Today :)

Just some things I learned and reflected upon today from this Sunday’s Message :) I felt very blessed and encouraged :) Praise be to God for His amazing WORD!

1. God’s WORD has authority because of the Author.

• If anyone ever approached you and told you something, your next question would be “Says who?”. If it is from your Boss or a respected person, you’d more or less believe it right?
• The authority gains leverage on the source.

2. We can approach the WORD in 2 ways:

• You as the cookie cutter
• You rationalizing with it on your own, for your benefit and how you want to see it.
• OR the WORD as the cookie cutter
• Letting it mold you into the cookie that you should become based on how God wants you to become.

3. Another word for the “Promise Land” is “God’s Rest”

• To stand in His Promise and find Rest.
• Have you ever experienced being disobedient to Him? For example, you know you have to do something that He wants you to do, but you run away from it. It becomes a struggle. A restless one. You find yourself exhausted. Another example would be doing things on your own power, strength and effort, putting everything in your own hands. You end up burned-out.
• The Israelites were like that. Roaming for 40 years (A long and exhausting struggle).  They were disobedient to God. The root of their disobedience is unbelief in His Promise.

Heb 3:15-19

As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

4. Hebrews 4:7 "Today, if you hear his voice,” do not harden your hearts."

• Everyday is designated as “Today”.
• What hardens our hearts is Sin’s deceitfulness.
• We all have in one way or another, fallen to it’s trap.
• For example, you know what is right from wrong. You have a conscience to tell you so. However, you belittle the wrong because of your situation or maybe even your own personal philosophy. Some people would steal and just say that I was starving that is why I did that. Students would cheat in exam and say, I needed to pass the exam or else my parents are going to kill me. Some people commit adultery or fornicate, and say “we are in love”. The truth is, you know what is right from wrong. Sin deceives you to believe otherwise.
• Sin can contort you to have a “bad romance” with Sin.
• Col 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

5. Heb 4:11 “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.”

• Q: WHY?
• A: #6

6. Because the WORD says in Heb 9:27 “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”

• If you believe in God, then you would understand what that verse means.
• You can choose your sin, be a cookie cutter, run-away from God, and rationalize all you want like, but you cannot choose the consequence of those sin.
• In the end, when you stand before Him, you will never have an excuse.
• Being too young to settle down in Him, won’t be an acceptable excuse either.

7. Heb 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness”

• As the WORD exposes our shortcomings, we need people to be their mirrors. Mirrors who would catch, support and help us.
• People who can point us back to the right track – back to the what He has done on the Cross for us, so that no matter how inadequate we may end up feeling, we are encouraged and revived to find His Rest.
• These are people whom we can walk with us “Today”. In VCF, we call this a smallgroup :)
• Remember: Everyday is designated as “Today”.

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I ♥ Wufie d’ Munkey (for my beloved boyfriend)

Using my Omnia and the DynaInk drawing software installed in it, I suddenly got inspired to draw a Wufie d’ Munkey (based on the monkey wallpaper in my cellphone, modified already of course for my ♥).

I love you babe! ♥♥♥  Hope you like my mini caricature gift and surprise for you today! :) God bless! Galingan mo po sa work! :D Enjoy! Ingat po pagpasok! It looks so much like you hehehehe :P

“Wufie d’ Munkey”

Note to the boyfriend:
Someday I will be inspired to draw a Woofie the Wolfie version :P hehe :P

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The Painting of 9 Months and a Valentine’s Story

February 13, 2010 (Saturday)

Warning: This is going to be another long blog post.

I knew he was cooking up a surprise for me since Thursday that week. He told me so because he didn’t want me to worry, but of course he didn’t tell me what the surprise will be. After work, he would text me that he will be going somewhere else before going home in preparation for the Saturday surprise. He really wanted to make it special and he wanted to make me happy.

The history behind this is that there was this one time (or maybe more than that) when I complained to him that he never really plans anything for me or even us for any occasion. He is not really the planner type of person, so I usually end up planning our dates or getaways. So he was really excited to do all this planning and preparation for this date.

