March 2009 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Faithful Partners,

I pray that all is well with you and your families. There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t thank the Lord for you. Because of you, we are able to do this and please know we are forever grateful.

How I wish you could be here physically to see what God is doing here in the Philippines. I really think revival is happening. People are giving their lives to the Lord left and right, being baptized, deepening their spiritual foundations. It is beautiful.

The month of March has been wonderful and very fruitful. I sometimes feel there is not enough hours in a day. There are so many things that I want to share and report but here are some of the highlights. God is doing some pretty awesome stuff and opening so many doors.

Next month is going to be really exciting. We are starting work with the Real Life Foundation. I will keep you posted! It will definitely encourage you to hear about this.

Another exciting report: the church grew about 10% as a result of the 1 Life To Live series last month. We have several new members attending our life groups and have expressed excitement to attend regularly.

Personally — I have been on a mission to get back in shape. I was approached by a team owner of one of the teams, and he asked if I was interested in playing again. It triggered me to get back in shape, and I have been faithfully going to the gym everyday. I have lost 20 pounds since December and I am hoping to lose 20 more in the 3 months. Samantha has been getting back in shape as well. It feels great to be healthier!

God is teaching me to value time. I count it a privilege to be able to serve God. I am growing in my faith, been preaching more, taking more of a leadership role in the church. I am being stretched and stretched, but I know that it is really good.

Here are the some of what we did in March.

We had weekly small group meetings for high school students in British School Manila. Here is a picture of me and Zack -- one of the kids who regularly attends the meetings. I went to see his basketball game to cheer him on.

From Blogger Pictures

We had weekly 1 Life to Live Seminars which we hosted every Thursday.

From 1 Life to Live Seminar

There was a Volunteer Weekend campaign which encouraged the church to get more involved in its different ministries. Do you know that the church has only about a dozen paid staff and is run by 800+ volunteers (myself included). Please see our blog about this campaign.

From Volunteer Weekend Orientation

We went to Smokey Mountain and got a glimpse of what it is like to live there. Our good friends have a foundation that helps raise money to send children of Smokey Mountain residents to college. To know more about our amazing experience, please see our blog entry on this. To see the entire online photo album of our visit, please click here.

From Alex's 35th Birthday at Smokey Mountain

We worked with Gawad Kalinga to help build a house for a poverty-stricken family. It was done on a friend's birthday and thought that it would be nice way to celebrate and give back to his community. Together with its partners, Gawad Kalinga is now in the process of transforming poverty stricken areas with the goal of building 700,000 homes in 7,000 in 7 years (2003-2010).

From Harvey's 30th Birthday for Gawad Kalinga

We had graduation rites for students of University of Makati who successfully completed a comprehensive Christian-based life course. One of the most amazing things for us was this course was accepted and included in the university's regular academic curriculum. What an amazing way to influence the next generation!

From University of Makati Commencement Exercises

I have also been spending time with a friend who got paralyzed from a severe basketball injury in 2006. His name is Eugene Tejada. His doctors said he can never be mobile again. Three years later, however, he is courageously walking! He is an inspiration to all of us. I have been encouraging him to start writing a book to let the world know about his testimony.

From Harvey's 30th Birthday for Gawad Kalinga

It truly is humbling to walk alongside so many individuals and witness God's plan unfold in their lives. Your prayers and support are making a huge difference tomorrow's leaders. We are grateful for you. Thank you for making an investment in the next generation that will reap eternal rewards.

In Him,

Robert and Samantha Johnson

From Robert: The Life You've Always Wanted

"It is so easy to get focused on what God wants to do through me that I totally neglect what God wants to do in me." - Mark Batterson

In our Leadership Group Meetings we are going through the book The Life You Always Wanted by John Ortberg.

5 Check Points Every Christian Should Examine

1. Am I spiritually "inauthentic"? For me this is the toughest one to admit. Many of us find it hard to reveal our true feelings, struggles, concerns, problems. Did you know it is ok not to be ok in church?

2. Am I becoming judgmental, exclusive, or proud? Why is it when we see someone we tend to size them up?

3. Am I becoming more approachable, or less? Did you know that Jesus was the most approachable person whoever lived. During His time, the blind, lepers, children, sick, He welcomed any and everyone, he always made time for people who were in need. Thinking about this really made me smile, and always remember that He is our standard.

This hit home, this past week. I was working out with a friend of mine who plays basketball in the league. We were having an intense workout, playing one-on-one, drills the works...

There were a group of guys came in the gym trying to get our attention. They were being a little loud and obnoxious, but I think they were just excited to see a couple of players. Anyways, they tried to engage us in conversation asking us different questions. I tried to answer them with the little grace I had in me. I was being pretty short with them. They soon left, and I heard one of the guys say "Suplado" which means Stuck up or Snob to his friends.

I felt really bad, because I that is not the kind of person I want to be at all. I hope I see them again so I can apologize to them.

4. Am I growing weary of pursing spiritual growth? Do you know that we can't impress God with being busy with ministry and church activities. Spend time with your family, loved one, kids, a friend...I am sure God would approve of that then being a multiple worship services, small group meetings, bible studies, etc...we have to find a Balance.

5. Am I measuring my spiritual life in superficial ways? If you ask someone how there spiritual life is, many of us will base it on whether we went to church, prayed, wrote in our journal, spent quiet time with the Lord, or did a good deed...although all of those are good, that shouldn't be how we measure our spiritual life.

From Samantha: A Prayer Journal for Your "Quiet Time"

It is much easier than you think!

I have been a part of many conversations with young women telling me that they desire to take on a daily quiet time but do not quite know how to start it or how to even do it.

Don't you think it's awesome that a lot of people have that desire to genuinely connect with God? I think half the battle has already been fought. It is a great attitude to start with.

