KuyaKevin.com

In this week's episode:

"How do I court a girl?"
"Tanan (or running away with your BF or GF)"
"My brother has been hanging out with the gay crowd and he's acting like them. What should I do?"

Just visit the podcast page http://kuyakevin.libsyn.com or look up "Basta LoveLife" on iTunes to download (free).

Just when you thought it was safe to feel sorry for yourself . . .


Nick Vujicic's website is http://lifewithoutlimbs.org/

Here's what I have booked for August:

Friday, August 7th: Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP). I'll be doing a morning and afternoon seminar.

Sunday, August 9th: Christ Commission Fellowship, Cavite.  Youth Service: 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, August 15th: Bukas Loob sa Diyos (BLD) Covenant Community, AFP-PNP District.  This event will be held in the Multi Purpose Hall of Camp Crame, Quezon City, 10:30 a.m.

The Dreaded Hotel Room

As many of you know, I’ve been collecting and reading stories for my second book. There’s a foolish move I've seen mentioned several times: checking into a hotel room with the boyfriend/girlfriend. It always goes something like this:

“We checked into a hotel room. We weren’t planning for anything to happen, but . . . ”

Wait a minute. Let’s think about this. You checked into a room and got horizontal with someone you were wildly attracted to . . . and you didn’t think anything bad would happen? Am I missing something?

What Part of “Run” Don’t You Understand?

How does God instruct us to deal with sexual temptation? It’s pretty clear:

Run from sexual sin!
-1st Corinthians 6:18

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts.
2nd Timothy 2:22

There you have it: Run! Get away! Flee!

I often compare sexual temptation to hand grenades. Once the pin is pulled, you have two choices: 1. Get far away. 2. Get destroyed. No one would take a couple of steps away and assume he’s safe.

If we want to win the battle for sexual purity, we have to do it God’s way. This means avoiding tempting situations—not walking straight into them.

As you can see, I've changed my template again.  I like the colors a little better, and I also like the way pictures work within posts.  I've had to make a few minor adjustments in the html code, but otherwise it seems pretty good. 

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. -1st Corinthians :1:27

Last week was just . . . well . . . awesome!  I'm amazed when I think about what God did in Iloilo City.  The Lord really took me out of my comfort zone, putting me in front of very large groups (some over 1,000).

I heard a lot of encouraging feedback after I preached.  This never ceases to amaze me--that God could use an introvert like me to preach His message.

"God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him."
-Hudson Taylor, Missionary to China

See Also:

Confessions of a Frightened Public Speaker 

Jesus and the Turo-Turo Meal

David and Goliath: When the Armor Doesn't Fit

I had a great time this morning at the GCF Connect ministry event.  Thanks for the invitation, guys!

Christ Emphasis Week@Central Philippine University (Iloilo City)

Tuesday, July 21^st

Today was a little more relaxed.  I spent some time working on tomorrow’s message and stopped by the pastor’s conference (held here on campus) to introduce myself to the attendees.  I was invited to speak at the evening devotional time for one of the women’s dormitories.  I talked to them about the two commandments.

Wednesday, July 22^nd

This afternoon I preached for one of the college services.  My text was Luke 16:19-31, the rich man and Lazarus.  It was a great service and we saw students respond to the gospel.

Thursday, July 23^rd
This morning I preached on John 4:1-26 for one of the college services.  I often use this text to preach about missions, but this was my first time to use it evangelistically.  The message was well received and we had students respond to the invitation to follow Jesus.

The CPU Chaplains invited all of us to dinner in the evening.  They gave us gifts of appreciation before we left.  Pictured below is the team that Agape Philippine American Ministries invited to this event.  I kept joking that it was nice to be the youngest guy on the team for a change.  

This morning I had the opportunity to preach to the high school students here at CPU.  Here's a shot taken during the worship time.  Can you find me among the 1000+ students?

I was on TV this evening--CPU does a few television shows that broadcast here in Iloilo.  I had the chance to be interviewed alongside Mark Moses, a missionary who lives in the area.  Mark speaks the local dialect, so it was a multilingual show.  He spoke in the local dialect and I spoke using Tagalog and English.

