Jollibee Kids Club

Jollibee Assumption wil be having school tour featuring "Art Workshop" intended for Jollibee Kids CLub (JKC) members, which includes parlor games and mascot appearance. In line with this, Jollibee would like to encourage every child to be a member of this club and be part of this valuable workshop to be held at the University of Baguio Laboratory Elementary School on October 17, 2009.

Purpose Driven Daily Devotional

Restoring Relationships: Sympathize by Rick Warren "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense" (Proverbs 19:11 NIV). The third biblical step toward restoring a relationship is to sympathize with the other person's feelings. Use your ears more than your mouth. Before attempting to solve any disagreement you must first listen to the other's feelings. Paul advised, "Look out for one another's interests, not just for your own" (Philip. 2:4 TEV). The phrase "look out for" is the Greek word skopos, from which we form our words telescope and microscope. It means pay close attention! Focus on their feelings, not the facts. Begin with sympathy, not solutions. Don't try to talk people out of how they feel at first. Just listen and let them unload emotionally without being defensive. Nod that you understand even when you don't agree. Feelings are not always true or logical. In fact, resentment makes us act and think in foolish ways. David admitted, "When my thoughts were bitter and my feelings were hurt, I was as stupid as an animal" (Psalm 73:21-22 TEV). We all act beastly when hurt. In contrast, the Bible says, "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense" (Prov. 19:11 NIV). Patience comes from wisdom, and wisdom comes from hearing the perspective of others. Listening says, "I value your opinion, I care about our relationship, and you matter to me." The cliché is true: People don't care what we know until they know we care To restore fellowship "we must bear the 'burden' of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others . . . Let's please the other fellow, not ourselves, and do what is for his good" (Rom. 15:2 LB). It is a sacrifice to patiently absorb the anger of others, especially if it's unfounded. But remember, this is what Jesus did for you. He endured unfounded, malicious anger in order to save you. "Christ did not indulge his own feelings . . . as scripture says: The insults of those who insult you fall on me" (Rom. 15:3, NJB).

2009 Scout Officials For-A-Day

In the recent BSP-GSP Scout Officials For-A-Day (SOFAD), the Univeristy of Baguio Laboratory Elementary School (UBLES) again made it to the Top Positions. There are three (3) boy scouts and one (1) girl scout from UBLES, namely: John Joseph Pariñal, Osman Digermo, Justin Mir Calica and Zaini Coleen Laluan.

The following is the SOFAD schedule:

Purpose Driven Daily Devotional

Restoring Relationships: Take the initiative by Rick Warren "If you enter your place of worship and are about to make an offering, but you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God" (Matthew 5:23-24 Msg). The second biblical step toward restoring a relationship is to take the initiative. It doesn't matter whether you are the offender or the offended, God expects you to make the first move. Don't wait for the other party. Go to them first. Restoring broken fellowship is so important, Jesus commanded that it even take priority over group worship. He said, "If you enter your place of worship and are about to make an offering, but you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God" (Matt. 5:23-24 Msg). When fellowship is strained or broken, plan a peace conference immediately. Don't procrastinate, make excuses, or promise, "I'll get around to it someday." Schedule a face-to-face meeting as soon as possible. Delay only deepens resentment and makes matters worse. In conflict, time heals nothing; it causes hurts to fester. Acting quickly also reduces the spiritual damage to you. The Bible says sin, including unresolved conflict, blocks our fellowship with God and keeps our prayers from being answered, besides making us miserable. Job's friends reminded him, "To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do," (Job 5:2, TEV) and "You're only hurting yourself with your anger" (Job 18:4, TEV). The success of a peace conference often depends on choosing the right time and place to meet. Don't meet when of you are tired, rushed or could be interrupted. The best time is when you both are at your best.

Super Typhooon Ondoy Hit Philippines. Death toll up to 100

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) The number of casualties due to tropical storm “Ondoy” (international name: Ketsana) has risen to 100 and damage to infrastructure and crops estimated at P109 million, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.

In its latest situation report Monday, the NDCC said that damage to infrastructure was at P108.710 while damage to agriculture was at P212,537.50.

The NDCC added that as of 12 noon Monday, 56 of the casualties were from Region 4A, 24 from Bulacan, 12 from Pampanga and seven from the National Capital Region.

At least 32 persons remain missing from provinces in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, and the Cordillera Autonomous Region while five were reportedly injured, the NDCC said.

The NDCC has declared a state of national calamity in the NCR, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

A total of 7,908 persons have been rescued by joint teams from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metro Manila Development Authority and the Regional Office of Civil Defense, the NDCC said.

