Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Legend has it that everyone carries a sack full of rocks. The rocks are our past mistakes, our present fears, and our future hopes for ourselves. The rocks accumulate through the years and soon, we're struggling to carry our sack of rocks. Legend has it that God asks for that sack of rocks everyday, and that those who relinquish their sacks walk upright, proud and more spiritually at peace than others.

Jeff Abad encourages us to overcome every wall, face every challenge, and yes, discard every sack of rocks in our walk with Jesus Christ.


Jan. 4, 2002
6:12 a.m.

I don't know why I wrote this letter, but I believe that God has a purpose. I haven't slept yet, and it's already 6 in the morning. I just felt God wanted me to stay up and write this. Please pass this letter to whoever. Thanx! :-)

Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. (Matthew 16:23-25, NIV)



Living in this world is very challenging, right guys?

Many things in this world can make us easy to fall and our self-confidence is so fragile because we know how weak we are. I know that, because I've been through tough temptations daily and seek materialism above all else in this world.

We all know that, its never been easy to be a Christian, as Jesus said, "If you want to become my disciple, pick up your cross and follow me." Jesus also said to "Be brave because I have defeated the world."

By means of this, guys, we can conquer whatever challenges we face because God never fails and God is within us so we shouldn't fail either. Yes, we fail physically and academically but our spirit never fails because we are guided and controlled by the Spirit of God, the same Spirit that purified and healed people 2002 years ago and maybe even before that. That Spirit is the same Spirit that baptized Jesus Christ, our Savior.

See guys, God's love is really good and awesome. He wants us to be good sons and daughters of His with hearts of humility and kindness, and most of all, hearts of winners. Guys, I'm writing this down because lately, I was inspired by so many of God's choosen people on how they wanna strive to make a difference in this world and to proclaim the WORD OF LIFE in everyone's heart.

I wanna be one of those people. I'm sure you guys are one of those people, too. We are God's choosen people, right, and we want to worship Him and give Him thanks and the glory He deserves -- not because we need to, but because we want to.

So let's go out there with full humility and kindness with a heart of a winner to show to the world that we can make a difference and that we can proclaim God's word and see the creation that God has made for us.

Also, let us continue to run towards the goal that God has already prepared and won for us. As we all remember, Tito Lito Urgino once said, "Christians never look back but continue to move on to what's ahead for them." He also mentioned that, "We are God's special forces, the MARINES!" Yes, true, we are, and I believe and agree with Tito Lito about being a special forces of God because we are not just ordinary people, but extraordinary in the eyes of God. That's why we are called elite people because we have Jesus in our lives. Marines never give up -- so we must not because we are God's soldiers.

So guys, I encourage all of you to take part with me and the rest of God's choosen people to stand and say YES! as we continue to be good sons and daughters of God and to fulfill that one goal, a goal to have a better relationship with HIM daily. I honor all of you for having that firmness and accepting Jesus in your lives and the service you have in YFC. You guys are the best and I'm sure that God's greatest reward to all of you -- and even me, hehe -- is a place called Heaven where HE lives and where we can meet HIM face to face. Isn't that great?

But for us to get there, we have to knock down walls and overcome challenges and face the trials we encounter daily. If we fail and fall lightly -- or hard -- get up and strive to move on. Don't make hindrances a problem in moving forward and recieving God's blessing, but use it instead as a strength. Trade our sorrows and pains to our Lord, trade our own selves by letting go because GOD IS IN CONTROL. Let us be firm in our faith and always call out our Lord's name, JESUS CHRIST.

Well guys, we have work to do, and let's do it as one family and as children of GOD! AMEN brothers and sisters? We have EXERT coming up Jan. 11-13, I encourage all of you guys to please come join us by empowering ourselves and experiencing God's love once again. As we start this new year, 2002, let's us be thankful and continue to open our eyes to see God's grace and His blessings for us. I pray -- and please pray with me -- that CFC-YFC Illinois, both community and campus, will continue to grow. That the leaders and members we have continue to seek the name of God in school, work, home, and bring God's name to wherever they may be. May the Holy Spirit leads us to the path that God wants us to be.

God bless us all and may we all have a wonderful New Year.

Bro 'n Christ,
Jeff naman

Further reading: New American Bible Bible Gateway The Vatican Campus Journal, online devotional