Practical Ways to ELEVATE
As I look at the eyes of the students, single professionals and some married who joined us recently in the first part of our ELEVATE—Discipleship Training series, I already imagine hundreds of people getting more involved in leading their classmates, friends officemates and family members to God.
Pastor Ryan shared a simple yet, relevant and basic principles on Engaging with today’s generation.
Engage prayerfully. Well, I could really say, I was a product of prayer. My elder brother, I believe prayed for me for years that’s why by the time I reached my senior year in high school, I gave my life to Jesus. I was stubborn for many years, but nothing is too hard for the Lord. Keep praying, it’s like saying, “God, have your way in my life, my family and our world”.
Engage culturally. It’s connecting with people. It’s exerting the effort to know people in a personal level. It’s being a friend to them and eventually, introducing them to the Friend of all—Jesus.
Engage Creatively. To be creative is to think out of the box. There are a lot of ways to connect with people creatively. Maybe God has blessed you with a talent on computer. And though you have no idea how to immediately connect with someone, you could start by teaching the people you’re reaching out by teaching them basic computer skills. That helps you kick start something.
Part 2 will happen this Wednesday (June 17) and Saturday (June 20). In these two dates, we’ll talk about leading or jumpstarting your own small group. Join us at the Victory U-Belt Center’s Main Hall.
You are a history maker! Let’s Elevate!
History "Today": Chicago Bulls Snare Fifth NBA Crown
June 13, 1997. Exactly 12 years ago, Michael Jordan and his favored Chicago Bulls continued its history-altering run, winning its fifth NBA championship in the last seven years following its pulsating 90-86 victory over the Utah Jazz at the jam packed United Center.
Michael Jordan's partnership with Chicago coach Phil Jackson assured NBA dominance during the 1990s.
Jordan averaged 31.1 points in 19 playoff games during the 1997 season as he led the Bulls to a 4-2 series conquest of the Utah Jazz en route to bagging his fifth NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy.
Chicago added Utah to its swelling list of Finals victims, which already included the Los Angeles Lakers (1991), then led by Magic Johnson; the Portland Trail Blazers (1992) behind Clyde Drexler and Phoenix Suns (1993) led by Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson.
Chicago coach Phil Jackson was the man behind the Bulls’ dominant run during the 1990s, where he used the triangle offense invented by Tex Winter.
Admiring Stan Van Gundy's NBA Finals Approach
Unintimidated though Orlando is facing a platoon of veterans in the Lakers, not to mention his one-on-one coaching duel with multi-titled NBA coach Phil Jackson
I admire Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy’s approach to the NBA Finals.
As I watch him answer questions fielded in by the NBA press in the aftermath of the Magic’s stinging 91-99 overtime defeat that gave Los Angeles a commanding 3-1 series lead, Van Gundy said he doesn’t believe at all in championship experience coming to play for the Lakers.
As a former sports writer, sports slants (on articles) like an experienced team going up against a young, inexperienced one sells (which is what’s happening now in the ongoing NBA Finals) sells.
But Van Gundy was quick to point out that basketball is a game of five players. The game boils down to execution. It boils down to making the right plays and having the proper frame of mind.
Which is why, even though Orlando is the clear underdog talent-wise when matched up against Los Angeles, the Magic play like they’ve been to the Finals every year.
The intensity, the youthful zest, the impeccable shooting in the face of a tough Lakers defense (just take a look against at their Game 3 performance of 63 percent shooting)—all these were extracted by Van Gundy because his basic approach in the Finals is, we can match up against LA.
The biggest difference in the Magic’s Game 4 loss was their inability to hit their free throws (22-of-37 overall), their poor defense during regulation and eventually in the extra five-minute session—all of which cost them the game, and perhaps, the NBA title (should LA win Game 5).
Now, down 1-3, Van Gundy and his rather confused Magic are staring at a deficit that no team in so many years, have ever been able to overcome.
Though history is completely against the Magic at this point, I’m sure Van Gundy will do everything he can to prepare his players mentally and emotionally as they battle it out against the Lakers in Game 5 on Sunday (Monday morning in Manila).
Whatever happens to this Finals series, Van Gundy and his Magic are sure to benefit in the long run because of the battle scars they’ve gained.
And so Boston and Cleveland, better watch out because Orlando will be a dominant squad, a “beast in the East” in the years to come.
Historic June 12!
Friday (June 12) marks the 111th anniversary of the Philippine Independence.
I
wasn’t born yet when General Emilio Aguinaldo, the inaugural president of the Philippine Republic, unfurled the country’s flag for the very first time in public at the balcony of his house in Kawit, Cavite.
Julian Felipe, according to historians, never carried a gun, but the music he composed became the Philippine national anthem.
Anyway, from what I could remember when my history teachers in high school recreated the story behind that historic landmark of our nation, it was exciting, inspiring and filled with hope.
On June 12, various key cities in the country will surely be displaying mini flags of the Philippines in celebration of the country’s independence from Spain.
Coinciding the date of our Independence Day celebration is the resumption of our Youth service at Victory U-Belt on 7 p.m.
It will be historic as well, especially as students will be trooping back to their respective campuses for another exciting, faith-filled school year.
If you’re a student studying in any of the universities or colleges within the University Belt, you are strategically placed there to make history, beginning in your campus.
Hundreds of small groups will converge in canteens, fastfood restaurants and campus hangouts—all with the single purpose of knowing God and enjoying a relationship with Him.
Be part of this great and historic moment!
Lakers Better Close It In Orlando, Florida Or Else…
Two down at home, two more on the road and the LA Lakers’ journey for their first NBA title in the post-Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant tandem will soon be complete.
Though Pau Gasol is not as strong and as quick as O’Neal in the middle, the seven-foot Spanish center-forward has proven his effectiveness in playing a great support role to Kobe on offense.
After scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in LA’s 100-75 Game 1 rout over Orlando, Gasol finished with 20 points and eight rebounds in Game 2, which saw the Lakers escape with a 101-96 overtime win.
Kobe had a “quiet” 29 points after exploding for 40 in the Finals opener.
But Kobe downplayed LA’s 2-0 series lead, saying they haven’t achieved anything yet.
Going into Games 3-5 which will all be played at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, the Lakers need to beat the Magic two of three games there to wrap up their 15th NBA title in 30 championship appearances.
But the visit to the Amway Arena won’t be easy. Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers knew how difficult it is to play there, having lost three straight games there that cost them the Eastern Conference title.
But history is on the side of LA.
Since the NBA adopted the 2-3-2 format in 1985, 11 of 12 teams winning the first two games went on to win the championship.
The only team that failed to win the NBA title after starting off 2-0, was Dallas, which lost the next four games to Miami. The Heat clinched the championship and the series, 4-2.
The Lakers, though just can’t rely on history. They have to continually play with consistency on defense and offense to wrap up the title.
Or the Magic, known for their resilience and ability to bounce back could turn things around, and who knows, Orlando could find itself back in the series.
