I know that it's been months since the last time I posted here... It must be because a lot had happened to me by the middle part of this year 2012 and until now I am just so amazed of what God did to me for these past 12 months.
It's been a great year and I'm really thankful to God for it! Actually, words are not enough to say or express how thankful I am to Him! :)
Here are some of the stuffs that I'm thankful for for year 2012:
• I got a steady job again after being a freelance for I think almost a year. Thank God because He's using me to be a channel of blessing to my family and to other people through this job. :) I'm also thankful because He's guiding me all the way!
• I think in the early part of 2012 was also a season of equipping for me for the work that God have in store for me... and no, I'm not saying that I'm already fully equipped now but in those times God enabled me to attend or to join several seminars, camps, etc. wherein I've gained knowledge and even friends that will encourage and help me to be the person God wants me to be. He even used people to bless me because during those times I'm not financially able... but He IS able!
-Kids Teachers Summit 2012 (for National & Ubelt): Being equipped in teaching the kids and as the same time being refreshed with your co-teacher volunteers was really a blessing from God--and it was an all-expense summit/conference/retreat/seminar for me! :) (Thanks Ate Sha!) It's always good to be reminded of how God values the kids, and so in teaching them they just deserve nothing but our best. :)
-Caliraya Leaders Camp 2012: This time it's for the campus! Again, God enabled me to join this camp for free! I won a slot in a "raffle draw", thanks to Aivy! ;) The whole camp was a time of fun fellowship and a reminder for me that Jesus should be the reason and the foundation of everything--in leadership, for vision, instruction and even in prayer. :)
-Anchors Aweigh Singles Camptreat 2012: now it's for the young professionals! :) it was really refreshing and fun! Loved the Word that struck to me during this camping/retreat-- If you got lost one time in your life, you can always go back to your foundation and find your way again. Make Jesus as your foundation. :)
-Done with Training for Victory! Gained new wisdom and understanding about the faith that I have and met new friends in our class. I was also encouraged and comforted with the prophecy that I received from God during our "graduation" day. :)
• Friends, Fellowship and Family!
-Thankful for the friends that I have! It's good thing to know that after all these years, though I don't see them as much as before, we are still connected with each other! Friends for keeps! :) AND! Grateful for the new friends that I have too... from different parts of the globe. :)
-Co-volunteers, friends at church, spiritual family, accountability partners, prayer partners, leaders, members, teammates, etc... whatever you call them, they are a big part of my 2012 that's why it's been a great year! Thankful to God of blessing me with these people who are equally crazy (or maybe even crazier!) to have each other in this life we have for God. :)
-My "biological" family... whom I also consider as part of my spiritual family (hehe). Thankful for all the love and support! Despite and inspite of our imperfections, God still uses us not just to inspire others but also to support one another in whatever the Lord's have in store for us. :)
• Korea, Vietnam and Cambodia! At the start of the year, one of my prayers is that God will enable me to go and volunteer to Cambodia... but then He just don't brought me to Cambodia, but also He made a way for me to be in the nation of South Korea, and before coming and leaving from Cambodia I was able to experience Vietnam, even just for hours! :) I just asked for one and He gave me three! God is just SO amazing! :D
• Jesus (of course) I realized that after all these blessings and breakthroughs, still nothing compares to Him. I was so compelled this morning that I have written this poem (in free verse okay.. I'm not really a skilled poet hehe)
LIKE YOU DO
With all the prayers answered
And all the blessings received
Still there is something inside me
That is craving for more
After all these breakthroughs
And all expectations and goals met
Still there is something inside me
That is seeking for more
I realized that it is You, Lord
The One that I'm craving for more
The One that I will always seek
Yes, it is You Lord
Not because I want more of Your works
Or more of Your deeds
It is You that I want
It is You that I'm after for
Because I just know in my heart
That nothing fulfills
And nothing satisfies
Like You do...
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! :D
Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Beauty Queen & I
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| This is me with our very own Bb. Pilipinas Ms. Universe- Janine Tugonon. |
It was in our Friday youth service when our youth pastor announced that Janine will be with us on our 7pm service to give us a short talk and encouragement. This is what she said that stayed on my mind...
"Focus on what God wants you to do..."
In her personal experience, there are a lot of people who are bashing her, saying that she doesn't deserve the title of being our country's bet for the Ms. Universe beauty pageant. And in joining the competition again for the second time, many were against it and she sacrificed a lot to be where she is right now.
In our very own lives, we may be sure of what God wanted us to do... But there are times (or maybe most of the time) people and circumstances say otherwise, making us put off our focus on Him and on His purpose for us. Like what she said that night, in doing God's will you need to sacrifice things. You'll be sacrificing your own dreams and even your family's dreams for you.