A total of 12 ambulances, 33 M35 trucks, 59 rubber boats and 112 other vehicles, 137 enlisted personnel, 13 military platoons, 20 US Servicemen, two US watercrafts, eight Island Cruisers and one US chopper, have been deployed to assist in search, relief and rescue efforts in affected areas, the NDCC said.

In a press briefing earlier on Monday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. said they have yet to receive reports of casualties from Antipolo City, Marikina City, and Quezon City.

Media reports said that 58 persons were killed in Provident Village in Marikina City, 25 in Quezon City, and 12 more from Antipolo City. The NDCC has also received some P40 million worth of relief assistance for victims of “Ondoy,” the defense chief said. He added that the NDCC would set up assistance headquarters in Ever Gotesco Mall along Ortigas Extension to hasten the distribution relief goods to victims stranded in Pasig City, Marikina City, Antipolo City, and Cainta, Teodoro said.

By Katherine Evangelista

2009 National Scouting Month Opening Program and Parade

The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines in cooperation of the City Government of Baguio and the Department of Education will celebrate the Scouting Month this October.

THe Celebration will start with a Kick-Off Program and Parade on October 2, 2oo9. The Opening Program will promptly start at 8:00 o'clock sharp at the Baguio Convention Center, followed by the Grand Parade which will start at the Baguio Convention Center towards Session Road, Harrison Road and will wind up with a March Pass at the back of the Melvin Jones Grandstand.

ORDER OF PARADE

Police Escort

Colors

BCNHS Band

2009 National Scouting Month Celebrations Streamer

BSP-GSP Board Members

Scout Officials For-A-Day

District I Streamer

District I Scouting Officials

District I Scouting Units

District II Streamer

District II Scouting Officials District II Scouting Units

District III Streamer

SLU Laboratory High School Band

District III Scouting Officials District III Scouting Units

In case of inclement weather, the parade will be cancelled, while the Opening Program will push through as scheduled at the Baguio Convention Center.

Ken Lee...

Purpose Driven Daily Devotional

Prayer Steps: From Condemnation to Confidence by Rick Warren For the past few days, we've been studying the biblical path from condemnation to godly confidence, and I consider this so important to our ability to make healing choices, that I want to lead you in a prayer today. You've been under self condemnation, maybe because of some unresolved guilt, maybe because of some unrealistic expectations, maybe both. The Bible says, "All of us have sinned and we all fall short of God's ideal; yet, now God declares us not guilty if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness, freely takes away our sins." Would you like to have that burden removed? Would you pray, "Jesus Christ, I want to ask you to forgive me for all the things I've ever done wrong." If something specific comes to mind right now, just agree, saying, "Yes, and that . . . and that . . . " As those pictures go across your mind, say, "Lord, I ask forgiveness for that and I accept your forgiveness because of Jesus Christ." Pray, "Jesus, help me to forgive myself and to look straight ahead with honest confidence and not to hang my head in shame. When my past failures come to mind, instead of me coming back and begging you to forgive me again, help me to remember that I've already been forgiven. I just need to forgive myself. Every time that memory comes back, instead of me being guilty, Lord, I will be grateful. Let that memory remind me, instead, that you are a God of forgiveness and grace, and that I am forgiven. When that memory comes to my mind, let it cause me to praise you and say, 'What a great God you are! You've forgiven me. I'm a trophy of your grace.'" Then would you pray, "Lord, help me to relax in your grace, to realize that you don't expect perfection. You know what I'm made up, that there is no condemnation in Christ, that you'll never love me any more and never love me any less because of what I do." "Father, I want to walk in your grace. I want to take off the yoke of guilt and put on the yoke of grace today. Lord, help me to eliminate the negative self-talk in my life. I know now that when I put myself down, I am really questioning You--because you made me the way that I am, the way I look, with the talents and abilities I have and the ones that I don't have. You made me just to be me." "Help me to focus my mind on the positive things and to read my Bible every day and memorize it and meditate on it. And as I read it, remind me again and again how much you love me. God, help me to quit trying to please everybody. I know it's an impossible task and it only causes anxiety in my life. Instead, let me focus only on doing your will and knowing if it's your plan and purpose for my life. Help me to obey what you've told me to do; it doesn't matter what others think. I relax in your grace." "Thank You, Father, that through your grace we can get off the rat race of unresolved guilt and unrealistic expectations--those things that push us to do more. Instead, may we relax and do the things that really count. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen."