At first, he set the date to be on February 14, Sunday, so that it would fall exactly on Valentine’s Day. However, we both eventually agreed to move it to February 13 which would be our 9th Monthsary (We made it a point to spend some time together every 13th of the month if possible).

On my end, I made extra attention to fix myself up that day as requested by the boyfriend, so I decided to wear this silky floral dress that I have never worn before. I bought it out of a whim and I thought it was really pretty. It must have been a year or so since I bought it, but I never had a chance to really wear it. Anyway, it was a pretty floral-printed silky spaghetti-strapped empire type of dress with the skirt just above the knee. I also wore my black shawl over my shoulders and my favorite soft black boots to compliment the outfit. To accessorize, I wore my vintage rose metal-molded pendant necklace which I recently got as a pasalubong from my Ate, my favorite silver dangling earrings, and I also brought along the new white hand-bag with a butterfly on it from his mom. Of course some powder, dabs of blush-on and mascara to complete the simple and natural make-up look. It always makes him happy to see me making extra effort to fix myself up for him and so I did.

So the date arrived, literally, the day did come and so did he on our doorstep with a bouquet of one dozen roses which he really took time to buy in Dangwa flower market in Dimasalang. It was beautiful as always as it represents his continuous desire to court me even if we are already in a relationship. Some people used to tell me that courtship usually ends once you become boyfriend/girlfriend or when you get married. Rather, I think that it is a matter of choice, as most things are, and it doesn’t have to end if the couple would choose to not let it end. The word panliligaw is simply the start of courtship and I believe the ideal one is one that would continue on in marriage till death do them part. Of course, this should be a mutual effort. Men have a really big role in this one as they should be the ones leading the relationship, and they must make the effort to not become passive in wooing their significant other. On the other end, women should be responsive to efforts done by the guys. I know how much it means to guys when their efforts are recognized, complimented and when the girls make an effort to really fix themselves up as well for the guys.

After picking me up, we took a cab towards the secret place. I tried my best not to guess the surprise as requested by the boyfriend again because I am usually good a picking up hints. Unfortunately, I did get a few ideas during our trip there due to the following reasons. During our conversation, we were talking about current events in our work. I was talking about how I was a bit worried and excited at the same time about my Sharepoint project because it was new to me but at the same time it was something I was really interested to learn. I was also talking to him about how great things are going with that project so far, and it has been such an answered prayer. Then suddenly, he interrupts me with a “Buti nalang! Ay… ndi…” Okay, this me, auto-processing what he just said without me really consciously making that effort to get the hint because I really didn’t mean to understand what he just said, but then again, what can I do about it. So my brain automatically zapped me up this “Aha!” idea. So what do I mean with all this gibberish? Let me break it down to this. First, I know my boyfriend. My boyfriend talks to me about everything.

So here are the puzzle pieces:

1. Early on, before I started my Sharepoint project, he told me about his officemate, who happens to be really good at Sharepoint. He would often tell me that if I have a problem, maybe I could ask for help from his friend.

2. One time, when he told me that he was going off somewhere for the surprise, he did mention that he was with the exact same person and another one who happens to be his boss.

3. The only restaurant/eating place I know that I didn’t know which I know he knows would somebody’s house where I have never been to before.   

4. “Buti nalang!” If I fill in the blanks. It would look like this, “Buti nalang, nandyan si Mark So, magaling yun sa Sharepoint, may mapagtatanungan ka!”

Given those clues: I automatically came to a pretty close idea where we were going. It was somewhere where Mark So was. Probably his house or something, but I was sure he would be there.

After that, as a sign of mercy for my boyfriend who made all the extra effort to plan, I decided not to think about it any further.

Well, I was not disappointed anyway:

I came to a pretty close guess. We did go to someone’s house, but it was his boss’ house, Sir Brian. Mark So was also there, so that was correct. BUT what I didn’t expect was that Sir Brian and Mark So would be there to be our cooks/chefs for our very special dinner date. And everything was so beautiful. We went to the rooftop, where we had a simple table, with white tablecloth and two small candles lit up for the simple candlelight rooftop dinner. It was really cozy because it wasn’t noisy at all, there was a cool breeze blowing and the night was just so peaceful. The boyfriend and Sir Brian also set up some music to set the mood for Valentine’s. Then the boyfriend gave me one more rose specially for that moment. So I received 13 roses all in all! Perfect for our Monthsary day, 13. In turn, I gave him my end of the surprise. I gave him some pasalubong from my HK trip the previous weekend. He was really happy about his new pair of fluffy Domo slippers which he now regularly wears in the office. BUT, that was not all! I was not prepared for the sumptuous dinner that awaited us. The food was too delectable that words would not suffice to describe how good it was! We had humongous amount of Angel Hair Tuna Pesto with Nori specially prepared by Sir Brian, and two plates of extra big slices of a really mouth-watering Steak (I think it was Angus-Beef.. I forgot because you would forget when you eat it) prepared by Mark So. We also had Juice (whoops forgot what it was made of), but it wasn’t too sweet so I liked it. We also had salad. It had grapes and nuts in it. I was able to finish the pesto but it really was A LOT, so I was too full to eat my plate of Steak. So the boyfriend and I decided to share one plate of Steak and give the other plate to Sir Brian and Mark So who made a lot of effort in cooking in his behalf. It was the most amazing dinner I have ever had! In fact, it was just perfect for the occasion. I didn’t want to go with the rest of the Valentine’s community to a noisy and extremely filled-up restaurant, and get worked up about waiting for our reservation or whatever issue might come up. This was a hassle-free and delightful night for us to enjoy with the company of good food, and friends (after dinner).

The secret unfolded:

The boyfriend really wanted to give me a surprise, so he started asking Sir Brian and Mark So for ideas. They suggested that boyfriend can cook for me. The boyfriend thinks that it is a great idea! BUT, he can’t cook (though he used to boast to me that he is really great at cooking *ahem…* frying). So Sir Brian and Mark So volunteers to cook for us for our special dinner. Since Thursday that week, the boyfriend with the help of Sir Brian and Mark So have been shopping for ingredients. The boyfriend served as the financier while Sir Brian and Mark So as the cooking experts.

The conclusion:

I love my boyfriend. Some people would acknowledge fate, luck or destiny for their relationships. For me I would say it was and still is all thanks to God because I know that He is the Painter of this relationship. The most amazing thing about it is that, portrait after portrait of memories and moments, He continues to paint so many more beautiful pictures. He weaves the stories and intertwines them together to unravel even more beautiful pieces of the story waiting to unfold through the months and years to come. That is my faith. Last February 13, 2010, He made a very beautiful painting, The Painting of 9 Months and a Valentine’s Story. I wonder what is He going to paint next? :)

I believe that the perspective of love must always be one-way and that is “I will ___ even if you don’t ___”. It is as unselfish and as unconditional as that. You can fill in the blanks with something like “love you” and “love me”, but it can go beyond that such as “do everything for you”, and “care”.

However, for a relationship to work, first, love must be present. Next, it must be mutually perceived as unconditional as that stated above by the couple. Imagine that!

Sadly, nothing is perfect. People fail each other, but that makes it more important to decide and choose to have that kind of love for each other every single moment of your time as a couple, because when one of you fail each other, that love comes in and says… I will forgive you even if you have failed me. I will love you regardless of the circumstances, just because I love you.

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Women are Like Apples on a Tree (Repost)

I really like this. Sharing it with you all especially to all women out there :)

Women are like apples on a tree. The best ones are at the top of the tree. Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because they're afraid of getting hurt. So instead, they just take the apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy to get... The apples at the top of the tree think there's something wrong with them, when, in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along - one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top.

Men, on the other hand, are like a fine wine.

They begin as grapes... and it's up to women to stomp on them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.

Original claimed by Shuna Holmes.
Source: http://malaysia-bohemia.blogspot.com/2005/06/women-are-like-apples-on-tree.html

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Psalm 23 : CCS Version (Re-post from Ainsley)

I got his from Ainsley's blog! For all Computer Science students, I think you would be able to relate so I'm re-posting :) Enjoy and be blessed!

Psalm 23 : CCS Version
The Lord is my programmer, I
shall not crash.
He installed His software on the hard disk of my
heart:
All of His commands are user-friendly.
His directory guides me to
the right choices for His name sake.
Even though I scroll through the
problems of life,
I will fear no bugs, for He is my backup.
His password protects me.
He prepares a menu before me in the presence of my enemies.
His help is
only a keystroke away.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days
of my life!
And my file will be merged with His and saved forever.

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Why Read Kings and Chronicles?!

My entry today is more of a reflection on my Bible reading lately. So please bear with me if they're not as organized as my previous entries :) But I still hope, you'll get something out of this one.

Lately, I've been reading through the Old Testament. I've gone through Kings and now I am about to finish Chronicles. Then I started to think, what's the point of reading through those four books anyway?!

Somehow, God reminded me of the following points:

1. Finishing Well is More Important than Starting Out Well
Kings and Chronicles are accounts of kings and how they lived their lives.

Scenario 1: Many of them actually started off well. They walked with God. They obeyed Him. But MANY of them also did not continue do so for the rest of their lives, most of them ended up not finishing well.

Scenario 2: I've also noticed though that there are kings who did not start out right with God. HOWEVER, at some point of their lives they repented and turned back to God. As a results, they finished well.

In the first scenario, though God's blessing was upon them during their period of obedience, when they turned their backs on God, God also turned His back on them. And so various disasters fell upon these kings and their kingdom during their reign until their last breath. Some also have gruesome and disgraceful deaths because of their disobedience.

In the second scenario, during their time of disobedience, God's wrath was upon them. HOWEVER, when they realized how wrong they were and they started to go back to God, God immediately heard them and forgave them. NOT ONLY THAT! God started to bless them, their kingdom and the work of their hands until their time of death.

These two scenarios are resounding and are so repetitive throughout the four books! The message is loud and clear! It just shows how much God values our consistency NOW in our walk with Him. He can easily forgive our past if we would just come back to Him.

2. God rewards Obedience and Faith
This leads me to the second point. God loves to give good gifts to His children. When God says He rewards "good gifts", He meant it! He rewards prosperity to those who are obedient and faithful to Him. Who doesn't want prosperity?! AND the thing is the kind of prosperity and riches He gives is the one that lasts and that is out of a clean conscience (I'm sure you know what I mean). A clean conscience btw is also very rewarding. It gives you a peace that is priceless.

2Ch 31:20-21 "This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered. "

Remember the word is "reward". Rewards are given when you do good things not bad things. So don't expect the "reward" if you're bluntly disobeying Him.

2Ch 32:29 "He built villages and acquired great numbers of flocks and herds, for God had given him very great riches."

This verse seems just like a simple narrative passage, but this really struck me. Look at the last part "for God had given him very great riches." Think about it. God CAN give you/us riches because He is God and He has the power to do so!

This passage was very encouraging for me because lately ever since I started working, I have started to become bothered by finances. AND I really thank God for reassuring me once again of His lifelong promise to me:

Jer 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."

Again, to claim the reward, all you have to do is take hold of your faith and be an obedient child. There is blessing in obedience. REMEMBER, God also credits our righteousness through our faith in Him.

Rom 4:3 What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

SO keep the faith burning!!! NEVER let it puff out! Walk the faith!

3. Your choices and actions as a leader can either bless or curse the people around you
I've been through a lot of leadership positions and I realized that my relationship and walk with God has a lot of impact on the people who are placed under my leadership.

Reading through these four books, it can be observed that the way the kings lived their lives, the decisions they made regarding their walk with God and their faithfulness to Him had a great impact on the their kingdom. The decision of one king led to either the kingdom's prosperity or downfall, wars lost or battles won, disasters or blessings upon the land.

Just one person, just one choice, but it affected an entire nation.

What leadership position are you in right now? Is it at work, in your relationships, in church or in an organization?

Are you passing blessings? or are you bringing down curses?

I won't sum this entry to anything. These are things God spoke to me about. I hope that you're blessed as I have been blessed! God bless!

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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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