But why do we need to sacrifice these for God's will?
Because when we miss God's will or purpose for our lives, we miss the whole point of why we are here on earth. If we don't do what God wants us to do in this life, it is not His lost... It is OUR lost.
So who says that God can't use a beauty queen to advance His Kingdom on this earth? ;) In this I will quote one of my fave verses from the Bible--
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." -Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Though I know that being a beauty queen is not for me (haha!), I know that God can still use me in ways my mind can't comprehend for His glory & pleasure. :))
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Crazy Weekends!
These past weekends were kinda crazy... Crazy in a good sense. :) God made me realize about some things and answered some of my prayers. ;) Let me start with a couple of weekends ago (and I'd make sure that I will make this short BUT helpful hehe ;P)
Worship is a lot like love
It was Friday and I was in the church with the small group that I'm leading. We we're attending the Friday youth service and the message was about Worship. Ptr. Joe Bonifacio was the preacher then. I like it when he uses examples from his past experiences to his preaching, making it easier for us (the listeners) to grasp and comprehend the message. (God-given strength! ^^) One of those examples is when he and Rica (now his wife, who is a celebrity here in the Philippines) was still in a bf-gf stage (I apologize.. I don't know any wiser word to use in this haha! ;P). He once gave her an orchid for a gift thinking that this would please her. The next time he went to her house, he saw the orchid--and it looked like it hasn't been taken care of. He then asked her why and she told her that she's not keen on receiving flowers as a gift (or something like that).
Worship is like that. It's not about what you give to God but it's about what He wants. It's like you wanted to please Him with your worship and you want Him to give a rose. You gave Him the flower, but what He wants is a food-trip with you in Batangas. So do you think He is pleased, then? Or worst do you think that He accepted it? God seeks for true worshipers. He is high-class and doesn't want "second rates". So what does He look in a worshiper? A worshiper that worships Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24) ;) It's not about the place, the style, or your opinion. It's about who you worship, your heart, based on God's truth. :)
A "Gen Ad" mentality
Come follow Saturday... It was April 21 and Israel Houghton with New Breed & Planetshakers was in Manila for a worship concert! I wasn't able to reserve a ticket for myself because I'm in a tight budget. :) The night before the concert a friend texted me and told me that she still got a gen ad ticket for the event. She asked me if I'm willing to buy it for P250. Honestly I have nothing to pay for it even just for a gen ad ticket but I didn't close the possibility that maybe God will do something--that someone will bless me so I can buy that ticket, haha! :D Before leaving our house for volunteers' orientation in our church, I charged my digicam in faith that I will be able to watch the concert even though I still don't have the ticket. :)
To make the story shorter. No one blessed me with P250 for me to buy the gen ad ticket BUUUTT!!! Someone blessed me with a complimentary ticket... and it was for a Patron seat! Weee! :D Me with some friends were in the 2nd row from the stage! Some of my friends even saw my face flash on the giant screen because the camera man was just a few steps away from me! Haha! :D
I was just asking for a Gen Ad ticket (the cheapest), but God gave me a Patron seat ticket (the most expensive). Sometimes we just believe for God to give us a "gen ad" ticket for something and not seeing the fact that God can give us a "patron" ticket for what we are asking! ;) So, do you have a "gen ad" mentality? ;P
It starts with the leader
Just this weekend I was able to attend our Kids Church core leaders team building. Again, someone blessed me so I can attend this vital team building! Weee, thank You Lord! :D This is one of my faith goals this year, wooh! ;)) We are "leveling up" in Kids Church that's why our leaders should be equipped. God put a high premium to the kids that's why in serving them, out of our love for God and for His people, we should serve them with excellence.
I've learned a lot about leadership. A leader should have a Christ-like character, discover his/her skills, then develop them for him/her to be competent and excellent and... love his/her team to maintain chemistry in the spirit of unity and being one in Christ. :)
It's an honor to be a leader because it means that God entrusted you with bigger things. But then it is also crucial, and maybe at some point dangerous. Being a leader could make you more busy, and could lead you in neglecting your relationship with God. The more you climb the leadership ladder, the more you should be close to your Ultimate Leader-- God. :)
Guarding your heart
Here goes that phrase again! Haha! :D During our team building, there were a lot of "revelations" among the single women (and I'm one of them ;P). We were giddy about those and we talked about them until in the wee hours of the morning. (Yeah, it's a girl thing! ;P) Then I realized, it's really hard to guard your heart (and your mind) specially when you're a woman. It's really relying on God's grace in this! ;))
Carrying the Cross
Still on Saturday was the graduation of my sis from her missions training at Asian Center for Missions (ACM). So from team building, I went here with my family to attend (thank God for the strength! ;P). I had mixed emotions here. I was happy because my sis is now nearer in living the life that God have for her, and that is to be a goer in the missions field for long term. I was also sad because it means she will be away from home. Then I was reminded of this: when we give our lives to Jesus, our lives are no longer for us to live for ourselves but for Him. It's paying the price and carrying the cross. It's not about what you want or what your family wants... It's now all about God.
