I Wouldn't Want to be with Anybody Else but You!

Thanks to Angelene Ong for this captured moment! :)

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Shred4Christ

If you're a Christian, and you're passionate about serving God with Music or maybe you just love Christian Music regardless of the genre, please join http://shred4christ.ning.com/

I hope that this will be a haven for you where you can just be free to express your passion for music as a worshipper and servant of Christ :)

Feel free to join in the forums, create posts/discussions, share your testimonies as well as encourage fellow music lovers :)

May you be instrumental not only as a musician but above all as someone who helps build and encourage fellow believers in their walk with God! :)

Be blessed and may you bless the lives of other musicians and fellow Christians! God bless everyone! :)

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Reminds Me of You

I was browsing the web when I saw these pictures :) Then I got reminded of you :) This is me spontaneous mode :)

	I'm chose to embrace the sunset with you and here we are :) I chose to take your hand and stand with you :) It started with "Wild at Heart" and "Captivating" :)
	Art :)
	The caption I think for this picture was "words are not enough". True! That's why I chose pictures ;)
	I feel so secure with you :)
	So true :) Aside from that we both love music. We love ktv :)
	And yes I love you for being there for me, for the comfort and for always taking care of me :)
	Simple. Let me call this Adam meets Eve :)
	Dancing under the moonlight :) you love to twirl me while walking in the mall, or in powerbooks or while walking in the streets :) and i loved that too :)
	We both love anime love stories :) and love stories regardless if anime or not :) this reminds me esp of one that is on the eve of my birthday :) Oh yeah we also both love the song "Love Story" by taylor swift
	This is from me to you :) It's a commitment and a feeling :)
	Haha I think you know what I mean by this picture? ;)
	This is just sweet and cute :)
	I like the photo :) Nice composition :)
	Lucky and blessed to have you...
	You are sweet and you just love to make me feel loved. I hope things won't change even if time will pass.
	The shadow proves that love is real ;)
	I remember how much fun we had at Crystal Beach Resort!!! Surfing!!! :)
	I remember the cool January to Feb days with you when the weather was so cool :)
	Guns and roses. Haha I don't know but this reminds me of you :P
	You introduced me to progressive music
	When I look at you, I see so much love. I love you!
	No nonsense. That's you. Simple and true.
	Beauty and the Beast. I remember you volunteering to be my beast haha. I think you've become a prince ;) You have proven yourself faithful to Him. That conviction made me fall in love with you more :) You obeyed Him and chose Him. You have grown so much in Him. And because of that I felt His peace when I made the decision to love you :) You have my heart coz you sought Him first.
	Eyes on me. I love that song. It also reminds me of you.
	Coffee Bean! Don't we love to take our coffee/frap late at night when I take breaks from my shift :)
	One thing I am so blessed to have with you is that our love is so beautiful :) God scripted the story so amazingly :) There is so much trust and fidelity. I pray we'd both work to protect what we have.
	Hug!
	I missed you :)
	It starts with the bond, with the friendship we shared :)
	Don't we love to play with words? :) I can really talk to you and you can really talk to me :) We can have silly conversations as well as intelligent ones :)
	Haha you taught me to love the music in your world. I remember taking that first step when I watched your band practice :)
	We are partners :) and yes your favorite colors are red and black ;)
	We love food? :) haha and it is one of our favorite things to do! EAT good food :)
	You showed up one time at the office to surprise me with a yellow rose. I tried to hide you from everyone haha :P Then on Feb 13th you showed up at my team dinner with a bouquet of roses. I love flowers you know that. :)
	Yes this is so you!
	God blessed this broken road :) He blessed me with you and through you, I learned that I could love again for real :)
	Princesses aren't always damsels in distress. If they had to fight for their prince. One reason I made that decision is because I want to start fighting for us too.
	When I saw this I realized how true it is. That's what I realized the most those past 6 days we were apart.
	I think you already know what this means :) But it's a praying bunny take note of that :) God will always be part of this relationship.
	It's corny. Just like you! :P
	You love photography especially b&w photography. You also love film photography. :) Something we both share is our love for photography :)
	We love fashion and styles and clothes and looking great together and individually :) You love the way I carry myself and I love the way you carry yourself :)
	Yes you are my woofie and I am your mawie :) Aren't we partners? :) The Wolf and the Cat ;)

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Prejudice

It is sad when people just judge a person by what they hear or see. Pray that you learn to see each person in the eyes of God... and that we should treat everyone with the same love God has shown us. Everyone is beautiful in the eyes of our Creator. And everyone deserves to be seen in that light. the same light that He showered upon us... that is to imitate Christ. God bless!

