Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011 Highlights

God definitely blessed me again this year. He has been so faithful and loving.

As I look back through my Facebook, planner and phone calendar, I can't stop thanking HIM for all the blessings and blessings-in-disguise. I am just so amazed on how gracious He is despite all my short-comings.

This year, God made sure that we're together in every step and decision I make, He made sure that everything I do would be pleasing to His sight, He made sure that I give importance to things with eternal value, He made sure that I realize what's important for Him, He made sure that I get to appreciate the simple things in life, He made sure that I learn to value every relationship He's giving me, He made sure that my faith in Him becomes stronger and unshakable...

I can just keep on talking on how God made sure He's with me this year. He made sure I become a person who knows that this life is all about HIM. So many revelations overwhelmed me and I thank Him for keeping me sane.

He gave me lots of new great friends and some old friends He allowed to stay, He gave me a new career which I know is just a preparation for His greater plans for me, He gave me an opportunity to lead people to follow Him which hurt and challenged me at times yet His plan to mold my character was fulfilled through it. Oh... I am just amazed with this great God.

Above all the blessings and lessons this year, I thank God for revealing how a great Father & Provider He is to me. Indeed, I am secured in Him! Thank You, Jesus, for 2011!

It's hard to choose highlights since I had many events and things to be thankful for but still I tried...

JANUARY:
My 1st Prayer & Fasting (Corporate), Victory Weekend (Participant; whole family), Training for Victory (Johnru & I enrolled)

FEBRUARY:
Johnru's Kiddie Bday Party, Victory Caloocan's Weekly Outreach Programs, Jeffrey's Vacation, Chinese New Year with Hannah & family

MARCH:
Design Project, SOFA (Interior Design) Workshop, BalikBayan Relatives & Friends (fr. US, Canada & CDO)

APRIL:
Started leading Victory Group & One-2-One's, Joined KIDS Ministry, God's revelation through Matthew Chapter 6 (made this year more wonderful and satisfying)

               v.30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
                   v.33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

MAY:
Home-based Job Interview & Orientation, Parents to CDO (I learned more house chores), Mom & Dad's Anniversary, Blog entry featured by OMF Literature, chikkas with Ags again after 3 yrs. (Sorry! I have to include this. hihi! *blush*)

JUNE:
Gave a Testimony for Leaders' Convergence, Outing with Nieto family, Prayer & Fasting

JULY:
Victory Weekend (Counselor), Mommy's Bday, PLV Team, VCF Ubelt's Singles' Night

AUGUST:
Home-based job Started, Dad to CDO for Lola's operation (Safe Flight & Successful Operation), Won a free book from OMF for sharing a Tweet/Quote

SEPTEMBER:
Met Jericho R. (appreciate simple things! *blush*), Parents' Interview for Immigrant Visa, BalikBayans (attended a funeral & enjoyed a short vacation)

OCTOBER:
Training for Victory (Parents; Recognition), Youth Leaders' Meeting, My Surprise Birthday Party (Lead by Team Gulat), More Birthday Treats & Surprises

NOVEMBER:
Prayer & Fasting/ Victory Weekend (Counselor), Worship Night (thanked God for His faithfulness for 2011), God's healing power for Mommy, Daddy's Bday, Another Home-based Job, Opportunity to design for LifeBox, Ten Days Mission (so unexpected)

DECEMBER: Ten Days Mission Sponsors (friends), Parents' Visa, Leaders & Volunteers' Appreciation Night, Victory Group's Christmas Party, Noche Buena with Family, Christmas Day


Thank You, Lord, for every single day of my 2011! I spent these days with family, relatives, great friends & acquaintances... each day was special as God planned it to be! Looking forward to more Blessings, Surprises and Revelations for 2012!!! :)


To God be the glory!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Purpose

I was chatting with a friend few hours ago and as we were discussing about issues and disagreements in life and Church, he asked me, "Kayo po, what is your purpose bilang Christian??? pwede po bang malaman" ("How about you, May I know your purpose as a Christian?").


That question made me wonder and ask other friends this survey question, "What is your purpose as a person/ Christian?" (around 2 'til 3 in the morning via Facebook, Yahoo Messenger & SMS). Some chose not to answer, some said that their brain is not functioning anymore, some said they're busy and some took my question seriously. With their permission, I'm sharing their answers here:

Sarah Abigail: "mainly to make sure other people know about God and what Jesus did."


Jay Primo: "live, be a role model in a good way."

Amanda: "Hmm... I'm not a hundred percent sure on what my PURPOSE is. I never thought about it really. I just know I have goals and that I want to see them through."

Dennis: "ahmmmm... to love & be loved."

Gold: "First thing that came to mind is my role in this life. I know that I am being prepared to put up a school one day. To serve in the field of education with high hopes of contributing higher level of learning for our children. In the process, there are a lot of situation where unknowingly my weaknesses and strengths inspire people. I just try to walk with my faith all the time."
Additonal comment: "Nobody have asked me that question before..."

Jay: "To be used by God as a blessing... one way or another."

Fhe: "Practically as a normal person iisipin mo to have a normal life, simple lang, basta masaya. To help, to be good and syempre makilala mo na may Diyos. Mahirap mabuhay ng walang takot sa Diyos. For sure nagkagulo na mundo." ("Practically as a normal person you will think of having a normal life, simple yet happy. To help, to be good and of course to know that there is God. It's hard to live without fear in God. For sure it'll be a chaotic world.")