♫ Where You go, I go / Where You stay, I stay / Whom You love, I'll love / I will follow... ♫
I don't know the title of this song but it hit the right chords in my heart about carrying the cross and following Jesus. It's actually about--Worship. True worship ends in obedience. Now my sis is gearing up and raising partners for her long-term missions. Please pray with me that God will enable her to raise faithful partners that will support her through prayers and finances. :) Thanks!
Passing the baton
And since my sister is now preparing for her missions calling, most probably she will not be able to maintain her online store that she started few years ago. So she passed it on to me hehe! ;) I believe that this is one of the avenues that God can use to support her missions financially. ;))
Whew! There are more reasons now to love weekends! ;)
P.S. Papa is now home from abroad! Yeah yeys! :D and I got a new mobile phone (thank you papa! ;P)
Worship is a lot like love
It was Friday and I was in the church with the small group that I'm leading. We we're attending the Friday youth service and the message was about Worship. Ptr. Joe Bonifacio was the preacher then. I like it when he uses examples from his past experiences to his preaching, making it easier for us (the listeners) to grasp and comprehend the message. (God-given strength! ^^) One of those examples is when he and Rica (now his wife, who is a celebrity here in the Philippines) was still in a bf-gf stage (I apologize.. I don't know any wiser word to use in this haha! ;P). He once gave her an orchid for a gift thinking that this would please her. The next time he went to her house, he saw the orchid--and it looked like it hasn't been taken care of. He then asked her why and she told her that she's not keen on receiving flowers as a gift (or something like that).
Worship is like that. It's not about what you give to God but it's about what He wants. It's like you wanted to please Him with your worship and you want Him to give a rose. You gave Him the flower, but what He wants is a food-trip with you in Batangas. So do you think He is pleased, then? Or worst do you think that He accepted it? God seeks for true worshipers. He is high-class and doesn't want "second rates". So what does He look in a worshiper? A worshiper that worships Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24) ;) It's not about the place, the style, or your opinion. It's about who you worship, your heart, based on God's truth. :)
A "Gen Ad" mentality
Come follow Saturday... It was April 21 and Israel Houghton with New Breed & Planetshakers was in Manila for a worship concert! I wasn't able to reserve a ticket for myself because I'm in a tight budget. :) The night before the concert a friend texted me and told me that she still got a gen ad ticket for the event. She asked me if I'm willing to buy it for P250. Honestly I have nothing to pay for it even just for a gen ad ticket but I didn't close the possibility that maybe God will do something--that someone will bless me so I can buy that ticket, haha! :D Before leaving our house for volunteers' orientation in our church, I charged my digicam in faith that I will be able to watch the concert even though I still don't have the ticket. :)
To make the story shorter. No one blessed me with P250 for me to buy the gen ad ticket BUUUTT!!! Someone blessed me with a complimentary ticket... and it was for a Patron seat! Weee! :D Me with some friends were in the 2nd row from the stage! Some of my friends even saw my face flash on the giant screen because the camera man was just a few steps away from me! Haha! :D
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| That's the camera man that I've mentioned. ;P |
It starts with the leader
Just this weekend I was able to attend our Kids Church core leaders team building. Again, someone blessed me so I can attend this vital team building! Weee, thank You Lord! :D This is one of my faith goals this year, wooh! ;)) We are "leveling up" in Kids Church that's why our leaders should be equipped. God put a high premium to the kids that's why in serving them, out of our love for God and for His people, we should serve them with excellence.
