Linsanity. It’s the term paying tribute to the newest NBA sensation – JEREMY LIN.

I will be posting some info about Jeremy Lin at the end of this blog post but for now let me show you the Christian Nerd High Five which Jeremy Lin and his teammate Landry Fields used to do before games. It’s a handshake ritual which shows Jeremy Lin as a professing Christian like Tim Tebow of National Football League.

Click picture to enlarge

Some facts about Jeremy Lin:

• Since 1976, no one has scored more points – 136 – in his first five starts than Jeremy Lin. That’s more than Jordan. More than LeBron.
• He is a Harvard University graduate and an Asian American. Before he arrived, no one in the league is from Harvard and no one is Asian American.
• Harvard has produced four NBA players, and until Lin, none since 1950s.
• His jersey no. is 17 (seventeen) and is now the top online seller in the NBA.
• Lin’s name was the third most searched term on Baidu.com, China’s leading search engine.
• He is a devout Evangelical Christian.

Pick-up lines? I could say that everyone knows about this. Perhaps, you have already composed your own or just borrowed one just to impress the love of your life. Let’s try this one:

Front View. Side View. Top View. Back View. Meron ka pa bang alam na ibang view? Girl replies, “Wala na.. bakit?” Guy shoots back with his well-rehearsed line “Ako meron pang isa,.. labyu!” BOOM!

Ogie Alcasid (portraying the role of Boy Pick Up of GMA 7′s Bubble Gang) and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago are well-known in the Philippines for their pick up lines. Honestly, every time I see Sen. Santiago in her rendition of her pick up lines, I can’t help myself but laugh. She’s definitely a very good pick up line artist – if there’s such term.

Speaking of pick up lines, did you know that the bible has its share of pick-up lines too?

1. The Word says, “Give drink to those who are thirsty and feed the hungry.” So how about dinner? You and me, tonight?
2. You have to attend our bible study. You need to learn how to repent. You just stole my heart.
3. Excuse me, I believe one of your ribs belongs to me?
4. Do you believe in divine appointment? I don’t use to but now, I do.
5. How many times do I have to walk around you to make you fall for me? (The Walls of Jericho, remember?)
6. I only got enough bread and fish for 2 people. But if you’ll pray with me, this might feed more than a thousand. (I like this one!)
7. The Bible said that I might be visited by angels unaware, but something must be wrong with my interpretation. I am perfectly aware of you.
8. I already gave my tithe today. How about you help me spend the remaining 90?
9. Your name must be grace, because you’re amazing.
10. Paul said that it was better to marry than to burn. Therefore, I am under God’s mandate to marry you.
11. I have stalkers following me named Mercy and Grace. Will you be kind enough to walk me home tonight?
12. Will you be my proverbs 10:31?

David Santistevan released recently a resource for worship leader which I believe will make an impact on the life of every worship leader.

Beyond Sunday: A Step By Step Guide to Creating and Sustaining A Vision for Your Worship Team is an e-book available for free download from David’s blog.

I just finished downloading my own copy and I can cite 2 good things about Beyond Sunday: it’s only 19 pages so you can finish reading it in one sitting and David provided a worksheet which helps the reader do the application right after the reading.

I will start reading this e-book later and will share this to my co-worship leaders in our church immediately.

What can you say about David’s e-book?

Being a worship director or a worship team head of your church entails a great responsibility not only to your own spiritual life and self-motivation but also to your team mates.

One problem that we, worship leaders, face is keeping up the fire or the so called momentum in our team. How many of us will agree that many times our ministry is in the wave-like scenario. Sometimes we’re high serving God, very enthusiastic and sometimes, sad to say, we’re very low and almost giving up serving God.

According to Church Crunch, to keep the team on fire, we need to generate and keep the MOMENTUM or nebulous force. Generating momentum is one thing and keeping it up is another thing. And the hard thing about momentum is that it wears off quickly.

Church Crunch also added that: “Momentum starts with you, worship leader. Don’t expect your team to lead you. Rise up and take your place. You need a plan – a plan that captures the imagination of those you lead.”

Here are the 7 ways on how to build momentum with your team today:

1. Be a student of those you lead

What are they passionate about? What lights their fire? It’s important that a distinction is made here. As a leader, you don’t want to exclusively cater to what your people want. That’s why you’re a leader. People don’t necessarily want to hear the Gospel. But they need it. As a leader, you need to lead people where God has called you to go. But that doesn’t mean it has to be boring and lifeless. Study who you lead and incorporate what they love into the schedule of your ministry.

