Day 1

I've attended this assembly-thing at the very first day of the year 2012. Yes, I just have the time to blog it just now. Anyway, we've been to this non-Catholic assembly, (for blogging purposes let's call this event Day 1 because I've been their on January 1). What they did was they pray through songs. After that was a dance performance of kids. After that was a talk led by one of them, he was not introduced anymore, so I think he is their so-called "pastor".

I'm doing this blog just to give my observations, points, maybe some rebuttal, and some questions.
Here it goes...

1. At the beginning of their assembly, they had this worship thing. Wherein their prayer is through the songs. Well, in the community where I belong (CFC FFL, a Catholic community), we also do worship. So I have been exposed to this, and what they did was no-shocker to me. I just get to appreciate more the praising and singing we're doing in CFC FFL.

In the community, CFC FFL, we have a worship leader, who exhorts us in the beginning of worship. He leads the people into a community, who praises God. Well, in Day 1, maybe they have a leader--the guy with the guitar--but I didn't see him acting as one. What I saw is a concert--a band. In CFC FFL, if you're part of the music ministry, you stay at the very back of the stage or at its side.

By the way, CFC FFL is not an offshoot religion from Catholicism. CFC FFL is a Catholic community in obedience to and part of the Catholic Church.

2. Their so-called pastor tackled one of Saint Peter's letters. I forgot if it's the first or the second. I think it's the first. He said that Peter could never be the foundation of the Church because it is founded on Christ. He further said that "Peter" in Greek is "Petros", meaning "Stone", therefore he could not be the "Rock".

Jesus said to [Simon] in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:17-19, NAB)

Jesus could not have talked to Peter, then to himself, then to Peter again, like: "You will be Peter." "I will be the rock." "I will give you [Peter] the keys to the kingdom."

But beyond the Greek, we must go back to Aramaic, the spoken language of Jesus. In Aramaic, rock is Kephas. And we can see it in the Pauline letters, where Peter is referred to as Kephas.
Click here, to know and understand more.

3. Also, the so-called pastor said, "There is no hope in the Pope. There is no hope in religion." I bet he wants to say this knowing that Catholics where there, definitely that is us. Well, the moment this words came out his mouth and reached my ear, I wanna shout it out in declaration: "VIVA EL PAPA!" (Actually, I was near to shouting.)

He says that there is Hope only in Jesus and not in the Pope nor Religion. Well, I do not contradict his first few words. Jesus is really our Hope, no doubt in that. But to say that there is no hope in the Pope nor religion, would also mean that there is no hope in him as pastor or whatever he is. Who gave you authority to stand there and preach anyway?

Jesus gave hope in the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church because Jesus Himself established it. The Catholic Church does not claim these--One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic--on its own, like self-labeling. But that we are, because He is. (cf. CCC 811)

And this discussion would lead us back to point #2. Click here, it's a different link.

4. And I want to remind as well that the Holy Spirit is the third persona of the Holy Trinity. God is One in three Divine Persons, all equal to one another: God the Father. God the Son. God the Holy Spirit. Therefore that the Holy Spirit is God, then the Holy Spirit is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
I forgot what the so-called pastor said that made me write that in my notes. I think he said something like that the Spirit then, is different from the Spirit now.

There are a lot of other things which I have observed and heard, which I have already forgotten. This is the problem with blogging too late.

And lastly, Dad asked, "Was that it?" I answered, "Most probably."

If this is what they are doing every Sunday--reading the Bible (a Catholic compiled book), hearing their pastor's own interpretation of it, attacking Catholics (maybe), adhering to sola scriptura leading to self-submission--I just thought, how about this:

Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. (Luke 22:19-20, NAB) 

You can also check 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

Well, there it is. We have to love our neighbor by telling them the Truth.
I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.
GOD LOVES US THE MOST.
AMDG

E.S.

This happened one Thursday night, last November of 2011. Note that I am writing from memory.

I was sitting alone at a fast food chain, waiting for my best friend to arrive. Beside me was a man, maybe at his 50's or 60's. Just by sitting there and looking at him something in me whispered: "You'd be talking to that man; you have to speak with him". He was eating; and I'm not. With him are books about Math and an abacus. He was cleaning one of his books when he looked at me (and he caught me looking at him as well) and he smiled. I smiled back.

Then the conversation starts.

We talked about Math and the books he has with him that night, they are all about Math and Numbers. I asked him if he's a professor in Mathematics or a Mathematician; he just simply said, he's a retired accountant. I asked him about one of the things that struck me that was with him: the abacus. He told me that it's different than the others; that it is actually a Filipino Abacus. I asked him to teach me how to use it. I learned a lot. Actually, just the basics. But it's "a lot" for me already. And my sister-best friend arrived.