I've learned a lot about leadership. A leader should have a Christ-like character, discover his/her skills, then develop them for him/her to be competent and excellent and... love his/her team to maintain chemistry in the spirit of unity and being one in Christ. :)
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| A glimpse of my notes :) |
Guarding your heart
Here goes that phrase again! Haha! :D During our team building, there were a lot of "revelations" among the single women (and I'm one of them ;P). We were giddy about those and we talked about them until in the wee hours of the morning. (Yeah, it's a girl thing! ;P) Then I realized, it's really hard to guard your heart (and your mind) specially when you're a woman. It's really relying on God's grace in this! ;))
Carrying the Cross
Still on Saturday was the graduation of my sis from her missions training at Asian Center for Missions (ACM). So from team building, I went here with my family to attend (thank God for the strength! ;P). I had mixed emotions here. I was happy because my sis is now nearer in living the life that God have for her, and that is to be a goer in the missions field for long term. I was also sad because it means she will be away from home. Then I was reminded of this: when we give our lives to Jesus, our lives are no longer for us to live for ourselves but for Him. It's paying the price and carrying the cross. It's not about what you want or what your family wants... It's now all about God.
 |
| That's me with my sis and mama :) |
♫ Where You go, I go / Where You stay, I stay / Whom You love, I'll love / I will follow... ♫
I don't know the title of this song but it hit the right chords in my heart about carrying the cross and following Jesus. It's actually about--Worship. True worship ends in obedience. Now my sis is gearing up and raising partners for her long-term missions. Please pray with me that God will enable her to raise faithful partners that will support her through prayers and finances. :) Thanks!
Passing the baton
And since my sister is now preparing for her missions calling, most probably she will not be able to maintain her online store that she started few years ago. So she passed it on to me hehe! ;) I believe that this is one of the avenues that God can use to support her missions financially. ;))
Whew! There are more reasons now to love weekends! ;)
P.S. Papa is now home from abroad! Yeah yeys! :D and I got a new mobile phone (thank you papa! ;P)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Moving on...
I lost my phone last Saturday, and it was my phone for these past 4 years. Huhu... :( It really looked so used up as its keypad is slowly "tearing off" but it still works. I remember that I saved up for this when I was still a student with my allowance and pay (I'm part of our university publication wherein I was an artist staff and we get "paid" depending on our work inputs). I even saved the first-ever text message that I received with that phone which is from my dear friend back in college (yeah, I'm like that.. ;P).
I believe that this is the Word for me from God, "Forget the past or don't dwell in the past because I am doing something new." And it's obvious that my lost phone is part of that "past" that I should forget... :((
So moving on! I started browsing, searching and looking for a new phone! ;)) Sony Ericsson is just the brand for me, maybe because for the last 4 years it was one of their model phones that I've been using and it's really user-friendly for me hehe. ;P
I just want it simple: SMS, camera, music & internet...and it doesn't have a Qwerty pad hehe. ;)
I'm believing for a brand new Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman God. :) Thank You! ;)
I believe that this is the Word for me from God, "Forget the past or don't dwell in the past because I am doing something new." And it's obvious that my lost phone is part of that "past" that I should forget... :((
So moving on! I started browsing, searching and looking for a new phone! ;)) Sony Ericsson is just the brand for me, maybe because for the last 4 years it was one of their model phones that I've been using and it's really user-friendly for me hehe. ;P
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| Image from software2tech.com |
I'm believing for a brand new Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman God. :) Thank You! ;)
Friday, March 23, 2012
There's something about Mary
Do you remember that comedy movie with Cameron Diaz?
I'm familiar w/ that movie but I never watched it. But then I'm not going to blog about that movie. This is about Mary, Mary of Bethany. She's the sister of Martha and Lazarus (the friend of Jesus whom He rose from the dead).
Last Saturday I had my personal prophesy (meaning: God speaking to you through a human agent for strengthening, encouragement & comfort--1 Cor. 14:3) in the church that I'm in. I was nervous before my turn & very expectant that God will talk to me in this. I've been praying for this that God will prepare my heart and the people that He's going to use to prophesy for me. I also talked to some of my girl friends who already experienced it and fished for other stories. :)
It was really a memorable experience for me! My personal prophesy is so... well, personal! ;P Sometimes it felt like they have read my journal haha! :D Part of the prophesy for me is that my "Martha season" is about to end & I will be like Mary, her sister. I don't know much about her other than what I have mentioned above & that Martha is the "workaholic" one while she is the one who "chose what is better" (Luke 10:42). So I took time to know more about her by reading all the Bible accounts concerning her...and this is what I noticed. In all of these there is one "common denominator", she was always said to be...
"At the feet of Jesus..."
At their home while Martha was so busy with all the preparations, she chose to be at the Lord's feet listening to Him. And Jesus said that she has chosen the better thing and it will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:38:42).
Before Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead, Mary got up quickly and went to Him when she learned from her sister that He is asking for her. When she reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet (John 11:28-32).