2. Guard your passion

When you lose your passion for what you do, everyone sees it. And no one wants to be around it. You start barking orders rather than casting vision. You start abusing volunteers rather than making disciples. If momentum starts with you, you need to guard your passion. Revisit your “why” constantly.

3. Outline a year at a time

When it comes to a discipleship strategy, I find it helpful to outline a year at a time. Otherwise the year goes by and you’re asking yourself, “What the heck did I do this year?” Rather, at the end of a year take a day or two and brainstorm for the upcoming year. Sure, you will make changes along the way but this will enable you to enter a new year with vision and sustain you for the long haul.

For a step-by-step guide to crafting a worship team vision, check out my new free e-book, Beyond Sunday.

4. Connect with the mission of your local Church

So often we try and think through creative ideas on our own. We treat our worship team like it’s a ministry unto itself. But what is the mission of your Church? What is already on the schedule that you can lead your team through? Don’t simply view your worship ministry as a platform for what you want to do. Submit to your pastor and get your team connected to the mission of the Church.

5. Delegate

I’ll bet there are members on your worship team who are waiting to be unleashed. Future worship leaders, pastors, and world changers. They’re just waiting for someone to trust them, believe in them, and release them.

What are you doing right now that you could entrust to a team member? It may be just what they need to be inspired.

6. Do something creative together

The reason you have no momentum might be because your leadership has no sense of adventure. Think of creative ways you can lead out of the box. Go on a missions trip. Write a few songs together. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen together. Doing ministry together is the best way to generate and maintain momentum.

7. Catch and deliver a fresh word from God

The Word of God inspires. The Word of God convicts. The Word of God lights a fire in hearts. When you as a leader are constantly hearing and delivering a fresh word from God to your team, true momentum is unleashed. You don’t just want to do things in order to fill a calendar, right? You want to hear and obey what is on the heart of God for your Churches – for your city.

So slow down and make sure you’re listening.

Can you share your own way of generating momentum with your team?

In his interview with Washington Times, Lakewood Church’s pastor Joel Osteen said that Mormons are Christians although he wasn’t sure if that is the purest form of Christianity. This statement was in disagreement with Rev. Robert Jeffress, who remarked that GOP (Grand Old Party or Republican Party) Candidate Mitt Romney’s mormon faith was a cult.

Share your thoughts in the comment section below and please be considerate.

Here’s the update on the upcoming Saved Festival 2011 which will be held on November 26 at Araneta Coliseum.

Currently, eight (8) artists will be performing (“performing” is not the right word I guess, perhaps “leading the worship” is the appropriate one”), five from abroad and three local including Mr. Pure Energy, himself, Gary Valenciano.

Ticket prices are as follows:

VIP – P1,500

Patron – P1,200

Lowerbox – P1,000

Upper A – P700

Upper B – P500

Gen. Ad. – P250

For ticket reservation, you may call Ticketnet – 9115555 or Becca Music – 9105524.

Planning to attend the Hillsong Publishing Music Conference Manila this coming July 16 but wondering who Steve McPherson, the resource speaker of the said conference, really is? Let me share this profile of his:

Steve McPherson is the head manager of Hillsong Publishing in Sydney, Australia, with extensive experience as a worship leader, vocalist, performer, producer and songwriter. He has over 15 years of experience in music publishing and copyright administration, managing one of the most active publishing catalogues in Christian music ever to come out of Australia.

With a background in songwriting and performing, Steve is most well-known for co-writing the worship song, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”, a song sung in churches all over the world. For 10 years, Steve worked under Darlene Zschech in the leadership and management of the Hillsong worship team, holding many roles such as Vocal Director, Producer, Vocal Producer, Head Pastor, and worship leader.

Industry involvements:

• Board member of the Gospel Music Association of Australia and New Zealand
• Member of the Board of Advisors to Christian Copyright Licensing International—Asia Pacific (CCLI)
• Board member of the Australasian Music Publishers Association Ltd. (AMPAL)
• Judge in the Spiritual category of the Australian Songwriters Association Awards

Meanwhile, check out the promo video of the conference here:

Are you coming? Calling all worship ministers!

