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LITTLE THINGS
by Nick B. Fontanilla, Ph.D. (Word Document)

1. Introduction

1.1 I bring greetings from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, which is now on its 8th quadrennial assembly; from my conference, the Lowland Cavite South Manila Conference (LCSMC), and my home church in Manila, UCCP-Ellinwood Malate Church (EMC).

1.2 Some of you, including my brother and family, are or were at one time members of Ellinwood Malate Church and maintain relation with the church and church members. Somehow, I feel like I am in a familiar territory worshipping with friends and associates. Ellinwood Malate Church will celebrate its centennial foundation in October, 2007. It was founded in October 1907 by American Presbyterian missionaries.

1.3 I am awed by your kindness and generosity to invite someone from the Philippines, a country that remains a close friend of the Philippines and a country that faces serious economic and political problems. Of course, it pays to be related to the Chairman of your council. For that, I am very grateful. I will take home with me a bagful of wonderful stories and best wishes.

1.4 I have this deep fondness for Chicago – the Chicago Bulls remain to be my favorite basketball team, Michael Jordan my favorite basketball player, Northwestern University my favorite graduate school of business, Chicago one of my favorite movies, and Chicago among my favorite songs. Add to this, Chicago is home to my brother and his family. My sister used to stay here when her son, Dondi, was doing his medical residency program. Dondi is now a successful neurologist affiliated with the best hospitals in Manila. I have many friends in Chicago.

1.5 More than that, my livelihood is in Chicago. I founded a company that represents a company headquartered in Chicago, at the Sears Towers. We have been representing this company, whose main business is predictive analytics, since 1989. Chicago is the place where you find some of the best statisticians, mathematicians and software developers in the world.

1.6 The kinship does not end there. Your church, United Church of Christ and my church, United Church of Christ in the Philippines share the same history, struggles, aspirations and vision. The text “that they may be one” is a vision that we share and continue to pursue. From what I have gathered in your UCC web, UCC is a united and uniting church which is the same pronouncement of the UCCP.

1.7 The United Church of Christ, which was organized in 1957 and of which Mont Clare is a part, is a union of several different Christian traditions: UCC is recognized as one of the most diverse Christian churches in the United States (UCC Web, 2006).

1.8 The United Church of Christ in the Philippines was officially formed in May, 1948 after the uniting assembly approved the Declaration of Union and the Basis of Union. It was an organic Union of three major churches one of which is a union of three other mainstream protestant churches. Several other dominations joined the union after its formation.

1.9 Today, the tradition of diversity and the passion for unity remain deeply rooted in the faith and heritage of UCCP. The journey continues.

2.0 Challenges of Unity

2.1 In fact I was so happy to learn that the Mont Clare United Church of Christ is a union of two congregations.

2.2 This is refreshing and welcome news. Oftentimes, we hear of churches splitting and groups of local churches breaking away from the mainstream churches. In April this year, I was invited to keynote the annual convention of a fellowship of 21 local churches. These 21 churches decided to leave the United Church of Christ in the Philippines due to differences with leaders of the church. Earlier, there were other churches that decided to go on their own and separate from the mainstream church.

2.3 There was a time when Presbyterians adhered to the doctrine of separatism as a means to preserve unity. Churches split on the belief that by doing so, they remained united as Presbyterians although different in their polity, practices and systems.

2.4 Jack Rogers, who wrote about conflicting worldviews of American Protestants, pointed out that the results of this doctrinal adventurism were quite devastating. Total membership declined. Missions and outreaches suffered. While there were more churches due to the split, membership weakened.

2.5 This came about not without a historical precedence. There was not a single time in the history of the Christian Church that did not witness at least one major, permanent division.

2.6 Some of the traditions that form the United Church of Christ in the Philippines -- such as the Congregational Church, the Disciples of Christ and Evangelical United Brethren -- and other organic unions are traditions that evolved only in the beginning of the 20th century or 2,000 years after Jesus Christ started His church in Jerusalem.

2.7 The World Christian Database, a database compiled by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity of the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, reports that, today, there are over 9,000 Christian denominations listed around the world with a total membership of about two billion which is just slightly higher than the Muslim population.

2.8 In the Philippines alone, there are 270 denominations consisting of 31,383 congregations with a total membership of 2.7 million.

2.9 Against that backdrop, I do not exaggerate when I say that it is extremely refreshing to learn that this church is a union of two or more churches. I would like to see more of this union dominating our religious landscape.

3. Little Things

3.1 Last month, I was part of a group that went to participate in a session that defined the vision of a Southern City. One of the participants was the author of a book “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country.” I brought several copies so I can share the author’s thoughts to my Filipino friends who are now residing in the U.S. but remain Filipino at heart.

3.2 After hearing him speak and elaborate on what he wrote in the book, I was just so amazed to realize that, indeed, little things mean a lot. To those who grew up in this environment, you will find some of these little things quite amusing or even comical.

