End of the Year, Start of a New Year

As the clock ticks, year 2007 nears its end...

Good-bye 2007... 2008 is about to begin!

A new year, a new beginning, a new hope...

A fresh start!

Let us leave our past behind and move on!

Move on to do things better... to be better!

As the new year starts, let us also put more

effort in learning the value of our family,

friends, relationships, people... More than

that let us put more effort in caring and

loving them :) Let us show the world the

same love Jesus showed us :)

Let us also be reminded that the clock

is ticking, so we should not stop growing.

Let us become mature in developing our

character holistically. Let us learn new

things everyday that would enhance our

being. But above all let us grow in our

walk of faith and relationship with God :)

For in the end, we would all want to spend

a great eternity in heaven with our God :)

Let us start believing God for newer, greater

and bigger dreams! Let us pray for more

breakthroughs and open doors!

God bless year 2008! :) God bless us and our

family! God bless our endeavors and the works

of our hands as we desire to glorify Him and

please Him with our lives! God bless us all!!! :)

Have a blessed New Year!!! :)

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A Simple Day

Today was a simple day. It was the birthday of my everdearest bestfriend, Gary. It is amazing how God bring you true friends who stay for real and treat you with real friendship that lasts for a lifetime. Gary has been my bestfriend since high school. It has been more than 5 years since God blessed us with a wonderful friendship and it is still ongoing.

Again today was a fairly simple day. I rather liked it because it has been a long time since I really had a simple day. It was a day which was spent with my two really lovable bestfriends, Ryan and Gary. We played badminton which is something we all enjoyed doing as friends. Afterwards, we ate dinner with Gary's family at David's hot pot in Binondo. They made sure I ate a lot. I think I even ate more than Gary did. It was nice because I have not eaten that much in a long period of time.

Today was a simple day. It took my mind off some things, some problems, some worries, some burdens. Today, I was able to enjoy some time with my good old buddies (literally older than me hahaha). I miss those days when we would just go out together, two bears and a maw. I miss being myself, being happy, being simple, being taken cared of and loved by my two bestfriends.

So again today was a simple day :) Thanks to both Gary and Ryan for this day.

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Iceberg

This entry is my reflection and summary of what I've learned from the first chapter of the book "Habitudes: Images that Form Leadership Habits & Attitudes" by Dr. Tim Elmore.

(picture taken from http://www.starstore.com/acatalog/iceberg-poster.jpg)

According to Dr. Tim Elmore, "The Iceberg represents your leadership. The 10% above the water represents your skill. The 90% below the water represents your character. It's what's below the surface that sinks the ship."

The iceberg is very good image to portray who we are especially as leaders. For example, the "Titanic", the famous ship that was said to be unsinkable, was sunk not by the tip of the iceberg but by what was below that tip. Relating that to our leadership, the tip (skills, talents, charisma) may be what other people notice first and may be the one that pushes you on the top, but it is what is below the iceberg tip (character), that makes you stay on top.

In our generation today, a lot of famous leaders end up sabotaging their own leadership and position because of their weak character. They may have admirable skills and prowess to do great in the world, but because of this weakness, they end up falling down the very same ladder they climbed.

This weakness that is so common among leaders of the world all starts with a tiny little speck of dirt like a lie or cheating on a test. However, as this dust begin to accumulate, it takes the form of even greater crimes, scandals and immorality.

This story taken from the book is a very good example:

"One hundred years ago, a boy named Schicklewuber grew up in Europe. As a teen, he never learned about character. His parents never taught him right from wrong, and he began to come up with his own ideas and values. His father put him down when he talked about becoming a priest, and insulted him when he spoke of becoming an artist. He was never valued, nor taught values. One night, he heard his mom and dad argue about moving away. He was convinced they hated him and suspected they would leave him behind. He decided to put up an emotional wall and never let anyone inside his heart. He ran away. This boy grew up to be a man. This man a leader. You him as Adolf Hitler."

Adolf Hitler became a great man in history. He was a man known for his amazing leadership skills. Unfortunately, due to his weak character, he wrongly used his influence which resulted to the slaughter of millions of innocent lives and to his own downfall.

Dr. Elmore interestingly pointed out that many people today invest 10% of their lives for preparation for the 90% that makes up their career. In contrast, Jesus spent 90% preparing his inward life, for the 10% that made up His career (to die on the cross for all our sins).

As a result, look at what a great man of influence and leader Jesus has become throughout these centuries that has passed. He made a mark in history and He was never forgotten. His Words and teachings still make ripples of impact to the lives of the people today.

Jesus said in Luke 6:43-49

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.
He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

With the media and the society leveraging worldly values, beliefs, and ideas daily wherever we go, it is not easy to be set-apart. These influences are ingrained in the very essence of our culture and daily routine. But we have to be reminded that whatever we are allowing to be planted right now in our lives, the seeds that we are nurturing in our lives, these will be the fruits that we will bear. If we allow ourselves to be nurtured into greatness through the seeds of God's WORD and His standards, then we will become men and women leaders of strong character that tide can strike down.

