For the Courageous and Humble

After my first two jam-packed weeks of December, this week came like a rest week for me. :) I should really be resting now since I got a stiff neck... :( Never thought that having this was pretty hard-- when I look up, down, left, right... Or just have a simple sneeze, there's pain in the neck. Ouch. :(

Since it's pretty hard to move or do something really physical (but still thank God I got to do some of my laundry), I got more time to do some contemplating about the weeks that passed, some reading and writing. Activities that you don't need to move much haha!

And also I still have my hangover from these weddings and got some revelations about love in the context of a husband and wife (told ya, I still have my hangover!). :)

I heard from many people (mostly men), that love is only for the courageous. A man needs to be courageous when he lays his intentions of pursuing the woman that he loves. A woman needs courage to say "Yes" to the man and be completely vulnerable before him. A couple needs courage to face challenges together as a team and not anymore as individuals. And the list goes on. It's like embedded on my mind that if you want love, you got to be courageous.

One of my favorite shots from the #MikLang wedding :)

But God somewhat revealed to me, through these weddings that I have recently been to and through some conversations and observations from the couples that I know-- that if you want love (or you want somebody to love and be with that person for the rest of your life) you got to have not just courage but also humility. :)

People tend to just focus on the "sugar and spice and everything nice" when entering marriage that they almost neglect this part of the reality that marriage is also hard work and the wedding is not an ending but only a beginning (I was never married though, but most of the married couples that I know usually say this, or at least that's the idea when they relate some of their husband-wife stories).

"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church..." -Ephesians 5:22-29

It's a commitment to forevah! (Image from fashionplaceface.com)

Marrying someone comes with a string of commitments...

Commitment of service

Commitment of sacrifice

Commitment of submission

Commitment of purity

Commitment of pursuit

Commitment of purpose

If we are not humble enough, we will not be able to do these. God's grace is needed, and God gives grace to the humble.

We need humility to serve, whenever we do our sacrifices, whenever we submit to God and also for us ladies, to our husbands. We have to have it to keep our purity, to keep pursuing the one you love and to continue to live under God's purpose (this is intertwined with our commitment to submit to God). And yes, I think we got to also have courage to swallow up our pride and be humble. That we are not always strong and not always right. Be brave and humble to know and accept that we have imperfections too, that we are not perfect, so we won't be hard on other's failings.

Just like Jesus, who showed our love for us when He humbled Himself. God became human and made His dwellings among us. He's been so humble that He chose to die a shameful death on the cross just to prove His love for us. And He was also courageous when He chose to do that. He was courageous AND humble.

Love is then, not just for the courageous... It's for the courageous and humble. ♥

Bridal Shower Madness

Over this past weekend, I've been to 3 shower parties that started last Friday til Sunday (well, it was a Shag (Shower and Stag) party that I attended last Friday). :)

It's been really a weekend of laughs and sharing of wisdom and encouragements.

I've never been into a romantic relationship, and I will never be unless the goal for that relationship is marriage. Though it's not a popular idea nowadays, I still believe that it is a wise move because it will help you to at least spare yourself from unnecessary hurts and pains and emotional roller coaster rides.

From all of these shower (and a shag) parties that I attended, I just have some thoughts about marriage, relationships and love (don't think that I'm an expert on these, but talking to many godly people who have been there is really like stumbling upon an oasis in hot desert where you can gather enough water for your own journey).

Shower filled weekend!

Enjoy your season of being single.
Yes it's not really new but this still rings true. :) It will going to be a whole new world once you get married. There are many things that you enjoy doing while you are still single that you may not do again once you already have a spouse (example: sleeping alone in bed hehe!). And if you are not happy being single, then most probably you will never be happy being married too! Save money while you still don't have your own family to support, develop yourself as a person, be the right person for the one that you are going to marry by preparing for him/her, be a blessing to many people, etc. There are a lot of meaningful and significant things that you can do while flying solo. :)

Don't rush but instead also enjoy your time being single with the Lord. We need Him in every season of our lives (single or not), and I believe we will be needing more of Him and His grace once we got married with an imperfect person like you and me. :)


Every story is different.
Every love story is different from each other and God have His ways in doing it beautiful for His children. What important is, God is the Writer and the Builder of that story and relationship. :)

Unless the Lord builds the house,
    the builders labour in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain. -Psalm 127:1

Be who you are.
You don't need to be somebody aside from being yourself. Like Jesus, believe that someone will love you and accept you... ♫ just the way you are... ♫ :) Of course there will still be some things that you need to develop like character traits, but what I mean is you don't need to change if your goal is to be liked back by the person you admire, or to change so that men (or women) might notice you. I believe that when we enjoy being ourselves, God will be pleased--who is our Creator. I'm saying this specially to women. Don't think like...