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Dawn

Like a flower ready to bloom into beauty once again

Lift up your head to look upon the sky

And feel the warmth of Dawn

As it draws close, do you feel the Sun's sweet kiss?

Colors fill the sky...

A horizon filled with so many wonders

Do you feel the caress of the morning dew?

Go on and breathe in the sweet cool breeze

Be refreshed... Renewed...

Swept away by the splendor of it all

A new season... Uncertainty yet full of expectancies

A gift to be opened, today is the present

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Surrender: A Walk of Faith

A personal thought for the day:

When you surrender aspect by aspect of yourself and your life before God, you allow Him to take sovereignty over each of those aspects so that His grace and Spirit may work on them, allowing His blessings to overflow in all those aspects. Indeed there is so much blessing in absolute surrender and obedience before Him. It is a walk of faith, an experience, and not just something to believe in.

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You Complete Me

Last friday, February 29, 2008 was the start of the "Love at First Sight" series in VCF Malate. The first part of this three-part series was entitled "You Complete Me". The speaker for that night was Pastor Nickson.

Do you believe in love at first sight? Most of us may no longer believe in something like that, but according to Pastor Nickson, "love at first sight" is for real.

From the very first moment God thought about us and saw us, He already loved us so much that He carefully and beautifully created each of us in our mother's womb. In fact, God loved us so much that from very first moment God looked at us, He already saw (envisioned) our love story. Now that is a new perspective on what "love at first sight" really means!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

- Psalm 139:13-16 -

Have you ever dreamed of a perfect love story of your own? A story of love between two people who seem to be just so right for each other. Two hearts that meet due to twist of circumstances and somehow they were destined to be with each other forever. I think we all want that kind of love story. A love story that is so beautiful, so ideal... We all have that longing to spend our lives with that special someone who would be our future husband or future wife, a lifelong partner, a soul-mate...

But somehow, as we grow up, we start to question if beautiful love stories only exist in fairy tales, movies or telenovelas. Sometimes, the ideal love story they present may even cause us believe in a fake reality of what true love really is. We end up thinking that there is no beautiful or ideal love story in the real world. No such thing could ever exist. People end up compromising their faith, their ideals, their principles hoping that they would soon meet Mr. Right or Ms. Right. It all becomes a trial-and-error cycle as a person gets in and out of one relationship to another. As a result, a beautiful love story becomes just a faraway dream, a fading reality for many people. But is it really just a dream?

Back in the time of beginnings, when there was no sin yet as was written in Genesis 2:18-24, there are three important things that are often taken for granted nowadays:

1. It is funny how God already saw from the very start that man desperately needs help.
2. God created woman as man's helper because of all the available creatures in the garden, no animal was found to be qualified or suitable for the task. The main qualification of man's helper is someone who is at par with him. Meaning, that helper is not inferior to man. Therefore, woman is not inferior to man.
3. This passage paints a picture of what a love story should be as God designed and intended it to be.

The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

- Genesis 2:18-24 -

This passage shows what a God-written love story looks like, a love story that is so beautiful and right because it was God who initiated it from the very start between man and woman.

Aside from that, man at that time was just busy doing the task God intended for him that is to tend the garden of Eden. Man was fulfilling God's purpose for his life. Eventually, while God was observing man, God saw that man needs someone, a lifelong partner, a helper who is at par with him.

It is amazing to take note here that it was DURING the time man was DOING what God wants him to do that God decided to give man that special someone, the woman. Man was not busy looking for someone to complete him rather he was busy fulfilling his purpose.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

- Matthew 6:33 -

So many people are looking for MR. or MS. Right. But they rarely evaluate themselves if they are the Right persons for that someone who will become their future partner in life.