Ryan: "hmm... To love and serve the Lord."

Debbie: "To be able to use my abilities/ talent/ resources to help others and be a blessing as well."

Peter: "A person to direct them on what needs to be done at work and in life; as a Christian, to lead them to God towards the right way, to the truth and to the life."

Of course, before asking them, I first gave an answer to my friend's question.

Joice: "Ay ako? (Oh, me?) My purpose as a Christian is to honor God in everything I do and to spread the gospel to others. The good news that God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for all my sins and resurrected to give me salvation. That's my main purpose so pag may mga kaguluhan sa paligid ko na hindi ko maintindihan at mga argumento sa paligid... I always go back to my purpose. (That's my main purpose so if there's any conflicts and arguments which I don't understand... I always go back to my purpose.)"

How about you? Care to share your purpose?

This Bible verse might help you answer... Romans 11:36 - For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Completely

Just sharing another inspiring song to all!

May you also desire to surrender everything to God completely.




Take my heart! Take my soul! I surrender everything to Your control! 




To God be the glory.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Your Sufficient Grace

This song has touched my heart today!
May you also be blessed and be inspired to love God more and more each day.

And You answer, "My child, I love you..."

Oh, Lord! Your grace is enough for me! Thank You! I Love You too!!! *hugs*


"I'm learning to simply obey You..."

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

JOICE, THE JOYFUL MYSTERY

I saw this again and wanted to share this Note posted on Facebook by Mr. Ruben Velarde last July 2010. Thanks again, Ben! Really touched and grateful for this! :)

---
There is this one lady that I always admire from the distance. She may appear fragile, a delicate lady that you thought you need to protect all your life but once she gets to open her mouth and hear her talk, you know in an instant that she has what it takes to rule the world. A petite lady with a huge personality, she never fails to make her presence felt effortlessly the moment she walks her way amidst the crowd. She smiles like it was only meant for you. She talks with you like you are the only person that matters to her. Whenever she passes, I would always wonder what it’s like to be close to her. What it's like to share intimate secrets with her that you know it will be protected the way she protects herself.

Funny, but I did dare attempt to offer my friendship once. I smiled at her, greeted her yet all I got was a nonchalant smile and probably one that she can hardly remember. Yet that didn’t lessen my admiration for her. Every time that she would pass my way, I would simply follow her with my eyes until she blended with the rest. Then I again would wonder to myself what it’s like to be close to her.

Whenever I pass by her station, I can see her attentively focused and immersed on her work and she never noticed that I would stare at her with unrelenting appreciation. And then again I would wonder to myself what’s like to be close to her.

Probably she knows me by my name all because I figured out in a few call quality issues. But that name does not go with the face that she can recall. Probably she hated me at one instance because an issue associated with me challenged her. I don’t know… all I know is I look up to her like a powerful goddess standing on her pedestal.

Joice… that’s how she is fondly called by all those people familiar to her. Every time I would hear somebody calls her name, I would turn my head and look around where she would be coming from or where she would be heading to. I never fail to admire her from a distance. And then again I would wonder to myself what’s like to be close to her.

a pretty face with a gorgeous smile

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Power Of A Praying Woman

"Prayer is powerful - but do you know how to pray for yourself?

It may seem easier to pray for your spouse, your children, your friends, and your extended family, but God wants to hear your requests for your life too. He loves it when you come to Him for the things you need and ask Him to help you become the woman you have always longed to be."

My friend, Alexie, gave this book last October 2007 as her birthday gift for me. I opened this again last week for my daily devotion. That night, I asked God to open my heart for whatever He wants to tell me before I sleep. A lot of truths were revealed again to me just by reading the first few pages and here's one part which really spoke to me...

And whenever you are disappointed because your needs are not being met, talk to yourself and say, "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from HIM" (Psalm 62:5). Then tell God about all your needs and everything that is in your heart. ...He is just waiting to hear it from you.

I guess it is true that praying for others is easier sometimes, especially when they share specific requests to you. Of course, I do pray for my needs everyday but God is so great for He reminded me that it is better to tell Him every desire of my heart and be specific about it. And that's what He really wants me to do! =)

This book, I recommend to all women who wants to be drawn closer to God and know His plans and purposes for her life as she receives comfort and strength from Him each day. A total of 30 chapters and at the end of each chapter are these 2 very inspiring sections: "My Prayer to God" and "God's Promises To Me".

Be Blessed! :)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Young Women On The Journey

I usually read a story or 2 before going to bed as part of my Daily Devotion/ Quiet Time with God. Most of the stories really touched me as I always ask God to speak to me through the stories I read and Bible verses linked to them.

This book is a compilation of Testimonies of young women & their journey through life. There are a total of 77 stories and I've already read 53 of them. I recommend this book to all ladies (and gentlemen)... Discover the questions that these young women have asked, and find answers for your own.

I'm sharing this passage from one of the stories I recently read from this book. That night, I prayed and asked God to open my heart for whatever HE wants to tell me (as I always do)... and when I started reading, I was overwhelmed and so touched with HIS message...

"I realized that all the success in the world is meaningless if it bears no eternal value. Now I have just one simple desire: to love God and spend my entire life loving Him by ministering to other people, whatever it takes." - Jodi Darcen (one of the contibutors).

Proverbs 31:29 says, "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."


God bless us all! :)