On A Journey With My King

Mirrors

2010-02-10T21:45:00.003+08:00

October 12, 2008. Linggo na naman. Ito ang araw ng pagsamba at muling pagkikita-kita naming mga magkakasama sa church. Pagkatapos ng service ay nag-aya akong kumain sa Chowking. Treat ko!

Habang kaming lahat ay kumakain, nabanggit na maganda ang 'Eagle Eye'.

"Uy, maganda daw yun, nood tayo?" ang sabi ko.

"Nood tayo, sama ka Jay?" ang tanong niya sa isang kaibigan namin.

"Tara, nood tayo..", ang sabi ko pa.

"Ahm, hindi ako pwede eh..", ang sagot ni Jay.

Akala ko ay hindi na kami tuloy, kasi kaming dalawa na lang ang manonood kung sakali. Pagtapos ng aming pagkain at uuwi na sana. Lahat ng aming mga kasama ay sumakay na ng van. Iniisip ko kung tuloy pa ba o hindi na ang aming panonood.

"Ano? Tuloy tayo?", ang tanong niya sa akin.

Inisip ko na wala namang masama kung manonood kami na kaming dalawa lang. Magkaibigan lang naman kami, di ba? At dahil na rin sa gusto kong mapanood ang Eagle Eye ay pumayag ako. Nagpaalam kami sa iba pa naming kasama.

Sumakay kami ng jeep papuntang SM. Ngunit, di pala showing dun ang Eagle Eye. Tiningnan pa rin namin kung ano ang iba pang pwedeng panoorin. Nakabili na kami ng ticket at papunta na doon sa Cinema, nang mapansin ko ang poster ng Mirrors.

"Yan na lang kaya ang panoorin natin? Mukhang mas maganda yan kesa dito sa panonoorin natin.", ang sabi ko sa kanya. "Pwede pa kayang papalitan itong movie tickets?"

"Sige, tanong natin.", ang sagot niya.

Hindi ko alam kung talagang ganon ang kalakaran pero pumayag naman ang takilyera. Kaso lang maghihintay pa kami ng isang oras bago ang next screening ng Mirrors. Nagpasya kaming maglibot na muna ng mall. Pumunta rin kami ng PCBS. At dahil sa kakilala niya yun nagtitinda roon ay binati niya ito.

"Sya ba ang lagi mong kinukwento sa akin?" ang tanong nito sa kanya. Hindi ko narinig na sumagot siya, at siyempre hindi ko alam kung umiling siya o tumango, dahil sa nakatalikod ako sa kanya.

"Ay, hindi ako yun. Pero kwento mo sa akin at kilala ko yun kung sino," ang sagot ko.

Habang kami ay nagba-browse ng mga libro, bigla na lang niyang nabanggit na ang "love" daw ay hindi naman hinahanap, kung minsan ay magugulat ka na lang at bigla na lang itong nangyayari. Hindi ko alam kung anong ibig niyang sabihin noon at hindi ko rin naman tinanong.

Ayan, nakalipas na ang kulang isang oras at kami ay manonood na ng mirrors.

Movie trailers pa lang ang ipinapakita ng kami ay pumasok ng sinehan. May ipinakitang trailer ng isang suspense movie, biglang hinila yun paa ng babae. Nagulat ako, sabay siko ko sa kanya ng nanginginig pa. Natawa siya, sabay tapik sa ulo ko na waring pinapayapa ako.

Nag-enjoy naman ako sa panonood ng Mirrors. Umuwi na kami. Hinatid niya ako hanggang sa sakayan ng tricycle.

Pagdating ko ng bahay ay nakatanggap ako ng text message mula sa kanya, "Nag-enjoy ako, next time ulit!".

"Ako rin nag-enjoy, salamat."

Tayo Na?

2010-02-07T14:04:00.002+08:00

October 5, 2008. Papunta ako sa kusina ng aming church nang madaanan ko siya, isang matagal ng kaibigan na nakababata sa akin ng sampung taon. Nagtetext siya sa kanyang cellphone.

"Text ng text, dami talagang chicks," ang biro ko sa kanya at nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad patungong kusina.

"Alam mo namang ikaw lang ang mahal ko eh!", ang sagot niya.

Nabigla ako, ngunit nasa mood akong magbiro kaya't sinakyan ko ang biro niya sa akin. "Mahal din naman kita, ah!" (Ang nasa isip ko ay pagmamahal sa isang kapatid at kaibigan lamang.) Ngunit di ko alam ang dahilan kung bakit dinagdagan ko pa ang aking sagot ng, "O eh pano yan? Di tayo na?" Sabay tawa ng malakas.

Bigla siyang tumayo, sabay sabi ng, "Oo ba, ano i-announce ko na ba?"

"Ok ka lang? Joke lang yun noh!", ang nabibiglaanan kong sagot.

Pagkatapos nito ay tumuloy na kaming dalawa sa meeting. Bago magsimula ang meeting ay pabulong na tinanong niya sa akin, "Sabihin ko na ba sa kanila?"

"Ang alin?", nakalimutan ko na ang mga nangyari.

"Yun tungkol sa ating dalawa...", ang sagot niya.

"Huh? Joke lang kaya yun," ang tugon ko na nanlalaki pa ang mata.

Pagtapos ng meeting ay dumalaw kami sa isang kasamahan sa church na nagdaraos ng kanyang kaarawan. Kasama namin ang iba pa naming mga kaibigan.

Tinutukso pa niya ako sa isang kasama namin sa church. May nabanggit siyang, "kung ayaw mo, ako na lang", na akin namang ibinibilang sa mga pagbibiro niya. Pagkatapos kumain ay umuwi na kami.

At inakala ko ngang biruan lang ang lahat dahil sa lumipas ang isang linggo na wala naman kaming communication.

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." - Genesis 2:18

May Lovelife na... SA WAKAS!

2010-01-31T15:52:00.006+08:00

Matagal na rin ang nakalipas mula ng ako ay huling sumulat dito sa aking blogsite. Marami siguro ang nainip sa tila naudlot na pagkwekwento ko kung paanong ang Diyos ay nagsimulang magsulat ng aking lovestory... Naks! SA WAKAS! May lovelife na for the first time in history... hehe Muli ang aking paumanhin sa mga nagbabasa, naging busy lang sa aking lovelife... sorry na... at para naman makabawi sa matagal ninyong paghihintay, ay eto na ang aking pagbabalik.

God is faithful! I can testify on that. Way back in 2002, I received a confirmation from the Lord that I will get married. I waited... and waited... and waited.. and waited... hahaha! It seemed sooooooooo long that sometimes I almost gave up. Yup, I was on the verge of accepting that I'll be single all my life, my only prayer then was that God will sustain me and give me joy kahit na mag-isa lang akong haharap sa aking future. But still, I have my faith on Him, for I know that the One who promised is faithful indeed! One time, I listed down my requirements of the One I am asking from God and here goes my requirements' list:

Born-again Christian
Loves me
Sincere
Faithful
Loves his family
Confident
Happy person
Financially capable to support a family
Has dreams in life
Responsible
Respects me and is proud of me

It was sometime June 2008, nang itanong sa akin ng isang kasamahan sa church kung ano daw ba ang qualification na magugustuhan ko, at ipinakita ko sa kanya ang listahan ko. Ang listahan na yan ay naka-save lang naman kasi sa aking cellphone kaya napakadaling i-access at ipakita kung sino man ang magtanong. :)

Naalala ko ang sabi niya, "Ay, wala kang makikitang ganyan.. masyadong perfect yan." Somehow, nagtanong ako sa sarili ko kung napakataas nga ng aking standards at kailangan ko nga ba siyang babaan? Ngunit, ako'y nananatili sa aking pananampalataya na kayang ipagkaloob sa akin yan ng Diyos ko. May bahagi sa aking listahan na non-negotiables at negotiables, siyempre. Naalala ko rin ang panalangin ko ng gabing iyon, sinabi ko sa Lord, "Lord ipakita mo nga po sa taong iyon na may kaya kang ibigay sa akin na ganyan ang qualities. Kasi hindi ako papayag na hindi Mo po kayang gawin na ipagkaloob ang pangako Mo sa akin."

Lumipas ang ilang buwan at ako'y nagpatuloy lamang sa aking usual na gawain.. trabaho, bahay, church, liwaliw sa Palawan... at nang sumunod na buwan, mukhang may maliit na intro isinulat ang Lord... yan ang isusulat ko sa susunod na mga panahon. Kung paanong nagsimula ang Lord sa pagsulat ng aking lovestory.

P.S. May boyfriend na nga pala ako ngayon mula sa Lord... Ang pangalan niya ay Allen Paul Rubian Gloria...

Para Sa Aking Ama

2009-06-21T15:06:00.006+08:00

Ang buong mundo ngayon ay nagdiriwang at nagbibigay-pugay sa bawat ama ng tahanan. Kanina sa church, hinilingan akong magbigay ng maikling mensahe para sa aking ama. Nais kong ibahagi ito sa inyo...

Sa aking minamahal na Ama:

Daddy, Papa, Amang, Tatang. Yan ang pangkaraniwang tawag sa bawat ama ng tahanan. Ngunit para sa akin, nakagisnan ko ng tawagin ka ng 'Dy. Haligi ng tahanan, matatag at matibay tulad ng isang pader, laging masasandigan.

Kailanma'y di ka nagkulang sa pagbibigay ng suporta, pinansyal man o moral. Kapag kailangan ko ng pera para sa tuition, baon at pambayad ng project, isang hingi ko lang, lagi kang may nakalaan. Kapag ako'y nadapa, lagi kang nakaalalay upang makatayo akong muli.

Pero kung minsan nagdaramdam ako sa iyo. Madalas mo akong pagalitan. Nguni't ngayo'y nauunawaan ko kung bakit ka nagagalit sa akin. Nagagalit ka dahil ayaw mo akong magkamali at danasin ang hirap na minsan mo nang dinanas. Ako'y tinutuwid mo lamang sa aking landas.

Noong ako'y bata pa at maging hanggang ngayon, ako'y iyong inaaruga, kaya pangako ko sa iyong aalagaan ka sa iyong pagtanda.

Lagi kong dinadalangin sa Panginoon na pagkalooban ka ng mahabang buhay, at ng kalakasan sa bawat araw. Dahil nais kong iparanas sa iyo ang buhay na masaganang naipagkait sa iyo, dahil inuna mo ang aking mga pangangailangan.

Maraming salamat, dahil ikaw ang modelo ko kung paanong mabuhay sa mundong ito. Maraming salamat, sa bawat umagang wala kang sawa na ako'y gisingin at papasukin sa eskwela. Maraming salamat sa paghahatid at pagsusundo mo sa akin kapag ako ay papasok sa opisina. Maraming salamat, dahil ikaw ang nagturo sa akin ng kasipagan at kung paanong mabuhay ng tama sa mundong ito.

'Dy, nais kong malaman mong "Idol Kita!". Nagpapasalamat ako dahil ikaw ang aking ama. Para sa akin, You are the best Father.

I love you, 'Dy! mwuah! :)

Someday...

2009-06-14T19:44:00.005+08:00

I believe in the rest of the story
I believe there's still ink in the pen
I have wasted my very last day
Trying to change what happened way back when

I believe it's the human condition
We all need to have answers to why
More than ever, I'm ready to say that I
Will still sleep peacefully
With answers out of reach from me until?

Someday all that's crazy
All that's unexplained
Will fall into place
And someday all that's hazy
Through a clouded glass
Will be clear at last
And sometimes we're just waiting
For someday

We are born with a lingering hunger
We are born to be unsatisfied
We are strangers who can't help but wander
And dream about the other side of?

Every puzzle's missing piece
Every unsolved mystery
More than half of every whole
Rests in the Hands that hold you for someday?

Father, I believe in Your plans...when You will it, You will also provide so that Your plans succeeds... I'm still waiting for that someday.. I know it'll be beautiful... beautiful.. someday.. when all the clouds be cast away.. when all the why's, when's, how's and what's are gonna be answered.. until that someday, Lord. I will wait patiently. I pray that You give me grace because it's never an easy task to wait... May I be worthy to receive Thy special gift.. someday. I believe You are the hand that hold us for that someday.

Unfailing Love – Chris Tomlin

2009-06-05T21:49:00.001+08:00

You have my heart
And I am Yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My unfailing love
Unfailing love

You are my rock
The one I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for You

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still you make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

I will praise You
Praise you God of earth and sky
How beautiful is your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love

Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love

The Impossible Is God's Ideal

2009-05-17T17:45:00.011+08:00

Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. - Exodus 14:13

I'd like to underline a major truth in this world of ours that I don't pretend to understand. Here it is:

The best framework for the Lord God to do His most ideal work is when things are absolutely impossible and we feel totally unqualified to handle it.

That's His favorite circumstance. Those are His ideal working conditions.

God does His most magnificent work when the situation seems totally impossible from a human point of view, and we feel absolutely unprepared and unable to do anything about it, yet our eyes are on Him... That's when God rolls up His big sleeves and says, "Step back out of the way a moment, and watch Me work."

Time after time, He brings us to our absolute end and then proves Himself faithful. That, my friend, is the story of the Bible in a nutshell.

-From Wisdom For The Way, Charles R. Swindoll

All of us may have different impossible situations. Some has an uncurable disease, or cancer for that matter and the doctor says you only have few days to live by. Some has been layed-off or retrenched because their company has been affected by the global economic situation. Some needed to transfer from their comfort zones to an unknown. Some has been waiting for years to see God's promises in their lives fulfilled and todate, it seems impossible to happen.
Take heart my friend, God's ideal are the impossible situation and He will prove his faithfulness. We just got to trust His timing. Always, fix your eyes to Him for He cares for You more than You can think of. He's been holding You in His gracious, loving hand. He will not let You fall.
Just keep on trusting the Lord. A promise from Him must still stand. A blessing is a blessing no matter what road you might take. He will lead you in the right path. God loves you... He does and He will always love you.. no matter what.
What is your impossible situation? Remember, God is still a miracle-working God!

2009-02-14T18:29:00.001+08:00

When I was still a child, there has been a hit name-game song... Do you remember it? It goes something like this...

Shirley! Shirley, Shirley bo Birley Bonana fanna fo Firley Fee fy mo Mirley, Shirley!

Love is defined in the Bible as...

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

What if I replace the word LOVE with my name?

Zha-zha is patient, zha-zha is kind. Zha-zha does not envy, Zha-zha does not boast, Zha-zha is not proud. Zha-zha is not rude, Zha-zha is not self-seeking, Zha-zha is not easily angered, Zha-zha keeps no record of wrongs. Zha-zha does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Zha-zha always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.

Now it's your turn...

Lunch @ Marina

2009-02-08T16:13:00.005+08:00

carol, pechay and chel

me, carol, pechay and chel

pechay and chel

me, carol, pechay and chel

Our dear friend, Chel came home from Australia last holiday season and she treated us a sumptuous lunch at Marina, Glorietta. Seafood galore.. yummy.. so many chikas, parang ulam namin mahirap ubusin.. it was a very happy get-together...

Dancing Queen

2009-01-22T13:17:00.000+08:00

You have seen me sing, now see me dance... no further introduction needed.. simply "The Dancing Queen"... hahaha

Youth Group Special Number, 30 Nov 2008

Are You Still Amazed?

