Before the new year begins, let me tell you the amazing story of my friend, Alvin Barcelona.

Once upon a time, Alvin was an incredibly busy man.

He with his mom Aida, running a flourishing school, the Cardinal Academy.  Alvin was also in politics.  He was also in theatre studying under Laurice Guillien.  He was also a rock singer with Freddie Aguilar.  Plus, he and his wife Tes had a four-month-old baby boy they named Aio. 

Then it happened. 

First, he felt sharp stomach pains.  And he began to bleed.

He went through medical tests.

And his worst fears were confirmed: The tests showed there were tumors in his intestines.

 “I’m so sorry, Alvin,” the doctor told him, “you may not see the first birthday of your baby.”

Alvin couldn’t speak.  He could only stare at the doctor.

How does one live if he knew he only had six months to live?

His Life Totally Changed

Alvin told me, “I was only 30 years old.  At that moment, I understood the Pilipino phrase, pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa,” Alvin recalled. “Because I felt it.  I felt heaven and earth enveloped me and crushed me.”

Alvin thought of his family.  “My wife and I always thought we’d grow old together,” Alvin said.  His son–“He was just a baby.  I thought I’d play with him, teach him how to ride a bicycle, fly a kite, play the guitar…”

Alvin prayed like never before.

He found himself visiting a Divine Mercy church.  And there he knelt and gazed at the image of Jesus clad in a long robe, His right hand raised up to His shoulders ready to bless anyone who would come to Him.

From being a very busy man doing so many things, Alvin simplified his life.  He found himself in church everyday.  Many times, he opened the gates in the morning and closed them late at night.  He begged God to give him a second chance at life.

But then, on his journey towards death, something happened.

“I’m Ready To Die…”

“One day,” Alvin said, his eyes lighting up in wonder, “I simply felt the presence of God and I just knew I was ready–I was ready to meet up with him, to join him in heaven.”  He was ready to die.  He surrendered his life to God.

After that day, he told the doctor, “I’m ready for surgery.”

But before he opened him up, they did one more test.   When Alvin woke up, his doctor told him the strangest thing. 

“Alvin, I couldn’t find any tumor in your colon.”

A few weeks ago, through a Barium Enema X-Ray, they found three tumors and spreading.  But now, they had completely vanished without a trace!

But instead of tumors, Alvin found something else: A steadfast faith in God.

Today, Alvin’s 4-month-old baby is now 18 years old.  And Alvin has done what he thought he wouldn’t be able to do–teach him how to bike, fly a kite, and play the guitar.   Because today, his son Aio leads worship and preaches with Alvin at the Feast in Bulacan and the Feast in PICC.

            My message: During those months when he thought he was dying, Alvin’s changed his life.

            Friend, you don’t need cancer to change your life.

            You can do it right now by the power of your imagination.

Let The New Year Change You

Imagine that when you woke up this morning, the phone rings.

You’re still in your pajamas, drinking your coffee.

You stand up and pick up the phone. 

You hear your Doctor’s voice.  In a very somber tone, he says, “I have to say this to you because I’m your friend and I’m your doctor.  I’m now holding in my hand the results your medical tests.  I’m very sorry, but you’re going to die in 12 months.”

The shock is overwhelming.

The room around you starts to spin.

You sit down.

            You mumble back his words…. “Twelve months…”

            He says, “Yes, based on your medical results, you’ll die in December 2014…”

A big question reverberates in your mind… “If I had only 12 months to live, how will I live?”

            That’s the question I want you to answer today.

Believe me, you’ll live a different life in 2014.

Make this your big experiment.

            In fact, don’t just decide.

Make it an agreement between you and God… (Print this out and sign this prayer.  Or get a piece of paper and copy this prayer.)

Prayer:

Lord, I will live the next 12 months

like they were my last 12 months of my life.

 

Starting Date: _________ 

 

Ending Date: __________

 

 

____________________

Signature

 

Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

–Psalms 90:12

What 12 Things Should I Do

 In The Next 12 Months–If They Were My Last?

Get a pen.  Answer this question: What 10 things should I do in the next 30 days–if they were my last?  Write whatever comes to your mind.  You’ll be surprised at the stuff that’ll come out.  What will come out are the most important things in your heart.

 

1.    _________________________________________________

2.    _________________________________________________

3.    _________________________________________________

4.    _________________________________________________

5.    _________________________________________________

6.    _________________________________________________

7.    _________________________________________________

8.    _________________________________________________

9.    _________________________________________________

10.                  _________________________________________________

11.                  _________________________________________________

12.                  _________________________________________________

 

By the way, FORWARD THIS EMAIL to your friends.

Invite them to join you in living the last year of your life in a spectacular way.

 

            May your dreams come true,

 

 

            Bo Sanchez

PS. Happy New Year!  Thank you so much for being part of my life the past 2013.  You made my life complete.   I pray for more love and abundance for you!

PS2. Last 2 Days To Get Into The WEALTH SUMMIT 2014 at Early Bird Prices. After December 31, ticket prices jump up.  Grab the deeply discounted tickets by clicking the link below:

Bo, Tell Me More About The Wealth Summit 2014