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Ana Laura - Completely

The secret of life is letting go
the secret of love is letting it show
in all that I do
in all that I say
right here in this moment

the power of prayer is in a humble cry
the power of change is in giving my life
and laying it down
down at your feet
right here in this moment

Chorus:
take my heart
take my soul
I surrender everything to your control
and let all that is with in me lift up to you and say
I am yours and yours alone
completely

This journey of life is a search for truth
this journey of faith is following you
every step of the way
through the joy and the pain right here in this moment

(Chorus)

Right here, right now, and for the rest of my life
Hear me say

(Chorus)

I am yours and yours alone
Completely

(Listen to it here)

This song is officially one of my favorite songs! :)

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Planet Shakers - I'm Forever Yours

I give my all to you
Send me and I will go for you
To the ends of the earth
I'll follow after you
I want the world to know
Your love endures forever

Tell me and I'll obey
This is far greater than sacrifice
Trusting you and not myself
Will always lead to blessing
Lord have your way in me
Not my will, yours be done

Here I stand within your presence
Longing for your touch
A thousand days cannot compare
To one day in your courts

Hold me now
And never ever let me go
My Jesus, my precious Saviour
I'm forever yours

I will worship you forever
I will worship you

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Heart-lift for the Burdened

Mat 11:28-30 (NIV)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Mat 11:28-30 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."

Mat 11:28-30 (MSG)

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

I have been wondering for the longest time about these verses. I understand that we can find rest in the Lord when we surrender our burdens to Him. But more than that it was revealed to me just tonight that there is a very important and essential element that we must not miss out in these verses... the heart... my heart...

It has been puzzling me why is it that even if I surrender my burdens to God, it seems as if I still carry those burdens. I know that at times it really is a process.. a surrendering process that I have to go through. Well, that was what I was used to. But I realized, that the reason there has always been a process for me is because of my heart.

THE PROBLEM:

What things were I putting in my heart? my problems, my worries, my burdens, my dreams, my desires, my plans.. all about me...

Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

All these things were preoccupying my focus, my thoughts, my emotions, my life, my time... They have become my treasures in my heart... taking the place of my God.

My heart was not set in the right angle and position which should be towards God and God alone.

THE RESULT:

So many times I have experienced frustrations in life wherein I want things to be solved right now ASAP! So I try to do all sorts of things my way to solve problems. Also I worry a lot... And I wonder why so many times, my efforts fail.

All these time that I was burnt out, burdened, tired, stressed out, and become too weary of life is because I carried those problems and troubles.

I realized, I have been playing god too much.

THE SOLUTION:

But God's invitation is so simple. That invitation can be found in these verses in Matthew 11:28-30.

For me, its like my Father telling me (His little child too preoccupied with the world.. frowning.. in a bad mood.. disappointed... crying.. heart-broken... I kept saying yes Lord, I surrender... yet I plan and plot what if's and must-be- done's in my heart and mind... worried...)

"My child, you're stressed out again because you try to carry the world on your shoulders. You are getting frustrated again with those burdens. You can try to do things your way, but in the end, you'll just end up exhausted. You can try to force your will into them all you want, but they'll never work out. My dear child, you are not God. Only I am God. Those burdens were not meant for you to carry. Only I can carry those burdens, yes even those dreams, those plans and those desires in your heart... and only in My perfect will and time can they fulfill their purpose. So why worry? TRUST ME. Give them ALL to me. Instead of focusing on them, give your focus back to Me. Look to Me. Set your heart right back to Me. Trust Me. I love you my child. I will take care of everything. Come back and enjoy your time with Me. Rest in Me."

I see myself running back to my Father's arms... laughing, smiling, telling Him stories, sharing my heart to Him, singing to Him, just enjoying time with Him... sitting at His feet... resting like a baby in His arms.. at peace, safe, secure... loved... at home...

My Prayer:

Father... please help me to surrender everything to You and to Your sovereign and perfect timing and will in faith. Please help me to develop the habit of focusing my whole HEART to You.. to look to You alone... to devote my time, my heart, my life back to You alone... and to NEVER compromise my time with You...

In Christ's Holy Name, Amen.

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Are You ONE of US?

Lately, these past two weeks, I have been taking up personality tests of all sorts. Most of them were due to various church activities such as our small group meeting, in a seminar in baste, or during the fellowship session in UECP. Other than that, I also took a personality test in Facebook.

After taking up these tests, I learned that I am more of a dominant, steady and conscientious type of person rather than an interactive type.

I also developed a better understanding about my personality as well as other people's personality. I learned to appreciate other people more who possess a different personality from me. It also made me realize that all of us were created and designed by God to be different from each other. We were specifically fashioned into unique beings. Imagine marrying someone who is exactly like you. It would be like marrying yourself. For me, it is quite a scary thought. In fact, two people, who have opposite personalities can actually complement each other in their weaknesses and strengths whether it be in marriage, in friendship, or in a group. Try making up a team wherein everyone has a dominant type of personality. They would never reach a decision because everybody would want to lead. We all have different personalities so that all of us can perform our specific roles as body parts in the body of Christ.

1Co 12:12-27
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

We are part of the body of Christ. All of us are parts that are equally important. I remember a short narration told to us in church about sticks.

During one church activity, people were all given a stick. Each of them were told to decorate their sticks. After decorating their sticks they were told to break them. Puzzled these people wondered why they should break their sticks after putting so much effort in them. They were simply told that those sticks represent each of us. No matter how much effort you exert in your life on your own, no matter how beautiful or strong you may look on the outside, but as long as you are alone in your journey in life, you can easily be broken. You can put a scotch tape on the stick to repair it but it can still be broken over and over again. However, if you put all these sticks together as one big bundle, they cannot be broken. However, if you try to take out one stick at a time from that bundle, the bundle itself becomes weaker and eventually it can be broken. That is why all of us are equally important.

That is the CHURCH, the BODY OF CHRIST. The people is the CHURCH. Alone we cannot do much... Alone, we cannot even survive for long in this crazy world... Alone, our faith would eventually dry up. We NEED people, we NEED other fellow believers who would pull us through.. who would support us, encourage us, fuel the fire of faith and help us grow in our faith in Christ. Strong and fruitful believers stay in the BODY of CHRIST.