36 CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice." 1. Pray 2. Go to bed on time. 3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed. 4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health. 5. Delegate tasks to capable others. 6. Simplify and unclutter your life. 7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.) 8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places. 9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together. 10. Take one day at a time. 11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it. 12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases. 13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc. 14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble. 15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday. 16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line. 17. Get enough rest. 18. Eat right. 19. Get organized so everything has its place. 20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life. 21. Write down thoughts and inspirations. 22. Every day, find time to be alone. 23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray. 24. Make friends with Godly people. 25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand. 26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus." 27. Laugh. 28. Laugh some more! 29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all. 30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can). 31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most.) 32. Sit on your ego. 33. Talk less; listen more. 34. Slow down. 35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe 36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Purpose Driven Daily Devotional

Focus Only on Doing God's Will

by Rick Warren

"Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light" (Matthew 11:27-30 TEV).

Expectations are a yoke. Some of you are carrying a yoke--a heavy burden--of the expectations that were put on you by your parents, or your husband, or your wife, or your children. Some of you are burdened down with a yoke put on you by your boss or by your teacher.But most of us carry a yoke of burden that we've put on ourselves because of unresolved guilt and unrealistic expectations. We're trying to prove that we matter.

We take on a heavy yoke that God never intended in order to prove that we're important when God says we're already important: He created us to be with him and to fulfill a unique mission in life. That makes us important, not all the things we do (or don't do).

God's yoke is that we follow his purpose for our lives, and when we do that, things work out a whole lot better. When we go our own way in life, we hit one brick wall after another. In a sense, God says, "Put on my purpose, my plan for your life.

"How heavy is God's yoke? Jesus says, "The yoke I will give you is light and easy." You say, "But my Christian life isn't easy. My Christian life is heavy; it's like a duty that I have to fulfill.

"Then it may be you are out of God's will. You may be doing something that God never intended for you to do. I can't say it any plainer than this: It may be some of the things you think God is asking you to do, He's not asking you to do. Your conscious and your perfectionism are asking you to do them.

Jesus did not come to give you a burden but a blessing.

Am I saying the Christian life has no problems? No, not at all! We all will have a lot of problems. The Christian life is full of difficulties. The point is this: to live in the center of God's will is a lighter load than to live out of God's will. To live in God's purpose and plan for your life is a lighter, more relaxing, more enjoyable load than for you to live your own life any old way you choose.

If you say, "My Christian life is a burden right now," then there are some things in your life that you're doing that God never intended for you to do. One of the things you need to do is get quiet before God and ask, "What do I need to cut out of my life?" I need to focus on the things that really count--my relationship to God, my relationship to my family, my relationship to other Christians, my relationship to the world. That's what counts.

Jesus says, "Come to me all of you who are tired from carrying your heavy loads and I will give you rest." The answer to your stress is not a bunch of principles. The answer to your stress is a relationship to a person: Jesus Christ. "Come to Me. I will give you deep, abiding, gut level rest." It's a personal invitation.

Are you living under condemnation? If you are, Jesus says, "Come to me . . . and I will give you rest." In a sense, this is what Jesus is saying: "Why don't we do this . . . why don't we take that heavy yoke of guilt that you're carrying, take it off and put it down over here. Instead, let me put on you my light yoke of grace. Get rid of the guilt and let's replace it with grace. You see how much better this fits; how much more comfortable it is?

"Take off this yoke of perfectionism, where you're always trying to prove yourself and toss it over to be burned. Put on the yoke of God’s plan for your life; his purpose.When you do that, your confidence will soar.

RESULTS FOR MILO OLYMPICS 2009 - LUZON

In the recently concluded 2009 MILO Little Olympics - Luzon, the UNIVERSITY OF BAGUIO LABORATORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL again achieved victory, being the third time OVERALL CHAMPION in the ELEMENTARY DIVISION since 2007, thus, elevating to the HALL OF FAME category.

Out of 82 participating schools in the entire Luzon, the UBLES awarded as the overall champion, gaining an overall score of 77 points, followed by Telbang Elementary School with a total of 60 points. Saint Louis University- Laboratory Elementary School placed as the third overall having the total score of 57 points. Mr. Monsour Carlo Salazar, from UBLES, awarded as the Most Outstanding Athlete - Taekwondo Category.

Also, in contribution being the overall champion, UBLES is the OVERALL CHAMPION in TAEKWONDO (BOYS AND GIRLS) , SWIMMING (BOYS AND GIRLS) and CHESS (BOYS), and OVERALL SECOND in ATHLETICS (BOYS).