And she was also at the feet of Jesus weeping & wet His feet w/ her tears, wiped them with her hair & kissed them. She was also the one who poured an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume on His feet and the house was filled w/ its fragrance. Some objected saying that she's a sinful woman and what she did was such a waste. But Jesus said that she loved much & she did a beautiful thing to Him. Wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. (Matt. 26:7-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:37-50, John 12:3)
Mary is a humble servant of Jesus who loved much & was not afraid to display her great love to the One she loved most. He commended her love & extravagant display of worship & adoration for Him. Correct me if I'm wrong, though she's not that "popular" compared to Mary, mother of Jesus & Mary Magdalene, there are no other women whom He complimented like that in the gospel books. He didn't stopped her from what she's doing--because it's right, it's the better thing to do, it's a beautiful thing & it pleased Him. :)
If there are something to admire & mimic about Mary, that will be her humility, her love (because she loved much) & her extravagant & lavish display of worship & adoration to her Lord. :)
I'm familiar w/ that movie but I never watched it. But then I'm not going to blog about that movie. This is about Mary, Mary of Bethany. She's the sister of Martha and Lazarus (the friend of Jesus whom He rose from the dead).
Last Saturday I had my personal prophesy (meaning: God speaking to you through a human agent for strengthening, encouragement & comfort--1 Cor. 14:3) in the church that I'm in. I was nervous before my turn & very expectant that God will talk to me in this. I've been praying for this that God will prepare my heart and the people that He's going to use to prophesy for me. I also talked to some of my girl friends who already experienced it and fished for other stories. :)
It was really a memorable experience for me! My personal prophesy is so... well, personal! ;P Sometimes it felt like they have read my journal haha! :D Part of the prophesy for me is that my "Martha season" is about to end & I will be like Mary, her sister. I don't know much about her other than what I have mentioned above & that Martha is the "workaholic" one while she is the one who "chose what is better" (Luke 10:42). So I took time to know more about her by reading all the Bible accounts concerning her...and this is what I noticed. In all of these there is one "common denominator", she was always said to be...
"At the feet of Jesus..."
 |
| Image from preacherontheplaza.wordpress.com |
At their home while Martha was so busy with all the preparations, she chose to be at the Lord's feet listening to Him. And Jesus said that she has chosen the better thing and it will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:38:42).
Before Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead, Mary got up quickly and went to Him when she learned from her sister that He is asking for her. When she reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet (John 11:28-32).
And she was also at the feet of Jesus weeping & wet His feet w/ her tears, wiped them with her hair & kissed them. She was also the one who poured an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume on His feet and the house was filled w/ its fragrance. Some objected saying that she's a sinful woman and what she did was such a waste. But Jesus said that she loved much & she did a beautiful thing to Him. Wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. (Matt. 26:7-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:37-50, John 12:3)
Mary is a humble servant of Jesus who loved much & was not afraid to display her great love to the One she loved most. He commended her love & extravagant display of worship & adoration for Him. Correct me if I'm wrong, though she's not that "popular" compared to Mary, mother of Jesus & Mary Magdalene, there are no other women whom He complimented like that in the gospel books. He didn't stopped her from what she's doing--because it's right, it's the better thing to do, it's a beautiful thing & it pleased Him. :)
If there are something to admire & mimic about Mary, that will be her humility, her love (because she loved much) & her extravagant & lavish display of worship & adoration to her Lord. :)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Wandering Hearts
WANDERING HEARTS
Staring at the ceiling again
Pondering, thinking again
I don't know what to expect of you
But I just know that I'll be meeting you
There were times I thought I knew you
There were times I thought it was you
But after many suns & moons, believing it's true
Still I see myself waiting for you
As I move & I breathe
Been meandering under this atmosphere
So I muse if we're on the same road
Or sailing the same boat
And I hope our two wandering hearts
Will one day roam in this world no more
** One of the fruits of having that one of those loooong moments with God. :) (I only slept for 2 hours I think hehe. ;P) I got so inspired that I wrote this simple poem for him... Whoever and wherever he is. :)
A new season. A new perspective. Same God. Exciting! :)
Staring at the ceiling again
Pondering, thinking again
I don't know what to expect of you
But I just know that I'll be meeting you
There were times I thought I knew you
There were times I thought it was you
But after many suns & moons, believing it's true
Still I see myself waiting for you
As I move & I breathe
Been meandering under this atmosphere
So I muse if we're on the same road
Or sailing the same boat
And I hope our two wandering hearts
Will one day roam in this world no more
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| Image from http://www.rcwilley.com |
** One of the fruits of having that one of those loooong moments with God. :) (I only slept for 2 hours I think hehe. ;P) I got so inspired that I wrote this simple poem for him... Whoever and wherever he is. :)
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." -Isaiah 43:18-19
A new season. A new perspective. Same God. Exciting! :)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
In all fairness and singleness
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| Image from christianitytoday.com |
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| Victory- UBelt |
Today, February 14, 2012 is my Sabbath day for the week! ;) Not that I did this on purpose but it just so happen that I don't have any appointment on this day. :) I'm just taking it easy today & not pressured to go out for the sake of this "season".