Joh 15:1, 4-6
I am the true vine (Jesus), and my Father is the gardener... Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

There was a season in my life wherein I did attend church but I was not really a part of it. I used to even invite friends to go to church but eventually I became distant to that church and did not stay there for long. The people I used to invite stayed in the church. Eventually, they become strong believers who became fruitful in their ministries and in their faith. However, I who left the body, did not grow that much. As a result, I developed a wayward heart, and my growth was stunted. Later on, God convicted me and called me back to CHURCH, to my spiritual family. Once again, He strengthened my faith and made me fruitful. "For apart from Him, I will not bear much fruit". Indeed without God, I am nothing... And whatever solo efforts I will try to put forth on my own will only stress me out, and they will not be fruitful...

Belonging to a Church requires us to interact with people of different personalities. Sometimes we may not even understand each other because of our differences. BUT GUESS WHAT?!? Jesus is a balance of all these personalities. That is why HE can understand and relate to each and everyone of us. :)

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ANIMO LA SALLE!!!

Yeah!!! Animo La Salle!!!!!!!!!!!! We WON the Season 70 UAAP Men's Basketball Championship Game!!! C'mon!!! Praise God!!!

I was praying for this because I really wanted DLSU to win prior to my graduation :) WEEEEE so HAPPY!!!

Hail! Hail!
Alma Mater
Hail to De La Salle!
We'll hold your banner high and bright
A shield of green and white
We'll fight to keep
your glory bright
And never shall we fail
Hail to thee our Alma Mater!
HAIL! HAIL! HAIL!

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Undivided Heart

Undivided Heart

(Brian Doerksen, Daphne Rademaker, Cindy Rethmeier)

Teach me your ways, oh Lord
and I will walk in your truth
Show me your paths, oh Lord
for I am devoted to you
Purify my heart’s desire
I long to be your servant

Give me an undivided heart
that I may fear your name
Give me an undivided heart

No other gods, no other love
No other gods before you

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Addicted? CONVICTED!

Lately, I have realized that something wrong is going on with me. I have not been focusing on my real priorities. Instead of giving time to study or to spend time with God, I end up wasting my time. I could not understand myself. I know what I have to do, but I can't seem to make myself do them. One of the biggest reasons for this ailment of mine is my addiction to Facebook. Trivial as it may seem compared to other types of addiction, this type is actually eating up all my time. It is making me lose interest in anything else. It also started to take up the place of my real priorities. I thought at first it was just for fun, but eventually, I can't seem to stop myself from going online just to check my Facebook and stay there. SO FINALLY TODAY, I have decided to take a stand and fight that addiction. Enough is enough! I refuse to open my Facebook unless I really need to (for my Social Computing class). It's an addiction and I know it will be a struggle. But IT IS NOT LAUGHING MATTER! This is for REAL. The worst thing that happened to me is that it is becoming a god to me. Anything that takes the time, devotion and place that rightfully belongs to my one and only God, must be thrown away. NOTHING and I mean NOTHING is worth coming between me and my God. Even something that is good can be BAD when it becomes your god... when it starts to dictate what you should do rather than God.

Unfortunately, in our generation today, there are so many other gods that takes the place of the one and only God in our lives. They take all sorts of form such as money, friends, family, studies, a significant other, careers, fame, a favorite sport, games, computers and so many more. Yes, anything that takes away most of your time, and resides most in your thoughts is your god. In my case, I have experienced all sorts of gods that took the place of my God. I am constantly tried and tested in this area of my life... Every single time, God asks me "Do you love me?" and everytime I tell my God, "YES! I DO!", I am tested over again.. and so many times I have failed... But guess what?! God never left me. He NEVER told me "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!?! GO AWAY FROM ME!" Instead, He just tells me "I continue love you my child in spite of your failures, in spite of what you have done... come back to Me now... I am waiting for you..." This reminds of the situation in the Bible in John 21:15-18, wherein Peter was asked by Jesus three times if Peter really loves Jesus. Three times Peter said that he loves Jesus. But guess what?! There was a point in time when Peter even denied Jesus three times (John 18:17, 25, 27) and turned back to his old life as a sinner (John 21:2-3). BUT at that very moment, Jesus was there, waiting... Waiting for Peter to just turn around to see that He was there all along (John 21:4). That is how God loves us in spite of who we are, in spite of our sinful nature.

From time to time I believe that we are all like Peter in that point of time in his life BUT Praise God that He is who He is! Praise God, He is a embodiment of true LOVE! Praise God He is merciful, and gracious! Praise God He is Father who loves His children in spite of their prodigal and sinful nature!

I am so blessed that He is the one and only real GOD in my life. Do you have other gods? When will choose Him to be your one and only too? :) He is just there waiting... for you to turn back to Him :)

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The Meaning Behind the Name...

Franchere

Courageous, intelligent and honest you are a seeker of truth and willingly accept the responsibilities of leadership. Exercising wisdom and sound judgement you base your actions and decisions on the lessons of past experience. Your alert mind and creative ideas assure you of success with any project and can bring you great financial rewards. With your ever positive attitude towards life others find you inspirational.

Suaco

Very intelligent, broadminded and a good listener. You are an ideas person, with a wonderful creative imagination who is always seeking practical applications to apply this to. Your intelligence means that you have great potential for business success if you can apply some discipline and caution. You enjoy sensual pleasures and with a natural restless nature and liking for adventure life is rarely dull with you around.

Chan

You are a deep thinker and student of life using your intuition and natural detective ability to seek truth and hidden knowledge. Peaceloving and compassionate you are nonetheless strong-willed and courageous in confronting challenges. Although your approach to life tends to be on a mental level it is important for you to see your ideas and concepts take form in the material world. Your talents and leadership skills give you great potential for a distinguished career.

