CEBU Youth Mission Camp 2014

Grateful

For a lot of things despite of what we have been and going through.these days..

 here is why I am so grateful;

1. Nanay is home! after 20 days in the hospital, she's finally home.

2. She is recovering, every little improvement is a joy to us, every word she speaks means a lot to us.

3. Financial blessings- hospital bill was paid, we were able to get huge discounts thru senior citizen and an unexpected help came thru our Vice Mayor-we didn't even know her but she came to us and helped us, though she coursed it through DSWD. That's a big favor from the Lord.

4. Friends, relatives, neighbors- everyday someone is visiting Nanay at home, someone is giving help, someone is extending help, doing chores for us, helping us take care of Nanay and a LOT prayed for Nanay. We are so blessed to have such lovely people around us.

5. My husband's endless support and understanding (as well as my sisters' husbands) - he also didn't mind that all our monies are being spent with Nanay's needs. I am so blessed. Don't worry mahal, someday I'll get you this numark im9 dj mixer from guitar center for your recording studio and much more. :) You deserve that.

6.  My work-my boss and his family, once again they showed that they care, more than the monetary help, I appreciate the moral support and the prayers extended to us.

God is good  indeed, even in times of trials, HE remains faithful and true.

Faith in Suffering

Hebrews 11:36-38 – Faith in Suffering

Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:36-38 ESV)

Hebrews 11—the great “hall of faith” chapter, as some have called it. I have meditated on the faith of Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph and Moses numerous times in my life, but only recently have I stopped to ponder the significance of these verses at the end of the chapter.

Verses 33-34 tell of all the amazing things God did through men of great faith: conquering kingdoms, stopping the mouths of lions, quenching fire, and escaping the sword. Then in stark contrast verses 35-38 describe men who endured great suffering.

It is popular today in some religious circles to hear that if a Christian has enough faith they will be happy, healthy, and wealthy. So were these “others” who were so destitute they only had sheep skins to wear not men of great faith like David and Gideon? It seems very clear that by faith some men escaped the sword while others still keeping great faith were killed by the sword.

(Philippians 1:29) says, “…for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him, but also suffer for his sake” and John 16:33 tells us we will have trouble in this world. As a person who suffers from daily chronic pain, passages like this bring great hope. God in his sovereignty, not we and our amount of faith or good deeds, plans out the course of our life; and for some it will involve great suffering. We are only commanded to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) as we see demonstrated by these men “of whom the world was not worthy”. These men showed the world by their faith in suffering that Jesus is worth everything, even their lives.

Will you walk by faith trusting God’s goodness, no matter what road He has planned for you today? Read 2 Corinthians 10-12 to be challenged and encouraged by the life of Paul who endured great suffering by faith.

Guest devotion by Kari. Kari is a young wife and mother of a busy toddler. After serving as a missionary to those suffering from AIDS in Uganda, Africa she is learning personally that pain has a purpose. Learn how you can become a guest writer.

Praise YOU in this storm

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Unified: Worship event

 Today, our worship team was privileged to  lead a worship event, a gathering of youth from different churches. The goal is to unite the youth, be one in glorifying the Lord.

Pastor Luis Baldomaro is the guest speaker, composer of timeless praise and worship songs such as "Kasama natin ang Diyos", "Panginoon kay buti mo" and many other christian songs that I grew up to.  He brought with him his music team, there is even a violinist, cool! maybe she is using a violin bridge from musicians friend. I was told later that it was her daughter :)

More than hundreds of young people were ministered to. It was such a very nice sight, seeing young people with hands lifted high, surrendering their lives to the Lord, for sure heaven is rejoicing.

I pray we can have more of this activity and I pray we can reach out to more of young people of our country because I know they will be use mightily by the Lord as end time harvester.

Thank you Lord!! All glory belongs to you!

Power of declaration

in Jesus name..AMEN!

Worshipping God in hard times

Right now, my mother is confined in the hospital, she was hit by a truck on her way home from a church activity. Doctors said she suffered most in the head, CT scan results showed that there is a blood in the brain. We are waiting for another CT scan to check if there will be changes and improvement. She is awake which is a very good sign BUT she is not aware of what is happening, is not conversant, she does not respond to us, to our questions and I think she does not recognize us for now. Confuse is the word of the Doctor.

In these hard times…

We chose to worship GOD.
We are choosing to PRAY.
We are choosing to stand on God’s promises.
Like Job, I will trust and worship my God because I know HE is sovereign.
Like David, I will sing song of praise even in the midst of troubles.

Psalm 46 :1 says

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” 

I will hold on to that.

And I know God will help my mother, she will recover quickly and that she will testify on how good our Lord is. I know sooner, things will get back to normal and that I'll be back searching for Behringer Keyboards for our church and ministry again :)

Please remember my Nanay in your prayers, pray for healing and restoration of normalcy in her brain. 

Psalm 69:16

Isn't it comforting to know that God is going to answer our prayers not because of us, not because of what we do BUT because HE IS GOOD. He will answer our plea out of the goodness of His love.

 Such love only our Father in heaven can give. I am amazed. Indeed, how great is your love for us. Higher than the highest mountain, wider than the universe and deeper than the deepest ocean there is.

More than flowers

I know I do not have the most romantic husband ever in the whole wide world, you know the one that always gives you flowers and chocolates on valentines day (or any occasion day ) but I do not complain because I am very assured that I am greatly love by him even without those flowers and stuff. Though sometimes, I secretly wish I also have flowers to post on my instagram on Valentine's day, it's normal for every woman I guess.

But as you age, you realized there are more better ways to show you love and you appreciate your spouse, yes, far better than giving flowers and chocolates. 

~Like how my husband is doing the laundry for me today at home while he should be resting because he's taken a leave from work.

~Like how he makes effort to bring and pick me up from my office everyday since we got married (except when he is out of town for mission trips or for office task now that he is working)

~Like, how he strives so hard to provide for our needs, doing what he promised when we exchange vows on our wedding day.

~Like how he stay so faithful and true to me in all sense, true to his feelings, honest with his weaknesses and shortcomings and doing his best to grown and improve.

~Like how he loves  the Lord more than anything else in this world, that alone makes me fall in love with him over and over again. I know it's peculiar but it's true, when I see him on his knees worshiping the Lord with all his being, when I see him singing songs for his creator~ it makes me love him more and deeper. And it reminds me that it was the very reason why I married him.

So yes, I may not always have flowers on valentines day but true love is more than flowers and chocolates, I hope our young girls will be more wiser when it comes to choosing  their lifetime partner and not base it on who gives the most beautiful and expensive gift on special occasion. I hope they will be wiser not to depend solely on feelings and emotions because it's not stable and marriage needs a stronger foundation.

This post does not mean though that I haven't receive any flowers from my husband ever since because to be fair, there were several occasions where he gave me flowers too (picture above)  and some material/practical gifts also. And I know if he could he will give me everything I need probably even those simple wants like a piece from Reeds mikimoto selection or maybe even luxuries things if he could but even if he can't I still LOVE him that much.

Faith Challenge

~Faith is unreserved trust in God's character

~Faith is unwavering trust in God's word especially His promises

~Faith rests on God's truthfulness and faithfulness.

Day 24- Heart Preparation for Revival: Gunter Krallmann

Lord, help me have faith in you and in your words specially in tough times like this. May I learn to trust in you completely. In Jesus Name, Amen