2009-01-21T20:56:00.002+08:00

A friend sent this thru email and I thought of sharing it with you... It was written by Francis J. Kong.

Is your company starving for innovation and creativity? Are you wondering why you have lost your power of dreaming and imagining? Maybe it's time for you to be childlike. Now I did not say childish as many people today still are. But what I mean is being childlike.

Look at how children view God. Are children amazed with the existence of God? You bet they are. In fact they are the world's most honest theologians. Look at the words they write when their teacher asked them to write a letter to God:

Dear GOD, In school they told us what You do. Who does it when You are on vacation? - Jane

Dear GOD, Are you really invisible or is that just a trick? - Lucy

Dear GOD, Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident? -Norma

Dear GOD, Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't You just keep the ones You have now? - Jane

Dear GOD, I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that okay? - Neil

Dear GOD, Did you really mean "do unto others as they do unto you"? Because if you did, then I'm going to fix my brother! - Darla

Dear GOD, Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.-Joyce

Dear GOD, It rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad! He said somethings about You that people are not supposed to say, but I hope You will not hurt him anyway. - Your friend (But I am not going to tell you who I am)

Dear GOD, I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it. - Nan

Dear GOD, We read Thomas Edison made light. But in school they said You did it. So I bet he stole your idea. Sincerely, Donna

Kids are always amazed and maybe that is the reason why they are happy most of the time. Cultivate Your Childlike Thinking is the title of an article written by Lisa Jimenez and it is so beautiful I want to share this with you.

Psychologists say 68 percent of people miss out on opportunity simply because they are not awake to it. Did you read that clearly? They are not awake. Most people are in a coma of routine, habit, and schedule. They almost have to be. We overstimulate our calendar with so many tasks and errands that it becomes necessary to be in a robotic state of "doing" to ensure everything on the to-do list will get accomplished. And now, the harassed style of thinking and living has become a habit – a way of life. You can break through this negative behavior of living by making a conscious effort to become more childlike – not childish – but, childlike.

Find amazement with things again!

Did you know that NASA cannot duplicate the flight pattern of a dragon fly?

Did you know that a butterfly's life span is two days – and that they are never babies? They go right from the cocoon to an adult butterfly?

Did you know the more pollution in the air the more brilliant and bold the sunsets?

Did you know that baby zebras recognize their mommies by the positioning of their stripes – and the stripe patterns are never duplicated!

Isn't it amazing that alligators lay their eggs at different levels inthe ground. And this action determines the gender of the newborn alligator?

Isn't it amazing that it is impossible to be mad and laugh at the same time?

Isn't it amazing that you can cause a grown man or woman with a tough exterior to melt like butter when you say, "I love you."

Isn't it amazing that young children who just meet each other can play like they are lifelong friends within a few seconds?

These facts may seem insignificant. However, the habit of thinking on such things can do amazing things for you. It can cause you to wake up and notice the abundance of wisdom, love, and miracles that are found in every day life!

Just imagine what your life would look like if you called on your natural risk-taking ability. Imagine what your business would look like if you cultivated your childlike thinking. Imagine what your relationships would look like if you were willing to really love! This should be your wakeup call to the amazement of life. It just might cause you to be aware of the abundant opportunity waiting for you in your business and in life! The most creative and innovative people in the work place are those who are amazed with the wonder around them.

Be like a little child and maintain that sense of wonder. Even the genius Albert Einstein says "There is a Master Designer behind the universe." And I bet you he is right.

God is so amazing... I'm amazed at how His promises put faith in our hearts and how it is being fulfilled with each passing day. It's just so good to be true... but it's happening right in front of my eyes... I see at how the colors of the sky are different from today and yesterday. No one knows what tomorrow bring except that our tomorrows are taken care of the God of the universe.

Our God is the Wonderful Counselor, able and more than able to bring a man and a woman together in His time, in His often mysterious and astonishing ways.

But I know that it is just too early to write it down here. As of this moment, I know we are both seeking God's direction and surrendering our hearts to Him.

"But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruit.

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But, I the Lord search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give people their due rewards according to what their actions deserve." - Jeremiah 17:7-10

Father, my heart is filled with joy... overflowing with amazement on how You make all Your promises, true and come to reality. Oh, Father I pray that You hold and guard our hearts. Purify this emotion I feel, Lord. Test and examine our hearts. If this is Your will, may we be ready to pay the price. We surrender our hearts to You.

Enjoy HIM Forever

2008-12-13T08:12:00.005+08:00

"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

What is God's will?

That we believe in his love and power.
That we come to him in sincerity and trust.
That we clear away barriers between us, including pre-occupation and excessive busyness.
That we listen for his still, small voice and obey it when we hear it.
That we live in his presence and enjoy him forever.

Prayer is the way to turn dry theological descriptions into warm, living, personal realities. When we live in constant communion with God, our needs are met, our faith increases, our love expands. We begin to feel God's peace in our hearts, and we spontaneously worship him.

With the heavenly beings described in Revelation we cry out, "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!... To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" (5:12-13)

I'm enjoying God these days. He answers my prayers. He empowers me. He gives me insights from his Word. He guides my life. He gives me loving relationships. He has wonderful things in store for me.

My life with God is a constant adventure and it all begins with prayer. Regular prayer, early in the morning, alone with him. Prayer that listens as well as speaks.

You too, can enjoy God, as he created you to do. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17). You can feel his companionship, his capability, his compassion. He invites you to a more abundant life right now.

You are too busy not to say yes!

-Excerpt from "Too Busy Not To Pray" by Bill Hybels

Teach My Heart

2008-11-29T10:09:00.005+08:00

Teach my heart, Oh Lord
That I may walk in Your ways, Your ways of righteousness
Help me not to quench Your Holy Spirit
Lead me to the place where You will be most glorified.

Forgive me Oh Lord, if I have sinned against You
Forgive and hear me when I call
You alone are my hope and desire
If You are going to give me something,
The very thing I am asking for
And yet it would separate me from You
Oh, Lord I wouldn't want anything outside Your will.
My heart's desire above all things is to draw near to You
All the blessings that I have received,
They are received not because I am worthy to have them
But it is only by Your grace
That I have all these things I need.

Open my heart, search my heart
Teach my heart and guard my heart
That is what I pray
Take away anything that is not from You
Purify my heart and take Your rightful place.
May it be prepared, sanctified, purified
May Your Name be glorified in all of this...

I love You more than anything in this world.
You are my desire
I will love You not only with the words I am saying
But in a way my life is lived...

In Your Love - Nichole Nordeman

2008-11-25T18:06:00.006+08:00

I am humbled in Your presence
More desperate than before
I've brushed against Your mercy
Yet still I'm wanting more
I have felt the hand of comfort
In the softness of Your touch
I wait...

I am holding on to promises
I'm counting on the truth
And on these knees I'm faltering
I'm calling out to You

In Your love
I find my resting place
In Your love
I find my shelter
When I lay down all that I've been holding to
The beauty I've found in You
Is sweeter than all I've known
In Your love

I surrender all my failings
Please break these chains of doubt
I bring these simple offerings of what I can't work out
Won't You let these healing waters anoint my troubled soul
I wait...

(Holding on to promises...)
I am holding on to promises
I'm counting on the truth
On these knees I'm faltering
I'm calling out to You
In Your love
I find my resting place
In Your love
I find my shelter
When I lay down all that I've been holding to
The beauty I found in You
Is sweeter than all I've known
In Your love(I wait...)

In Your love
I find my resting place
In Your love
I find my shelter
When I lay down all that I've been holding to
The beauty I've found in You is sweeter than all I've known
In Your love
(In Your love)
I find my shelter
When I lay down all that I've been holding to
The beauty I've found in You is sweeter than all I've known
(In Your love...)

Will I Know It?

2008-11-25T13:56:00.016+08:00

History never looks history when you're living through it. It always looks confusing and messy and it always feel uncomfortable. - John Gardner

Will I know when I'm walking through the story for the first time? Will I recognize the event that will begin the chapters of my love story with my mate? Will time stand still for one moment to tell me that this person, this one person, out of all the billions bustling on the planet -- is the One? Will I recognize when it happens? Or might I miss it? Some questions are probably best left unasked. I know I should push them aside and wait for life to unfold its mysteries.

Someday when I'm older and wiser, I'll sit back and tell my story to someone who will listen. And as I tell my story, will I remember the doubts and questioning prayers of today? Or will I have forgotten the silent longings; will they wash away like footprints on an ocean shore? I'll probably tell some young fool the same things I get tired of hearing from others. I'll tell her to bide her time, "for it sure work out in the end." And of course, "you can't rush these things."

Someday I'll have a story to tell. How will I respond when one day I look back on my love story? Will it bring tears of joy or tears of remorse? Will it remind me of God's goodness or my lack of faith in that goodness? Will it be a story of purity, faith and selfless love? Or will it be a story of impatience, selfishness and compromise? It's my choice. I am encouraged (and continue to remind myself) to write a love story with my life that I'll feel proud to tell. - Excerpt from "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris

An axiom in mathematics means that if your premise is incorrect, then your conclusion is bound to be wrong as well. Use the wrong formula and the answer is certain to be incorrect.

But who knows which is the right way? No one, except God... we can always ask Him for guidance. I remember asking the Lord, "Lord, how will I know if he is the one for me?" For some, it might come as a coincidence, but for me I take it as His answer to my question.. reading from Isaiah 18:3b "When a banner is raised on the mountains, you will see it, and when a trumpet sounds, you will hear it."

Simply telling me that when love comes knocking at my door, I will hear it and when the right one comes, I will surely see him and not miss the start of my love story.. God is good... God is great... and He loves me so... I can simpy trust Him to take me to the right place at the right time when I am ready. I surrender to the One who knows the best things for me.

Run To You

2008-11-16T20:03:00.010+08:00

Last November 3, I celebrated my 10th spiritual birthday. It was in 1998 that I truly accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I was at the same time entering the leadership at our church that time.

I remembered that as I was praying about my commitment, the Lord asked me, "Will you still continue serving me, even during this difficult times?" I was forced to resign then from my work and by January the following I have no more job. That was a very painful experience for me. It was my first job and I failed.

I told the Lord that I will serve Him still even at the difficult times of my life. I just want to obey. I will trust in Him.

After 5 months, my brother told me that someone from Insular Life was calling me. I said to him, "Why would they call? I didn't buy any insurance. And I don't even apply for a job there." But anyway, I called and the person I talked to, told me that they were trying to contact me for almost two months. He even asked my cousin on how to get to Bulacan, just so to get in touch with me. There was a job opening for a programmer and he thought that I can fill it in.

I took the exam the next day and they told me to call after the Holy Week for the results. I passed the exam! Yahoo! Then came the panel interview with the 3 bosses... After the interview, me job offer agad! Hehe...

Everything that followed is history. After 3 months of probationary period, I was regularized! After 6 months, I got promoted to analyst/programmer position. After a year, another promotion for a systems analyst I and systems analyst II after another year. After 3 years, (medyo matagal...hehehe) my promotion as a senior systems analyst came.

God had been faithful to me through all the seasons of my life. I can and will always run to Him at all circumstances... whether on sad times... or on good times... He proved His faithfulness. I can always depend on Him just as you can also depend on Him. He loves you as much as He loves me.

As part of my celebration and thanksgiving unto Him who remained faithful, I did a special number presentation in our church last November 10. I may not have the most beautiful voice (nanginginig pa nga at nasisintunado...), but I want to share this song... May it minister to you just as it has ministered to me.

P.S. Thanks to Pepito for playing the guitar and at the same time sa pagback-up. :)

RUN TO YOU - Twila Paris
Faster now than ever, I run to You
Now I know You better, I run to You
I am a little older now, You know it's true
Maybe a little wiser, too, I run to You

And I can see deeper than I did before
I do believe, never have I been so sure
That I need You every minute, every day
That I need You more than I could ever say

Ooh, I run to You
Ooh, what else would I do?
I run to You, ooh,
I run to You Ooh

Even on the sad days, I run to You
Even on the good days, too, I run to You
Even before all else fails, You know it's true
You are the wind in my sails, I run to You

And I can see deeper than I did before
I do believe, never have I been so sure
That I need You every footstep, all the way
That I need You so much more than I can say

meron akong kwento...

2008-11-05T21:13:00.007+08:00

All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me completely. Yan ang sabi sa Bible, yan ang mababasa sa 1 Corinthians 13:12b.

Meron akong kwento, hindi ko pa lang maikwento... hehehe

Kahapon ako'y nagdiwang ng aking kaarawan... (Oist! sapat na yung malaman mong birthday ko kahapon, wag mo ng itanong kung ilang taon na ako sapagka't di na ako nagbibilang ng aking edad mula nang ako'y mag-debut... LOL!)

Balik tayo sa kwento ko... November 3, mga past 10pm na ako nakarating ng bahay pagtapos ng aming meeting sa church. Kahit na pagod ang aking katawang lupa, for the first time in history... hindi ko alam kung anong nagtulak sa akin na antayin ang ika-12 ng umaga ng November 4. Habang aking inaantay ang pagtuntong ng alas dose, ang aking ginawa'y nanalangin sa Panginoon. Akin ring inilagay sa "flight mode" ang aking cellphone at ng ako'y di maistorbo ng anumang text messages, sapagkat ang nais ko'y makapiling ang Panginoon... siya at ako lamang... :) Natapos ang aking panalangin, aking tinanong Siya kung ano ang kanyang mensahe para sa aking kaarawan...

At ito ang aking nabasa na tunay naman na nangusap sa aking puso:

Is it not my family God has chosen?
Yes, He has made an everlasting covenant with me
His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail
He will ensure my safety and success. - 2 Samuel 23:5

Ang mga talatang ito ay nagbalik sa akin noong taong 2002 ng una kong tanungin ang Panginoon, kung ako ba'y mag-aasawa pa o hindi na... Nakakatuwa sapagkat sa aking devotion, ang aking nabasa ay mula sa Ecclesiastes 4:12 "Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. A cord of three strands cannot easily be broken".

At sa pagbuklat ko ng aking devotion mula sa "From This Verse" ay ito ang nakalagay...

One Plus One

Often in my ministry I'm asked to prepare a marriage ceremonies from today's passage, for it tells us that one plus one equals more than two. A good marriage exceeds the sum of its partners.

Charles Wesley thought so, too. Charles isn't as famous as his brother John Wesley, the founder of Methodism; yet Charles' hymns are far better known than John's sermons. All over the world, Christians still sing, O For a Thousand Tongues; Christ The Lord Is Risen Today, Hark The Herald Angels Sing and Jesus Lover of My Soul.

Charles wrote hymns day and night, sometimes jumping off his horse and running into nearby houses, shouting, "Pen and ink! Pen and ink!" He reportedly composed 8,989 hymns during his lifetime, an average of ten poetic lines every day for fifty years. He was still writing hymns on his deathbed.

When Charles fell in love, he wrote his love letters in the form of hymns, composing forty of them, right up to his wedding day.
He was forty years old and had met Sally Gwynne, who was half his age, while on a preaching trip in Wales. Sally's father, a wealthy landowner and magistrate, had initially opposed the Methodist movement, but he came to be one of the Wesley's most enthusiastic supporters.

As Charles pondered his love for Sally, and as he studied Ecclesiastes 4, he brought the two subjects together in a hymn that began:

Two are better than one
For counsel or to fight
How can one be warm alone
Or serve his God aright?

The couple was married on August 3, 1749, at Garth, Wales with John officiating. Charles preached at their honeymoon spot for two weeks, then left for an evangelistic tour. Their marriage, however, was a happy one, and Charles soon cut back on his journeys, deciding that two, after all, are far better than one.

Pagtapos kong manalangin, akin ng ibinalik sa Phone mode ang aking cellphone upang makatanggap ng mensahe... Meron naman akong natanggap na mensahe, isang pagbati ng maligayang kaarawan mula sa isang taong di ko pa mapangalanan... saka na lang pag sigurado na ako... hahaha

Meron akong kwento.. hindi ko pa lang maikwento sapagkat nasa unang bahagi pa lang ang Diyos ng kanyang pagsusulat ng aking sariling kwentong pag-ibig. Ayaw ko Siyang pangunahan kaya't mananatili muna ang bawat pangyayari sa aking puso't isipan.. saka ko na lang ibabahagi sa inyo kapag ang lahat ng ito'y naging malinaw na sa aking isipan... at makita ng totohanan. Uy, excited.. hahaha!

It Was Very Good!!! (A++)

2008-10-05T20:26:00.006+08:00

October 1 was declared to be a holiday to celebrate the end of Ramadan. It concludes with a 3-day festival known as "Eid" or "Eid ul-Fitr," which literally means "the feast of the breaking/to break the fast."

Since it's a holiday and for a change, I stayed at home but still in front of my computer (hahaha!). I was not in the mood to compose any blog post and I then decided to make some change on my blogsite.

Thanks to split decisionz! It made my life easier to have a new blog look! (Parang nagpa-parlor lang, hehehe). The site gave some tips, tricks and some sites where I can download some good templates.

1. For the template, I used the 3-column scribe template found at Blogcrowds. I then changed the brown background to a background image I got a from citrusmoon.
2. For the header, I created it with the help of photoshop. That picture was taken when we are riding a ferry boat going to Dos Palmas, Palawan. The other picture was downloaded long ago, (so don't ask me where I was able to get it... kasi matagal ng panahon yun... past is past! hahaha). Put a verse from the Bible, Job 23:10-11 and of course my blog title.

Some of the tricks I used:
a. No scroll background.
b. Use of blogs divider image. I mixed and matched the elements, text, flowers and of course, the shoes! I thought that it would be best to put it here since my theme speaks of a journey.. hahaha.
c. Use of marquee to make the "Standing on a solid ground" text to move and scroll automatically.

It was not easy for me, since I am not a web designer. I have to study the codes, did some trial and error to see if that change matched with what I want to do with my blogsite. HTML codes and COBOL codes are very different! hahaha! But come to think of it... I'm beginning to like web designing! (LOL!) I am amazed at how I can mix the colors and the images, until I am satisfied.

A thought came to me as I was designing this blogsite. When God was on the process of creation, the earth, the sun, the moon, the rivers, the oceans, the animals and the human beings... did it brought Him satisfaction? The same kind of high I got when I was able to add some thing new to my design?

I have no doubt, God was satisfied! For Genesis 1:31 says,

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!

God never used a trial and error method like I did. For if He used that we might have different faces everyday or every minute! (LOL!) I wouldn't want that.

This blogsite still is a work in progress. I still have to edit my old posts so that it would be more readable and pleasing to the eye. I have to adjust the fonts and line spacing. I have to re-align those paragraphs and other images... Just got a lot of work to do...

But just as this blogsite a work in progress, I am also a work in progress. God has a lot of things to change me to be the woman that He wants me to be. God is shaping my character. God as my Creator knows what is pleasing to him, I just have to trust Him!

Father, I pray for You to put faith in my heart, a mountain-moving faith if that would be possible. At times when I can not see Your hand working in my life, I believe that I can trust Your heart. Lord, do unto me as You will.

This Site Is Under Construction

2008-10-02T21:17:00.001+08:00

I Will Go

2008-09-14T16:52:00.009+08:00

There's a song that has been on my cellphone for a long time now, but it's only yesterday that the meaning of the lyrics strike my heart... It was sung by Steve Green and I thought of sharing it to you, here it goes...

Give me ears to hear Your Spirit
Give me feet to follow through
Give me hands to touch the hurting
And the faith to follow You

Give me grace to be a servant
Give me mercy for the lost
Give me passion for Your glory
Give me passion for the cross

And I will go where there are no easy roads
Leave the comforts that I know
I will go and let this journey be my home
I will go, I will go

I'll let go of my ambition
Cut the roots that run too deep
I will learn to give away
What I cannot really keep
What I cannot really keep

Help me see with eyes of faith
Give me strength to run this race

I will go Lord where Your glory is unknown
I will live for You alone
I will go because my life is not my own
I will go, I will go, I will go

===============================================
Father, when thoughts of giving up come and visit me, You are the Hope I am clinging to... You showed Your strength when I am weak and You are the source of my strength. Thank You for showering me favor after favor. Thank You for opening up the Heavens and pouring out Your blessings. Thank You for smiling down on me.

Thank You for guiding me when I can not see and I am blinded by the mountains in front of me. You have said in Your word, that my faith in You can move mountains... I look to You just as a servant look to the hands of its master... You are my Lord, guide me I pray, strengthen the feeble hands... make me wise by knowing You and Your percepts everyday. Thank You for the unmerited favor. I can not and will not live without You in my life. Help me see with eyes of faith and give me strength to run this race ... I'm letting go of my ambitions and laying it into Your hands. I see my victory in You. ===============================================

I Knew My Shepherd (Psalm 23)

2008-09-01T13:48:00.007+08:00

There is a story of an old man and a young man on the same platform before an audience. A special part of the program was being presented. Each of the men was to repeat the Twenty-Third Psalm.
The young man, trained in speech and drama, gave in oratory, the Psalm. When finished the audience clapped for more so that they could hear his beautiful, modulated voice once more.
Then the old man, leaning on his cane, stepped to the front of the platform and in a feeble, shaking voice, repeated the same words. But when he was seated no sound came from the listeners.
Folks wiped tears as they seemed to pray. In the ensuing silence, the young man again stepped forward and made the following statement:
"Friends, I wish to make an explanation. You asked me to repeat the Psalm with your applause, but you remained silent when my friend was finished.
The difference? I shall tell you. I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd of the Psalm."
(The Shepherd's Psalm by Robert Strand from Especially For the Hurting Heart)

And here's a video I downloaded from YouTube wherein a little cute girl named Abby, recited Psalm 23. So cute!

Psalm 23 (New International Version)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Father, thank You for You are my Shepherd. You enjoyed to bless me in the presence of the enemy. You protect me in every step of the way. You have been my strength when I am weak, Your strength still shows even at times when I am strong. You guide me and lead me to the paths of righteousness. Surely, surely, surely goodness and mercy and Your favor follows me wherever I go. Thank You for loving me this much....

Myspace Smiley Moods Comments & Graphics

BE RADICAL!

2008-08-30T16:29:00.004+08:00

I am radically committed, I have Holy Spirit Power
The die is cast; I've stepped over the line
The decision has been made; I am now a disciple of His.
I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with no living, side-walking, small planning.
Smooth knees, colorless dreams, tainted visions, mundane talking, chimsy giving and dwarf goals
I no longer need man's pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits or popularity
Jesus has made my life right, first, tops and victorious.
He's one to be recognized, lean by faith, love by patience, live by prayer and labour by power.
I have no doubts, no borders, no limits and no fears
My face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow
My way is rough, my companions few, my God reliable, my mission clear.
I can not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice; hesitate in the presence of adversity
Negotiated at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up or slow up
'Til I'm preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, stayed up for the cause of Christ.
My destiny is irrevocable, my call is unchangeable, my bonus unstoppable and my compassion undeniable,
For I am a disciple of Jesus
I must go 'til He comes, give 'til I drop, preach 'til all know, and work 'til He stops
And when He comes to get His own, He'll have no problem recognizing me.
My color will be clear and that makes it clear!
Doesn't it? - Author Unknown

i got this one posted from a programme.

You Are Good!!!

2008-08-26T22:00:00.012+08:00

I just have to write this down. The problem I had last Saturday is now okay. I read the program and looked at the validation part. Eureka! I found it! Hahaha! I wanna dance! I wanna sing! Lord, You are just so good! You are great! Whoah! Weeeeeeeeeeeeh! Yippie! Yahooo!

Oh! I just can't contain it! O whoah! O whoah!

To think that I started reviewing the program at around 6p.m., because I was on "Effective Business Writing" Seminar for the whole day. And I got it by 6:30p.m. Weeeeeh! :) I may not be able to describe how happy I am! But I am just soooooo happy...

On the sideline: This morning while I was walking on my way to the office, I was listening to worship songs from my cellphone. God really has His ways of making me smile. The lyrics of the song was: "Shine Your light and let the whole world see..." But, what's funny, you may ask. A friend told me a story about the lyrics of the song. Since the singer was a foreigner and has an accent, his friend taught this was the lyrics: "Send the lion and let the whole world see..." . That may sound corny, but I really laughed when I remembered it.

About the seminar: I attended so many seminars and as always, part of it is the introduction. Speakers have used different techniques. Some may ask you to think of an adjective that describes you using the 1st letter of your name. Some may ask you the history of your name. Well, this morning it was different. Our facilitator gave us 10 minutes to compose a 2 stanza poem that would introduce ourselves. It was fun. And here's what I have done:

My name is Zha-Zha Esteban
I came from a happy family in Bulacan
I love to write stories in my blog
Though sometimes, I'm having trouble to log.

My dream is to travel the world and explore
To see its beauty and much more
I'll be in Palawan in September
All the places I go, I'll remember.

It made my day. I never thought I can compose a poem, time pressured. (LOL!) And what's more, I will be submitting my project for user acceptance testing! Whoah!

A Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-08-25T16:19:00.005+08:00

For Today…August 23rd, 2008

Outside my Window…It's a cold afternoon but the sky is clearing up after a rain...

I am thinking… about what to teach on Sunday... maybe from Isaiah 40

I am thankful for…my mom and my dad... and my brother and her wife who's in Dubai right now. for having a wonderful rest yesterday and last night...

From the kitchen…my dad preparing a cup of coffee.

I am reading…my bible, Isaiah 40. I am also re-reading the Purpose Driven Life Book by Rick Warren.

I am hoping…to finish my project at the office.

I am hearing…the fan and the keyboard. Outside, the birds are chirping.

Around the house…it's full of trees and plants.

One of my favorite things…traveling, reading a good book, sipping a hot coffee (when I like it...)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…attend my technical business writing seminar for 2 days, submit my project for UAT, finish my teaching for Sunday.

I accomplished since last week: sample birthday cards for our church members

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

The many faces of Zha-Zha... hahaha! These photos were taken May 2007 in Baguio during our Discipling The Next Generation Pilipinas (Youth Leader's Conference).

I joined in Miss Jocelyn's "A Simple Woman's Daybook...".

On Wings Like Eagles

2008-08-23T22:04:00.014+08:00

Most birds fly by flapping their wings. But not eagles. They are built for soaring, not flapping; that allows them to travel much farther on
less energy. It seems that God built into our planet invisible columns of hot air called thermals which rise up here and there from the earth's surface. Eagles know where to find thermals. They fly into these invisible updrafts, stretch out their wings, and are lifted higher and higher into the sky as though ascending on an elevator. They may rise as high as 14,000 feet, so high they cannot be seen from earth with the naked eye.
When they reach those heights, they emerge from the updraft, their wings will spread, and they soar this way and that way, downward and sideward, traveling for miles with very little exertion of strength.

It is a perfect picture. God himself is an invisible, uplifting thermal current. When we claim His promises and trust His Word, we are
spreading out the wings of faith and are caught up to a higher plane. We mount up with wings like eagles. We run without growing weary. We walk and do not faint.

The strength we need for holy, effective, victorious living comes not from frantically flapping through the air like sparrows in distress, but from gliding in the currents of God's grace. (From This Verse, Isaiah Ornithology, April 30)

Today, I was at the office at 7:30AM and left at 6PM. Yes, siree! I've worked overtime. I'm having trouble trying to find out why the accounting transactions I loaded to the system was not processed. I haven't fixed it. I still have not found it.

Ayoko na, masakit na ulo ko. Naiiyak na nga ako kanina. Kinakausap ko na yun computer ko, ayaw naman sumagot! Wah! (Normal ba sa linya ng mga programmer o analyst ang kausapin minsan ang computer na walang malay? Maybe... malay mo sumagot at sabihin sa iyo ang mali mo.. o di ba? hehehe)

Napagod ako! Daig ko pa ang tumakbo sa marathon sa Olympics. Mas nakakapagod kaya ang magtrabaho maghapon and at the end of the day... di ka pa rin tapos. Naubos na ata ang butter cookies na baon ko, nakailang inom na rin ako ng tubig, ngunit wala pa rin nangyari. Nakailang beses na rin akong dumungaw sa bintana at baka nandoon ang kasagutan. Nakailang sabi ba ako ng, "Lord, please ipakita mo po sa akin ang error..." Pero di ko pa rin nakita.

Kumanta na nga ako, "Sometimes the very thing you're looking for is the one thing you can't see.... " O di ba? Tugma ang linya ng kantang "Save The Best For Last"? hehehe... (Naalala ko tuloy, ganito rin ang feeling ko non, nung araw ng defense para sa thesis namin, ngunit wala kaming maipapasa...) Haay! Baka mabaliw ako kaya umuwi na lang muna ako. I am awfully tired. Two months ng ganito ang buhay ko, overtime, overnight! Naisip ko nga, ang gusto ko lang sa mga oras na ito ay isang mahaba at kumpletong tulog. Maybe, I should learn from the eagles...

Maybe I was tired because I'm just flapping my wings and not soaring. God promised and this is what's keeping me on...

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength;They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired They will walk and not become weary. - Isaiah 40:31 New American Standard Bible (©1995)

"Lord, please renew my strength. You are the Source of Life... You are my strength. Amidst the pressures and tight deadlines, I still believe You are in full control. Show me the right way, help me and give me wisdom. I remembered praying to You, to make me shine... I know this is one of the answers. Help me dear God and hear the prayers of Your servant. Help me soar with You on wings like eagles."

p.s. Oh! I have to finish that project. Btw, it's due on Tuesday... hahaha!

Here In My Life

2008-08-13T22:42:00.004+08:00

I have never walked on water
Felt the waves beneath my feet but
At your Word Lord, I’ll receive Your
Faith to walk on oceans deep

And I remember how You found me
In that very same place
All my failing surely would've drowned me
But You made a way

You are my freedom
Jesus you’re the reason
I’m kneeling again at Your throne
Where would I be without You
Here in my life, here in my life?

You have said that all the heavens
Sing for joy at one who finds
The way to freedom, truth of Jesus
Bought from death into His life

And I remember how You saw me
Through the eyes of Your grace
And though the cost was
Your beloved for me
Still you made a way!

You have a choice...

2008-08-10T19:27:00.010+08:00

There was a young girl who dreamed to finish school even at hard times. This girl didn't come from a wealthy clan or family. But she also experienced how it is to live abundantly when her dad was working abroad.

But, after some time her dad had gone home to the Philippines and decided to live and work there for good. Her dad became a driver of a good company. After a year or two, her dad was retrenched from work.

But still this young little girl was able to continue her studies through the help of her loving grandmother. Her grandma paid her tuition fees and gave her Php 1,500.00 every month as her allowance. That amount might have been sufficient. However, if you will remember her dad has no work and that allowance also became her family's source of daily food. At times, when Friday comes she has no more money to even pay for her transportation to go to school. It will be good if her aunt would lend her some money and she will be able to go to school.

She's already in College during those times. 3rd year College. One Friday morning, her mother was sick and they don't have any money. They were not able to borrow money from her aunt, so she will not be able to go to school that day. They have not eaten any breakfast at all. She laid down on their small sofa. Trying to forget how hungry she was, while tears roll down from her eyes, she fell asleep and when she woke up, it was already lunchtime. Still, they have no food at their dining table.

This girl told herself that day, "I won't let this happen again." She then worked as a municipal clerk with the help of her aunt. And because of God's favor and of some people, she was able to continue her studies while working at the same time. She made a letter that promises she will be extending working hours when she has no classes. But she will leave the office a little earlier than 5 o'clock.

Her class would start at around 3 o'clock in the afternoon. But most of the time, she will get out of the office 3 o'clock. She will need to travel at least an hour or two to get to school. Praise God, that everytime her teacher would check the attendance or give a quiz, she was already inside the classroom.

Months went by and her dad was able to find a good paying job. This girl then choose to resign from her work even if she is paid at Php 5,000.00 a month. She continued her studies and she graduated as a Computer Engineering. This girl is the author of this article.

Through the grace of God, if I were to go back at our life then, I can truly say that the Lord is good. In my decision to continue my studies, He held my hands and helped me to change my future.

I may not be rich, but I can say that God blesses us to have food everytime we want to eat.

Why am I writing this? This is my life. And I want to testify on God's goodness in my life. I want to share to everyone how God has changed my future.

My parents were able to finish vocational courses. They were not able to have a good-paying job to sustain all of our needs. Still, I am thankful that they have thought us perseverance and how to live life.

The past does not have to be your prison. You can never change your past, but you still have today and tomorrow in your hands. You have a voice in your future. You can give God the control over your life. You have the choice on what roads you will thread upon.

P.S. Please choose to live your life for God. He will never fail you. I surely know, He never fails me. He can also bless you... in many ways you just can't imagine.

Writing from my heart,

Zha-Zha

OREO Personality Test

2008-08-04T22:29:00.004+08:00

There are things that are just darn funny.

Somebody says that your personality could be determined by the way you eat Oreo cookies.

I wonder what they would come up next?

The Oreo Test?

Psychologists have discovered that the manner in which people eat Oreo cookies provides great insight into their personalities.

Choose which method best describes your favorite method of eating Oreo's:

1. The whole thing all at once.
2. One bite at a time.
3. Slow and methodical nibbles examining the results of each bite afterwards.
4. In little feverous nibbles.
5. Dunked in some liquid (milk, coffee...).
6. Twisted apart, the inside, then the cookie.
7. Twisted apart, the inside, and toss the cookie.
8. Just the cookie, not the inside.
9. I just like to lick them, not eat them.
10. I don't have a favorite way because I don't like Oreo.

Your Personality:

1. The whole thing
This means you consume life with abandon, you are fun to be with,exciting, carefree with some hint of recklessness. You are totally irresponsible. No one should trust you with their children.

2. One bite at a time.
You are lucky to be one of the 5.4 billion other people who eat their Oreo's this very same way. Just like them, you lack imagination, but that's ok, not to worry, you're normal.

3. Slow and Methodical.
You follow the rules. You're very tidy and orderly. You're very meticulous in every detail withevery thing you do to the point of being anal retentive and irritating to others. Stay out of the fast lane if you're only going to go the speed limit.

4. Feverous Nibbles.
Your boss likes you because you get your work done quickly. You always have a million things to do and never enough time to do them. Mental breakdowns and suicides run in your family. Valium and Ritalin would do you good.

5. Dunked.
Every one likes you because you are always up beat. You like to sugar coat unpleasant experiences and rationalize bad situations into good ones. You are in total denial about the shambles you call a life. You have a propensity towards narcotic addiction.

6. Twisted apart, the inside, and then the cookie.
You have a highly curious nature. You take pleasure in breaking things apart to find out how they work, though not always able to put them back together, so you destroy all the evidence of your activities. You deny your involvement when things go wrong. You are a compulsive liar and exhibit deviant, if not criminal, behavior.

7. Twisted apart, the inside, and then toss the cookie.
You are good at business and take risks that pay off. You take what you want and throw the rest away. You are greedy, selfish, mean, and lack feelings for others. You should be ashamed of yourself. But that's ok, you don't care, you got yours.

8. Just the cookie, not the inside.
You enjoy pain.

9. I just like to lick them, not eat them
Stay away from small furry animals and seek professional medical help -immediately.

10. I don't have a favorite way, I don't like Oreo cookies.
You probably come from a rich family, and like to wear nice things and go to up-scale restaurants. You are particular and fussy about the things you buy, own, and wear. Things have to be just right. You like to be pampered. You are a prima donna. There's just no pleasing you.

Eating Oreo cookies a study in people's personalities? I hope you won't take this seriously.

The best way to know your personality is to ask the people who are living with you.

But be prepared to hear things you may not like to hear. Develop the courage and honesty to become a better person in the process.

The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement, and it has to start with you and me.

Perfection comes, but not in this planet. Not yet. And so meanwhile, I'll go along with crazy little tests like the Oreo cookies test just to remind me that I still need a lot of working to do and a lot of improvement. And maybe, so do you, too. (From The Early Bird Catches The Worm But The Second Mouse Gets The Cheese By Francis J. Kong)

Last night, we had our quarterly Council of Leaders Fellowship. We had a team building theme this time. Part of the activity was a "pen and paper", wherein a sheet of bondpaper with our name on top, will be passed around to each member of the group. Each member will then try to write some of the person's characteristics and qualities within the labels: Continue Doing, Start Doing, and Stop Doing. Here are some of those in my lists:

Continue Doing:

Pagshe-share ng Word of God

Keep on smiling

Keep up the good works

Serving God

Being a blessing to others

Keep serving God and being always happy

Go on as a leader

Pagiging mabait (para bang daga ito? hehehe joke lang po)

Palangiti (yup, i'll always remember this... madalas makalimutan ko eh.. hehe)

Happy palagi (wow! naka-enervon ako! hehehe)

Mabait (lapis ang ginamit na pang-sulat dito)

Mabait (dito, ballpen na itim ang tinta.. hindi kaya isa lang ang nagsulat nito? O baka naman may cheating na nangyari? hehehe)

Tahimik (wow! siguro, di ko ito kakilala... tahimik daw ako eh, malamang, di ko siya nakakausap kahit minsan... hehehe)

Softspoken and quietness (dalawa na sila... hehehe)

Start Doing:

Ano ba? La me maisip eh (sige, mamaya tulungan kita mag-isip.. hehe)

Cell Groups (hmmm... tingnan ko ha... kung kayanin ng sked ko...)

Boyfriend (Joke) hehe (sorry) - drev... (hmmm, wishlist ba ito? di ko pa birthday.. hehehe pero sige, try kong gumawa ng boyfriend... pano ba paggawa nito? anyone? hehehe)

Have time for yourself (sige... salamat...)

Keep on smiling (hmmm... teka lang po ah, nangangalay ng pisngi ko sa pagngiti... pwede naman magpahinga kahit konti? hehehe)

Magkaroon na ng boyfriend (at nagkaroon nga... parang "magkaroon ng liwanag... at nagkaroon nga..." hehehe)

Smiling (eto na )

Mapagbigay (hmmm... start maging mapagbigay? kelan nga birthday mo? hehehe)

Ayos (di ko alam kung ang ibig bang sabihin nito ay magulo ako o magulo ang ayos ko... ano daw? hehehe)

Health Consciousness (Week?)

Discover more and aspire for higher calls (ge po... )

Stop Doing:

Overloading your schedules

Being masunget po!!! (at talagang "e" at hindi "i"? At pinagdiinan pa...hehehe)

Abuse yourself in work (child abuse daw!)

Minsang masungit (2 na silang may sabi)

Medyo masungit (3 na... hehehe)

Laging tahimik

Laging tahimik (eto na naman sila... cheating... hehehe)

Masipag (hmmm... hahaha so kelangan maging tamad na ako... hehehe.. ayoko ata nito...)

Abuse of health (teka lang po, malakas pa po ako... wala po akong sakit.. hahaha)

We know who we are. Other people have their own perception of who we are, depending on how we talk or act in front of them. We have to learn how to communicate to them, so that they also would know the "real" us.

P.S. Salamat po sa mga nagbigay ng kanilang mga katangian ko, sa iba na nagbigay rin ng wish kahit na di ko pa birthday, THANK YOU po. At least, alam ko kung paano po ako dapat pang magbago.

Single Life

2008-08-02T20:21:00.013+08:00

I received this SMS from a friend:

Pagiging single ay masarap..
solo mo tym mo,
walang dumadagdag sa problema..
di ka obligado mag text..

ang pagiging single talaga ay masarap..

pero di ko sinabi na MASAYA..

from a single's forum BENEFITS OF BEING SINGLE:

u get to focus on something u want to do...
u get to go out with friends anytime u want...
ur not answerable to anybody...just ur parents...hehehe
u get to go overtime with ur work
u get to meet alot of people (guys and girls alike)
u get to roam around the city without thinking na may magagalit sayo kasi naglalakwatsa ka....
and most especially....u have all the freedom u want

dagdagan ko pa....

di mo kelangan magreport minu-minuto kung nasaan ka na
di mo kelangan magpaalam kung may pupuntahan ka
di mo kelangan ang opinyon nya tungkol sa suot mo
pwede kang magsabi ng "Sama ko!" anytime
free kang gawin anuman ang gustuhin mo (like enroll in a driving school, learn to cook, bake, etc)
pwede ka nilang i-link kahit na kaninong "available"
hindi mo kelangan alamin kung anong magiging reaction ng bf/gf mo pag nagpagupit o nagpakulot ka ng buhok
di mo kelangan bumili ng gift kapag bday ng bf/gf mo

kasi nga wala ka naman bf/gf... hehe

Kapag may kaibigan kang ikakasal... ikaw at kung kelan ka susunod ang siyang madalas na maging paksa ng usapan. Kahit nga pasko at bagong taon at mga reunions, madalas kang matanong, "Kelan ka mag-aasawa?" O kaya, kapag may nakasalubong kang kaibigan na matagal mong di nakita, eto ang tanong agad: "May asawa ka na?"... hehehe

Yung iba naman na kakilala mo, ayun! Aligagang-aligaga (busy) sa paghahanap ng pwedeng i-match sa iyo... merong tipong "boy-next-door" ang hitsura, minsan kulang na lang eh pati ang "boy" ng kapitbahay nyo ay ireto sa iyo... may "cute" at meron din namang "nakakata-cute". Pati nga nanay ng kaibigan mo eh ipinaghahanap ka... hehehe...

Natataranta ba sila na baka mahuli ka sa byahe? Samantalang, ikaw eh eto, nagpupuyat sa kasusulat ng blog entries, natutulog, kumakain, lumuluwas at umuuwi pag gabi... Patuloy pa rin ang buhay.

Sa mga nagtatanong, masaya ba ang pagiging single? OO naman... masaya ako eh.

At sa mga nagtatanong ulit, pinangarap ko bang maging single for life? HINDI.

Isa pang tanong, "may balak ka bang mag-asawa?" OO naman.

Ang sabi ng iba, "baka kasi mataas ang standard mo". Ang tanong, alam ba nila ang standard ko? May nagtanong na ba kung anong standard ko? hehehe

Ang sabi ng iba, "baka naman pihikan ka?". Ay oo naman... alangan naman pumili ako ng batong ipupukpok ko sa ulo ko... hehehe

Naalala ko ang biro sa akin ng dati kong officemate na si Manny, "Dapat maglagay ka na ng SIGNBOARD sa harap ng bahay nyo, "WANTED: Husband. No Requirement basta lalaki. Benefits: Lot with Title" (hindi ko na maalala kung ano pa yun ibang benefits na sinabi nya.. hehehe)

Well, hindi ako yung klase ng babae na "ligawin" as in araw-araw eh may umaakyat ng bahay (kasi wala kaming hagdan? hehehe). Pero may mga nagtangka naman (kahit konti). May sobrang kulit, ayun nabusted tuloy. hehehe... May foreigner pa nga... busted din, muslim eh. hehehe

Tapusin na natin ang entry na ito, at ako'y inaantok na.

Para sa akin, masaya ako sa estado ng buhay ko.. sa pagiging single. Kung nangangarap ako na ikasal at magka-asawa, oo naman. Siguro, di pa lang dumarating yun tamang lalaki para sa akin (pero, sana nama't isinilang na siya! sana.. sana... hehehe). Maaaring pareho kaming "under construction" pa. Inihahanda para maging maayos ang buhay may asawa. Hindi ko rin alam, baka nga maging "single for life" ako. Only God knows and I trust Him.

Ang punto ko lang naman... "Be happy in whatever stage of life you maybe in right now. For who knows, God will bless you with that GOOD THING you were praying for, when He sees that you are contented and thankful for who you are and where you are now."

Single life may be only a stage of a life's journey, but even a stage is a gift. God may replace it with another gift, but the receiver accepts His gifts with thanksgiving. This gift for this day. The life of faith is lived one day at a time, and it has to be lived -- not always looked forward to as though the "real" living were around the next corner. It is today for which we are responsible. God still owns tomorrow. - From "Let Me Be A Woman" by Elizabeth Elliott

When it's not yet time

2008-07-31T22:07:00.014+08:00

21When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23and pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”
24So Jesus went with him.
25And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed. 29Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31”You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’”
32But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
35While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?”
36Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.”

Jairus’ pleading with Jesus was heard. Jesus went with Jairus! The fact that Jesus will go to their house, there’s a sure blessing – assured blessing! But along the way, someone has touched Jesus’ garment.

Jairus’ blessing of healing for her dying daughter was disrupted. The assured blessing become a disrupted blessing. Someone has touched the hem of Jesus’ clothes and Jesus noticed that power has gone out of him. As if it was not enough, Jesus tried to find out who touched him!

We saw how Jesus healed the woman and it was a blessing to her. But to Jairus, it was a disrupted blessing, an interruption of Jesus to go to their house and heal her dying daughter.

Is it not enough that the bleeding woman has already received healing? What’s the use of identifying who was it that touched Jesus?

For the woman, it is to complete her healing. The woman felt that she was healed, her bleeding stopped. Jesus wanted to complete her healing.

For Jairus, the disrupted blessing tells him to:

a. Wait for the perfect time.

What was the situation here? Jesus was crowded with so many people, pressing on him. I believe many of these people were trying to take hold of this opportunity to touch Jesus! Many of them were trying so hard for them to have even just a glimpse on Jesus, much so to touch him. Did Jesus suddenly forget that he is coming with Jairus to heal her dying daughter? Of course not! But why in the world, was Jesus still trying to find out who is that someone that has touched him? Is it not enough that the bleeding woman received her healing?

Can you imagine the reaction here of Jairus? If we are to remember, he is running out of time because his daughter is at the point of death. And here was Jesus, still trying to find out who has touched him? Does it really matter to Jairus? Is it important for him? What does it matter, if Jesus found out who has touched him? What will happen if he was able to find who it is that was healed?

Did we see Jairus, so anxious and might be saying to Jesus, “Lord, can’t you see? There are so many people out here pressing on you, how in the world will we be able to identify who that person was?” But, did we hear it from Jairus? It was not told in the Bible, what was the reaction of Jairus while Jesus was looking for the person who has touched the hem of his garments. Only the disciples’ reaction was noted here. I suppose Jairus might have felt the same way, or more. Anyway, he is just the father of a dying child. However, Jairus never said a word, he waited for Jesus. He waited for the perfect time.

What does it mean to us? When we know that our need is in God’s hand, the only thing we have to do is wait. We have to wait for the perfect time.

b. Keep the faith.

The reality of the disrupted blessing finally came in front of Jairus. While Jesus was still speaking to the woman, some men came from the house of Jairus, and told him, “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?” But Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.”

After Jairus have waited for Jesus to finish his dealing with the woman, here comes men from Jairus’ house and told him that his daughter is dead and it is no use to bother the Lord anymore.

Could you imagine what Jairus might have felt after hearing the news that his daughter had died? Could you feel what he felt? If I were to imagine his reaction, he could have said to the Lord Jesus, “Oh Jesus, did you hear the news? My daughter is now dead! If only you and I have walked directly home and ran instead of bothering who has touched you such as you did, oh my daughter could still be touched by you and be healed! But what now? She is now dead!” Oh, could you see and feel the anguish on Jairus’ heart, right at this moment? His daughter is now dead! There’s no use to bother Jesus. Oh, if only…
But, again those were not written in the Bible. It was just my imagination of what our true reactions as human often do. The true story was, Jesus have told Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.” It’s as if Jesus was saying to Jairus, “Don’t worry. Just believe and everything will be alright. I will prove to you who I am… everything will be all right. Just believe”. KEEP THE FAITH!

LIFE APPLICATION:

Like Jairus, are you in the same situation right now, wherein your blessing seemed to be disrupted? Know that God knows the perfect time to give you the blessing. It could be “disrupted” as of now, because God wants you to be ready to take hold of that blessing. He wants you to learn how to take care of that GREAT BLESSING He would be giving you in His time. It could be God is preparing you to be just the “right vessel” of that one GREAT BLESSING. If now you are just like a glass that can take hold of just a glassful of water, how can He give you a “pitcherful” of water? The overage of that pitcherful of water will just be wasted. Wait for the perfect time till you are able to take hold of what God wants to give you, just keep on keeping on. Keep the faith!

Just like Jairus, I may not understand it right now, but all I am asked is to wait and keep the faith.

God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God
- Steven Curtis Chapman

The Father's Love

2008-07-27T20:15:00.008+08:00

An intimate message from God to you...

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1 Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect Father. Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalm 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4 And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7 I have always been Father and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is... will you be my child? John 1:12-13 I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.

All you need to do is simply believe that Jesus died in your place to make a way for you to be born into His family. The following words might help you express your thoughts to God.

Father, I want to come home. Please make me your child. I turn from my sin and accept your forgiveness made possible through Your Son, Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. I place my faith and trust in Jesus alone to save me. Thank you for making me part of your family. Would you like to come home?

an intimate message from god to you © http://www.fathersloveletter.com/

Let Me Be A Woman

2008-07-27T17:04:00.008+08:00

I am currently starting to read a new book which I borrowed from Grace, entitled "Let Me Be A Woman" by Elizabeth Elliot. (Actually, it's my birthday gift to her last year.) Quoting from the book;

"Lord, I give up all my plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever." - Betty Scott Stam

I am at the phase of my life where, no longer I lives in me. My everything wholly surrendered to God's great plans for my life. I do not know but I am very much at peace with myself. All I know is that God loves me, He is in control of my life. I want to pray like Betty Scott Stam had prayed. Let me be a woman. And what kind of a woman? I want to be a woman God wanted me to be.

God reminded me of Proverbs 31:10-31 (Amplified Bible), where the true traits of a woman is defined:

A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on
and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].
She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household's food from a far [country].
She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.
She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength]
she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.
She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].
She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].
She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.
She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].
Her husband is known in the [city's] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service].
Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;
she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!
She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.
Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],
Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.
Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears
the Lord, she shall be praised!
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!

As I am waiting patiently for the right man to come into my life. I pray to be a woman for God; who has the following character:

Trustworthy and honest.
Comforter, encourager and supporter [of her husband].
Obedient
Good manager and good steward [of their finances].
Knows how to enjoy life.
Giver
Industrious
Secure
Wise when to speak and not to speak
A crown to her husband
Fears the Lord

It's not just a wishful thinking, it's gonna be a long road to travel. It will be my life-long journey...

You are not forgotten

2008-07-26T20:45:00.005+08:00

Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow nor reap but Your Father in heaven feeds them. Or look at the grass that is here now and tomorrow is thrown out into the fire, not even Solomon in his splendor has been dressed so magnificently like them. Your Father in heaven knows all that you need. He knows the plans He has for you. He sees each tear that falls. He knows the number of your hair. All of your days have been ordained. Your future decided. You are not forgotten. Continue to declare, "Surely, surely God's goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

He knows my name.
He knows my everything
He sees each tear that I've cried
And He hears me when I call

I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
God knows my name.

NOTES: Yesterday together with our SPs (senior personnel)staff we went to Hacienda Monica, Lipa, Batangas. Our purpose is to have planning session for 2009.

This morning, while I was alone at the veranda and taking a view of the trees and grass and the wonderful sky, I prayed. These things were God's impression to me this wonderful morning. That's how God cares for me. And you can count on it. I love the Lord of my youth, He is still the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He holds my future in His hands.

Badminton 101 (Friendship 101)

2008-07-20T21:09:00.016+08:00

Last Friday, 18 July 2008 our division had a Badminton Tournament. Whoah! Such a big name "Tournament"! But basically, it was just a fun game. I'm a badminton player since I was in High School and then when I went to College, I took it as one of my P.E. subjects. But, no, don't get me wrong! It still doesn't mean that I'm a great player at that!

NOON: Ang aming playing court nung ako'y High School ay ang kalsada sa tapat ng bahay ng aking lola! Larong kanto, ika nga! Habang ang aking raketa ay nabili lamang sa tindahan ng Evelyn's (ang school and other supplies store sa aming bayan sa Bulacan...) at ang shuttlecock namin ay plastik na kapag malakas ang hangin.. siguradong iiskor ka dahil di matatantya ng kalaban mo kung san babagsak. At kung minsan nama'y babalik sa iyo ang bola ng hindi naman tinira ng kalaban (Whew!) hehehe

NGAYON: Kuntodo porma, ang raketa ay Wilson o di kaya'y Yonex (na hiniram lang din naman sa kaibigan...). White mini-skirt at kulay asul na Penshoppe t-shirt plus Adidas na rubber shoes (hiram lang din!) hehehe. Inisip kong bumili sana ng rubber shoes na pang-badminton (yun may gum sole, sabi ng salesman!) para sa araw na iyon, (naks! ang yaman!), ngunit wala naman akong magustuhan. Kaya nanghiram na lang ako sa aking kaibigan (buti na lang at meron pa siyang isang rubber shoes na gagamitin!).

Mula ata Martes, ang PAKner kong si Papsi ay inaasar na ako. Ayaw daw niya akong PAKner. Ang gusto niyang maging partner ay yun partner ng gusto niyang partner ko! (ang gulo ba? hehehe) Basta, ayaw nya akong PAKner!

Huwebes. Kami'y magkasabay kumain ng merienda, kasama ang iba pang katropa. Yung gusto niyang maging partner ay nag-backout na, dahil nagkasakit ang anak. Ngunit ayaw pa rin niya sa akin. Aba! Sumasama na ang loob ko ha! Parang hindi na ito biruan lamang. Kaya nasabi ko sa kanya, "Papsi ha, malapit ng sumama ang loob ko sa iyo! Malapit na akong mapikon! Ayaw mo ba talaga sa akin? Sige, di na lang ako maglalaro bukas!" Yun ay birong may halong katotohanan. Sapagkat, malapit na talaga akong mapaiyak ng mga oras na iyon. (Hmmm... lam mo yun feeling busted ka? O yun nireject ka ng kaibigan mo?) Yun ang nararamdaman ko ng mga panahong iyon. Pero, sige tuloy pa rin ang biruan namin.

Biyernes ng umaga. Naglabas na ng official line-up ang aming organizer. Whoala! Hmmm... eh ang pumalit sa gusto niyang maging partner ay ang dati niyang ka-loveteam (biro lang po...). This is my redeeming time! I dared him if he still wants to change partners (ang tapang ko! kasi alam kong wala siyang lakas ng loob gawin yun sa mga pagkakataong iyon hahaha). So it leaves him no choice but to play with me as his Pakner! (LOL!)

Oras na ng pagtutuos, wala na ang sama ng loob ko sa aking PAKner. Unang laro namin, ang kalaban namin Burt and Erick na sa tingin ko ay malakas sa amin. But who cares? The Care Bears? haha! Let's dance papsi! (Ang yabang naka-iskor kasi! hahaha)

We enjoyed the game even if we lost. Not bad! At least we had fun! We had another game, this time with Nanie and Eyen, but we also lost. We had fun still.

Sabi ni Jacq (isa sa juvah girls), dapat daw ay ipa-frame ko ang picture naming ito ng aking PAKner, kasi ang dami daw pinagdaanan. Natuto din ako dito sa kaganapang ito, "A friend loveth at all times." Maaaring may maganda namang motibo si Papsi sa pagpipilit niya na iba na lang ang maging partner ko. Sadya lang kung minsan, ako'y pikon (hehehe). Siguro, kaya din ako nasasaktan kasi hindi alam ni Papsi, pinapili ako between him and Franz.. siyempre, siya ang pinili ko, dahil alam kong mag-eenjoy akong maglaro dahil kaibigan ko ang PAKner ko.

Mababaw lang siguro itong pinagdaanan namin bilang magkaibigan, pero dadaan at dadaan talaga sa pagsubok ang friendship ng kahit na sino at iyon ang magpapatibay sa inyong pagkakaibigan. Ang mahalaga sa bandang huli, "you will still stay friends, di ba papsi?"

A friend loves at all times. - Proverbs 17:17
more ISD Badminton Pictures at this link.

LOVE IS...

2008-07-19T14:45:00.004+08:00

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back,But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. ( I Cor 13: 1-10 The Message)

Loving good people is as easy as counting from 1 to 3. Loving the unloveable is as hard as chemistry, advanced math, calculus (both differential and integral)... Now, did you get it?

God calls us to love our enemies. I tell you, it's difficult but it can be done. Why? Because, God himself did it to us. He gave us His son Jesus Christ to die on the cross, to save you and me from death. You asked, "Wow! that's incredible!"... Some may say, "What kind of Father can do such a thing?". Yes, that's how great God's love is for you and me. That is the GREAT TRUTH.

We can love because God first loved us. Love is...

P.S. If you haven't accepted Jesus Christ to be your personal Lord and Savior, don't you think it's about time? You may pray,

Lord Jesus, thank you so much for loving me. I confess that I am a sinner worthy of eternal punishment. Thank you for dying on the cross to pay for all of my sins. With your help, I am turning away from all my sins. Today, I put my trust in you as my Lord and Savior and I receive you into my heart. Thank you for forgiving my sins and for coming into my heart. I accept your free gift of eternal life. Thank you that one day, I will go home to be with you in heaven. From this day on, I will follow and obey you. Amen.

Well Done...

2008-07-19T12:54:00.009+08:00

In this year's DNG, the song "My Reward" by Paul Baloche was shared to us by Kuya Boyette. The lyrics really spoke of what's inside my heart now...

I want to hear you say words to me "Well done"
I want to hear you say "Good and faithful servant"
I want to hear you say "I've prepared a place for you"
Let all the treasures of this world, fade away.

Jesus, you are my reward.
To hear your voice on that day,
Is all I'm looking for.
Jesus, you are my reward.
To see your face on that day,
Is all I'm living for.

Lagi natin naririnig ang salitang "Well done" kapag umoorder tayo ng steak o kaya fried eggs. Kung minsan, sinasabi natin ito para sabihin sa isang kamanggagawa (naks! lalim!) sa isang bagay na ginawa niyang maganda. Isang tapik sa balikat, isang pagsasabing "ang galing mo, pare ko!".

In the Bible, it can be found in Matthew 25:21. It says "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord."

Those words, I long to hear when I come home to heaven with my Lord. "Well done, my child." But I know that even now, I can experience God's faithfulness and I can taste and see the goodness of my Lord. I want to be a good steward of all the things, blessings, talents and abilities God has entrusted to me, even on my finances. For I know, that if I can take care of these little things, God will entrust me more and more great things. As Spiderman said, "Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: "With great power comes great responsibility." It should come hand in hand.

GREAT POWER = GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.

Your success may not come at the precise time when you expect it, or in the way which you anticipate. It may not come so that you yourselves shall see it on earth. But success is CERTAIN in the end. Out of the work come consequences of good - immense if unseen. In all your life, remember this! Expect the time when the Son of Man, no more invisible, shall be revealed; and when by Him shall be opened to you that grand and bright expanse of heaven in which he may say to all of us: "On earth,
ye have been the rulers over a few things; a few facilities, a few knowledges, a few opportunities: Lo, I will make you rulers over many things, in this kingdom of my Father."

God is still at work...

2008-07-16T22:51:00.008+08:00

Dave was raised on the mission field in Africa, and after he completed his seminary training he took a position in a local church, still searching for the right one who could go back to Africa with him. He kept looking over the crowd every Sunday morning to see if a new face had appeared. Finally he asked my advice, “What do you think I should do?” What do you think God wants you to do with your life?” I inquired. “I think God wants me in Africa ,” he responded.

“I said, “Then you had better get moving that direction.”

Sudan Interior Mission, the group that Dave was serving, needed him on a rather remote outstation a distance from Addis Ababa. “Great chance of finding a wife there!” people told Dave. Nonetheless, he went.

Meanwhile an Australian nurse felt called by God into medical missions. She was single but hope to meet someone who shared her vision of missionary medicine. Nobody even came close to being answer. Finally she joined the same mission Dave had joined. They told her about a medical in a pretty remote area outside Addis Adaba. Her family and friends told her, “If you go there, you’ll end up being an old maid for sure.”

Putting the will of God above “finding the right man,” she packed and went to Africa.

You guessed it. They met, fell in love and married.

Believe it or not, they both had lived in the same apartment complex in the same city, on the same street, but had to go 7,000 miles away to meet each other, fall in love, marry and have a family. (I got this story from jhunnelle's blogsite.)

This is the 2nd story I read about "serendipity" or destiny as you may want to call it. The 1st story I read was about Shelby. They may all sound fictional to you, but I believe that they are true. Even if they were not, there is one story that is real. You may visit jhunnelle's blogsite and read about how her fiance met her.
Now, you might be asking, "Who's Jhunnelle?". Well, I don't know her either. We haven't met. But, one night as I was trying to look for a write-up about "Touch of Glory", I found her blogsite. Of course, instantly as I read her posts nakarelate agad ako. We are of the same age. We are both Born-Again Christian. We both have the same struggles in waiting for the "right man" in our lives. I was inspired about her story. I believe that God has led me to her blogsite to tell me that He is still at work.
God is at work in our lives all the time. Every need, every desire, every little things or minute details of our lives are in His mind all the time. Our every call is heard. Every tear that falls, he sees. Every thoughts in our minds, he knew. He is the author of life. He is also the author of our love story.
And one day, I am hopeful and prayerful that I will be able to post my own love story God has wrote about in this blogsite.

