Why do we keep aiming for the better when all that He wants for us is the best?

 

When the Israelites were led out of Egypt, there came a point when they had to camp by the sea. By this time, the Egyptians were also pursuing them and actually overtook them. While encamped, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians were already there, marching after them.

What was their reaction upon seeing the Egyptians?

 

• They got terrified, and
• They said: “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

 

Most of us are like the Israelites when in a certain situation, or in life in general. We dig a pit for ourselves; we rely on our own efforts only to find out in the end that our so-called efforts have only brought us deeper. And then we get afraid to get out. Without even realizing how dirty our position is, we sometimes even call it our comfort zone. We have comfort zones everywhere. In our work, finances, home, and even relationships. We get so used to it and blinded thinking that “this is better, at least here I know I’ll live, I’ll have food, I’ll have money or have good grades, I’m taken cared of, this is enough” –we rely on our own strength, blinded, completely ignorant or denial of the fact that there is a GOD who is bigger than our situation, who is bigger than us.

 

But no matter how many times we mess up (like the Israelites also), or how many times we ignore or deny his sovereignty, He always comes through. Towards the end of the chapter, Moses reminded the Israelites:

"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today… The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." 

And true enough, we all know what had happened, how the Lord parted the Red Sea and allowed the Israelites to cross and then destroyed ALL the Egyptians when they followed.

 

We just have to stop moving and being restless in that pit. We have to be still and patient and wait for His mighty hand to pull us out. The God who easily parted the Red sea so His beloved people could be saved is the same God we have today. He loves you and I just the same. Note also that He destroyed all the Egyptians, it’s the same thing in how God would deal with us and our situation, He would clean and wash us pure, no trace of the mess we were once in. New. Refreshed.

 

So, why again do we keep aiming for the better when all that He wants for us is His best?

* Questions without answers:

            -does Jennifer Love Hewitt?

            -where did Vincent Van Gogh? Did Rolito Go with him?

            -why is Norman Black and Redford White? Why is Charlie Brown?

            -where did Sandara Park?

            -is Chow Yun Fat?

            -What did Henry Sy?

            -is Lucio Tan?

            -When will Orlando Bloom?

            -whom did Sharon Stone?

            -if the sky is high, is Ricky Lo?

            -how did the Cardinal Sin?

            -does anyone knows Victoria’s Secret?

            -do you know the answer? I’m sure Wilma Doesn’t!

 

 

* INRITS YOUR BOCABULARY by Manny Pacquiao:

TACTICS – tunog ng orasan

NO PEER – commercial nya

MOTOR KID – pag-ikot nya sa maynila

CHECK IN – manok sa McDo

CORRUPT – pagpikit ng mata

WIT – timbang

DUET – gawin mo

NOODLE – sagot kay kris sa deal or no deal

QUOTES – tawag nya kay Freddie Roach

 

 

* Anong sinabi ni thermometer kay graduated cylinder?

            -e ano naman kung grumaduate ka…

            may degree ka ba?

 

 

 

* MENTAL HOSPITAL VOICE PROMPT

            “Hello and welcome to the Mental Hotline…

            -if you are Obsessive-Compulsive, press 1 repeatedly

            -if you are Co-Dependent, please ask me to press 2 for you

            -if you have Multiple Personalities, Press 3, 4, 5 and 6

            -if you are Paranoid, We know who you are and what you want. Stay on the line so we can trace you call.

            -if you are Delusional, press 7 and your call will be transferred to the mother ship

            -if you are Schizophrenic, listen closely and a small voice will tell what number to press

…thank you for your call”.

 

 

THINGS YOU DON’T Want to Hear during YOUR OWN Operation:

-asan yung gunting na bago? Bakit may kalawang ‘to?

-10ml? may naka survive na ba dyan?! Sabi ko 5ml lang!

-doc, ubos na po pala yung anestisya

-kanina pa bukas yung tiyan, asan yung pantahi?

-SUNOG! SUNOG! LABAS NA KAYONG LAHAT!!!