Photo by stephenmedvidick

Struggling over pornography? Guys, let’s admit it. Pornography is addictive. Once you taste it, you’ll love it. But sad to say, it’s wrong. Is there any other way to avoid this thing?

Let me share this 40 positive reasons to avoid the snare of pornography:

1. I fully enjoy the pleasure of my love relationship with Christ.

2. I fulfill my true identity as a child of God.

3. I experience God’s provision of empowering grace.

4. I enjoy my freedom in Christ to its fullest.

5. I avoid a life-pattern of deception.

6. I cultivate a soft and sensitive conscience.

7. I turn away from the solicitation of harlots in my heart.

8. I refuse the temptation of idolatry.

9. I prove to be a faithful steward of my money.

10. I prove to be a faithful steward of my time.

11. I abstain from any promotion and support of the pornography industry.

12. I preserve God’s gift of loving sexual expression for its intended purpose.

13. I protect the purity and power of my God-given imagination.

14. I develop disciplined character.

15. I guard the integrity of my Christian testimony.

16. I promote health and harmony in the body of Christ.

17. I cultivate a stronger resistance to future interpersonal sexual sin.

18. I nurture the proper biblical view of the sanctity of womanhood.

19. I relate to women as equals and persons of ultimate worth.

20. I learn to live in reality rather than fantasy.

21. I steer clear of unnecessary personal guilt and shame.

22. I cultivate a lifestyle of contentment and satisfaction.

23. I experience the blessing of living as a servant

24. I learn the relational skills of authentic intimacy.

25. I avoid future mental, emotional and spiritual scars on my life.

26. I experience the joy of the Christian life.

27. I lay up eternal rewards.

28. I learn to deal with the causes of my problems rather than treating symptoms.

29. I prevent potential temptations for others in my sphere of influence.

30. I honor the trust and prayer support of those who have invested in my spiritual life.

If I am married:

31. I avoid adultery in my heart.

32. I encourage my wife’s trust.

33. I honor my vow of marital purity and faithfulness.

34. I keep my marriage union pure from fantasies of other women.

35. I communicate acceptance and honor toward my wife.

36. I avoid the pathway that could easily result in infidelity.

If I have children:

37. I minimize the risk of my children being exposed to pornography.

38. I model strong and genuine moral values for my children.

39. I avoid embarrassing and embittering my children.

40. I encourage all of the above positive qualities in their lives.

Hope this list help you in your journey of fighting pornography.

[via Church Leaders]

After Hillsong United’s Aftermath tour here in Manila last June 2, here’s another from Hillsong Publishing – the Music Conference Manila, July 16, 2011 from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. This will be held at 5/F CCF Auditorium St. Francis Square Bldg., Julia Vargas Ave., corner Bank Drive, Ortigas Center (beside SM Megamall & Podium).

The Head Manager of Hillsong Publishing, Steve Mcpherson will be the speaker in this conference and he will share his knowledge on worship leading, copyright laws, and song writing.

Ticket is priced at P1000 only but if you will buy before June 30, 2011 (early bird rate) you can get it at P800 only. The ticket price includes workbooks containing the topics to be discussed.

Tickets are available. Call Becca Music at 910.5524 or 910.5352.

Photo by eternalpath.com

After a failed prediction that the world would end May 21, 2011, Harold Camping revised his apocalyptic prophecy and said that he was off by five months due to miscalculation. He said the earth will actually end on October 21.

In 1994, Camping, a retired civil engineer, also predicted the world would end in 1994 but said later that didn’t happen because of a mathematical error. He was a retired engineer. I understand engineers are good in mathematics but why Mr. Camping computed the end of the world date wrong. Kidding aside.

According to his prediction, May 21 would be the Rapture day where 200 million Christians would be taken to heaven and since he failed, May 21 had instead been a spiritual “Judgement Day” which places the world under Christ’s judgment.

For me, it’s in the bible that nobody can tell when Jesus will come back. I don’t know what’s in the mind of Mr. Camping. Maybe he’s just making the trend. Anyway, i just opine, end of the world is a secondary thing for me, what’s most important is how you live your everyday life for Jesus.

Wanna go to heaven? Believe in Jesus Christ, have faith in Him that he is the only one sent by the Father for our salvation.