thanks mr. munroe

1. enjoy your full potential as a man
2. lust focuses on self
3. remember your children. love them (even if they are not yet born)
4. be the best husband a father to your family

Why Rejoice?

Because our rejoicing is not and will never be dependent on the situation we are into in this planet.

Because God says so. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!(Philippians 4:4 NIV)

Because our Father in heaven who is deeply in loved with us is still in control.

The Greatest Companion

His guidance is a treasure.
To be with Him is a great assurance that
I am the winner
and not my foes.
To see Him working with me
is a nice scene to witness
in doing everyday ministry works.
Endless energy, boundless strength and infinite enthusiasm
are what I get in having Him.
The Holy Spirit of God leads me
all day all the way!

after a few weeks

I'm back standing again. After a few weeks of facing giant-size predicaments in several aspects of my life, finally I am back. Although I am not yet done fighting some of these giants, I can say I am better now.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. - 1st Timothy 6:12

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. - 1st John 4:17

His grace is indeed more than enough. For each and every trouble we have, God has a solution. To trust in Him and to totally depend on His Spirit are what we need to practice though this trying times. To be identified with Christ, we need to practice our faith; faith which is founded in His Word. To always remember that God is in control is quite hard when your already in the "situation" but at least, we should try doing this.

"I am pressed but not crushed; persecuted not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. I AM BLESSED beyond the curse for His promise will endure and His joy is gonna be my strength."

TRUE

I have learned that true friends will help you keep going.
You may be hurt by people who do not like you but
If you have true friends around you
Which Maxwell termed as "inner circle",
You will be refreshed exceedingly with their
Words of encouragement.
Even if a lot of people have already cursed you
These people will still bless you.

PERA

Kailangan ko nang pera. High Endurance deodorant is worth P120 - P130. My hair soap, the one which claims to be the number one anti-dandruff shampoo, is worth P120. A single meal is worth P40 - P50, extra-rice included. Naku, hindi naman binabagsak ng langit ang mga pangangailangan ko. At para magkaliwanag ang bahay, aba'y kailangan ko magbayad ng ilaw, ok. Buti na lang at binata pa ako. Minsan naiisip ko paano na lang kaya kapag ako ay nag-asawa na.

Wala naman talaga akong marami nito. May ipon ako, pero hindi pa sapat para makabili ng bahay o ng isang second-hand na kotse. Buti na lamang hindi ko kinahiligan ang pag-bili ng gadgets. Minsan naiisip ko, paano kaya kung ang kinahuhumalingan ko ay pagkolekta ng mga mamahaling mga gamit na ito.

Panalo na ang lalaking kasabay kong nanliligaw sa isang magandang babae kung pera ang labanan. Malamang uuwi akong luhaan. Panalo na ang kalaban ko sa court room kung pera ang basehan ng batas. Panalo na ang kalungkutan kung sa pera nakatali ang kasiyahan ko.

Yun ay kung pera ang labanan, ang basehan o ang pinagmululan ng tagumpay sa anumang aspeto ng buhay. PERO, HINDI PERA ANG NAGPAPAIKOT SA MUNDO KO. Sana sa mundo mo rin. Lalo na kung nauunawaan mo ang kahalagahan ng pagiging kontento sa buhay mo.

You're not gonna stop dreaming. You're not gonna quit asking from God the things you want to have. But be sure you understand well enough that JOY IS AND SHOULD NOT BE DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU HAVE IN YOUR POCKET.

So, stay happy!! :D

I DO

I PREACH. "That is what I am called to do. I don't enjoy my week without preaching the Word.", said my uncle in Texas when He came back to the Philippines to visit. I am starting to feel the same way I thought.

I SING. Singing is not something I got innately. But since then, second to praying, it has been my second stress buster. While strumming the guitar (if available), whenever I get troubled, I start singing. Oooh yeah yeah. . .(kulot kulot pa! Lol.)

I EAT. Have you tried KFC's Twister? I tell you, the first time I tried it, it blew my mind. :D Sobrang sarap. Kaya ayun, naluha ako! Nyaha!

I LEAD. And I won't stop doing it. This is what I got from God as a gift and so I will die a great leader. Para sa bayan!!! :D

I WRITE. It is not just a past time for me. I account things that are happening in my life. I believe life experiences happen to teach us lessons. Why not record them and share to others.

I LIVE. For Him.

ALLEN = ANOINTED

I have never received such a great assurance from His Word which tells me to STAND UP, DO WHAT I OUGHT TO DO FOR I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY GOD TO DO HIS WORKS.