Franchere Suaco Chan

Your calm manner and maturity belie a fierce determination to be at the top where you can exercise authority and get things done. You have a thirst for knowledge and are willing to share with others which means you are often sought out for guidance and counsel. Your talents and generosity bring you emotional and material contentment.

After getting all these meanings from my name, I asked myself if they really do describe me...? :) Personally, I think they do in some ways :) What do you think? ;)

It's pretty fun! :) Why not try it yourself :P

Discover the hidden meaning in your name.. click here.

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Hmmmmm.....

I think I really write long blog entries. I rarely even post short ones... I think it's because I have deep thoughts on stuff... And I like writing them down. :) I am after all more of a writer than a speaker. For some people they voice out their thoughts or opinions literally. However, in my case, I write them down :) I love to write ever since I was in high school when started to write editorial articles. Sadly, when I entered college, I became rusty in my writing skills even in grammar. This is because I hardly have time to write anymore except when I am forced to for my acads such as in writing thesis papers, term papers, and all other sorts of papers that I am simply required to do. Aside from that, due to time constraint, I don't have time to write that much anymore. AND yes, I feel too lazy to write at times too. Often, I wanted to blog about something so much but then again I was too sleepy, too tired or too lazy to really write.. So in the end, I never got to writing them down. So that's my thought for that "Hmmmmm....." moment :P

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A Short Jeepney Ride...

Ok enough about technical talk :) After attending the friday youth service at my church in VCF - Ubelt, I took a jeepney ride home. When I got on the back of the jeep, I immediately rummaged my extremely disorganized bag for my coin purse so that I can pay my jeepney fare asap (so I won't forget). When I got my six pesos, I said "Mama, bayad ho (Mister, here is my fare)". Suddenly, I was interrupted by the middle-aged woman seated near me, "Miss dito po". What she wanted to say is that I should pay the fare to her not to the driver. This is quite rare and unusual because most of the time, a passenger pays to the jeepney driver or the the person seated beside the driver. So after being told to pay to her, I gave her my jeepney fare. Later on, other passengers who realized that she was the one in charge of the money, immediately just handed her all their fare. Anyway, that is not what struck me. What really made me want to post this here in the blog was something else that I noticed in this short trip of mine. I realized that the woman was the wife of the driver. This is because, the woman kept calling the driver "Pa" and the driver kept calling the woman "Ma". So it was obvious they were husband and wife. But I was amazed at the way they treat each other. I find it rare in married people nowadays. They were working together in that jeepney as partners. The husband drives the jeep while the wife takes charge of making sure that everyone pays the fare. The husband trusted his wife with the money. Another thing I noticed is that they were very gentle with each other in speech. They were not shouting at each other rather they treated each other with respect. I particularly commend the husband because he was gentle with his speech towards his wife and he was constantly asking his wife how many passengers can still fit in the jeep. And when she says three more, he would signal the people outside that three more seats are available. If his wife says, there are no more seats, he would no longer stop for passengers. It was really very simple. But they portrayed a beautiful picture of what marriage should be... a partnership with respect, trust and unity. And I believe, they could not have done that without LOVE which is the unifying factor for a simply beautiful relationship.

Marriage is like that jeepney. The husband is the driver because he is the head, he is the one who leads the marriage. But the wife is with the husband all throughout the trip. She doesn't take charge or take control of the jeepney rather she is there constantly supporting the husband. Giving him advice when he is unsure of something, encouraging him to either go on or to stop. She is trusted with the affairs of the family such as the finances, the house, the children - the treasures of the family making sure that everything is well kept. I'm sure that along the way, that jeepney will encounter flat tires, low fuel, corrupt traffic officials or even bumpy roads. But, as long as the husband and wife have that respect, trust, unity and they communicate to each other in that way as I have witnessed in that short jeepney ride, love would abound.

Yes they are ordinary people. They are not rich or famous people in society. I'm sure that they're not perfect and neither is their relationship because nothing is perfect. But what I witnessed during my short jeepney ride home was something amazing, something extraordinary, something beautiful and rare in our generation today.

AND someday when I get married to my future husband, I want something like that... simple but really beautiful... truly what marriage should be... :)

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Social Computing?!?!

It was an ordinary school day. Nothing really special. I went to school early in the morning to attend my 8am advertising and print class. The professor is a really great man. He is actually one of the guys behind the design of popular logos of really BIG brand names and companies. KUDOS to our professor! :)

Afterwards, I attended my next Social Computing class wherein we were told by our professor that next week we are going to have a lab session on Facebook which is a becoming quite the fad these fast few years because of its Social Computing nature that makes everyone addicted to it. I had to agree with my professor because I was really turning into a Facebook addict ever since I tried it for the first time. There was so much interaction you can do with it that Friendster and other similar interaction spaces and tools that I have used are no match for it. (I particularly like the fluff friends!!!) Yes, I have become a victim of Facebook. I actually spent hours and hours trying out Facebook. Anyway, it is a good thing that Facebook is our group report/paper topic for our class. So learning a lot about Facebook and even the tiny details about it can mean a lot to my grade in this class. So at least, I am really engrossed in learning about it :P I wish studying for all my subjects is always that much fun! :)

Maybe in the future, teachers should turn to Social Computing to really improve the way things are done in the class. That way, students would really enjoy learning.

After all, a lot of technologies nowadays are really booming because of their social computing components. Also due to social computing such as forums, user reviews, blogs and the like, products can be built or destroyed in a single day. Let's face it, before we actually buy something like for example a cellphone, we actually ask for other people's opinion if its good or not. If most people say its not, we would NEVER buy it and vise versa if they say it's highly recommended. Even when we go out to watch movies, we always ask the same question "Maganda ba? (Is it really good?)". Who in his right mind would want to buy something that would end up as a waste of money? No one! Exactly the point of how valuable Social Computing is to our present generation especially since almost everyone now has access to the Internet.

