Bloom where you are planted

The church is not confined in the four walls of a building.

The Church is where Jesus's followers are!

God's not dead, He's surely alive!

And His Hands are very tangible in schools, workplaces and neighborhoods of His soldiers!

Bloom where you are planted.

How To "Truly" Worship God

It was a productive night with some of our youth group's college girls.

Nica and I were in charge of presenting Gencon's history for our 10th anniversary on Sunday.

We aren't the most creative, so we knew we needed help.

Good thing these princess-warriors of God made themselves available!

Our own version of a monopod selfie =))

It was a great night with them. We also had a short (?) devotion together on the Romans 12:1. We all wanted to truly and properly worship God. And God sought our hearts and rebuked us as we realize that we were not really worshipping God if we stubbornly remain in our comfort zones. We cannot really say that we were offering our bodies as living sacrifice, if we do not experience the pain and the joy that comes from sacrificing. Indeed, it was time for all of us to stand and to do things that are hard and difficult, all for the glory of God!

We offer this one to God.

Whew! Long day tomorrow!

He moves like the Wind

Last night I prayed that God would sweep through MMF's event Treads and Dreads like a wind! And He did! While Christafari's lead vocals was praying with those who responded, a powerful wind blew! I watched as the mini tent above the stage danced wildly at the wind..

After Christafari's number was the only time the rain poured - it's as if God was saying,

"See how I held the clouds and kept them from showering rain? See these people with their arms raised, with their eyes closed?

I am moving, I am alive."

Seeing all those people dancing at the last song.

Celebration!!

Wake up, sleepers! Hands up, new believers!!

GAME FACE ON.

How about you? How did God show you His power lately?

Partners in Service

Last Sunday, Jopel and I went to Arenda for their 2nd Anniversary, with the theme Overcome.

While waiting for the service to start, I met these pretty young ladies and talked with them :)

All of them were wearing pink. They had yellow strips of fabric which they asked me to style for them. :) I tied them into headbands and bracelets. Hihi I'm not much of an artist but these kids sure saw me as a very creative ate :P

I was shocked hearing their stories. They talked about rapists, killers, traumatized boys.. Woah! My head turned while I was talking to them. I mourn at how exposed they are to the wickedness of this world, as young as they are.. :(

Praise & Worship.

(I'm sorry Joy, the Worship Team's pianist, I can't take any picture of you that night.. Laging may nakaharang)

 My camera was not so cooperative that night. But I thank God that I still managed to get a few souvenirs from last night :)

He talked about how to be victorious, how to overcome. The text was Joshua 1.

1. Hold onto God's promises.

When someone tells us what to do, we don't just automatically do it. We somehow assess why we should do it. And when we see the good outcome, that's when we decide to actually to it. It's the same with winning a war. When God tells us to fight, like fighting

2. Engage in the war.

There are no wars to be victorious in, when you are not fighting at all.

How do you taste victory if you don't even engage in war? When you see the enemy, fight it! Don't ignore and expect triumph. Haha!

3. Be strong and courageous.
Our Father, our army's King, can defeat anyone and destroy anything. May it be your sins, your struggles, your problems, your weakness.. Name it, and He can defeat it! However, if we His soldiers, His hands and feet in this land, would be too cowardly, this won't happen. We won't experience the triumph God wants to share with His soldiers who are willing to participate!

Last January, Gencon was moved to 4pm, which conflicted with our commitments to Arenda. We had to choose between Gencon and Arenda. We prayed for it hard, until God showed us everything that was happening with Gencon (MMF ministry), and we knew it’s the best time to be a breathing and kicking part of Gencon! So we had to talk to the young people that we had to say good bye. We did not know how long we would have to miss Arenda. This March, their Second Anniversary, Overcome, brought us back to our dear young people in Arenda! J

Jopel and I have been going to Arenda since 2010, I guess? In my post about my friendship with Jopel, I talked about working in the ministry with him. Here’s a picture from last year, after the youth group’s first anniversary.

We thought of taking a picture as a remembrance after everything..
We were too busy praying and preparing before and during the service! Haha!

Apparently, Jopel was also the “surprise” speaker in their first anniversary, March last year. The anticipated speaker suddenly texted that circumstances changed and he cannot go to Arenda. Only 30 minutes before the service started did Jopel start doing his sermon for that night! He finished his sermon in a fleeting 30-minute adrenaline rush! Haha I remember that day, I did not know how to help him. I just sat in the far end of the room and prayed for him and his sermon.

