Do Not Complicate Your Life

By Bo Sanchez

“Excuse me, where is the Trinity?”

I was walking in the lobby of St. Luke’s hospital in Quezon City when this man came up and hit me with this very deep question.

He looked very confused. My guess was that he recognized me from my TV show or my books and decided to ask me a spiritual question. So I gave him my best shot. I dug deep into my theology and said, “The Trinity is all around us. The Trinity is within you. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one…”

His face looked even more puzzled, so I tried even harder. “I know this is difficult to understand, but there are three persons in one God…” I explained. “Think of fire. The flame, the light, and the heat are separate things yet they’re one. Just like the Trinity.” Believe me, I was mesmerized by my own intelligence.

That was when he interrupted my brilliant answer and said, “Uh, that’s great, but uh… I just want to know where the Holy Trinity School is?”

“Oh…,” I turned red as a tomato and said, “Go right at E. Rodriguez and you’ll see it in 5 minutes…” He thanked me and left in a huff. Probably to get away as fast as he can from the religious kook he was talking to.

Would you believe? I was explaining the Dogma of the Trinity to a man who simply needed simple directions.

I’ve learned my lesson never to complicate my life more than I should.

What People Really Need

This is the story of my preaching and writing ministry.
I’ve long learned that people are desperate for simple directions.
How to build a loving family.
How to earn money in a godly way.
How to raise a child well.
How to be healthy.
How to serve the poor.
How to be happy.

Sometimes, I tried complicating my messages for the vain purpose of impressing my audience.
Not anymore.

I just want to help people.

So I’ll continue to preach and write the way I do.
My messages will remain simple directions.
It won’t impress anyone.
But it will help lots of people.

I’ve Also Learned To Follow Simple Directions

In one sense, I live a very complicated life.
I lead 4 huge ministries and run 7 small businesses.

Believe me, saying that in one tiny line doesn’t give justice to the universe of work I do. That single line means I preach on Radio, TV, and the web. I also speak 300 times a year, write 80 articles and 3 books a year. I work for the poorest of the poor in fantastic ministries.

I also buy real estate, invest in stocks, and create new businesses every time I get the itch.
And I have to balance all that with raising two wonderful boys, romancing my lovely wife, exercising one hour a day, eating water-rich food, and tightening my relationship with God.

But in another sense, I live a very simple life.
Because I follow simple directions.

If you’ve been reading this Soulfood Ezine regularly, you would know some of them already: Forgive. Smile. Serve. Share. Love…

If you want to be successful, follow simple directions.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness; Money Buys Freedom

And I Urge You To Use That Freedom To Love God More!
By Bo Sanchez

Once upon a time, I was poor. And proud of it. I was a happy single missionary who didn’t think about money, didn’t touch money, didn’t save money, and didn’t want to have anything to do with money.

At that time, I really believed that saving money was a lack of trust in God. I also believed that insurance was for the spiritually weak. “Jesus is my only insurance,” I’d tell everyone.

And businessmen? Man, I pitied them. I figured their souls were loitering in the brink of Hell. Why? Imagine, all they think about the whole day was money—the very instruments of the devil.

I repeat: I was poor and proud of it. How poor? Before entering Jollibee, I had to first pull out my wallet and count how much money I had. Could I buy a burger today? I remember the days when I had to turn around because my cash (or coins!) wasn’t enough.

I was proud that I was poor, deprived, and suffering. It somehow made me feel holy.

Love The Lord With All Your Heart, Mind, Strength— And Money Too!

Today, my beliefs have totally changed. And that’s why I’m being criticized. By religious people no less. They say I teach too much about money.

“Bo, why have you changed?” they ask me, “You now keep talking about savings and investments and business. Where’s the sweet and simple guy who used to talk only about God and prayer and holiness and heaven? We want that guy back…”

Sorry, but you won’t get that guy back. Because God has changed me. Let me tell you why I changed: I decided to love more. Don’t get me wrong. I still preach about God and prayer and holiness and heaven. (After all, money is only one of my many topics.) But these past few years, I’ve been very burdened by the practical, down-to-earth, very REAL needs of God’s people.

