DUST it OFF :)

Last Monday when I played tennis on the third set, my racket string got busted!

tt.tennis-warehouse.com 

Though for the past few weeks, I already anticipated for it but I asked myself why now? Why now when I was eager to win for this third set after losing the first two.

Then I realized that in life, there are situations we can't really control. I want this and that but it will never come into fulfillment. That's life and it must go on. So the following day, I wanted to play tennis but I don't have racket to use so I decided to go for gym. I ran for 3o minutes, stationary bike for about an hour and some weights. If I opted to sit and continue to grieve over the busted tennis string then I would never sweat and burn as much as 800 calories. If we never learn to dust if off and move on then we will be staying in stagnation. Stagnation in grievances, complaints and dissatisfaction and these would hinder our growth. So whatever happens in this journey of life, learn to appreciate it. If we fall, learn to stand, dust it off and press forward.

Dust it off!

flamesnation.ca

 

BITstrips

Last prayer Assembly, we had an activity called BITSTRIPs wherein we were asked to write something on the strips of papers. We were instructed to complete these lines.

I AM SORRY…

I THANK YOU…

I HONOR YOU…

I WANTED TO KNOW YOU MORE…

I received lots of “I HONOR” and “THANK YOU” strips. I felt so blessed and loved that time. For me, I didn’t do anything for them to honor me. I was in awe because God never fails to surprise me. I never asked for it but He wanted me to feel that I am appreciated. Thank You Heavenly Father! May you continue to use me as your instrument of love to my brethren, send me and I will go to the places that You have prepared. Allow me to experience more of Your greatness.  I LOVE you Heavenly Father and I want to bring back the honor and glory to you…

The Zacheus Story

19th-November 2013

Luke 19:1-10

1 At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. 2 Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, 3 was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. 5 When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 And he came down quickly and received him with joy. 7 When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

 

 

Today's gospel is one of my favourite gospels. It is an affirmation of how God loves us, we are His Beloved. It also talks about Zacheus, his persistence to know and experience Jesus, his humility to admit that he is a sinner, his conversion and his courage to give up everything to follow Jesus.
There are 4 characters in the gospel, Zacheus, Sycamore tree, grumbling audience and Jesus. Are we like Zacheus? Do we find ways or persistent enough in knowing and experiencing more of Him? Are we humble to admit that we are sinners? Do we have courage to give up everything and carry our crosses so we can follow Him?

"Heavenly Father, thank You and Praise you for allowing us to experience everyday of Your magnificence. May we be like Zacheus persistent to experience more of You. Take away our Pride Lord so we can be just like Zacheus a repentant sinner. Give us the courage to let go of our worldly desires so we can fully accept You in our lives."

Are we the present day sycamore trees? Are we allowing ourselves to be instruments of love and mercy just like the sycamore tree which allowed Zacheus to see Jesus?

"Heavenly Father, may you continue to tap our shoulder and use us as your instruments of Love and mercy especially to our brethren who seek to experience it. May we be like the sycamore tree, helping them to see more of You. May you continue to equip us through the community, teachings, conferences and the people we get along with.

Are we like the grumbling audience? Do we always see the faults, shortcomings and frailties of others? Are we so critical in our lives that we didn't see the goodness of each other?

"Heavenly Father, take away our pride, our envious nature. May you continue to mold us into a person who carries a humble and grateful heart. May we continue to be loving, embracing the shortcomings and failures of others. Allow us to grumble encouraging words so we can uplift the spirit of those who are down."

Lastly, are we like Jesus? Do we have a forgiving heart willing to accept especially those who have hurt us?

"Heavenly father, thank You and praise You for sending your son Jesus for our sins. You have allowed your beloved son to experience condemnation, false judgement and even death for our salvation. Thank You Heavenly Father for Your everlasting love. Allow us Heavenly Father to experience more of Him. Heavenly father continue to mold us into somebody who is forgiving and loving just like You and your son Jesus. Keep us reminded always that we should love because you have loved us first. Thank you Father... Amen.

Keep Going

HAPPINESS keeps you SWEET
TRIALS keep you STRONG
SORROWS keep you HUMAN
FAILURE keeps you HUMBLE
SUCCESS keeps you GROWING
FAITH and ATTITUDE keep you GOING.