With this assurance coming from Him, I struggle no more with intimidation and insecurity. But if ever I will be attacked again by these great foes, I believe they will just remind me that God is in control and He committed no mistake in calling me to serve.

Time to catch up with what I have missed doing in the ministry. Time to regain speed as I run after the purpose of God. Time to check my priorities. IT'S MY TIME NOW TO RECEIVE WITH OPEN ARMS THE MULTITUDE.

I am anointed.

Simula Na

karugtong...

Natalo. Kinain ka ng sarili mong maling gawa. Humantong ka sa matinding pagkawasak.

Ano ang kasunod? Para sa akin at sa mga taong sa KANYA nakatuon ang mga lumuluhang mga mata, ito ay isang simula.

Magandang simula - dahil dito ating makikita ang pamamayagpag ng kabutihan ng Diyos at ang pag-apaw ng Kanyang pag-ibig. Dito iyong mararanasang baguhin ng Kanyang mga kamay.

Sa iyong paningin tila iyon na ang iyong katapusan. Ngunit, hindi pala. Hindi pala! Simula ito ng Kanyang pagpapakita ng Kanyang pag-ibig - walang hanggang pag-ibig. Hinayaan Niyang matalo ka hindi sa kung ano pa mang dahilan. Ang layunin ay maipakita sa iyo, nang malinaw, ang katotohanang, ang sarili mong lakas at talino ay walang panama sa bagsik ng kalaban. Walang panama.

Kailangan maihayag ang katotohanang kaya may namatay sa krus para tayo ay mabuhay.

Kailangan natin mamatay sa kasalanan upang tayo ay ay muling mabuhay sa pagkakilala sa Kanya.

Talunan

Isang araw ka nang lugmok sa kasalanan. Ninais mong ito'y tigilan; tinangka mong isalba ang sarili; pinilit mong pagandahin ang sitwasyon pero ang lahat ay walang panama sa tindi ng tadyak ng Kasalanan sa iyong tagiliran. Namimilipit ka ngayon sa sakit. Hindi ka makabangon. Hiyang hiya ka sa pagkatalo mo. Di mo alam ang gagawin mo. Sa ngayon, puno ang puso mo ng panghihinayang, ng lungkot, ng sama ng loob, ng mga katanungan.

Palagi na lang bang ganito? kailan ka ba mahihinto sa pagkatalo sa laban mo na 'to? Anung susunod sa pangyayaring 'to?

Wala eh. Di mo talaga kayang patumbahin ang kaaway mong nang-aalipin sa 'yo. Sunud-sunuran ka sa lahat ng kanyang ipinagagawa. Kayang-kaya ka niyang paikut-ikutin. Dinig na dinig mo ang lakas ng kanyang halakhak na tila tuwang-tuwa sa iyong pagkadapa at paghalik sa lupa hanggang ang sarili mong suka ay dumampi na sa iyong mga labi.

Sa mga pagkakataong ganito, wala na ngang ibang makakapagpabago ng iyong masaklap na sitwasyon dahil sa KASALANAN. Lalo na kung IKAW MISMO ang ayaw magpabago

itutuloy...

WAIT LANG!!

See, we don't have to force things to happen. To contest this dogma is futile. Nature teaches us how to let go and let God. Like how we need not to force the flowers to open their buds, we need not to hurry ourselves especially if what God wants us to learn is to be patient.

No matter how hard I tried to force these two teenagers to admit whatever wrong that is going on between them, I ended up hearing nothing but denials. I once asked my self when will they end their lie. I wondered how they can get along in the ministry pretending.

Oct 26, 2009 - the appointed date has come for such a lie to be brought up into light. IT'S FREEDOM DAY! Finally one of these two youths opened up and downheartedly admitted the truth they have been keeping for a long time now. She has been freed at long last.

I saw her earlier that day. She looked different. There was no glow in her young pretty face. With God's gift of discernment, I sensed the chance to talk to her. Praise God for the wonderful and liberating time I had with her. She got relieved from all the burdens that she was carrying on her shoulders. At the same time, her passion to preach the Gospel has been redefined in her heart. Even the purpose of leading others back to Christ was rekindled. I got reminded of grace - the undeserved love of God for everyone at all times.

Truly His timing is perfect. He knows when is the right time to call each of us back to Him. He moves according to His timing, whether we like it or not, whether we are ready or not. What we need to learn by doing is to just fully trust Him.

