Tablecloth (a true story)

The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn , arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw
their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.

They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc, and on December 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished. On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high. The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity, so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church. By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later.. She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area. Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor," she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?"
The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had
made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria . The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor
told how he had just gotten "The Tablecloth". The woman explained that before the war she and
her husband were well-to-do people in Austria . When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave.
Her husband was going to follow her the next week. He was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again. The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church.. The pastor insisted on driving her home. That was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job. What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return. One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving. The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike? He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years between.
The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.

True Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid who says God does work in mysterious ways.

A $1 for Agta

Christmas is just around the corner. But instead of celebrating it with a Christmas party and gift giving, our bible study group decided to share a day of our lives on a mission’s trip to Camarines Sur on Dec 27-28, 2011.
A dollar for Agta is a fund-raising activity of our Pasir Ris discipleship group. Your $1 will be used to buy basic school supplies as a gift for the children in the villages which will include the following: pencil, eraser, ruler, notebook, water bottle, envelope, flashlight and raincoat.

We are targeting to send out 250 sets of school supplies and we would like to give you an opportunity to bless these children by sharing a dollar from your pocket. Of course you are much welcome if you want to give more A few people already gave pledges and the collected amount will be given to the ministry of Agta Tribe.
If you want to know more about the Agta Ministry, I encourage you to visit their website and be blessed.
http://sjhagen.blogspot.com/search/label/A%20Virtual%20Journey

The Lord is surely doing a lot of amazing things in that part of the world. We are excited as to what the Lord is going to reveal to us as we prepare to experience what life is up there in the mountains.
Please be with us in prayer as we go through this journey and take part by sharing a $1 for Agta.

God Bless You!

Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."

Agta Missions Team
*If the Lord is touching your heart to give your share please get in touch with us through FB personal message or simply sms us @ 93382707 or 91992704.

An Open Letter to my Future Husband

Even though I don't know exactly who you'll be
yet, I think of you often. I wonder how you're
living your life now. It matters to me, you know,
because how you live your life now determines the
kind of man you're becoming … and the kind of man
I'll spend the rest of my life with.
Apparently, for some bizarre reason manhood
doesn't come automatically for males. Some guys
seem to spend their entire lives trying to "prove
their manhood" – by hunting, playing sports,
driving fast … and unfortunately, by having sex.
It seems rather strange to us women that guys
think that having sex proves you're a man. To us,
it just proves that you've reached puberty. And
we don't really consider that, in itself, to be
any accomplishment. Becoming a man is a much more
complicated process.
The funny thing is, even in this day and age,
most guys want to marry a girl who respects her
sexuality. A guy doesn't like the idea of his
future wife in the back seat with someone else,
or her being the subject of a sexual conquest
story in the locker room. They'll brag about
girls like that, but they won't marry them. They
want to marry a girl, whether she's never "done
it" or done it and regretted it, who recognizes
that sex speaks the language of forever,
committed love … someone like me.
But why would I want to marry someone like that …
someone who wants to marry a virgin, but spends
his dating years robbing other girls of their
virginity so that he can prove his manhood? He's
not a "real man" in my eyes – he's selfish,
immature boy driven by insecurity, not love. And
I'm not interested.
I want more from you. I want you to respect your
sexuality as much as I respect mine. I want you
to be a real, confident man not a wimp who has to
use women to feed his insecurity. A guy like that
couldn't use all of those women, and then
suddenly love me. He may be "good in bed" but he
is no good in loving.
I want you to learn to really love. Learning to
love is learning to put the other first. A guy
who messes around outside of marriage isn't
putting the good of the other first. He is using
a girl … speaking the "body language" of
permanent commitment when the relationship isn't
permanent. He's putting the girl at risk of
pregnancy. And he's putting himself at risk for
some nasty diseases … diseases he can then later
give his wife. That's not making love. A real man
loves women – and wants what's best for them. And
he doesn't let his desires control his actions.
He controls his desires instead.
I want you to develop self-control. That's
important to me. I don't want to marry a man who
can't control himself. Men like that make lousy
husbands. A man who isn't used to saying "no" to
sex isn't going to be any better at it at 40 than
he is at 18. I've seen women who worry everytime
their husbands hire an attractive secretary. I
don't want that. What kind of marriage could I
have with someone I couldn't even trust on a
business trip.
In the short run, I'm sure there aren't too many
rewards for living lives this way. Society tells
you that you're missing out on your "sexual
peak". You silence during the locker room
bragging sessions can seem deafening. You may
even heard from the girls you date that something
must be "wrong" with you because you won't take
them to bed. Deep down, you must know that having
sex won't prove you're a man. It's just
irritating that no one else seems to know it,
isn't it?
But someone does know it. I know it. And in the
end, I'm the only one who matters. And no, I'm
not as narrow minded as those guys who say
they'll only marry a virgin. Society isn't too
supportive of virginity. I can forgive mistakes
of the past. But I'm interested in your future,
starting now. When I meet you, I want you to be a
man who has made a conscious decision to wait …
out of love for our future family and commitment
to our marriage. And I want you to be a real man,
who's developed the control, maturity and
unselfishness that waiting brings. They may not
be popular traits in the locker room, but they're
popular with me. They'll make you better husband,
and a better father. To me, that's sexy.
I've abstained from sex all these years and it
hasn't been for the lack of offers. I've had
plenty of opportunities, and saying "no" hasn't
always been easy. I'm sure, it's not always easy
for you either, but it will make our marriage so
much stronger. Sex will be our gift to each
other, our exclusive "language". It'll belong to
us, not "us" and everyone else we ever dated.
Thanks for waiting for me. I promise you won't
regret it.