I got this one from an email sent to me by a friend. I was so moved with the message because in life there are things we cannot really control. It was very timely because the first reading for today about wisdom and its beauty.
She is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness. – Wisdom 7:26

It is a matter on how we respond to life's uncertainties.  Let's continue to ask God a gift of wisdom.  A wisdom for us to accept the things that we cannot change and to be fearless for those we can. Of course wisdom to differentiate it and a humble heart to surrender to HIM.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
-excerpt from today's reflection in Didache (Cristy Galang)

As long as we hold on to our FAITH that He will always with us. God allows us to fail sometimes for us to realize His mercy. At times when we fail, we just need to learn to kneel down and pray. These trials will build us a character of courage and humility. He never allows us to experience trials which we cannot endure. It is a test of our faith.

Thank You Heavenly Father for the gift of faith. May You Continue to mold me
into a  person who is loving and understanding. Continue to touch my heart Oh Lord that I may shine not for my own glory but for Your glory.  I Love You Heavenly Father. Amen

Prayer For Victims of Yolanda

My country the Philippines was hit by one of the strongest typhoons in history. I was in great pain and even cried when I saw the devastation caused by the typhoon. Every time I saw dead bodies in the photo posted in the internet, I paused and prayed for their soul. I know this is very difficult for our kababayans. They lost not just their properties but lives of their loved ones as well. I was crying when I wrote this blog, merely because I was also in pain.

Even my brothers and sisters in Singles for Christ whose families are residing in these affected areas asking for our prayers. Some of them, wanted to go home for the reason that they can’t contact their families back home. Then just this morning I listened to the song Surrender by Lincoln Brewster.

I'm giving you my heart, and all that is within

 I lay it all down for the sake of you my King

 I'm giving you my dreams, I'm laying down my rights

 I'm giving up my pride for the promise of new life

 

 And I surrender all to you, all to you

 And I surrender all to you, all to you

 

photos by www. Philstar.com

photos by www. Philstar.com

 I'm singing You this song, I'm waiting at the cross

 And all the world holds dear, I count it all as loss

 For the sake of knowing You for the glory of Your name

 To know the lasting joy, even sharing in Your pain

 

Christian lyrics - SURRENDER LYRICS - LINCOLN BREWSTER

 

 

 An hour after I received a message informing me that one of our SFC brothers’ family is safe. I cried because God is ever faithful, He always listens to our prayers. I humbly surrender everything to Him whatever His reasons may be and I will continue to pray and lift everything to Him. He never forsakes and abandons us. I am looking forward to see rainbow after this rain.  In times like this, may we continue to seek Him and see Him.

 

Heavenly Father, merciful and ever loving, we praise and thank You for your love and providence for our kababayans who are affected by the Typhoon Yolanda. Thank You Heavenly Father for sending more angels to help in rescue operation and for all the donations we received from different parts of the world. I surrender to You Lord God the victims especially those who are in grief. May they continue to see light amidst darkness, seek you more in times like these. I pray that all these donations received will be given to the beneficiaries. Heavenly Father, cuddle my kababayans especially those who are confused and devastated of what was going on. These I asked in your mightiest Name and at the foot of the cross of your Son Jesus, our Victor, Protector and Healer. Amen.

Catholic Youth Conference of Arabia

I never thought that I would be part of this tremendous event in UAE. When I saw the ACYC volunteers in St. Michal's Church grounds, I had this question of What ACYC is all about. Watching all the advertisements and videos being flashed in the church, I already got some ideas of it. I started then discerning for this conference. I am working in shifts and definitely not in all weekends I will be off. God is ever faithful and He knowshow to put so much joy in the hearts of His children. He paved the way and arranged everything for me. He allowed me to be part of this conference.

I came late on the first day because my shift ended at 12 noon and missed two talks already. My first session was with the workshop of Bro. George Gabriel from Light of Jesus and one of the Preachers in Blue Jeans. It was about listening to the right voice and great commune with our Lord. In communicating with Him, we should deliberately conditioned our ears so that we can hear the right voice. Bro. George encouraged us to have "selah" moments, a time to pause and meditate for us to recollect and retreat. At times when I pray, I usually talk a lot and not even bothering to listen to His voice.

