The Year 2012

Got a card from Mom Elaine (my precious mother-in-law). The verse she sent encouraged me and made me hopeful for the coming days. 

It says, Numbers 6:24 " The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace."

The Year 2011

For the year 2011, days have been filled with joy, laughter, tears, some confusion, some disturbance, some rebukes, some battle, some problem, some questions, some fears, some murmurings, some bad attitude towards something, some misunderstanding, some pain, some suffering, more love, more friends, more care, more blessings, more of Jesus less of us, more readings, more teachings, more learnings, more wisdom, more earnings, more callings, more patience, more sacrifices, added family members, added friends, added knowledge...ayan and more ang bumubuo ng tao natin...

Did you win soul this year?

Have you been VERY patient this year?

Have you loved this year?

Did you grow in faith?

Did you stumble and fall and stand again?

Did you get an answer to your question?

Did you asked and received?

Did you fell in love?

Did you win a friend back?

Did you forgive and forget?

Did you take chances?

Are you thankful?

Are you blessed?

Are you holding on to the Lord's promises?

Are you having some problem with your behavior or attitude?

Are you moving on? or holding on?

Are you still prideful?

Are you living in fantasy or reality?

Are you loved? 

I Live to Testify

So what is TESTIMONY? It is a solemn statement, affirmation, declaration, something that serves as evidence and something that encourages others.

John 1:7 This man came to witness, that he might testify of the light, that all men might believe in it through him.

How to we give our testimony or how to testify?

1. No need to be dramatic or emotional - some people cannot relate to sensational testimony. We don't ask mercy on people who are listening to us. We don't boast. No immaterial things are needed when we testify of the goodness and greatness of God.

2. We should have a strong testimony - telling the amazing things that God did to us. Testifying on who we are before and who we become when we receive Jesus and believe in him. What are the changes in our lives? Do not say things that are irrelevant.

3. We have to be truthful - God wants an honest and authentic testimony. No added information just to make the testimony looks good to listen to. Don't use meaningless words that would just lift yourself up.

4. It should be clear - there are new convert that isn't familiar with the wordings that we use. Some of them are not well verse or haven;t read the Bible yet. we have to be clear on our testimony in this way, they'll be able to understand it.

And why do we testify? It is one way of giving glory to God and inspiring others. It is also a way to build your faith - knowing God's faithfulness in the past and His strength to give you greater faith in the future.

When we testify, people will begin to realize that God is for real and He's true to His promises, miracles do happen and prayer works.

Have a blessed day.

Make Us Spiritual

While setting up for music practice, i thought about the word  "improvements" - for myself and for my team.

Was thinking of what could have been wrong or what are the things that we weren't able to do or we forgot to do.

We are in the flesh...it's very evident...very visible...

There are times the team weakens me. Oh my bad...maybe it's me who weakens me.

Ministry is life for me. But what about my team? My team are one of the precious things i have in my life. I maybe older than them, but we are family here, i cannot be the mother though. I can be their teacher or mentor, or leader appointed to them but as a leader, i also need to be led.

And as leader, i am not perfect. But who is perfect? No not one...only God.

The member of team composes of men and women with different views and personal beliefs and ideals. But we have the same FAITH. We're praying for ONE ACCORD.

Just some few weeks ago, it is very hard for me to lead a group that seems so emotional with their lives. I have my feelings too. Emotional problems and stresses weakens me too. But here's one thing i desire of the Lord....to make us SPIRITUAL.

We don't battle against flesh...but in spirit. We all know that the flesh is weak so why entertaining it? If one and all isn't worthy, then who will lift up God's Name?

The problem arise when we are too focus on what is happening around us that triggers our emotion. We cannot serve God and our emotion.

Just this morning, a precious co-servant carries a burden...a burden on which he needed to deal with it and choose whether he will stand and serve God or clear himself first of what he feels? Is it about the self or the surrendered life to God?

Lord. please make us spiritual in an emotional world. 

When the answer is...NEGATIVE

As Christian, everyday is a great privilege to pray. The Scripture said, "Pray without ceasing."

But, what if, we have been praying for so long...like for example 5 years, and we're asking the Lord for the same thing and it seems like answer is very far from reach. Or it seems like it will never happen or it is probably not possible?

Are we going to give up?

Should we stop praying and hoping for answer?

Oh well...here's the phrase that keeps popping out whenever i think of the word "QUIT"....it's "PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE"

For me, we pray and ask because we believe that God is able to give us everything according to our faith and His will. We've taught to wait and never lose heart. We've taught that even though how long we waited, the grace of the our Lord is sufficient for our needs...the waiting needs.

What are the waiting needs?

Here are some i have experienced so far:

•      1. Wisdom - without which we will surely give up
•      2. Strength - we maybe a weaker vessel, but in asking, we need an extra strength from the Lord
•      3. Comfort - we have this feeling of sadness every time our prayer has not been answered...we need to be comforted
•      4. Help - surely we need this one
•      5. Time - maybe the Lord wants to see how prepared we are of the blessings. And there's perfect time always.
•      6. Humility - the thought of what if we already get the answer now, can we be good stewards of it? Are we going to boast on it? Can we remain humble?
•      7. Prayer - as what is written above, "without ceasing"
•      8. Courage - and not a failing heart
•      9. Love - more of it
•     10. Hope - that all things are possible with God. Hope for prayers to be answered. Hope for great things. Hope for POSITIVE results after all the waitings.

This and more.

Have a happy sunday friends.

Are you a Finger-Pointer

Photo from this link

"Instead of being one, consider forgiving yourself and close your fist because you might realized you're pointing on your direction" 

Dealing with Failures

Just a lesson i have learned from the Book of John chapter 8:1-11. The story of a woman who sinned.

Anyways, who amongst us have never ever sinned in our entire lives?

