Pastor Ed Dacio's Ministry Blog: March 2006

WHERE I AM TODAY...

Today I’m here in Rancho Bernardo in San Diego County attending a re-certification conference for coaching other Pastors in planting new churches. It's sponsored by the Southwest Baptist Conference.

I’ll be back late Friday night followed by officiating a wedding on Saturday, and then of course Worship Service on Sunday. Because of my busy schedule I won’t be posting anything until next week. See you then!

THE DACIO'S

I'd like to introduce everyone to the Dacio Family.

Starting from the left side: Silana, my brother David, his wife Rochelle, my wife Cory, me, my son Myles, my Mom, my Dad, and then at the bottom starting from the left, Sarina, my son Paul, and Seth. Silana, Sarina, and Seth are the children of David and Rochelle. Not pictured are Thet (the wife of my brother Rodney who died almost 15 years ago), and their children JP and CJ.

My parents are now retired and enjoying life to its fullest in the Philippines. My wife Cory is a Computer Analyst at Professional Hospital Supply in Temecula. My brother and his wife are both Registered Nurses in San Diego and doing very well (more on the kids in future posts). This picture was taken November of last year in San Diego when my parents were visiting us.

One of the best blessings in life for me is being with my family. I love being around them not only because I feel a great sense of comfort and belonging, but when I'm with them there's a certain "relaxed" feel I experience that's difficult to explain. Maybe it's because whenever I'm with them I'm not Pastor Ed - but just "Edgar". My full name is Edgar Dacio, and I always know that it's a family member calling me when they call me by that name.

JUST A LITTLE FUN...

Here’s an optical illusion you may find interesting! It's just a jpg image and nothing is really moving, but when you stare at it - the beans start moving! Don't stare too long! OK, that’s enough…go read your bible now…

TALBOT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

The Bible says in Acts 19:9-11, “But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.”

In the context of this verse, there were Jews who were maliciously slandering Christianity. So the Apostle Paul leaves the Jews, gathers together the disciples, and for two years “equipped” the disciples to learn and correctly understand God’s Word as they met everyday together at the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

Much of my “equipping” for being able to correctly learn, understand and teach God’s Word came from my education and training in the “lecture halls” of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University.

It was here that God taught me "In Depth" His Word, and the things I needed to know in starting and pastoring a church through the experience and expertise of humble and godly professors. By His grace, and after five years, I finally received my Master of Divinity degree on December of 2001.

Many professors at Talbot were extremely encouraging and helpful to me because many were pastors and church planters themselves and could relate to exactly what I was going through as I was starting the church at the same time having a family, working as an RN, and going to seminary.

Pictured above is Dr. Gary DeWeese "in action" in one of the Lecture Halls of Talbot. Gary is one of my favorite professors who had helped and greatly encouraged me through my “seminary” years.

Is God calling you to go further in serving Him? Then I’d like to highly recommend that you enroll at Talbot. You won’t regret it.

Please click here for the Talbot website,
and here for the Biola University website.

“GROWING IN CHRIST” DISCIPLESHIP SERIES

Through the years I’ve found there are Christians who’ve been Christians for many years but are still not aware of the “Basic Foundational Truths of Christianity.” And because they haven't been taught these basic truths, this in-turn causes them to be lost or confused during Bible Studies, and also greatly limits their ability to tell others about Christ.

It is because of this that I’ve instituted in our Church a “Discipleship Series” that I hope every church member will go through. It’s composed of 13 lessons and is written and published by the Navigators.

After the first 5 chapters, I’ve already heard testimonies by church members of how they've been able to share the Gospel or answer questions with much more confidence because of their simple knowledge of 5 basic bible verses that they've learned through this study.

For more information on the Disipleship Series that we're using, please click here.

MANANG NOYCE AT 60!

This picture was taken during our family's New Year’s Eve party (Cory's side)at our house 3 months ago. This time it was our turn to host. Cory has a really fun and loving family who are just great to be with.

Yesterday after coming from Nikka’s birthday party, we celebrated Manang Noyce’s 60th birthday at Manang Nina’s house in Moreno Valley. Noyce is the eldest of Cory’s sisters and Cory is the youngest. In the above picture, she's the second from the left with the blue scarf. By the way – Manang Noyce makes the best “Mechado” that I’ve ever tasted!

