Published on INCENSE Vol. I, Issue 2, September 2007
By Yasmin Felix-Alcordo
Michael Jordan’s high school coach told him he was not good enough to play basketball. He was very hurt when he failed to be in the team during his sophomore year. The image of the team roster on the locker room door without his name spurred him. So, he practiced for hours determined to make it. Today, the 6-foot 6-inch former Chicago Bulls star is considered he greatest player in basketball history.
Oprah Winfrey’s childhood was anything but privileged or happy. She was female, black, and born to very poor, unwed teenaged parents. She was raped by a cousin at age 9, and later molested by a friend of her mother’s and an uncle,. And gave birth to a stillborn baby at the age of 14. Fortunately, she went to live with her father who instilled discipline and encourage her to be her best. She became a reporter for a radio station at the age of 19-her first job-and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, Oprah is a global icon, one of the most powerful women in the world.
Job was very rich, happy and blessed with healthy sons and daughters. He was a master of many servants, owner of vast plantations and herds. Until the hand of the devourer touched everything that he had. His children and servants were killed, his plantation were burned, animals were stolen, his body was afflicted with boils from head to his soles. His friends and worst his wife deserted him. Yet, despite of the tribulations Job remained as faithful as he was, praying but never questioning the will of the Lord as he said “ the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised”. [Job 3:21b]. In the course of his trials Job’s faith was unfazed. Therefore God rewarded him by giving back more than what he had before. Again Job became richer, had sons and daughters and lived full of years.
The Apostle Paul was a man of influence, a member of the elite Sanhedrin. He had the power to destroy life and even approved the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1a). Until he met the Lord on his way to Damascus. Paul became blind and was healed by the people whom he planned to kill. The encounter totally changed his life from the persecutor to the persecuted. He left a life of affluence, experienced getting hungry, hunted, put to prison because of his zealousness for his newfound faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul’s drive for excellence never falter until the end of his life.
JIL– Sun Valley had a very humble beginning. The church started in a small prayer meeting in Villa Paraiso with 5 to 10 attendees, expanded to a cell group in the backyard of the Manalo family in Edison. Until eventually, a church made of nipa was built in Villa Paraiso. Today, JIL-Sun Valley church continues to strive to please God through changed lives, excellent worship and pure service worthy of the calling entrusted by God Almighty for the fulfillment of His plan in this place.
What do Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Job, Apostle Paul and JIL-Sun Valley have in common? They strive to excel still more! Each did not stop in the middle of the race, but continue to be the best so that excellence will be attained in perfect time.
By Yasmin Felix-Alcordo
Michael Jordan’s high school coach told him he was not good enough to play basketball. He was very hurt when he failed to be in the team during his sophomore year. The image of the team roster on the locker room door without his name spurred him. So, he practiced for hours determined to make it. Today, the 6-foot 6-inch former Chicago Bulls star is considered he greatest player in basketball history.
Oprah Winfrey’s childhood was anything but privileged or happy. She was female, black, and born to very poor, unwed teenaged parents. She was raped by a cousin at age 9, and later molested by a friend of her mother’s and an uncle,. And gave birth to a stillborn baby at the age of 14. Fortunately, she went to live with her father who instilled discipline and encourage her to be her best. She became a reporter for a radio station at the age of 19-her first job-and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, Oprah is a global icon, one of the most powerful women in the world.
Job was very rich, happy and blessed with healthy sons and daughters. He was a master of many servants, owner of vast plantations and herds. Until the hand of the devourer touched everything that he had. His children and servants were killed, his plantation were burned, animals were stolen, his body was afflicted with boils from head to his soles. His friends and worst his wife deserted him. Yet, despite of the tribulations Job remained as faithful as he was, praying but never questioning the will of the Lord as he said “ the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised”. [Job 3:21b]. In the course of his trials Job’s faith was unfazed. Therefore God rewarded him by giving back more than what he had before. Again Job became richer, had sons and daughters and lived full of years.
The Apostle Paul was a man of influence, a member of the elite Sanhedrin. He had the power to destroy life and even approved the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1a). Until he met the Lord on his way to Damascus. Paul became blind and was healed by the people whom he planned to kill. The encounter totally changed his life from the persecutor to the persecuted. He left a life of affluence, experienced getting hungry, hunted, put to prison because of his zealousness for his newfound faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul’s drive for excellence never falter until the end of his life.
JIL– Sun Valley had a very humble beginning. The church started in a small prayer meeting in Villa Paraiso with 5 to 10 attendees, expanded to a cell group in the backyard of the Manalo family in Edison. Until eventually, a church made of nipa was built in Villa Paraiso. Today, JIL-Sun Valley church continues to strive to please God through changed lives, excellent worship and pure service worthy of the calling entrusted by God Almighty for the fulfillment of His plan in this place.
What do Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Job, Apostle Paul and JIL-Sun Valley have in common? They strive to excel still more! Each did not stop in the middle of the race, but continue to be the best so that excellence will be attained in perfect time.
Let the Glory of God manifest in all of us as we tread a life worthy to be called His followers.
Happy Excellent 12th Years Thanksgiving Day!
Happy Excellent 12th Years Thanksgiving Day!
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