God be glorified. (Ps 25:4, 27:7-14; John 8:32)

Tama na ang drama.

It's time to let go of the LAW-BOUND MINDSET

Grace is more than enough for all of us.

Ephesians 2:8-9

it should be BIG

the moment you have run out of strategies in solving your problem is the same point God will use to reveal to you the size of your faith.

I hope it's BIG.

Nakakatuwa

Nakakatuwa ang...

Anniversary - i was one of the worship leaders. hooh! tama naman ang mga unang nota sa dalawang kantang kinanta ko.

Pagkakasundo - si melvin namansin na! :)

Red Cliff - maganda. maganda.

Monday night with my mother and nephews - nakapamasyal-masyal kasama ang nanay kong masipag at 2 pamangking may tests this week.

Lobster balls and kikiam and French fries - pwede pwede!

Si Tita V. - maipapayos na ang bahay.

Ang Diyos - siya talaga ang "Ilaw" sa bahay.

Revelation - Freedom is not freedom until you are free to fail.

Life is simple and it should be appreciated just the way it is.

Dominico

Dominico just passed away. I'm gonna miss him for sure. I can still remember our first meet. I got shocked. His lips were purple and his shoulders were elevated. As I have finished assessing the student, I went immediately to him and asked if he was alright. He said he was fine. I was able to talk to his dad later that day and he told me that his boy was suffering from a certain heart problem since when he was just a baby. The doctor gave a prognosis that he would only live for ten years. He died at the age 0f 14. He's blessed I would say.

Everyone in Dominico's family believes that God has still been so good to them. Either do I. His death makes me value time more today than yesterday. I need to preach the Gospel more and more, taking advantage of each time I am with the youth. I have to grab every sizzling moment I am with these JCA high school students whom I have learned to love or else...

Or else... they will not be aware of their sins; they will lose their purpose; they will never meet Jesus; they will never hear what Jesus has done for them and therefore the seed of faith won't be planted (for from hearing the Word of God comes faith that pleases Him).

Dominico of I - Marvelous, goodbye for now! See you soon!

Insanity

A man shouted,"Lunatic! Christ Jesus is merely an imagination!"

I said, "If having faith in Jesus is insanity,
then you're correct:
I must have really lost my mind."
=)

Seeing Them Mature

"The issue between you and me won't stop me from coming to God. I already said I am not mad. If you don't trust me it's OK. I already said I am sorry. I just got offended earlier. "

Strong words by a certain high school student who got offended when I took his attention last Friday before the Spirit-filled yUtNITED. He texted me this during that night when I thought he would stop attending church because of what happened. I took the attention of several high school students who are taking advantage of the fund raising event where everyone was watching basketball.

Hahaha!! Ako na Chaplain - ang kontrabida :), with the use of a microphone, reminded them saying, "High school, high school. . Talaga naman! Parang Luneta lang ang Dome. Nagtabi-tabi pa kayo! Huling huli kayo sa camera. May mga CCTV dyan oh, Kitang-kita kayo sa mga monitors! For conference na kayo with your parents!!" Ayun... nagalit ang ilang bata.

One of them is Larry. (I asked his permission regarding this, don't worry!) He was the one who sent me that message on top. He gave up his life to Christ last August. He is now serving the Lord in the youth club/ministry of his school. He is a potential leader. I am the one consolidating him and everyday I see how inspired he is while walking with Him. I shouldn't be surprised to receive that message from him. I see he is maturing. And indeed he won't be stopped not even by: the "kontrabidang" Chaplain :)

It inspires me more to continue serving because it is not just Larry who is maturing; there are a lot of them.

If's

If it's God who has planned it, then it won't be stopped.
If it's God who has given it, then it won't be stolen.
If it's God who has said it, then it will surely happen.
If it's God.

But how would you know if it's God?

After you have said your
word of total surrender,
the next thing to do is to trust Him.

Beyond your imagination,
beyond the forces and laws of nature and man,
beyond boundaries,
if it's God who is with you...

...then, you're gonna breakthrough!!!

My God is my victory.

He is my everyday.

He is my completion.
He is my satisfaction.

Isaac Identified

Benny Hinn, a well known preacher of the Word of God termed anything that steals the throne of God in our hearts as "Isaac". And I've come to realize that the youth ministry sometimes become an Isaac in my life. It's hard to admit but it is true.For the past few weeks, I have spent too much time at night and even upon waking up thinking what to do next or what program to have in and for the youth ministry of my church.

