and real estate under my belt, I knew I had to conquer a third asset that all wealthy people have: Paper Assets. That usually meant mutual funds and stocks, and I had zero knowledge about them.
Again, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
Because soon, I began to bump into experts in mutual funds and insurance.
I won’t tell you his name, but I met one of my primary mentors on mutual funds and insurance sitting beside me on the plane. Here’s the funny thing: Because there were too many people in Economy, I was bumped up into Business Class. That’s why I ended up sitting beside him. God was winking at me again.
Through my mentors, I ended up becoming a broker for mutual funds and other paper assets—not for one, but for many mutual fund companies.
So I asked questions. I asked for training. I latched onto my mentors like a leech and sucked them dry. As my financial mentors grew, so did my money grow as well.
I began to invest tiny amounts each month into various mutual funds—balanced fund, equity funds, peso funds, dollar funds, euro funds… It was incredible. This guy who, only a few years ago, kept his entire life savings hidden inside his bedroom (third drawer, beneath my briefs and socks), ran now small businesses, sold rent-to-own apartments (so I don’t really own them anymore), and “paper assets” in various currencies and companies. It was a wild journey.
Stock Market—Isn’t That Like Gambling?
Finally, there was this one area that I wasn’t touching with a ten-foot pole: Stocks.
I knew it required financial wisdom that I didn’t have.
Again, I attended seminars on stocks, read books on stocks, and kept asking around. I met countless of investors and brokers, but none of them were real masters in the field. I needed a master. So for three years, I prayed for a mentor, but none was coming. It wasn’t yet time.
Yesterday, I met him. Finally.
After three long years of praying.
I can’t divulge his name because he doesn’t want to be named, but he’s a multi-multi-millionaire (in dollar figures) who made his money through stocks.
He called me. (Which brings me to another core belief that I have: What I need comes to me.) He said he read my book, 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich, loved it, and wanted to have lunch with me.
And as he spoke of his 30 years of investing in stocks (globally), all I could do was listen in rapt awe. Believe me, the wisdom he distilled to me in our three hours conversation can’t be covered by a hundred seminars from other speakers who simply read a book or worked the stocks for a few years. This guy had 30 years of experience behind him.
Basically, he talked about the science of investing in the stock market. It’s not just an art, he said, or he won’t be able to teach it to me. It’s not gambling. It’s a science. He created a method that gets results. He said I could do it too.
And you know what? You can too.
All you need are mentors.
People who’ve done it before and can teach you how.
(You can read how to meet my mentors below in my PS.)
Mentors. It’s the missing link to your success.
Pray for them.
I remain your friend,
Bo Sanchez
PS. I’m giving another How To Be Truly Rich Seminar on July 21, 2007. To join this directional-changing and powerful Seminar, call Beckie at Tel. (02) 7229562 or email her at beaconlightevents@gmail.com Though the real cost of the seminar is P2,000++, we’re giving it at the give-away price of P475 per person only. Our team is subsidizing it and making it affordable. Why? So we can help as many people change their financial life. (Note: The first 20 people to register get the early bird price of P375. Hurry!)
Call Beckie at Tel. (02) 7229562 or email her at beacolightevents@gmail.com now.
PS2. A tidal wave of people have been writing me, asking me to be their financial mentor too. So I’ve decided to invite a small group of people to our Truly Rich Financial Coaching Program starting this August, 2007. It’s by invitation only—for people who are serious in learning financial abundance. It includes face-to-face, one-on-one coaching by my mentors themselves. That’s right. The same people who taught me will teach those in the program.
But because it’s a small group, I’m setting up requirements. First requirement: People qualified to join the Coaching Program are those who have already finished my How To Be Truly Rich Seminar. Because the psychology and theology of wealth has to be established first or the Coaching Program won’t work.
If you have not yet joined the How To Be Truly Rich Seminar, call Beckie at Tel. (02) 7229562 or email her at beaconlightevents@gmail.com now. Better hurry before you run out of seats.