As I mentioned above, there is no Valentine's day for Him. Every day is a love day & we also should live and walk in love (Ephesians 5:2, 2 John 1:6). But honestly this morning, I prayed to God about this. (Haha! Not that I'm not happy being in this season but seeing & hearing love & hearts all over the place can make you pray such prayers! ;P)
Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. Mark 4:27-28 (NIV)
I may not know how He works but I just believe that God is working in the background. I don't know how, when & where, but like the verse say "...the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how..." I may not see it but God says something is happening... though I do not know how!
Some of you (single people in the house specially the ladies!) who are reading this might need to know, or at least be reminded of this: God is working in the background. Maybe you've been sowing seeds of prayers. Night & day believe that those seeds are starting to sprout & grow even if you don't know how. I can honestly say that I'm enjoying this season. When you are filled with God's love, you will not be looking for love from any place or any thing or from anyone. Instead, love will be overflowing from you that it should be shared! ;))
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| Image from RuthieDean.com |
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
That should be my prayer too!
Last Sunday's Word was about "Love at first sight", the first part of our February series, "Love Different". The gist was, don't focus on the external (the looks, the fame, the money, etc.) but on the internal (the character, the calling, the heart) of the person. Because the external will eventually fade, but the internal will stay. :) Love at first sight will not last because a "better sight" will always come along. There will be someone who is more good-looking or more fragrant or sexier, etc. But then this doesn't say that we should "abandon" our looks, instead we should just invest more on our character-building and spiritual growth. :)
On our way home, my sister told us this story that was sort of a "love at first sight"...but that was God-ordained. Hmmm! (She is currently on missionary training so she got a lot of real-life faith stories that are really awe-inspiring! ;P) There was a man who prayed to God & asked Him to "blind" his eyes from all the pretty ladies. He prayed that he will just see the beauty of the woman the Lord purposed for him.
To cut the story short, God granted his request. He never dated because he was not attracted to anyone or got interested to any ladies he met or know. People thought that he was a handsome snob. Then his friends set him up for a blind date & after all the urging he reluctanly gave in to it. When the day came for their blind date his friends told him to pick her up in her church where she was practicing with their church's music team then. As the man entered the church and saw the woman whom his friends set up for their blind date, the "scales from his eyes" came off (while my sis is telling us this story I exclaimed, "Wow! It's like Saul's conversion! Haha! ;P) and saw her very beautiful. He said to himself that she's the one whom he will marry & eventually they tied a knot. :)
Well, I don't know but I realize I should be praying the same prayer. It's true that the heart is deceitful above all (Jeremiah 17:9), but I believe that our eyes contributes to that deceitfulness. ;) Not all that are pleasing to the eyes are really, well... pleasing! I remember Eve and the forbidden fruit in this!
It's like a "love at first sight" story, but then what is remarkable is how the man surrendered it all to God and how God delivered. :) Who got all the glory? The King of Glory, Himself! :D
PS. And I also pray that the man for me will also pray the same prayer. Reserved & preserved. BOOM! :))
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| Image from victory.org.ph |
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| Image from imgscraps.com |
Well, I don't know but I realize I should be praying the same prayer. It's true that the heart is deceitful above all (Jeremiah 17:9), but I believe that our eyes contributes to that deceitfulness. ;) Not all that are pleasing to the eyes are really, well... pleasing! I remember Eve and the forbidden fruit in this!
It's like a "love at first sight" story, but then what is remarkable is how the man surrendered it all to God and how God delivered. :) Who got all the glory? The King of Glory, Himself! :D
PS. And I also pray that the man for me will also pray the same prayer. Reserved & preserved. BOOM! :))
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
An on-going courtship
"Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert & speak tenderly to her... "In that day," declares the Lord, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master'. -Hosea 2:14 & 16 (NIV)
Courtship stage. This is when the man pursues the woman that he desires to be with. It is the man in pursuit of winning the woman to have her & be with her. It can be also taken as a getting-to-know-you stage where both parties can be more familiar with each other: their likes and dislikes, how they behave and know their families and circle of friends. People who are close to them can also be taken as their accountability folks. :) And courtship should be done with an intent of developing a more intimate relationship that will eventually lead to marriage.