Speaking of Mark, he has quite a story.  He lost his wife (Jan) to cancer and is himself a cancer survivor.  Their story has been published in a book: An Uncommon Faith, the story of Missionary Jan Moses and her Journey with Cancer.

Here's a quick up date from Iloilo:

Saturday, July 18th:

The staff from Central Philippine University picked us up at the airport and took us to the guest units.  Accommodations are fantastic--it almost seems like they read my mind when they prepared my room . . .

. . . or maybe not.

All joking aside, the guest units here are very comfortable.

Sunday July 19th

One of the monuments on campus.  CPU has a rich history--it began in 1905.  I keep picking up historical tidbits from the staff.


University Church, located on the campus.  I preached at their vesper service tonight--had a great time.

Reminder:  if you are interested in registering for the July 25th Relationship Seminar at GCF, please email gcf_connect@yahoo.com on or before July 22nd.

All are welcome--especially singles and college students.

I'll be in Iloilo City from July 18th until July 24th.  I'll be with a group doing ministry for Christian Emphasis Week at the Central University of the Philippines.

I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have while I'm there, so you may not get many updates this week.

Please remember us in your prayers.

OK guys, let me give you another update on the next book.  My publisher (Church Strengthing Ministry) is interested in this project.  But I still don't have enough stories to make a full book.  I'm going to re-visit some of the contributions that I have not yet included in the manuscript.  But I definitely need more stories. 

You can help others learn from your mistake.  Remember--all contributions will be anonymous.  You can read some of the other Learning the Hard Way stories on this blog to get an idea of what will be in the book. 

I'm guessing I need at least 10 more stories (maybe more) to make the manuscript complete.

I'll try to give some specific suggestions soon.  

In this episode:

Regret that comes from sexual sin.

"I came from a broken home. Is that the reason why I'm always looking for love from men?"
(note: you may want to check out my post entitled: Broken Homes, Broken Hearts). 

"My boyfriend always says he's busy and doesn't have time for me, but he has time for his friends. Should I break up with him?"

Just go to the podcast page http://kuyakevin.libsyn.com to download.  You can also go to iTunes and look up Basta LoveLife. 

I often warn my students about the emotional consequences of premarital sex: heartbreak, shame, guilt, loss of self-respect, and the list goes on.

I’m beginning to think regret is more severe than all of the above.

“I wish I had waited.”

I have lost count of how many times I’ve heard this. Sometimes it comes from a student who realizes she’s given everything to an all too temporary relationship. But I’ve even heard it from Christian couples that end up happily married after falling into sexual sin. The toxic thoughts of regret can linger for years.

The Bible warns of this in the Book of Hebrews:

See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears. 
–Hebrews 12:16-17

What if asked you to trade your inheritance for a two-piece chicken meal? This is essentially what Esau did. This verse refers back to the story of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25 and 27). For those not so familiar with it, I’ll give you a summarized version:

Jacob and Esau were twin brothers. Esau was the firstborn, so the birthright (the better share of the inheritance) was supposed to be his. But Jacob plotted to steal this birthright from his brother. One day Esau came home, famished from a day of hunting. Jacob offered a bowl of stew if only Esau would give him his birthright.

Esau agreed. He rationalized this by saying his birthright was no good if he died of starvation—can anyone say maarte (overly dramatic)?

Esau paid dearly for his shortsighted oath. Jacob stole Esau’s birthright. It was given to Jacob, and this act could not be undone. Jacob, not Esau, became Israel—father of the twelve tribes.

The writer of Hebrews saw this story as an ideal analogy for sexual immorality. Virginity is a one-time gift that cannot be restored once given. Sexual intimacy creates a one-flesh bond that can never be obliterated.

It is foolish to trade the long-term benefits of purity for a few moments of pleasure.

Choose purity, not regrets.

Nope, this is not a praise and worship song. It's a song from techno artist Fatboy Slim. Some dance club decided to put on a surprise performance to this song in front of a movie theater.