by: Mary Beth Bonboci

Two Tiny Coins

"Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44

Though extremely poor, I find the widow with the two coins in the bible as one of the most greathearted person ever lived. Jesus caught sight of her in the temple. No one else would have noticed her but Jesus, with eyes that penetrated both her circumstances and her heart, recognized the astonishing nature of her gift. Truly, her gesture was a sign of complete abandonment to God. After learning about this, I kind of picture myself in the scene and asked myself, "If I was there at the temple, putting my offering at the receptacle, what would Jesus see?" Oh my, I guess I would be a great dissapointment!

I salute this woman for being able to willingly and graciously give to the Lord ALL THAT SHE HAD! She truly is a woman of faith because she wouldn't have offered her last penny if she didn't believe that God would care better than she could care for herself. Also, she must have believe in the value of her small offering. What need had God for two copper of coins anyway? But maybe, God in a manner of speaking, did need what she had to offer. Perhaps her gesture consoled Jesus a short time before his passion and death. She had given everything she had to live on; soon, he would give his very life.

The widow also furnishes us with the best example of recognizing the need for money - she had money, although very little - but also the need to hold it lightly - she willingly and lovingly gave it away.1 Timothy 6:10 says " For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs". A lover of money would have hung unto it more tightly than the widow and, when giving it away, would have made sure the gift was noisily apparent.

Personally, I have been constantly skimming the bottom in the last years of my life but God has remained faithful on my needs. I assure you, He truly is a GOD THAT YOU CAN RELY ON and A JEVOHAH JIREH OF ALL TIME! My true security is not in my bank account, but in God alone! :-)

Lastly, the story of the widow and her two copper coins reminds me that God's kingdom works on an entirely different principle than the Kingdom of this world. In the divine economy, the size of the gift is of no conseqeuence; what matters is the size of the giver's heart! :-)

A new heart, a new spirit, a new ME!