He asked us what we are doing with our lives? I understand it with regard to "work". I was to say that I'm a nurse and that I'm a lecturer/ reviewer for NLE. Then I got reminded: Before anything else, I am a Missionary. And that's what I told him. And him knowing my answer, we take on from Math to Religion and Philosophies. Man, that's way far from one another!

God taught me that to every man I meet, I am responsible for that man's soul. I am a Catholic missionary. He said he's Catholic but not anymore practicing. And I get perplexed. How can that be? If one is a Catholic, one is either a Catholic through and through or not Catholic at all. The way I see it, he's a humanist-relativist.

There was this question he asked, "Hindi ko ba matitibag ang mga pinaniniwalaan ninyo?" We answered, "Hindi po." This answer of ours, allowed us to be engaged in a deeper conversation. The very word I could give to describe the man's reaction to our answer of "hindi po" is: "Nang-gigil" siyang makipag-usap sa amin. With this, you'd think that he's trying to break the very foundation of the Faith that is in us. But. Podering from his reaction, we (my sister and I) arrived at two conclusions:

1. He wants to test us and our adherence to our beliefs; or,
2. He just wants to share his thoughts with us without bearing the responsibility of him changing our beliefs.

He poses questions on us, about our faith and our beliefs. The moment I felt this was going to happen, right then and there I prayed. I prayed to St. Michael the Archangel for defense in battles like this (not that this is a debate; but it is a spiritual warfare). I prayed to St. Anthony de Padua for eloquence of words. And to St. Augustine of Hippo as well, because he's my patron saint. And I know my sister is also praying.

The man poses questions of which questions I also asked myself back then; of which questions I also failed to answer myself. Instead of worrying what I have to say, I held on to God's promise:

When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of the Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:19-20, NAB)

Truly, our God inspired me with His wisdom. I was able to speak, for God's glory, for that man's questions. I don't want to just nod with everything he says; if I did that it would be a burden for me whenever I'd recalled the event. I don't want to be left hanging without even answering for my Faith and what I believe in. I remembered what St. Peter said:

... Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. (cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16, NAB)

When someone asks you an answer for your faith, our first Pope made it clear: when you answer you do it with gentleness and reverence (respect). Your goal is not to win the conversation, but to win the person and his soul for Christ. Before you answer, you pray for God's wisdom, knowledge, and presence. After you answer, you pray in thanksgiving and you pray for the man's soul.

The man told us, "Believe, not because it's true, but because it is beautiful". That's quite good. But isn't it that the fact that it is beautiful is because it is true? It is the truth that is why it is beautiful. It is not the truth that is why it is not beautiful.

I learned from him to always seize the moment, to enjoy the moment. Well, that's true. He enjoyed our talk. We also enjoyed talking to him. He thanked us. We also thanked him.

There's also one thing I can be proud of, that if ever the Filipino Abacus subject be added into the primary education curriculum, then I can say that I have met and actually spoke with the man who finds it essential for basic Mathematics.

Lord, I am a Catholic; and I will die a Catholic.

*NAB - New American Bible

This is Your Lesson Number One

Lesson #1 to becoming SAINT:

SELF-DENIAL

That I almost cried denying myself.

I thought self-denial was something easy to do. 

But this is what God taught me, to deny myself because of His LOVE for me and for LOVE of Him.

Sa Totoo Lang Po

I AM FOR THE FAMILY AND LIFE!
I AM AGAINST THE RH BILL.

My GOD is now my Strength [Part 1]

I've lost myself for good within God's promise.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011.

I entered my review class with a heavy heart. Everything the reviewer says was mere noise to me. I was not in the mood to study and learn. And since everything was just noise and I can’t digest and understand anything, I moved out of the room, went to the veranda of the building. I tried to cool myself: Nagpahangin ako ng magulong puso.

It was supposed to be a me-time moment. But God made it as a God-time moment. As to where I am, I had a view of the houses, the cars, the other buildings, etc. As I sit in the veranda, I saw a flock of birds just flying in circular manner. This is where the Lord spoke to me.

God says:

See the birds fly? As they fly, they are able to worship Me. In their very act of flying and in simply flying, they are worshipping Me. They are able to worship Me by just doing what they are made to do. And Kaye, I made you for Me. By simply being human, you are worshipping Me. In doing the things I made you to do, you are able to worship Me. I MADE YOU FOR ME; and not for anyone else, not even for yourself. And with this, I promise that you are DESTINED AND MADE FOR GREATNESS, that I may be worshipped.

With this, it occurred to me that I should get back to class and review. This is because by just reviewing and doing it for God, I am able to worship Him. What God told me created both fear and excitement. Fear of not even having myself; and excitement for what the Lord will further do for me to witness and experience. Before going back to review, I prayed and thanked God for the affirmation. I went back to review, and heard another affirmation.

Through our reviewer, I believed that God affirmed our work of being missionaries. Our reviewer was discussing “transcultural nursing”; and in the latest book of Madeleine Leininger (proponent of transcultural nursing), she says that Filipinos is the best example of transcultural nursing. With this discussion, I am affirmed that God has really set the Filipino people for His Work: that God would use the Filipinos in the Church’s work of evangelization and mission.

Thursday, April 14, 2011.

A day before the much-awaited World Youth Congress 2011. It was about 6AM. A carpool of missionaries was bound to the north of Luzon at Dagupan City, Pangasinan, for a five-hour drive. We were able to reach Dagupan City by almost 12PM. As we enter the main venue, CSI Stadia, and as I saw the stage, aesthetics, the largeness of the venue, etc., I said to myself: “Huwaw! This is the life! Ang lakas! Sure win ang congress.” Everything in Stadia was big. Ang laki ng stage. Larger than twice the human height ang mga designs. Kakainin ka ng venue if you are not prepared for its greatness.

Then we had our Mass at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist. After celebrating the Mass there, we went to the Blessed Sacrament. Everything was just beautiful and everything was worth experiencing. ‘Yung pag-Simba ko lang sa Cathedral at sa pagpunta sa presensya ni Kristo sa Blessed Sacrament, panalo na ang congress ko!

In the evening, we went back to Stadia for our recollection. The message was very powerful: 

JESUS CHRIST IS THE MASTER OF BOTH THE SEEN AND THE UNSEEN.

The congress proper has not even started. 

But the strength of God was very present. 
On the feeding of the five thousand: Lahat kayang pakainin.

Totoo, Walang Imposible Sa Lakas Ng Diyos!


My God is now my strength.
-cf. Isaiah 49:5

Is it wrong to wear a bikini?

Male college students at Princeton University recently took part in studies of how the male brain reacts to seeing people wearing different amounts of clothing. The test subjects were placed in a brain scanner and for a fraction of a second were shown photographs of women in bikinis, as well as men and women dressed modestly.

When the young men viewed the scantily clad women, the part of their brain associated with tool use lit up. Even though some of the images were shown for as little as two-tenths of a second, the most easily remembered photographs were of bikini-clad women whose heads were cropped off the photos!

The purpose of the research, according to Susan Fiske, a professor of psychology at Princeton University, was to examine ways in which people view others as a means to an end. The findings of the research were presented during the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, held in Chicago.

Researchers also discovered that when some of the men viewed scantily clad females, the men’s medial pre-frontal cortex was deactivated. This is the region of the brain associated with analyzing a person’s thoughts, intentions, and feelings. Fiske remarked, “It is as if they are reacting to these women as if they are not fully human.” She added, “It is a preliminary study but it is consistent with the idea that they are responding to these photographs as if they were responding to objects rather than people.”

She considered this discovery to be shocking, because “The lack of activation in this social cognition area is really odd, because it hardly ever happens.” Researchers have witnessed such a dehumanizing absence of brain activity only once before, during a study where people were shown images of drug addicts and homeless people.

Another study performed on undergraduate students at Princeton found that when men are shown images of women in bikinis, they associate the women with first-person verbs, such as I “push,” “handle,” and “grab.” When shown images of modestly dressed women, the men associated the images with the third-person forms of the verbs, such as she “pushes,” “handles,” and “grabs.” In other words, the fully-clothed women were seen as being in control of their own actions, whereas the immodest ones were to be acted upon.

Although scientists were surprised by these findings, they won’t come as a shock to those who know the origins of the bikini. Its inventor was a Frenchman named Louis Reard, who worked for his mom’s lingerie business. When he created the first two-piece bathing suit in 1946, he had to hire a stripper to debut the outfit, because no model was willing to wear it on the runway! After all, what kind of woman would wear her underwear in public, just because it became waterproof? Over half a century years ago, these French models took for granted what today’s scientists from Princeton find surprising.

Dr. Alice Von Hildebrand once remarked, “If little girls were made aware of the great mystery confided to them, their purity would be guaranteed. The very reverence which they would have toward their own bodies would inevitably be perceived by the other sex. Men are talented at reading women’s body language, and they are not likely to risk being humiliated when a refusal is certain. Perceiving women’s modesty, they would take their cue and, in return, approach the female sex with reverence.”

