String of Pearls

The World is still in His hands... and so are the tiny details within it!

2011-04-01T21:40:00.000-07:00

8.9 magnitude quake in Japan. 20-foot waves of Tsunami threatens Asia-Pacific islands. Radiation leaks due to damaged Nuclear Reactors. Unrest in Libya, Egypt and Bahrain. Overwhelming news because it is beyond our comprehension that such events would take place in just a blink of an eye (or a flick of the channel).

Is God still in control in midst of all this? It is written...

Mark 13:7-8 (NIV) - "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains."

Does God care in the midst of all this? Hear his voice...

Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) - "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Peace, be still my heart. Know He is still -- and always will be, God.

My Fasting & Praying Experience this 2011

2011-01-13T22:31:00.000-08:00

For a whole year I forgot to blog. Or maybe I just didn't want to voice out any of my thoughts last year. But now looking back at the year that has passed, I have to say GOD NEVER FAILS TO AMAZE ME.

At the start of 2010 I struggled with having my father remarry and my brother's medical needs. But now, I am grateful for how my Tita (stepmom) takes good care of dad and my brother is by God's grace overcoming everyday.

To say that God has helped me is an understatement. I realized this when my cousin told me, "You've gone through so much changes, ano?" His statement floated through a blank space in my mind for a few seconds before it finally hit me. He's right! All the while it felt like I was just sloshing through the pain and problems. Yet all the while the real thing was the Truth was upholding me, breathing His life into me, changing me inside as I went through all that.

As we began the fasting and praying seven days ago, my spirit and soul was humbled. All I could think of was there's so much that God wants to reveal about who HE IS, HIS VISION for us and HIS PURPOSE -- but my puny, finite mind cannot grasp it all. I cry at this. I ask for mercy and grace. How I need Him.

There's more to come this 2011: Blessings - that we may bless others; Trials - to refine us and make our faith stronger. God grant me that humble spirit to accept His will... for His own glory.

Anything new with the New Year?

2009-12-31T18:08:00.000-08:00

2010! Imagine that. Who would've thought we'd actually step into this new year? A new decade? There's something about that number that sounds all so "Star Wars" and "Sci-fi"ey... One would think that by this era I'd have a hovercraft on my garage, a minimalist room with voice-activated lighting systems or push button kitchen... stuff like that.

2010 sounds so Uber (no, that's not Bisaya... well, it's close). I mean, the german "Uber". Meaning over, above, super -- cool. Doesn't it? It makes me dream of greater things for myself, career, family, God's work, etc. An upgrade from the things that have become routine, ordinary, mundane.

Every new year there's a longing for new things, new resolutions, new goals, new chances, turning a new leaf. But in reality, the world around us pretty much stays the same. Still the same surroundings, same rules of the trade, same mindsets, same rat race, same face.

My hope is found only on this: ^"17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor. 5.17). It's a mystery. Unseen by the naked eye. But it's real. Those words spoken thousands of years ago hasn't decayed, spoiled or rot.

Just ask any person who has truly entered into a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ. In turn you'll find a newness of thinking, a fresher taste in conversation, a spark of encouragement that some ways are gonna get better. In Christ, I've found He does want to do new things in my life; He wants to upgrade my tolerance / patience level; He longs to develop all areas of my being that I may be like Him by the power of His Spirit.

May this give us hope everyday as we await His return. 'Cause then He will make all things new. Totally.

VCF family in San Benon

2009-09-06T23:35:00.000-07:00

Celebration continues with VCF family... in a more relaxed ambience naman (hehe)
Yes, we're bathing in hot, pure mineral water...

Victory Sorsogon @ 2: Upgraded

2009-09-06T23:23:00.000-07:00

Glory to Almighty God!!! Scenes from the celebration and service...

Impressionist of my Life

2009-07-10T04:40:00.000-07:00

So many things in my life now doesn't seem to be connected to myself. I know that doesn't make sense, but sometimes that's how i feel. i'm spending time, energy and resources on others that really don't have any relation with me... or so I thought.

BUT when I look up to You Father -- the randomness fades. I see You seated on high and imagine You inviting me to come and see things from Your point of view. Though my eyes can't see the details specifically, I sense the grandness of Your intricate handiwork in my life.

The seemingly random people, circumstance, events -- things that I thought had no relation to me at all actually paint a picture of what it means when a life has been saved by Jesus Christ. It looks like a collage; but not of my face. Seen from a different light, my life painting shows Jesus... in the scraggy-looking kids I played with at VBS... in the troubled teen yearning for love and security... in the single mom crying for her children... in the heart of a man who did not choose to be born bipolar... in the twinkling eyes of kids singing in church... in the lives of young people seeking purpose in their lives.

Master Artist of my life -- complete Your picture in me. You deserve the applause and standing ovation a million times over!

where is... your heart?

2009-05-01T01:02:00.000-07:00

I heard this story from an inspiring speaker.

One day, in a quiet and peaceful village somewhere in Asia, the townsfolk was surprised to find one of their eldest men dressed up in hiking gear. They have never seen him in such an outfit before and it made a headline in their small place. Many curiously asked the old man where he was going and what was his purpose?

