I’m not the athletic type.

          One reason: I’m an only son.

It so happened that my five sisters were–for some reason–all women.

          Dad? He wasn’t also athletic. Oh yes, when I was a kid, he used to ask me to jog with him. But his entire jogging route was inside his garage. He jogged around his parked car.

          But two weeks ago, I did something absolutely nuts.   I went to the mountains of Sagada and I went rock climbing.

          For those who haven’t tried it, let me give you a very technical definition of rock climbing: It’s when you climb a rock. I know my definition is a bit difficult to understand but bear with me. (I sometimes amaze myself with my brilliance.)

Seriously, my definition of rock climbing is being insane enough to suspend yourself 100 feet above the air with your fingernails hanging onto tiny cracks and indentions on the flat surface of a rock that ants can’t even crawl on–

And you wonder why you even paid to do this lunacy.

          But you know what?

          When I was up there, I felt no fear. None whatsoever. I wish I could be religious and all and say, “Because of Jesus.” But actually, I felt no fear because I had this thick rope tied around my torso. I knew that whatever happened, that rope would keep me safe.

Don’t Stay Where You Are

            Friend, God wants you to go higher. 

He wants you to keep on growing, to be wiser, to be more loving, to be better, and to be even more blessed.

Let me ask you: What’s your mountain? What do you need to conquer in your life? What dream does God want you to reach?

          If your life isn’t exciting, it may be because you’ve not been climbing mountains.

          Hear this: It will be your fears that will keep you from reaching the summit.

          But God is your rope. No matter what happens, He’ll hold you tight. Even if you slip or make mistakes in climbing the mountain, He’ll never let go. He’ll keep you safe in His hands.

But if you think I was excited rock climbing, it was nothing compared to my excitement watching my 9-year old son climb…

                                                                                     

Your Mountains Make You Grow

            Believe me, it was incredible just seeing Bene go up!

          When he was already some 50 feet up on a rocky ledge, all by himself, I heard my wife pray to all the saints in Heaven. Including those I never knew existed. She said, “Please pray for my son, St. Fulgentius, St. Hegesippus, St. Ischyrion, St. Paphnutius, St. Radegundes, St. Wenceslas…”

          What was so frustrating was that I couldn’t be up there beside my son. He had to climb all by himself. I couldn’t pull him, push him, hold him, or carry him.

          But even if I could have done all that, I wouldn’t have done it. Or I would have stolen from my son the opportunity to grow.

          So when he finally rappelled down to the ground wearing a million dollar smile on his face, I realized he didn’t only conquer the rocky cliff. He conquered his fears–which was the biggest mountain of all.

                                                        

          I now realize that God will not remove your mountains. You need them. Because He is using the mountain to make you grow. God will give you all the inspiration and wisdom and power to overcome your mountains, but he’ll let you do it “seemingly” alone. But He’ll cheer you. He’ll guide you. He’ll bless you. 

          In your climb, remember that your God is watching you. With pride.

          I got deeper insights when my son asked me for money two days ago…

God Has Piled Up Your Blessings

 On The Kitchen Counter

Bene was going to an internet marketing workshop. Before leaving, he asked, “Daddy, can you give me P20? There are only pay toilets there.”

When I turned to him to say “Sure”, I saw him already stuffing a P50 bill in his wallet. I left a pile of money on the kitchen counter–and he helped himself to it!

Man, I loved it.

I share you this little incident because of three key insights:

First, God has left all that you need on the kitchen counter.

The universe is God’s kitchen counter. He has loaded it to the brim with every blessing and miracle that you need in life to reach your dreams. If you only realize what’s available to you, you’d be totally overwhelmed. If you need love, it’s there. If you need wisdom, it’s there. If you need money, it’s there.  

Second, ask for more than what you need.

          Didn’t you notice? My son asked for P20 but got P50.

            I asked him why. He said, “My cousin Nicole is attending the workshop. She goes to the toilet too.” Isn’t he wise? If you’re wise, you should also ask for more blessings because you want to be generous. Life isn’t about you. Life is about loving others. So ask Big!

Third, be confident when you ask.