Being too busy in the kingdom which results to having inadequate time with the King is never healthy. Exhaustion follows this mistake.

I remember one night when fear and insecurity invaded my thoughts. I asked myself why was it happening. I thought my faith got misplaced. I remember what is written in the Bible, that people will be in turmoil and confused, restless and ineffective, if they are not found in God.

That explained my sudden fear attack. I was slowly moving apart from Him; slowly walking away from His shade of grace. With my eyes focused on myself, I started struggling from within, trying to make things in the ministry work smoothly and efficiently which is impossible to happen because I am turning my back on Him. And it was happening unconsciously.

Isaac - anything that wrestles with God - this should be identified and be cast out as soon as possible; before it totally drags you to a dark and distant wilderness.

kaututang dila

Usapang girl friend ito! :) Bente-kwatro años na me pero wala pa me gf. wahahaah!!

Let me share this thought that i have in mind right now.


Turn off...recently lang e naturn off ako sa isang girl na gustong gusto ko. Eh akalain mo ba namang magpasexy. hoo.. i-display ba naman ang katawan na sexy sa world wide web. Aba'y 'wag naman ganun. It broke my heart right then and there! Nakks! Wahahaha!! I believe it is not being judgemental. It is a preference that speaks of how I want my girl to be. I have to let go of her in my mind. . hahaha hindi naman kami kasi. Pero di ko na siya ilalagay sa list ko. May list? Joke lang!

Heto pa, ang dumi ng kuko sa paa. Ah lagot! Iba na 'to. :) Hindi siya ha. . kahit sinong girl basta kapag madumi yung paa, napapasigaw na ko!

Sabi ni Ate Dorie at Ate Heidi, "Conservative ka nuh?" Will it make me less of a man to be of conservative type? I don't think so. I might just run out of time wating for "her" but definitely it is ok... Ayun!!

Ok, hinay-hinay. This is not about making an on-line announcement that I am DESPERATELY in need of a girl. I don't see myself marrying a girl I have met on-line thru chats, fb, and fs or even thru dating games. I don't and won't join dating games, in the first place. Naku hindi po! Maski sa panaginip, di ako nakipag-eyeball o nakipag-date sa girl na di ko pa kilala ng husto! Nyaha! May masama ba sa mga ganito? WALA NAMAN. Hindi lang kasi ako ganun. Malinaw sa akin na matagal ko nang kaibigan ang mapapangasawa ko... haay!

Gusto ko MAGANDA, kasi nga pogi ako!!! Wahahahah!! There is nothing wrong with the desire to have a breath-taking wife. Tama? (And all the boys out there say "Amen!".) But there is a big BUT after that statement. Just make sure it will not be the sole factor that would dictate you who to love. Know from God who will be the perfect one for you. I choose not to compromise. To have the same FAITH is the most important thing. the both of us should be in love with the Master. If God will give me a girl who will not meet my taste (physically) but is deeply in love with Him, I'm gonna accept His will and have Him change my heart. :) Talk about surrender. This will be hard to do but definitely the wisest choice to make, I suppose.

I am planning to get married next year when I turn 25. And I wanna have my first-born when I turn 28. Cool. Ito ang mga plano ko. :) Maganda ang plano ko. Pero PERPEKTO ANG PLANO NG BOSS KO. Doon na lang ako sa plano Niya.

Erickson termed this psycho-social struggle among young adults as Intimacy versus Isolation. It refers to the conflict wherein if a young adult learns to cope up with the demands of life pertaining to his social developmental stage, he looks for a lifetime partner and settles down. If he won't be able to overcome this specific dilemma, there is withdrawal from the crowd, especially people of the opposite sex due to inferiority.

At ayoko matalo sa "battle" na yun. Hehehe. . I'm more than a conqueror. Through Christ, I've met the highest kind of need all humans have and that is self-actualization (according to A. Maslow) (I'll tell you more about self-actualization some other time, ok). Secondly, God provides as they say. Walang dapat ikatakot.

Masaya naman ang maging single. Masaya naman talaga. Pero hindi dapat abusuhin. :) Ahaaa!

Sino nagsabing lahat ng nasusulat dito ay seryoso?? Hindi naman. Pero lahat totoo. Lahat. :)

si allen at si ondoy

September 25, Friday night, Filipinos especially those who reside in Metro Manila and Rizal area did not have any clue of how depressing the happenings would be the next day. I was in Montalban the whole Friday for a speaking engagement. When I went home Saturday morning I did not know that many places have already been flooded because of the continuous rain shower. After staying a couple of hours in my house to prepare for my next commitment which is a conference to be conducted in a hotel near Boni MRT station, I headed on my way.

