Friday, March 21, 2008

When Bad Things Happen To Good People

When Bad Things Happen To Good People
How To Turn Your Good Friday To Your Easter Sunday


Are you a good person?

If you are, do you wonder why bad things still happen to you?

Harold Kushner wrote a book with this same title and it became an instant bestseller. Because people want to know the answer.

Sorry, I’m not going to give you an answer. (Nobody can.)

Because the problem of suffering will always remain a mystery.

Instead, I’m going to tell you what to do.

I will tell you what to do in the midst of your suffering—so that you can overcome your suffering. How you can turn your Good Friday into your Easter Sunday!

Are you ready?

Let me share with you a powerful story…

Your Greatest Curse Can Turn To Be
Your Greatest Blessing


Michelangelo had a persecutor who was very jealous of him.

(I don’t mean the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, but the real Michelangelo.)

The persecutor’s name was Bramante, a famous architect during that time.

By the way, do you know Bramante? I’m positive 99% of you never heard of him. Do you notice how persecutors fade away in the dust, but the one they persecute become legends? An important lesson to remember!

When Pope Julius thought of making a tomb, he asked Michelangelo to do it.

But when Bramante heard of it—and thought of the acclaim that Michelangelo would receive from it—he discouraged the Pope from continuing with the project. True enough, after Michelangelo searched far and wide for the perfect marble for the project—which took 8 long months—he learned that the Pope had abandoned the project. Michelangelo was very disappointed.

One day, the Pope thought of another project.

Upon hearing about it, Bramante concluded that it would be a time-consuming project and would receive very little public acclaim. So he told the Pope to give it to Michelangelo. In his mind, it would keep the artist busy for years—and accomplish nothing of great value.

Besides, it was also a painting job, and Bramante knew that Michelangelo was not even a painter, but a sculptor.

Michelangelo saw the trap. He knew it was a ploy by his enemy to destroy him. At first, he declined. But the Pope insisted, and not wanting to deny his Holiness, he agreed.

The project was indeed time-consuming. It took Michelangelo 4 years to finish, and he almost lost his eyesight because of it…

I’m sure you know the project by now: The Sistine Chapel. The grandest masterpiece of Michelangelo. More than anything, it made him one of the greatest painters of all time.

What was meant to curse him turned out to be his greatest blessing.

Good Friday was supposed to be the greatest curse.

Yet it also turned out to be the greatest blessing.

No Matter What Trials Come,
Keep Doing The Good You’re Supposed To Do

I reflect on this story and look at my own life.

I’ve been serving God for that past 27 years, and I do get my share of little “Bramante’s” scattered here and there.

But without them, I would have missed my greatest blessings: spiritual growth, opportunities to serve, and the impact I have on people’s lives.

My biggest Bramante’s were the two men who molested me as a child.

Because of these indescribable painful experiences, I’ve been able to heal so many people who have the same inner wounds. (You can read more about this in two of my books, Your Past Does Not Define Your Future, and 7 Secrets To Real Freedom.)

I could also think of my other trials in life…

Oh, why do bad things happen to good people?

Here’s my great theological answer: I don’t know.

But this I know. No matter what trials come, I’ll do the good that I’m supposed to do.

And at the end of the day, I will win.

Friend, remain faithful to God in good times and in bad times.

And you’ll see how all things work for good to those who love Him.

And you’ll see how your Good Friday will turn to Easter Sunday.

Don’t ever give up!

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

Bo Sanchez started preaching at the age of 13 and wrote his first book at the age of 20. He is the publisher and main writer of Kerygma, the number one inspirational magazine in the Philippines. Today, he continues to preach to millions worldwide. And for years now his inspirational books have never left the top ten list of best-selling books in the Philippines.
He founded many organizations, such as Anawin, a special home for the abandoned elderly and a few children, and Shepherd's voice, a media ministry that publishes the widest read Catholic literature in the country. He also founded Light of Jesus Community and the Light of Jesus Counseling Center. Bo is a partner of Gawad Kalinga. His group has already started work in the GK Village.

Learn To Live A Fantastic Life
Note from Bo: Subscribe at http://www.bosanchez.ph/ and you’ll receive this spiritually nourishing and inspiring letter each month without fail—absolutely free

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Message from GEMMSRO of Manila

March 12, 2008

Dear Officers and Members of GEMSRO USA,

The GEMMSRO of Manila has recently launched its
website: www.freewebs.com/gemmsro. For further
information regarding the organization's set of
officers and the latest news and events, please feel
free to visit our website.

Likewise, THE McARTHUR TIMES, the official publication
of the GEMMSRO, has released its maiden issue during
the March 9, 2008 Fiesta Celebration at Kowloon House,
Quezon City.

The editorial board is now accepting news, articles,
literary pieces and artworks from our kababayans who
wished to be heard and be counted.

Once again, mabuhay!

Yours Truly,


LEONARDO PASQUITO
A/Secretary, GEMMSRO/Editor-in-Chief

Monday, March 3, 2008

Donations for flood/landslide victims in Gen. MacArthur E. Samar

A MESSAGE FROM THE GEMSRO USA YOUTH GROUP

Please help disseminate this message to your family, friends, co-workers, church/prayer communities, and etc. Thank you and God bless!
________________________________________________________________

Youth of Gen. MacArthur E. Samar USA Residents Organization

February 28, 2008

Dear Friends,

Landslides and floods caused by nine days of incessant rain have isolated most of Eastern Samar. According to Inquirer.net, “The Department of Social Welfare and Development said the continuous days of rain, brought by the low pressure area in Northern Mindanao and the cold front, have affected 8,973 families in the towns of Dolores, General MacArthur, Jipapad, Maslog and Borongan City.”

In particular, the flash floods and landslides have caused overwhelming damaged in the town of Gen. MacArthur devastating many families/residents there. The farmlands, which are one of the major sources of livelihood of many Pambujanons, have been destroyed and the Macabut Bridge which links Gen. MacArthur to the other towns has collapsed, unfortunately leaving the town isolated. As a result, many villagers have had to relocate to higher grounds and into the mountains. According to reports from the Pambujanon website, “some residents have already evacuated to higher and safer grounds. Water is knee-high while in lower areas like Brgy. 3, floodwaters are up to the waist.”

With houses and stores lost and farmlands destroyed, many Pambujanons are now left homeless and unemployed. It is clear that it will take a lot of hard work in order to restore Gen. MacArthur back to its feet and help many people who have lost so much. So at this time we are requesting if you can look into your heart and help our fellow kababayans through the spirit of generosity in this time of despair and restore hope in the lives of the many families affected by this tragedy. Since the president and the treasurer of GEMSRO USA are currently in the Philippines, please send cash donations or checks (payable to “cash”) to:

Salas Residence
4433 Boyar Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90807

Whatever amount you can give is greatly appreciated and we will make sure to keep a list of donors. We hope to have everything collected by the Saint Joseph March Fiesta Celebration on Saturday, March 15, 2008. To also assure that your donation will be accounted for, we will publish the list on the GEMSRO USA website (http://gemsrousa.blogspot.com/) and a list of the donors will be sent along with the donations.

But most important of all, please keep everyone in Gen. MacArthur in your thoughts and prayers that God will continue to watch over and protect them all in this time of tragedy.

More information and pictures of the damage wrought by the floods can be found in the Pambujanon website (http://pambujanon.webs.com/)

Thank you in advance for your generosity and May the Lord bless you and your family! Let us be united in our prayers and look with hope to the future!

God bless,
Dominique Salas
E-mail: dom.salas@yahoo.com
GEMSRO USA Youth and Young Adults Group

For more information, please contact anyone below:

Charito Salas
(562) 490-9853

Gilbert Paderogo
(714) 680-4347

Dominique Salas
(562) 881-5540

Lorna Badeo
(858) 335-5310