I don't think those who can read this blog can say they are perfect.

Well, nobody is.

We have failed many times. Though we endure and overcome, still it's a failure attached to us.

How to deal with those failures? Ours and other people's?

Here's some:

1. Don't attach labels to other people's failures. 

Often times we tend to judge immediately by attaching words to a person's name. We can see it in the news and television program when there are times that being "ugly" is a failure. In John 8, it talks about a woman whom they wanted to be stoned because of her being an adulterer. So the scribes and  pharisees together with some other people labeled the woman as an "adulterer". Who among us wanted to be called this way? None i guess. Even the one who committed it ofcourse doesn't want to be labeled as such.

Being born again, the Lord call us a new creature and evenso, He keeps on changing us everyday.

Can't we not give others a chance to be changed too?  We must not close the possibilities that the Lord can change this people. We must not judge. We ought not to.

2. Always remember there are two sides to every story. 

Even if at first thought we knew that the other person is guilty, we have to hear the other side of the story. Our God is a fair God. He is just. He is all-knowing. He can read our hearts. We are not God and for this we cannot know what is in the other person's heart so we must not judge.

We need to listen. People need to be heard. Who knows if this is God's way to turn them to Him.

We are a failure before we are born again. We have been weak physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We have been in the flesh and so we have to thank the Lord for His dealings with us. And He is not finish with us yet. Until now, He patiently deal with our bad attitudes and character.

3. Don't embarrass

How would you feel if you are that woman who have been caught and judge and humiliated in front of so many people?

How many times have we not consider other people's feelings?

Is it too hard to protect someone's else dignity because we are too busy protecting our own?

As i've said, we are NOT PERFECT. We always need room for growth and improvement.

We should not be harsh on them instead we should help them get up and continue with life as a new creation. Show love and respect. Stop embarrassing anyone.

4. Confront with care

Do not condemn. Rebuke with love. Help sincerely. 

We need to be a vessel of God's grace and mercy and not being harsh to others. Remember that, we too, have mistakes and failures and the Lord is showing us grace and loving-kindness.

Let us not love and then judge but rather love and love more. People need to be understood as  to understand.

Deal with other people's failures as how how God deals with our failures. 


Felt by me,

REUNION

Aunt yolly asked me, "when is our family reunion?"

Reunion always excites me. It's the time of the year or after so many years of not seeing each other, here comes the clan reuniting and you'll realized someone there that you haven't met and is now there telling you he/she is your grandpa, grandma, aunt, uncle, cousin, nephew, niece, and worst he/she is your granddaughter/son. Haha.

Reunion makes way for reconciliation. This is the best part. When two or more in the family forgive each other.

Reunion bring tears too. Be it tears of joy or pain. It's the time when we realized we are not complete - someone is missing and we missed that person/s.

I don't remember my lola on my dad's side. I just saw her photos but i never remember myself with her in my youth. She died when i was like 2 or 3. Both my lolos passed away. But i had moments with them. Before my lolo (father side) died, he lives with us. He was a copy of my uncle badong, which they said is a copy of my papa and my kuya joel too. When we visit uncle badong (while he is still alive) in his house in Ilocos, he said, "i am going to kill and cook one goat for you all." and he chose his best in the farm. That's how he value family. He build a house and told us everyone is welcome there and said, "it's your house. This is for your dad too." Oh how i missed my uncle. One of my aunt (dad's side again) died when i was in college. She's beautiful, a beauty that i admired. And i love her. I remember, she takes good care of me when i was young and even send me to school (grade 3) in baguio city but then i missed my family and decided not to pursue studying there. But i returned and lived with them when i was in college.

Reunion gives way for other family members who lives outside the country to take this time, a wonderful opportunity, to leave work, go back to their home country and spend precious times with families.

Oh how i love being reunited with my cousins and aunts and uncles.

How i wish we'll have one soon.


Happy, yippee, yehey,

What burdens Me?

This burdens me:

1. People that are unsaved. - Those who lives still in the world. The ones who haven;t accepted the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. Those whom the Lord loves and willing to accept in His kingdom but they refuse. Those that are not yet born again.

2. Believers who swayed in the faith. - The backsliders in heart. The church-goer who murmured.

3. A co-servant who compromises in the ministry. 

4. A bible study cell that doesn't grow not just in numbers but in faith. - those who remained baby. Those who won't accept rebuke but reasoned on it. Those who willingly accept milk rather than meat.

5. A person who is prideful and selfish.

6. A person who boast about what he/she have, what she have done, what she accomplished in the world, what she did for herself, etc.

7. The pain of the youth. - When their heart is broken. When they too are burdened.

8. Facebook and other social networks - Its effects on the students, the teachers, the bystanders, and even the church goers and workers. How the words, phrases, and comments on it hurts and breaks someone.When it is not being used to glorify God but instead pleasing men.

9. A lying Christian or believers. - i think this is also similar to compromising. When you lie on your job: when you said you're sick but you're not. When you are ashamed of sharing the Word of God and saying you are not.

10.  Myself - How i act. My attitude, my behavior, my pride.

This and more burdened me.

Lord, have mercy. 

The More I Seek You

Whooopss...i am emotional. Aching for more of God.

While i am getting my food for breakfast, i was thinking of me as a failure.

Failure in the aspects of my life.

Failure as a daughter, as a wife, as a friend, as a neighbor, as a servant of God.

The song of Kari Jobe came into my mind but it came in a different way.

I started with THE MORE I SEEK YOU and ended up like this:

The more i seek You

The more i fail You

The more i fail You

The more i sin against You

I wanna do what You want

But i'm so selfish inside

Laying back in my pride

Forgive me Jesus

The pain is so deep

In Your heart i have cause it

Give me chance to live, let Your mercy revealed

In humility,