I was finding my way to get to the Cubao MRT station without crossing the flood when I saw these group of children taking a plunge in the flood between Farmers Plaza and Farmers Market. I can't describe how I felt when I saw how dirty the 5-foot water these kids were enjoying. Good thing there was another way to get to the station and that is through the overpass which is crowded by people. Too crowded that it would take you 5 seconds before you can make another step.

I saw how the heavy rainfall brought by Ondoy affected millions of people in the areas I have mentioned. With my own eyes I saw how high the flood went up to and how it caused heavy traffics around the metro. Numerous cars got drowned in this flooding that I saw along EDSA in Ortigas while I was on the MRT. Some vehicles were lucky not to suffer from floods but they got stuck in heavy traffic because they were sandwiched by flood waters.

Christine reyes, a celebrity, mentioned during an interview via 3g how fast the water level went up. She said in less than an hour it rose up to the ceiling of the first floor of her house in Provident Village in Marikina. She was on the roof of her house when she was interviewed.

For me, there is a message from God we need to understand here. We need to be reminded. First, everyone should know that WE WILL NEVER KNOW when will be the end. The Bible has mentioned how will it be during the coming of Christ but never did it mention the date of Christ's return. Although we have been given signs that will serve as clues but honestly, nobody can tell when will we breathe our last breath - except the FATHER in heaven. Have you ever heard of the prophecy that the end of days will be on December 21, 2012? Well, I won't buy it!

Second, regardless of who we are, all of us will be judged. One may be the most popular, the richest, the most good-looking person who has ever lived on earth, but still he will face judgment. And once found that Jesus is not his Lord, then he will be punished without reservation.

In a blink of an eye - that's how fast it will be as far as the coming of Christ is concerned. God holds time in His hands. Surely He is in control. And we cannot beg Him to give us a minute, an hour, not even a second just for us to be able to prepare ourselves and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and be saved. Once He says it's time, then it's time.

We were clueless the day before the typhoon devastated the metro. Same thing with Christ's return - we are doing regular activities. But those who will be found patiently waiting for Him, will enjoy the benefits of their labor. Like a thief - that's who Jesus will be like.

Finally, see all those brand new cars which got damaged? Those convenient stores which were robbed by several people who had nothing to eat during the calamity? How about those houses which collapsed because of the typhoon's impact? Millions of pesos worth of possession got washed away in the flood. I hope that most precious possession you have won't vanish just like your earthly treasures. I am talking about your life; God values it so much. May your life be found in His hands for safe keeping.

Everything on earth won't last. But HIS WORD IS FOREVER. Please prepare for His coming. I don't know when will it be; nobody knows actually, not even JESUS. But I do hope you would keep your faith and keep waiting.

Well, these are things that I got reminded of during Ondoy's attack.

Get Some Strength

Every Wednesday (except during the first Wednesday of each month), I hop from one room to another to preach among high school students (1st - 3rd year). I start talking at 7:45 in the morning upto 3 o'clock in the afternoon. I meet the graduating class every Friday. I am happy looking after these people. This task God has called me to do is very satisfying.

September 16, again I preached in 6 classes. I shared to them Gideon's story found in Judges 6 - 8. Like always, I had agreat time with them. But this preaching assignment has a challenge that went on with it. Earlier that day, I was struggling whether I would go to school or absent myself. Now you might be wondering how I ended up thinking whether to preach or not after I have told you I love what I am doing.

Tuesday night - some churchmates invited me to hang out with them. After the event we attended at the church, we went to a comedy bar. Ah... I should've left immediately after some steps from the entrance. I should've said no to them in the first place when they said where we were going. I should've went home after an hour. But I stayed until everyone has finally agreed to leave and eat at KFC. I reached my place at 3 in the morning and went to bed 30 minutes after. I knew it was a wrong turn. Indeed it was. I woke up 2 hours later. Regret woke me up. But I chose to hold on to the truth that God is faithful. Thank God for using me even though my body already wanted to give up.

When I have finished preaching to all the classes (except the 4th year class), I finally got to sit on my chair. That's the time I felt tired so I decided to go home and rest. But, my spirit wanted to seize every moment that day. After school hours, I stayed a little longer to meet the officers of the club I am moderating. I encouraged the student officers, all of them are on their 3rd year, to keep walking with Christ. When I went home, I immediately went to bed and laid my back on it.

