Sunday, February 24, 2008

Right after our YA Sunday Night Special tonight... um... technically last night (because it's 1:12AM already) YMT (Me, 'te Di, Josh, Mau, kuya PJ) with the newlyweds, Kuya Arjun and Ate Cet, went to Greenhills to munch donuts and sip coffee. It was a rare experience. With our ministries at hand, office works, school works, we just don't get the time to go out together. Totoo nga na kapag hindi pinaplano, most likely na matuloy, kesa kapag matagal mo ng pinlano. Buti nalang walang pasok kinabukasan. (Except for ate Di. Ok lang, double pay ka naman!)

Ayun, very rare na makumpleto kami... I mean, yung dating bumubuo ng group ng YA Core... (Except sina Kuya Mike and Ate Ca, leaders namin sila eh!) Hindi pa YMT noon. And, kahit iced coffee lang ng Mister Donut ang kape namin, at hindi frapuccino ng Starbucks, masayang-masaya na ako. And I know lahat naman kami.

Our discussion mainly revolved around the interesting stuffs in Bible School... favorite subjects, the teachers, doctrines, interesting facts in the Bible that were proven by science, as well as Biblical facts that were usually looked over, last days, miracles and signs and wonders, God's awesome power and creativity... Then before we left, Ate Cet prayed for us. It was really fun! And meaningful...

I'm just so happy because we had the oppurtunity to sit down together with our two older spiritual siblings. They have their own church in Antipolo na kasi. Ika nga eh, pinromote na sila ni Lord. From Youth Leaders, to Church Elders. O diba? Iba talaga magpromote si Lord! Kaya bihira na namin sila makasama. But even though, they will forever be part of YA. Parang mga... hm... what's that word... uh... legend. Or pillars. Kumbaga sa industry, they are like former employees na naging consultants na. Technically no longer employee, but they're still kinda part of the company kasi sa kanila nagcoconsult. Parang ganoon sila.

Nagkataon na walang pasok bukas, naisipan nilang dumaan sa church, na nagkataon rin naman na may Sunday Night Special kami. Inabutan nila kami sa kalagitnaan ng aming exciting at in-the-dark treasure hunting. Haha!

Haay... kelan ulit kaya mauulit 'to? Ito ang first time naming nagkasama-sama ulit nang kasal na sila. hehe! Next time, baka may baby na sila! Yey!!!

These kind of moments I cherish most in my heart. Thank you Lord!

***oh no... ate Di, para di ka ata nakapagkuha ng picture!?? oh meeeeen!!!! oh well... mental still shots nalang. :)***


8:33 PM
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Sunday, February 10, 2008

"And Mary said, 'Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word."

These were Mary's words in Luke 1:38, when the angel Gabriel brought the impossible news to her.

A young teenage girl, already engaged to be married, suddenly pregnant?? What would the people say? How could she face them? Would they believe her if she would tell them that an angel appeared to her and said that the child she would bore would be from the Holy Spirit? How could they believe this? No matter how she would explain this, no one would believe her.

And among the people who might intrigue her, she worried Joseph most. What would he think of her? What would he say? What would he feel? Would he pursue his marriage with her? How could this affect their relationship?

Question after question crowded Mary's mind. Not to mention the event that were yet to unfold 33 years from now. Mary had no idea at all. However, something made her utter the most unlikely response...

With all humility and obedience, she said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word."

What could have made Mary say these words? What could have made her obey? Did she know what she was saying? Did she think of what the people might say about her? Most especially Joseph? Why did she jump into this deal without thinking and weighing things first? Did she know what trouble, what gossip, what sorrow, what grief this huge decision would cause her? What made her say "Yes, Lord"?

If you were Mary, can you say "Yes, Lord!" right there and then? How high is your faith? How deep is your love for God? How passionate are you to delight Him and fulfill the desires of His heart? Mary's questions were overcame by her love for God. Her desire to please Him was all that mattered. And her strong faith brought her peace that passes all understanding. No wonder, she found favor with God.

If faced in a similar situation, what would be our response? If we are tasked by God to do something, are we willing to say yes? When God chooses us to do something, He doesn't look on our capabilities, skills, and talents. He doesn't look how many times we have fallen, or how many times we have overcome. He looks for an obedient heart, instead. That must have qualified Mary. She had an obedient heart. Therefore, God saw her faithfulness and her love for Him, so she was chosen.

God taught me in many situations that a cheerful obedient heart delights Him most. Because if we obey His commandments and His will with all our hearts, it encompasses all expression of our love for Him! Worship and praise, yes, He delights in it. But if the heart of the worshipper is not obedient, this will be as bad as a stench in His nostrils.

Let us humble ourselves before God and ask His grace to be upon us every single moment. Ask for an obedient heart, that is willing to sacrifice, willing to say 'yes' to Him no matter what the future holds. Ask for the peace of God reign in our hearts--the peace that passes all understanding. And may our doubts and hang-ups be overcome by our love for the Lord and our desire to please Him.


5:26 PM
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"...the king loved her more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti."