Cory and Manang Noyce have an age difference of 17 years! Cory's parents are in the front middle of the picture. What's really great is Cory's Dad just turned 91 years old last month - Wow!!! In case you’re wondering - Cory and I are both 43.

Happy Birthday Manang Noyce!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKKA!

Yesterday we celebrated Nikka’s 6th birthday. Wow, I still remember when she was still just a baby! She’s the daughter of two very active leaders in our church – Manny and Ann Quintans. Bro. Manny is someone you’d want on your ministry team because he’s gifted as a leader, a man with great ideas, and an impressive “trouble-shooter.” Ann is our Assistant Children’s Ministry Director. Manny and Ann also have an 8 year old son named Patrick who happens to be my son Paul’s best friend.

Happy birthday Nikka!

THE INTERVIEW WITH GOD

Here’s something that I highly recommend for everyone to view. You will be inspired by the simple message, and taken away by the spectacular photography. This was referred to me by Kuya Tony Andaya, a member of our church.
Please click here to view.

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS

Last night during our Thursday night prayer meeting, our conversation turned to the movie “March of the Penguins.” Several of us at the prayer meeting had already seen the movie and were just reminded of how amazing these penguins were, and their tremendous sense of loyalty and responsibility to their offspring and to each other.

We were also reminded of our great God who was the one who instilled that instinct into these penguins to do the amazing things that they do - like walk for many miles to get food, and then 4 months later walk back again to where the flock is and accurately identify the “cry” of their own child. Or in how they would survive harsh minus 30 degree blizzards by staying together as a group.

Kind of reminds us of how we as the Church must stay together, united as one, in order to survive as a Church in this harsh world.

God in His wisdom created wonderful animals like these for His glory.
The Bible says in Psalm 104:24, “How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”

Watch the movie if you haven’t already, and you will find yourself going through a wide range of emotions – from happiness to sadness; compassion to joy; amazement to celebration (Hope I’m not sounding like Ebert and Roper).

INTERESTING ARTICLE ON PASTORAL MINISTRY

So I’m busy at work in my church office today doing different things (sermon prep, phone calls, returning phone calls, preparing a wedding program for a wedding I’ll be officiating on April 1), and Pastor John Reed knocks on my door and hands me an article entitled “The Pressures of Pastoral Ministry.” It’s a very interesting article and after reading it was a great reminder for me on how much I really need the Lord as I juggle so many things in my life (husband, father, pastor, etc.), and that if I’m not careful – that I too can burn-out and get depressed like so many other pastors have in the past. Although the article is dated November 2002, I believe it still holds true today.

Pastor John by the way is a great friend and mentor of mine for the past nine years, and is the Senior Pastor of our host church – Faith Bible Church. He’s always ready to give me advice, encouragement, the joke of the day, etc. His wife Georgie is also very encouraging and supportive to my wife Cory. Just last week the four of us had a great dinner together at a nice café (John paid).

If you’d like to see this article, just click here.
To go to the Faith Bible Church website (Pastor John’s Church), please click here.

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS SERIES

The Easter Season is always an exciting time for me because it reminds us of the incredible cost and sacrifice that was required for our sin to be paid for.

For years I would approach people individually and ask them, "Why do you think Jesus died on the cross?" And for a lot of people their "scripted" answer would be, "He died for our sins." Then I would ask the follow up question, "So what does that mean...that He died for our sins?" - from there, they would not have a clue as to what to say.

We can all so easily forget and take for granted the importance of what happened on Calvary. Starting tomorrow I will be preaching a sermon series entitled, "Journey To The Cross" in the hope that we would all fully appreciate and understand our Lord's sacrifice and love for us.

So...Do YOU know why Jesus died on the cross?

March 19, 2006 - "The Upper Room" (Luke 22:1-32)

March 26, 2006 - "The Night They Arrested God" (Luke 22:39-54)

April 2, 2006 - "God On Trial" (Luke 22:63 - 23:25)

April 9, 2006 - "God On the Cross" (John 19:16-30)

April 16, 2006 - "He Is Risen" (John 20: 1-30)

ANOTHER DAY OF RESISTING TEMPTATIONS...

Here’s a cute and fun picture Pastor Alan found that we all can relate to…

Jesus said, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (Matthew 26:41)

EASTER CELEBRATION

Just a reminder – Easter is coming up (April 16)! What a great time to invite a friend/family member/co-worker/classmate who hasn’t invited Christ into their lives.