It was a very tiring day and before I knew it, the enemy would cloud my mind and make me focus my eyes on myself as if I did not experience God Himself taking over all the preachings I did. All over my head, there was self-pity. "Oh I'm tired. Look at me. I am such a poor boy! So tired of preaching". But His love reminded me of what He has done. He was there with me. He moved among the kids. Yes I got tired but it cannot be denied that my spirit is jumping for joy. For to get tired (physically) doing God's work is much better than getting busy doing evil stuff.

Beautiful. He who called us is indeed faithful. And to completely overwhelm me with His love, a 2nd year high school student texted me asking for some help. He said he wanted to be changed by God. He confessed to me what vices he is enslaved with and why he wanted Jesus to free him. He promised he's gonna seek counsel from me. He wanted me to help him. This boy (upto this moment this blog is being written) is a frat member. He smokes marijuana aside from the usual cigarette. He drinks liquor. Inside the classroom, his classmates hate him for being a bully. I got pissed when I heard that often in the past, he used to eat his classmates' lunches. Achild froma broken family. This guy whose case, at first, I thought was hopeless, is now ready to experience Jesus' saving grace. Wow! Honestly, after our exchange of messages, I immediately went inside my brother's room (this is where I always do my devotion). There I expressed my thanksgiving to God in tears. I cried because of that great joy that rose from my heart. His love is overwhelming.

Find strength in God's arms! :)

Filemon

It was a typical Thursday night I thought, until a friend broke a news minutes before the midweek service ended. Did I say it was a bad news? Well, you could say it was just another challenge God would help you overcome. Apparently, it made me feel bad although I was trying to figure out at the same time how God will turn it into a blessing. I really got dismayed when I heard that we have a co-leader who has issues about my service to God.

I felt bad; really really bad. And I couldn't help myself but keep the feeling till the night was over. A leader opened up to a friend (the one who broke the news to me) issues about my service. She said that our co-leader mentioned about how I independently take over the youth ministry in the church where I am attending. She even talked about being close to several young people which I am not supposed to consolidate. I believe there are still more issues; probably even more serious. I believe the list would go on until I finally quit serving God. I think it won't end unless I transfer to another church or unless Jesus has come.



But God's goodness and faithfulness is beyond description. Every twist and turn in our lives connected to His will happen precisely the way He has planned it. This is the beauty of being with God. This is my faith. Even if you got hurt after hearing the bad news, still you have to hold on to the truth that it was said with a great purpose - to help you be strong.

I was lead to pray for that person who was (and still? I don't know...) raising issues about my service. Ok, I don't want to sound self-righteous here. Oh please. I do talk to God through prayers everyday. Since the dismay was clouding my mind during that night and it was killing me, I opted to talk to God about it and asked Him to clear my thoughts. As my prayer time went on, He lead me to the book of Filemon, (v4-6):

"Idinadalanagin ko na ang pagkakabuklod natin sa isang pananampalataya ay magbunga ng lubos na pagkaunawa sa mga kabutihang dulot ng pagkakaisa kay Cristo."

God reminded me for what reason He has put me in the ministry - to serve Him by loving people. Paul remembers Filemon in prayers thanking God for his life. He has heard so much about Filemon's faith. He prayed to God that their unity in faith would continually result to better understanding of the goodness brought by unity with Christ.

Suddenly I got reminded that the leader who raised up so much concerns about my service is still a sister in faith and if there is anything that is not clear to her, I should not be worried because we are serving one God. Her Boss who happens to be our Father would deal with her the concerns she has about me. I just need to be silent and wait on Him as He does the talking. This unity we have in Christ is amazing indeed.

Also, He cleared my thoughts by telling me that the presence of these people, whether I am comfortable to have them around or not, passed through His knowledge. His will in my life is not to help me become a softhearted man but to be a strong outspoken influential man who will serve Him at all cost.

This is a lesson I really need to master. A lot have said that one enemy that could destroy our passion in serving God is disappointment. But thanks be to God. This unity in faith has more goodness to unfold to those who serve Him.

No More Condemnation (Romans 8:1)

There is this song that blesses me so much whenever I listen to it.
It's called "The Nails in Your Hands" by Mercy Me. I sing this song more often now to remind myself of the great love of God for all of us. Here's how it goes.

The nails in your hands
The nail in your feet,
they tell me how much you love me
The thorns in your brow,
they tell me how, you bore so much shame to love me.