Just as bikinis cause some men’s brains to overlook a woman’s intentions and thoughts, modesty does just the opposite. It invites men to consider how much more a woman has to offer. If bikinis objectify women, modesty personalizes them. Therefore, women who wish to be taken seriously by men may want to reconsider the power of modesty. Its purpose is not to veil the woman’s body because it is bad. Quite the contrary! A modest woman is not hiding herself from men. She is revealing her dignity to them.

Nothing on earth approaches the beauty of the woman. For this reason, the question must be asked to women, “How will you use your beauty?” Pope John Paul II remarked that the dignity and balance of human life depends at every moment of history and in every place upon who man will be for women, and who women will be for men. So, who will you be for men?

If women have become objects in the minds of many men, what can be done to restore the hearts and minds of both? If the world is ever to see a resurgence of values, modesty, and chivalry, it will require both men and women to take an inventory of their own hearts, to examine who they have become for each other.

from: www.Chastity.com

Why should I have to change the way I dress? If a guy has a bad imagination, that's his problem.

If you are fed up with the way guys often treat women and wonder what can be done to restore a sense of respect, modesty is the solution. The problem is this: Many men today do not know how to relate to women. Part of the remedy for this ailment lies in the hands of women. Wendy Shalit said, “Ultimately, it seems that only men can teach other men how to behave around women, but those men have to be inspired by women in the first place; inspired enough to think the women are worth being courteous to.”[1]

How will this happen? Well, many young women are aware that they have the power to seduce a man, but few girls are aware that their femininity also has the power to educate a guy. The way a girl dresses (not to mention the way she talks, dances, and so forth) has an extraordinary ability to help shape a man into a gentleman or into a beast.

I have read tens of thousands of pages of theology, counseling, and information about relationships and human sexuality, but I never learned how to treat a woman until I dated one who dressed modestly. It was captivating, and I realized for the first time that immodest dress gets in the way of seeing a woman for who she is. Immodest outfits might attract a man to a girl’s body, but they distract him from seeing her as a person. As one man said, “If you want a man to respect you, and perhaps eventually fall in love with you, then you must show him that you respect yourself and that you recognize your dignity before God.” [2]

A woman who dresses modestly inspires a guy in a way that I am not ashamed to admit I cannot explain. I suppose it is safe to say that it conveys your worth to us. When a woman dresses modestly, I can take her seriously as a woman because she doesn't look like she's begging for attention. She knows that she’s worth discovering. Such humility is radiant. Unfortunately, many women are so preoccupied with turning men’s heads that they overlook their power to turn our hearts.

Sometimes femininity is confused with weakness, but nothing could be further from the truth. A woman who is truly feminine is well aware that she could dress like a collection of body parts and receive countless stares from guys. But she has the strength to leave room for mystery. Instead of dressing in a way that invites guys to lust, the way she dresses says, “I’m worth waiting for.” She trusts God’s timing, and she knows that she does not need to make boys gawk in order to catch the attention of the man God has planned for her.

In his letter on the dignity of women, Pope John Paul II quoted a document from Vatican II, saying: “The hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of women is being acknowledged in its fullness, the hour in which women acquire in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women imbued with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling.”[3]

So what is modesty? It is not about looking as ugly as possible. It is about taking the natural beauty of womanhood and adorning it in a way that reflects one’s true identity. When a girl knows that she is a daughter of the King of heaven, she does not allow her outfits, conversations, and mannerisms to distract from this. She is aware that her body is sacred because it is a temple of the Holy Spirit. This brings about a certain humility of the body, since humility is the proper attitude toward greatness. In this case it is the greatness of being made in the image and likeness of God.

This is not an “I am woman, hear me roar!” bit, but a serene sense of not needing to grope for attention. Sure, guys will gawk at a woman who dresses provocatively, but in your heart do you long to be gawked at or to be loved? You want real love. When a girl dresses immodestly, she often does not realize that she robs herself of the intimacy for which she yearns.

When a girl wears outfits that could not be any tighter without cutting off her circulation, guys will think she is trying to tell them, “Hey, boys, the greatest thing about me is my body!” They will stare and will probably agree. But if her body is the greatest thing about her, it must be all downhill from there. If that is the best she has to offer, why should they get to know her heart, her dreams, her personality, and her family? They want to get to know her body.