Here are the facts:

· Many good Christian families are buried in debt. They can’t sleep at night. They’re terrified every time the phone rings.
· Many good Christian husbands and wives fight a lot because of money problems. (According to surveys, 50% of marital conflicts are money problems. One survey even says it’s 80%!)
· Many good Christians will be retiring without any savings or investments—and will grow older and poorer as the years go by.
· Many good Christians are living in poverty, and their children are suffering from poor health and poor education.

And that’s the reason why I changed: I want to help Christians get out of debt, solve their financial problems, and gain more financial blessings to help more people! This is my commitment. This is my mission. This is my passion. (I don’t care how many people criticize me for it.) I’ve devoted my entire life to help anyone who’s suffering by giving practical wisdom through my preaching and writing. Whether spiritually, emotionally, or financially.

For Many People,
Unless There’s Financial Freedom,
There Can Be No Real Freedom In Their Life

You know my story. Because my beliefs have changed, my financial life has changed as well. Can I brag? (Not to brag but to emphasize a point.)

I’m no longer poor. I now run small businesses, earn through real estate, mutual funds, and the stock market. I’m now able to help the poor in a way I couldn’t do before. And I’m able to give more to the ministry of the Lord because of the financial blessings He has given me.

I don’t just give 10% of my income. Because my lifestyle has remained simple (no fancy cars, no big house), I can give much, much more than 10% to God. (By the way, I’ve also learned that when I give, I receive so much more. I invite you to give regularly to the Lord’s work. Join me in my ministry. Log on at www.KerygmaFamily.com now.)

Today, I also believe that holiness doesn’t have anything to do with being poor or being rich. Holiness has everything to do with love—and one can do that whether one is poor or rich. Money doesn’t buy happiness; Money buys freedom.

Bad people will use that freedom in a bad way—and be miserable as hell. Good people will use that freedom in a good way—and be happy as heaven. To be more precise, good people will use that freedom to do good. It’s that simple.

Let me give you a small example of what I mean. Today, I no longer stop in front of Jollibee - the burger place - to count my money. And today, I can do something I could hardly do before: I can now invite the poor for a free lunch. Something I do constantly with joy.

In other words, my prayer has changed. Before, my prayer was, “Lord, I need something to eat. Please give me money.”

Today, my prayer is, “Lord, send me people who have nothing to eat today and let me be a blessing to them.”

Friends, I’m using my freedom to love. And after all these years of helping so many people in their spiritual lives, I’ve come to a striking realization: Especially for those children or parents depending on them, there can be no real Freedom in life without Financial Freedom.

I want to continue to teach you how to grow your money without robbing your soul.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

“Bite-Size It!” It’s The Secret of Champions

By Bo Sanchez

The average NBA player hits 8.3 points per game. Michael Jordan’s average score was a mind-blowing 32 points per game. That’s why Michael Jordan was Michael Jordan.

Jordan was so incredibly consistent he retired in 1999 from the NBA still keeping his 32 point career average. Here’s the remarkable thing: His 32 points happened whether he had injuries or not, or who his coach was, or who his teammates were, or who he was playing against. He just scored 32 points—more or less—per game.

When asked how he was able to do that, he revealed the powerful secret of champions.

Jordan said, “I simplified it a few years ago: 32 points per game is really just 8 points per quarter. I figure I can get that in some kind of way during the course of a game.”

Amazing? In other words, he “bite-sized” his goal. Which is what you should be doing if you want to win in life.

Bite-Size Your Unrealistic Dreams

Let’s say Jeff earns P25,000 a month today. But Jeff dreams of earning P100,000 a month one day. Many people will call him, “Unrealistic”. But in my book, that’s good

I wrote in a previous blog post that from my experience, Unrealistic Dreams attract more resources and commitment because they’re more exciting. But I agree, dreaming of earning P100,000 a month is daunting. Like flying to the moon. But like Jordan, Jeff should bite-size it.