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you!" Eze 36:26

It's a new year once again! A time of new beginnings and new hopes for most people... for me! The past year 2010 was "my year" in a sense that I was born on the YEAR OF THE TIGER. I thought of it very positively then but naahhh I was totally wrong. However, now that I look back, I actually am very grateful that the Lord allowed me to go through hardships so I become a better person with a greater and extra ordinary motivation, passion and spirit. As in, I can't describe how excited I am with what's going to happen this 2011. I feel like the Lord is going to surprise me with so many things and at the same time, I'd make my way to make Him more proud of me than ever. Well, I know He is no matter how much I messed up in the last 2 decades of my life but nevertheless, I AM STILL LOVED! What a great God I have:-)

The year 2010 truly been a tough and rough road for me. It was the toughest I could ever think of. I was so down in all aspects financially, spiritually, emotionally and even physically. I lost a very important person in my life and I have never been so broke in my entire life but I have no one else to blame but myself. I was not a good steward of God's finances and with that comes consequences. Consequences that affected a lot of people - my family, friends, ministry. The feeling of great self-dissapointment started to control me and I began to fail the Lord more and more each day. I have been a Christian for more that 2 decades but I feel like at one point, I have stopped growing. My desire to be "extra ordinary, make a difference and excel" just suddenly dissappeared. And having to reflect over and over again, begging God to help me understand myself better and see where the problem lies brought me to this - I HAVE FORGOTTEN MY IDENTITY IN CHRIST! I totally lost a clear sense of who I am in God's eyes. That I am His disciple, a temple of His Holy Spirit and more importantly - I AM HIS CHILD.
John 1:12 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God ."
I John 3:1 "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

And that as a child of God I should be victorious. And though I may have been betrayed, rejected and abandoned by others, God always welcomes me with open arms.Because WITH HIM I BELONG!

Another issue that the Lord had to deal with me was my CONSISTENCY. It's hard to be consistent isn't it? I mean, in one way or another we all have our own inconsistencies in life, we get busy, but mine was horrible because my inconsistency is on setting up the right priorities in life. I forgot intently what's really most important. Being a child of God entails enjoying Him, which for me means, spending time with Him, inviting Him into times of recreation and rest in addition to my ministry work. I neglected that, I neglected Him... not totally but worse, consciously! When I read John 8:31 just a few days ago which says "If you hold my teaching, you are my disciples" it hit me. IT HIT ME BIG TIME because I know that a true disciple puts a high priority on spiritual growth and heeds the admonition of Ephesians 4:15 that we are to "grow up into Him who is the head, that is, Christ." But I didn't.I messed up.My spiritual growth became very stagnant and I committed the most common mistake most Christians make - BEING COMPLACENT! I have been very lax, slothful and a mediocre christian. And for once, I hated myself for being one. It is for this very reason why the enemy got to easily steal my joy and passion in most of the things that I do. But game over! It's time to get back ALL that was taken from me! ONLY THE LORD can give me such great determination.Through the Holy Spirit, Christ dwells in all true believers, convicting us of sin, guiding us into truth, and empowering our lives. This then leads me to another area of my life that I have been neglecting for soooooo long - MY HEALTH!

By housing the Holy Spirit, our bodies become temples - holy, set apart for God's service."Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?" I Cor 3:16 This means that you and I carry God's spirit with us wherever we go. We are vessels of dynamic Holy Spirit activity and for this reason we need to take care our bodies by adhering to healthy eating habits, exercising, and getting ample rest. Well, I have no issue in terms drinking and smoking but man, my sleeping habit is VERY BAD! Admittedly, I am a night owl but I have never really tried to change which is actually very possible having a God like mine. Paul instructs us to honor God with our bodies (I Cor 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies) and let Christ be exalted!

"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[a] his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." Romans 8:11-13

Many of our addictions, compulsions, and bad habits are bodily behaviours. That's why scripture tells us not to let sin reign in our bodies but to offer ourselves completely to God, to dedicate the various parts of our bodies to God as "instruments of righteousness". The point is what we allow "in us" determines our behavior. And so, part of being the "new me" is also developing good sleeping habits and a healthy lifestyle!

Oh well, these are my main concerns in the last few years that I really, truly wanted to change and I am claiming that I will be victorious over all plans of the enemy to stop me again. With all these, may be you're asking after all that I have been through, what kept me going? Honestly, it is GOD'S CONSTANT PURSUIT OF MY HEART! It isn't in His vocabulary to give up on me. And with that, I am humbled and will always be grateful. Year 2010 maybe the hardest time of my life but at the same time, it is also a year of GRACE and of GREAT TRANSFORMATION of my life!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!!!