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| Image from Facebook |
That's the definition of courtship, well at least for me. But I will not be writing about courtship that only involves a single man & a single lady. I realized that we, the Church, is also in an on-going courtship stage with the Lord. This revelation came to me during the seminar that I attended for our Kids Church last Saturday. We can be called as His people, His servants, or His children, but we are His bride, too! Actually in all of our lives as long as we are still living here on earth, until our Lord is not calling us home or not coming back for His glorious wedding with the Church--we are in the courtship stage with Him.
"Let us rejoice & be glad & give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, & His bride has made herself ready." -Revelation 19:7 (NIV)
Personally, before really knowing God & taking Him seriously, I realized that He was "courting" me. He's been good and gracious and sweet, but I wasn't just mindful or didn't care much of His "moves" to win my heart. But now after I decided to have Him in my life by saying "Yes" to Him, He is still "courting" me! Even we already have said "Yes" to God, He is still on the works of wooing us and pursuing us! He is still on the works of making us fall in love with Him more as we grow with our healthy relationship with Him. Interestingly, the more we know God, the more we will know ourselves. And in saying "Yes" to Him, we should also have in mind of being with Him now and forever! :)
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| Image from weddingwallpaper.net |
Our relationship with God through Christ is like an all-purpose flour or... a swiss knife! Haha! ;) It's all rolled into one! He's our Father, He's our Lord, He's our Friend, He's our Counselor, He's our Savior, our Teacher, etc.! But He is also our Groom! No wonder apostle Paul wrote to the husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church. All of the pruning & sanctifying that we are going through in our lives is for us to become holy & blameless Bride (Church) for our Groom (Christ).
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church & gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, & to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy & blameless." -Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV)
So yes! If you are in Christ Jesus, whether you are single, in a relationship or married... Even if you are a man, you are in an on-going courtship stage with the Lord! :))
Monday, January 2, 2012
Talking to yourself is sometimes healthy
Goodbye year 2011 and hello year 2012! It was quite a "roller coaster ride" for me on the year that was, and I heard this one quote from the radio, "The unreflected life is not worth living." Or something like it. And I'm not sure who said this but it got a point... hehe. :) So after some reflections, I came up with a letter I addressed to myself. I realized that talking to yourself is sometimes healthy! ;)
Dearest Mitch,
Another year have passed, and here is another year for you to live out. I know 2011 was a year full of trials and testing in your life. It may not have been one of the best of your years but I know you can always be grateful to God for the year that was. Several days ago, you reflected upon your life on year 2011. It was kind of a surprise because you didn't expect that it will turn out like this! :) But then it's your prayer that God will take you deeper and make you more Christlike. To be more Christlike, a man should go through pruning, refining and molding and in this he will be going through tests and trials because only through these his character will be developed for the better.
You reflected that 2011 was like your year of "purification". God made you check your heart and your motives many times this year. Many of your wrong mindsets were changed and you had a lot of "renewing of mind" episodes. It was also a year of big changes and big decisions in your life concerning work and your walk with God. There were a lot of times when you doubted God, too. There were times when you felt like you're not contented with just His Word because you already want to see concrete results in what you are doing. You are yearning and crying for your promised harvest that doesn't look near to you. You even entertained fear in your mind and be clouded with worries of what would be the future like. In the end you still chose to hold on to God's Word. The Word that you thought is "not enough" is still the One that makes you go on and makes you sufficient. It's still living by faith and not by sight or by your feelings. Always ask God to boost your faith and eliminate your doubts because whenever you doubt Him, you are hurting Him.
And you're also super grateful to God that He blessed you with many friends and a vibrant spiritual family! Surely they are your "fire throwers" when your flame for God is losing its fire! You are thankful for your Victory Group and for the times when you bond with them, study the Word with them or just sharing your life with them. You're also thankful for Kids Church wherein you can be refreshed with the kids or with your co-volunteers and teachers, who also turned out to be your friends. :) Thank God because He entrusted you to be a part of the Kids Church Creative team, that even it can be so tiring the joy is still there because there are people whom He also put to be in the team that you became friends with. And you know you are using the gifts you have from God to serve others so it may bring glory to Him.
Be more thankful to God because He uses you to bless people even at times you are broke! Haha! ;D He also entrusted beautiful people for you to guide with their walk with God. You know that you prayed and waited for them and God gave them to you this 2011. Never get tired of discipling them and meeting them in your Victory Group even though you don't feel like doing it hehe. ;) He also put you in Arellano University to be part of His work in campuses -- Change the campus. Change the world! Again He blessed you with beautiful people that you became friends with! :)
TRULY, IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU AND IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM! Imagine what your life be like if you're apart from Him? A life without purpose and lasting joy!