I commend a lot of websites who actually realized the importance of Social Computing. They're smart! For example, try online shopping. There are actually two types nowadays. The first type is the traditional one wherein all the information in the website including the product info came from the website owner or the webmaster. However, due to the social computing trend, a lot of websites have changed their approach. They have included 'upload product pictures' by users; user reviews; recommend "other products other users bought after buying this product" or "similar books" or "other books by this author"; even track the user's behavior and preferences in buying products in the background and other gigs wherein there other users can give their feedback and input.

There is so much social computing applications and tools out there nowadays that people are so crazy about. Instant messaging system such as the all famous Yahoo Messenger is one of the long lasting and ever being used messaging system by people all over the world. For me, what YM has that makes it stand out is that it has so much more interaction tools and capabilities embedded in it (aside from being really user friendly) that allows users to easily represent many aspects of their identity such as their current emotions (thanks to the really well designed and improved emoticons and the audibles) and being visible only to certain people at a time (which is something we all want to do in real life). Not to put other messaging tools down, I have never used Google Talk. However, I have used the updated Microsoft Live Messenger which also have some aspects that I really like such as the games that I can play there which I think are really so much better than the ones I can play in YM. Aside from that the loading time in Live is also faster. What I like about the chat feature in Live is that you can choose to either chat in text or by sketching it through the integrated sketch-like feature. There are also lots of nice backgrounds to choose from which are quite trendy and not commercially driven which is what I encounter in YM. Aside from that, I also like the "Winks" which is pretty unique. Unfortunately, there is only but a limited number of them available so it also limits the user's use for them. Unfortunately, I continue to encounter the unrelenting bugs in both messaging systems.

Another instant messaging tool that I have really become fond of was the IMVU. When I first tried it, I also really got addicted to it. It was so cool because it was in 3D. Aside from that, it was so much easier to represent myself (my identity) in the digital world. I was so crazy about it that I really tried to make my avatar look a lot like me. How is this possible? In IMVU, you can actually shop online for your avatar, dress him/her up, and make your avatar move around and act human (with certain limitations of course wherein censorship is involved). The rooms or interaction spaces where your avatar chats or interacts with other avatars is also quite remarkable because these rooms/spaces are also in 3D. They are made to replicate real-life locations or places like a cafe, ferris-wheel, rooftop, rooms, etc. There is so much possibilities in real life that trying to replicated here. You can also take snapshots with your friends and keep them in albums. You can also receive gifts and give away gifts. Also when you talk or chat with other IMVU people, your conversation appears in 'bubbles' (somewhat like in the comics). And if you are chatting with someone, then you are doing something else, the person you are chatting with is informed that you are doing something else (somewhat likened to real time experience wherein people actually see if you are really focused on them or not).

Now that's just the software side of things. Social Computing is also involved in hardware applications such as the new "Microsoft Surface" (http://www.microsoft.com/surface/). The first time I saw its video, I was so in so much awe... I thought it was so AMAZING! To have such a natural environment to interact with the things that you place on its surface. Aside from that, while you are interacting with it, your friends can also use it. One example I clearly remember in the video is when ordering in the restaurant. For example, if you and your date decided to eat in a restaurant, the menu is already integrated in the "Surface". Both of you can choose what you want to eat by selecting them on the menu with the touch of your fingertips. Then later on if both of you decides to split the bill on what each of you just ate, then both of you can simply place your credit cards on the "Surface" and you can simply just throw the picture representations of the food you ate to your credit card and your date can do the same by tossing his share of the food representations to his/her credit card. Again you both do this with the touch of your fingertips! AND Voila! You have split the bill.

So there :) I believe that there is still much more to see in the future of Social Computing. I wonder what how radical it will turn the world around in the years to come ;)

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Cindy Jacobs Prophecy For The Philippines

Cindy Jacobs Prophecy For The Philippines
700 Club Asia

Recently, due to many requests, The 700 Club Asia featured the audiotape of Cindy Jacobs' inspiring prophecy for the Philippines. Special guest was Pastor Jerome Ocampo, head of the Jesus Revolution revival crusade, who was in the United States when the prophecy was given.

The prophecy was delivered unexpectedly and extemporaneously last October 27, 2001. The venue was the "Catch the Fire" conference of Harvest International Ministries in California, U.S.A..

Cindy Jacobs, American founder and head of a worldwide prayer network: Generals of Intercession, author of three bestselling books on prayer, prophecy and spiritual warfare; and widely recognized "prophet to the nations" was an invited speaker.

At one point in the conference, two of a handful of Filipinos there, Pastor Jerome Ocampo and his wife Annabelle, were called onstage. They were prayed for and asked to receive the financial "love offering" for the day to benefit the "Jesus Revolution" youth revival to be held at the Luneta in Manila the next month. Cindy Jacobs was invited onstage to make the call for support for the revival.

When Cindy came up, she immediately sensed a stirring in her spirit.. "Don't you feel a sense of destiny on this stage?" remarked the prophetically gifted intercessor who had been to the Philippines once in 1996 for a conference.

"She was shaking," recalls Jerome as Cindy turned towards them. "It's as if she couldn't hold back what she wanted to say. It just exploded, tuluy-tuloy." In a high, clear, commanding voice, the words gushed out from Cindy in a torrent, without a single pause. Her prophecy was amazingly specific and accurate," Jerome marveled.. This is what she said:

PROPHECY FOR THE PHILIPPINES

"Jerome, the Lord would say to the Philippines -I am shaking everything that can be shaken so that no man can glory in what I will do. For I have waited for a generation that I could raise up a purity and a holiness in. And I am raising up firebrands!