"I think I should be like her..."
"I should be like this because this is what he likes..."
"If I can be more like her, maybe he will notice me..."

Stuffs like that.

Our goal is not to be someone else... Our goal is to be more Christlike! Not to be "very likeable" or be "crushable". It is to be Christlike! So don't focus on them but focus on Him-- Jesus! :)

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:...

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
-Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 11

Image form amendesigns.com

A Love Letter For No One... Yet.

You got mail!

Dear You,

I think this is really a corny/cheesy idea... writing a letter (or a blog post on this matter) for you, but I'm doing it anyway. Maybe because of the season, it's February! It is when my Facebook news feeds are filled with posts about love. It is when the preachings in my home church (Sunday service, youth service and even in our Kids Church Tweeners service) are all about love. And it is when the malls are full of hearts and reds. Maybe somehow these also compelled me to do this. :) A little cheesiness won't kill me anyway. :)

I just want to say that I'm praying for you... Whoever you are. Before I wasn't that consistent, but this time I'm pretty much more disciplined in doing it compared before hehe. :) I think I'm more guided now in what to pray for you, God is just leading me so. :) I'm praying that you will be the man that God wants you to be, that He will bless the works of your hands and will make you fruitful in every area of your life. I'm praying that you will be a man that is after God's own heart and be excellent in your craft, that you will be a leader serving out of love, who is generous and a man of integrity that flees away from sin. A man who have a child-like faith. And above all else your greatest concern is honoring God, pleasing Him and glorifying Him.

Sometimes I think that you are not existing, and yes I'm open in being single for life. If that is the case, then this letter will be "null and void" and all of my prayers and preparations are just in vain, like a "chasing after the wind". But I am just keeping myself open with the idea of single blessedness so I may not be so focused with the fulfillment of the promise (you) that I'm on my way to neglecting/ignoring the Promise Giver (God). I just want to keep everything in good placing but really, I'm still praying for you and believing that one day I will meet you (or maybe I have already, I may still just don't know now).

I have many crushes but I'm praying that God will guard my heart and keep me emotionally pure haha! Please pray for me that I will be pure even in my emotions. I am praying the same to you. :) Reserved and preserved. :) As early as today, I'm already learning to love you and honestly sometimes it is not that easy, but I know God is helping me (He is my greatest "stirrer" you know! Haha!) It is also my prayer that God will not just prepare us but also our families and friends. Geez I have lots of friends who are excited to see you and sometimes I think they are even more excited than me haha! So don't be surprised if you have to meet many people from different groups of different shapes, sizes and backgrounds. :) But still no pressure! All is well in God's perfect time and ways. :)

This doesn't look like a love letter don't you think? Haha! It's quite challenging to write a letter addressed to no one. At least for now. :) And I hope one day when we both figured out who is the "you" in this letter, we will just at least have a good laugh at this! ;)

                                                                        From,
                                                                             Your soon-to-be bestfriend & suitable helper                                                            

Patches and Wineskins

I attended the first installment of our February/Love month series called "Crazy Love" in our church's Thursday youth service yesterday. To summarize our guest preacher, Ptr. Dan Monterde's message about love, using this very popular verse (and I believe this was also the first-ever Bible verse that I've memorized) in John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

He just gave 3 points about love from this. First is "Love is a decision" (God decided to love us. He loves us. Period. Love is not about feelings or emotions.), second is "Love is giving your best" (God gave His best to us, His only Son Jesus Christ) and "Love is eternal" (God is eternal, He is love and His love is eternal).