3.3 For example, his first recommendation is for us to follow traffic rules. If you have been to Manila, you will know that this wish is not a joke. One of the required readings in Apologetics in the Seminary is the book “To Each His Own.” That is precisely what traffic is like in Manila. In that part of the world, it takes commitment, dedication, a deep sense of patriotism and a life of Christian values to be able to follow traffic laws.

3.4 The recommendation makes sense. The author says that “Traffic rules are the simplest of our country’s laws. But when implemented, it paints a country of strong laws.” The people become better citizens. You see civic culture in action. This is one little step, but big in impact.

3.5 There are 11 other little things that he recommends to every citizen. Each little thing, when reviewed, is really a little thing but may yield proportionately gigantic results if done by everyone. The author quoted a finding in a study on behavior. It says, when a person does something 30 times continuously, it becomes a habit.

3.6 Benjamin Franklin said that “the best way to build a dream is by attending to the little things that comprise it. Its foundation is in the little details; its beauty in the fine points.”

4. Two Little Things for Christians

4.1 As Christians, we need to do the little things, too. For example, prayer. It is easy to do. It is also easy to forget. The rule of behavior suggests that if we do it 30 consecutive times before bed time or every meal, it becomes a habit.

4.2 The first part of Ephesians 4 talks about big things, things that require a major transformation:

o Endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
o Henceforth be no more children
o Speak the truth in love
o Henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk
o Put off the old man
o Put on the new man

The second part, Verses 25 to 32, talks about the little things that Paul says every Christian can, must and has the opportunity to do. Allow me to discuss three of these little things that Paul says Christ expects us to do.

4.3 First little thing is found in verse 25. Ephesians 4:25 says "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” Everyday, we have an opportunity to do this little thing. In our lifetime, perhaps, there are many opportunities where we can do this little thing continuously 30 times.

4.4 I am here to attend the wedding of my nephew in Sta. Monica California. My siblings and I decided to use this event to have a reunion and corporate meeting. We have not been together for quite a while and we thought that it is about time that we get together, this time in the U.S.

4.5 My sister Luningning lives in California so that is not a problem. Mike stays here in Chicago. My sister Trinidad is an Australian and I presume that she does not need a visa to come to the U.S. I have a 10-year visa, with two more years of useful life. My sister Naomi, who used to attend your church, does not have a U.S. visa. She was denied three times including a time when she was invited by her aunt-in-law to travel with her, all expenses paid.

4.6 She was desperately seeking for a visa but was also apprehensive as to her chances. I told her, I will write you a certification of employment and fortify your designation and compensation. I signed the letter and sent her the original. Naomi sent me a message saying, God will not be pleased with this. Please write a certificate of employment that truly says my designation and my allowance. If I don’t get the visa, let it be. Her application was denied.

4.7 I was at first puzzled that someone would choose to be upright and lose the chance to celebrate with us here in the U.S. On realizing the lesson that she had taught, I was terribly embarrassed. It was a little deed that anyone could do, anytime, any day but most everyone opt not to do. We can do this little thing of pleasing God at every opportunity by being honest.

4.8 Remember the parable of the Emperor’s Seed.

o An aging emperor in the Far East called all the young people in the kingdom. He gave each ONE seed and asked them to plant that seed. Then he asked them to come back after one year with what they have grown. From among them, he would choose the next emperor of the kingdom.

o A boy named Ling received a seed, went home, planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day, Ling kept going home to check his seed, but nothing ever grew.

o After one year, they all brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling was hesitant to attend but his mother encouraged him to go, and to take his pot, and to be honest about what happened.

o When the emperor arrived, he spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. He looked at Ling, and said, "Behold your new emperor!

o The emperor said, "I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"

4.9 The GenWorld Teen Study that was conducted by Energy BBDO, Chicago in 13 countries found a worldwide generation is being guided by one ethical code: authenticity.

5. Positive Anger

5.1 The second little thing is found in Ephesians 4:26. The verse says to "Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger." Verse 31 says “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”

5.2 There is so much energy in this world today. And much of this energy is channeled to negative anger. Anger is a vital part of our life. But it must be channeled to the right path and goals.

5.3 We just witnessed one of the most exciting World Cup in history -- France versus Italy. To you who still remember sports in Manila, it was like Ateneo vs. La Salle, Crispa versus Toyota, or Manny Pacquiao versus Morales. France blew its chances for a repeat against Italy when Zidane head butted Matterazi. There was so much anger in that head butt.

5.4 In Amsterdam, there is a detoxification clinic to coax those trapped in the fantasy world of online games. Keith Bakker, a gaming addiction expert, reports some cases of gaming addiction:

o A 28-year old South Korean died of heart failure last year after playing a game called StarCraft for 50 hours at an Interned café;
o A 13-year old Chinese boy killed himself after playing a computer game for 36 hours.
o The worldwide online games market is expected to grow to $15 billion by 2011 from $3.4 billion in 2005 (DCF Intelligence).
o Research suggests online game playing may trigger the release of the chemical dopamine in the brain. A study done in London’s Hammersmith Hospital showed that increased levels of dopamine are roughly the equivalent of a dose of speed.