Dressing immodestly also harms a girl’s chances of being loved. The type of guys who will be drawn to her will not be the type of guys who will treat her as a daughter of God. No matter how a woman dresses, she sends out an unspoken invitation for men to treat her the way she looks. For example, consider a magazine I recently saw at an airport newsstand. On the cover was a woman wearing a short skirt that could be mistaken for a wide belt. Her airtight top was scarcely the size of an unfolded napkin, and in big bold letters across the cover was “Suzie [or whatever her name was—I don’t remember] wants men to respect her!” I wished her the best of luck and walked on to my gate, after covering up the magazine with a few issues of Oprah. (I consider this a corporal work of mercy—clothing the naked.)

Although a girl deserves respect no matter what she wears, a guy can tell how much a woman respects herself by how she is dressed. If she does not respect herself, the odds are that guys will follow her lead. In the heart of a woman, there is no desire to be a sex object. Is there a desire to receive attention, affection, and love? Certainly. But is there a desire to be reduced to an object? No girl wants to go there, but many do for the sake of receiving emotional gratification.

When a girl puts on a belly-button-showing, spaghetti strap shirt, she is not thinking about how she hopes to lead men to sin. She’s probably thinking, “That’s a cute top, and it will look perfect with my shoes.” But beneath this simple desire to be attractive is a deeper desire to be accepted. If a girl understands how visual guys are when it comes to sexuality, she may look at the outfit as a means to receive attention. She may see the scantily clad mannequin and think, “That outfit turns heads. If I wear it, guys will look at me. Maybe I’ll even meet a nice one.” But her logic will not pay off.

Assume that a girl dresses provocatively and she comes across a genuinely good man. The man is no better off because of her outfit. Men are more visually stimulated than women, and immodesty can easily trigger lustful thoughts. When men harbor these impure ideas, lust separates us from Christ, the source of unconditional love. Does a woman really want to separate men from the source of the unconditional love she seeks? If not, then why not opt for the more modest outfit? There is nothing wrong with wearing things that make you look cute, but seductive and sexy outfits should not be part of a Christian woman’s wardrobe.

If your heart is saying, “Is this too short?” or “Does this look too tight?” listen to that voice. It has already answered your question. Listen to this voice for your sake and for ours. For your sake, realize that as a moat surrounds a castle, modesty protects the treasure of chastity. For our sake, remember when Cain killed Abel back in Genesis? When God asked Cain where his brother was, Cain replied, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” In the same way, it is all too easy for guys and girls alike to shrug off the responsibility we have to help one another maintain purity. Adopt the attitude of Saint Paul, and live in a way that does not cause your brothers to stumble (Rom. 14:21).

Some girls spend more energy trying to make guys notice them (even if they have no interest in the guys) than they spend trying to focus young men’s attention on God. As a woman of God, use your beauty to inspire men to virtue. Again, there is no problem with looking cute. Problems arise, however, when clothing (or the lack thereof) is worn in a way that is immodest, or when a person falls into vanity and excessive concern about looking perfect. Your body is precious in the sight of God, and you do not need to look like an airbrushed Cosmo model to deserve love.

from: www.Chastity.com

Live Pure!

Isang gabi.

Isang gabing nagliliyab.

Ng mga pusong naniniwalang posible.

Na posible lahat.

Posibleng magsaya kasama ng mga kaibigan at makipag-kwentuhan.
Makipag-kwentuhan ng walang halong mura, green jokes, at katulad nito. Live Pure.

Posibleng magsaya kasama ng mga kaibigan at makinig.

Makinig sa musikang walang halong mura, walang halong konteksto ng desecration ng sex. Live Pure.


Posibleng magsaya kasama ng mga kaibigan at sumayaw.

Sumayaw ng walang halong sensualidad. Live Pure.

Posibleng magsaya kasama ng mga kaibigan at uminom.

Uminom ng walang halong alkohol at walang sigarilyo. Live Pure.

Posibleng magsaya kasama ng mga kaibigan at mag-picture.

Magpa-picture na naninindigang mabuhay ng malinis. Live Pure.

Posibleng magsaya kasama ng mga kaibigan at umawit.

Umawit ng kasiyahan kasama si Kristo. Live Pure.

Isang gabi.

Isang gabing inumpisahan ng isang party.

Isang kasiyahan na magpapatuloy kailanman.

Hanggang sa araw ng selebrasyon ng pagbabalik ni Kristo!

LIVE PURE.

Live a pure life, that's the only way to live.

A.M.D.G.

Where I Work

When you work in the medical field, there is one thing I hate.

Some connotes SEX as a human biological need.

Good thing, I don't work at the medical field.

I work in the vast field of God, who assigned me in the medical field.

Not as a worker in that (medical) field; but as a servant to that field.

Got questions? Talk to my employer: GOD.

How Did The Mission Trip Changed Your Life?

The Subic Mission Team's One-liner in:

How Did The Mission Trip Changed Your Life?

“The mission trip changed me to a much faithful and Christ-centered person.” 

–Renzo Gabriel

“Masaya mag-mission at makakilala ng iba’t ibang klase ng tao; knowing that you glorify one God and at the same time know their stories and learned from it.” 

–May Evangelista

“The mission trip helped me to be closer to God and made me realize that I should serve Him more.” 

–Renz Baxa

“The mission trip fulfilled me.” 

–Meme Asejo

“The mission trip made me a stronger, better, and a holy person.” 

–Kevin Matignas

“The mission trip changed me dramatically in spirit, mind, and heart.” 

–Marvin Eguico

“The mission trip inspired me to be more dedicated to my service.” 

–Ynah Gabriel

“The mission trip made me realize that truly, the majestic power and love of God can reach far places; distance will never be a hindrance.” 

–Tash Salcedo

“Mas nag-enjoy akong mag-serve.” 

–Jhoanne Pataueg

“It is not only in receiving that we experience the love of God, but also in giving ourselves for the sake of others and, most of all, for the sake of Christ.” 

–Kaye Matignas

The Mission Team

Thank you Lord for the mission trip's joyride experience!
Thank you Lord for changing us inside out!


God bless all of the mission trip and all of the missionaries!

God's Work Needs No Delay

Mission Area: District of Iba
Mission Activity: CFC YFL Youth Camp


May 28-30, 2010. The first-ever mission trip to the District of Iba was conducted by a team of 15 different young individuals all responding to the one call of Christ to love Him and to make Him loved. It was such a joyride of an experience! The mission team ran a CFC YFL Youth Camp. The harvest of this youth camp counts to thirty-one (31) new souls!

God’s work needs no delay and so He will not delay you.

“There is a given time for everything and a time for every happening under heaven”

– Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CCB)

It was set as a two-day camp and since we wanted to start on time on the first day of the camp, ie, on a Saturday (29 May 2010), we departed from Manila by Friday (28 May 2010). In traveling to Subic, we have divided the team into two batches. The first batch departs by two in the afternoon (2PM). The second batch departs by seven in the evening (7PM). Those included in the first batch are those who do not have summer classes; while those who have their summer classes and ojt’s are part of the second batch. Unfortunately, I am part of the second batch. Trips to Subic are scheduled by the-hour; the last trip to Subic is scheduled by 9PM. We (the second batch) are supposed to meet at SSS, East Avenue by 6PM. But what happened was different from what was planned. Heavy rain falls caused heavy traffic in Metro Manila. And yes, it was raining heavily by that time. It was already 7PM and we are still not moving from SSS. Two trips to go. I messaged the team to pray for us. Prayer is our most powerful tool. I don’t want to say hello to Subic by Saturday. When we arrived at the bus terminal by 07:20PM, I saw the bus to Subic. The sight of it excites me; but we can’t board it yet, we still have to wait for our two other missionaries. And so, I prayed and I claimed in Jesus’ Name that the bus that has given me part of the taste of the mission will be the same bus we’d board into. It was 07:30PM when the 7PM trip left Manila. And yes, we are Subic-bound!

God’s work needs no delay and so He will give you strength.

“[But (God) answered:] “my grace is enough for you; my great strength is revealed in your weakness”. Gladly, then, will I boast of my weakness that the strength of Christ may be mine.” 

– 2 Corinthians 12:9

I was assigned to give the third talk of the youth camp. Giving a talk is an exciting thing to do. As it is exciting, it is exhausting as well. It is exhausting in a way that, you have to connect all the points into one thread, you have to connect that one thread to the participants, and you really have to be part of that one thread to get connected to the participants. And as you connect to the participants, you absorb other negativities, eg, the heat of the place (or it might be because I am giving the talk), the inattentive of some, and other distractions. But the negatives I absorbed had not made me quit the work that needs to be done. I refocus myself to the very reason why I am there in the first place: the Love of Christ!

It was not only me who has seen the weight of this work. But as I saw its weight, I have seen the greatness of God’s power and might. One facilitator is to four participants, that is the minimum. And that one facilitator is to four to five sets of one-to-ones. With this article, I would like to honor the facilitators of our team. They did their service really well. Though it is a tough service, they had not seen its cost on their human strength. But they had seen its cause: the Love of Christ!

God’s work needs no delay simply because it is all about God.