By the way…if you’re interested in being part of this year’s Easter play, please see Bro. Earle Zulueta – our CICF director.

This is a picture of one of our Easter Sunday plays. I believe this one was taken Easter of 2003 and features Nash Quintans (as Jesus), and Pol Arciaga and Jun Quintans as the two thieves. This particular play was directed by Sis. Lyn Gonzales.

THE BEAUTY OF GOD'S CREATION

Last March 10 and 11 (Friday and Saturday), Southern California experienced a storm that brought cold weather and snow on our local mountains. The top picture was taken Monday morning from my backyard and shows the Angeles Crest Mountains still covered with a lot of snow (I used a zoom lense). The second picture was taken yesterday night while I was walking our dog. In the cool and quiet of the night, I was in awe of how the clouds where illuminated “just right” by the moon. Priceless.

Whenever I see nature scenes like the two pictures above, I think of it as if the Lord is saying to me, “Slow down Ed, pause for a moment, and enjoy the beauty of My creation.”

I guess in our busy lives, we sometimes forget to look around us and appreciate the work of the “Master Artist” who surrounds us with so much beauty for our enjoyment, to relax our mind, body, and souls, and also - so there would be no doubt in anyone’s mind that there is a God who made all of this.

Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

THE STORY OF THE TEACUP

Last February I preached a sermon entitled "The Potter and the Clay." Many church members have asked me for a copy of the illustration I used about a "teacup." Here it is:

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, "May we see that? We’ve never seen one quite so beautiful." As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. "You don’t understand," it said. "I haven’t always been a teacup.

There was a time when I was just a reddish brown piece of clay. My master the Potter took me and rolled me, and molded me, and patted me over and over and I yelled out, ’Leave me alone’, but he only smiled and said, ’Not yet.’

Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said, "and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. “Stop it! I’m getting dizzy?” I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, ’Not yet.’

Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips and he shook his head, ’Not yet.’

Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. “There, that’s better”, I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes of the paint were horrible! I thought I would gag! “Stop it, stop it!” I cried. He only nodded, ’Not yet.’

Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head saying, ’Not yet.’

Then I knew there wasn’t any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to just give up. But then suddenly the oven door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later He handed me a mirror and I couldn’t believe it was me. “It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful.”

And then my Master said, “I want you to know, that I know it hurt you to be rolled, and folded, and patted, but if I had left you alone, you would have dried up.

I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled.

I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked.

I know the paint fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened, and you would not have had any color in your life.

And if I hadn’t put you back in that second hotter oven, you wouldn’t survive for very long because the hardness would not have held.

But now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.

Lesson:
God knows what He’s doing for all of us. He is the potter and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will. It is not our place to complain, but to just put our complete faith and trust in the skillful hands of the Potter

PASTOR ALAN LLAVORE

My Associate Pastor, Pastor Alan Llavore has been such a blessing not only to the Church, but to me personally. I thank the Lord for sending this gifted Christian and trusted friend to help me in the pastoral duties of shepherding the flock.

One thing that I greatly admire about Pastor Alan is his passion for long distance running, and this Sunday (March 19), he will be running 26.2 miles in the L.A. Marathon! Also, Pastor Alan is part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Team in Training,” a sports training program that raises money for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research and patient services.

On the picture with Pastor Alan is Joseph Jose, a member of our church and a surviver of Lymphoma. It is for courageous individuals like Joseph and the glory of our gracious and loving God that Pastor Alan runs for.

We’re proud of you Pastor Alan! Be safe and finish well!

BRIAN & DEBBIE ALAGAO

Above are some pictures that I took of Brian and Debbie Alagao whom I had the privilege of officiating their wedding last October 2005. As many of you know, one of my passions is photography, and I always bring my camera to the weddings that I officiate.

The top picture was a challenging picture that I took of their “first dance” during the reception at the Mission Inn. The reception hall lights were completely turned off and a single spotlight was pointed on them. I was concerned that my flash would “wash-out” the spotlight effect, so I turned off my flash, increased the ISO, increased the aperture, and trusted in my Nikons Metering System. Well as you can see – it came out pretty nice!

The reason that I brought up Brian and Debbie is because just yesterday, it was also a privilege for me to dedicate their new house to the Lord! Outside of the house was cold and rainy, but inside their “home” was warm with a lot of family, friends, and love. It’s really a blessing for me to see others in their journey in life being blessed by the Lord because of their faithfulness to Him.