 

 

* MAHAL’s DICTIONARY:

BATTLE – iminamahid ta tinapay (nyam!)

CHEW – nabibili sa ET EM chewmart

LECHON – madalat matutunan pag nagtatamali ang itang perton

MATTER – atawa ni patter

THIRTY – tanta ni clitina adilera (wana det thirty)

MOUTH – mortal na taaway ng kat

 

 

* Multo: Awooooooo!

Bata: huhuhuhuhu..wag po! Wag po!

Multo: okay sorry…

 

 

 

 

* Sa elevator, may kasakay akong kano. Pababa kami ng ground floor. Huminto kamisa 4^th floor at pag bukas, may pinoy, tinanong ako:

BABABA BA?

Sinagot ko:

BABABA

 

Pumasok yung pinoy. Pagsara ng elevator, the American curiously asked:

“Did you guys just have a conversation?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

* To win the heart of a nurse..

 

   First…

 

   You

 

   must

 

 

   be…

 

 

   PATIENT.

 

 

I just finished a 3-day IV Therapy training (with Shalom) plus a day of duty for case completion in… Muntinlupa. Super layo!! I live in QC so I have been traveling from north to south for the past 4 days. The training starts at 8am and ends at 5pm (more or less). Day 1 was pure lecture only, we had to do some return demos on the 2^nd day (IV Fluid preparation, IV insertion, IV push or drug incorporation for the meds, TPN –Total parenteral Nutrition- preparation, Blood Transfusion…etc… haha I’m getting a bit geeky now, am I?), but the 3rd day was the exciting one, it was the highlight of the whole training period wherein we actually got to insert an IV cannula to our partners, and vice versa (in my case, it was Shalom… hehe my first victim.. I mean, patient!).

 

You could feel the tension in the atmosphere before the whole thing started, everyone was getting anxious. I was a little scared about 2 things: 1^st, I was scared that I might not hit the vein and hurt my partner (The patient is supposed to only feel the pain during the initial insertion, when the needle pierces through the skin, but when it reaches the vein, there should be no pain at all, if the patients feels pain, that means you didn’t hit the vein, the needle is just in the skin area or somewhere else hehe), 2^nd, since my veins were too thin and we were having a hard time locating them during practice (I have veins though, I am Human after all, it’s just difficult to find one hehe), I was afraid Shalom might not hit, or actually find one during the actual demo and get a low score as a consequence.

 

But during our actual demo, we were both glad that everything turned out okay, except for me losing some amount of blood (haha exagge!). I was the first one to insert the IV cannula to Shalom, it wasn’t difficult to locate her veins, they naturally surfaced after I put tourniquet on her (getting geekier). Surprisingly when it was my turn to be the patient, it didn’t also take long before she found one. The things is, after the IV can was inserted, a lot of blood started to backflow (than expected), and I think she got a little “surprised” and she panicked a little she forgot to remove the tourniquet (which resulted to more backflow of blood). I, on the other hand, was just excited to find out that I actually have veins…and blood… yey! (The Interns really had a hard time finding these two during my Physical exams back in college). Good thing everybody came back to their senses and started doing the right things, so the situation was handled well and everybody was happy in the end.

 

I’m thankful I got to experience this training. It brought my appreciation to the human body to a higher level. I realized once more that we really have an amazing and wise God who created every cell, every vein, and every organ. And that He knows each part, by its function and uniqueness. I thought that no matter how hard we study about these things, no matter how many discoveries science can make, there is still One Person who knows the mystery and the beauty of the human body and its parts. After all, He made us. He knows us.

 

“For you created my inmost being;

       you knit me together in my mother's womb.

 

 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

       your works are wonderful,

       I know that full well.

 

  My frame was not hidden from you

       when I was made in the secret place.

       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

 

  your eyes saw my unformed body.

       All the days ordained for me

       were written in your book

       before one of them came to be.”