Even before my son heard my “sure”, he already got my money from the kitchen counter. My son already assumed that I would meet his needs because he was confident in my love for him. And I believe God would love it too when we’re confident in His love for us.

          Let me tell you about my little mountain two weeks ago…

When One Door Closes,

Another Door Opens

            I wanted to bring 36 people to Boracay.

The top leaders of the Light of Jesus were going to a 4-day Planning Session in Tagaytay. But I wanted to hole them up in an island instead–so no one can escape. So I spoke to Gil Ramiscal, our Finance Director, that I’d just add to the Tagaytay budget with my personal money –and bring the whole group to Boracay.

          In my mind, I calculated that I needed to raise P200T. I could have just taken it from my bank account, but I challenged God to give me fresh money for this need. So for two weeks, I looked at my various small businesses and income streams, checking for unexpected lumps of cash flowing my way.

          But after two weeks of waiting, there was none. All the income flowing was regular income–not what I asked for.

          But I’ve learned a long time ago that God isn’t limited to only one door. That in life, there are millions of doors to choose from.

To cut the story, last week, 36 leaders did go to Boracay and we had the most productive 4-days ever. It was absolutely phenomenal. 

But how did God answer my prayer?

          First, Gil Ramiscal was very generous with his Tagaytay budget.

          Second, one of the owners of the hotel we stayed in Boracay was a friend–and he gave us a huge discount.

          Third, instead of eating in restaurants for 4 days–which would easily cost us P100T++, I brought my brother-in-law Abel Victoria to cook for us. Abel served us the most delicious (and lavish) meals everyday, but by some magic, spent only P21T to feed 36 hungry people for 4 straight days. It was a miracle.

          So at the end of our trip, I only had to add–would you believe–P10T to the budget? All I had to do is sweep under my bed and gather my change.

          I repeat: Every blessing you need is already available to you. God has left it on the kitchen counter ready for the taking.

Finally, let me tell you how to conquer your fear.

Face Your Monsters

            Once upon a time, a family of frogs lived in a broken-down well.

          They lived in isolation, content with their tiny puddle of water. Sometimes, it got murky and crowded, but no frog dared to leave home. Why? Whenever someone would dare leave, everyone would warn him, “There are monsters outside!”

          And so for many generations, these frogs were stuck in their little world.

          Until one day, a little frog had a dream–to live outside the well. In his mind, he saw a big pond of water. Lots of open space. The vision excited him so much.

He would tell his friends about his dream, but they would tell him: “We had a great-great-great grand uncle who went out and never returned! He must have been gobbled up by the monsters!”

But the little frog didn’t see the monsters. 

He only saw his dream of a big pond.

Finally, he made up his mind. Without any warning, the little frog jumped as high as he could. He landed on top of the well. All his friends below shouted, “Come back! You’ll be eaten alive!” But the little frog hopped out.

And what he saw blew his mind. Almost right beside the well wasn’t a big pond. Instead, it was a giant lake–a million times bigger than their tiny puddle.

          Friends, face your monsters.

          Many of us are trapped in our little worlds because of fear.

          God has bigger blessings in store for you outside your walls.

          How did the frog jump out of the well?   Before he saw the lake with his eyes, he already saw the lake within him. He felt it in his heart.

          What you see with your heart, you will see with your eyes.

          Dearest friend, climb your mountains and live with great abundance.

          May your dreams come true,

          Bo Sanchez

PS. Receive Financial Abundance! Join my TrulyRich Club and I’ll teach you the simple, powerful steps of how to grow in your financial life. I’ll email you daily and ship you my teaching Audio CDs and DVDs. You’ll be blessed. Try it out for two months for FREE. Log on at www.TrulyRichClub.com now!

PS2. Grow in your spiritual life. Receive a mountain of spiritual nourishment by joining www.KerygmaFamily.com now!

PS3. Get my Free Ebook, “How To Know If Your Dreams Are God’s Dreams”. Sign up at www.BoSanchez.ph now.

PS4. Are you interested in homeschooling your child? We’ve been homeschooling for 4 years now and it’s one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. To learn if you can homeschool your child, log on at www.CatholicFilipinoAcademy.com now.