2009 MILO LITTLE OLYMPICS - LUZON

MOST OUTSTANDING ATHLETES

ELEMENTARY DIVISION

Athletics - Aries Dela Pena - Telbang Elementary School, Alaminos City, Pangasinan

Badminton - Eric Paul N. Sison - Alaminos Central School, Alaminos City

Chess - Fatima Joy Cruz- Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Agoo La Union

Football - Christian James Tolentino - Don Bosco Academy, Mabalacat, Pampanga

Gymnastic - Edwin Dhale Avencilla - Urbiztondo Elementary School, San Juan, La Union

Lawn Tennis - Amiel Joseph Beltrano - San Jose Elementary School, Alaminos City

Scrabble - Michaela Agtarap - Lorma Grade School, San Fernando City

Sepak Takraw - Vincent Bagarinao - De Guzman Elementary School, Mabini, Pangasinan

Swimming - Nathania Rockwood - BHC Educational Institutes, San Fernando City, La Union Table Tennis - Michaela Telan - Abulug Central Elementary School, Cagayan Valley Taekwondo - Monsour Carlo Salazar - University of Baguio Laboratory Elementary School Volleyball - Lea Rayos- Pangapisan Elementary School, Lingayen, Pangasinan

2009 MILO LITTLE OLYMPICS - LUZON MOST OUTSTANDING ATHLETES HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION

Athletics - Eden Padilla - VMUF, San Carlos City

Badminton - Minie Bagyan - Baguio City National High School

Chess - Bernard Nillo - Baguio City National High School

Football - Domingo Sayan Jr. - Baguio City National High School

Gymnastic - Juan Carlos Basbas - Baguio City National High School

Lawn Tennis - Kim Alexis Sotelo - Colegio San Jose De Alaminos, Alaminos City

Scrabble - Leah Catapia - St. Louis College, San Fernando City

Sepak Takraw - Jodel Manzano - Dr. Ricardo Gacula Memorial HS, Tamurong, Candon City

Swimming - Fritz Marnold Agapay - University of Baguio High School

Table Tennis - John Mark Caranto - Binmaley School of Fisheries, Pangasinan

Taekwondo - Keno Anthony Mendoza - University of Baguio High School

Volleyball - Acel Espiritu - Holy Angel University, Pampanga

TOP TEN SCHOOLS

ELEMENTARY DIVISION

University of Baguio Laboratory Elementary School

Telbang Elementary School

St. Louis Univerity- Laboratory Elementary School

Tamurong Elementary School, Candon City

Cabuyao Elementary School, Bolinao, Pangasinan

Abulug Central Elementary School, Cagayan Valley

Infant Jesus Montessori School - Elementary School, Santiago City, Isabela

Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Agoo, La Union

Alaminos Central School, Alaminos City, Pangasinan

Don Bosco Academy - Elementary School, Mabalacat, Pampanga

TOP TEN SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION

Baguio City National High School University of Baguio High School Holy Angel Universtity, Angeles City, Pampanga Virgen Milagros University Foundation, San Carlos City, Pangasina St. Louis College - High School, San Fernando City, La Union Lorma Colleges Special Science High School, San Fernando City, La Union Olongapo City National High School, Olongapo City, Zambales Don Bosco Academy High School - Mabalacat Pampanga Candon National High School, Candon City, Ilocos Sur Alaminos National High School, Alaminos City, Pangasinan See you all on October 22-26, 2009 in Cebu for the National MILO Little Olympics... GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS TO ALL!!!!

Purpose Driven Daily Devotional

Quit Trying to Please Everybody by Rick Warren "It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you" (Proverbs 29:25 GN). When we worry about what other people think, we let them control us. We waste a lot of time and energy trying to figure out what other people want us to be. Then, we waste a lot of time and energy trying to become like that rather than just being what God made us to be. You're manipulated and controlled by somebody else.Worrying about what other people think is dangerous because we're more likely to cave in to criticism. It means we don't always do the right thing; instead, we do the thing that everybody wants us to do.And we're in danger of missing God's best because we're so worried about what other people what us to do that we can't stop to think about what God wants us to do.• Fact #1: You cannot please everybody. Even God can't please everybody. One person prays for it to rain; another prays for it to be sunny. In the Super Bowl, both teams are praying that they will win. Who is God going to answer? God can't please everybody. Only a fool would try to do what even God can't do. You can't please everybody.• Fact #2: It's not necessary to please everybody. There is a myth that says you must be loved and approved by everybody in order to be happy. That's just not true. You don't have to please everybody in order to be happy in life.• Fact #3: Rejection will not ruin your life. It hurts, sure. It's not fun. It's uncomfortable. But rejection will not ruin your life unless you let it.Quit trying to please everybody! Remember that nobody can make you feel inferior unless you give them permission. The Apostle Paul says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31 TEV) This means we can think like this: 'God likes me, and I like me; if you don't like me, then you've got a problem. If God likes me, who cares that everybody doesn't approve of everything I do.' Remember, nothing you ever do will make God love you less. Nothing you ever do will make God love you more. He loves you completely right now.