The last couple of days have been busy.  Yesterday (July 10th) we did a TLW seminar for about four hundred students at City College of Manila.


Today (July 11th) is my 7 year anniversary here in the Philippines!  I celebrated by doing two TLW seminars at Emilio Aguinaldo College (morning and afternoon; 650+ students total).   EAC is one of the first schools here in Manila that invited me to do TLW, so I was thankful for the opportunity to be back. 

If any of you are interested in buying my book, just text me and I'll arrange to meet you and sell them to you.


Thanks to both schools for inviting me and thank you, students, for taking the time to listen--I'm proud to be your kuya.

Thank you, Lord, for 7 wonderful years of ministry here in the Philippines!

See Also:
Confessions of a Frightened Public Speaker

PS:  For those who have seen me the past few days, you've probably noticed a few sores/blisters on my face.  Just wanted to explain this.  I went to my dermatologist Wednesday and she froze a few spots with liquid nitrogen.  This is a common treatment which helps to prevent skin cancer.

This week's episode:
"Is it normal to fight with my boyfriend/girlfriend?"
"Love triangle--what if my best friend and I like the same person?"
"No Easy Way Out" (based on the No Easy Way Out post).


Just go to the podcast page http://kuyakevin.libsyn.com to download.  You can also go to iTunes and look up Basta LoveLife.

  . . . but those who hope in the LORD
          will renew their strength.
          They will soar on wings like eagles;
          they will run and not grow weary,
          they will walk and not be faint.
         -Isaiah 40:31

A few days ago I was chatting with a friend who needed some encouragement.  She is temporarily staying overseas for some training—far away from her family and her spiritual family (her church).

Many of her work mates and roommates have no commitment to Christ.  Their lifestyles, values, and priorities are very different from hers.  She cannot always join them in their “night life” because she knows some of these activities would not honor Christ.

She’s standing firm, but it’s been a lonely road.  She confessed feeling alone and isolated.
Here’s what I told her:

Eagles soar high above other birds. Therefore, eagles must be willing to fly alone.

Chickens, on the other hand, are content to scratch along the ground with other chickens.

Which would you rather be?

I had a nice weekend in Baguio.  I went up to celebrate the first birthday (and dedication) of Erwin's daughter since I'm a ninong.*  I also spoke to the youth group at GCF Baguio Sunday afternoon.

I love this city!  The weather is cool due to the high elevation--you realize you're in the mountains when you see clouds descending around you (as pictured above).  It's a generally relaxing city to visit--just doesn't seem as fast-paced and busy as Manila. 

*Ninong is best translated "godfather" in this context.

In this week's episode:
"Is it wrong that I stil think about my ex?"
Complications with a "best friend" of the opposite sex.
Two-timing

Just go to the podcast page http://kuyakevin.libsyn.com to download.  You can also go to iTunes and look up Basta LoveLife.


Note: This show did not air Thursday night as it normally would.  The station is installing a new antennae and could not broadcast.  Maybe it will broadcast on a different night--we'll try to keep you posted.

Here are some of my upcoming speaking engagements for July.  Please pray for me and those I'll be sharing with:

July 5th (Sunday):  Greenhills Christian Fellowship, Baguio--youth service (2:00 pm).

July 9th (Thursday):  Resonate Worship (6:00 pm).

July 10th (Friday): True Love Waits, City College of Manila (3:00 pm).

UPDATE--July 11th (Saturday) True Love Waits, Emilio Aquinaldo College 

July 19th-July 24th:  Nelson Ayala (Agape Philippine-American Ministries) has invited me to be one of the speakers for Christian Emphasis Week at Central Philippines University, Iloilo City (this will be my first time to visit Iloilo City). We'll be sharing with thousands of students. 

July 25th (Saturday): Seminar for Greenhills Christian Fellowship Call Center Ministry (young professionals and students also welcome).

Looks like this will be another caffeinated month for me!

Thanks to everyone who tuned in to the 700 Club Asia.  I'll be on the show again in August.