Maybe in a few years, I’ll be officiating a baby dedication for them…….?!

CICF CARE GROUPS

One of the biggest challenges for any pastor is to introduce something new. That's because with new things there is change – and with change people are often taken out of their “comfort zone” – and when that happens, there’s always the possibility of opposition.

I thank the Lord that with the introduction of our new “Care-Groups” there was really no opposition (except maybe an intense question or two), and our church members are now seeing the tremendous benefits and blessings of having smaller sized home bible studies.

There are now many testimonies of how people who have never shared in a bible study are now very vocal because of a more intimate bible study atmosphere; and of how people who very seldom attended a bible study now regularly attend.

God is truly faithful as He leads our church step by step, and even changes things when necessary - that we may grow more in our faith and in our likeness of Christ.

TRIALS OF THE SAINTS

Last night during our weekly prayer meeting, the prayer team identified various church members who were going (or about to go) through some challenging trials - and so most of our prayers were focused on them.

Charles Stanley once wrote, "The hotter the fire, the purer the gold." God allows us to go through those "hot" trials, so that just like Job, we too would be able to say, "...when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). It is through the furnace that our faith and character is polished and refined.

Please take a moment right now to pray for someone you know that may be going through a fiery trial - that they may come out as gold.

UNCONTROLLED ANGER

Last Sunday the title of my sermon was "How to Deal with a Cranky Person, even if that Person is You!" For the past few days several church members have asked me for a copy of the "10 Steps in Controlling Your Anger" that I mentioned in that sermon. Well here now are those 10 steps, and for those who didn't hear the sermon, an outline of the sermon is also included:

Three Things we learn about Uncontrolled Anger from the life of Moses:
1. We must control our anger. (Exodus 2:11-12; James 1:19-20; Ephesian 4:26-27)
2. In our anger, we must not destroy things. (Exodus 32:19)
3. Uncontrolled anger can prevent you from experiencing God's blessings. (Numbers 20:8-12)

Ten Ways to Prevent Anger from Controlling You:
1. Grow Spiritually (Study God's Word; Prayer; Going to Church).
2. Control and Slow down your reactions when you're angry.
3. Select your "Words" carefully.
4. Learn how to re-evaluate the situation.
5. Avoid ruminating (constant dwelling of an angry situation in your mind).
6. Know that critical people are Angry people.
7. Revenge must be resisted.
8. There must be confession to God and to each other.
9. There must be forgiveness.
10.Have a postive, optimistic attitude of thanksgiving and praise to God.

Please remember: None of the above can be accomplished without Christ in our lives. That's why the Bible says in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me."

VALENTINE'S COUPLE'S FELLOWSHIP

Here's a group picture and couple's pictures of our Valentine's Couple's Fellowship last February 18 at Shilo Hotel. Shown here are 15 of 19 married couples who attended (the other 4 couples arrived during or after dinner). It was so much fun as well as encouraging to see all the couples attend the sessions of the couple's seminar which started at lunch time, and ended at 9:00pm. After that, it was games and dancing till midnight! God really used this fellowship to strengthen the bonds of our marriages. God is good!
(click on image for a larger view)

GREAT JOB MENS MINISTRY!

I'd like to thank the faithfulness of our Men's Ministry (led by Bro. Ding and the expertise of Bro. Jun) for the great job they did in cleaning the Church Carpet last Saturday. The turn-out of men who came to help out was very inspiring! It was because of the large turn out that we were able to finish cleaning the carpet of the whole Church in just 3 hours! Praise the Lord! This was followed by an "eating fellowship" at an all-you-can-eat restaurant. Yum!!!

FILIPINO-AMERICAN PASTORS CONFERENCE

Just got back from a 2 night, 3 day Filipino Pastor's Conference in San Diego. It was such a blessing to see all the other Pastors and to meet new Pastors as well. It was encouraging to pray and share with each other our joys, challenges, visions, and struggles in pastoring our churches. Bruce Sumner reminded all of us of the times when the "sheep" fall and get hurt, and then we as shepherds come along side of them to help. But many times in our attempt to help - the sheep will bite! Ouch!!! Bruce reminded us that no mater how much or how hard they bite, we must still love them - just as Christ loves us.
We all really came out refreshed and encouraged.