Purpose Driven Daily Devotional

Eliminate Negative Self-Talk

by Rick Warren

"Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts" (Proverbs 4:23 GN).

Long before psychology came around, God said your thoughts determine your feelings and your feelings determine your actions. If you want to change your life, you've got to control the way you think.Our minds are really an amazing creation. It would take a computer the size of a small city just to carry out the basic functions of your brain. Your brain contains over one hundred billion nerve cells. Each individual cell is connected with ten thousand other neurons.In addition, you're constantly talking to yourself--all the time. Your mind is talking to you! You're talking to yourself right now.

Research indicates that most people speak at a rate of 150 to 200 words per minute, but the mind can listen to about 500-600 words a minute. That's why you can listen to me and plan today's dinner at the same time.In fact, our internal dialogue--the conversation we have with ourselves--is at a rate of 1,300 words per minute. How? Because our mind sees in pictures, and you can see a thought in a nano-second!The problem is a lot of us are like Job, who says, "Everything I say seems to condemn me" (Job 9:20 GN).

He is saying, in effect, "Everything I say puts me down." If you are typical to the human race, you are your own worst critic.We're always putting ourselves down. We walk into a room smiling, but inside we're thinking, "I’m fat. I'm dumb. I'm ugly. And I'm always late!"God wants us to stop putting ourselves down. When you put yourself down, who are you really putting down? When you say, "I'm fat. I'm dumb. I'm ugly. I'm no good. I have no talent," you're really pointing to the Creator who made you. When you say, "God, I'm worthless. I'm no good. I can't do anything," you're saying, "God, you blew it with me." That's why God says it's wrong to put yourself down.

How do you eliminate negative self-talk so you can become a more confident person?

The Bible teaches the principle of replacement: "Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right . . . Think about all you can thank God for and be glad about" (Philippians 4:8 TLB).In other words, don't think about all those weaknesses in your life. Focus on who God wants you want to be and on what God wants to do in your life. I don't know any better antidote to low self-esteem (or to facing your hurts, habits, and hang-ups) than to read God's word every day: study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and apply it in your life.There isn't a better thing you can do to raise your confidence level than to start believing what God says about you. As I read through the Bible, chapter by chapter, I find a verse that speaks to me. I write it down on a card, memorize it, and then I start affirming it back to God. "Father, thank you that I am valuable; I am significant; I am forgivable; I am capable." Let God renew your mind because "your life is shaped by your thoughts" (Proverbs 4:23 GN).

A Tribute to Teachers 2009

A Tribute to Teachers is an annual event that celebrates the teaching profession. It aims to honor and pay homage to the teachers who have risen above themselves to become true catalysts of change. This year, it would be held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City on September 19, 2009 to be participated in by more than 10,000 teachers from all over the archipelago.

The 2009 The Many Faces of the Teacher Finalists

This year's "Many Faces of the Teacher" search organized by Bato Balani Foundation Inc. (BBFI) aims to honor the many educators who have demonstrated the true essence of teaching. The search seeks to recognize Filipino educators and recognize how they are transforming their communities, their students and ultimately the course of this country's next generation.

Biggest teachers' appreciation event underway More than 10,000 teachers are expected to attend this monumentous event organized by Bato Balani Foundation, with the support of Diwa Learning Systems. The event is set on September 19, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center. EVENT SPONSORS

Purpose Driven Daily Devotional

God Has Prepared a Place for You in Heaven

by Rick Warren

"And I will live in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalms 23:6 NLT).

When King David says, "And I will live in the house of the Lord forever," he's saying that God has prepared a place for him in Heaven.

That's one of the most important connections we see in the Bible. It connects yesterday with today and then connects them both with tomorrow.

God says, "I've got this great life planned for you, and surely goodness and mercy will follow you through it, but that's not the end! I've got something else at the end!" God builds it to a crescendo.

So David ends his Psalm by saying, "We're going to heaven!" Jesus saves the best until last. With God it just keeps getting better and better. The best is yet to come—"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands" (2 Corinthians 5:1 NIV).

IT'S JOKE TIME!!!!!

DON'T MESS WITH A FILIPINO... In a New York sidewalk, a Filipino is enjoying a hearty breakfast " coffee,croissants, toast, butter, jam, etc. While an American, chewing a gum, satnext to him and started an unwanted conversation.. American: You Filipinos eat the whole bread? Filipino : Of course! American: ( Blowing bubbles with his gum) We don't. We, Americans only eatwhat's inside. The crust we collect in a container, recycle, make these intocroissants and sell these to the Philippines . American: Do you eat jam with bread? Filipino : Of course! American: (Chuckling and crackling his gum between his teeth) We don't.Americans eat fruits at breakfast, put all the peels, seeds and leftoversinto containers, turn the seeds into jam and sell it to the Philippines . Filipino : Do you have sex in America ? American: Of course, we do! Filipino : What do you do with the condoms? American: We throw them, of course! Filipino : We don't. In the Philippines, we put them into containers,recycle them, turn them into chewing gums and sell it to America.