You may have a struggles or difficulties in your life. It might be something about your job, school, relationships, finances or anything that you think matters to you. I just want to encourage you on one thing, "God is at work in our lives! He loves you so much. There is nothing good for us that He will withhold. Just think, that if God has given His ONE and ONLY SON for you, what is that one thing will He not do for you?

If I Could Have Three Wishes...

2008-07-13T17:41:00.011+08:00

I borrowed a book from Ate Gina. It's entitled "Checklist for Women". I first read about Hopes and Dreams... the title, "If You Could Have Three Wishes". I would want to share to you some points from it...

If you have a desire in your heart, a dream that you wish would become a reality, here are some ways you can partner with God to make the dream come true.
Know what you want. Articulate it and clarify it. Visualize the end result. Set specific goals to turn your dream into a reality.
Take the dream to God and let Him show you whether it is worthy. Continue to come to Him in prayer as you work toward the goals you have set. Any worthwhile dream grows you as you grow it. Like a seed planted in rich soil, plant your dreams in the soil of God's love and guidance.
Do the work. Realize that it may take longer than you had planned. Remember that every detour and delay is an opportunity to learn something - often a lesson necessary for making your dream come true. Persevere. Don't give up.
Trust God to bring the dream to fruition in just the right time, just the right way. Delight in His ways and He will give you the desires of your heart. You can always trust God with your hopes, your wishes, and your dreams. Life may disappoint you, but God will never let you down.

What hopes, dreams, and wishes do I wish God would grant to me?

I dream that I will be debt-free by year 2009.
I dream to own a fully furnished house by 2009 and a car by 2008.
I dream that I will be a wife to the man God has prepared for me and be his support in all his endeavors.
I dream to have at least 4 children.
I dream for promotion.
I dream to retire from IT work in 2012 and be a teacher to pre-elementary students.
I dream to put up a business after or before retirement.
I dream to own a Jollibee franchise.
I dream to travel around the world and around the Philippines.
I dream to put up a home for the street children (orphanage).

Wow! I didn't realize that I have 10 BIG dreams! I thought I could make them on my own, but on the second thought, I'd rather work with God. I will partner with Him. All things are possible! Nothing is too hard for the Lord! I know it will happen in my lifetime! I am grateful to God for what He has already done in my past, I believe He is now working at present, but I am also excited about my future!

When I see these things, my heart will rejoice. I will flourish like the
grass! Everyone will see the Lord's hand of blessing on His servant. -
Isaiah 66:14 (personalized)

DREAM Again...

2008-07-12T19:04:00.005+08:00

Everyone has dreams. But sometimes, they become forgotten dreams... maybe because of the time waiting for them to happen, maybe because they grew tired of waiting or doing everything to make it happen. However, to no avail, nothing happens.

Me? I have great dreams! A few months back, I still have them in my heart. But somehow, tired of giving it a fight!

After spending time again with God... I've had the conviction that God would want me to dream again, dream great dreams for Him.. attempt great things for Him and expect great things from Him.

I've first heard of the Dreamer's Manifesto by Jordan Sebastian, May 2007 when Dr. Jun Vencer included it in his teachings... and so it goes...

I will dream, I will dream BIG and AMAZING and SPECTACULAR and AWESOME DREAMS.

I will live my dreams. And not compromise for the sake of security or safety or comfort.

I will jump out of my comfort zone and embrace change. CHANGE, whom I fear. CHANGE, whom I dread.

I will seek to live beyond what I can. BELIEVING that the GOD whom I trust is MUCH, MUCH BIGGER. And GREATER than any obstacle I may face.

I will face my fear. I will STOP running away from it and TURN AROUND.

I SURRENDER. I SURRENDER to my GREAT DESTINY, knowing deep in my heart I AM DESTINED for EXCELLENCE. I AM DESTINED for GREATNESS.

Not mediocrity. Not conformity. Not in arrogance, but with the MANTLE OF HUMILITY placed upon me.

Because this is not about me. This is ABOUT GOD.

And I will do all this not in TEN years from now, when I am free. Not FIVE years from now, when I have the money. Not ONE year from now, when I am steady. Not ONE week from now, when I know how. Not even TOMORROW because tomorrow is far from now.

I will LIVE MY DREAMS NOW and I will ACT NOW.

It's time to dream again. It's time to act on my dreams again.

Touch of Glory.. the 2nd Day

2008-07-12T11:13:00.010+08:00

July 5, 2008. The alarm on my phone woke me up at 4AM. But I decided to get up at 5AM. I washed my face, brushed my teeth and fixed my things (bible, check! journal, checked! ballpen, checked!)... I put it all in my bag... I brought also with me a digicam to take pictures of the mountain. I planned to take in the sunrise view at the mountaintop, but I wasn't able to find the trail to the mountain. And so I decided to go to the Prayer Hut, but there's no table.. and so I went to one of the prayer cells again.

At 830AM, I went out of the prayer cell and finally found the trail going to the mountain. I took pictures... here they are:

way up to the mountain...
at the mountaintop...

the lake at the center of the mountain...
this is the view from the bench where I rested...
i set my camera's timer.. and click! =P

para lang may souvenir ako... =P

After picture taking, I set off myself to talk to God and pray. There were some other people cleaning the area, but they don't stop me from seizing up these moments with God. I put my earphone on and played worship songs from my cellphone. One of the songs that strucked me was Rescue by Don Moen, it says...

You are the Source of life

I can't be left behind

No one else will do

I will take hold of You

Cause I need You Jesus

To come to my rescue

Where else can I go

There's no other name

By which I am saved

Capture me with grace

I will follow You

My heart is Yours for life

I need Your hand in mine

No one else will do

I put my trust in You

God spoke to me through His words in Ezekiel 36:26-38.

26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I
will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.*27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. 28 "And you will live in Israel, the land I gave your ancestors long ago. You will be my people, and I will be your God.29 I will cleanse you of your filthy behavior. I will give you good crops of grain, and I will send no more famines on the land.30 I will give you great harvests from your fruit trees and fields, and never again will the surrounding nations be able to scoff at your land for its famines.31 Then you will remember your past sins and despise yourselves for all the detestable things you did.32 But remember, says the Sovereign LORD, I am not doing this because you deserve it. O my people of Israel, you should be utterly ashamed of all you have done! 33 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When I cleanse you from your sins, I will repopulate your cities, and the ruins will be rebuilt.34 The fields that used to lie empty and desolate in plain view of everyone will again be farmed.35 And when I bring you back, people will say, 'This former wasteland is now like the Garden of Eden! The abandoned and ruined cities now have strong walls and are filled with people!'36 Then the surrounding nations that survive will know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruins and replanted the wasteland. For I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do what I say. 37 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am ready to hear Israel's prayers and to increase their numbers like a flock.38 They will be as numerous as the
sacred flocks that fill Jerusalem's streets at the time of her festivals. The ruined cities will be crowded with people once more, and everyone will know that I am the LORD."

These were God's promises to me and I know that I am blessed not because I deserve it, but it is because of His grace and mercy. For all the blessings and favors I received it is only by His grace.. by His grace that I am standing on my feet... it is by His grace. I know that I am a child of the King. I am blessed and favored. I will live my life to please my King... I know I will return to this mountain to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving because I met Him there and He answered my prayers... =P

A Visit to Touch of Glory... prayer mountain

2008-07-06T20:10:00.007+08:00

July 4, 2008. My heart is so excited in having a special date with the Lord. I would visit Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain to be refreshed and to get away from all the busyness of life... At 4:30PM, I readied myself and went out of the office. It is my first time to go to this place. I've been to other prayer mountains like Peniel in Tarlac, but this time it's different... I will go up to the mountains alone, to meet with my GOD.

What an adventure! Excitement filled my heart. I have never been to the place. All I know is that I have to take an FX from Cubao going to Cogeo Gate 2, then ride a jeepney going to Paenaan. My friend told me to tell the jeepney driver the place and the driver already knew the place.

From Alabang, I rode a bus going to Magallanes to take the MRT. I got off at Cubao Station, walk through Farmers Plaza and headed straight to Gateway. I took the escalator to go down and crossed the street to Araneta Avenue. I asked the guard where can I ride an FX going to Cogeo Gate 2. He said, here you can wait (wow! englisero si manong guard! hahaha).

There are so many people waiting for an FX, but no, no one's falling in line.. they just occupied a lane off the Araneta Avenue (hehehe, pinoy talaga!). The FX caller shouted, Marikina.. and I asked him if that could take me to Cogeo Gate 2. Well, he didn't answer me and shouted again Marikina!.. (suplado! hmp! hehehe).

I walked nearer and by God's grace, I finally got an FX ride going to Cogeo Gate 2. I paid a P100 bill and got a P70 change. Somewhere along Marikina, the driver picked up a passenger. The man paid I think P20, and he's asking for a change. He's insisting that he only owes P15 as fare. He said that only jeepneys have been authorized to have a fare increase. He's telling the FX driver that he is also a driver, a jeepney driver to be specific. Finally, he said that he will get off at Masinag and that it should be a P10 fare.. hahaha! (ang kulet!).

Finally, I arrived at Gate 2. I asked the man sitting beside me where was Cogeo Gate 2. He said, here we are. I also asked where can I ride a jeepney going to Paenaan. The people were very courteous and they tell me the directions. The rain has poured already and the road was muddied. I saw a jeepney with Paenaan on the signboard, but it was already full. I walked a little more and asked a student where can I ride a jeepney going to Paenaan and he pointed a jeepney with a signboard Paenaan. I was not able to control my kakulitan and said to the boy, "Oo nga, kaso sira.. hehehe". But the boy was so courteous and he smiled. I walked a little more and I was able to finally get a jeepney ride to Paenaan. I asked the driver how much, and he said P18 was the fare. I also asked him to drop me off the Prayer Mountain.

After 10-12 km drive, we arrived at the Prayer Mountain site. I saw a tricycle and asked if he could take me to the prayer mountain. He laughed and said, "malapit lang yun ma'am, lakarin mo na lang." Taking his advice, I walked... a little scared because the road was dark... no street lights. The only lighting came from the houses of the street. There was a man and a child walking alongside me, so I asked "where is the prayer mountain?" He pointed me to the gate of the Touch of Glory.

After registering, the guard take me to the female dorm site. I took the 1st bed near the door. I think there are about 6 more people to come, because at least 6 more beds were fixed and awaiting to be occupied.

I decided not to eat dinner and have a fast. I went to the prayer cell. I cried my heart out to God. Wrote to my journal, read the Bible. Pray even more.

From Isaiah 49:
The Lord called me from birth; from within the womb he called me by name.
He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me from
the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver.

He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel and you will bring me glory."

I replied, "But my work seems useless! I have spent strength for nothing and
to no purpose . Yet I leave it all in the Lord's hand; I will trust God for my
reward."

At 1030PM, I went back to my room. Washed myself, talked with Ram (she's one of my dormmates that night). And went off to sleep.

To The One

2008-07-03T23:24:00.005+08:00

I prayed to the Lord, for Him to give me a man after His own heart. A man who will love me and I will love for the rest of my life. Days passed by, the days grew into months, and the months went into years. Still, I waited for you to come my way.

It was never an easy thing to do, especially when all of my friends have already married and have their own families. Sometimes, the waiting gets the best of me and all that I can do is cry my heart out to the Lord.

I have no idea when you will come. When and how will our roads cross? When will I see you face to face? When? How? Where? These are the questions I do not know how to answer. It's up to God who takes control of my life.

How I would wish that it'll be sooner. I am very expectant everyday, hoping that it'll be that special day you will find me...

If a day passed by and you still have not come, I'd say "I am one day closer in meeting you..."

I pray to God that He will provide you eveything you needed to get here to me. May He give you the courage to tell me your feelings. I know that I am not an easy girl. But I pray that as God leads you to me, may He also give you discernment to know and see clearly that you are the one He has prepared for me. That just as He has promised me, that when love comes into my life, I will see it just as a banner is raised on a mountaintop or I will hear it just as a trumphet played a sound. It will be clear and it will come to pass.. it will happen in my lifetime...

I will believe... I believe... I believe...

My love will be with you... till that day...
~Zha-Zha~

just not in the mood

2008-06-24T22:22:00.002+08:00

what a way to start my day!

I left our house very early, as in I really expected to come to the office earlier. But to my amazement, it's the other way around.

The heavy traffic started at GMA Kamuning...up to Cubao. Then on the leftmost side of Edsa in Santolan, there was a pajero that crashed on the concrete barriers. At around 6:40am or so I was in Estrella already and waited for a bus going to Alabang. After 15 mins, a bus arrived and I was able to find me a seat near the driver's area. When we were in Buendia, wow! The bus driver's attention was called by an MMDA... It was already 7AM.

When we were in SLEX, the traffic was already building up... and in short I arrived at the office by 7:30AM... when in good days, I usually arrived at 6:30AM.

I don't know what gets into me, but I wasn't in the mood to work. I can't think about my project. I really tried to fight back the mood I was in, but I wasn't able to... WHAAAAAAAH! And I need to do technical review presentation by Friday.... so sad... just not in the mood.

p.s. sana bukas matino na ulit ako... =(

climb every mountain II

2008-06-09T11:37:00.012+08:00

some more pictures on our mountain climbing at mt. maculot...

emer, stef, me, ms angie and rhea

di ko nakuhang tumayo... di naman ako nalulula.. natakot lang akong mahulog... hehehe

at halos magpadausdos na lang ako... hehehe
sa wakas, nakatayo na ako! (pero tingnan mo, nakahawak ako kay stef... hehehe)

ayan oh! ang tindi pa rin ng kapit sa bato.. baka madulas ako.. hahaha

It was a nice experience since this is the 1st time I ever went mountain climbing. When I was younger, I have the courage to stand on great heights. I remember, when we were still in college and we went to Baguio... at Mines View Park and I was the only girl who went with guy classmates up to that rocky portion of Mines View just to have a picture. But, it was different now! I am not afraid for myself. I just thought of my parents and my brother. That's it, I thought of them as I climb the Rockies... I thought of, if I slipped and fell and died... who will take care of them... I am not afraid to die, because I know that I will go to heaven because I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

But thanks be to God I am still alive... and a friend told me, "You're not going to die yet.. God has more plans for your life.. and you ought to do them."