 

                                    Psalm 139:13-16

I went to DOLE (in Intramuros) this afternoon and when I was about to go home it started to rain really hard… as in OA..

So I was walking along Intramuros, all wet and feeling cold pero all smiles pa din… literally. Weird, I know. But I really love it when it’s raining. It was a ten-minute walk and I enjoyed it. I was speaking to God the whole time, I thanked Him for the rain (but I was also praying for those who’d be affected by it in a negative way…really), I thanked Him for giving me that peaceful feeling every time it rains, for giving me that sense of appreciation knowing that He created it. I could write about how I could relate this feeling to real life situations, like learning to smile and being positive despite being faced with trials of different kinds, having that peace inside of you and looking for opportunities to learn and develop amidst struggles, but this blog entry was not supposed to be a serious one. This day (and some blogs I’ve read) reminded me also of my college days during the rainy season. (This is what I really want to blog on).I had some good and funny experiences back then. So just to share, here are some of the things I remembered (I know most of you can relate to these):

 

1. Waking up in the morning and it’s raining so hard but then, there’s still no announcement from CHED whether the classes are suspended or not so you still decided to go to school (since you are a good student.. ehem!) only to find out that they have suspended the classes a few minutes before you arrived.
2. They’ll announce that the classes are suspended pero babawiin din, so you end up cramming going to school.
3. CHED says “Classes are Suspended” but then, the school announces otherwise. Labo, I know.
4. I studied in UERM so during 1^st and 2^nd year we have classes in UE Recto. There was an instance na na-late na naman ang announcement na suspended ang classes so inabutan kami ng bagyo. Everyone was rushing to go home and wala ng masakyan, my classmates and I were waiting for hours for a ride, kahit jeep okay na samin pero wala talaga. Good thing someone offered us a free ride pero hanggang Pureza lang kami masasabay, pagdating ng Pureza super baha and we couldn’t cross kung lakad lang, I forgot how we got home, but we definitely didn’t walk through the flood, maybe someone offered us another ride or something… That day was really unforgettable, I remember seeing dozens of students walking along Recto, Legarda, and even on the Nagtahan bridge. Parang may walkathon.
5. I lived in a dorm during 3^rd and 4^th year college and there was one time na suspended na yung classes, our guy friends from a different dorm decided to visit us habang bumabagyo. It rained so hard while they were still in our dorm kaya nung pauwi na sila baha na sa labas… as in OA na baha.. so they decided to stay and wait for the water to go down. They waited for hours, and gutom na kaming lahat, we couldn’t go outside to buy food but we have a supply of food naman pero konti lang and ang dami namin. Ubos na ang pagkain, di pa din bumababa ang baha, pero good thing di naman naubos ang kwento and jokes so nilibang na lang namin sarili namin sa kwentuhan until it’s safe for them to go home and for us to buy food.
6. And of course, who could forget the timely Nescafe commercial?!

“Walang Pasok!!”

We loved that commercial! It shows how excited students can really get

upon hearing the phrase “walang pasok!” or “classes are suspended”. (para sa mga chuchal…kidding!) Some would happily go back to bed to sleep again, others would turn the television on, some would jump out In the rain with matching dancing and laughing, while others would just prefer to get a good book, sit on the couch while drinking a hot cup of coffee or chocolate. I, personally, would love to do all of these things.

 

I love those days. I miss those days.

 

Friday Night Youth Service.

“You complete me” ….yuck!  remembering the way it was said in the movie and the atmosphere it created when that particular part was shown during the youth service (I know madaming kinilig, haha lalo na yung katabi ko..peace!), still gives me goose bumps! Haha forgive my reaction, but i’m not really a fan of those kinds of “lines” (being a Snow Queen myself and all…. not proud of it though!).

But really, despite that one particular eerie moment, I was (and I’m sure a lot will agree) blessed by the preaching this evening.

 

The word of God plus the incredible preaching of one talented youth pastor (Pastor Dennis… ehem!) really completes and fires up your Friday night.  And I am most certain that the lesson we’ve learned will remain in our hearts and minds not only this Friday night, but for the rest of the days to come.