Because Jeff surfs the net a lot, he wants to start an internet business. Specifically, he wants to build a website that will earn through Google ads. His goal: Earn P25,000 each month. His third business venture is his networking marketing business. His goal: Create a passive income of P25,000 each month. His fourth business venture is connected to his hobby—selling second-hand cars. His uncle has been doing it for years, earning hundreds of thousands each month, and promised to teach him.

So if Jeff sells one car a month, he already earns P25,000 each month. (Note: If you want to start your own business, I recommend that you join the Truly Rich Super Marketing Workshop. Click here for more information.) All of a sudden, P100,000 a month is now doable.

Warning: Jeff shouldn’t start 4 businesses at one go. He should start one at a time. And it’s also possible that one of these businesses will be his main business—and explodes to P100,00 a month by itself. But more on this later…

I Apply Bite-Sizing To My Ministry

Many years ago, I dreamt that I would have 10 special ministries for the poorest of the poor. Not one. Not two. Not three. But ten! I wanted to care for the abandoned elderly, visit the prisoners, house the orphans, and send street kids to school; I also wanted to build homes for the urban poor and establish a micro-lending program for poor women… I wanted to do so much!

My dream was nuts. It was absolutely insane. Well today, that dream is no longer a dream. Here’s an update: We now have 7 ministries for the poorest of the poor. (Yes, we have 3 more to go!)

Here’s a secret I’ll discuss with you later: I cheated. I didn’t even have to start the ministries. All I had to do was partner with fantastic friends who were already doing what I wanted to do. In other words, I bite-sized!

Focus On The One Thing

As Jeff shouldn’t start 4 businesses right away, I didn’t start 10 ministries right away. I just focused on One Thing.

For me, that was Anawim, our home for the abandoned elderly. For 3 years, I had to live on a piece of land that had nothing else but cogon grass—with no running water and electricity. Together with volunteers, we lived in nipa huts and cared for the poorest of the poor. We picked them up from the streets and cared for them as our own. We made so many mistakes, I can write a book about them. (Don’t worry, I won’t.)

Once Anawim was established, I was now able to move on to other things. (By the way, I’d like to invite you to be my Partner in my ministries. Join KerygmaFamily.com and together, we can share God’s Love to the world. Log on at www.KerygmaFamily.com now!) Friend, what is your One Thing?

If you have an Unrealistic Dream, focus on One Thing.

Let me give you another example. When I wanted to earn more money, I entered into a half-a-dozen businesses: I sold herbal juice, engine oil, memorial plans; I put up a fish ball cart, built an ice cream store, and put up a hotdog stand. Result? I lost money. Big time.

I learned my lesson. I was doing too many things, too soon. I’ve now learned that at the start of the journey, I should focus on One Thing. Once that One Thing was stable, I moved on to the next One Thing.

Result? I’m now enjoying multiple income streams: (1) Corporate Seminars; (2) Real Estate; (3) Internet Marketing Business; (4) Education; (5) Financial Services; (6) Stock Market; and (7) Mutual Funds. But it didn’t start with seven. It started with one. Let me ask you again: What is your One Thing?

Cheat! Find A Dream Team

Finding a Dream Team is so powerful, it’s almost like cheating. (Okay, it’s not really cheating. But I’m using this word to SHOCK you into action.) Believe me, when you have an Unrealistic Dream, you’ll be forced to look for a Dream Team.

After 10 years of building Anawim, I knew I was in trouble. Because I couldn’t take another 10 years to build my second ministry for the poor! I did the math: If my goal were 10 ministries, then it would take me 100 years to fulfill my dream. And then it hit me: Why create the ministries from scratch? Why not partner with other friends who were already doing what I wanted to do?

So I cheated. I looked for a Dream Team who had my passion for the poor. Anawim is now led by Tim Duran and an incredible team of servants. After that, I partnered with a street kids ministry, He Cares, led by my friend Jodean Sola. After that, I partnered with Gawad Kalinga to build a village in Montalban beside Anawim. After that, I partnered with Rey Ortega and his Alay Foundation, a scholarship program for poor children, and his Tahanan orphanage. And together, we’re expanding all these ministries.

Friend, cheat!

Who is your Dream Team?

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez