A Father's Love



Source: http://www.germany.info/contentblob/2983046/Inhaltsbild/979131/Advent_Wreath_cbx_pic.jpg

  She was assigned to light the Advent candle during the Worship Service. A little girl in a dainty dress. Pretty and innocent. In her 6 or 7. As she stood on the stage, her father stood below, smiling, putting on his camera. As she lit the Advent candle, her father was busy taking her pictures while her mother was taking the video. As the congregation and the choir sang, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing, GLORY to the New born King!", she got out of the stage and walked down the stairs. While she was walking, her father was on his knees so ready to give her a very big hug. She rushed to him and he gave her a very big hug. One can feel the deep love and pride of a father for his little girl.



Source: http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/dv402022a.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=EDF6F2F4F969CEBDEE3AB8DCB85B643D1D11400FEDCE21ED737FF11BEFD0E24E



Tears streamed down my face. How lovely was the sight! How touching that a father could be so proud and loving for her daughter like that! I couldn't help but cry as I watch them and as the beautiful song was being played. I remembered when I was in 2nd year High School, I got an award - First Honors. As I got out of stage and walked down the aisle to go back to my seat, my father was waiting for me at the end of the aisle. I was very surprised yet very happy to see him there! He gave me a hug. Oh how he was so proud of me. He also cut his hair that day. Oh how I miss him! So much! How much he meant for me. How much he has loved me!

It is Christmas time again. It is the most beautiful time of the year. But yet, for me, it is another holiday that I am away from my family. It has been 6 years now. I am alone, once again. How I long to be with them. As the song played, I remember them... How dear they are to me! How I wish I will be with them.

But God.... God called me, to be alone this season. I embrace it. I will be brave. I will be brave this Christmas and the days to come. That He may be glorified through me.

I am happy to know that I am not alone. He is with me ALWAYS.

And so, I sing this song with all my heart.... because the truth is, this is not about me. This is all about the One who came that no one may die! Jesus, our Emmanuel. The Perfect showcase of a Father's love. The Love HIMSELF. He gave Himself for us. What a Father's Love! and this Christmas, I am with the King. So trully, I am with a Family, with God as my Father. I rush to His arms.

May you feel God ready to give you a very big hug with so much love in it, this Christmas and ALWAYS. May you feel the intense love of God for you through Jesus Christ. May you give your heart to this LOVE this Christmas and make Him your Lord and Savior. He is waiting...

And may those who are with their families treasure every moment being with them...

"For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His one and only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will NOT perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

When God Writes Your Ministry Story

Life hasn't been easy for me growing up and living in the US. But when God took over my life, life has turned around beautifully and wonderfully!

For a year now, I have been wondering where God wants me to be. I wanted to God out into the world and serve God in the midst of suffering, hunger and pain. I really desire to be a missionary one day. Then so I have asked to show me where He wanted me to be so I can prepare myself. But you know what God did? He responded this way: "Be faithful in little things. Come closer to Me. Spend time with Me. Study My Word." I was like, ok, Lord?... It didn't really hit me the first time. But as patient as He is, He kept on telling me the same thing. Then He added, "Discipline. Discipline yourself. Take every thought captive in obedience. Obey. Be faithful. Rejoice always. PRAY without ceasing. Trust Me." But as time goes by and by His guidance and grace, I began to understand what He trully meant. I began to see Him hand and yield. He is right! Every ministry is founded in one thing: Our relationship with Jesus Christ. To be an effective servant of God, we need to have a surrendered life and a growing intimacy with the One we want to serve, Jesus Christ. He is absolutely right. We need to be grounded in the Rock because in that Rock is where we find everything we need. In that Rock, the Rock Himself moves and lives through us. In that Rock, we are taught what we need, we are changed, we are formed, we are trained, and most of all we are made like Him. Yes, being in a seminary may taught us many things about the Word but there is nothing that will compare to a time spent with Him and His word. There is nothing compared to the joys experienced in obeying and trusting Him. There is nothing compared to the work of the Holy Spirit. It is a journey and as we walk with Him, He leads us to places where He wants us to be to do the things He wants us to do. And what are these? Only He knows and only in following His will can we ever discover the mystery of His plans for our lives! Amazing!

Guess what I did? By His grace, I did just the same. It was such a delight to follow Him. I forgot all about my so-called plans. I yielded to Him instead and nourished this precious relationship with Him. As I prayed for Him to guide me, He has lead me to different places. He has shown me different things. He has led me to something outside of my comfort zone. I started teaching and tutoring. He has also 2 organizations: Voice of the Martyrs and Child Evangelism Fellowship. There is such a great need but I only wanted to be where God wants me to be. Both ministries are really great and I believe God has a purpose as to why I was led there. And I can say they are still in a seed right now. However, while that seed is being watered, God has something different in mind. Are you ready to hear this?

This is the story...

My friend Rose and I have been friends for 3 years now but we never really been very close. I felt that I can't relate to her and I never felt comfortable. However, God has lovingly put us together by the painful situations that we were facing. That brought us to commit to pray and study the word of God together with her dear friend (who because of this became very dear and close to me). We have been praying together for 4 months now. Although times may call us to miss a day, we get back and encourage each not to give up. And God? GOD IS FAITHFUL! God is true to His promises.

Rose has a talent in making crochets. She does a wonderful job in it and is very creative with it. People love it a lot and she was able to give and sell a few in the past year. However, she never thought of making it serious. One day, as we talked, we said, "let us do this to bring glory to the Lord!" Then we asked HOW? We had no clue. We also said that we wanted this to be different from the others in the market. That night we prayed for wisdom and we surrendered ourselves to the Lord. We prayed for God to remove us from anything that glorifies self. We asked Him to strip us of any selfishness and worldliness and to use our talents for His Kingdom and for His glory. Then one Sunday, God answered our first question! It was a light bulb moment. I was so overwhelmed with happiness as He showed it to me. And you know what? It is in line with the passion, gifts and desire that He has given me too! Isn't that amazing? In every package, we will include a a note with a word of encouragement from the word of God. After that, we will pray for the person who is going to receive it. Then the package will be uniquely painted! I love letters. I love writing. I love arts. God has given me the gift of creativity. So... This is it. Rose is going to make the crochets and I will be in charge of the letters, the packaging, the website and the administration. Then we will be both praying together! Who said God isn't creative? He is! We have never seen this idea before and God truly is amazing. (No matter how many times I say God is amazing, I know it will still be not enough to really describe Him but I hope you get the picture!) So there it is!!! It won't just be a regular scarf or a regular hat. With every product, we will spread God's word, love and hope. We hope that this will reach thousands and millions of people one day. We hope as well that through this, we get to share the story God has lovingly written in each of our lives and the miracles He is about to do!

We started last week and in everything, we lift to the Lord. He is our First Love and we want it that way. We want His way ONLY.

For two weeks, God has blessed us with a name, ideas, a slogan, resources and a website! The website was pretty difficult to make but after prayers, God moved mightily and it is now ready. Check it out at http://www.entwinedhope.com/. (Pictures in the site too.)

The recent thing God has done is this: Last Wednesday, I came across an email from our Church. There will be a Ladies Christmas Party on Sunday, the 4th. It is also Rose's birthday so I didn't even think about going because we already have plans. At the bottom of the email, it says that there that there will be a marketplace for entrepreneurs. As I read, I was stirred by it. And so I informed Rose about it and she was also very excited about it. That day, I finished the website. That night, I sent an email to the contact. Well, I thought we are not entrepreneurs and there are so many businesswoman in Church. Do we stand a chance? Plus, we don't have a lot of products yet. But I thought it would be great opportunity to introduce the ministry through this.  But anyway, we sent an email and we prayed. After a few minutes, I got a reply!!!! The lady LOVED the concept and has forwarded us right away to the one in charge. The next day we got an approval from the one in charge. The space is limited (only 10 vendors) and we are the 10TH! We were sooo overwhelmed by how God did it! We were humbled that our hearts were filled with joy as we gaze upon His hand and all that He is doing! It is MORE than we could ever ask of think of!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor entered the heart of men, what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Surely, we really don't know what we want. We really don't know what we need. We really don't know who we are. We really don't know what is best for us. We really don't know how to live for God. But unless we enter into His Sanctuary, all of these are answered and FULFILLED.

We are humbled.

This is our story. For. His. Glory.

Run deep into His presence

I want to run deep into Your presence

Until there's nothing left of me.

Til my desires are melted down

and You are all I want to be

I want to run fast into Your compassion

Where Your grace will set me free

and my heart will know Your mercy

and Your love will rule in me.

I wana run run run, and run and not grow weary

Melodii Tuesdii

Love songs for Jesus

Cry in My Heart

by Starfield

There's a cry in my heart
For Your glory to fall
For Your presence to fill up my senses
There's a yearning again
A thirst for discipline
A hunger for things that are deeper

Could You take me beyond?
Could You carry me through?
If I open my heart?
Could I go there with You?
(For I've been here before
But I know there's still more
Oh, Lord, I need to know You)

For what do I have
If I don't have You, Jesus?
What in this life
Could mean any more?
You are my rock
You are my glory
You are the lifter
Of my head
Lifter of this head

Absolutely

by Starfield

Lover of my soul
I want to tell you
Only you have all of me
I cannot contain my adoration
I'm in love so desperately

No one is as lovely as you are
There is no one else who has my heart

Jesus you have me completely
Every breath I breathe
I am absolutely in love
Jesus I am yours forever
All of me surrenders
I am absolutely in love with you

Down upon my knees
I'm lost in worship
Humbled by your majesty
What is there to say
But how I love you
Thank you for forgiving me
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/starfield-absolutely-lyrics.html ]
No one is as lovely as you are
There is no one else who has my heart

Jesus you have me completely
Every breath that I breathe
I am absolutely in love
Jesus I am yours forever
All of me surrenders
I am absolutely in love with you

All I am is yours (all I am is yours)
Only yours

Jesus you have me completely
Every breath that I breathe
I am absolutely in love
Jesus I am yours forever
All of me surrenders
I am absolutely in love
Jesus you have me completely
Every breath that I breathe
I am absolutely in love with you
In love with you

Oh how the heart of the Lord cries out to His children who haven't heard the Gospel! Oh how few of us Christians try to reach them! They need to hear to good news. Who would go? Here I am, send me...

Of the 16,708 people groups by country, 6,894 are still considered unreached. 9,814 people groups by country are not considered unreached, totaling 3,995,384,000 individuals, or about 59% of the world's population. Of the 16,708 total people groups, 6,894 are identified as unreached using Joshua Project criteria, totaling 2,829,282,000 individuals. Of these 6,894 groups, 5,873 are in 10/40 Window countries. That means 85% of all unreached people groups are in the 10/40 Window. 1,021 of the unreached groups are NOT in the 10/40 Window, totaling 80,109,000 individuals. These groups are relatively accessible to the Gospel. Of the 6,894 Unreached people groups, about 3,520 (51%) are small groups under 10,000 in population (or population unknown) and all these groups total less than 8,000,000 individuals. Of the remaining 3,374 unreached groups, about 1,304 are under 50,000 in population. That leaves 2,070 Unreached groups 50,000 and over in population. A vibrant church in a large group may take the gospel to a number of smaller satellite people groups that have ethnic similarities.

source: http://www.joshuaproject.net/

There are many prodigal sons

On our city streets they run

Searching for shelter

There are homes broken down

People's hopes have fallen to the ground

From failures

This is an emergency!

There are tears from the saints

For the lost and unsaved

We're crying for them come back home

We're crying for them come back home

And all your children will stretch out their hands

And pick up the crippled man

Father, we will lead them home

Father, we will lead them home

There are schools full of hatred

Even churches have forsaken

Love and mercy

May we see this generation

In it's state of desperation

For Your glory

This is an emergency!

Sinner, reach out your hands!

Children in Christ you stand!

Sinner, reach out your hands!

Children in Christ you stand!

And all Your children will stretch out their hands

And pick up the crippled man

Father, we will lead them home

Father, we will lead them home

"We who have Christ's eternal life need to throw away our own lives." - George Verwer

"If missions languish, it is because the whole life of godliness is feeble. The command to go everywhere and preach to everybody is un-obeyed, until the will is lost by self-surrender in the will of God. There is little right giving because there is little right living, and because of the lack of sympathetic contact with God in holiness of heart, there is a lack of effectual contact with Him at the Throne of Grace. Living, praying, giving and going will always be found together, and a low standard in one means a general debility in the whole spiritual being." – Arthur T. Pierson .

"We preachers have the most serious job in the world.  It’s not to be popular, not to be nice.  It’s to get people to step out of darkness into the light.  Life is short.  Eternity is long." - Leonard Ravenhill


This video shows so much of what God can do when a person seeks His face, in a nation, in a land who seem to lost all its hope!

CEF Weekend

"My heart is overflowing with a good theme;
         I recite my composition concerning the King;
         My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." -  Psalm 45:1

I remembered being so burdened for the lost, for those who don't know Jesus. Evangelism has been one of the passion God has given me for the past months and I remember studying and learning how to evangelize. Still I know it is not enough, or I thought so. I prayed to go to a conference by the Living Waters where they teach you a lot of things about the Gospel, understanding the Word and Jesus and preaching openly to the public. However, God closed that door and I wasn't able to register. The next one would be next year.

There are so many people who need God. I see an overwhelming need in people. There is a lot of hopelessness and emptiness. I have found this life and peace from Jesus. So it has been a burden to share what I have freely received to those who are hungry for the same thing. Also, there are many people who die everyday and I wonder, "Did they receive Jesus?" I wondered how many people are out there who are also dying and in need of Jesus. I wanted to jump out to the world and spread the Gospel. I desired to do great things for the Lord. I know God put me to serve in the Children's ministry in Church but I didn't really understand why. Kids are fun sometimes but they can also wear you out. I also love ministering to girls and I desire to teach about purity. There is also a need for widows and old people. There is just so much need. I wondered, where does God want me to be? Who does He want me to reach for the moment? God is taking me on a journey that I want to share with you.

Just like what I shared about His faithfulness, He took me to Missouri. The night before travelling to Missouri, a friend of mine told me not to go because they might block me from the airport. I am legal here but I am waiting for a paper that they might ask for. I told her, "If God faithfully provided a way, He won't leave me stuck." I was reminded by God's promise, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 I put my confidence in His promises. I prayed really hard before sleeping and when I woke up trusting and believing in God and rebuking any fear that have set it.

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness! I passed by the check-in and security with no problem. I arrived safely in Warrenton, MO. When I got there, the peace was just unexplainable. I was accomodated very well and when I got into my room, I was blown away. I can see the lake from the window and everything in the room was beautiful! I was literaly blown away! I knelt down and I cried in amazement and thanksgiving to Jesus. It is NOT just because of the place and the carpet and the lake. It is MUCH MORE than that. I cried because I have experienced the faithfulness of the Lord: When He calls you to do something, everything that comes along is always perfect and way beyond our imagination. I cried because I didn't deserve such goodness and love from God, yet, He gave and He gave abundantly. He taught me that day that when He calls me, He has already put everything in place and it will always be beyond my imagination. That is how faithful God is! What an assurance from the Lord that we are never to be afraid when He calls us. I am changed.

The Explore Weekend was by Child Evangelism Fellowship, the largest ministy in reaching the children for Jesus Christ. I didn't know what is going to happen to me there but I knew God is going to show me something. One thing I know, CEF is a big part of it.

I listened intently to the speakers. I am very surprised by how much children there are in the world. I am also surprised by how much they are neglected in preaching the Gospel. I admit that I thought we can't really spend so much on children because they will forget anyway. I was amazed by what I have learned. Children are important. They are easy to talk to. They are living in the season of their lives where the values and everything are being founded in their lives. They are living in the season of when the foundation is being built. What a great way to build Jesus in their lives at an early age! That is what astounded me. I have never truly realized the importance of this part of a kid's life. How much we neglect that! This is the best time to minister to a person.



Source: http://www.trinitynewalbany.org/Portals/0/children.jpg

Also, Jesus loved the little children. He said in Matthew 19:14, "Let the children come to Me." What a lovely sight it might be. Imagine Jesus playing with the children. And children surely loved Him too. Isn't it amazing? We are Jesus' hands and feet to these children too. God continue to impress in my heart the importance of children.

One of the amazing stories that really inspire me is the effects of ministering to children. There are stories that parents gave their hearts and lives to Christ because they can see the changes in their own children. There are many stories like that. And so we are not just ministering to children but through the children, the parents will get to know Jesus Christ as well. Amazing! That is a great way to reach adults because children are easier to talk to than adults. They are also more open and receptive and they never stop talking what they heard.

Now I can see. Now I know the importance of children. Now I know that children are valuable and important. I know God led me to serve in the Children's Ministry in Church. God also led me to start the Bible School in the village where I grew up in. Then He brought me to doors where I am teaching kids in their homeworks. I LOVE teaching. But children? I never used to understand why but now I see them coming together. That is it. God answered my prayer. God answered my long-awaited question.

We ask, "What is God's will for me?" Sometimes, He doesn't answer it right away. But He allows us to experience things first and He builds our foundation in Him. He wants our security to be in Him and who He is rather than on things and dreams. He wants us to be faithful and obedient in little things rather than jumping into the ocean. He trains us in our daily lives. He trains us in our daily struggles and He slowly reveals His plans for us one by one. He takes us from one adventure to the next where we discover more of Him and seek Him more. Are you up for your adventure with the Lord? It is exciting!

I praise Him because He brought me to CEF, the ministry that has stood strong and effective for 70+ years. They have the best materials. They also have training. They also have people who are passionate for God and His glory. They have a culture that is not centered on things but on Jesus Christ alone. It is truly what I desire in my heart.

From that day, I went back to my tutoring and it has become more lively and I seem to have this love that grows everyday - love for teaching and love for children. I don't know but it is a miracle. God continue to give me the wisdom to teach and love. Last Sunday, I served the Toddlers in Church, and it was my first time in my church to teach (I used to assist only). I really enjoyed it. I was loving it and my outlook has changed a lot. The way I view these children have changed. I now view them as God's special creations. Because of that, the way I treated them is so much different. God is a miracle-worker.

Next step would be to contact CEF in DC and pray for money to be able to take online classes (http://www.cefcmi.com/) on how to teach kids effectively. I am very excited to see what God will do next. I am enjoying the ride.

He is faithful!

"Oh, that I had a thousand lives, and a thousand bodies! All of them should be devoted to no other employment but to preach Christ to these degraded,  despised, yet beloved mortals." - Robert Moffat

"Many, LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, the things You planned for us. None can compare with You; were I to speak and tell of Your deeds, they would be too many to declare" - Psalm 40:5, NIV

His Faithfulness Abounds

Is there anything in your life that you desire so much? How do you attain that? How are you able to take hold of it? Do you trust God to fulfill it or do you manipulate your way into getting it?

I have learned a valuable lesson in waiting and trusting on the Lord.

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalm 27:14

Waiting on God has been one of the greatest challenge each of us face each day in our lives. We get so impatient that we like to take the matters into our own hands. Then we end up in heart ache, turmoil, frustration and worse, disaster. I had my own series of going before God and I know where I arrived: disaster. God convicted me of that one day: "You always like to go before Me." I repented from my sins and started to trust the Lord.

For a few months now, God has challenged me to trust Him more with my time and finances. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.." Matthew 6:33. I adjusted my budget in obedience and I saw several RED marks. That means negative balances for the months onward. It becomes deeper into the negative value. I don't know what's going to happen to me but trusting the Lord was the ONLY way to go. With the trust He has given me, I gave lovingly and trusting He will take care of me. Seek Him FIRST. "Seek His Kingdom first and He will take care of your needs." So here we go.

There are so many desires in my heart. A month ago, I have discovered that Katie Davis, one of the missionaries who inspire me is coming to the US. She is coming to Atlanta, GA for a conference. I was so desiring to go and meet her. I know I don't have the funds to go so I prayed and believed in God for His will in my life. With surrender, I gave the will to God. Although I really wanted to go, it is still His will and His plan that I desire to be fulfilled. I kept on believing that if it is God's will then He will provide. Days and weeks have passed. No answer. Just last week, Ate Yoli, a Filipino friend of mine who lives in Nebraska, sent me a message inviting me to come to Warrenton, MO (Missouri) for the Explore Weekend conference by Child Evangelism Fellowship (www.cefonline.com/explore). I have replied saying I will pray about it since God knows currently I don't have any funds to pay even just for the registration. I prayed and waited on God. If it was the old me, I would have used my credit card. But no, I waited on God. I really want to see how He works and know Him more through the process. He is all I want anyway! So I prayed and waited on Him. Friday (September 30, 2011) has arrived and that is the deadline for the registration. "Okay, Lord? If it is not your will, You have much better. You know the best!" In the afternoon, there was a monthly celebration at work. There was an awarding for the 2nd quarter. I knew I wouldn't get any reward because I wasn't here one of those months. Suddenly, the Manager announced the QMP Champion (Best call and ticket quality and Customer survey score) for the quarter and he called my name. I was so thrilled. Not just that, I will be given $150! Praise God!!! Really!! Now I have the money to pay for the registration and some money to cover what I lack to pay for my brother's tuition. How GREAT IS THE LORD!!!

I have then informed Ate Yoli that I have the money for the registration but I don't have the money for the fare, which is times 4 the registration. That night we talked and they got a ticket for me to travel from VA to MO. God is so faithful. I can't help but cry with amazement and joy for His faithfulness to me! So now I am going to Missouri to discern God's will and explore the ministry of CEF -- reaching out to children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am very excited.

Let us be expectant of the great things God is going to show in the next few minutes, hours, days and months. Finally, I know how peaceful and joyful it feels knowing it is God's hands who moved and made things possible. What a peace to know that it is His will for us and not just our own desires. Waiting on the Lord is truly worth it. Victory! His victory brings tears of joy and true excitement! He is FAITHFUL!

He truly does take care of you when you take care of His business first. Praise God! I can tell you that since I stopped using my credit card, I never lacked. There is always provision and even more!

Isn't He magnificent?

Best Month Ever - September 2011

I can remember how excited I was when the month of September started. I was full of excitement and expectation. There were so many things that I have anticipated coming and it was a very exciting time. Part of my list were the following:

a.       Set Apart Girl Magazine (www.setapartgirl.com)

b.      Meet the World Class

c.       Bound with Them Conference (www.persecution.com)

d.      Courageous Movie

That was it on my list but it was enough to make me very excited. Now, the month is over and I can say that it has been the most exciting month of my life! Praise the Lord! Whew! Where will I even begin?... The Set Apart Girl Magazine didn’t arrive on time and my heart was checking it every time. I was so anxious. But it didn’t come until a few days later. God has taught me patience during that time. I lost my grip over an obsession over the magazine and turned to the Word instead. God is amazing!

Next stop was the Meet the World class. It was a class about missions. It was really nice. God is equipping me with stuff I need to know about going for missions and living a life with a “missional” lifestyle. But God didn’t just give that. He showed me something that I will never forget for the rest of my life. Because I go to the class at 9am, I have to be there at 8am. Because I am there at 8am, I joined the Prayer/Intercession before the first service at 8:30am. God showed me something significant for 2 days I’ve been in that prayer group. I was praying with men. I was the only woman in the group. They are all married but God showed me that there are still men of God out there. This is not a hopeless generation. There are still men out there who love the Lord. That same week, I went for Bible Study at work and God showed me the same: There are still men out there who love the Lord because in our Bible Study, there were 3 men (all married by the way) and again I was the only women. God has confirmed His revelation so many times. Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t He amazing?

The Bound with Them Conference was such a great encouragement. God showed me something new about the missionaries who are out there and how they want us to pray for them. Their boldness and courage really inspired me. It is an experience I will never forget. Plus, it was a blessing to meet Gracia, Karen and Kelsey. It was a blessing to eat lunch with them and fellowship with them personally and not from afar! Then Karen has a daughter who is a missionary in Bacolod. I never thought that there is already a Christian ministry that helps the poor like what Karen’s daughter is doing in Bacolod. What a small world and what a blessing! www.caremin.com. Not just that, the kids will be coming here on December. I was invited for free. I will be with them and they are happy to have me because I speak the same language with the kids. They will have a concert here. I am super duper excited to meet them and be with them. I super duper excited to serve them when they come. We are praying for their visas. Wohooo! God is amazing! I will meet with Karen and Kelsey soon. And I am very excited to see what God will do next.

The Courageous movie is showing today but I won’t be able to make it because something much better is coming up. I am going to Philadelphia!!! I will be there until tomorrow. It will be a fun fellowship with Filipino Christians. I am excited. I have my bag already. So I am looking forward to that. I got my camera. I am in for an adventure. I still hope to watch the Courageous movie maybe next week or soon!

In this month, God taught me so much. He has opened my eyes. I started to understand how precious I am in the Lord and actually see myself as beautiful and someone who has value because that is how my Father sees me. It is contrary to the thoughts that I use to feel: I am not enough; I am a failure; I am ugly. I really feel that I am loved. I am satisfied with the Lord. And it is amazing!

God also taught me so much about men. It is something new to me! I learned something new about men: Those who don’t want to play around are actually those who don’t rush you. They don’t flatter you with compliments to make you feel good about yourself. They are actually the opposite. Well, I can’t say for everyone and it is not a general thing but what I learned is that real serious men take their time. I used to think that if a man is interested in a woman, he will try to communicate as much as possible. As women, we grew so impatient to know what’s next. But I was wrong. I realized that men are so different from women. If a man really wants a woman, he takes it slowly. He is very careful of what he is doing. He doesn’t like women who are so desperate to be in a relationship. He doesn’t think of the woman as much as we expect. And much more. It is fun to learn about men. God is equipping me so that when God brings the one He has for me, I will be ready. I won’t be frustrated to the full extent I used to be. It is a great adventure of learning. God taught me to be patient. He has placed my heart in place. He is so good! I have learned also that marriage is not everything. When God takes someone out of your life, it is because what He has for you is more than that! *In awe* I continue to learn that we are only to be fully satisfied in Jesus Christ, not on anybody else including our life partners. I just imagine being with a man with whom I can serve and love the Lord with, pleasing Jesus with our relationship, and not to meet my own needs. What an exciting adventure!

“Old things have passed away. All things have become new.” 

2 Corinthians 5:17

It is amazing how I see myself being transformed by the mighty power of God. I have changed a lot because of all that He has done in my life. I have been having the best weekends in my life and life has become so much happier. It has become more meaningful! God has blessed me to go to Harrisonburg last week and enjoy a glimpse of the beautiful mountains. We are planning to go back in the mountains in October. He has blessed me with an opportunity to work with a girl who is challenged with many things. I have been working with her and I am loving her everyday. What makes it even better is I enjoy teaching. I enjoy being with her. I am more blessed! And they have blessed me with food everytime I come. And it is a miracle that I am eating a lot more lately. Praise the Lord, oh my soul!

“He is able to do EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY more than we can ever ask or think of.”

Ephesians 3:20

As for my family, seeing my sister growing everyday is a great encouragement. It is a great testimony of God’s power and work in our family’s life. My sister is working hard for our house and Angel’s school. We are looking forward to see what God is going to do in us and through us. We have all these challenges but we know God is with us and He will not leave us forsaken.

Also, God continue to teach me that it is not about me. It is all about Jesus. I should decrease and forget my own desires and desire His.

Also, praises to Him because my visa status have been renewed. He has filled me with radiance and confidence. He has given me so much hope! He is so good!

I am happier each day! It is not about me. It is all about Jesus. Oh flee selfishness and pride. Praise God!

So October, what you got? October is another exciting month. It is a great way to start in Philadelphia. Also, it will be a month of birthdays for very special people: My mom, Best Friends: Gen and Anwesha, and Best Friend Mari's baby girl, Miel. Oh soo exciting! I am expecting for more of God in my life. I am looking forward to see what God will do as I pray for 2 conferences next week: Catalyst and Explore Weekend by Child Evangelism Fellowship, one after the other.  One in Georgia and one in Missouri. I am believing that if it is His will, He will provide. He never delays and He is perfect.

A Sweet Surprise in the Weekend

For the past months, God has been giving me what I call "The Best Weekends Ever". He is so good and He makes life very beautiful.

So this weekend, I was registered to go to Bound with Them Conference by Voice of the Martyrs where I will hear from missionaries who were persecuted. It was for free so I thought it is a great opportunity to go. So Friday night involved me getting lost driving in Virginia while following the GPS followed by some pressure in coming home early and pressure from friends. It was a perfect place to thank God and stay calm and rejoice despite the circumstances. I had fun that night. We had dinner with friends as one friend celebrated her birthday. I praise God for His loving work in me. He is amazing.

Then it was time to go to the Conference. I got there just on time. I started to cry as the worship leaders started to sing songs of worship. His love enveloped me and filled me with something I can't explain. I love every moment. It was very inspiring to hear from missionaries who were persecuted and yet, they continued to be bold in spreading the Gospel. They never ceased. They never stopped. They are more willing to spread the Gospel and giving their lives away for Jesus Christ. Some of them have been shot several times, imprisoned, tortured and beaten. They have experienced a lot of near-death situations but they never gave up. It makes me think that persecution is not something new when you live and work for God. You will get it. It is part of the plan. It is part of living for God. It prepares my heart for what is to come. I know I will get it too because I know I am living for God and I will give up my life for Him. He is worthy.

They were asked what would they want people to pray for them. They said that we should not pray for persecution to be removed because the more they are persecuted, the more people come to the knowledge of the Truth, the more people give their lives to Christ and for this one great Battle. Persecution yields more result than a persecution free life. I can't held back the tears.

One sweet surprise is to meet Gracia Burnham. A missionary who was taken hostage in the Philippines, together with her husband. They were taken hostage by the Muslim terrorists. It is such a privilege to hear stories from her. She invited me to have lunch with her. I was really blessed and happy! I got to talk to her more and got to know her more. Later on she invited me to her house if I pass by her state. I was really really happy about that. Praise God!!!!! I felt very special. We had a nice time talking about the Philippines and about the terrorists who got saved while in prison. It is amazing. God is amazing!

The other missionaries who were there was Russell and Getaneh. Russell is a pilot missionary in Colombia. He flies a plane and drops literature, Bible in Colombia. They have also established radio stations for people to listen to and hear the Gospel.

 

To read more about him, go to http://www.persecution.com/public/newsroom.aspx?story_ID=Mjkz.

Getaneh Getaneh is a missionary from Ethiopia. He has experienced being imprisone and tortured for being a Christian. He has been to Somalia where there is no government there. He has experienced tremendous persecution. When he was 13, he became a Christian through a missionary. He went home and told his mother about it. His mom convinced him that he is already a christian because he was baptized when he was a baby. She proceeded to tell him about Mary. He wouldn't agree with her so his mother grounded him to stay at home for 2 years. He couldn't go anywhere. He didn't go to school. One day his grandmother/mother's sister (I am not sure) came to him telling him she wants to be free from the spirits. He told her to flee from it, repent and believe in Jesus. She did and she was delivered. When his parents knew about it, they both knelt down and gave their lives to the Lord. He is so bold for the Lord. One day, he was arrested and tortured. His feet were dipped in the water and his fingers were plugged to electricity. While that happens, he got a vision that God telling him to tell the person torturing him that God loves him. So Getaneh said the John 3:16. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life." That man gave his life to Christ.

It is amazing how God moves through persecution. Thousands of lives have changed and it is so sad how many of us are scared to go through it. I admire their fearless attitude and boldness for the Lord and I desire the same.

After such a wonderful time, I went to see Ate Jazz and drop my gifts for her kids. It was a wonderful time since I haven't seen her and talked to her for a very long time. She is one of my treasured friends. I am blessed to have her as my sister in Christ.

On Sunday, it was our Church's 29th Anniversary. We had ministry fair. It was fun. Prayer time was also wonderful. I didn't even the chance to speak because the other prayer warriors are just pouring the Kingdom of God with powerful prayers. It is so amazing to watch and experience it. God is good!

QUOTES:

"A life that is committed to wait on Him will always be effective, because the ministry orignated with Him is fulfilled by Him." KP Yohannan

"The only place we'll ever stand is on our knees with lifted hands."

"Come away with Me. Come away with Me. It's going to be WILD, it's going to be GREAT. It's going to be FULL of Me." - (Come Away - Jesus Culture)

"We do not know what to do, but our eyesare on You." 2 Chronicles 20:17

"The need for patience, and the reasonableness, and the blessedness of patience will be opened up to the waiting soul. Our patience will be seen to be the counterpart of God's patience. He longs far more to bless us fully than we can desire it. But, as the husbandman has long patience till the fruit be ripe, so God bows Himself to our slowness and bears long with us. Let us remember this, and wait patiently; of each promise and every answer to prayer the word is true: 'I the Lord will hasten it in its time.' Is. 60:22.
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.' Yes, for HIM. Seek not only the help, the gift, thou needs to seek: HIMSELF; wait for HIM. Give God His glory by resting in Him, by trusting Him fully, by waiting patiently for HIM. This patience honors Him greatly. It leaves Him, as God on the throne, to do His work; it yields self wholly into His hands. It lets God be God. If thy waiting be for some special request, wait patiently. If thy waiting be more the exercise of the spiritual life seeking to know and have more of God, wait patiently. 'they that wait on the Lord shall inherit the land."

- http://alifeset-apart.blogspot.com/

SONGS:

Jesus I My Cross Have Taken

I am Yours

by Bethany Dillon

I Have a Shelter

YOU ARE ON OUR SIDE

by Bethany Dillon

The orphan clings to Your hand
Singing the song of how he was found
The widow rejoices
For her oppressors are silenced now

You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor
You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore
When You could just be silent and leave us here to die
Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side

The runaway falls at Your feet
You are what he has searched for
The rich man is broken
When he stands beneath a sky full of stars

You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor
You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore
When You could just be silent and leave us here to die
Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side

You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor
You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore
When You could just be silent and leave us here to die
Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side

Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side

Wednesday Wisdom

God is not depriving anything from us. He is protecting us from danger He alone can see.

God gives us trials so we can experience the fullness of His power. It is the perfect place to experience Him. It is the perfect place to take hold of all His promises. It is the perfect place to be strengthened and trained. It is like a fire where we come out so pure, like gold without impurities.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." Psalm 32:8

This article speaks so much about trials. I hope it blesses and encourages you as you go through trials each day!

Our Greatest Lessons

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4

What is the outcome in my life?

God’s voice doesn’t always come to us the way we want it; sometimes He teaches us our greatest lessons through the most difficult experiences of our lives!

Satan wants you to live for today, to pursue instant gratification, to escape from trials. God wants you to live for eternity, to pursue godliness, and to grow to spiritual maturity through trials.

What’s the outcome of your living for today? It means your spiritual life remains shallow, and you’ll miss some of the greatest spiritual growth that God offers (Phil 3:10-12). It means that you’ll only focus on the parts of Scripture that promise God’s blessing through prosperity and health. It means that your faith will be in danger of collapse when God brings you into times of trial, because trials won’t fit into your view of God.

What’s the outcome of living for eternity? It means that you’ll see the spiritual blessing that lies behind trials (2 Cor. 4:17). And you’ll look for how God wants to grow you through those hard times (Psalm 119:71). Instead of your faith being weakened by pain, it will grow as you meet God there!