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. - Jeremiah 29:11

I'm still alive... nai-post ko pa nga pictures eh... hehehe

climb every mountain

2008-06-09T10:33:00.004+08:00

24 may 2008. first time to go mountain hiking... what an experience!
this is the start of the trail.... yabang pa! porma! hahaha...
after 3 stops, di ko na maintindihan pakiramdam ko... sinamaan ako ng katawan! i wanted to shout to relieve myself... but i wasn't able to... so i vomitted! yuck! i think if i just quit.. or continue the climb? after a short while, nung mahimasmasan ako... we continued the journey... nahiya ako sa mga kasama ko kung di kami tutuloy dahil lang sa akin.. hehehe... kaya ayun dumerecho pa rin kami... ayan malapit na kami sa tuktok... =)

i'm amazed at how God made all these... ang ganda... =)
pagdating sa tuktok... kumain sila ng halo-halo (yes! may tindang halo-halo sa tuktok ng bundok... tindahan ni aling nena... hehehe)... since, sinamaan ako ng katawan, ang kinain ko ay hot noodles... wow! ang sarap! sabi nila, weird ako! kasi kainitan ng araw, nag-noodles ako... i just wanted to relieve myself... nagkamali kasi ako, uminom ako ng malamig na tubig eh, wala pa akong kinakain... ayun, kaya ako sinamaan ng katawan... hehehe

emer, stef, me, ma'am anj and rhea... =)

Do Good Anyway... by Mother Teresa

2008-04-13T20:41:00.003+08:00

I've often received this poem thru email. But only now that it made sense to me... people may have hurt you.. people may forget you... Do good anyway. Often times, we get hurt in the process, but we are called to do good anyway. They may not appreciate it, yet we are to do good anyway. In the long run, I know it will pay off... God will reward you for doing the right thing. May God be glorified!

Do good anyway...

"In the Final Analysis"
by Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered...
forgive them anyway

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives...
be kind anyway

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies... succeed anyway

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you...
be honest and frank anyway

What you may spend years building, someone may destroy overnight...
build anyway

If you find serenity and happiness, people may be jealous...
be happy anyway

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow...
do good anyway

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough...
give the world the best you have anyway

You see, in the final analysis, it's all between you and God...
it was never between you and them anyway.

A Bear-y Cute Smile

2008-04-12T19:15:00.004+08:00

I've long wanted to start a scrapbook but wasn't able to do so due to a very busy schedule. Not until 7th of March that I was able to buy illustration board to make my own "scrapbook album". Yup, I want it to be personalized and inexpensive. Normally, a scrapbook album cost ranges from P800 to P 3,000 or more.

I've got the chance to drop by at National Bookstore in Makati and bought a 1/2 sized illustration board plus a special paper and some clips to fasten it.

Here's the finished product.

And now, I was able to make my first scrapbook page (whoah! after a month... 07 April 2008 hahaha!). It was taken when I was 2 years of age, 01 January 1978. Originally, the picture was taken together with my cousins. But I thought, it would be better if I'll be solo there. I asked a photoshop to edit the picture sometime in 2004 or 2005. I had a bear-y cute smile...

I hope my 2nd-page scrapbook would take that long before I finish it... hehehe

I just discovered...

2008-03-26T20:49:00.004+08:00

that you can take pictures using multiburst and it will be just like this...

and this...

great pictures...

Take It Or Leave It - Yasmien Kurdi

2008-02-17T18:45:00.002+08:00

If you wanna love me,
Don’t wanna see you with other girls
If you wanna make it
You simply have to play by the rules

Come now take it or leave it
There’s no other way to my heart
There are things that we need to follow
Or else we’ll break it from the start

If you wanna have me,
Send me flower each passing day
You gotta be romantic
You gotta have my feet swept away

If i'm asking too much
It's because I'd be giving my heart
If you wanna have me
You gotta be tender each passing day

If you think we'll make it
You cross right now and don't hesitate

God's Wings

2008-02-17T18:45:00.000+08:00

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating
picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park,
forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's
damage.One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statues
quelyon the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat unnerved by the eerie sight,he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny
chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings.

The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her
offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings,instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast.Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wing would live.

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." (Psalm 91:4)

Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember the
One who loves you and then be different because of it.

Author unknown

Love Looks Beyond - Ruth Bell Graham

2008-02-10T15:54:00.000+08:00

You look at me and see my flaws;
I look at you and see flaws, too.
Those who love know love deserves
a second glance; each failure serves
another chance. Love looks to see,
beyond the scars and flaws, the cause;
and scars become an honorable badge
of battles fought and won—or lost—but fought!
The product, not the cost,
is what love sought.

God help us see beyond the now
to the before, and note with tenderness
what lies between—and love the more!

A Poem by Ruth Bell Graham

2008-02-10T15:41:00.000+08:00

Dear God, I prayed, all unafraid
(as we're inclined to do),
I do not need a handsome man
but let him be like You;

I do not need one big and strong
nor yet so very tall,
nor need he be some genius,
or wealthy, Lord at all;

But let his head be high, dear God,
and let his eye be clear,
his shoulder straight,
whate'er his state,
whate'er his earthly sphere;

And let his face have character
and ruggedness of soul,
And let his whole life show, dear God,
a singleness of goal;

Then when he comes
(as he will come)
With quiet eyes aglow,
I'll understand that he's the man
I prayed long ago...

************************************************* *************************************************

When a banner is raised on the mountain,

You will see it

And when a trumphet sounds,

You will hear it.

-Isaiah 18:3b

************************************************* *************************************************

Give it up...

2008-01-26T21:51:00.000+08:00

I've got my chance in love. I met a man, I do not even remember how the conversation started, but it just began. I was at the NAIA terminal then, I arrived an hour earlier than my check-in time. After I paid the taxes, I found a seat and so I said to myself that I'll just buy time by reading a book I brought with me. I was also conversing with some friends thru SMS... some of their advices was not to talk to anyone.

But I could just not ignore people when they are talking to me. He was sitting beside me and he started the conversation. I really dont remember what he said, but as friendly as I am... the conversation began. we talked about so many things for about an hour. The one thing that stucked on my mind was that he doesn't liked my country, that my country was a poor country, he compared it to Malaysia, Thailand and to his country. His supposedly one-month vacation lasted only for ten days and he decided to go back to his country. That is why he's in NAIA waiting for a chance to get home as soon as an airline seat be made available for him.

After an hour, I said goodbye and readied myself to check-in my baggage. But before I left, he asked for my YM ID and I have given it to him (friendly nga kasi ako!). I thought it was all that. A simple conversation, a mere acquiantance. But after my tour in Singapore, he sent me a message thru YM. He said, he couldn't take his mind off of me, that my face is tattooed on his mind. He also said that he doesn't know if we will be able to see each other again, yet he's still thinking of me... and so much more. He called me up on Christmas to greet me.

I kindda ignore it at first. But last time, he said that he might return here in the Philippines just to see me. Oh, that made my heart beat faster. It's an overwhelming experience, for me. Remember, he doesn't like my country and yet he's going back just to see me? Me? Haha! I may have blinded someone for the first time. =)

But that made me think a hundred even a thousand times. He's a Muslim. I am a born-again Christian. He is a good man. He has a real estate business and is currently working in the ministry (government in his country). I believe that he will be a good husband and a good father based on his stories about his family... his parents and siblings. But, to me it's really a big conflict having a different faith.

This morning, I prayed that God would lead me to the right path. That I will be wise in the decision that I make. I asked myself if I can exchange my faith in Jesus Christ to someone who can be my husband? Hindi ko pala kaya. I couldn't exchange my Lord to something that is just temporal. I know that my God could give me more than I could ask or imagine! He will soon give me a partner in life who would grow old with me, walking each step of the way hand in hand... I do believe that He can give me all the things that I need and so much more. One day, he will come into my life... only God knows when.

I'm giving my all to the Lord. I know that if I surrender to Him what I desire, if I give it up, He can give me with so much more, more than I can imagine. So I'm giving Him my heart, I even prayed for my mind to be renewed. Knowing and believing that He will not withhold anything that is good for me. I realized that I could not exchange Him for anything else in the world.

Can we just stop and talk awhile?

2008-01-14T21:22:00.000+08:00

Fancy meeting you alone in the crowd
Couldn’t help but notice your smile
While everybody else around us is going about
Can we just stop and talk awhile?

I’ve been often told our world’s growing old
And that friends are harder to find
Do tell me more about yourself
We could share a thought or two
Now who would mind?

Maybe then we could go for a ride
Drive down to the countryside
Get away from the gray
And frenzied hurly-burly of the city life

Early yet to say what lies ahead
It’s the first day of the rest of our lives
Can we just stop and talk awhile
Get to know each other
Who are we to know?
Love could be waiting at the end
‘Round that bend and so
Let’s stop and talk awhile

Can we just stop and talk awhile
Get to know each other
Who are we to know?
Love could be waiting at the end
‘Round that bend and so

Let’s stop and talk awhile
Let’s stop and talk awhile
Let’s stop and talk awhile
Let’s stop and talk awhile

The Prayer... my prayer

2008-01-13T20:33:00.000+08:00

I pray you’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know

Let this be our prayer
As we go our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe

I pray we’ll find your light
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night
Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe.

We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Needs to find a place,
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This song had been a prayer of my heart today. In all the decisions I have to make, I pray that God would lead me... to the right decisions... to the safest place!

You see, I am afraid that I would make a wrong decision and be lead astray... afraid that I would fall and be entrapped and not be able to escape... should I use my mind or my heart? I am not sure...which is the better way? could I gain control or lose it? It seemed that the heart has a mind of it's own! Able to decide which way to go, but at the same time, my mind tells me that I should be careful and think a hundred or even a thousand fold!

Oh, I pray for God's wisdom to guide me by His enduring grace... for I know that the safest place there could be is in the center of Your will. Help me, Oh Lord to know Your will... to experience Your mighty power in my life, in every area of my life... Oh that You would rend down the heavens and come down! I seek You Lord most of all. Help me, guide me and lead me... never let me go... I pray.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2008 goals

2008-01-05T20:10:00.000+08:00

they say if you want to accomplish things, you must write it down, read it for the nth time until you memorize it by heart...

and so i am writing down my goals for 2008...

1. learn how to drive, i'll enroll in a driving school this feb 2008.
2. have a bf by 3rd qtr 2008 (goal talaga? hehe).
3. enroll at fitness first, got to reduce my tummy... hehehe
4. be able to pay off at least half of my debt from my insurance by the end of 2008.
5. own a car by 3rd qtr of 2008.
6. develop a membership database for our church by April 2008.
7. improve my devotions/quiet time and prayer life.
8. visit my brother in dubai.
9. be promoted to AM position by end of 2008 or work in Singapore or Dubai or New Zealand or Australia.
10. be able to complete my DG by the end of 2nd Qtr 2008.
11. landscape for my lot by 4th qtr of 2008.
12. improve the road leading to our house by 1st qtr 2008.

He Makes All Things Beautiful...

2008-01-05T19:52:00.003+08:00

God makes all things beautiful.
Put your faith in Him, not in a timetable.
Wait on Him and wait for Him.
When He is ready, you will be ready.

In His perfect way,
He will put everything together...
see through every detail...
arrange every circumstance...
change every heart...
and order every step
to bring to pass
what He has promised to you.

Got Rained Down

2007-12-27T20:01:00.000+08:00

Whew! I never expected a heavy downpour of rain last December 26, 2007. When I left home, I haven't suspected that it is raining in Metro Manila. I didn't bring an umbrella. And so, when I arrived at Alabang, I have to run to the nearest shade. But I still got wet.

When I left the office, I feel chilly. I knew then that I am not feeling well. True enough, last night I already got a fever with throat aching.

Today, I was not able to report for work. I pray that I would get well soon and be able to report back to work tomorrow.

On Saturday, we will be going to my soon to be sister-in-law's house for a "pamanhikan". Rita and my brother Manny will be getting married next year in Dubai.

On Sunday, a good friend of mine, TJ will tie the knot with Che. Our relatives will also come here for a reunion, conflict of schedule... hectic schedule... that is why I can't afford to be sick... I have to get well soon.

Love that Lasts Forever - Max Lucado

2007-12-24T11:05:00.000+08:00

“Love never fails.”I Corinthians 13:8 NIV

“Love,” Paul says, “never fails.”

The verb Paul uses for the word fail is used elsewhere to describe the demise of a flower as it falls to the ground, withers, and decays. It carries the meaning of death and abolishment. God’s love, says the apostle, will never fall to the ground, wither, and decay. By its nature, it is permanent. It is never abolished.

Love “will last forever” (NLT).
It “never dies” (MSG).
It “never ends” (RSV).
Love “is eternal” (TEV).
God’s love “will never come to an end” (NEB)…

Governments will fail, but God’s love will last. Crowns are temporary, but love is eternal. Your money will run out, but his love never will.

*************************

God loved me for who I was,

for who I am

and who I will become.

I Love Him so...

*************************

7 Dwarfs Raids Fish & Co. after 10 years...

2007-12-21T18:51:00.000+08:00

Haha! We really missed each other! Why not? 10 long years have passed since we get together... After graduation, everyone got busy hunting jobs, finding a husband and getting married. Though Chel and I was still looking for that man in our life who will sweep our hearts out.. hehe.. in short, kaming dalawa na lang ang natitira sa barkada na single and available.

Pechay was the first to tie the knot. Then Beth, Emma, Edith and Carol... We missed Edith who's in Australia, and Desiree, who we haven't had a word... as in we lose our contact with her.

Anyway, we spent the night eating at Fish & Co, courtesy of Chel who had flown from Australia to meet all of us... What a great reunion! Whew! the food was great and so the price... hehe Thanks to Chel, kasi nga nilibre nya kami... =)

Ang kukulit pa rin namin at magaganda... Ang EBIDENSYA?! Pictures below tells all the stories...

Emma, Carol, Pech, Chel, Me and Beth

magulo pa rin kami noh!

this is supposed to be an "stolen shot" with a pose!hehe

Pech, Carol, Me, Emma, Chel and Beth

umupo daw ba talaga?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATES:

Beth is now a plain housewife to Aldrin and have 2 great daughters...

Carol is working at Headstrong as a BA, married and has two boys, and is currently "on the way"...

Emma working at J& J and had her Keith and husband...

Pech is working at a Call Center... and had JP and husband Kuya Jojo ...

Chel has migrated to Australia and is currently working as a QA... still single...

Me? single, working at Insular Life as a SSA...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HE CONTROLS MY DESTINY...

2007-12-17T12:44:00.000+08:00

"But He knows where I am going.

And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.

For I have stayed on God's paths;

I have followed His ways and not turned aside.

I have not departed from His commands,

but have treasured His words more than daily food.

But once He has made His decision,

who can change His mind?

Whatever He wants to do, He does.

So He will do to me whatever He has planned.

HE CONTROLS MY DESTINY." - Job 23:10-14

God has written my name on the palm of His hands. Though my mother may forget me, He will never forget my name. God calls me by name, I am His. He has done great and mighty things in my life this year, though I am not worthy. He has blessed me and blessed me indeed, though I am not that faithful. I have committed mistakes, yes I am not perfect... but He still loved and loves me. He accepted me for who I am, and He is patient with me.

How can I not love Him back? How can I not be grateful? How can I forget all the GREAT and MIGHTY THINGS HE has DONE?

Oh, Lord! You are Great and Awesome! You can do all that You wanted to do, You are the God of the IMPOSSIBLE THINGS! You have lead me this far, and You wanted me to trust You for more! Our lives here on earth are full of uncertainties, yet YOU ARE THE GOD OF CERTAINTY! What You say and what You promised will happen.

You are the GOD THAT CONTROLS MY DESTINY!

my first journey ... SINGAPURA... Singapore

2007-12-16T21:21:00.000+08:00

my first journey out of the country was Singapore.

Day 1 (11/10/2007): Trip to Sentosa. Had a great time looking at the "man-made" sentosa beach, walked along the hanging bridge while shaking it... had an encounter and a photo ops with a dolphin named 'PET'... and posed with my friend JOYCE...

Next stop: Merlion near Imbiah Station... still with JOYCE and JasZ... the Merlion statue was so huge, that I seemed to be soooooo small.. hehe...

(...to be continued)

Your stepping stone

2007-10-12T11:26:00.000+08:00

Over the years

when you've suffered a setback,

and the reason for it

seemed unknown.

Did you ever consider

that it was a lesson

and that failure's a stepping stone?

How you respond

and what you learn from it,

shows the world how much

you have grown.

You'll climb a bit higher

toward the peak of success

making failure a stepping stone.

For you make the choice,

in the way that you see it.

It is your decision alone.

You can stall in self-pity

or keep moving upward

making failure a stepping stone.

So join all the people

who've ever succeeded,and practice

the courage they've shown.

Learn from your losses

but keep climbing higher,

and make failure your stepping stone.

"each of us has his shares of failures, but we need to stand up and try to do it again... who knows by God's grace... we will succeed in this next try..."

The world's out to...

2007-10-12T11:18:00.000+08:00

When I got out of bed
and stubbed my toe,
that was the moment
I started to know,

The world's out to get me.

My toast was burnt,
my eggs were nuked,
When I sipped my coffee,
I almost puked.

I got stuck in traffic,
had to go to the loo,
and I felt like I was coming
down with the flu.

The world's out to get me.

I caught a big earful
from my grouchy old boss,
Then I ruined my sweater
with spaghetti sauce.

The world's out to get me.

I schlepped to the park
when my work day was done,
I felt like I weighed
an entire metric ton.

An old lady on a bench
said "Sit with me, dear.
There's plenty of room
for two of us here."

"The world's out to get me,"
I said with a sigh.
"My life's a big mess,
and I don't know why."

"Ah," she answered,
"I can tell from your voice
that it's time for you
to make life's biggest choice.

"I'm just an old lady
but there's one thing I know:
You have to spread love
wherever you go.

"You see,everyone's scared,
everyone is alone,
and everyone's hurting
right down to the bone.

"Love is the medicine
that all of us need,
but it's in short supply,
very short, indeed.

"Do you know why that is?"
she put her hand on my sleeve,
"Because you first have to give
if you want to receive.

"Take time to listen,
take time to cry,
take time to love them,
give it a try.

"You'll soon discover
you can help people heal,
they'll be drawn to you, dear,
like a magnet to steel.

"Unhappy folks still haven't
learned this truth yet,
that God wants you to give,
before you can get."

As I rose from the bench
and kissed her frail hand,
I said "I think I finally
understand."

The world's out to love me,
I say every day,
'cause my life has changed
in a wonderful way.

I feed souls
starved for kindness,
and genuine love.
I pass it along
from the Source up above.

We're each a pure note
in God's heavenly song,
The world's out to love you...
Pssst: Pass it along.

"to love is the secret to happiness..."

God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You -N Sync

2007-08-17T18:51:00.000+08:00

Can this be true?
Tell me, can this be real?
How can I put into words what I feel?
My life was complete, I thought I was whole
Why do I feel like I'm losing control?

I never thought that love could feel like this
And you've changed my world with just one kiss.
How can it be that right here with me
There's an angel? It's a miracle...

Your love is like a river, peaceful and deep
Your soul is like a secret that I never could keep
When I look into your eyes I know that it's true
God must have spent a little more time on you...

In all of creation, all things great and small
You are the one that surpasses them all
More precious than any diamond or pearl
They broke the mold
When you came in this world
And I'm trying hard to figure out
Just how I ever did without
The warmth of your smile, the heart of a child
That's deep inside leaves me purified

--------
this morning, i first heard this song played in the radio. it catches my attention... the lyrics were so cute.

Pray!

2007-08-11T16:18:00.000+08:00

Last Friday night, as I went home from an overtime work, I took the MRT and left off at Cubao station. I usually take a bus going to Baliuag Station in Cubao. But that night, I took a walk going to the bus station. As I was walking, in the sidewalk, a woman was wailing. When I looked at her, I saw that she has been quarrelling with her husband. And what I saw after, has broken my heart. Her husband kicked her with all his strength on her neck. I was shocked. I would like to help the woman, but what can I do? The man seemed so strong. If I would intervene, I too would have been beaten by the man. I asked the Lord at that moment, “Lord, how can I help them?”

I continue my walk but on a slower pace. As I walk through the overpass, there were about 3 or 4 young girls, about 13-20 yrs old, fully made-up and wearing skimpy shorts, standing by on the overpass. If one would think why they are standing there, you would instantly know that they are not selling anything but their body.

Further, I saw someone digging on the trash, trying to get something to eat. I thought it was a man. But getting a closer look, she was a woman.

The site burdened me. Doesn’t our government see these things? How can they not act? I tend to blame the government, but the questions were all brought back to me. What am I doing to help resolve these problems? People might say, “Oh! I have my on life to live, why be burdened by their problems? It’s their decision. It’s what they wanted.”

Could it be the life they all wanted? Didn’t they dream of a good life? I asked what their lives could be if someone had told them that there is hope in Jesus. What if someone has prayed for them? Things could have change I believe.
-----------
The Philippines could be a better place if we will pray for our nation. Prayer changes things. By prayer we tap into the mind of God. By prayer we move the hand that moves the world. By prayer we receive grace and faith. By prayer we acquire wisdom and direction.

More To See - Hillsong

2007-08-05T20:52:00.000+08:00

Well I know that I may have had
My share of failing and falling
But I have come to understand
One thing remains

By all He’s done
I have been made holy
Worthy of serving the One
The One who wrote eternity
So deep in my heart

Open your eyes and see
The wonder of a life
So wonderfully free
Lift up your head believe
There is more
There’s so much more to see

You remind me still
Of the hope and promise
Daring my heart to be brave
And all the while You strengthen me
So deep in my heart

His mercies are new every morning
His mercies are new every day
His mercies are new every morning
Beautifully new every day

Lift up your eyes and see
Lift up your eyes and see
Lift up your eyes and see
Lift up your eyes and see

God's faithful love....

2007-08-05T18:42:00.000+08:00

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is Thy faithfulness;
his mercies are afresh each morning.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!"

The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.

So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord.
- Lamentations 3:22-26

------
God is faithful to all His promises... I will wait upon Him.

escape...

2007-07-29T02:00:00.000+08:00

i turned my cellphone off and i have no intention of putting it on, not now. i wanted some silence.

actually, yesterday i planned to go to tagaytay, all by myself. wala lang, i just thought i need a breather and i need some escape... however, i wasn't able to do so, got a demanding project and upon reviewing the workplan, i noticed that it should be submitted by 13th of august for user-acceptance testing. and so i forced myself to go to work yesterday.

today, i am here in my room. i locked my door, i closed the windows. i cried. i don't know, maybe i am physically tired... but i pray that i won't burn out...

i promise myself after this project i would go to tagaytay.. anyway 20th and 27th of August is declared holidays... and off i'll go ... i'll escape to be alone.

i believe...

2007-07-28T11:56:00.000+08:00

shelby was an attractive woman in her mid30's who genuinely desired to be married. she had prayed and prayed but had never even had a serious relationship with a man. in fact, she hadn't been out on a date within the last 2 or 3 years. she was tempted to be discouraged, assuming that nothing was happening and that she might spend the remainder of her life as a single woman.

but one night, she was driving home from work when she had a flat tire and had to pull her car over to the side of the freeway. a few seconds later, another car pulled over behind her, and out stepped a handsome, young man. he not only changed shelby's flat tire, he also invited her out to dinner.

about a year later, they got married and today they are wonderfully happy and in love.

now think about the odds such an occurrence. that certainly was not an accident or a coincidence. that was God at work in the lives of two young adults. God is always at time. her tire had to go bad at just the right time. there had to be just the right amount of traffic on the freeway. that young man had to catch just the right elevator leaving the office. he had to go down to the split second in order for his car to be shortly behind shelby's, when the tire went flat. God is making things happen. just stay in an attitude of faith and in His timing.

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i've had had my share of men courting me, but i am still waiting for the man God has promised to me sometime in 2003. God promised to give me a man after His own heart. and when i asked God how would i know or recognize "him"? He replied, "just like a banner raised on a mountaintop, you will see it or just like when a trumphet sounds, you will hear it." that when love knocks at the door of my heart, i will clearly recognize it...... but for now, i will wait and have faith... i believe...

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When I Get Where I'm Going - Geoff Moore

2007-07-14T20:09:00.000+08:00

When I get where I’m going
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I’m gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly

I’m gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it’s like
To ride a drop of rain

Chorus:
Yeah, when I get where I’m going
There’ll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I’ll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah, when I get where I’m going
Don’t cry for me down here

I’m gonna walk with my granddaddy
And he’ll match me step for step
And I’ll tell him how I’ve missed him
Every minute since he left

So much pain and so much darkness
This world we stumble through
All these questions I can’t answer
So much work to do

But when I get where I’m going
And I see my Maker’s face
I’ll stand forever in the light
Of His amazing grace

friends...

2007-07-14T17:42:00.002+08:00

friends make you laugh,

they can make you cry and they cry with you

friends believe in the beauty of your dreams

and help you make them come true

friends share your deepest secrets

and keep it with them as one of their secrets too

friends take you as you are

and never leave you when you need them

friends come in different sizes
small, medium and large and some are extra sizes
they also come in all ages
some old, some young and some as your age
nevertheless, they are what you call friends...

i will always thank the Lord for all my friends... :)

sleeping habits...

2007-07-14T17:32:00.000+08:00

i sleep with lights on.
i just noticed myself turning off the lights before i sleep nowadays...

quite odd for me who can't sleep without the lights...

it will take place...

2007-07-11T20:34:00.000+08:00

i believe in God
His promises are TRUE
it will be fulfilled
if it seems slow in coming,
i will wait patiently
for it will surely take place
it will not be delayed...

even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines...
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my Salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to thread upon the heights.

a promise

2007-07-01T21:47:00.000+08:00

photo taken 27th of may 2007;

facing the ladies dorm at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (PBTS),

Guisad, Baguio City.

an ordinary scene, two trees facing each other along a narrow path. so what's in it, anyway?

my companions were busy negotiating with PBTS about the food and accomodations for the DNG Pilipinas 2007. i wait outside, and communed with God.

the first thing that i saw was the big pine tree, a strong, sturdy and old tree... and in a far away corner was a small, just-starting to grow pine tree...

God impressed on me that, that big pine tree was someone i knew, someone i liked so much... he was someone i always looked up to... a great and a established man! and that small tree was me, just starting to grow, just starting to learn things...

and then God allowed me to see that two trees in the picture. i prayed, "Lord, give me someone who will be just right beside me, someone whom i'll grow old with, that together we'll learn how to live life... someone that fits me well."

after a few more minutes staring at the sight, i went back inside. and on the wall, i saw a poster saying:

"The good thing that you desire

will become the best thing

when you allow God

to give it to you

in His time."

He has made everything beautiful in its time." - Eccl 3:11

God's way of answering my prayer, i believe.

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i will keep on believing God's promises
i might have to wait for sometime
but one thing i know
"it is sure, it is the best thing... it'll be beautiful"
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i can go the distance

2007-07-01T02:30:00.000+08:00

I have often dreamed, of a far off place
Where a hero’s welcome, would be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer, when they see my face
And a VOICE keeps saying, this is where I’m meant to be

I’ll be there someday, I can go the distance
I will find my way, if I can be strong
I know ev’ry mile, will be worth my while
When I go the distance, I’ll be right where I belong

Down an unknown road, to embrace my fate
Though that road may wander, it will lead me to you
And a thousand years, would be worth the wait
It might take a lifetime, but somehow I’ll see it through

And I won’t look back, I can go the distance
And I’ll stay on track, no, I won’t accept defeat
It’s an uphill slope, but I won’t lose hope
Till I go the distance, and my journey is complete

But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a hero’s strength is measured by his heart
Like a shooting star, I will go the distance
I will search the world, I will face its’ harms

I don’t care how far, I can go the distance
Till I find my hero’s welcome, waiting in YOUR arms
I will search the world, I will face it’s harms
Till I find my hero’s welcome, waiting in YOUR arms

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ONE DAY... we'll meet face to face...
may i find my hero's welcome in Your arms, Lord.
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guessing game...

2007-06-30T10:53:00.000+08:00

you came suddenly and unexpectedly, at a time when i am not looking for someone. all i wanted then, was to find serenity from the deafening noise of the city, to find my rest with God and shake all the stress i have inside.

it was the same ordinary night, the star and moon shines bright. i came inside the house and you were there... when suddenly, someone said to me, "zha, can i asked you something?... what if the two of you were meant to be?"... i was startled, not knowing the right answer to a silly question, but i gave an answer anyway... "i see no problem...", i said. which cause the house to be filled with "whoas!" and "ohhs" and i hurriedly exited the house right after, for i may not be able to answer the next questions or maybe... i am afraid to face those next questions.

i have no idea what went next during the conversations in that house... the next day came, we were teased every single second of the day, whenever they have the chance. i tried to be myself and still be friendly to you somehow, but i just can't help it... i knew you noticed it too, i backed-away... "i am afraid".

but any how, those simple thoughts of the two of "US"... made me bloom somehow... as the pictures showed it. i might be inspired... infatuated (at my age?!) by the thought...

the convention came to an end... i don't know, but for the last time, we are still in the eyes of our audiences... and they asked that we get a picture... the two of us together... you give in to their request and so did i, because i am trying to be a "sport".

"click"... and off we go... we go on separate ways... of course to our different houses. will it just be a memory of a past or a start of something new?

days and months passed... communications thru SMS and emails are still there... but they were just a mere exchange of either forwarded msgs or emails... a little (and i mean "little") conversation in the middle... through them, i've had built your character... or was it just an imagination or the books i read about personalities that helped me make that image of who you are.

but it is tiring me and this has to end.. this guessing game of what you truly feel... of what you want out of this game...

you see i never played poker or any game for that matter, that will cause money or myself... i've never been into that. i guess it's time to press the button that says, "EXIT or GAME OVER".

"i am laying all my hopes, dreams, plans and my life to the One who truly loves me no matter what, from beginning to end. i will let God be the God over my life and let Him take over... for it is He who promised to give me a man after His own heart... and the One who promised is faithful to complete it in His own time..."

for who knows??? one day i might be ask to press, "CONTINUE?"

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"the good thing that you desire will become the best thing when you allow God to give it to you in His time..."
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"He has made everything beautiful in its time."- Eccl 3:11

lead me home

2007-06-30T10:52:00.000+08:00

to seek you, your good and perfect will
is to know you, you never let me fail
you are my God, i surrender it all
take great delight in your servant
let your will unfold in my life

for there i will find your peace
for there i will find your grace
in your presence oh Lord
in your presence oh Lord
lead me home

i will go where you want me to go
i will listen to your still & small voice
let me hear you now
lead me and i will go

for there i will find your peace
for there i will find your grace
in your presence oh Lord
in your presence oh Lord
lead me home...
won't you lead me home?

song composed way back 07092005 during my quiet time

Keep Believing - Regina Hill

2007-06-29T10:35:00.000+08:00

keep believing

that you have what it takes

to make your dream into reality
keep thinking positive thoughts
and know that you have the ability to do anything
find the encouragement inside yourself
to know that you're worthwhile and distinct --
someone who deserves the very best there is...