God is really amazing! That night was definitely a night of revival. I thought his sermon that night was very powerful. I stood there in awe of what God’s grace can do, especially when circumstances aren't too cooperative. 

Partners in Crime Service

It is my first time to have a ministry partner like Jopel. For a friendship like ours, where we pray for each other and constantly ask God what He wants for our relationship, being ministry partners is a big avenue where we encounter God together.

Prayer sure is important in any boy-girl relationships. (Especially when you two have feelings for each other) Because when emotions are involved, temptations tango around you.

Likewise, ministry gives two people a deeper encounter with their Lord. (and brushes away unnecessary idle moments of sweet-sweet-an lang, sana sa ministry na lang ginastos yung perang pinangdate at yung time na na-spend, nag-away din naman after ng date) Hahaha!

Well, let me explain it in a different light.

Ministry should be the lifestyle of any boy-girl relationship that aims to glorify God! It should not be a mere compensation.

No way! Ministry should never be a bribe to God so He would bless your relationship. For example, “We say that Jesus is the center of our relationship, that’s why we should at least give a poor kid some food together or somethin’.. Jesus being the center of our relationship would make us last.” No way, sistarr! Don’t do that for the wrong reasons. Don’t do it half-heartedly. Don’t even do ministry just so the people around you will approve of your friendship. No way! The truth will stink eventually.

Ministry should not be an accessory, Christian couples! Ministry should be the main purpose of your relationship. Well, that is, if God is really the super glue that attaches you two together.

Firstly, you should minister to each other. You should encourage each other to grow deeper into faith. You two should be a light to each other, inspiring one another to seek God even more. You should learn how to help each other seek a sweeter relationship with God, more than seeking a sweeterrelationship between you two.

 If you are a blessing to each other, in the richest sense of the word “blessing”, it will extend to the people around you. You two would learn to love the people around you even more, and prevent the unhealthy mentality of having your worlds revolve around each other. It’s like being so overflowing with the unconditional love from God and with love from him, that you can’t help but love all the other people around you! J

A mutual desire to serve God could eventually lead you two to a ministry you’ll do together. In our case,  we go to Arenda together. I have a passion in discipling women while Jopel has a deep desire to be a pastor. Somehow, these two hearts willing to serve are perfectly woven together to make the ministry work.

Having a ministry together constantly reminds me that our friendship is not given by God to just to satisfy our flesh’s desire. God intended friendships like this for something greater than that! Mere satisfaction of emotional and physical and whatever needs is shallow. I cannot imagine any relationship that aims to glorify God that does not have a vision to have a ministry together. Well, at least to encourage each other to devotedly pursue a ministry!

True enough, the greatest moments in our friendship are not the moments when we give each other letters nor having an expensive inner. The most precious moments we have are those times when we experience God in the most personal way.. While we stand beside each other! J

If you are in a relationship, what ministry are you dreaming to do together? How do you support each other in your individual ministries? J

How's your weekend? :)

Nothing beats a weekend spent for God :)

You might think that it is boring.. Well, it's the farthest from boredom! :)

Friday

Praise God It's Love with Special Guest Acel van Ommen

It was rainning hard, yet it was a really great time where I had a little bonding time with my CG. :)

My hair was curly here. But notice in the next pics, it's straight like nothing happened. See how my hair hates curls, no matter how much I like it curled? Hahaha

I've known her for almost two years now. And I am extremely blessed as I witness how God powerfully moves in her life. :)

I loooove these two :) I am blessed by their sincere desire to grow deeper in God and grow deeper in love!

The four of us in one great (and happy) shot! :) Thanks to our youth pastor himself who offered to take this  pic :P

I really wanted to share with you guys the amazing moment we had with Acel van Ommen.. My camera died too early though. So sorry, no videos. (For your info, she was the one behind your fave karaoke song, "Torete")

Acel shared what it really meant for her to wait for True Love.

She then shared her powerful testimony on how she fell into sinning with her past self-centered relationships. She shared with nicely chosen words, how God came to her rescue and made her love life beautiful!

She is now enjoying a God-centered relationship with her husband. They have two adooorable children who were with us :)

Saturday

So it's the day when the house gets cleaned up, and our hands get dirty from household chores.

Okay, for some, Saturdays mean getting only the tip of their fingers dirty. (Computer generation!)