Scriptural References:
"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before" Philippians 3:10-13

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" 2 Corinthians 4:17

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Psalm 119:17

From: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/timewithgod/time-with-god-sept-14-2011.html?utm_source=Crosswalk_Daily_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=09/14/2011

Melodii Tuesdii

Today is Melody Tuesday. In other words, Melodii Tuesdii. I made that up for fun! :) There are so many songs out there but as children of God, we want to glorify our Father. So here it is for today. I hope to make Him smile.

ALL FOR LOVE



It is You. It is You! The only Love that made a way for us. It is Your love. Jesus.

Abba Father have Your way.

Let the cross draw men to You.

LOVELY

Chris Tomlin

Lovely, He is LOVELY

Worthy, He is worthy

I stand in awe.

THE LIGHT IN ME
Brandon Heath

He put the Light in me.
I'll raise it high
Since He gave me His life, Something was different.
Life starts to have a new meaning.

Missionary Monday

MOTHER TERESA

One of the missionaries that inspire me is Mother Teresa. I admire her surrender to the Lord and her love for the Lord and the lost, the broken and the sick. She welcomes the sick and cared for them. I wonder if she has ever rested. God used her so much.

At work I am labeled as "Mother Teresa". I like it a lot. They tease me about it and laugh about it but I think it is a compliment to be likened to one of the heroic Christians I know. This woman taught me to love. She has made a difference in my life by showing and teaching me about LOVE and through her words and example, I am drawn closer to the One who is worthy of her life and my life, Jesus Christ.

Here are some of the quotes from her:

"Love to be real, it must cost—it must hurt—it must empty us of self."

"The person who gives with a smile is the best giver because God loves a cheerful giver."

"The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty -- it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There's a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God."

"God made the world for the delight of human beings-- if we could see His goodness everywhere, His concern for us, His awareness of our needs: the phone call we've waited for, the ride we are offered, the letter in the mail, just the little things He does for us throughout the day. As we remember and notice His love for us, we just begin to fall in love with Him because He is so busy with us -- you just can't resist Him. I believe there's no such thing as luck in life, it's God's love, it's His."

"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."

"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you."

"Without patience, we will learn less in life. We will see less. We will feel less. We will hear less. Ironically, rush and more usually mean less."

"When you don't have anything, then you have everything."

"Each one of them is Jesus in disguise."

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."

"I pray that you will understand the words of Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Ask yourself  “How has he loved me? Do I really love others in the same way?” Unless this love is among us, we can kill ourselves with work and it will only be work, not love. Work without love is slavery."

"I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness."

"I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness."

"Joy is a net of love in which you can catch souls."

"Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home."

"Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness."

"May God break my heart so completely that the whole world falls in."

"Jesus said love one another. He didn't say love the whole world."

"Intense love does not measure it just gives. "

"Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go."

"We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing."

"A sacrifice to be real must cost, must hurt, and must empty ourselves. Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in his love than in your weakness."

"Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus - a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you."

"To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it."

Somebody said

Somebody told me today that I am weird. That same person told me I am creepy and I am a witch because I am creepy. Sometimes, people tell me I am crazy and boring. Some laugh at me. Some mock me for my standards, beliefs and faith. I have made some decisions in my life. However, with such decisions, people can make some judgemnts upon me that might destroy my reputation or image.

I cried a tear when the words digested in me. How could it be that someone I always help call me weird carelessly with laughter? What have I done wrong? I wondered. My heart sought for God's comfort as I struggled to be strong.

This life is full of different people - imperfect people. Different people came from different backgrounds and raised in different environments. People went through different experiences and are brought up differently. This is the world we live in. These people make up the environment we live and work in. Everyday. Who are we to judge? Who are we to control? We have no right to.

With that said, it is expected that we are going to face them while we live. We are going to face hurtful words and ridicule. We are going to hear them until we die. No matter how "good" you may think you are, you will face them still. We will get all kinds of rumors and judgments. We will get all kinds of words in this life. That's reality. The truth is, we can't control them. It is vital to know that we can't control what people will tell us and how they will talk to us. The only thing we can do is to control ourselves. It is vital to know that how to deal with them will determine how it will affect us.

How then are we going to deal with them? It is such a comfort to know that we are only up to please One. We only have one Audience and that is God - our Creator, our Father, the just Judge, the Almighty King. It is such a comfort knowing that only His opinion matters.

As children of God, we are to only look unto Jesus and what He thinks about us and what not this world thinks about us. We are a scum of this world and this world will hate us because we are not of this world. In the end, the opinion of men will fade when the opinion of the Judge will be revealed. Let us walk with Christ and follow Him and His word only. Let us respond with love, patience, gentleness, respect and understanding and not in revenge. We should never stop loving and caring. He promised that we are blessed even if we suffer for doing good (1 Peter 3:4) and we will never be put to shame (Romans 10:11).

Mother Theresa said this:

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."

I smiled and responded to the person as he continued to ask for questions and just talk. I felt so much peace and freedom in my heart. It has drawn me closer to my King.

Praise God.

Every pain and longing leads me closer to my King.

"Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.” Colossians 1:28 (The Message)