I thought of giving simple steps on how to get started on this daily quiet time with the Lord.

1) Buy a Bible, a clean notebook that is large enough for you to comfortable write in and a pen. Your Bible does not have to be fancy. If you must do quiet time now and have no access to a Bible, go to Biblegateway.com and see the verse for the day.

2) Read for a couple of minutes. Open to where your heart leads you. I personally suggest that you start with the book of Proverbs.

3) Write down a key verse or main idea from the reading.

4) Write out your prayer requests in response to what you have read.

5) Spend time in prayer. Communicate to God the requests you wrote. Just talk to Him the way you would to a close friend. Keep in mind that God is so delighted when you spill your beans to Him. It's that simple.

6) Wait for a personal word from the Lord. This step takes time to develop so do not get frustrated if it takes you a while to "hear" from Him.

Wait before the Lord in silence and allow Him to speak to your heart. Don't be surprised if you think you don't hear anything at first. Most people (myself included) report that it takes time to learn how to be quiet before the Lord and listen for His voice.

With time, you will develop your spiritual hearing and you will feel impressions in your heart as to what He is trying to tell You.

Disclaimer: This is not the ONLY way to spend time with the Lord. The options are endless. This is just meant for people who want to connect directly with God by getting a daily quiet time session. If you have any more tips that worked for you well, please share it with us in the comment page.

Thank you: Stephen Arterburn and Dr. Linda Mintle.

From Robert: Alex Compton is My Hero!

“Do what you can do for one that you can do for all.” Andy Stanley

So today for Alex’s 35th birthday, he decided to celebrated in the DUMPS. “that’s how we do it around here.” He said.

He said that birthday’s aren’t very important to him so he decided to that he would celebrated at Smokey Mountain today. Alex has been involved with Smokey Mountain since he was introduced to it, however long he has been here.

I have been to some pretty impoverished places before, but this today has to be one of the worst.

Smokey Mountain is a garbage dumpsite, where you will find families living, scavenging through the trash to find plastic bottles that they will try and sell. I believe for 10 kilos is like 20 pesos or something like that.

Whatever the amount is it is pretty sad just seeing what these kids and families have to go through just to earn a few pesos.

Things I learned from Smokey Mountain.

LOVE--The kids are absolutely adorable. They just found joy holding our hands and walking us around. I believe at the end of the day, all of us want to feel loved and accepted.

HARD WORK—seeing these the families working so hard trying to find plastic bottles and whatever other treasures they might find. Seeing the parents and even children doing whatever it takes to provide for their families.

HOPE—Despite their situation and circumstances, you look at their eyes, you can’t help but to see it. Meeting Kuya Manuel and hearing his story, as someone who grew up at the Original Smokey Mountain, and now his life-long mission is to stay there and help these kids find themselves in the process.

CONTENTMENT—The people I came across at the mountain, were not ashamed of who they were. They didn’t try to impress us, they were just them. To my surprise none of them asked for a single peso, and just loved the fact that they felt loved. Many of the kids called Samantha and I their mommy and daddy.

After the tour of the site we were able to go to Youth Focus an NGO that focusing on the kids education and psychological well being.

The kids sang a song for Kuya Alex, Who am I, by Casting Crowns. I just felt the love of God and his presence in that place.

Happy Birthday Alex, We love you and thank you for being such a great example and inspiration to all of us. Thanks for allowing us to share this wonderful experience with you.

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4

Walking With Our Uncommon God

It is a blessing to me when I get the chance to sit down on a Monday evening with beautiful, intelligent, extraordinary women who are deeply committed to strengthening their faith in Jesus. This is the reason why our small group is a vital, indispensable part of my walk with the Lord.

Last Monday's discussion was about walking with God and making a decision to live a life of holiness -- which will require each of us to live an uncommon life.

More than just following a rigid set of rules (which has a danger of becoming religious), holiness is about LOVING CHRIST. And because we love Christ, it is a natural, unforced desire to become more like Him every, single day.

And that is holiness in its purest sense. Therefore, if we make that decision to live a life that is holy, we will make unpopular, uncommon decisions on how we go about with our life.

Here are the three best examples of what an uncommon life looks like.

1) Walking with God leads to an uncommon conviction.

2) Walking with God leads to uncommon character.

3) Walking with God leads to uncommon courage.

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" - 1 Peter 1:15-16

My encouragement for you today is that there is nothing to fear when you make an uncommon decision even when the rest of the world goes the opposite way. God created you with superior qualities that is meant to shine in this broken world. Do not let anyone or any situation allow you to think otherwise.

And if you know someone who is far from wanting to live an uncommon life, it is best not to pass judgment on that person. Give all the love that you've got just as Jesus would.

May you be blessed today!

Who Wants To Be A Superhero?

We are blessed to be serving and working with a church that operates on only 20+ paid staff members and 800+ volunteers!

Robert and I are part of this incredible volunteer-driven church (with deepest thanks to our ministry partners who make this possible). What a wonderful environment because that's what church is all about! A community of people who are followers of Christ,live lives that glorify Him and are working together to bring more souls to Him.

This past weekend was Volunteer Weekend 2009. The theme this year is "Who Wants To Be A Superhero?" Please check out the video that was produced for this purpose.

Are you interested on sharing your skills and talents to help expand the Lord's Kingdom? You are more than welcome!

You can help in the following areas:

• Administrative Support
• Hospitality
• Music (there will be auditions)
• Youth
• Communications
• Kids Ministry
• Technical Support
• Creative Support
• Ushering

There will be an orientation on March 14th, 10am at Every Nation Assembly Hall. Let us know if you are interested!

Robert's New Blog Posts on "1 Life to Live"

Here are more of Robert's blog posts on his daily "1 Life to Live" experience.

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Week 3

Week 4