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
At The Exact Time I Was Complaining, God Was At Work
Lizette shared this beautiful story to me this morning and I just knew in my heart that I had to share it to you.
Nick and Lizette are my great friends. Lizette is helping me in Catholic Filipino Academy, where we help parents teach their kids at home. (In case you’re interested in our work, visit http://www.catholicfilipinoacademy.com/) Her husband Nick got a job offer in
This is what happened. Nick went through the required medical exams for his work permit. After a few days, the doctor called up to tell him that he discovered a mass in Nick’s x-rays. Very much alarmed, he asked Nick to go through a CT scan. “It could be a possible aortic aneurysm which would require immediate surgery,” the doctor told him.
Nick however wasn’t disturbed. “Doc, that mass that you saw may just be my 3rd kidney.” It was a harmless condition his doctor in
Still, the doctor asked him to go through a CT scan.
But here was Nick’s problem: The CT scan costs $1,100. Being in
And when Lizette heard the news, she was totally distraught. She complained to God. “Lord, why are you doing this to us? How are we going to pay for this?” she cried out to God in despair.
But at the exact time she was complaining, God was orchestrating His beautiful work. At that time, Nick was attending a Men’s Retreat in
Deep inside, Nick felt a nudge from God, telling him, “My son, share your problem to your small group leader”. Obviously, Nick was feeling ashamed because the last thing he wanted to do was to be a burden to people he hardly knew. He also feared rejection and embarrassment. Again he felt the Lord saying, “Trust these men…they are sons of mine. They will care for you.” Unsure if it was the Lord who was speaking, he kept his problem to himself while asking the Lord to give him a sign.
But after one of the sessions, the audience was broken up into small groups. And the “small group discussion starter” flashed on the screen floored Nick completely. It said, “If you need $1000, who are your friends who would help you?”
The words hit Nick like a bolt of lighting from Heaven. Yes, God wanted him to share! At that point, Nick began to cry as he felt God was his “small group leader” telling him, “Don’t worry, I will take care of your needs.”
So Nick shared his story to his small group of guys. And immediately, the small group leader told him, “Share it to the whole group.” Again, he felt so ashamed, but the leader insisted, and so he shared.
The response was spontaneous. A basket was passed and the men dropped in $10, $20, $50… One man gave $200. And one group of men gave $750.
On that day, $1,500 was collected for Nick, much more than what he needed.
Nick was so overwhelmed by the love of the men around him. And by the love of God through them. God used Nick’s problem to turn 32 strangers into brothers that are sincerely willing to love and help each other.
One man in that group even told Nick, “In case the doctor finds out you need surgery, please tell me. I’m a banker. I’ll guarantee your loan.”
Back home in
Today, Nick already had his CT scan, and true enough, the questionable mass was his third kidney. As I write this piece, his medical results are now being processed at the immigration office and very soon, Nick will receive his work permit.
I know Nick and his abilities. Aside from an IT job already waiting for him, he’s also forming a medical tourism business. I know Nick will prosper in no time.
But the humbling experience of being on the “receiving” end will forever be etched in his heart. And very soon, Nick will find himself in the “giving” end also, helping those who will be in the same situation he was in.
I know. Many years ago, when I was poorer than a rat, I remember receiving money from generous people. “Here’s for your transpo,” someone would slip P100 in my pocket. Another person would shake my hand with an envelope, saying, “This isn’t for your ministry, Bo. This is for you—for whatever you need.” I open the envelope and see P10,000. I still cry as I remember these stories of love.
Today, God has blessed me with “sidelines” that provide for my personal needs. And yes, I’m on the “giving” end of the stick now. And what joy it is to share blessings.
I told Lizette that God doesn’t mind our complaining. There’s nothing to be ashamed about.
He loves us, all of us—with our tears, our worries, and our doubts included.
And all our imperfections won’t stop Him from blessing us.
Behind the scenes, He orchestrates His beautiful work in us.