And when the heavens pass away,
all your scars will still remain,
and forever they will say,
how much you love me.
Forever my love, Forever my heart
Forever my life, it's yours, it's yours.


Amen. Enjoy the benefits of Christ's death on the cross.

HAPPY TO OBEY

I find joy in serving the Lord. This is becoming truer and truer for me as a youth leader in my church. Everyday I get more and more excited to serve the youth I am called to love with all my life. Not to sound dramatic, but I guess this is how far now I have been moved by the love of God.

Although serving the Lord is not always smooth, you still need to rise up from your bed and do what you have committed yourself to do. It is an everyday decision that you and I have to make. I believe that the greatest force which will negate your passion for Christ is coming from yourself. Laziness, addictions, pride, lust: all these and more would kill your passion to advance the kingdom of God.

Do you believe that there are anointed people to make you stronger by hurting you or by annoying you? (Laugh) Their purpose in life is to pull people down. I must say I have a lot of them. And I guess they love to obey too. There are times, these people will judge you and what you are capable to do. For some, being not able to study in a Bible school disqualifies you to serve in God's ministry. If not to disqualify, they think this is a ground to belittle you.Even your leaders can sometimes do things you are not expecting them to see them doing or say words you are not expecting to hear from them. They too can be anointed to make your leadership much more influential. Their ideas can sometimes be against your plans which you have already been conceiving for weeks or months. Still the best thing to do is to obey. To obey with all your heart. No murmuring. Without a percent of rebellion. "Is this wise to say or do? What if it is my idea that is right and is from God and not my leader's suggestion?", one may argue. I say you put your trust unto God and believe that He is in control. I say you learn to submit unto God and to the authorities He has placed above you. If it turns out that you are correct and your leader is wrong, still you can rest assured that God, whose name is above all names, still knows what to do. If it is the opposite, you thank God you have learned to submit. Thank Him too for His perfect timing and brilliant plan.

I can say this because I have learned this lesson during my first year in the ministry. It is so liberating to know that God will never let you go wrong as long as you fully trust Him. I f people do not like you or throw away your ideas or reject your service, you smile. Lock yourself in a room and pray. Get out of the room after and do something that will help you feel good. Nothing may change in an instant. These people may still not like you; may still throw away your ideas; may still reject your offered service but at least you have already entrusted everything unto God. Now smile some more.

And all you people who have learned to trust God, at the top of your lungs, with eyes closed, with arms lifted up, shout, "I AM HAPPY TO OBEY!" (Laugh)

People Helping People Succeed

Every time I go to church where I work, I always see this company motto written on the building entrance that says, "People Helping People Succeed". It makes me think of the small group of teenagers and young adults I am taking care of. For almost 2 years now, I've been taking care of this group although I've already known most of them for four years since the day I came back to God.

People helping people succeed - what a good thought to keep in mind. But it won't happen if the one who desires to help other people will not receive the help he needs to be able to help. :) I hope I make sense to you.

This group that I am looking after is not easy to handle. They aren't the same in many aspects. So when we are together especially during our cell group meetings, I must approach each of them in a manner different from the others. But because of this uniqueness, you would really be amazed of how God has grouped my cell members. But there are common denominators that you will observe among them. Each has a talent to share to everyone. All of them are deeply in love with God.

The vision of Government of 12 is a great leading from God to follow Jesus' example. Christians and Christian churches should not stop battling after winning thousands of souls for Christ.The battle should be continued until they have been completely discipled and become like Christ. True measure of success is seen when these people you have looked after for quite some time start raising up leaders too.
To be able to reach this goal, the leader should understand that he himself should never stop growing and learning. That is because the day you stop growing is the day you stop leading. A youth dancer in my church once told me, "Teaching other youth how to dance is like learning twice as much."

unang langit :)

Ganito pala kaganda ang pwede natin makita sa itaas ng mga naglalakihang buildings sa Metro Manila at nagtataasang mga bundok sa iba't ibang lugar. Sobrang galing ng Gumawa nito. Mamamangha ka sa sobrang ganda. First time ko. :)

PERFECT LOVE

One evening, as I was doing my every night self-check, I felt really scared. Suddenly I got scared about a lot of things concerning my service. As I work full-time in the ministry, I realized that there are a lot of things that I should be cautious about. I was scared I might...