There is a forerunner anointing coming upon the youth of the Philippines that will prepare the way of the Lord, even into the Middle East. Look and see what I will do in Mindanao. For I am going to visit in a way that you cannot imagine! I am coming to Mindanao, says the Lord, as God and the Lord of Hosts, and I am going to start appearing. As a sign that I am going to truly change the nation, I am going to show myself to the guerilla leaders. I am going to come, says the Lord, and I am going to begin at the places in the Philippines that have been the bloodiest; the places where the guerillas' insurrection have been the strongest. And I am going to come with signs and wonders and miracles! I am getting ready to pour out a miracle anointing upon the Philippines such as the earth has never seen! For Indonesia, they had a mighty rushing wind. But in the Philippines they will have the fire from heaven that will begin to fall! And this will be a purging fire! And I will say, I will visit even as if in a day, says God. Do not think that I am not able to come in a day and begin to unravel the iniquities of the nation, says the Lord!

I am going to visit the military. I am getting ready to come among the young in the military. And the Lord says, there's going to be a revolution of righteousness that comes within the military.

I'm getting ready to dethrone everything that needs to be dethroned, for even the bowls of heaven are full. Oh, I see the bowls in heaven are just getting ready to be tipped over the Philippines and I am going to spill out my glory!

And the Lord says, I will remove the shame that Satan has tried to put upon this nation! And the Lord says, look and see, for even the blood of the martyrs cries out from Saudi Arabia! The blood of the martyrs cries out from those Islamic nations, and my Filipino people that have laid their lives down. Do not think I haven't seen it! Do not think I am looking away! Do not think I do not see you! Do not think I do not see you, Philippines; for I see you! You are the apple of my eye! You are a treasure unto me!

This is the day and this is the hour when I begin to change everything, says the Lord! I'm going to change the judicial system. I'm going to dethrone corrupt judges. I'm getting ready to deal with the police force. I'm going to expose, expose, expose, expose!

And the Lord says, look and see what I will do! For I will open up my treasure chest from the Philippines! And I am going to release finances for the Philippines that will surprise and shake even Hongkong! For I am getting ready to move a distribution of wealth, says God. And I am getting ready to open the oil! I am getting ready to open that which is in the ocean! I'm getting ready to bring forth a revolution even in the economic systems, in the finance systems!

Look to the university in Manila, says God. For I am going to bring a revival that the-Oh my Lord!--- the Lord says, not hundreds, but thousands and thousands and thousands are going to get saved!! The Lord says, can I touch a whole university? Yes I can touch a whole university! I can come with my glory and I can come with my power in ways that you cannot imagine!

For I am coming, says God! I am coming and I will remain, says the Lord!




May God be glorified indeed! All praises and honor to our LORD Jesus Christ! AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!

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The Boy Who Lives in the Moon

The night is young

I watch the full moon shine

Illuminating this summer night

I gaze upon its splendor

Like a prince enthroned

In the heavens above

Or should I say imprisoned

In his majesty’s high position

He once laid his eyes on me

A shimmer of hope at first maybe

A journey would he embark

To be in leveled grounds with me

A journey that was thwarted…

All else ended…

All but a truth of lies…

The warm night suffocates me

I am strangled in this pain

Broken pieces of shattered dreams

Traces of happiness in a forgotten past

Lost hopes in empty promises

A face streaked with tears

Sadness overwhelming…

When will this misery end?

the question lingers in my mind..

As lay in this dark abyss

I dream of a boy…

Who lives in the moon

Alas, who am I?

I am but a speck of dust

In his vast universe…

-Franchere S. Chan-

April 1, 2007

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Convicted by God

This term has been such a busy and exhausting term. I have been so caught up with the activities in school and in my academics. I believe the enemy has been using all these to pull me down and pull me away from my Father... Yes, God has been calling me back to church to grow in Him, to be nurtured in my faith, and to serve soon... There has been so many affirmations from God... but I was not able to go back because something always comes up. Indeed, it is a spiritual battle. Now, I have made a commitment, I am going to act now. I am no longer going to put it off. Because the time to go back to church is now. I have to make that first step or else it would never come. I love God and He is my First Love. I have to make that stand to follow Him and choose Him above everything else. I know that there are certain parts of my life that I was withholding from Him. I thought I was giving it to Him, but slowly as I drifted away from the church... I ended up losing my grip on God. I was neglecting Him and my relationship with Him. I got too caught up with this world, it's expectations, and all the things that I have to do. I got too BUSY (Being Under Satan's Yoke). But I had enough! God wants me back. God is calling me HOME. Last night, in my devotion, I was convicted by God to about this. I was informed by my sister in Christ that we were going to have our small group today. God opened up this opportunity for me to make that first step to go back, to listen to Him once again, to be nurtured in my faith, and to do His will. Today, my last project for the term ended. In line with my commitment to go back to Church. I have decided to set my priorities straight. God is my priority. Therefore, I must align my priorities to His will. May His PERFECT WILL be done! AMEN! May His will be my will! AMEN! Recently, I got a lot of offers from different organizations to run for the coming batch elections (from both parties), as well as high positions in organizations. However, I turned them all down. WHY? because they are no longer what God wants for me. They are no longer in line with His will. Yes, in the past, God used the opportunities of high position in organizations, projects, and other academic or extra curricular activities for His Divine Will. However, that is not what He wants NOW. I am ready LORD, to commit myself once again to YOU. I am ready to lay down everything before You. I am ready please prepare me for whatever plans You have for me. I want to surrender every aspect of myself to You. "There is no greater joy Lord than being with YOU. My soul is restored. My heart is renewed. Yes, there is no greater joy LORD than being with You." (excerpt from a song that suddenly came to mind). Even my lovelife Lord. I am laying it down. Today, the LORD convicted me. He made me come to the focus group in order to convict me and to affirm something to me. He wants me to surrender this aspect of my life to HIM. He wants me to lay it all down, and to completely TRUST HIM. The LORD says I have to wait, to be patient upon HIM, and to trust Him... to have FAITH. He affirmed it.. HE wants me to WAIT!

