Are you a PLAYER?

Whether you used to be a player...

or you're a professional player...

or you want to learn how to be a player...

or you just want to watch the players...




YOU ARE INVITED TO COME and JOIN US!

CONNECT'S SERIES BREAK - BADMINTON FELLOWSHIP.

Monday, March 31 at 7am GCF Multipurpose Hall (6th flr). Contact Raya Sabio at 0916-635-8627 for more details.

If you have your own racket then bring it, if you don't have one, don't worry we'll provide for you! Invite your friends and let's all have fun!

God speed.

Spiritual Guidance in the Workplace

A privilege to have once again Pastor Arnold Perona speak to us about "Spiritual Guidance in the Workplace" as we close this month for our series study mentioned.

There were a total of 14 people present with a first time guest Christy, invited by Janet joining the fellowship.

The summary of the message is as follows:

OWNERSHIP and PURPOSE
-Our actions in the workplace depends on how we think "who we are".
-We need to be able to learn from one another.
-Like fish in the ocean let us not be affected of the environment we are in; the ocean is salty but when you cook a fish the taste of of the ocean doesn't affect it, you have to actually add salt into it.
-You have to know who owns you.

The PROBLEM - we have inadequate knowledge and clarity on Biblical principles.

The CRISIS - some has poor understanding who God really is. and we tend to think that it is all about our SELF, no GOD in between.
-We feel we are "Owners".
-We freely accept erroneous teachings; not Biblical.


The SOLUTION-keep in mind that you have been created/raised up wisely and as godly men and women.
-You work because you help the company earn profit.
-God's way of conducting business is different.
- Isaiah 40:8 says "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." meaning we do not put the "culture" (our culture) on top of the Word of God but rather we put the Word of God on top of the culture.

The OBJECTIVE
1. Integrate principles from the scriptures with your daily life, do not neglect your daily devotion and quiet time.

2. Doing business God's way is not a shortcut to more profits and fewer difficulties, from time to time it may cost money. But honest profit earn in an essential way because it glorifies God.
"I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." - Isaiah 48:17

3. To develop leadership and to grow in christ so that you will be more like Him as a business leader. Even if you think you are not a leader do not forget that "We are leaders in our own ways..."

OWNERSHIP
"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" -Psalm 24:1
-After creating all things He did not transfer the ownership.
-Recognizing God's ownership is the foundation to making Jesus Christ the Lord of our business. He is the owner of EVERY business, large or small, public or private.

CONTROL
"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all." - 1 Chronicles 29:11
-We get disappointed because we think we are in control while it is clearly stated we are not.
-Instead of expecting, hope and pray to lessen disappointment.
"The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths." - Psalm 135:6
-God allows difficult circumstances to develop our character, He allows difficult circumstances to discipline His children. His plan is "not to harm you but to give you hope."

RESPONSIBILITY
"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." - 1 Corinthians 4:2
-A steward is a manager of someone Else's possessions.
-We cannot choose how we die but we can choose how to live.
-A faithful steward is what God is looking for.
-We are in the position to influence others for Christ specially those who would rarely consider attending a church.

PURPOSE
1. Is to glorify God.
-You are placed there to take care of your customer; customer satisfaction first then profit comes next, a win-win relationship.
-Look at the Cross before looking at the crown; His suffering before the glory, His sacrifices before the prize.

2. To make profit
-Monetary or a side kick reward.
-The most important profit is you store up treasures in heaven.

3. To support the work of Christ.
-Consider your work a ministry; work and take on eternal significance.

4. to spiritually impact our sphere of influence.

CONCLUSION- keep it in your mind and in your heart and live it up!
"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all." - 1 Chronicles 29:11-12

Our group picture with P. Arnold

Next month study series will be about - LOVE, SEX AND LASTING RELATIONSHIP by CHIP INGRAM with P. Arnold Perona facilitating our study for two months. Hope to see you all there!

To God be the glory!

Our Special Day - Call Center Agents' Day!

To God be the glory for a wonderful and successful event -- CALL CENTER AGENTS' DAY yesterday!

We had the privilege hearing an encouraging message from Rev. Lito Villoria. There were 31 Call Center People who joined in for the fellowship of which 5 were first time guest:

Valerie from Genpact
Jones invited by Joy
Jane from Convergys
Morris from JP Morgan Chase Bank
Emil from ICT Group


Here are some of the highlights of the said event:


Few of the Girls present



P. Mau and P. Art




Our Emcees- Rajsh and JV



The Game: Who am I? here we have a Hero.



Here we have a Celebrity



Mira as TOM HANKS and Mommy Bibeth as MAHAL



Some of the Ice Breaker Game Winners- Venus, Janet, Jones



agents singing praise to HIM



The message on "Finding fulfillment in the WORKPLACE"



Collossians 3:23-24



Early bird for the Day- Valerie



Some of the Group picture










Until the next Call Center Agents' Day on JUNE 16, 2008!

A testimony...

Our sister- Mich Lopez shared a very beautiful testimony yesteday during our Call Center Agents' Day...

I've worked as a Call Center Agent almost right after I graduated from College. At first I thought of this job just to help me improve my communication skills. It never occurred into my mind that I'd stay in this job for almost three years now.