After doing everything I had to, I went straight to Full Charge, our youth service for college students.

Kuya Herbie preached to these college students.

After the sermon, we fullchargers group ourselves for a meaningful sharing time.

It was a great afternoon for the ladies, we had the most personal and the sincerest sharing time yet..

The hearts of the people I meet in Full Charge are really encouraging. They are the kind of people who really knows what "commitment" is.

Afterwards, I had a fun yet meaningful dinner with the tropa.

Okay, well, we played 94 Seconds in the greater part of the hour. Hahaha!

I love these crazy people.. :P

Sunday

I had a short but sweet bonding time with my small group leader, when we prepared a special number for the Tagalog service. Sadly, I did not manage to get someone to record it. :( I like documenting stuff because I'm so forgetful, so it could have been very nice if we had a video. :(

Good news, I was able to record the other special number in the Tagalog service! :)

Nang Dahil Kay Hesus was played wonderfully by Bamboo and Rod

Was deeply touched by the song :')

Pastor Jordan preached in the Tagalog Service. I appreciate how he really tried to speak 100% Tagalog!

However, it was evident that he was pretty challenged. :P But yeah, the message of the Lord touched hearts! When God speaks to your heart, you'll realize that language is not the issue. ;)

Some fresh meat shared her talent in the English Service. She sang Kari Jobe's Steady My Heart.

The song is so passionate! Moreover, it connects with everyone. Everyone becomes rattled by changes all the time, and we do need God to steady our hearts. :)

Pastor Sam preached in the English service, sharing to everyone how God moved after the first leg of the 2013 Motocross Series MMF is organizing. :) (Read more of it here)

I cried literally in the whole sermon because I am amazed by how enormously God moves in a ministry!

That morning, I prayed hard that God would expand my ministry.

He says that He's preparing me now, so I'm pretty excited to give my all even in the little assignments He gives me now. :)

We had Gencon with an emphasis on Waiting.

God has spoke a lot to me about waiting on Him regarding to the ministry I am dreaming of :)

This is just a mere glimpse of what my weekend looks like. There's a lot more than what's written here.

But every little thing I did in this weekend, sure was a great encounter with my King.

From doing household chores to crying to God without reservations!

Now that's a weekend well spent. ;)

How do you spend your weekends? How do you want to make it not just fun but also meaningful? 

It's a gift from God, so don't let frustrations cloud your sight!

Photo grabbed from Kamyl Manchus. The cutie ring was also from her. <3

Music has played a great part in drawing me closer to God.

I may not be the most excellent pianist, but could you believe it, my very weaknesses in playing the piano are the ones used by God to reveal to me a lot of things.

Tears are streaming down my face right now.

Minutes earlier, it was out of utter frustration. Why? Many questions lured me to fear and to doubt. Man, was I so emotional lately! But then again, it is moments like this that give memorable lessons to me.

Music is from God, and so is my Piano-playing
 Before I even got serious with God, I got piano lessons. My ninong gave me an electric piano as a gift. I do not even know what came to his mind when he gave me that! During that time, I did not realize how expensive that keyboard was. I only thought that it was some toy I could play with.

One time, on a field trip, I bought a bamboo recorder that comes with a paper with a little tutorial. "Close these holes if you want to play a 'G' and so on.." It has famous songs on it, with the melody translated into these letters. As soon as I get home, I tried these melodies on my dusty keyboard, untouched and almost forgotten. My brother, knowing a few stuff from their music classes, put masking tape on every key so I would know which key is C, or whatever. My mom saw how happy I was to play the melody of "Lupang Hinirang". My mom immediately suggested that I take piano lessons the next summer.

The next thing I know, I was taking classical piano lessons. I was very bored! I thought it would be cool, but it was contrary to my dream piano lessons. I always tried to feign sickness just to have an excuse to skip lessons. But my mom nags on me about that all the time! She almost dragged me to the piano, even when I tried to fake sleep, just to have piano lessons.

After 3 years of "forced" classical piano studies, I stopped. I thought I would be busier in high school and I wouldn't manage if I still continue my music lessons.

But it was not out of my life just yet. When I was in second year high school, I started attending Gencon. It was an unexpected time of the year - there came conflicts with the pianists so the worship team needed pianists so badly that I was forced to learn how to play Christian songs. Classical piano is way waaaaaaay different in playing in church. It's an entirely different game.

But I don't regret entering this ministry. I might have thought earlier in the ministry that I was forced being there, but when I think about it, I had a choice! And I chose to play for God just because I thought it was the right thing to do.
I consider our music director, Pastor Jordan, as my mentor in piano-playing. Also one of our ex-pianists, Kuya Gino, taught me some stuff. I am sooo blessed to have them!

True enough, choosing to be involved in this ministry was a good decision. I have encountered so much of God through this ministry.

In being involved in the music ministry, I learned so much about
commitment.
I learned how to set aside my comfort just so I could play the piano for God. I would wake up early in the morning only to practice with the team. Imagine, I would be sacrificing a couple of hours of more sleep just to go to the P&W practice and hear our music director's frank criticisms. :))
At first I did it just because I had to - we were only two pianists back then. But after a while, God transformed my heart and I learned to do it for Him.

My family saw how much devoted I was with what I did. Sometimes, my mom would get angry because I choose to play for our youth service, instead of going out with my family. I held on to Matthew 10:37 back then. As long as God does not tell me to put my family affair first to minister to them, I would play the piano. After years in the ministry, my family finally understood. :) Praise God for moving in their hearts!

I also learned a lot about
humility.
They say that the number one enemy of a church musician is playing for their own glory.
But for me, it was not the case. The music ministry was very humbling for me. Because in it, I saw how undeserving I was. I saw how much improvement I should sweat for. Thanks to our praise and worship team, I always received the harshest words about my piano playing... which in turn changed my attitude towards it for the better! :)
Criticisms are hard to take when you have so much pride in your skill. But when you humble yourself, that's when you become more teachable and more versatile.

Being in the Praise & Worship team, of course, I had a deeper understanding of
worship.
When you have a ministry such as this, it's your gift being offered as worship.
I realized that God is not pleased by how good you are in that gift, He is more interested by what's in your heart. The true worshipper does not stop worshipping when circumstances are less comfortable. The true worshipper worships regardless of where he is, whether it would be on the stage, on the church benches, or even when he's alone. Worship is a lifestyle.

I first took to heart this word because of music,
excellence.
Yes, God's most pleased with what's in your heart. But when your heart seeks to offer what's best, God is also delighted.
I learned to aim for excellence, not to lift up my name, but to glorify God. Not to gain His approval, but to bring back all the praises to Him.
I learned how important giving my best for God is! However, I comprehended how limited I am, the more I seek to give my all. When we're at our wits end, that's the time we remember that it is God that would mold us into excellence. Moreover, it is a worshiping heart that allows God to do so. :)

Now why am I suddenly blogging about this?
It is because I had an inner battle earlier. The enemy, doing his job of stealing from me the joy of encountering God through my piano-playing, confused me.

I am taking piano lessons again. (Yes, after 7 loooong years of unguided piano playing) After 4 sessions, I felt as if I have not improved and I am not getting it. I sobbed at the idea that I could be wasting my time taking these lessons. I almost beat myself every time I practice, because I become frustrated of how much I do not grasp in what my teacher is trying to teach me.

Because of that, I started asking God, is it really Him who placed me here? I doubted the reason why I am pursuing piano today. I questionned whether I was meant to continue pursuing piano or this isn't my gift and I should just stop and start pursuing other stuff that could be my gift.

Then God reminded me how he brought piano into my life. He refreshed my memory.. He was moving, when  my ninong was thinking what to give me. He was there when my mom heard me playing the melody of Lupang Hinirang. His hands were guiding mine when I was taking my piano lessons back then.

Just as "hands on", God is also here with me as I see my limitations in piano playing.
I know that He led me to take these piano lessons, not to make me frustrated but to teach me fresh new lessons. I'd do my part and remember those four things I learned from P&W ministry - commitment, humility, worship and excellence.

What's your gift that you're insecure about? One which you always thought you weren't made for but always appear right in front of your face when God encourages you to be involved?

Taking the great commission to a whole new level!

When you're a Christian and you see someone as passionate in reaching souls for God as Pastor Sam Tamayo, you'll be energized and start to really think about your own ministry. :)
When you see someone like this, you would think.. There's really no space for idleness. There's so much stuff that has to be done! God has so many things He prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Why slack off in your Christian life? You would miss all the excitement!

Who would have thought motocross would be powerfully by God like this? :)

History-maker

Generation Congregation, our youth group, is out to make history.

Not to make a name for ourselves, but to make Jesus's name famous! :)

Christianity is perceived by many as boring. They put it in a box of traditional perspective and categorized it into never-to-talk about topics.