The old man simply explained that since he was a young boy, he had wanted to climb the mountain in the outskirts of their village but could not find the courage to do so, until now. He could not be swayed from his purpose no matter how the villagers dissuaded him from going. And so he went. Some boys went with him because he no longer had any relatives and they were worried how he could possibly accomplish this because of his frail body and old age.

Halfway to the top of the mountain, the old man was clearly exhausted and about to collapse. Again the boys tried to talk him out of his purpose. But the old man would not listen. He said, "I have put my heart on top of the mountain already. I cannot go back and leave it there."

This story hit me! It was not even told before a religious meeting, just a simple orientation program. But I knew God was telling me "Where is your heart?" Is it up there in Zion already, in the heavenly kingdom, with Him? "Of course," I whispered. Then deep down, I understood. I cannot -- must not, go back to the ways of this world or get so caught up in the daily grind of life that I forget my heart is with Abba already. He owns it now because of what Jesus has done... my heart belongs to DADDY.

Matthew 6:20-22 (New International Version)

²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Colossians 3:1-3 (New International Version)

¹Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Open the Eyes of my Heart

2009-04-06T03:13:00.000-07:00

There are times I'm aware there's more to our surroundings than meets the eye. Can one view the microscopic dust that travels through the air we breathe, or see the different prisms of light as the sun rises over the sky?

But when problems and duties fog my sight that I become like a cart-drawing horse with wedges beside my eyes, I become desensitized.

My only cure is to pause and rest, reflect on God and his awesome creation. My prayer: open the eyes of my heart Lord that I may see You, know You... and love You more.

2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

PRSPWR

2009-03-23T00:28:00.000-07:00

The normal tendency of a weakened body and soul is to seek a corner where it can just whimper and sleep. But apparently for a child of God this is not the case.

I recently faced a week where my soul's stress level was on a pretty high scale. The burden was so heavy I could feel it translate to my body chemistry. We know stress negatively affects our bodies, but this was not a work-related stress that I could just leave after I punch out.

After 2 days of this my tonsils hurt, back ached, runny nose, cold feet. Temperature registered normal but the fever was inside my body. Praying to God and remembering His words helped, but my nature still wanted to whine and cower.

What broke through my soul's fog was God's reminder that we would be leading worship in a few days. How could I glorify Him if I was holding on to hurts that I thought I was entitled to feel? So I chose to praise. To thank Him that all was in His control and He can still work things out for good.

This is a life lesson of Praise's Power that I've proved time and again: to praise God inspite of negative circumstances glorifies Him and strengthens His children! When we genuinely praise Him with a humble heart in the midst of it all, we finally see He is the Shield and Strong Tower. In Him we can stand and see a different perspective of whatever circumstances we're in.

Fever's gone now. My situation cannot be changed overnight, but joy is still there in the morning. Glory to His name!

ACTS 16:25-26 (NIV):
" ²⁵About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose."

me < God

2009-03-19T02:45:00.000-07:00

Nothing is more liberating than accepting I am weak.

That I sin.

That I make mistakes.

That my family is not perfect.

That I wish I had not said this, or that.

That it's hard to change me and I can't change another person.

Nothing is more important than accepting that:

God alone can and does forgive sins. (1 John 1:9)

God can work all things for good. (Rom. 8:28)

Only Jesus is perfect and He perfects me. (Heb. 12:2)

God can guard my mouth and His Spirit's fruit is self-control. (Psalm 141:3, Gal. 5:21-23)

God changes things and makes all things new. (2 Cor. 5:17; Revelation 21:5)

YOU are God. I am not. I bow before You.

Ang sabi ng mga matatanda... nararamdaman ko na

2009-03-19T02:10:00.000-07:00

Remember when our grandpas or grandmas would still love to work hard over a certain 'project' (like gardening or lifting heavy furniture, hehe) and when we warn them, "ops, ops, dahan-dahan lang po, hindi na kayo bata"?

I used to laugh when my dad or mom would say, "sinong matanda? i'm still young! i feel like i'm still 30!" Incredulous. Or so i thought.

Well, lately I feel like my mind has finally caught up with the reality that my body is not as young as it used to be. I'm finally accepting that I get tired and exhausted by 6 pm, I need to catch my breath after going up 2 flights of stairs, my knees feel wobbly after walking the length of our campus grounds and I can't catch up with the energy of three-year-olds.

Doc says with my family's strong history of diabetes and hypertension, this is the age to be careful. I need to exercise more consistently, eat less bread, more veggie and fruits, and learn to take things one at a time. Mga tol (batchmates, officemates, friends my age... you know who you are!) -- hope you're all taking good care of your bodies, too. More tips, anyone?

"Home is where my loved ones are..."

2009-03-03T05:23:00.001-08:00

...dad said as we held hands in prayer. My brother and I were praying with him before he traveled back to Batangas. Since we started living in Sorsogon two years ago, we miss our dad a lot. Visiting is not that easy because of the 12 to 14 hours trip from the entrance of Southern Luzon (Batangas Province) to the tip (Sorsogon Province).