2009 MILO LITTLE OLYMPICS - LUZON

The MILO Little Olympics- Luzon is a sports developmental program that aims to promote the youth's physical and mental well-being. It is the longest and one of the most prestigious event in the country.

The biggest tournament and breeding ground for the future "Olympians" - 2009 MILO Little Olympics- Luzon- is set on September 11, 12, & 13, 2009 at Narciso Ramos Sports and Civics Center, Lingayen, Pangasinan and CSI Mall, Dagupan City.

THe 2009 MILO Little Olympics, now on its 12th year in Lingayen is featuring the following sports discipline: Athletics, Badminton, Chess, Football, Gymnastics, Lawn Tennis, Scrabble, Sepak Takraw, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo & Volleyball, Cheerdance Competition & Miss Milo Little Olympics.

This sportsfest is open to all elementary and secondary students from Regions I, II, III and CAR. It is also being held in NCR, CEBU and Cagayan De Oro.

Also, 2009 marks the first ever NATIONAL MILO LITTLE OLYMPICS in Cebu City this coming October 23, 24, and 25; wherein winners of Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR will have the chance to show thier prowess in the 12 sports events stated above.

International News

Misreading the Iranian Situation The Iranian Nuclear Game The Iranians have now agreed to talks with the P-5+1, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China) plus Germany. These six countries decided in late April to enter into negotiations with Iran over the suspected Iranian nuclear weapons program by Sept. 24, the date of the next U.N. General Assembly meeting. If Iran refused to engage in negotiations by that date, the Western powers in the P-5+1 made clear that they would seriously consider imposing much tougher sanctions on Iran than those that were currently in place. The term “crippling” was mentioned several times.

Obviously, negotiations are not to begin prior to the U.N. General Assembly meeting as previously had been stipulated. The talks are now expected to begin Oct. 1, a week later. This gives the Iranians their first (symbolic) victory: They have defied the P-5+1 on the demand that talks be under way by the time the General Assembly meets. Inevitably, the Iranians would delay, and the P-5+1 would not make a big deal of it.

Talks About Talks and the Sanctions Challenge

Now, we get down to the heart of the matter: The Iranians have officially indicated that they are prepared to discuss a range of strategic and economic issues but are not prepared to discuss the nuclear program — which, of course, is the reason for the talks in the first place. On Sept. 14, they hinted that they might consider talking about the nuclear program if progress were made on other issues, but made no guarantees.

So far, the Iranians are playing their traditional hand. They are making the question of whether there would be talks about nuclear weapons the center of diplomacy. Where the West wanted a commitment to end uranium enrichment, the Iranians are trying to shift the discussions to whether they will talk at all. After spending many rounds of discussions on this subject, they expect everyone to go away exhausted. If pressure is coming down on them, they will agree to discussions, acting as if the mere act of talking represents a massive concession. The members of the P-5+1 that don’t want a confrontation with Iran will use Tehran’s agreement merely to talk (absent any guarantees of an outcome) to get themselves off the hook on which they found themselves back in April — namely, of having to impose sanctions if the Iranians don’t change their position on their nuclear program.

Russia, one of the main members of the P-5+1, already has made clear it opposes sanctions under any circumstances. The Russians have no intention of helping solve the American problem with Iran while the United States maintains its stance on NATO expansion and bilateral relations with Ukraine and Georgia. Russia regards the latter two countries as falling within the Russian sphere of influence, a place where the United States has no business meddling.

To this end, Russia is pleased to do anything that keeps the United States bogged down in the Middle East, since this prevents Washington from deploying forces in Poland, the Czech Republic, the Baltics, Georgia or Ukraine. A conflict with Iran not only would bog down the United States even further, it would divide Europe and drive the former Soviet Union and Central Europe into viewing Russia as a source of aid and stability. The Russians thus see Iran as a major thorn in Washington’s side. Obtaining Moscow’s cooperation on removing the thorn would require major U.S. concessions — beyond merely bringing a plastic “reset” button to Moscow. At this point, the Russians have no intention of helping remove the thorn. They like it right where it is. In discussing crippling sanctions, the sole obvious move would be blocking gasoline exports to Iran. Iran must import 40 percent of its gasoline needs. The United States and others have discussed a plan for preventing major energy companies, shippers and insurers from supplying that gasoline. The subject, of course, becomes moot if Russia (and China) refuses to participate or blocks sanctions. Moscow and Beijing can deliver all the gasoline Tehran wants. The Russians could even deliver gasoline by rail in the event that Iranian ports are blocked. Therefore, if the Russians aren’t participating, the impact of gasoline sanctions is severely diminished, something the Iranians know well.

Tehran and Moscow therefore are of the opinion that this round of threats will end where other rounds ended. The United States, the United Kingdom and France will be on one side; Russia and China will be on the other; and Germany will vacillate, not wanting to be caught on the wrong side of the Russians. In either case, whatever sanctions are announced would lose their punch, and life would go on as before. There is, however, a dimension that indicates that this crisis might take a different course.

The Israeli Dimension

After the last round of meetings between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama, the Israelis announced that the United States had agreed that in the event of a failure in negotiations, the United States would demand — and get — crippling sanctions against Iran, code for a gasoline cutoff. In return, the Israelis indicated that any plans for a unilateral Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities would be put off. The Israelis specifically said that the Americans had agreed on the September U.N. talks as the hard deadline for a decision on — and implementation of — sanctions.

Our view always has been that the Iranians are far from acquiring nuclear weapons. This is, we believe, the Israeli point of view. But the Israeli point of view also is that, however distant, the Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons represents a mortal danger to Israel — and that, therefore, Israel would have to use military force if diplomacy and sanctions don’t work.

For Israel, the Obama guarantee on sanctions represented the best chance at a nonmilitary settlement. If it fails, it is not clear what could possibly work. Given that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has gotten his regime back in line, that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad apparently has emerged from the recent Iranian election crisis with expanded clout over Iran’s foreign policy, and that the Iranian nuclear program appears to be popular among Iranian nationalists (of whom there are many), there seems no internal impediment to the program. And given the current state of U.S.-Russian relations and that Washington is unlikely to yield Moscow hegemony in the former Soviet Union in return for help on Iran, a crippling sanctions regime is unlikely.

Obama’s assurances notwithstanding, there accordingly is no evidence of any force or process that would cause the Iranians to change their minds about their nuclear program. With that, the advantage to Israel of delaying a military strike evaporates.

And the question of the quality of intelligence must always be taken into account: The Iranians may be closer to a weapon than is believed. The value of risking delays disappears if nothing is likely to happen in the intervening period that would make a strike unnecessary. Moreover, the Israelis have Obama in a box. Obama promised them that if Israel did not take a military route, he would deliver them crippling sanctions against Iran. Why Obama made this promise — and he has never denied the Israeli claim that he did — is not fully clear. It did buy him some time, and perhaps he felt he could manage the Russians better than he has. Whatever Obama’s motivations, having failed to deliver, the Israelis can say that they have cooperated with the United States fully, so now they are free by the terms of their understanding with Washington to carry out strikes — something that would necessarily involve the United States.

The calm assumptions in major capitals that this is merely another round in interminable talks with Iran on its weapons revolves around the belief that the Israelis are locked into place by the Americans. From where we sit, the Israelis have more room to maneuver now than they had in the past, or than they might have in the future. If that’s true, then the current crisis is more dangerous than it appears.

Netanyahu appears to have made a secret trip to Moscow (though it didn’t stay secret very long) to meet with the Russian leadership. Based on our own intelligence and this analysis, it is reasonable to assume that Netanyahu was trying to drive home to the Russians the seriousness of the situation and Israel’s intent. Russian-Israeli relations have deteriorated on a number of issues, particularly over Israeli military and intelligence aid to Ukraine and Georgia. Undoubtedly, the Russians demanded that Israel abandon this aid.

As mentioned, the chances of the Russians imposing effective sanctions on Iran are nil. This would get them nothing. And if not cooperating on sanctions triggers an Israeli airstrike, so much the better. This would degrade and potentially even effectively eliminate Iran’s nuclear capability, which in the final analysis is not in Russia’s interest. It would further enrage the Islamic world at Israel. It would put the United States in the even more difficult position of having to support Israel in the face of this hostility. And from the Russian point of view, it would all come for free. (That said, in such a scenario the Russians would lose much of the leverage the Iran card offers Moscow in negotiations with the United States.)

Ramifications of an Israeli Strike

An Israeli airstrike would involve the United States in two ways. First, it would have to pass through Iraqi airspace controlled by the United States, at which point no one would believe that the Americans weren’t complicit. Second, the likely Iranian response to an Israeli airstrike would be to mine the Strait of Hormuz and other key points in the Persian Gulf — something the Iranians have said they would do, and something they have the ability to do.

Some have pointed out that the Iranians would be hurting themselves as much as the West, as this would cripple their energy exports. And it must be remembered that 40 percent of globally traded oil exports pass through Hormuz. The effect of mining the Persian Gulf would be devastating to oil prices and to the global economy at a time when the global economy doesn’t need more grief. But the economic pain Iran would experience from such a move could prove tolerable relative to the pain that would be experienced by the world’s major energy importers. Meanwhile, the Russians would be free to export oil at extraordinarily high prices.

Given the foregoing, the United States would immediately get involved in such a conflict by engaging the Iranian navy, which in this case would consist of small boats with outboard motors dumping mines overboard. Such a conflict would be asymmetric warfare, naval style. Indeed, given that the Iranians would rapidly respond — and that the best way to stop them would be to destroy their vessels no matter how small before they have deployed — the only rational military process would be to strike Iranian boats and ships prior to an Israeli airstrike. Since Israel doesn’t have the ability to do that, the United States would be involved in any such conflict from the beginning. Given that, the United States might as well do the attacking. This would increase the probability of success dramatically, and paradoxically would dampen the regional reaction compared to a unilateral Israeli strike.

When we speak to people in Tehran, Washington and Moscow, we get the sense that they are unaware that the current situation might spin out of control. In Moscow, the scenario is dismissed because the general view is that Obama is weak and inexperienced and is frightened of military confrontation; the assumption is that he will find a way to bring the Israelis under control.

It isn’t clear that Obama can do that, however. The Israelis don’t trust him, and Iran is a core issue for them. The more Obama presses them on settlements the more they are convinced that Washington no longer cares about Israeli interests. And that means they are on their own, but free to act.

It should also be remembered that Obama reads intelligence reports from Moscow, Tehran and Berlin. He knows the consensus about him among foreign leaders, who don’t hold him in high regard. That consensus causes foreign leaders to take risks; it also causes Obama to have an interest in demonstrating that they have misread him.

We are reminded of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis only in this sense: We get the sense that everyone is misreading everyone else. In the run-up to the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Americans didn’t believe the Soviets would take the risks they did and the Soviets didn’t believe the Americans would react as they did. In this case, the Iranians believe the United States will play its old game and control the Israelis. Washington doesn’t really understand that Netanyahu may see this as the decisive moment. And the Russians believe Netanyahu will be controlled by an Obama afraid of an even broader conflict than he already has on his hands. The current situation is not as dangerous as the Cuban Missile Crisis was, but it has this in common: Everyone thinks we are on a known roadmap, when in reality, one of the players — Israel — has the ability and interest to redraw the roadmap. Netanyahu has been signaling in many ways that he intends to do just this. Everyone seems to believe he won’t. We aren’t so sure.

Purpose Driven Daily Devotional

God's Goodness Will Pursue You by Rick Warren

"Surely your goodness . . . will pursue me all the days of my life" (Psalm 23:6 NLT). Even in the middle of your hurts, habits, and hang-ups, God is watching over you."Surely your goodness . . . will pursue me": King David is not saying, 'Surely only good things are going to happen to me!' He knew as well as anyone that bad things happen to good people. David's point is only that God's goodness will follow after or pursue him. No matter how bad, evil, or difficult something seems, God will work it out for good.It's one of God's great promises that he's given to believers: We know all that happens to us is working for our good - if we love God and are fitting into his plans (Romans 8:28). If you're a believer, the Bible says all things are working together for good - not that all things are good - but working together for good. There is no difficulty, dilemma, defeat, or disaster in the life of a believer that God can’t ultimately turn toward his purpose.

Purpose Driven Daily Devotional

Repentance: Allowing God to Change Your Mind by Rick Warren

"Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think" (Romans 12:2 NLT). Imagine riding in a speedboat on a lake with an automatic pilot set to go east. If you decide to reverse and head west, you have two possible ways to change the boat's direction. One way is to grab the steering wheel and physically force it to head in the opposite direction from where the autopilot is programmed to go. By sheer willpower you could overcome the autopilot, but you would feel constant resistance. Your arms would eventually tire of the stress, you’d let go of the steering wheel, and the boat would instantly head back east, the way it was internally programmed. This is what happens when you try to change you life with willpower: You say, "I'll force myself to eat less . . . exercise more . . . quit being disorganized and late." Yes, willpower can produce short-term change, but it creates constant internal stress because you haven't dealt with the root cause. The change doesn't feel natural, so eventually you give up and quickly revert to your old patterns.There is a better and easier way: Change your autopilot—the way you think. The Bible says, "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think" (Romans 12:2 NLT).The New Testament calls this mental shift repentance, which in Greek literally means "to change your mind." You repent whenever you change the way you think by adopting how God thinks—about yourself, sin, God, other people, life, your future, and everything else. You take on Christ's outlook and perspective.

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