 

So what did we hear? What was the wonderful preaching all about?

 

It’s about realizing that most of us, especially the youth today, are being blinded by a wrong belief system.  The world dictates that there are certain relationships that would complete us. Society suggests that somehow these things, such as having a boyfriend or a girlfriend, can fill out the “lack” in us. Wherein in reality, they do not help at all.  How can you find completeness in a person who’s not complete on his/her own too? They’ll just suck the life off you and not realize it until you’re both already dead in the inside.

 

So what do we need to do?

 

We must first be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Put away all the trash in our heads. Eliminate the wrong belief system.

 

How?

 

By soaking yourself in God’s word. Contemplate on His presence, and more importantly, realize that it is JESUS’ love that completes us. Nothing else. Nobody else. We must first experience the genuine and unconditional love that comes from God.

And when we finally realize how great and deep and endless and pure God’s love is for us, then we’d learn to trust, be secured and never get ahead of Him. So that no matter how convincing or enticing this society’s obscure ways may be, we’d be able to stand our ground and say “NO, I don’t need any of the things you have to offer, I don’t need to enter into a relationship hoping that it would fill in the missing pieces  because God’s love already completes me. I will never be in want because His love is more than enough for me.” 

 

When it comes to our future relationship or love life or whatever you call it,  let’s be patient, wait for God’s timing, entrust everything to Him. But as for now, let’s enjoy our time as singles, the time when we can fully devote our focus and attention to God and commit to His service. The time when we can explore more on our relationship with Him, grow in His love, be nurtured by His care. Let’s have faith that when God has finally done His work in us, and He has made us complete, then that’s when He’ll introduce us to that person, the one whom we can share our completeness with.

 

“…God lives in us and his love is made complete in us… And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

      God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 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.

 

 We love because he first loved us.”

 

1John 4:12, 16-19

It’s really amazing how God can use you to inspire and encourage other people. Some of you might think only Pastors can do that, you know, share the word and preach to people. Some might think only small group leaders can do that, to minister to others and give counsel. But you know what? God can use you regardless of who you are and what you do. There are no strict  requirements or qualifications, as long as you have a personal relationship with Him, and you follow His ways and live in faith, He will use you even though sometimes you might not be aware of it.

 

Two days ago I was reading Pastor Ferdie’s Blog about Father’s Day. It was really a great blog and I left a comment/reply sharing my perspective about a “Father”. For all I know it was just a simple reply, I just wrote what I truly feel and think about the subject matter and that’s it. But God has a different plan….

 

My reply/testimony was actually shared to the church during the 9 and 11 AM Service. I was in the 9AM service and was surprised (almost melted on my seat hehe…). After the service, I was introduced to a girl by one of the pastors. The girl was with her aunt and they were both teary-eyed when I approached them… I was beginning to wonder why when the aunt explained that her niece too, was going through the same situation as I did. And that the preaching including my reply to the blog touched her and spoke to her heart. It stirred something inside of her that perhaps gave her the desire to get to know The Father whom both Pastor Ferdie and I were talking about. After our conversation, we prayed and exchanged numbers and come Saturday, I will start doing 1 to 1 with her.

 

The whole thing still amazes me up to now. That was just one Multiply reply. Who would know that a simple reply can do that to a person? Well, only God did. Now, imagine when all of us start sharing our testimonies to other people, even through simple conversations, or blogs, or even “replies”. What a great impact those simple things would create!

What’s with all the "Tagging"?! Haha! Phoebe tagged me a few days ago and I’m not really into this kind of stuff, but then I guess it seems fun so let’s give it a shot.

 

"Each player of this game starts with 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state the rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog."