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness". Ephesians 4:22-24

I LOOK TO YOU

"And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."

Ecclesiastes 12:7

Lord, I can't sleep.... I'm tired of thinking and crying. My eyes are red, swollen, but I just can't stop the tears. I just can't :-( I lost 2 loved ones in one night. But most of all I lost my Tito Edgar just like that. Though my heart is broken, I thank you for saving him. I find comfort in knowing that he is with you now. Thank you Lord for bringing him into my life. He may have his share of shortcomings, (who doesn't?) but still I will forever be grateful for his life.

I remember he used to take good care of me and my siblings when we were kids. He was a teenager then. He was really close to his one and only "ate", my mom. We lived in one house for a long time. My mom used to tell me how my Tito loves ketchup so much. Even if we didn't have food on the table, as long as there's ketchup, he'll be fine. Among his siblings, he was the most intelligent. He got a scholarship in Don Bosco during his college days and received recognition and awards in chess. He was the one who taught me how to play chess. In fact, I was able to do a module on How to Play Chess for Kids because he inspired me. At one point, he left the country so he can help out his mom financially. After 3 years, he came back, a different person. There were rumours that he was harassed in Saudi and that resulted to mental anxiety. Since then, my Tito has been a burden to the family. We prayed and prayed that he gets well. Later on, by God's grace, we found a solution. With constant check up and injection, his sanity came back.

Just like me, my Tito loves to eat and laugh. We shared a lot of things in common and we went to church together. My Tito loves the Lord.Even if he's alone, he would go to church every single Sunday that he's with us in Manila. I am confident that he is now with the Lord....... peaceful as ever. No more asthma and suffering for you Tito. I will miss you dearly....... I am so sad that I didn't even get to see you the last time I was in Manila. I will miss your "lambing" that I may buy you a chess book, or give you pamasahe so you can go to church etc. I will miss eating and dining with you. I will miss hearing the wheezing sound of our asthma together. Bakit ba kasi tayo ang nakamana nun kay lolo e? 'yun pala ang babawi ng buhay mo. If you were in Manila, I don't think you will die. Mom will not allow that to happen. But I guess this is life. Nothing permanent, except DEATH!

Thank you for all your wonderful memories that I will cherish forever... I will miss you dearly!!!! :-(

Lord, in these times when I really don't have the strength to move on with life anymore, I LOOK TO YOU!

As I lay me down
Heaven hear me now
I’m lost without a cause
After giving it my all

Winter storms have come
And darkened my sun
After all that I’ve been through
Who on earth can I turn to?

[Chorus:]
I look to you,
I look to you
After all my strength is gone
In you I can be strong
I look to you,
I look to you
And when melodies are gone In you I hear a song

I look to you

Have to lose my breath
There’s no fighting left
Sinking to rise no more
Searching for that open door

And every road that I’ve taken
Led to my regret
And I don’t know if I’m go’n make it
Nothing to do but lift my head

[Chorus]

My levees are broken
My walls are coming down on me
My rain is falling
Defeat is calling
I need you to set me free
Take me far away from the battle
I need you
Shine on me!

Autobiography In Five Chapters

I had the privilege to listen to John Maxwell preach live online a few minutes ago and I tell you, I was really blessed. He talked about SECOND CHANCES having Jonah as his main illustration. Aren't you glad that our God is a God not just of 2nd but 3rd, 4th, 5th and many more chances????? Well I am, co'z if not, I tell you I should have been dead long time ago. In the last 15 years of my life there is one lesson that God has been teaching me that until now I STILL HAVEN'T LEARNED.And so I'm not going to ask God anymore why it happened again and why I am in that hole again STILL TRYING TO GET OUT for the nth time around. Good thing, our God is GRACIOUS! And GRACE means, YOU GET WHAT YOU DON'T DESERVE. It is super embarrasing and humbling to hear that after being so stubborn and disobedient God says to me, "It's alright my daughter, you try it again this year, nothing changed, I STILL LOVE YOU".