But I just want to emphasize on one of his message's chunks that was under point number 2 which is "Love is giving your best". He shared to us that loving is about giving and not gaining. The question should be "What can I give?" and not really "What can I gain?" Then he continued and gave some examples on how can you give your best to the person you love. One point is to respect the person's current season. It's also becoming the best for your love when you respect and maximize your own season right now--being the best child that you can be for your parents, being an excellent student or an outstanding staff in your work or just honing your craft or fostering your character (because a lot of people are looking/waiting for the best person for themselves but they are not being the best for the person that they are looking/waiting for). Every season have its reason (or reasons) and every season is a preparation for your next one.

Then I remembered these verses from one of  my quite recent devotionals in Matthew 9:16-17

“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

This reminds me of seasons in our lives though Jesus didn't mention any word that you can directly relate to it. It just says that there are some things that we are not fitting to do in a particular season. If we still do, things will just get messy (the tear will get worse or the wineskin will burst). Unshrunk cloth will not fit on an old garment, neither new wine on old wineskins. It's like some of your old ways will not be fitting to do on your new season. There are some things that you do as a student that you cannot do as a single young professional. There are some things that you usually do as a single person that you cannot do as a married one. There are some things that you are so used in doing when you are 20 that you cannot do when you are 40. Of course we can still use our "free will" ticket and still do those things but just like the verse paints it, things will get messy. We may not see the effects for now but in the future we will.

It just doesn't fit.

Results might be unmet expectations, disappointments, broken hearts, regrets, should've, would've and could've thoughts, etc.

No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

So let's preserve ourselves. :) Seasons will not adjust for us-- for our feelings, whinings and mayhems. Besides God is super wise that He knows what He's up to when He put us in the season that we are in on such a time as this. :) He is wise and He superbly loves us too that He will put us in our new seasons just in His right time and ways for our own good. :)

More than just a "true love's kiss"

I recently watched the newest animated film from Disney, "Frozen". I wasn't really interested with it at first, but I've been hearing comments, reading Facebook statuses and receiving persuasions from friends that the movie is great and that I should watch it. Since I’m more of a fan of animated films, I gave it a try and watched it with my sister (because a friend told me that I should watch it with her because the plot is basically about two sisters hehe).

Frozen!!! ♥

The movie is a good one… So good that it inspired me to write this blog post haha! :) One thing that I really liked about the movie is how they defined “true love”. It was Olaf (the living quirky snowman) who said that true love is “when you put someone else’s needs before your own.” True love is not just about couples, like what they have shown in the movie.  True love can also be expressed between family members like when Anna saved her ice queen sister Elsa for being killed at the expense of her own life. They thought that Anna will be saved by having that “true love’s kiss” because they thought (and she was convinced) that it is an act of true love, but it was her “sacrificial act” for her sister that saved her from being frozen for the rest of her life. To make it simpler… True love is equals to sacrificial love.

I kind of can relate to the character of Anna. Not that I can easily fall in-love and can marry a man whom I just met, but in the sense of how she thinks she will meet her “the one”. I think like that before... I’m sure that a lot of ladies out there would think that maybe she will meet her “the one” in a gathering and they will have that instant connection because they have the same wavelength, or because he can finish the sentence that she started, or simply because he can make her laugh so easily. There is nothing wrong with these, but I think it is wrong to conclude that just because you can easily connect with each other, and you like the person and the person liked you back, then this must be “true love”.

Oh it must be true love! (Naahh...)

True love is equals to sacrificial love, and sacrificial love is more than just having the same likes and dislikes, or you can feel "butterflies in your stomach" when he/she is near or having that same connection… It’s more of a decision. I remember the scene in the movie when Anna had to choose between Kristoff (her “true love”) and her sister Elsa—she chose to save her sister over her “true love’s kiss”. She decided to make that sacrifice. She decided.

Hug!!!