But God, the center of it all, seems to prove us all wrong.

He did not create adrenaline, excitements, and the element of surprise for nothing.

Here He is, actively demonstrating His power to us and to motocross enthusiasts.

Our youth pastor, Sam Tamayo, managing partner of Xtreme Adrenaline Sports Entertainment Co., with his siblings, used to ride and compete in several amateur categories under the most successful motocross team, the Shell-Yamaha Racing Team. After one of their races in 1999, they met an accident which cost the life of their father. They stopped racing and focused on their studies and family businesses.

When Pastor Sam went back to racing in 2002, he won three over-all championships out of the six championships their team won that year. In 2005, he was elevated to the Pro-category in the "Cebu Board walk National Motocross Series". However, circumstances in the sport grew more and more unfavorable.

Photos grabbed from MxMessiahFairgrounds.com

Now that he is an ordained pastor, God calls him back to the sport.

Not to make his own name famous, but to make his Lord's name known.

He has organized races since 2012, with a vision of seeing Filipino Youths, instead of channeling their quest for ultimate thrill from senseless activities, become world-class extreme sport athletes vying to bring honor and glory to both God and country.

Last Sunday, a successful first leg commenced. Before the races began, Pastor Sam shared his story, how God moved in his life. He shared God's Word. And just like that, things fell into place. God's hands so tangible in this ministry. Lives are being touched. More lives to be changed by our Lord.

This ministry is such a big inspiration for me.

I saw the giant gesture of God when a little heart chooses to be devoted to our big God.

How much do you want to serve God today? How much are you willing to offer God your heart and everything you have? :)

Know more about MMF:

Website

All This Time

It was the first time generation congregation heard her voice. Last January 20, 2013, she proclaimed God's greatness when she used her gift in singing to this wonderful song.

It was such a blessing to all of us who heard and received the dear message of the song she shared. :)

"Every heartache and failure, every broken dream

You're the God who sees, the God who rescued me

his is my story."

What are your hidden talents tapped by God this very moment? What are those special things about you that God wants you to use for His glory? :)

Killing did stop at Kaytikling! :)

This incident happened exactly one year ago.

It was a mourning day for everyone in Taytay.

I remember it very clearly. I was at home when this happened.. Our house is just a few hundred meters away from Tikling. We were all shocked when we heard a "Boom!" somewhere. Although, most of us ignored it.. My uncle saw people walking to Tikling to see what really happened, as news flew fast.

There they saw the chaos. Tikling was literally filled with people.

Reporters, townspeople, those who were just about to pass by Tikling but were supposed to go to Antipolo/Angono/Cainta.

It happened at around 11:30am.

It was heart-breaking to know that the truck crushed a little kid's and his parents' dreams. He was an elementary student :( It also killed someone innocently walking on the sidewalk. He wasn't even jaywalking or whatever! It also killed a guy riding his motorcycle. And of course, it killed the people in the truck. 

The truck was filled with soil. It was very heavy, that's why it ran at that rate, even going through the concrete barriers.

I went there myself and saw this..

Photo grabbed here. (Go to site at your own risk. x( But please don't.. )

Okay, I saw only the crushed truck without all the water and people. I went there at night.

It was really heart-breaking. Nobody wanted that to happen. But sadly, it wasn't the first time! :(

People even call it the "Killer Junction".

It was very prone to accident.

Just a few months ago, a truck from Antipolo lost its brakes. Another from Cabrera Road rushed as it also had mechanical problems. Although, these two happened at midnight where there were less people hurt. Even before these two happened, many other accidents killed or hurt vehicle drivers. :( Accidents in this junction threatened people's lives for years!

That's why, exactly a week after this accident, our youth pastors spear-headed a Prayer Rally for this junction. Tikling is very near to our church, most of our members pass by it in most days of their lives. This is one way to show the town that God can give our townspeople protection, if the government or truck owners wouldn't.

Along with other adults, we went to Tikling at 11:30am, the same time it happened. We stood there silently praying for the killer junction, praying to Stop the Killing in Kaytikling.

TV5 was there to document our prayer rally. They interviewed our youth pastors. Unfortunately, their news report did not present what we did showing the real motives of our prayer rally. :( Haha. They presented it as if it was a political move.

Photos of prayer rally grabbed from gencon.multiply.com.

Some people joined us in praying for Kaytikling.