I remain your friend,
Bo Sanchez
PS. So far, I’ve mailed out hundreds of autographed copies of my latest book, 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich. This is my big “Thank You” gift to all those who give a monthly pledge to support our ministries. Friend, I want to mail you one too. Help me share God’s love to as many people as possible. Be a member of our virtual community by logging onto http://www.kerygmafamily.com/ and receive a ton of spiritual blessings. (I also mail to my faithful partners Kerygma magazine each month!) Join the fun of serving God with me. Don’t delay your blessings! Log on now at http://www.kerygmfamily.com/
This is the group of guys that helped Nick. They’re servants from differentCharismatic Communities in
Friday, 25 May 2007
I’ve Met The Most Beautiful Specimens Of Humanity
Hi friends,
With a subtitle like that, you may be wondering if I’m talking about beautiful blonds with curvaceous bodies in tiny red bikinis sunbathing in the beaches of
Nope.
Yes, I write this from
Yesterday, someone asked me, “Bo, where do you get all the energy? Don’t you get tired?”
It’s so glib for me to say “God”.
So cliché. So corny. So expected.
But I guess it’s a cliché because it’s so true.
I breathe in God and He’s my energy.
Oh, I also breathe in God in the phenomenal people around me. Everywhere I go, I meet the greatest specimens of humanity.
First, we’re travelling as a team. I’m travelling with five gorgeous people: Light of Jesus Foreign Missions Director Roy Pasimio and his wife Rorie, Kerygma Preacher Arun Gogna, and our preacherinblujeans.com videographer Edwin Marcelo.
Second, my local team who help organize things and welcome me in their homes is just 100% fantastic. Angie, Dawn, Em, Cris and Alfe, Bobot and Merle, Norie, Cora and Ed, Louie, Aunt Eunice and family, Mario and Tessie… They’re my family here and I feel God’s love through them.
One day, one woman complained to me, “Bo, whenever you talk of someone, I also hear words like fantastic, phenomenal, awesome… Don’t you ever meet people who are obnoxious, rude, and selfish?”
Oh, I have.
But I don’t focus on them.
You see, I insist on seeing the best in people.
Other people like looking (focusing, meditating, contemplating) on the bad sides of people.
My gosh, why do that? You’ll end up miserable.
What you focus on grows!
Long ago, I’ve made a decision that whenever I meet a human being, I’ll check out their inner beauty. Their divine goodness. Their core innocence. And it’s just been glorious so far.
Oh yes, because of this attitude, I get mugged sometimes. Cheated. Abused.
But I have now developed enough self-respect to walk out on the first sign of abuse. (Took a long time to learn that lesson.) But even at those times when I have to end a friendship, I don’t condemn or nurture bitter feelings inside me.
Even as I walk out, I inwardly bless that person, whishing only the best. Because deep inside that (%&#*^@!!!) person, God is there. The same God that dwells in me too.
So I walk out not only because I’m getting hurt, but also because the “hurter” is getting more hurt if I allow him to continue to hurt me. Ultimately, it is love for self and love for the other that makes me walk out on a friendship.
I’ll email again on what’s happening here.
In the meantime, keep seeing beauty
I remain your friend,
Bo Sanchez
PS. Our weekly Feast is now at Valle Verde Country Club, beside the ULTRA, every Sunday at 9am, complete with Holy Mass, lively worship, and preaching. I hope to see you in our new home!
PS2. Are you already a KerygmaFamily member? 12,000 people have now joined! If you’re not yet a member, you don’t know what you’re missing! We give a ton of stuff for FREE for your personal growth. Log onto http://www.kerygamfamily.com/ now!
Saturday, 12 May 2007
Marian Pilgrimage Diary: Last Day
Day 12: Pilgrims Live In Tents, Not Castles
Another Day In
St. John Lateran, Scala Santa, & A Visit To OFWs
Let me begin with a story I love to share.
One day, a tourist with a camera visited a monastery—and saw how austere the room of a monk was. He could only see a single bed that looked more like a bench, an old table and a wooden chair that wasn’t very comfortable. Nothing else.