And so, here I am, God didn't just give me a second chance but also dealt with my pride.And I thank HIM for that.It is such JOY to feel released from a long time hidden personal issues and be accountable with someone whom God sent to help me get really directed.

With all this I realized, I am not superwoman after all as many perceived. And that is a good thing:-)

Maxwell ended his preaching with this poem of Portia Nelson. My prayer is to be on Chapter 5 this year and that I decrease and HE INCREASES (John 3:30)

Enjoy! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!


Autobiography In Five Chapters

1) I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost... I am hopeless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

2) I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I'm in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

3) I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in... it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

4) I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

5) I walk down another street.

Portia Nelson
From: Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

35 SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE IN MY 35 YEARS

" I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

1. Papa – for always being proud of me, for supporting and loving me in spite of my shortcomings; for providing in the family all these years; for the many times you have given me a ride even if I was already a grown up; for your non-stop provision and help…….. THANK YOU!
2. Mama – for the many dishes you’ve prepared, clothes you’ve ironed and washed for me; I am a very good cook because of you and popsy; for understanding and being patient, for loving and taking good care of me even as a grown up……….. THANK YOU!
3. Eden (my sister) – for doing all my errands and taking good care of our household especially mama and papa…………. THANK YOU!
4. Bong (my brother) – for working hard to help our family, for giving in to my massage request whenever I need it; for the many times you picked me up and sent me to take a cab for work………. THANK YOU!
5. Tito Buboy – for believing in me and for helping my father send me to college by paying a huge amount of my tuition fee. I wouldn’t be where I am now if you didn’t believe that I can do it.; for inspiring and exposing me to music, maybe you didn’t realize but I did listen to all the tapes you brought from Saudi from classic to reggae, pinoy rock etc. I just love then all!!!! THANK YOU!
6. Ate Rose(wife of Tito Buboy) – for your support to Tito and for not stopping him to pay for my tuition; for praying for me and sharing your heart with me; for always watching the plays that I direct; for helping me come to Singapore; for always having nice words to say about people, about me…………….. THANK YOU!
7. Teacher Pow – for being my accountability partner for the longest time; for the ears that listen each time; for all the prayers and friendship; for the laughter and tears, teach, you have been wonderful! J THANK YOU!
8. Pastor Eddie – for the many preaching and learning you’ve shared; for helping me developed such a strong foundation of my faith; for being a friend and a pastor; for telling me that I am a wonderful lady and that a wonderful lady will never lose admirers……………. THANK YOU!
9. Ma’am Cindy – for the many inspirational talk you’ve shared and home cooked recipes you taught me; for being a good example of how a wife, a mom and a pastor’s wife should be and for showing me how a woman of God is like by being you………… THANK YOU!
10. Pastor Lance – for showing me a good example of what “self-control” is and “being angry without sinning”; for being a friend, for all the laughter and wonderful memories of missions trip and other ministry work; for believing and saying yes to a ACTS Theatre Ministry years ago; and for always getting better and better as a pastor, a minister, a husband, a father and a friend to me and the rest around you………. THANK YOU!
11. Melanie – for inspiring me to laugh each time; for making me feel special – you bake for me, you buy me flowers when there’s a play, you greet me on my birthday, you chat with me whenever I am around, you share recipes with me etc; for always remembering me even if I am far away…….. THANK YOU!
12. Fiona – for being such a wonderful person inside and out; for being such an inspiration and a good example of how a daughter of God should live; for always striving for EXCELLENCE! For attending and shepherding ACTS; for always saying yes to most of the projects/assignments I asked you to do; for teaching me how to say no when you really don’t have the time; for listening to all of my stories whether interesting or not; for believing that I can still counsel you even if I am far away; for being a very good friend in spite of the distance; for praying and loving me………THANK YOU!
13. Lain – for all the stories we’ve shared; all the places we’ve been to; for all the happy and crying times, for all the ministry work and challenges we have experienced together; for taking care of ACTS; for not giving up or losing hope; for always encouraging, praying, supporting and loving me………. THANK YOU!
14. Albert – for teaching me what “FAITH” really is and that “God is never late yet never too early”; for inspiring me and for doing such an excellent job in school, church and your family; for all the good and bad times we have shared and still I never heard you complain, not even once; for being a great leader and an example to the youth….. THANK YOU!
15. Erwin – for being so hard-working; for being courageous enough to take charge of ACTS; for all the wonderful memories you have shared with me whether personal or ministry related; for always believing in me as your director; for not being afraid to try new things; for your humility and willingness to learn; for being a great leader, preacher, actor, trainer and a friend…… THANK YOU!
16. Weng – for 20 years of friendship! Gosh, words are not enough to express what we have been through as friends, but in spite of all the ups and downs, we are still together! For all the secrets we’ve shared, ministry work, travel and missions trips, for all the musicals and projects we’ve made; for the many wonderful memories and still counting…… THANK YOU!