 

1. I love it when it’s gloomy or when it’s raining. I love it so much that I’d even hum or smile to myself when I’m walking in the rain while people around me are cussing or complaining because their pants or shoes got wet or naputikan. (and take note, I took Nursing in college so I’m wearing white shoes and uniform, but then, I don’t really mind)

 

2. I usually eat plain rice with milo or condensed milk on top for merienda.

 

3. I don’t use spoons and forks from fast foods or restaurants (depends on the restaurant), I always ask for plastic ones or during college, I bring my own (sometimes)..

 

4. I don’t like borrowing clothes, shoes, or accessories from friends. During Dorm Days in college, almost everyone would borrow from each other or trade their stuff, I didn’t join them. They thought I was a rich-suplada-maselan kid because of that. (haha! Well, the last word fits me..)

 

5. Dorm Days (once again). People would often ask if they could drink from your glass or borrow utensils when we’re hanging out in the sala since the rooms are a bit far, my response would always be “I’m sorry I can’t, gusto mo kunin ko na lang glass mo from your room?”… then I’ll get the glass myself even if the room’s all the way upstairs. Or if I’m drinking a bottled ice tea, or water, or soft drinks and someone asks me “patikim?” or “pahingi”, and I can’t say “no”, I’ll give her my drink and  just buy a new one.

 

6. I’m not the best person to be with when you want to cry or pour out sentiments. I don’t hug or say things such as “oooohh” or “awwww” or “are you alright, is there something I can do for you?” to comfort people. I’m not much of a therapeutic person. I’ll just sit or stand there and that’s it.   Although I think some people appreciate it more when they’re with that kind of person hehe…pa-consuelo. (BUT right now, I am learning and trying to do otherwise.)

 

7. This one’s a bonus since my numbers 4 and 5 are a bit similar. My family and some of my close friends call me “BONZAI” or “bonz”, because I’m small…and cute (hehe Consuelo ulit). I didn’t like it back in elementary and high school, I was embarrassed when someone calls me “Bonzai”, but when I got to college (and even up to now), I didn’t really mind. It really doesn’t matter now.   

 

Kim, Ate Celyn, cK, Diane F, Yani, Sheryn

I was checking out some new posts in the Message Board and Sandy's 

Famous Words A girl doesn't want to hear from Guys

 seemed really interesting (and if you'd check it out yourself, you’d find out that it has really caught the attention of a lot of people too. So thanks to that post, I also managed to come up with my own Top Texts Girls don’t Want to receive from Boys. Here goes the list:

 

1.Musta na U? Ayoz lang me (with the z talaga ha!)
2. San na U? (or Wer na U?) Dito na me? ( U and Me talaga!)
3. Pasa load mo naman me..
4. Mizz na me U... (a-what?!)
5. ingatz U palagi...mwaAahHhzZz....

6. Nag-eat  na ba U?

 

hehe that's all I can think of for now, feel free to add any weird or icky text messages you don't like receiving...

 

 

 

A few weeks ago (why am I always late with my blog posts?!), I had the opportunity to hang out with one of my new friends in church. And boy was I thankful to have had that conversation with her! It’s really amazing how God can surprise you and teach you something when you least expect it. For all I know we were just relaxing after an ENLI class (not that the class was toxic, it never was). At some point in our chat I shared with her that I didn’t want to go to the states yet (read my blog because of an isaw )

and she asked me why. I told her I’m still excited about the things I could still learn from ENLI and the ministry works I could do (I’ve been a Christian for almost 2 years now and due to lack of confidence, which I am presently shaking off through God's grace, it was so hard for me to step out, participate in the ministry and meet new people). I knew she understood what I was trying to say but she also warned me (can’t remember the exact words):

 

“Be careful not to let ministry blind you. Yes, it’s great to serve God through different ministries and Yes, God is pleased with what you are doing or what you will do but be watchful not to be totally consumed by it, or focus on it too much that you miss out on the bigger things God has in store for you. If it is in your heart to help in the ministry, God can allow you to do that even in other places. How many are given the opportunity to go to US with an Immigrant Visa? Dream big. Ask God to search your heart and to change it if there are motives that are not from Him, ask Him to help you get out of your comfort zone. Do not be afraid of His great plans for you”

 

Wow! Everything that she said was so true. What if I’ve already put myself in this new comfort zone and I’m just afraid to get out? What if my motives are not in line with God’s plan? What if I’m just having a tunnel vision and I’m completely not seeing God’s great destiny for me? What if I’m trying to disregard the promises He gave me before just because I couldn’t see them through the eyes of faith?