"This is love: not that we loved God but that he first loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:10 (CCB)

Our God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and above all, Love. The very fact that the work of our God needs no delay is simply because He loved us first. It is all about Him loving us; for His love is ever constant that it does not increase nor does it decrease. God Himself did not delay His love for us: "But see how God manifested his love for us: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, CCB). In the same way, we should not, as well, delay to channel the love of God to our brothers and sisters. It is because they need what we need: the Love of Christ!

  

Note:

Italics in the Bible verses are mine.

All Bible verses are taken using the Digital Catholic Bible software program, with the Christian Community Bible (CCB) version. © 2007-2008.

Hanggang Saan Aabot ang Bente Pesos Mo?

I am a poor kid with a rich GOD!

This is more than a tugs-tugs-tugs story.

April 24, 2010 is a free day. Literally "free". All things were free that day. And the providence of God for me to survive that day was, of course, uncontainable.

These were the course of events that day:

Hanggang saan umabot ang bente pesos ko??

• Gone to QC Memorial Circle via our jeep, so that means a free ride
• Conducted and enjoyed our CFC YFL Cluster 3 UBE Activity
• Paid my registration fee of Php 20.00 for food and water; umpisa pa lang ng araw, wala na akong pera (07:30AM)
• Ate ice cream by the power of Meme's 10 pesos
• Got another free ride from QC Hall to McDonald's at Matalino Street; rode another jeep of ours, another free ride
• Ate McDonald's McSaver Meal via Kevin's money
• Ate sundae - Ynah's pre-birthday treat
• Played counter strike and L4D with some C3 people; my account was paid by my brother
• Rode the last jeepney home paid again by my brother

WOW! God is so great! I was able to do and survive all that with just Php 20.00. Well, for a fact, it was Php 21.00. Haha.

I really forgot to bring money because my means of going to QC Circle was free. I was to buy ice cream at QC Circle when I realized that I have nothing left. Totally zero. But I didn't worry.

The problem of no-money-going-home-how-about-transport did not occur to me. I just laughed at myself and accepted the fact of walking to get home. After the UBE, we agreed to go to McDonald's. Pasimuno pa ako ng lakad kahit wala akong dalang pera. Smile appeared to my face when I saw our jeep in the terminal. "Yehes! Libreng sakay ulet!"

The same story goes on that day. "Yehes! Libre ulet!"

Thank you Lord! You are truly AWESOME! You are my Great PROVIDER!

Praise be forever YOURS!

The Great I AM

Big!

Just!

Great!

Almighty!

Righteous!

All Knowing!

All Powerful!

Omnipresent!

Indescribable!

Uncontainable!

Our GOD is an Awesome GOD!

CFC Youth for Family and Life
World Youth Congress 2010: I AM
April 9th to 11th, 2010
Lipa City, Batangas
GOD taught me one thing: "I AM the Great I AM"
I AM. In Filipino, AKO NGA.


Day One
1PM       Arrival
5PM       Holy Mass
6PM       Dinner
7PM       Gathering
730PM    Opening
745PM    Worship
815PM    Session 1: The Great I AM
945PM    Praisefest
1015PM  Party: iSikat


Session 1: The Great I AM
GOD is GOD and I am not! He is the Great I AM (cf. Exodus 3:14)

1. I AM ALL-KNOWING
GOD is Omniscient. He knows everything in us. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows our needs and our desires.


2. I AM ALL-POWERFUL
GOD is Omnipotent! He is a great and mighty King! Nothing is impossible with our GOD.


3. I AM EVER-PRESENT
GOD is Omnipresent! Wherever we are and in whatever situation we may be, GOD is always present.


4. I AM LOVE
GOD is Love. And in His immense love for us do we find everything.


Don't say, " I have a big problem." But tell your problem, "Hey, I have a BIG GOD!" Our GOD is so great! That He had also manifested it in our WYC 2010 venue, BluRoze Farm Philippines, Lipa City, Batangas. It made me realize and appreciate that we are giving praise and glorifying GOD with His other creations, e.g., the animals, the trees, etc. That the greatness of GOD leaves me in great awe of Him!

"Ang talino talaga ng Diyos! Hindi Niya ginawa ang ostrich na lumilipad! 

Imagine-in niyo 'yun, kapag ang ostrich lumilipad." -kuya Jepoy Meneses

Photo from BluRoze Farm Philippines website.

Day Two
6AM       Wake Up Call
7AM       Breakfast
8AM       Gathering
815AM    Rosary
830AM    Worship
9AM       Session 2: Living a Righteous Life
1030AM  Confession
12NN      Lunch
1PM       Gathering
115PM    Worship
130PM    Workshops
3PM       Break
6PM       Dinner
7PM       Gathering
730PM    YFL Creative Launch
8PM       Worship
830PM    Session 3:I Am Redeemed
1030PM  Praisefest


Session 2: Living a Righteous Life
My Note: This is a "hiwalay and simultaneous" session. One for the brothers and one for the sisters having the same content but different in the manner of delivery.