17. Angelo – for being such an inspiration and for proving that God can truly change lives and that with Him nothing is impossible; for the years of friendship; for praying and loving me…… THANK YOU!
18. Jennie – for always spending time with me; for all the love, prayers and support; for always reminding me to save; for just simply being a friend, a wonderful mom, a minister and a pastor’s wife; for always changing for the better especially from the time you married Jeff; for not tolerating wrong doings; for the years of friendship……….. THANK YOU!
19. Jeff – for being excellent in all that you do; for showing humility, perseverance, hard-work and for loving and obeying God; for all the years of friendship we have shared from Voices of Glory Quarter (since high school) to SUMAYA, Sunday School, Choir, Drama,(I can still vividly remember you saying “good news, good news, Christ died for me! Hahahaha) Breaking Point etc; for being a great leader, a pastor, a trainer, a minister, a father, a husband, a friend……… THANK YOU!
20. Tonie – for the trust, respect, support, prayers; for all the laughter, and joy; for all the plays we have made, arts festival and missions trip we have facilitated; for all the places we’ve been to; for the ears that listen; for always being the first one to see me each time I go back home; for all the love in spite of knowing all my weaknesses………THANK YOU!
21. Alvin – for being such a good buddy; for always making me laugh; for inspiring the youth; for being such a powerful and energetic preacher with very high sense of humor; for assisting with ACTS, for always spending time with me over a cup of coffee; for all the wonderful memories in the ministry; for the years of friendship……….. THANK YOU!
22. Theodore – for the endless inspiration of making music for the Lord; for training the youth without expecting anything in return; for your servant heart and humility; for never failing to inspire me with your songs…….. THANK YOU!
23. Chie – for simply loving and believing in me; for always spending time; for not giving up and for the inspiration of forgiveness and undying love; for your friendship so sweet and true……….. THANK YOU!
24. Digi – for being “strong” in the Lord; for not giving up nor losing hope; for staying focus on HIM; for learning how to stand up after a great fall; for always believing in me and ACTS; for the love and friendship………THANK YOU!
25. Ice – for the countless times you made me cry, you taught me mercy, patience, love, understanding and grace. Hahaha, But in spite of all the hurt, our friendship remained strong; for always believing that there is hope in God and that prayers can move mountains, for the brother-sister friendship that we share for the longest time…… THANK YOU!
26. Joy – for all the ministry time we have shared; for always saying yes to Arts Festival, missions trip and other ministry work with me; for inspiring a lot of youth each time you dance for the Lord; for being such a good listener, for trusting and believing in my abilities; for always wanting to attend my lectures; for your eagerness to learn and humility as a servant of God; for being a very good friend…….. THANK YOU!
27. Sephii – for consistently doing production stuff with me; for always making yourself available for meetings and ministry work; for not being afraid to share your heart with me even if you are a man; for not giving up on love; for saying yes to Jesus and obeying Him when He called you to preach; for your prayers and friendship…….. THANK YOU!
28. Rizza – for all wonderful memories we shared together; for the love and respect in spite of the pain; for surviving the times of trials, for always assuring me that I will be proud when you get married; for all the wonderful ministry time together and years of friendship…… THANK YOU!
29. Beng – for all the time you shared with me since way back “theatre time” (won’t mention the theatre’s name anymore, you know what a nightmare that was! Hehehe); for all the help you gave when I was new here in Singapore and even up to now; for all the cooking, cleaning, singing, laughing and crying sessions we had; for the travels, ministry works, outings, events that we were together; for richer or for poorer we were together!J For the years of friendship and still counting……… THANK YOU!
30. Jade – for teaching me how to save which I still couldn’t get up to now, I really am a bad student in terms of finances; for being a good example of discipline, hard-work and perseverance; for always being excited when I cook; for laughing at my jokes; for giving me company when I travel; for all the love, support, prayers and friendship……. THANK YOU!
31. Teacher Dolly – for being such a great example of how a wonderful teacher should be; for giving and sharing with me kitchen tips; for dreaming of starting a school with me; for being such a great mom and a wife; for always spending time with me; for the many times we went out and you brought me home; for the love, prayers and support……THANK YOU!
32. Doc John – for all the discipline and inspiration in establishing a Christian Theatre Ministry; for the very first missions exposure and stage performance you have given me; for believing that I can do it…………. THANK YOU!
33. Teacher Super – for all inspiration you gave on how to handle arts for kids; for teaching me to love them unconditionally; for sharing ideas on arts and craft, directing kids and for helping me understand on the importance of praying over your students and lifting them up in the Lord; for the unforgettable “tacos moments” we had with all the PVIS teachers while were doing our bible studies………. THANK YOU!
34. Teacher Tetes – for giving me the chance to work with you; for the inspiration of being a great teacher and employer; with you I can say that, “All things I needed to learn in pre-school teaching and discipline, I learned it all in PVIS!”……… THANK YOU!
35. Teacher Salve – for believing that I am one of the best pre-school teachers in the world; for trusting that I can really help you run your school (Ingenium) before; for bringing me to Davao and asking me to train all the primary school teachers of Ateneo de Davao in Fingermath which pave way for me to ride an airplane for the first time and since then it never stopped; for letting me go when I needed to move on with my career bringing me to where I am now……. THANK YOU!