The speakers were all great and inspiring. Fr. Stan Fortuna a rapper priest from USA mentioned in one of his talks that Satan is doing something and make us more vulnerable of sins most especially when we already conditioned ourselves to be good. In times of temptation, we should learn to be back to the arms of our Heavenly Father and pray. Bro. Matt Fradd an Australian but currently residing in California gave emphasis on the importance of our Mother Mary as a perfect model of faith. Praying the rosary as our means to develop our devotion to Mother Mary and it serves as a weapon, an anchor and a chain that would take us away from the chain of sins.

The second day workshop by Bro. George Gabriel is all about things to be done while waiting for the answered prayers. He summarized everything in abbreviation of WAIT but has to be started at the last letter. T stands for Trust, we should trust the Lord and always remember His promise in Jeremiah 29:11-13. Second is I stands for Improve, improving ourselves while waiting for the perfect one to be the one. Third is A stands for Act, act in anticipation and act as if. The last is W which stands for worship. In 1Thessalonians 5:17, give thanks in all circumstances. The workshop is a reminder for me to wait and allow our Lord to take His ways because His ways are not just for better but always best than ours.

I am so blessed to be part of this conference. Mingling with different youth from different communities and nationalities put so much joy in my heart. Its an avenue for me to explore and experience more of His love and magnificence. I met new friends, prayer partner from Oman and even invited an Indian Single to be part of Singles for Christ. It allowed me to share how the Lord moved and changed me with the community of Singles for Christ. Lastly a reminder for me  to always enter the faith, experience and live with it.

 

MY NKV(National Kid’s Village) Experience

 

It was my first time serving the youngest ministry of our community the Kids for Christs. At first when they asked me if my schedule would permit me to serve, without any hesitation I said yes though I still don’t know if I will be off on that day. I was claiming already and acting in anticipation that 1^st of December will be my off.

I attended the first meeting and I was assigned to handle senior kids ages 9-12 years old. The meeting went well and they even asked us to dance for the session. Four days prior to NKV, it was the last and final meeting. I was not able to come because I was in Abu Dhabi for an on-call shift. I received a call informing me that I will be doing the workshop 3 since the discerned speaker was sick and won’t be able to come. I was reluctant at first because I doubted and never had an experience of standing in front proclaiming God’s Greatness. They had given me a night to think and confirm, if not they will look for another option.

As I had my “selah” moments that night before retiring to bed, I spoke to the Lord about worthiness of being called to serve. It was through reading Didache a daily scriptural reflection that our Great God answered my doubts. The reflection was about talents and how he able to face his fears in singing alone in a huge crowd. Though I still have my doubts but I kept hold on to his promise in Philippians 4:13 that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. With this affirmation and through His grace I claim that I will be able to stand in front of these lovely kids along with the couple coordinators from different emirates proclaiming His greatness.

The following day, I called Jessica our team head for the confirmation despite the fact that I still don’t have the materials for session 3. I can’t even watch the videos since internet connection is prohibited at work. I just hold on to that affirmation and conditioned myself with a faithful heart. I know it is not me speaking but I am just only His instrument for these kids.

NKV’s theme for this year was “MOVE”. Kids should move by God, for God and with God. The whole day I was uneasy, I was so worried if I could able to do it well in stage. The 3^rd session was the last part of the program so I have ample time to prepare, rehearse and recondition myself.

As we are about to I start, I asked God’s leading and providence. My prayer was “Lord God I know you will be with me all throughout the session because I know you are the one speaking. I am just your instrument for the kids. True enough as I got out from the backstage and shouted “Good afternoon Kids for Christ”, I was talking spontaneously. I stood and spoke God’s words to the kids beyond my imagination. I ended my session with a prayer that these kids will continue to stand and lead as a young Christ like leaders, able to serve and proclaim His greatness in their family, school, neighborhood and friends.

My reflection on what happened to me in NKV was I felt so blessed and privileged of being called to serve. I know our Lord God is preparing me for something greater and I will always be excited for it. The experience really helped me a lot, I was moved to do more and shine more for His glory. I learned to always trust and keep believing of His magnificence.  May God be praised!