• get proud because of the growth of the youth ministry in my church family.
• be stealing from God the glory He alone deserves.
• be lacking in the skills that I need to have as a leader.
• be competing already and not connecting anymore with people.
• not be handling the youth the way I should be handling them or the way they should be loved.

Those fears that inflicted me that evening prompted me to seek God with all my heart. It moved me to the place where God wanted me to be - in His presence. I was led to simply entrust everything to Him and in exchange, receive His perfect love. I learned that perfect Love casts out fear.

In the book, 1st John, chapter 4 verse 18, God is telling us, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

The Word of God just nailed it. It drove the fears away. I came to realize that as I continue receiving love from my Father in heaven, I would stay also in love with the youth I am discipling for them to be Christ-like. If there is someone who knows how the youth should be taken cared of, it will be the One who created them. Right? The same Person would perfect the love I give to the people I am called to serve. At the foot of the cross, my heart would be filled with that love and everyday I'm gonna go back there for me to have some perfect love to share.

I gotta have more of that PERFECT LOVE from Jesus, our perfect Lover.

loving sandpaper people

I was invited to preach in a church located somewhere in Cubao near EDSA. Actually, it was already my second time to be invited to preach in that church and this time I was asked to share something about being one with Christ. Before my outline got completed, before it got clear to me what I was supposed to preach, I had to understand first hand how it is to be one with Him.

Have you ever heard of sandpaper people? They are the ones in our lives that God is using to make our character become God-lier. Well, I know a lot of them and I must say it is not easy to have them around. When I broke up with my ex-girlfriend (now a good friend and co-worker in the ministry), issues arose about the break up. She heard a lot which affected our plan of having a good exit from the previous relationship we used to have. Several people who, I understand, just wanted to help her started entering the picture even if they didn't have to. I guess they weren't anointed by God to help. Or should I say, they weren't able to ask God how they were supposed to help their friend (my ex-girlfriend). One of these people actually started opening to his other church friends what had happened even if he didn't have to; even if they don't have to hear it.

When I confronted the boy, he was telling me in a language unusual for a Christian to use that he was just doing what he thought was right for his friend. He really thought he was helping his friend. As the conversation done through exchange of text messages went on, he started telling me words purposed to hurt me. I really had to seek God during that time and ask Him what was His plan and what was His reason why He had let me hear those words. And I got answers. I regained peace. Whenever his words would pop in my mind, God would also remind me of the answers I received from Him during that time; and peace would fill my heart again and again. For a person who is working full-time in the church ministry, it is kinda hurtful to hear people telling you that it was a big mistake to see you in the position of serving people because you were not supposed to be there. It is heartbreaking to hear them questioning your calling from God. Cliche this may sound but it is true: we cannot please everybody.

I have learned to depend on God and to trust His words. And because of constant encouragement I was receiving from God, a stronger hope arose from my heart . I gained confidence in doing all the things He has called me to do. The church attendance of the youth doubled in two weeks. The high school students I was consolidating showed interest and excitement in their walk with God. Success after success happened. But it was not over yet. With myself I am already restored. But with the person who has said too much against me, it was not yet a victory to consider.

In Colosians 3:12, in the Tagalog version of the Bible, it is written, "Kayo'y hinirang ng Diyos, itinalaga para sa Kanya at minamahal Niya. Kaya't dapat kayong maging mahabagin, maganda ang kalooban, mapagpakumbaba, mabait at matiisin."

There you go, it was such a wonderful encouragement from God but at the same time a strong rebuke. The first sentence reminds us that we are called for His glory. It is Him who chose us and no one could question our calling. And since it is He who called us, we should be at our best in all the things that we do, offering them to God with thankful hearts because of His great love for us. The second sentence for me is a rebuke. It is so easy to love back a person who is good to you, someone who do you no harm. but what about a person who can do you absolutely no good? What difference will you make with those people in the world who fight back when they get hurt by somebody? I had to choose between fighting back or loving back in response to what the person did. I was reminded to mimic Christ in that situation where i was into. And I thank God for Jesus who is the foundation of my faith. I was led to reminisce what Jesus did for me. He chose the nails even if I don't deserve it. He knew how I have sinned against Him and yet to love me was and is still His earnest desire. I got inspired to love that person back and to let go of the idea of fighting back. It felt even better when I decided to delete all his messages in my phone in-box.

That was the preparation God had to let me undergo before finally letting me face the congregation of that church who I was supposed to meet that Sunday morning. It became easier for me to share the Word of God because God had made it true and alive to me.

This is our God. So faithful. So loving.