I talked to the mango vendor who I thought had the grimmest view of what happened with the truck incident. She talked to me. She was really sad of what happened - the kid killed by the truck was her son's classmate. She said that the boy was very masipag. In the morning, he would sell rags so that he would have baon for the rest of the day..

While some show their disapproval on what we did. I remember silently standing, praying for this junction. When a man driving a rather expensive van, rolled down his windows and talked to me..

"What are you doing?"

"We are praying for this junction, sir."

"Praying? Is this a rally of some sort? Are you blaming the government or whatsoever?"

"No, sir. We're just praying to God that nobody gets hurt again in this junction."

"Praying?! Don't you think talking to the company of the truck owners, or the government, more effective in solving this problem in Tikling?"

I didn't answer back, 'cause I know what he's trying to do.. I tried to tap the older Christians beside me.. But yea, their silence reminded me. Hey, we're here to pray, not to debate or whatever. Just pray with us, sir? Hehe.

Look at the one year that passed.

No accidents :)

The rotonda and the overpass promised by DPWH and the jailing of jaywalkers we don't see today.

(you can hear about this in the video I posted above)

But God's hands? It's so tangible in Tikling Junction.

Indeed, only God can stop the killing at Kaytikling.

Praise God for His faithfulness! :)

"For greater things have yet to come 

And greater things are still to be done in this City"

What are you doing to show your town how God loves?

GENCON: 2013 No Eye Has Seen! :)

After 8 and a half years of ministry, Generation Congregation, TFCN's youth service, will be moved to a new time slot!

Two months ago, God blessed (and surprised) our church with a new place. That time was a pretty amazing moment where we encountered God as a church! We weren't even praying for something as specific as "Lord, give us a new place because we think we need one.." But for sure, God heard His servants in our congregation who prayed for expansion.

For more than two months now, we've been using Peak Sun Building, formerly CCF, with the most ideal location (it's located along Ortigas Extension), for some activities of our youth group. It's for free! May God bless the dearest hearts of the owners of this place! We only pay for the electricity and other utility bills. This arrangement would last for 2 years.

 Gencon moved there (from TFCN's Main Sanctuary on L. Wood St.) on the First Sunday of December.

And just last Sunday, we also had a new time slot.

For 8 years, Gencon start after the sun has set. Last Sunday, we launched Gencon's new time slot.

It's now at 4 o' clock in the afternoon. :)

 It was the first time that Gencon would start with this bright sky. Plus, Peak Sun building is filled with windows. That's why we really did feel the afternoon! Hehe. It was even the first time we greeted each other "Good afternoon!" at Gencon.

It was really fun. This change in our place and venue is a great reminder that God is not done yet with this generation. This new life of Gencon is really a fresh start for everyone part of it. The time slot and venue change, for me, represents fresh and exciting encounters with God.

Personally, it reminded me that we should have a bigger vision for our Church! We should not settle for less; the Church has a lot to do. There are lot of souls walking astray, needing to realize God's love. That's why we should never stop wherever we're at. We should never stop running. We should run like there's no tomorrow! Not for ourselves, not even for our Church. But only for God!

This change is a symbolism of us stepping out of our past.

Gencon, let us rise up as we leave our past mistakes behind and carry only the lessons we got from them.

Let us remove the excess baggage so we could run faster than ever towards the goal of reaching out to souls yearning for love.

Let us do our best in fulfilling the roles God gives to each of us.

Because this year, we would surely witness, as God's congregation.

Things that no eye has seen.

In my opinion, the new time slot really fits the change of venue.
Besides crossing the highway becoming less scary, GC ending at 6pm means a lot of small group time for everybody!! :) Just like the old days when the old PGIF was alive. After the youth service, small groups meet and share and laugh and have a good time with God in their midst. :">

Four of my small group members. Hannah, Abby, Claudine and Tiara. <3

Pretty women of God! They're the loveliest ladies in my eyes. :">

However, as it is written:

"No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love him"

- 1 Corinthians 2:9

This new time slot is really working for most of us. I'm so excited for more Sundays coming! :)

Rise up, Arenda Church!

It was a very busy day.. And I'm glad that I spent it with my Majesty! :)

Isn't it worth it when you know that all your sweat, all your sacrifices, and all the money you spent are only for the glory of our King? Hehe I'm indeed a happy servant! :">

I love Sundays because they are filled with church-loving and people-bonding :)

We went to Arenda Church of the Nazarene (ACN) in the morning.