In this I remembered my grandparents in my father’s side. My grandma just celebrated her 100th birthday last July but last week she already left us and I believe she is now with the Lord. And I ponder about her marriage with my grandpa who is now around 98 years old. They must have made lots of sacrifices for each other to make their marriage work until death do them part. Then last Sunday, one of my aunts from my father’s side again, Auntie Vilma, celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband, Uncle Rey. It must have been 50 years of sacrifices, too! And tomorrow is my parents’ wedding anniversary! For that, 28 years of sacrifices (and counting)! Sacrifice can be defined as, “the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.” Sacrifice of time, of effort, of money, of your right to speak your mind or even your right to remain silent (haha!) etc. for the one you love. You have to decide before you can make a sacrifice. So then true love is a decision, not just an emotion.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. -1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (now that is a lot of sacrifice)

There are people who asked me if I’m ready to be in a relationship, or if I’m ready to fall in-love. Actually, I don’t know. And who knows but only God. And how will I know? Or do I really have to know that now? Because it's always easier to say "I am ready" or even "I am not". Maybe I will know when that time comes when I have to decide. When? That I do not know (and I think I don't have to know). :) But somehow I think you are ready for love when you are already willing to make sacrifices. I have tons of crushes (ok I'm exaggerating), but my frozen heart is reserved to melt for that one person, who maybe will make me sing ♫ For the first time in foreveeerrr!!! ♫ (hahaha! ok, enough of this)

♫ For the first time in foreveeerrr ♫

 
But of course the greatest display of sacrificial love of all is when Jesus died for us. :) Someone can sacrifice his/her time, effort, resources etc. for you but no one can surpass this True Love in its truest form! ♥

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5: 6-8

Cambodia Love Part 2 :)

This is the second part of my Cambodia Love series (because I believe a single blog post for it is not enough hehe). For this one I will be sharing more about the team that I am part of when I went to Cambodia this year. :)

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There's no 'I' in 'team'.

That would mean that when you are part of a team, sacrifices on your part should be made. It's not "me" but "we". But it's not just also "you" but "us".

When I went to Cambodia last year and even last month for a trip, I was also part of a team. They were part of this journey that I had going to Cambodia. We are different from each other and from different backgrounds. Some of us are working, some of us are still studying. We look different from each other (of course haha!) and have different personalities. But we have someone and something common in all of us-- that is Jesus and love. :)

Team Love after our morning devotion :) (Photo from Dax Tapay)

I am thankful to God that I am part of this team. Though I know that this is not a perfect team (because we are all imperfect persons), yet by the grace of God our imperfections and differences did not put our team's unity in jeopardy. Of course a team should be lead by someone. I think a team is not really a team if there is no team leader. :) So our team leader (who is also a church volunteer like all of us), during our first meeting shared something to us. Yep, it's about love!

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." -1 Corinthians 13:13

It should be love that is our driving force why we are going to Cambodia. Love for God. Love for Cambodia. Love for the team. So our team for this year we called it (yes, it's easy to guess) TEAM LOVE! ;) It may sound corny or cheesy to some but I think whatever team that goes out on a missions trip should be called Team Love because you are going out there because of your love to God and to people.

I don't know most of the team members when we first saw each other. I just know a handful of them, others are familiar faces and some I even haven't seen before hehe. But every month we regularly see each other, not just for admin purposes in preparation of our trip but also to bond with each other and to devote our time to the Word together. We build relationship with each other by spending time together. It is a deliberate effort. Because we believe that if we bond with each other as a team and be united, the tasks will be easier to do and the burdens will be lighter when we go to our field--and that is Cambodia. Though I am not saying that there will be no challenges, there will be. It is also to prepare us to the challenges that will come and be settled that we will maintain unity no matter what the cost. That would mean overlooking offenses, stretching patience, look past our differences and being more selfless. It is also praying for each other and praying together.

Sabbath day at Siem Reap with some of our local friends :) (Photo from Dax)

I will always remember those times when we just encourage and pray for each other, because there are times during our preparation that we were discouraged or we doubted if we will really go to Cambodia--may it be our challenges in raising our support, in studies or at work. I myself have doubted before and I almost gave up for this missions trip. But thank God I am surrounded with people who compelled me to not give up. We are also thankful for our team leader, Kuya Mik who lead us well by relying in God's grace (like what he always say, he can always tap on God's grace specially in leading the team ;) ). I'm sure I will also going to miss when he treats the whole team with food during our meetings! Great job Kuya Mik! :D If you are going also on a missions trip with a team, please pray for your team leader. The task and the pressure is always greater for the leader so the team should be also united in praying for him/her. :)

So it was really a joy when we were there in Cambodia. We shared our laughs, our tears and our realizations to each other during the trip. Though all of us lacked sleep during those days (because we have to stay up late and get up early the following day), we thank God for the grace and for the strength to do what we have to do. It was also a joy when we spend our time with our Khmer friends and with our long-term missionaries there. It was more joyful serving and blessing the nation of Cambodia because I'm part of a team who loves God and Cambodia, who loves to laugh, who loves to cry (with tears of joy), and who loves our team. :)

Cambodia Love

Cambodia.