Never forget to be always thankful with your old friends and family! You can always bond with your Burgeon friends, or spend an evening with your "Tumblr" mates and talk about anything under the sun haha! :D Be in the mall with the Petshap, go out for dinner with your Varsi Kada or hang-out with your HS dabarkads! :D And your family who are loving, caring and who always guide you is something you can always be thankful to God! :) Being part of a godly family is always a blessing from the Lord! :)
Also don't forget that though 2011 has been a "crazy" year for you, it's also been a year of breakthroughs for you in the ministry where God had put you. And remember that those God loves He disciplines. He disciplines out of His love for you and because He's taking you as His daughter.
Be thankful for the year that was and expectant for the new year. God said that He have good plans for your life and His best will for you to choose. God is the Rock on which you stand and you know that He's unshakeable. Though you may not know what the future holds, you know who holds the future -- it is your loving and perfect Father God in Heaven! :)
Love,
Yourself
PS. And about that one prayer that you've been praying for a time now, which you almost quit on believing for may times... Just continue to pray and believe for God to do awesome things. God is working on the background, and he's just out there. :)
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| Image from oranges-world.com |
Another year have passed, and here is another year for you to live out. I know 2011 was a year full of trials and testing in your life. It may not have been one of the best of your years but I know you can always be grateful to God for the year that was. Several days ago, you reflected upon your life on year 2011. It was kind of a surprise because you didn't expect that it will turn out like this! :) But then it's your prayer that God will take you deeper and make you more Christlike. To be more Christlike, a man should go through pruning, refining and molding and in this he will be going through tests and trials because only through these his character will be developed for the better.
You reflected that 2011 was like your year of "purification". God made you check your heart and your motives many times this year. Many of your wrong mindsets were changed and you had a lot of "renewing of mind" episodes. It was also a year of big changes and big decisions in your life concerning work and your walk with God. There were a lot of times when you doubted God, too. There were times when you felt like you're not contented with just His Word because you already want to see concrete results in what you are doing. You are yearning and crying for your promised harvest that doesn't look near to you. You even entertained fear in your mind and be clouded with worries of what would be the future like. In the end you still chose to hold on to God's Word. The Word that you thought is "not enough" is still the One that makes you go on and makes you sufficient. It's still living by faith and not by sight or by your feelings. Always ask God to boost your faith and eliminate your doubts because whenever you doubt Him, you are hurting Him.
And you're also super grateful to God that He blessed you with many friends and a vibrant spiritual family! Surely they are your "fire throwers" when your flame for God is losing its fire! You are thankful for your Victory Group and for the times when you bond with them, study the Word with them or just sharing your life with them. You're also thankful for Kids Church wherein you can be refreshed with the kids or with your co-volunteers and teachers, who also turned out to be your friends. :) Thank God because He entrusted you to be a part of the Kids Church Creative team, that even it can be so tiring the joy is still there because there are people whom He also put to be in the team that you became friends with. And you know you are using the gifts you have from God to serve others so it may bring glory to Him.
Be more thankful to God because He uses you to bless people even at times you are broke! Haha! ;D He also entrusted beautiful people for you to guide with their walk with God. You know that you prayed and waited for them and God gave them to you this 2011. Never get tired of discipling them and meeting them in your Victory Group even though you don't feel like doing it hehe. ;) He also put you in Arellano University to be part of His work in campuses -- Change the campus. Change the world! Again He blessed you with beautiful people that you became friends with! :)
TRULY, IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU AND IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM! Imagine what your life be like if you're apart from Him? A life without purpose and lasting joy!
Never forget to be always thankful with your old friends and family! You can always bond with your Burgeon friends, or spend an evening with your "Tumblr" mates and talk about anything under the sun haha! :D Be in the mall with the Petshap, go out for dinner with your Varsi Kada or hang-out with your HS dabarkads! :D And your family who are loving, caring and who always guide you is something you can always be thankful to God! :) Being part of a godly family is always a blessing from the Lord! :)
Also don't forget that though 2011 has been a "crazy" year for you, it's also been a year of breakthroughs for you in the ministry where God had put you. And remember that those God loves He disciplines. He disciplines out of His love for you and because He's taking you as His daughter.
Be thankful for the year that was and expectant for the new year. God said that He have good plans for your life and His best will for you to choose. God is the Rock on which you stand and you know that He's unshakeable. Though you may not know what the future holds, you know who holds the future -- it is your loving and perfect Father God in Heaven! :)
Love,
Yourself
PS. And about that one prayer that you've been praying for a time now, which you almost quit on believing for may times... Just continue to pray and believe for God to do awesome things. God is working on the background, and he's just out there. :)
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