5.6 Unfortunately, more than 25% of the world’s population are adolescents on the threshold of very adult decisions. Almost universally, adolescents are deciding whether or not to smoke, drink alcohol, experiment drugs (Schubert and Little, 1998) or do gaming. Negative anger leads them to be hooked on these things.

5.7 What did Paul mean when he said, "Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger."? He wanted us to do this little thing of controlling our anger and transforming our anger before it transforms us.

5.8 Many years ago, during a Knicks-Bullets playoff game, one of the Bullets came up from behind the great Walt Frazier and punched him in the face. Strangely, the referee called a foul on Frazier. Frazier didn't complain. His expression never changed. He simply called for the ball and put in seven straight shots to win the game, an amazing display of character. It was a great moral lesson as well (U.S. News & World Report, June 14, 1993, p. 37). Frazier transformed this anger into something very positive.

5.9 Author Wayne Dyer theorizes that it's in the taming of the ego that one finds the sacred. Syd Weedon suggests that the key practical learning with anger is to do something [something positive, that is]. Share it. Write it. Sing it. Kick it. Do something to get the burning out of your stomach. Most important, take it to God in prayer. If we can do this little thing 30 consecutive times, it will become a habit.

6. The Challenge

6.1 The third little thing I would like to talk about this morning is found in Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

6.2 Unwholesome talk is divisive.

o A visiting Presbyterian Pastor was invited to speak in one church in California.
o He came early. As he was going in to the office of the host Pastor, he saw a sign and was so disturbed.
o He said to the host Pastor, “I want you to remove that sign in front of your church. It is wrong. I will not deliver my message if you do not take out that sign.”
o When asked what was wrong, he said, “the sign says, for Presbyterians only, and that is wrong. We should welcome everybody to our church!” But “Reverend,” the host Pastor interjected, “the sign says for Pedestrians only.”

6.3 In our church, there had been a lot of unwholesome talk. I know for a fact that no matter how small they were, they led to misunderstanding and disunity.

6.4 People are fond of labeling. There are instances when we label people into Christians and non-Christians or Methodists and Presbyterians – terms which are not even used in the Bible. But Paul, in his second letter to the church in Corinth, says “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15, italics added.)

6.5 We need to turn our love around and translate it into a wholesome conversation and into something that is contributive. Let me tell you a little story:

o There was this woman who lived in London over a century ago. One evening, she took a leave to hear a great speaker of her day. His speech moved her deeply and she waited to visit with him afterward.
o This woman confided to the speaker that she never had the opportunity as he and many others had. She narrated that she had been peeling onions and potatoes in her sister's boarding house for fifteen miserable years.
o In response to the questions of the speaker, she said that she had been doing this while sitting on the bottom of the step in the kitchen with her feet planted on the floor made of glazed brick.
o Hearing that, the speaker said, "My dear lady, I will give you an assignment today. I want you to write me a letter about the brick." Against her protests about being a poor writer, he made her promise to complete the assignment.
o The next day, as she sat down to peel onions, she gazed at the brick floor. That evening she pulled one loose, took it to a brick factory and asked the owner to explain to her how bricks were made.
o Still not satisfied, she went to a library and found a book on bricks. She learned that 120 different kinds of brick and tile were being produced in England at the time. She discovered how clay beds, which existed for millions of years, were formed. Her research captivated her imagination and she spent every spare moment learning more. She returned to the library night after night and this woman, who never had a chance, gradually began to climb the steps of knowledge.
o After months of study, she set out to write her letter as promised. She sent a 36-page document about the brick in her kitchen and, to her surprise, she received a letter back. Enclosed was payment for her research. He had published her letter! And along with the money came a new assignment - this time he asked her to write about what she found underneath the brick.
o For the first time in her life she could hardly wait to get back to the kitchen! She pulled up the brick and there was an ant. She held it in her hand and examined it.
o That evening, she hurried back to the library to study ants. She learned that there were hundreds of different kinds of ants. Some were so small they could stand on the head of a pin; while others were so large one could feel the weight of them in one's hand. She started her own ant colony and examined ants underneath a lens.
o Several months later she wrote her findings in a 350-page "letter." It, too, was eventually published. She soon quit her kitchen job to take up writing.
o Before she died, she had traveled to the lands of her dreams and had experienced more than she ever imagined possible! This is the woman who had never had a chance.

6.6 It is amazing what encouraging and helpful words can do. Paul actually provides the replacement behavior for each of the little things he wrote. Instead of anger, forgiveness. Instead of evil words and malice, kindness and tenderheartedness. God has shown us the way through his love and forgiveness. Any wrong done to us pales in comparison.

6.7 Rev. Drew of the Calvary Chapel OF Port Charlotte says ‘Be an ambassador for Christ in everything you do [and say] and let His love shine as you put on the mind and Spirit of Christ and the love He has given us which is to be given away to a dying world”.