Angkor Wat by sunrise :)

Just a mention of its name, number of thoughts starts running in my head. Before, I just know this country for its Angkor Wat, which is one of our UNESCO World Heritage site. I think it was roughly 4 years ago when I saw this nation on a different light. It was during the time when I watched at the 700 Club Asia its dark history under the Khmer Rouge regime during the 70's. From then on I already had a heart for Cambodia and it's been my prayer that someday God will let me come to that nation and be a blessing there. I have friends who went there before me and hearing their stories just made me pray more to God that He will let me come there someday just like them. God answered my prayer, because years after praying He let me come to this nation for a short-term missions last year! I was really joyful when at last God answered my prayers! It was a great time and my love for Cambodia just got deeper that after my last year's trip I have decided that I will return the following year.

Just this October, I'm thankful to God that He again honored my prayers and enabled me to return in the Kingdom of Cambodia. One of my goals this year was really just to see the fruits or the growth of the local disciples that we met from the last year's trip, since we conducted a team building there on having a small group. Even just before this month, we already heard some good reports about our church there, Every Nation Church Cambodia. One of these are they have transferred to a bigger venue and the other was they have sent many delegates at our Ignite Conference 2013 last summer. It was different seeing them here in the Philippines for it's also a proof of God's faithfulness to them because He made them come here in the Philippines.

Ignite 2013!

Some of our Khmer delegates :)

I think until now, I'm still overwhelmed with God's goodness from the trip. Other than seeing my friends at ENCC, I also had chances to see again my friends whom I've known from Korea when I attended a conference there last year.

With Chantra and Sinat :)

Maybe a single blog post is not enough for me to share my experiences and thoughts for the past trip that I had. It was a long but exciting journey by the way... since I applied again for this trip late last year, met the whole team who were with me in this journey (I will also miss those the monthly meetings that we had before the trip) and arriving again in the Kingdom of Cambodia. I pray that those who read this will also be inspired to go and be a blessing to the nations and also see the bigger picture of God's plan to spread His love to every nation. :)

The future is bright for you, Cambodia

More than just a "Puppy Love"

Puppy love.

They said, "puppy love" also means "young love". This term is usually used (not all the time) by grown-ups to describe their first crushes or first relationships that they had when they were younger. It also means "immature" or "shallow". It's like saying that you "love" the person because that person have a mega-watt smile or is cute, plays basketball very well, makes you laugh, makes you feel happy, makes you inspired, etc.

Image from http://picsbox.biz/

So it's like puppy love = you.

A person is childish or immature when he/she thinks or cares all about him/herself. Notice how a baby clings to a toy that he/she is holding or how a baby cries when you get what he/she is holding. Sadly I realize, there are still people who are already grown-ups yet still have this "puppy love" in them. They go into relationships because they don't want to be alone, they want to feel happy or they want to feel "complete", etc.

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." -1 Corinthians 13:11

For a very long time I was puzzled why is this verse included in the "love chapter" of the Bible. God made me realize that when we love (like we reeeally love in its truest sense), we become mature therefore we think or care less of ourselves and more about the person that we love. We mature so "we put our childish ways behind us". Much like what Jesus did for us. He think less of Himself and showed His love for us by dying on the cross so we may have salvation from our sins and have a full life in Him.

So you know that you love (like reeeally love in its truest sense basing on 1 Corinthians 13) when you think less of yourself and more of the person that you love. :)    

Your love goes on and on...

♫ Your love never fails / It never gives up / It never runs out on me ♫

Yep, that's the chorus part of that song by Jesus Culture, "One Thing Remains". I've been listening to it on and on again for these past two days as this song ministered to me on a different light.