When a monk came by, he asked him, “Father, how could you live this way? Where are your things? Your computer? Your refrigerator? Your stereo?”
The monk smiled at him and asked, “Where are your things, my friend?”
The tourist said, “My things? I’m just passing by here. I don’t have my stuff with me. It’s at home.”
The monk said: “So am I. I’m also passing by here. My stuff is at home as well.”
Friend, you’re a pilgrim.
And your stuff is at home. And God is your home.
If you forget that you’re a pilgrim, you are prone to live in castles instead of tents (Hebrews 11:9-10).
– 0 –
Today, we visited St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome—another beautiful church that will blow your mind. Remember that the Pope is also the Bishop of Rome, so this is his Cathedral. Thus, St. John Lateran is the mother of all churches. (Who is
We also visited the Scala Santa or Holy Steps. This is the entire staircase of the
Through the centuries, they’ forbade any human being to walk on these steps. You have to kneel all the way up. And that’s what we did. Beautiful. Very painful, mind you, but still beautiful.
In the afternoon, we paused our pilgrimage to do ministry. I preached at a gathering of the Filipino OFW’s here in
I know we inspired them. But I feel they blessed me more by their strong faith amidst their hardship. I was leading 70 people in my pilgrim group, but my gosh, these OFW’s are the real pilgrims!
You see, many of them are domestic helpers, caregivers, drivers, and janitors in
I marvelled at their extreme sacrifice.
I was touched when the organizer of our event, a lovely woman by the name of Judy, showed her callused hands to me. “Brother Bo, my hands have been cleaning for 17 years. But I’m proud of these hands. And God has blessed me here.”
Today, my pilgrim group from the
(One day, I pray that my OFW friends outgrow their jobs here, discover their God-given core gifts and use them to earn a living.)
Friends, when you love, you live in tents, not castles.
If you love, you get out of your comfort zones.
If you love, you keep on growing.
Here are the other “castles” that we build when we forget that we’re pilgrims on this earth:
Example #1: Poverty
Why do many Filipinos not get out of poverty? Here’s one of the biggest reasons: They’ve become accustomed to it. (I hope you read my book, 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich, so you can learn how to be financially blessed.)
Example #2: Abuse
Even chains, no matter how painful, become comfortable if it has become an identity. I was talking to a woman who was beaten violently by her husband for 17 long years. For her, there was no other home but this one 60% of battered wives were abused children. It’s absolutely nuts. But here’s the truth: We recreate our childhood homes, no matter how painful it was. So we marry spouses who will replicate the weaknesses of our parents.
People choose certainty, no matter how painful, over uncertainty. For many people, uncertainty is more painful than the greatest pain of certainty. (Read another book I wrote, Your Past Does Not Define Your Future. It will change you.)
Example #3: Bondage
Addictions are castles. We grow comfortable with them, they become our identity. As pilgrims, we’re called by God to move on, to get out of our addictions, and live a life of freedom.
Example #4: Present Success
I started preaching at age 13 and that blew my mind; A year later, we started our own prayer group called Light of Jesus and again, that excited me tremendously; But when I was 20, I published my first book—and I thought that was wonderful; At 24, we published Kerygma magazine; So I thought that was my life—preaching, community building, and publishing work; But when I was 30, we were inspired to build Anawim, our home for the poor.
And now, we’re on TV, Radio, the Internet….
I could have gotten stuck with early success and stayed there. Because it is so easy to be comfortable with what you’re doing now. Why learn something new? Why take a new challenge? But that’s what my team have been doing year after year after year.
Friend, never make your present success your castle. Because castles are very difficult to expand. Tents, however, are more flexible. You can extend the borders of your tents anytime.
God may want you to move.
Don’t be too comfortable.
Get out of your comfort zone and stretch your boundaries for God!
Once in a while, pray, “Disturb Me, Lord.”