 

Well, this conversation was really an eye-opener. As humans, with a limited understanding and vision, we always tend to stop or to ease up every time we get into a situation where we think we’ve reached our comfort zones already. Worldly mentalities such as: “Pwede na ‘to” or “safe na ako dito” makes us think that what is tangible, what is seen through the physical eye, what is within our reach is our finish line and should therefore stop and relax right then and there. We totally forget the fact that we have a Big God who has planned everything in our lives even before we were born, that the plans He made are pleasing and perfect and are beyond what we can see or imagine. All we need to do is have faith, persevere, obey, be still, be patient and know that He is God.

 

Proverbs 19:21

“Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails”

 

Job 5:9

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”

 

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

 

 

I remember  one of the youth pastors told us one time that he enjoys it every time he is experiencing a struggle.  That he most often longs for those moments where his faith could be tested.  He looked so happy and excited when he shared that and I was like:  "well, this guy is either crazy or he’s just being a pastor". I mean how could you be joyful in a middle of a struggle?!   That seemed so impossible, but I found out that it wasn’t when I actually experienced it in my life.

 

A few weeks ago, I had a, well let’s just call it a misunderstanding, with a person who’s very dear to me.  It was perhaps the result of previous overlooked miscommunication that piled up and suddenly had its outbreak (well, we'll not go into details).    That kind of misunderstanding happened to us for several times (since way back) and every time it happens it’s just so hurtful and frustrating.  I thought it was going to be like the ones I experienced before but, I was wrong.  It was entirely different. This time I know God was with me the whole time, He’s been reminding me through His word that He is disciplining me, that He is removing things that do not please Him.  He was shaking me.  He was pruning me. It was a hard time.  It’s not comfortable to be pruned, especially for a person like me who’s “matigas ang ulo”. But God was speaking to my heart the whole time. He was guiding me every step of the way.  He was so patient with my resistance. That is why, I think I can now also say, that I enjoyed those moments with him, not the struggle per se, but my quiet times with God during that week, the lessons that He gave me and the way He opened my eyes to things in my life that hurt Him and others as well.  So, here are some of things that I learned:

 

BEFORE	AFTER
Trying to prove that you are RIGHT/ pride	Seeing the mistakes you’ve done and being HUMBLE enough to be sorry for them.
The situation will leave you wounded/hurt.	The situation will make you into the better and stronger person that God wants you to be.
Looking/focusing at the situation itself (the hurt it caused, the damage it will create)	Focusing on God. Opening your eyes to the things that God wants you to see, that He is doing something that will result into your own good.

 

And here are words that strengthened me during my tough time:

 

…."My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
      and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
      and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

-Hebrews 12:5-6

 

 

“…but God disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

 

-Hebrews 12:10-11

 

 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

 

-James 1:2-4

 

 

Christ died for us so we could be free, free from sin and also from guilt, that’s why saying sorry is not proving that the other person is right or that he won, but it’s doing what is right and more so, it is setting us free from the bitterness, frustration, and hurt that will eat us up unless we ask Christ to help us forgive and forget.

Your results:
You are Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman 78% Green Lantern 75% Superman 65% Robin 65% Supergirl 63% Hulk 55% The Flash 50% Spider-Man 45% Iron Man 40% Batman 25% Catwoman 15%

You are a beautiful princess with great strength of character. http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/pics/wonderwoman.jpg">>

http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/">
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

Your results:
You are Dark Phoenix

Dark Phoenix 45% Poison Ivy 32% Catwoman 31% Apocalypse 30% Riddler 30% Juggernaut 28% Dr. Doom 26% The Joker 24% Mystique 24% Mr. Freeze 22% Kingpin 21% Magneto 20% Green Goblin 20% Venom 18% Lex Luthor 18% Two-Face 4%

A prime example of emotional extremes: Passion and fury incarnate. http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/villain/pics/dark_phoenix.jpg">>

http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/villain">
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I’m really excited about the prayer and fasting this year (we’ll just call it P&F , it’s really a long phrase!).  Why?  Because this time I really know what it means, what’s it about and most importantly who’s it for. Last year, well, yeah I “participated” in the P&F, but sadly, I was just like a little child doing what I see the older people are doing.

 

During last year’s P&F, It was duty period (in the hospital, I mean).  Plus I was graduating then, so it’s really hard to focus, I didn’t have enough time to actually prepare for the P&F and find out what it’s all about. So during those times, I had no vision of what I was doing, I even cheated, well not really “cheated” ( I guess that’s a big word) on the ways I would fast. There was a day I remember I said I would do the liquid fast, (that day I was on duty 6am-2pm) but I wasn’t able to do that successfully because on that morning (morning pa lang ha, nag give up na, talk about commitment huh?!) I resulted into eating crackers, and some other food I can’t remember anymore. That was foolish I know, I told some of my group mates that I was on fast (hmmm I suddenly remembered the “hypocrites’ way) but when no one is around, I would have a bite of this cracker I actually am keeping in my pocket. During that time also, I had no faith goals, I didn’t have anything, I just did it for the sake of doing it.

 

But a few months ago, how I see P&F really changed. It was when I read Pastor Joey’s book Mystery of an Empty Stomach. Upon realizing my wrong perception about fasting, I repented and I was really sorry for the way I behaved during the 2006 fast. It stirred up my excitement about fasting as well. He illustrated fasting in a way everybody could relate or at least could understand. He gave the bride-about-to-be-married illustration (well, I know I haven’t been married…yet, but you know as a girl, a thought about wedding day gives you the "receiving-your-first-barbie" feeling, well I’m not really into Barbie dolls when I was a kid but you know what I mean). It was a really perfect illustration because Jesus oftentimes used the bride and the bridegroom illustration in the bible. And it was really fitting for the P&F concept.

Well like what was said in the book, during the preparation period for the wedding, the bride couldn’t really eat, not because she is depriving herself intentionally (or maybe because she wanted to lose some weight so the gown could fit) but it’s because of all the joy and excitement within her. She wants to know every detail of the wedding. She wants everything to be perfect, that’s why missing a meal, or some meals really didn’t matter because she knows something special is about to happen and when it happens, it has to be perfect, surreal and memorable. (Whew! Now I’m getting carried away, I think I’m beginning to picture my own wedding….i wonder who the bridegroom might be….okay enough about that, that’s not the point! ;p ). Fasting, I’ve realized (and big thanks to the book) has a similar context.

You are the bride and Jesus is the bridegroom. You want more of Him in your life, you want to seek His face, you want His will to unfold that’s why you are giving up the needs of your flesh, your body. You are humbling yourself before Him. You are desperate for Him. That’s why missing meals (*for seven days to be exact) really doesn’t matter, because at the end of that, you know that you will be graced with His presence in your life. You will have breakthroughs in every area and powerful testimonies to share. You will be more sensitive to His call. You will know Him more.

And you know that in this year that’s just starting, every second of every minute of every hour of every day will be the “perfect moment” because you know and you feel that Jesus is with you and within you. 

"Arise and Shine"....that was the powerful message Pastor Joey delivered to us this morning (oh, i mean yesterday--dec 31--morning) during the service. The Word was so powerful that you could really feel like being given a new light inside of you which was brighter and more attractive than the one you already have. Like the tiny fire in your heart was suddenly set ablaze by God and for God. And it seemed like every person in the hall was so expectant of breakthroughs (in church advancement, personal lives, careers, etc...) for this year. It was really an inspiring atmosphere. It was a privilege to know that God graced us with his presence that morning.