During our focus group discussion, I learned a lot from our focus group leader. Thank God for blessing us with our leader. He used our leader to convict me, and to affirm that He wants me to wait.

The following are my notes from the discussion:

The topic is about "Love in terms of Waiting"

There are five ways to show our love to someone - Touch, Words, Gifts, Service, and Time. We were asked to pick two of these based on how we show our love to someone. I chose time and words. I chose time because I strongly believe that your personal time is the greatest gift you can give to someone. Personally, when someone is important to me, and I love that someone, I give that person my time. I also chose words, particularly words through writing, texting or typing. This is because I am more of a writer than a speaker nevertheless I use both to encourage people to show them I care or that I love them. After that, we were told to choose two of the ways once again on how we want to be shown love. Once again, I chose time and words. I chose time because for me, if the person really loves me, he/she would sacrifice his personal time which could never be replaced just for my sake. Time is precious, more precious than any other gifts. For me time is also quite related to service. When you give your time to someone, there is already an action upon it. I chose words once again, because I felt cared for and loved whenever someone encourages me, and tells me I am loved, that I am cared for... :) And yes, the LORD does show His love for us through HIS WORD. :)

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Question: When is the right time for us to go into a relationship?
Ans: When we finally understand God's purpose for us.

In the case of Adam, his purpose was to name all the plants and animals. When God's purpose for him was fulfilled, God gave him Eve.

Love is patient. God wants us to appreciate the present through patience and trust.

There are 3 simple truths that can help us correct the wrong attitudes in our relationships:

Number 1: The right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing.

• Right now we don't appreciate delayed gratification. ex. plagiarism (cut and paste bec. I don't want to take time to read and paraphrase; instant noodles; pre-marital sex; e-mails, etc.)
  
• The youth right now is corrupted by the enemy.
• Biblical: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
  
• "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
  a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
  a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
  a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
  a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
  a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
  a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. "
• The youth have forgotten the essence of this verse... There is a time for everything.
• Each season yields a unique treasure.
• Just like in school, each semester has its own emphasis and focus that we must learn first so that we can use them in the next terms to come.
• You don't have to rush. You have to be prepared. You have to go through a process. Be patient.
• Don't get burned with the passion, with the fire.
• The story of the two bananas.
• in the story there are two bananas on the tree, one ripe, and one unripe. The bananas were taken both away from the tree. The ripe one was ripened while attached to the tree that is why is was sweet and delicious. However, the unripe banana that was taken from the tree was forced to ripe away from tree. As a result, it was not as good as the ripe banana. Instead, it tasted bland.
• The bananas can be compared to love. There is a time for everything.
  

• God has many wonderful experiences that He wants to give us.
• Unfortunately, we spoil good things by taking the them at the wrong time. An example is relationships.
• Just because something is good, it doesn't mean we should pursue it right now.

Number 2: You don't need to shop for what you can't afford

• Girls love to shop. Sometimes when girls try on some clothes in shops, they find that the fit is so right, that it seems made for you, but when you look at the price tag, you find the price to be very expensive, far too expensive for your budget.
• Relationships can be compared to shopping.
• You can only achieve intimacy if you are ready for it because intimacy COSTS commitment.
• Right now we are in our walk with God as singles. Yet there are even situations wherein we stagger with our commitment with Him.
  
• If we cannot totally commit to our relationship with God, how much more to other people.
• Right now we must focus on Jesus. Surrender every aspect and area of our lives to God.
• When you focus on Him, He will be able to give you breakthroughs and He will be able to provide you with lots of bonuses.
• Right now God wants us to appreciate the men in our lives. He wants us to appreciate the friendships so that we would be able to appreciate the husband he would give us in the future.
• God wants us to just enjoy our relationship with Him. He wants to develop us holistically.
  
• For one thing, you can't go into a relationship with so many insecurities.

Number 3: Any season of singleness is a gift from God.

• 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35
• I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord.
  But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife--
  and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband.
  I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
  

• For now, God wants our undivided devotion to Him.
• Singleness is a gift.
• Jesus created this opportunity of singleness so that it would be a time for Him to nurture growth in us without distractions.
• As singles, we must make the most of our singlehood.
• Question: Do you really trust Him when it comes to this area?
• Waiting for God's timing really requires patience both now and in the future.
• Right now, God is preparing us.
• In Time Magazine, there was this article published regarding the Marshmallow test conducted by scientists on four year old kids. There was this isolated room. In the room there was a marshmallow. Each kid was taken one at a time to the room. Each of them were told that after 20 mins, they would be given two marshmallows if they would wait and not eat the single marshmallow. After the proctor left, some of the kids immediately ate the marshmallow. Some waited for a while but ate it when they couldn't wait anymore. However, there were some kids who did wait. Some used diversions such as covering their faces, looking away, or dancing. Some even fell asleep. Years passed, the kids became high school students. The scientists followed up these kids. They found out that the kids who waited grew up to be more successful, more confident, outgoing, adventurous, and positive thinkers. On the other hand, the kids who couldn't wait turned out to be lonelier, out of place, and more negative.
  