LSS mode :)

It has been said that "No man is an island". It means that other than food, shelter, clothing and some other stuff, a man needs to be with other people through having relationships with them. Whether we like it or not, we are already born with those-- we have our parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. But there are also relationships that we have to choose to have, and that would be our relationships with friends or with any people who happen to be outside (or far from) of your family tree. :)

But as we build relationship with people, we give a part of us to them, making us more vulnerable to them. We are more exposed to possible disappointments, unmet expectations, mistrust, heartaches and letdowns. Time and again we might come to a point of holding all it up, build our own walls around us and then have our reservations of giving a part of us to people since we can be so tired of being hurt. We may be all around with people yet be so reserved. In one way or another, I may have come to this point without knowing it.

The thing here is I kind of decided in the back of my mind that I will contain myself behind my own walls so as not to be too vulnerable. Playing like a "tough cookie" I guess. ;)

I would have call this as a "Fasting Hangover 2.0" post. :) It was during the Day 2 of our Mid-Year Prayer and Fasting that was held last week when I read the "Love chapter" of the Bible in 1 Corinthians 13. In that whole chapter, these words kind of spoke louder to me:

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...

It dawned on me that I'm doing this not because I'm scared to be wronged or don't want to be hurt. They are just on the surface. The truth is I don't fully trust God anymore in this. I may give tons of reasons why but this is the bottom line, I'm having trust issues with Him (Ouch!) It's like I'm saying that God is holding my heart, only that it is caged and chained. :) But no no... God doesn't want me to do that. He still wants me to be open and free, just like a loving father. :)

If God is love, then HE always protects, HE always trusts, HE always perseveres and HE never fails.

I attended the Day 2 prayer meeting in our church later that day, and the song that I've mentioned was played by the music team. It struck a chord in my heart and then have this thought in my mind:

If I have God and His love in my heart... then disappointments, heartaches, heartbreaks, letdowns, etc. may come but it's just fine... because HIS LOVE NEVER RUNS OUT ON ME. :) It's not that I will be super invincible and will not feel any pain anymore, it is just being secured, being brave and confident that whatever this heart may go through... it will not be calloused or dried up because God's love flows through it. :)

I realized that God's love doesn't just make us complete, joyful and alive. It can also make us brave and strong, not because we are rigid, but because we never run out of love to give that is from the Lord. :) Now that is being secured!

♫ And on and on and on and on it goes / And it overwhelms and satisfies my soul / And I never ever have to be afraid / 'Cos this one thing remains ♫

2012: The Year That Was

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

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..."

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. :)        

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

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! :)

In all fairness and singleness

Image from christianitytoday.com

Yeah, I know. There is no such thing as Valentine's Day for God. God IS love & love IS God and I believe He wants us to spread the love beyond February 14. But then I noticed that Valentine's Day was like specially "packaged" for couples. Chocolates & flowers are suddenly in demand in the market, restaurants and malls have their valentine's promos fit for couples & TV programs have their valentine's specials, too.

Victory- UBelt

Valentine season is also very appealing to the youth so it's really a great time to appeal to them! We have this February series in our church for our youth services named, "Weird Love". It was really UH-MAY-ZING because on our week 1, we already have 6 overflow rooms filled with young people! Before the service starts the line even reached outside the building! :D GOD is BIG! ;))

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! ;))

Image from RuthieDean.com

In all fairness & singleness! Let's just enjoy the season that we are in! Practice excellence, love God & love people, do great things for His Kingdom that you can do as a single, etc... As we work for the things that matters to God, He will work on the things that matters to us. And in the first place, it is God who put that desire in our hearts. :)   

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. :)

Image from victory.org.ph

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.

Image from imgscraps.com

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! :))       

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.

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! :)

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! :))

Christmas Aftermath

After all the parties that I attended, all the food that I ate and all the gifts I received... This realization struck me the most in this year's Christmas.

The day before Christmas Eve we were listening to DZAS (a Christian radio station here in the Philippines) and they had a special programming in which they are raising funds for the victims of typhoon Sendong (Washi) that hit the northern part of Mindanao days before Christmas. The reports and scenes from the typhoon-hit cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete are really heart breaking. Many families lost their homes, properties and even lives of their loved ones--from babies to grandparents. There was a flash flood in the deep of the night that is believed an effect of illegal logging in the said areas.