A year has ended and a new one is about to begin. i'm pretty excited about this year (especially about the prayer and fasting...nax!). I believe it would be filled with a lot of improvements, breakthroughs, miracles, and powerful testimonies. I can't wait to be used by God in so many different ways, to touch other lives, inspire people and most especially reach out to the lost. i know He has equipped us with a lot of talents and abilities but I also pray that He will give us the confidence and courage to actually put them into use so that we could please Him and bring Him glory.

A pleasant new year to all!!!

wow what a day! ;p it was tiring and yet exciting at the same time... this morning we had a

"happy birthday Jesus party" in Cainta... there were about 20 children who were there, they

were actually street children before who also, at their very young age, experienced to work and

earn a small amount of money just to help them get through the day... but praise God

because a certain group of people (from Bright light foundation) is now helping them get

to know Christ more and also, guiding them in their studies, allowing them to live their lives

the way God had intended for them... there were some fun games and other activities too....

we had lunch altogether and the kids even presented a song for us... all in all it was

 really a great experience.... it made me realize that there are really a lot of people, may they

 be adults, youth, or children, who are lost and who are in great need of the Word...and the

good news is that we are made capable by God to reach out to them... to go out of our way

and out of our comfort zones just to share the word with them...to give up even a little bit of

our time (for our pleasures and wants) just so we can touch their hearts and their lives, that

we may introduce Christ to them and make them realize that they too, are wonderful

children of God...

whew! We were in prc this morning, praise God because we finally took our oath but boy it

 was tiring!!!

Kat texted me yesterday afternoon that according to the news, we can already go to

prc and have our oath taken.  At first, there was a tiny bits amount of hesitation. But

I thought maybe we (my friends and I) should already go since the news was not yet widely

spread (so there's a "slight" chance that only a few will make it since most of the people are

already in their provinces or whatever), and (like what my other friends thought of too) they

 might issue another TRO or another appeal so there may be a possibility that it would be

interrupted "again" in the days to come.

My friends (shalom, diane, kat eia) and I were supposed to meet at 6:30 am because we

were kind of anticipating the long line of expectant passers, like us. BUT some of them got

caught in traffic, others had to make a stop over at cubao for a reason i'm not sure i'm

allowed to tell (hahahaha! hi Shalom!)...so while i was waiting at a convenient store, i saw 

people in gala passing by (and by that it would be obvious that they're on their way to prc ;p)..

 At first there was only one person at a time...then two...then a group.... so i decided to head

straight to prc to check what was going on... and when i turned in the corner, whoa! the line

was already half way through greenwich. so i decided to fall in line too and just save a place

for my friends.  They finally let us in at around 7:45, I was number 34 (they will allow 200

people per batch). but before that, they divided the line into two, the right was for those who

wanted to take their oath and the left for those who only want to register.

At the auditorium, i was surprised to see Diane and Shalom because i thought they were

really late, but they made it, and they were number 180 something. Kat and Eia on the other

hand decided that they'd just register. You could feel excitement in the atmosphere, parents

were on the side, taking pictures nonstop (actually they were more anxious than us), media

was there too, some have puzzled look in their faces, some are just quiet, some have the

"is-this-really-happening?" look (my friends and i were in that category), it was really a sea of

 mixed emotions.

And then, after the long wait, after all the stress, after the agony, after the uncertainties, we

took our oath. I'm not quite sure of what we accomplished, i mean, if that was really a big

thing since to me, it was "just a ceremony" or whatever, but somehow, there was a feeling

of relief, maybe it was the event that marked the "moving on" phase in our lives and the

starting point of our career. And now, the only thing left for us to do is to go out there,

glorify GOd in every thing we do in our profession and prove to the world that we really

deserve to be called "passers of the 2006 board exam"....ooops! i almost forgot....

we still need to go back to prc to register for our license.... the good thing is it's scheduled

alphabetically, so hopefully it wouldn't be that much of a challenge. ;p