"LIVE PURE" baller bands given to the brothers during Session 2. 

And it is more than just a baller band.

How do we respond to our awesome GOD? Live a righteous life! Live pure! Righteousness is holiness. It is being holy, pure, and upright. Being and doing so needs us to follow the First Great Commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30, NAB). In other words, LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR BEING!


Love GOD with all our HEART: Do things that pleases the Almighty!
1. Contentment. Don't seek for things that are not there. Glorify GOD with what we have.
2. Humility. We exist to make a big deal about GOD, and not about us.
3. Sincerity. Live a one pure life; no to double life. And we should walk our talk and talk our walk. God deserves none but our excellence.


Love GOD with all our SOUL: Connect to the One True Source through prayer. For prayer changes the pray-er (the one praying). Seven days without prayer makes one weak.


Love GOD with all our MIND: It is all in the mind. Think of holy things. Do away with lustful thoughts. Purity inside and out!


Love GOD with all our STRENGTH: And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17, NAB). Excellence through a right relationship with GOD!


We are also called to be right with our family, friends, CFC YFL brothers and sisters, community, and the Church.


Is it possible to do all these? YES! Jesus Christ, true GOD and true Man, had already set the example of living a life of holiness and He had made it known, loud and clear, that it is possible. Be righteous in the eyes of the Father!


Aside from hearing the session, we also made a commitment. A commitment to live pure. A Modesty Pledge that will remind us that we are created as unique children of GOD.


"Live life to the purest!" -kuya Fyron Umali

St. Benedict's Medal (Click here for info). 

Given to the sisters during Session 2.

Click here to join "Live Pure" facebook fan page.


Session 3: I Am Redeemed

Do you know Job? The man in the Old Testament of the Bible. Job loves GOD and GOD loves and finds favor on Job. Job had everything. And his everything were taken away from him (by Satan). Yet he still chose to follow and glorify GOD. And with this, GOD returned to Job more than enough, more than what he had before.


Job did suffer. Why we suffer, we do not know. There is no clear-cut answer to that. It is a mystery. Suffering due to our sins is a self-inflicted suffering that GOD is not pleased about. But if we experience suffering because we chose to follow Him, this is where GOD shows Himself. This kind of suffering is called REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING.


Our sufferings are redemptive if: (1) it brings us closer to Christ; (2) it blesses others; and (3) it glorifies GOD! Our redemptive sufferings makes us one in the sufferings endured by Christ at the Cross. We may suffer from persecution because we chose to follow Christ; from rejection because we live righteous lives; from sickness and/or death. But all of these redemptive sufferings will make us more worthy and righteous in the eyes of GOD.


Attitudes to take when we are experiencing redemptive suffering:
1. Cheerful and willing
2. Sensitive to GOD's message
3. Praising GOD at all times
4. Enduring the suffering


"I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you." (Job 42:5, NAB). Job suffered much, but his suffering is redemptive. Through Job's suffering, GOD rewarded him much more! And if we accept our own redemptive sufferings in our lives with firm belief and trust in GOD, definitely, greater things are to come!


Day Three
6AM       Wake Up Call

7AM       Gathering

715AM    Rosary

730AM    Holy Mass

830AM    Breakfast

930AM    Gathering

945AM    Worship

1015AM  Session 4: I Am Just and Righteous

1115AM  Praisefest

12NN      Lunch

Session 4: I Am Just and Righteous

The Almighty is Just and Righteous! And as GOD's sons and daughters, we should also be just and righteous. Through the Cross and suffering of Jesus Christ, we have been made righteous before GOD (cf. Romans 3:21-26; Romans 5:19)


GOD's Justice and Righteousness CALL US TO:
1. HOLINESS - Be holy because I (am) holy. -1 Peter 1:16, (NAB)
2. FAMILY RENEWAL
3. EVANGELIZE


To answer to this call of GOD, we act by living our COVENANT and to remain committed to it. To follow Christ! To build a strong family for Him! To be an active member (and servant) of CFC YFL! To testify GOD's love!


Through this "I AM" WYC 2010, I have greatly appreciated how big, how great, and how awesome our GOD is! That made me speechless of His uncontainable love and joy!

Holy is the Lord God Almighty!
The earth is filled with His glory!

With this, may GOD be forever glorified!


My Note: Some parts of this blog came from the CFC YFL WYC 2010 kit booklet.