Many were asking, "Where is Christmas in this?" or "How can they celebrate Christmas?" Sadly, many people believe that to have a Merry Christmas, you have to have a sumptuous meal, gifts to give and gifts to receive, be at the parties and go shopping. I'm not against these but may these things not hinder us to know the REAL meaning of Christmas.

Image from newlifeccc.org.au

Amidst the disaster that hit the Philippines this season, I was really reminded of the real picture or meaning of Christmas.

While listening to the radio, I got so overwhelmed by what I'm hearing that I started to cry. Not mainly because I pity those people who was hit by the tragedy but I can say it can add to that. But really, the reason is I can see the love of God manifested.

It's concrete. It's tangible.

Reporters say that people are giving in-kind donations to their offices, riding on jeepneys or tricycles. On television, many people are taking their part in helping people. Many are praying, many are giving their pledges, many are volunteering.

I know this "Christmas-inspired" post is kinda late but I believe that the love of God is never outdated and never seasonal.

It's classic, it's timeless and it's priceless.

Image from media.photobucket.com

I saw the real meaning of this season during this time of disaster in Mindanao. People are helping the helpless, leaving their comfort zones to volunteer, sharing what they have to people who can't pay them back, praying to people that they don't know and giving love and showing compassion.

It was like humanity before Christ was born; we were helpless, we were destroyed, we were hopeless... and thank God He gave His Son! Now as the song says, "the weary world rejoices"! Jesus left His comfort zone for us, He is generous to us who can't really pay Him back, He prayed and even died for people who doesn't know Him and gave love to us who are so undeserving. When I realized that this is what's happening to evacuation centers, I can't help but be overwhelmed and say that, "That is Christmas!"

Be part of this love movement and give! 

You can give through...
World Vision

Image from World Vision Philippines

Operation Blessings

Image from Operation Blessings Philippines

FEBC (702 DZAS)

Image from FEBC

With this, a verse came to my mind. I think this was the first ever Bible verse that I memorized! :)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16 (NIV)

  

Twenty Three. Bente Tres. Dalawampu't Tatlo.

Seeing the number 23 reminds me of two persons: Michael Jordan and David Beckham. Number 23 is their jersey number and both are brilliant athletes in their chosen sports. ;) (And Beckham was one of my highschool crushes then... until now haha! :D)

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

I just turned 23 last Tuesday and my 22nd year on this earth was quite crazy! Haha! :D One of my major decisions then was about my career (oohh, career! ;P). Within the year I got a job then several months later I resigned because I decided to go freelancing and put up a small business (online most probably) so I'll have more time to volunteer in the church. But it was easier said that done! I was more delighted and satisfied helping or serving in the church, engaging with people and leading them than being in an office. I'm not saying that I was not thankful during the time that I'm in it, but I'm just happier and felt more fulfilled doing these.

It was not easy because I just found out that when you are just starting as a freelance graphic artist, looking for clients/project-based works through the net is not a piece of cake. Since you're searching in the worldwide web, the competition is more challenging because I'm sure there are hundreds of thousands freelance graphic artists out there doing the same stuffs that I do. Honestly, there are many times I saw myself complaining to God regarding this (and I am sorry to God.. :( ). Generally, I bring my plans to God for His approval before doing them. I believe that I got His approval when I decided to go and leave my previous job. But then in the following months I started to doubt if I really got Him right! There are times when I really got consumed with these issues like I don't have a regular income at the moment. I've known that when things are getting difficult it doesn't always mean that it is not God's will. (Again, easier said than done! Haha! ;P) I'm just thankful to God because when I feel like giving up, He will give me a Word and by His grace I will be able to hold on again. :)

Image from notsalmon.com

I frankly asked Him if I got Him all wrong and can I just get another office work because it looked like I got all the reasons to do so. But He just said to me, through His Word, that I just have to "keep the faith and keep hoping" (Romans 4:16 & 18). He didn't say I got Him all wrong, but just keep the faith. So until now I'm still working on my freelance career and my tiny-winy business hehe. :)