We have been going to their church for more than a year already.. I forgot exactly when we started going there. It started when one of my friends wanted to train ACN's worship team. They were teenagers like us. :) We shared to them the stuff we know in playing for the worship team.  We would go there on Sundays to teach them new songs. We did that for months. And now they're good. :D Time came when there were conflicts with the schedule, so we stopped going there to teach them music.. And Jopel and I thought of mentoring them. We had small groups, accountabilities and even doctrine teaching. However, this could be the last Sunday that we could go there.. Our schedule of going there on Sunday afternoons would now clash with the new schedule of TFCN's youth service (Generation Congregation is now at 4pm!) But no, it's not goodbye. God still has many things in store for these young people. We're here praying for them and supporting them in whichever way we can.

It was their First Year Anniversary! They were an independent church for that span of time. It was tough, but through the celebration earlier, we were reminded how faithful He is to His people! Praise God! :">

What would be our response to His faithfulness to the church and to our lives?

Let's Rise Up!

That's their anniversary's theme, along with their theme chapter Ezekiel 37. :)

Pastor Sam Tamayo was their speaker.

He shared stuff about Ezekiel 37:1-10.

1. Nothing is impossible when you have faith! (Ezekiel 37:3)

     Ezekiel saw hopelessness in the dry bones in the valley. However, he knew that there are many things that only God knows, even the possibility of the rebirth of these bones. He did not deny the possibility; Ezekiel may have thought that this could be possible by directing His faith to the Sovereign Lord.

     Likewise, we should put our faith in Jesus. Not in our dreams, not in our goals. Our faith should be that His Will be done! 

2. God Himself will give the grace and blessings we need to nurture our faith.     God does not rate our faith when He's showering His blessings. It's not like school, where you get what you deserve. When God sees the littlest faith in you, He will definitely move in that little one. He does not wait for you to become the greatest person on earth - He is the one that supplies you what you need to be the greatest you could become. :)

     He also gives us blessings little by little. He nurtures our faith little by little. Pastor Sam shared how He imagined the scene in the chapter.. The dry bones assembled, then joints and ligaments appear slowly. Muscle would slowly creep up the bones until it fully covers it. Looking like a zombie, skin slowly makes the figure more human. (Ezekiel 37:7-8) And God paused.. To let Ezekiel appreciate how God will give breath and life to these bodies.

     God blesses us little by little so we would always have something to anticipate! Miracles upon miracles. God Himself will be the one that fills our life with encouragements every time we're down. He also supplies whatever we need to grow deeper in faith. 

3. The Holy Spirit would lead us towards victory.     It is the end result that is most important. And when you have God on your side, you're sure to end up victorious. The realization of this does not depend on how you read your Bible.. It relies on how much you allow God to move in your situation. :)

The Church's response to God's call to rise up. I pray that their response would not be merely raising of hands. May these only be symbols to how they would choose to rise up for God from here on forward.. :) 

Loved this kid <3

Here's Joy. Kat's sister. We also got to talk. I will miss talking to her.. She's very transparent and I know that God has big plans for her. I got a peek of her heart and I am blessed! Her heart would surely bring her to great encounters with God. :)  

Here's Ate Donna.. We had funny kulitan! Hehe and she shared a little secret........ HAHA.

(Okay, sorry for saying something you won't relate at all. Hahaha) 

 I love eating with people - great way to bond. :) It makes you feel like you are family. No wonder why there were many important things in the Bible that happened on dinnertime. :D

Here's Jopel, my ministry buddy. We became close to each other not because of ligawan or texting or whatever. We became close because of our mutual love for God that we express through ministries like what we do here in Arenda. :) I praise God for this man's life. Our sincere friendship has definitely helped me grow in immense ways! :)

 This is Kat. We had a great talk after the service.. I want to get to talk to her more often :( In person.. What could be God's plan why He allowed the schedules to conflict? But she promised to update me on Facebook. I really love this girl. She's the sweetest :">

With the other girls.. Their lovely, aren't they? Nothing makes a woman lovelier than the joy she experiences from God!

If you read this and you feel like God's whispering to your ear to pray for these young people, please do so!

And yeah, by so doing, you're taking part in the great things God has in store for them. Let's wait and see how God would be using these teenagers mightily and powerfully! :)

Who are the people you are praying for? Who are those whom you encourage to be all out for our King?