Yes, I'm a Christian and as a kid I grew up in Sunday school classes, but with the kind of environment we have in this industry I've been exposed to different kinds of temptation which unfortunately, I'd given in, I developed different vices, got into a wrong relationship and had a poor working habit.

But God didn't let me drown into that pit. Instead he helped me and restored me through the ministry of Gcf-Connect. I didn't have friends in the office who would understand my needs especially in my spiritual growth. I may have friends not those I can relate with when it comes to the topic about "God" because I'm not that confident to share my faith with the kind of life w was living back then.

With Gcf-Connect, I have friends who can pray for me and check on how I am doing with brotherly and sisterly care.

It didn't surprise me that in an instant when I prayed to God that I want to be free from all the vices He took them away because I know without Him I still may be slave of those things which are not pleasing. Only God can do those miraculous things for me. I cannot do it on my own.

The hardest part for me at that time is letting go of the wrong relationship that I've had. I wrestled with Him and even prayed for the wrong reasons just to justify everything. It was one of those topic which I've read on our blogspot about "Decision Making". I decided to break up with the guy and true enough , peace took place in my heart-

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."-Philippians 4:6

And God showed me that it is not just about "affection" but true love is "God's unconditional love". HE is sufficient in those times suffiencient in those times that I felt I'm alone and up to now it makes me enjot serving Him.

It is one of those topics also in Connect that I've learned not to just go to the office an do the usual things. It made me realize that I should give my best in Everything that I do and work as if I'm doing it for God. It made me reap all the good things as a result of hardwork, I was also impatient but God revealed to me that what i need to do is trust Him and He's in control of everything even in the most difficult situation.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"-Colossians 3:23

Even though I have problems, God is enough. I was able to forgive those who hurt me. God gave me security and He supplies all my needs.

It is my prayer that we could bring more people to Connect for them to learn more about God and experience His goodness.

To God be all the glory!

Finding Fulfillment in the WORKPLACE

To God be all the glory, honor and praise for a successful Call Center Agents' Day. A wonderful message given by our guest speaker-- Rev. Lito Villoria on "Finding Fulfillment in the Workplace".

The summary of the message is as follow:


G- give your best
I- instill discipline
V- value your work
E- excel in everything

Y- yield to authority
O- offer one's apologies
U- understand your responsibility
R- rest regularly

B- balance your time
E- esteem others
S- spend wisely
T- Thank God always

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. -Colossians 3:23-24

Making a Difference in my Workplace

We are so glad and privileged to have Ms. Tess Angeles, GCF General Secretary who spoke to us yesterday about-- "Making a Difference in my Workplace". There were 13 people present in our fellowship who were encouraged in giving our best to the One.

The summary of the message is as follows:

Christianity is a day-by-day, moment by moment walk with the Lord. But How do Christians fit in this world? How should a Christian view his/her work? How should he/she behave there? Should he/she enjoy his/her profession or merely endure it? Should the sincere follower of Christ leave the workplace and enter "full-time Christian work" as a sign of maturity and deep-level commitment? Is a believer justified in allowing his job to interfere with his spiritual growth? Is it ethical for the Christian to view hi/her workplace simply as one more area to evangelize?

Understanding WORK- Genesis 1 paints the first picture of work, God was at work! He created, made, set, increased the numbers, etc. And His work brought Him joy. In Genesis 2, Adam accepted the job without question (this was before he sinned). Genesis 3 was the "curse of the ground..." Work was twisted but it is still God's design.


The Role of Workplace in the Kingdom Agenda

1. YEAST influences the whole- Matthew 13:33
God can start with your own life to influence others. How can you make a difference being a yeast in your workplace? Are you afraid or ashamed of telling the gospel?

2. LIGHT and Good deeds bring glory to God- Matthew 5:14-16
The work of Christ should be displayed in your life. how can you make a difference being a light in your workplace? What examples of "good works" that will make people glorify God when they see you? Things that you do are part of the light that radiates to other people.

3. MUSTARD seed- Matthew 13:31-32
Can you think of a time or a way that something small grew to become very influential part of the Christian work? When and how did it happen?

4. GROWING seed- Mark 4:26-29
Can you think of a time or a way that you have done something in your work by your own? Don't work alone-- work with HIM!

How Do We Make a Difference in our Workplace?

1. WHAT WE DO- make a difference!
a. Proper attitude toward AUTHORITY- Colossians 3:22-25 and 1 Peter 2:18
b. Willingness to show INITIATIVE- Proverbs 6:6-8
c. Commitment to EXCELLENCE- Colossians 3:23-24
d. Good and old-fashioned HONESTY- Ephesians 4:28

2. WHO WE ARE- a loving Christ-like character; kind, gentle, cheerful, with dignity.

3. WHAT WE SAY- the Word of God must be articulated to evoke others to believe. Always be prepared to have an answer when people ask you of the HOPE you have in your life. Share it gently and with clarity.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Next week will be our special day, we will gather for our quarterly event-- CALL CENTER AGENTS' DAY! Invite your friends and colleauges to come. We will have Rev. Lito Villoria as our speaker continuing our series in "FINDING FULFILLMENT IN THE WORKPLACE".