Question: Are you looking for someone to complete you or looking to God to make the way for your completion?

God is not oblivious of our need for a companion. He knows our deepest desires and longings to have that special someone. BUT we can only be complete because of God. Regardless if it is before we meet that partner or when we meet that partner, we can ONLY be complete IF it is God who is involved in either situations making a way for us to be complete.

In the midst of you doing what God wants you to do, God would just bring someone to you. It is only when we "do" the purpose God has intended for us, that we will be ready for a relationship.

In fact, many people who go into a pre-mature relationship end up frustrated, disappointed, and dissatisfied because they did not wait on God to initiate the relationship. Most women find themselves becoming yaya's to the guys because they are taking care of a "boy" not a "man". Even the right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing.

ALARM: A relationship that man initiates.

REMINDER: Wait on God to initiate in His perfect time.

...Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

- Song of Songs 2:7 -

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven... He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time.

- Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 -

Who are we to say we can do better than God, after all He is God? There is no one better than Him with whom we can trust our love story with.

We must learn to humble ourselves before GOD and recognize that it is His hand that brings two hearts as one. Sin can cause a breakage in us. God wants to make us whole first before He can bring someone to us. God cannot bring two broken people together because they would just pull each other down.

God values that aspect of our lives so much that He wants to be involved in it. He wants to take the very pen from our clumsy hands so that He will be able write it into a beautiful love story of two "whole" people.

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The Guy Thing

Last Friday, February 8, 2008, VCF Malate had its third part of the Passion Trend Series entitled "The Guy Thing".

The program started with a fashion show wherein some of our VCF men ramped as models. Afterwards, one by one these men came out to give roses to the all the women in the church. This was to signify men's role in honoring all women regardless of who they are. It is a man's role to treat women with utmost respect and purity because they are special before God's eyes.

After that, the speaker for the night preached about the topic for that night which is "The Guy Thing". The topic was about becoming Real Men in accordance to how God designed and destined men to be. After the message, there was call for real men to stand up and commit themselves to start living in righteousness before God. Those who made a stand were prayed for by the pastors, and the congregation. I, myself found myself blessed to see so many men willing to start living out for God. In our generation today, it is rare to see men wanting to live pure and holy lives. But I was so blessed to see that there are still men who are willing to make that choice. C'mon! Praise God!

The message was also really amazing that I decided to blog about it so that those who were not able come would at least still be able to grasp the message. I also added my own insights and some verses to compliment the message. Be blessed!

Real Men Say NO to Sin

We all have a desire to fit in regardless of who we are, whether men or women. To give emphasis to this the speaker, showed us the video "The Human Tetris". (see The Human Tetris, YouTube) In our society today, we are often pressured to compromise in order to fit in. We all experience some sort of peer pressure whether in school, in our jobs, or even in our circle of friends, our family and church. The speaker shared his own experience in peer pressure. In a Christmas party he once attended, he was praying to God to win one of the top prizes that was being raffled. However, there was one catch. Their boss, after reading the name of the winner would make the employee drink a lot of wine that it would lead the employee to become drunk. The speaker did not want to compromise his principle to not drink and to not get drunk so he decided beforehand that if his name was called, and he was made to drink he would refuse regardless of the consequences. It was amazing that God answered his prayer to win one of the top prizes but the best part was that everyone was already drunk by the time his name was called that he was no longer offered to drink. It was God's grace that he was also saved from the temptation and pressure.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Romans 13:13-14)

We all know Joseph the dreamer in the Bible as a man of God. Joseph was a blessed man. He was handsome, well-off, he had a great job. But that's not all, because of his good looks and appeal, his master's wife, Potiphar was attracted to him. She wanted to sleep with Joseph, but Joseph being a man of God refused her.

...Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. (Genesis 39:6-10)

How many men in our generation today would choose to do what Joseph did? How many men would rather stand up for righteousness than please their sensual pleasures or go with the crowd?

REAL MEN say NO to SIN!

The original fantastic four according to the speaker can be found in the Bible. They are four friends by the name of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They were also known as Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respectively.

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. The chief official renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego. (Daniel 1:6-7)

The trials and temptation that these four friends encountered while they were in Babylon was so great that it tested more than their faith, more than their principles, but also threatened their lives.

In one incident in the story, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego encountered an extremely life threatening temptation. The king made a golden idol for himself and commanded everyone to bow down to this idol.

Idolatry as a Sin against God..

So do not corrupt yourselves by making a physical image in any form--whether of a man or a woman, an animal or a bird, a creeping creature or a fish. And when you look up into the sky and see the sun, moon, and stars--all the forces of heaven--don't be seduced by them and worship them. The LORD your God designated these heavenly bodies for all the peoples of the earth. So be careful not to break the covenant the LORD your God has made with you. You will break it if you make idols of any shape or form, for the LORD your God has absolutely forbidden this. The LORD your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God. "In the future, when you have children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time, do not corrupt yourselves by making idols of any kind. This is evil in the sight of the LORD your God and will arouse his anger. (Deuteronomy 4:16-19, 23-25)

To whom, then, can we compare God? What image might we find to resemble him?
Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold, overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains? Or is a poor person's wooden idol better? Can God be compared to an idol that must be placed on a stand so it won't fall down? ...It is God who sits above the circle of the earth. The people below must seem to him like grasshoppers! He is the one who spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them..."To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?" asks the Holy One. (Isaiah 40:18-20, 22, 25)

The consequence of refusal to bow down and worship King Nebuchadnezzar's idol is death. Imagine yourself in their situation. Everyone in the world is doing it, but you know it's wrong, it's a sin, would you be able to stand up for your for your faith, for your GOD?! Talk about peer pressure. It's like you against the whole world.

..."People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king's command! When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue. Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Daniel 3:4-7)

But do you know what happened? THEY DID NOT COMPROMISE!

REAL MEN say NO to SIN!

Their desire to please God was greater. They were REAL MEN who wanted to obey their one and only God. And because of that, they were thrown by the king to the burning furnace, but instead of being burned to singes, God rescued them. God blessed their conviction to do what is right and pleasing. There was not even a hint of damage that was seen from these men. They did not even smell of smoke. AMAZING! And more than that, the King was so amazed that he ended up praising God.

Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance. If you bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments, all will be well. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. What god will be able to rescue you from my power then?" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully clothed. And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames leaped out and killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in! So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell down into the roaring flames. But suddenly, as he was watching, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?""Yes," they said, "we did indeed, Your Majesty." "Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire. They aren't even hurt by the flames! And the fourth looks like a divine being!" Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the princes, prefects, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn't even smell of smoke! Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king's command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. (Daniel 3:14-28)

Sometimes we wonder how we can lead our unsaved friends to God. The answer may be in the very lives we are living. When we live lives that is in accordance with God, that is pleasing and blameless before Him, our lives may become the very instrument God will use to lead people to start believing in our great God.

God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

Unfortunately, there are times when temptations come in beautiful packages. Most of the time, the enemy presents himself to be very nice, to be very desirable, and pleasurable. This video is a proof of this fact. (see Vios Video, YouTube)

...Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

God already has planned a wonderful future for us (even before we were born). He wants to give us a great family, a good wife for the men and a good husband for the women. God wants to bless us immensely in our lives. The Bible is full of His promises and beautiful dreams for us. But the enemy would do everything to steal, kill and destroy and even to devour all those beautiful dreams, blessings, plans, so that we will lose everything and turn away from God.

The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy... (John 10:10)

For these reasons, we have to always be on guard. After all we have to prepared in all circumstances whether man or woman, we are equally tempted and attacked by all sorts of testing of faith, sufferings, and temptations.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:8-10)

It is also a reminder for us that we are warriors. We are to flee from his traps, and we must always be ready as warriors to be fully equipped and armored to face the battle.

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:11-12)

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith...

(1 Timothy 6:11-12)

REAL MEN say NO to SIN!

Fleeing from temptations is not easy, but it is not impossible. It is always easier to say YES that NO to temptations that is why ONLY REAL MEN CAN SAY NO TO SIN! ONLY MEN OF GOD!

Some people would reason out that they will change when they already become husbands or wives, or when they graduate they will start setting straight their lives. However, we have to realize that what we are doing NOW, will determine what will do and will be in the FUTURE. Your NOW determines your TOMORROW. That is why we must START NOW! Start living pure and holy NOW!

Real Men Fear God

Fear of God is not about being scared rather it means you respect, revere, and even love God. For example, if you love someone or if you highly respect someone, you will not do something bad or hurtful to that person. That is what it means to fear God.

We have such a loving God, in John 3:16, it is written that He loved us so much that He gave His one and only son for us. Put yourself in HIS place. If you have a son, would you be able to do that for someone, a stranger even? I doubt that any good father could do that. But because of HIS LOVE for US, He did that for US.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

God's love for us is more than enough a motivation to turn away from sin. What more can you ask for? He already gave us so much. He loves us so much!

It's never easy to turn away from sin. But we have an encouragement from God, that when we choose Him above all else we are already victorious. For we are conquerors, we are winners! We can refuse sin because of what Christ has done for us.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

As Christians, we already can move beyond those sinful natures because they have been crucified with Christ. Now we should be led by the Spirit that we may not sin against God.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25)

The time for us to say NO to SIN and YES to GOD is NOW!

REAL MEN say NO to SIN and YES to GOD!

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Personal Prayer List as of the End of January 2008

Today is the last day of January and I have not been able to blog at all this year till now..

Today, I decided to simply just blog about some things I'm really hoping, believing in faith and praying for... some are prayers I'm believing for this year while others are life prayers that I constantly pray for :)

If you find it in your heart to pray for me for the following things, it would be so much appreciated and I'm sure that God will indeed bless you for your intentions :) Thanks in advance! and God bless you too!

1. To finish our thesis really soon and to defend our thesis successfully this coming 1st term or earlier this 2008!!!
2. To graduate this year! I'm believing God that I will graduate this September 2008!
3. To graduate with honors this September 2008!
4. To start serving God in the ministries He will lead me to. As of now I am praying for the music ministry, the kid's ministry and most especially discipleship and campus ministry. I really want to sing for my God and to lead people in glorifying He who deserves all honor and glory and praise! I also love and adore kids :) And of course I really want to lead more women to God :) I really desire that they will not only know God, but also develop a relationship with Him, grow in Him and experience Him personally in their lives.
5. I want to be open to God's calling for whatever gifts He will give, and trials He will set before me. I want to learn from all that He will give me and use them according to His will. Be it unto me according to Your will, according to Your promises, Lord I want to stand secure.
6. To land on a good paying job where I can really hone myself and develop my skills, as well as apply my specialization in instructional development, e-learning, and digital arts. I also hope that the working environment would not be so toxic and that the people I would be working with will also be friendly and helpful co-workers.
7. To continually grow in my walk with God and with my spritual family :)
8. To continually improve my heart, my mind, and my character and set them as God-focused always.
9. To desire to do God's will and purpose in my life as He reveals it to me as a woman, as a daughter, as a sister, as a follower, as a leader, as a friend, as a future wife and mother... etc. :)
10. To walk in faith, in purity, in love, in joy, in wisdom, in discernment and in thanksgiving by God's Spirit and by His grace.
11. To continually aspire to experience God in every aspect of my life, to surrender the control of the big and small things and circumstances in my life to Him, and to desire and to love HIM above all else :)
12. To be excited for God, to think faith, to develop a prayer lifestyle
13. To be disciplined with my time, with my quiet time, and with my academics.
14. For more blessings and provisions for my entire family :) as well as good health, and security :)
15. For my entire family to also grow in their relationship with each other and with God :)

I believe that this year is a year of answered prayers! :) Prayers are already being answered as early as now! I am so excited for what is to come! :) Declare faith, we have a BIG God who can do BIG things that is BIGGER than anyone of us can ever think or imagine! C'mon!!! :)

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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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