It's said that when you count your blessings, you will find out that there are reasons for you to be always thankful for... even on the little things. So I looked in what I have and not on what I don't. First, I have this intimate relationship with God, I have a whole & loving family and we don't really get sick, I have my spiritual family who are also my friends and are ready to encourage me, God gave me talents that I can use to serve Him and others and He entrusted to me people for me to guide in their walk with God. The list could go on and on and really I have many blessings in this life that I should be thankful to God for. :) This past year may be really crazy (there are more "crazy" things that happened actually than this ;P) but having this roller-coaster ride was worth it all because God is with me. :) I believe He's just teaching me lessons when He put me on these "crazy" situations. :) And yes! Celebrating my 23rd birthday is also a blessing! :D

Image from dogs.lovetoknow.com

I prayed to God a thanksgiving prayer during my birthday, and that I may do His will by His grace and be always joyful while doing it. It's my prayer that I will finish the race strong AND joyful! (And I hope you will have the same prayer, too! ^^) I asked what His Word for me for my birthday and the book of Titus was impressed to me.

"...who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own eager to do what is good." - Titus 2:14

"This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless." -Titus 3:8-9

"Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives." -Titus 3:14

BOTTOMLINE IS: Continue to do what is good! And what is "good"? The will of God (Romans 12:2)... And the will of God is the Word of God. :)      

Kids Church realization... :)

Kids are adorable. Sometimes I see myself wearing a wide grin just by watching them. Last Sunday while volunteering for Kids Church Pre-school, I got to see how several kids talk. It sometimes amazes how can they understand each other with those fragments and speech as they talk with each other!

We have this new rule in the classroom. I personally call it, the "balloon rule". (hehe...;) I can't think of any!) We have I think 16 balloons (8 for boys and 8 for girls), stuck on the board in front of the class. If the boys become noisy, the teacher will pop one of their balloons. Same rule apply for the girls. The group with more balloons left in the end of the class wins & will get a reward. This was for classroom management purposes and I must say it worked for us! ^-^ 

Image from www.happypartyidea.com

Now I got to handle one of those kids. She's a very cute and adorable girl with round eyes and slightly wavy hair. She always asks me to help her with her crafts, to come with her when she wants to go to the comfort room to pee or to wash her hands, help her with her food and just ask me questions about anything! Then she started to ask me this question, "Teacher... Are you going to pop those balloons?" Then she covered both of her ears with her hands. I answered her smiling, "No, we will not pop those balloons if you will all remain behave." Then moments came by and she asked me again... "Teacher... Are you going to pop those balloons?" (Still with her hands on her ears) And so I answered her with the same reply.

I can't help but smile whenever I remember this girl! She's just adorable and not to mention she's well-behaved! :) I also prayed for her healing because she have juvenile rheumatism. During one of my quiet times with God, I told Him of how I was pleased with this girl. Even she's asking me the same question over and over again and even she's always asking me to help her with almost anything during that class. Then I came to realize this and asked God, "Am I pleasing You the way this girl pleased me?" or "Am I not irritating You when I always ask the same thing to You over and over again?"

I've got a lot of prayer concerns to God and some of them I've been praying for years now. I always ask Him to help me with these and with those and sometimes I feel like I'm a broken record before Him. Then this morning, I believe He answered me with this,

"And He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 18:3-4 (NIV)

So I got to ask myself, "Why was this girl asking me the same question all over again? Why is she keeps on asking me to help her and to go with her?" It is because she recognizes me with someone who have authority over her. Because she knows I know the answers to her questions. Because she knows that I am able to help her. Because she can't go with no one to guide her. Because she knows that she's a kid and me being the grown up and her teacher, she knows that I am able.

Image from deviantart.com- cweeks

God is pleased with us when we come to Him as a child. When we know we are helpless apart from Him, when we know He got all the answers to the questions that we have and when we know that He is ABLE. He is pleased when we live as His child and we see Him as our Father. Thank God for Jesus that through Him we can be called as God's children! :D Having a giant faith is being childlike before our God. When you are just relying on His strength, His grace, His faithfulness, His mercy and His love. :)