I was struck by what Dad said. To him, going back to the house in Batangas isn't really going home because all that's left there is a metal machine (our family printing press). This sounded so foreign coming from him; I remember while we were kids the family business was like a strong tower where we would all grow up in and eventually take over someday. It was our 'home base' regardless how many times we moved.

But God had a different blueprint in mind for us. Each of dad's kids was called to another place far away from the press. Only our firstborn remained. I know this must've hurt dad at first. (However, we do realize now that one of the reasons we're effective in the different companies or ministries we've served in is because of the unlimited hours helping in our family business.) Now, hearing him say the words above in prayer amazed me at how God has given dad a paradigm shift.

The Eternal love between dad and his children has created a new home base. Be that in Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Sorsogon City... or any part of the world.

The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
Proverbs 3:33

Pag Tiyaga, may Nilaga (Good things come to those who Wait)...

2008-12-08T03:32:00.000-08:00

Yeheyy!! Our youth Pastor, Ptr. Dandy (in VCF Legaspi-Sorsogon) finally got married last week to his beloved Ate Michelle. It might seem a little weird for us to feel like jumping over hoops over this event. Although a wedding is certainly something to be joyously celebrated, we're throwing in EXTRA SHOUTS OF JOY and PRAISE (hehe) to the Greatest Love-Story Maker of all -- ABBA FATHER, for their union.

It's because Ptr. Dandy waited 8 years for Ate Mich. As in patiently waited for her even when other fellow pastors already counseled him to "let go" some years ago. But Kuya Dandy did not. Although I think I heard him testify one time that he also went through periods of doubts or frustration because of seeming odds to the possibility of her saying 'yes', but he never faltered in prayer.

I can only wonder what must have gone through Ptr. Dandy's mind during those long periods of waiting. Thankfully, God was leading him to minister and serve young people in campuses in Iloilo, Manila and later on in Bicol -- so he was pretty active most of the time. During this time, I think Ate Mich was also busy finishing her studies as a pediatrician, actively serving women and young professionals in her church as well.

It was in the midst of all of these that God again spoke to their hearts and slowly but surely opened the doors that brought them closer together. It was the right time (both mature), right place (in areas of ministry where God developed their gifts), and they were the right person for each other (they've been friends for soooo loooong, hehe). (Sigh!) How wonderful are God's plans and ways for His children.

During their wedding, the officiating minister summarized Ptr. Dandy's 'waiting' story succinctly: "God is in control, God has a plan, God has a blessing." Lord, help me to wait on You like they did!

Cure to Whining

2008-11-27T19:10:00.000-08:00

Lately I found myself musing, "Why in the world is this happening to me?"

Sometimes I know that what happens around me shouldn't affect me, but it does.
I even wonder why I get so emotional over problems that are not really my own, but what others are sharing with me. Do I have powers like Jasper's in 'Twilight' (ability to sense the moods of others)?

But that isn't the case in the real world. When your boss shouts at you (or worse-- a good boss trying very hard not to shout at you); when your classmates / co-workers give you smirks and cold looks; or when you're trying to be the peacemaker between two friends who've turned hostile, it's hard not to be affected. Add to this the overwhelming pressure of producing "results" or "performance" ratings, it's a miracle one can still sleep!

Yet as I self-righteously try to rationalize my reasons for whining, I remember Ate Beth. She came across my life journey only 8 months ago. Since I moved to Sorsogon City a year ago, God kept reminding me that I cannot afford to become a lone ranger in the faith. So I asked Him to show me who would be willing to mentor me, someone I could also respect and look up to in the faith.

Ate Beth came to me one time after a service and said, "Anytime you're getting lonely or missing your family just text me okay? My house is just one ride from here. It's only me and mama living there now. You can even stay overnight, if you like. My home is open to you. By the way, would you like us to start a One-to-One* bible study?" Aaaah, I thought. So here's Your answer Lord!

I was quite surprised because at first I thought she wouldn't be this open. She usually just sat at the back of the church, wearing a hat. Later on I found out it was because of chemotherapy. As I spent more time with her, praying with her, seeing her strong faith in the Lord inspite of her colon cancer, listening to her when she also shared her "normal" fears (although I didn't hear her speak about it often), I wondered in amazement at this mighty little lady who was so in love with the Lord Jesus.

Through Ate Beth's life, I learned that sharing your faith in Christ isn't optional or something you do only when you feel like it. She even encouraged fellow cancer patients while she was undergoing treatment in Manila! "I saw how scared they were and I knew only Jesus can help them," she shared to me one time. Inspite of her fragile figure, she looked lively as she told me how these patients responded to her sharing and prayers -- her strength and joy came from that!

Until her last breath, Ate Beth was concerned for others' salvation. Although she could not speak anymore, we saw in her eyes her yearning and prayer that her entire family turn to the Lord as well. But even then, her full faith and trust in the Lord did not waiver. She knew God would also be faithful to His promise to her.

As I look at the events in my life lately, I thank God I met Ate Beth. And when I'm tempted to just crawl in a corner and whine, I remember her words. I imagine myself running to Jesus' arms and crying out, "Lord, help!"

*One-to-One: A discipleship series of Victory Christian Fellowship