• Right now, we should develop our character to delay instant gratification.
• Like those kids, we go through the same internal struggles.
• But God promises something better as we take the unique experience of singleness.
• Just have faith and be patient. God knows best.
• Let's commit to enjoy our singlehood now and have faith in God.
• Jeremiah 29:11
• "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
• We are in our relationship with our Father which is the best relationship.
• Like the dust that undergoes a process inside the oyster, that turns into a pearl, God is molding in us a beautiful pearl.
• REMEMBER: You are worth waiting for!
• The heart is like a glass, it is fragile. God would only give it to someone HE trusts.

In closing:
There was this blind man by the name of Bob Edens. He was 51 years old. For five decades, he was blind until a surgeon tried an experimental surgery on his eyes. After the surgery, he opened his eyes and then he could see. He was astounded by everything he saw. He never realized that yellow was so yellow. But his favorite color was red. He never realized how round the moon was. He was amazed by what he saw.
Like Bob Edens, many people today are blinded. They fail to see the great things in life. However, these people have an inner desire to see things differently, to see change happen.

So what is our role?

Our role is not the surgeon. In the story, there was a gap. The surgeon used the scalpel and all those other tools to conduct surgery on Bob Edens. In the same way, we are the tools of the SURGEON (God). God wants to use us, but we have to choose for ourselves to allow God to use us. And what better time for us to be used by God... as singles.

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Nichole Nordeman - Legacy

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in the lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me




This is one of my favorite songs by Nichole Nordeman :) I love what the song says and somehow the song speaks to me. This song reminds me to stay on the right track that is to put God first in everything I do that I may be able to glorify HIM. I want to be able to serve my God wherever He will place me... may that be in school, in church, at work, at home... everywhere... :) It also reminds me not to be worldly... I know that sometimes I do get tied up to this world so much that I forget and neglect the fact that God should be number ONE. However, being worldly is not what I really want. When I start to reflect and look back... I realize that all things in this world will fade and disappear but God and everthing done for Him and HIS kingdom will last forever. Someday, when my time to leave this temporary life, this tent, I want to be able to leave a LEGACY... that I was able to serve God as His good and faithful servant... as a CHRISTian... :)

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Hillsong - My Heart Will Trust

I'll walk closer now on the higher way
Through the darkest night will you hold my hand
Jesus guide my way

O you mourn with me and you dance with me
For my heart of hearts is bound to you

Though I walk through valleys low
I'll fear no evil
By the waters still my soul,
My heart will trust in You x2

O You counsel me and You comfort me
When I cannot see,
You light my path

My heart will trust in you


I love to sing... AND I love being able to sing for my God.. :)
This song is one of my favorite Hillsong songs.
It reminds me to trust in God especially when I am stressed out or encountering a difficult situation in my life. He is my comfort. He is my counsel. He is the peace that calms the storms in my soul. How I long to be in His arms... to be wrapped by those comforting Arms of Love... Lord I am coming back to you once more... to you Lord I find my peace...

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Year of the Open Door

The year of 2007. What will it be like? Will it be a year of disasters and

catastrophes beyond imagination as some have predicted? Or will it be

a continuance of the glory of heaven being manifest? The year of 2007

will have some very serious catastrophes. There will be some things

happen that the world will not know how to handle. But you may rest

in Me, saith the Lord, because the manifestation of My glory will be so

great in the year of 2007 and such overflowing revival throughout this

nation and around the world that you're hardly going to even notice

the natural catastrophes that happen in 2007 and the things that the

devil is trying to do will get caught up in the – in the swell and the

explosive power of My Spirit being manifested, saith the Lord.

Hallelujah.

2007 will be known as the "Year of the open door". My Word states in

Revelation chapter three that I open doors no man can shut. I shut

doors no man can open. There are those of you over the years that

have set out with commitment and resolve to do things that I have

assigned you to do, and over a period of time it looked like the devil

just slammed the door in your face and some because of catastrophic

things happening in your family, others because of sickness and

disease that has attacked and others because of financial disasters

and just plain old not enough money to get it done that the devil was

able, as I said, to just slam the door in your face. But you hear Me now,

saith the Lord, I am opening your door! I am opening your door! I am

opening your door and in 2007 the devil or nobody else will be able to

close it on you! Don't quit! Don't give up! The kingdom of heaven is at

hand. Don't give up on this nation. Don't give up on your church. Don't

give up! Don't quit! Don't stop! 2007 is the year of doors open and held

open. Go through them with great faith and stay on the Word. Stay on

the Word! Stay on the Word! You stay with Me. I'll stay with you and

together we will see victory beyond anything you or anybody else has

ever seen before! Hallelujah. Oh, hallelujah. Glory, glory, glory.

Oh, hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Yes, bless the Lord.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Oh, glory to

God.

And by that same token, saith the Lord, there are certain doors

that the devil has been holding open; doors of war, doors of

destruction, doors of all kinds of disobedience and blaspheming lies

and tongues. Well, I'll tell you in 2007 you and I together are going to

slam the door on him. We are going to slam it in his face. We are going

to walk on him and you are going to find out what I meant in My Word

when I said set your feet on him and walk on him. He has been put

under your feet. He is becoming the footstool that I said he would be.

And now is our time, saith the Lord. Hallelujah. Yes. Bless the Lord.

–––

Prophecy given by Kenneth Copeland

November 11, 2006

2006 Washington, D.C. Victory Campaign



The signs of the second coming are here... Hallelujah for the Lord reigns... Hallelujah for the Lord Jesus LIVES!!! I can't wait to be with you LORD! To serve You... to grow in You... I am laying down everything else at Your feet... May You be glorified. I now choose You and You alone above all else. My First LOVE is YOU Lord Jesus YOU... :)

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