I always admired Esther's beauty. I can imagine, she must have been clothed with grace and humility. Her voice must had been soft-spoken, and her smile must had been so gentle, it lit up her face and just made the hearts of most men melt away. But that beauty was not only skin deep. It exuded from within her spirit.

The moment she was about to be presented before King Xerxes, she didn't adore herself with ornaments of her choice. Unlike the other women in this beauty pageant for queenship, Esther took the advice of Hegai, who knew very well what would really please the king. And she was admired by everyone who saw her (Esther 2:15). As the king beheld her, he fell in love with her that instant. And as stated in Esther 2:16, the king was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti.

The king was so delighted with her! Because she let herself be prepared to be pleasing before the king.

Do we please our King? Are we pleasing before Him today? If God would behold us this very moment... how would He see us...?

In white shining garment of righteousness? Studded with diamonds and precious jewels? Scented with expensive spiritual perfume of meekness, self-control, and humility? Would He see the mark of the blood of Jesus in us?

Or would He see filthy clothes? Garments soiled with sin, that need to be washed and soaked with Jesus' blood, or need to be totally changed? Stenched with pride, self-righteousness, and self-indulgence? Would He see our filthiness instead of Jesus' righteousness?

How will he see us? Would we be like Queen Esther, delighted by the king? Or would we be like Queen Vashti, banished from the kingdom because of her disobedience?

I pray, that when we stand before the Judgment Throne of Christ, our hearts will be overwhelmed by the beauty, the loveliness, the majesty, the glory, and the splendor of our King... instead of being gripped by fear, guilt, and humiliation because of our own filthiness. Let us seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit and ask what would please the King. Let us submit ourselves to the preparation, the beautification, no matter how hard and how painful it is to be spiritually scrubbed. Let us not depend on our own human wisdom. Let us not rely on what we thought would please our King. Seek and know what is in His heart. And delight Him like a beautiful bride delights her bridegroom.


10:27 AM
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Saturday, February 09, 2008

It has been years... 3 or 4 years... since I was home early on a Saturday night.

Yup. I have a night life! haha! AT CHURCH! hehehe!

I am part of the Music and Creative Arts Ministry since... I can't remember. 4 to 5 years ago? And one of my major duties here is the final layouting of our church's newsletter--the MZCF Sunday Bulletin. For the first 3 volumes (3 years) I shouldered most of the work. Article writing (news, updates, feature), photo gathering, and layouting. Since back then, I have school during weekdays, and recently, I have work on weekdays. I only have Saturday night to patch the articles and pics, and wrap it all up. I can't do it on a Saturday afternoon because we have a youth gathering every 3PM. In the morning, well, I still don't know what would be included in the news yet.

Anyways, for some time now, I have been doing this job until late night. I usually get home by 11PM. Getting home by 10PM was already early for me. There are number of nights that I even get home past 12MN... my dad had to pick me up.

Recently, the composition of the newsletter team was reshuffled. I still had the job as the layout artist. But thank God, He included other people in the team that would really be of great great help! There's Tita Cora, who acts as our head. She gathers all the news, and mostly writes the articles, and determines the content of the newsletter for Sunday. There are our faithful writers as well, Abby and EJ. Abby is the official "decoder" of the digitally recorded prophecies declared during Sunday services. She is also one of our official photographers. Always armed with a camera--anywhere, anytime! She gets to write other articles as well, usually youth related events. EJ also contributes articles, usually the Friday Night of Prayer and Worship events. We also got Ate Di, one of our official photographers as well. I hope she could contribute some inspiring articles someday. She's a pretty good writer, you know. Praise God! Then we have Kuya Mike! Before he heads the newsletter team. But God is calling Him to the next level. He did not have to totally leave us though. He's still part of the newsletter team. But more on support now. He take photos as well during events.

And thank God too for the other youth who contributes articles from time to time

With the reshuffled and more task-defined newsletter team, a lot of load has been lifted from me...

It has been two Saturdays now that I get to finish the newsletter before 6PM. The significant news are emailed to me usually on a Friday night. I still had to stay up late on Friday to work on the layout. But at least, I'm already home. And no pressure to wake up really early on Saturday morning. On the afternoon of the following day, all I need is a little patch up, proofreading, editing, and finally printing!

Thank God... I pray that it will continue on like this from now on... and for the rest of the days that I'd be fuflilling this lovely duty for the Lord and for His people.

"May my love and dedication for this duty increase even more, Father. May I find more delight in doing it for You. Amen."


5:18 PM
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Friday, February 01, 2008

I want to work in a publishing house.

Lately, I've been imagining myself sitting in front of a computer, designing front cover of books... layouting contents... bringing to life through shapes and spectrums the world "between the lines"... I would looooove to do that...

I love books after all. I love reading. I love writing. I love graphic arts. Why not combine them all?

It is the desire of my heart. But could it be God's desire as well? I'm pouring out my heart to Him now. May His peace and assurance rest upon my ever-troubled heart.

*sigh*

hm...I would really love to design books...

...really. :-)


4:30 PM
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