Tomorrow, I write my last diary entry on the pilgrimage.
Abangan…
I remain your friend,
Bo Sanchez
PS. Get inspired. You can watch me on KerygmaTV on ABC Channel 5, every Tuesday, 10pm. Spread the word!
PS2. I am preaching in the United States on the following dates and places:
May 21, 2007 St. Christopher Catholic Church Moreno Valley, CA 92553-4373
May 22, 2007 St. Ciprian Church Long Beach, CA 90808
May 23, 2007 St. Patrick’s Catholic Church North Hollywood, CA 91606
May 24, 2007 St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Church Walnut, CA 91789
May 25-27, 2007 Northern CA Charismatic Convention
Santa Clara Convention Center
May 27 , 2007 All Saints Church (7pm Mass), Hayward, CA 94541
May 28, 2007 St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, SF, CA, 94124
May 29, 2007 St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, SF, CA 94080
For more details, click here. Tell your friends to go!
PS3. Each month, I send to my partners FREE issues of Kerygma magazine plus my Life Dreams Success Journal, also for free. (The Life Dreams Success Journal is a small powerful tool I made that has already helped thousands of people fulfil their goals in life.) Yes, I give these to all KerygmaFamily members who support the ministry through a monthly love offering of at least P100 (local) or $20 (international). If you’re not yet a KerygmaFamily member, log onto http://www.kerygmafamily.com/ now and receive Kerygma magazine each month plus the Life Dreams Success Journal as my thank you gifts. Don’t miss this month’s issue! Log on at http://www.kerygmafamily.com/ now.
Friday, 11 May 2007
Marian Pilgrimage Diary: Day 12
Another Day In
Let me begin with a story I love to share.
One day, a tourist with a camera visited a monastery—and saw how austere the room of a monk was. He could only see a single bed that looked more like a bench, an old table and a wooden chair that wasn’t very comfortable. Nothing else.
When a monk came by, he asked him, “Father, how could you live this way? Where are your things? Your computer? Your refrigerator? Your stereo?”
The monk smiled at him and asked, “Where are your things, my friend?”
The tourist said, “My things? I’m just passing by here. I don’t have my stuff with me. It’s at home.”
The monk said: “So am I. I’m also passing by here. My stuff is at home as well.”
Friend, you’re a pilgrim.
And your stuff is at home. And God is your home.
If you forget that you’re a pilgrim, you are prone to live in castles instead of tents (Hebrews 11:9-10).
-- 0 --
Today, we visited St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome—another beautiful church that will blow your mind. Remember that the Pope is also the Bishop of Rome, so this is his Cathedral. Thus, St. John Lateran is the mother of all churches. (Who is
We also visited the Scala Santa or Holy Steps. This is the entire staircase of the
Through the centuries, they’ forbade any human being to walk on these steps. You have to kneel all the way up. And that’s what we did. Beautiful. Very painful, mind you, but still beautiful.
In the afternoon, we paused our pilgrimage to do ministry. I preached at a gathering of the Filipino OFW’s here in
I know we inspired them. But I feel they blessed me more by their strong faith amidst their hardship. I was leading 70 people in my pilgrim group, but my gosh, these OFW’s are the real pilgrims!
You see, many of them are domestic helpers, caregivers, drivers, and janitors in
I marvelled at their extreme sacrifice.
I was touched when the organizer of our event, a lovely woman by the name of Judy, showed her callused hands to me. “Brother Bo, my hands have been cleaning for 17 years. But I’m proud of these hands. And God has blessed me here.”
Today, my pilgrim group from the
(One day, I pray that my OFW friends outgrow their jobs here, discover their God-given core gifts and use them to earn a living.)
Friends, when you love, you live in tents, not castles.
If you love, you get out of your comfort zones.
If you love, you keep on growing.
Here are the other “castles” that we build when we forget that we’re pilgrims on this earth:
Example #1: Poverty
Why do many Filipinos not get out of poverty? Here’s one of the biggest reasons: They’ve become accustomed to it. (I hope you read my book, 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich, so you can learn how to be financially blessed.)
Example #2: Abuse
Even chains, no matter how painful, become comfortable if it has become an identity. I was talking to a woman who was beaten violently by her husband for 17 long years. For her, there was no other home but this one 60% of battered wives were abused children. It’s absolutely nuts. But here’s the truth: We recreate our childhood homes, no matter how painful it was. So we marry spouses who will replicate the weaknesses of our parents.
People choose certainty, no matter how painful, over uncertainty. For many people, uncertainty is more painful than the greatest pain of certainty. (Read another book I wrote, Your Past Does Not Define Your Future. It will change you.)
Example #3: Bondage
Addictions are castles. We grow comfortable with them, they become our identity. As pilgrims, we’re called by God to move on, to get out of our addictions, and live a life of freedom.
Example #4: Present Success
I started preaching at age 13 and that blew my mind; A year later, we started our own prayer group called Light of Jesus and again, that excited me tremendously; But when I was 20, I published my first book—and I thought that was wonderful; At 24, we published Kerygma magazine; So I thought that was my life—preaching, community building, and publishing work; But when I was 30, we were inspired to build Anawim, our home for the poor.
And now, we’re on TV, Radio, the Internet….
I could have gotten stuck with early success and stayed there. Because it is so easy to be comfortable with what you’re doing now. Why learn something new? Why take a new challenge? But that’s what my team have been doing year after year after year.
Friend, never make your present success your castle. Because castles are very difficult to expand. Tents, however, are more flexible. You can extend the borders of your tents anytime.
God may want you to move.
Don’t be too comfortable.
Get out of your comfort zone and stretch your boundaries for God!
Once in a while, pray, “Disturb Me, Lord.”
Tomorrow, I write my last diary entry on the pilgrimage.
Abangan…
I remain your friend,
Bo Sanchez
PS. Get inspired. You can watch me on KerygmaTV on ABC Channel 5, every Tuesday, 10pm. Spread the word!
PS2. I am preaching in the United States on the following dates and places:
May 21, 2007 St. Christopher Catholic Church Moreno Valley, CA 92553-4373
May 22, 2007 St. Ciprian Church Long Beach, CA 90808
May 23, 2007 St. Patrick's Catholic Church North Hollywood, CA 91606
May 24, 2007 St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Church Walnut, CA 91789
May 25-27, 2007 Northern CA Charismatic Convention
Santa Clara Convention Center
May 27 , 2007 All Saints Church (7pm Mass), Hayward, CA 94541
May 28, 2007 St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, SF, CA, 94124
May 29, 2007 St. Augustine's Catholic Church, SF, CA 94080
For more details, click here. Tell your friends to go!
PS3. Each month, I send to my partners FREE issues of Kerygma magazine plus my Life Dreams Success Journal, also for free. (The Life Dreams Success Journal is a small powerful tool I made that has already helped thousands of people fulfil their goals in life.) Yes, I give these to all KerygmaFamily members who support the ministry through a monthly love offering of at least P100 (local) or $20 (international). If you’re not yet a KerygmaFamily member, log onto http://www.kerygmafamily.com/ now and receive Kerygma magazine each month plus the Life Dreams Success Journal as my thank you gifts. Don’t miss this month’s issue! Log on at http://www.kerygmafamily.com/ now.
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
Marian Pilgrimage Diary: Day 11
Day 11: You Are A Holy Site
A Day In The Vatican
Today, we visited The Vatican and St. Maria Maggiore—one of the four major basilicas of Rome.
And man, was it overwhelming. I’ve been here four or five times before, but each time, it still hits me with a force of a tsunami.
No words can describe the Vatican’s beauty and splendor.
Imagine: One million statues dating as far as back as the Roman empire. The Sistine Chapel (where the cardinals elect a new pope) with jaw-dropping frescoes from Michaelangelo himself, one of the greatest artists of all time. And of course, St. Peter’s Basilica—the largest Catholic Church in the world.
A few centuries ago, the Pope had enormous political power—and you could see remnants of this past glory in the Vatican. Once upon a time, there were Papal States, and kings of nations would bow low before the Pope, following him as they would a real emperor.
One feeling I had as I walked through all this glory—I thank God my Church has roots dating back to the apostles. I will always appreciate this fact. Friends, the Catholic Church has spiritual wealth we usually take for granted.
And there lies the rub: It’s spiritual wealth.
Let me answer the question I posed yesterday: Does God live in Rome?
Yes, He does. In a very special way.
But you see, God’s greatest temple isn’t made of marble and stone, or brick and mortar. Instead, God’s most important home is every human heart that beats in this world. In God’s mind, you are more valuable than all the material wealth of the Vatican put together.
Many times in this pilgrimage, our jaws dropped in breathtaking awe whenever we saw a great basilica or cathedral. Some of us were even moved to tears. But what’s the truth? God’s jaw doesn’t drop at the sight of a majestic church. He isn’t impressed by a piece of marble encrusted in gold. Instead, it’s the sight of the human heart that made that church beautiful that moves God to tears and joy.
Indeed, God’s fingerprints are all over Rome. And Assisi. And Lourdes. And Fatima. He worked miracles in these places. But I believe pilgrims should visit holy sites to study these fingerprints so that they can see these same fingerprints in their personal lives.
Friend, you are a holy site!
God’s fingerprints are all over you.
He has worked in your life. Right now, He’s within you, busy blessing your life. And more than any church building in the world, God’s presence is within you.
Because of this, I believe the Catholic Church will continue until the end of this age. Buildings may decay. (Churches in Europe are being sold and turned into bars, restaurants, and homes.) Structures may change. Externals may change. But God’s Presence in the human heart will never change.
I repeat my message: You are holier than any holy site you visit.
It’s useless to see God in a sacred site—and not discover the same God at work in your life, in your heart, and in your family.
It’s useless to visit hometowns of the saints—if you will not hear the same sacred voice within you calling you to be holy and great as well. Friend, you are called to do great things for God.
See yourself as a holy place! Respect yourself. Value yourself. Love yourself. Never destroy yourself with sin.
Tomorrow, we will talk about our tendency to build other castles.
Abangan…
I remain your friend,
Bo Sanchez
PS. I am preaching in the United States on the following dates and places:
May 21, 2007 St. Christopher Catholic Church Moreno Valley, CA 92553-4373
May 22, 2007 St. Ciprian Church Long Beach, CA 90808
May 23, 2007 St. Patrick's Catholic Church North Hollywood, CA 91606
May 24, 2007 St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Church Walnut, CA 91789
May 25-27, 2007 Northern CA Charismatic Convention
Santa Clara Convention Center
May 27 , 2007 All Saints Church (7pm Mass), Hayward, CA 94541
May 28, 2007 St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, SF, CA, 94124
May 29, 2007 St. Augustine's Catholic Church, SF, CA 94080
For more details, click here. Tell your friends to go!
PS2. If you’re a parent that’s interested in homeschooling your kids, you can email me at catholicfilipinoacademy@gmail.com and I’ll send you an article that will explain the whole world of homeschooling.
PS3. Get inspired. You can watch me on KerygmaTV on ABC Channel 5, every Tuesday, 10pm. Spread the word!
PS4. Each month, I send to my partners FREE issues of Kerygma magazine plus my Life Dreams Success Journal, also for free. (The Life Dreams Success Journal is a small powerful tool I made that has already helped thousands of people fulfil their goals in life.) Yes, I give these to all KerygmaFamily members who support the ministry through a monthly love offering of at least P100 (local) or $20 (international). If you’re not yet a KerygmaFamily member, log onto www.kerygmafamily.com now and receive Kerygma magazine each month plus the Life Dreams Success Journal as my thank you gifts. Don’t miss this month’s issue! Log on at www.kerygmafamily.com now.