EMOTIONAL PURITY

gave this lecture to ACTS last July..... read on.......

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8

I. Emotional Intimacy – a close, private relationship that would invoke strong feelings, passions, and the senses.

Emotional Intimacy will bring about physical intimacy. It is the kind of closeness and familiarity that stirs feelings and senses that promote a bond, a union that God reserves for the marriage relationship.
“Marriage is to be held in honor among all” (Hebrews 13:4a)

22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:22-32

COMMITMENT produces intimate relationships, in that God-given order.

We must re-sensitize ourselves to the importance of guarding our hearts from the “just friends” battle wounds.

Heart check: How is your level of intimacy with the Lord?

II. Emotional Purity – is when you prevent yourself from sharing your heart and your deep emotional feelings to members of the opposite sex.
(Compare dating 100 years ago to this new generation – not much emotion involved!)
- define or clear out intentions
- do not “over-share” especially to someone of the opposite sex (“emotional strip tease” is very common during camp and bible studies/small groups)
-do not spend one-on-one time with members of the opposite sex alone

When you experience intimacy without commitment you are playing with the heart of a fellow brother or sister in Christ and will violate emotional purity.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

III. Defrauding – means to have more, or to gain or take advantage of another, to overreach; to swindle, to cheat.
You defraud people when you use them, or cheat them of something they need to save for someone else; teasing them with what they couldn’t have; playing with the emotions or expectations of someone in which you do not expect to righteously satisfy.

3It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. I Thessalonians 4:3-6

A man’s tender attention and smooth words can steal a girl’s heart. However, the young girl in Song of Solomon requests repeatedly not to arouse or awake her love until she pleases.
Men, when you treat a young lady as “special” you may be whetting her appetite for marriage. And if you tell a woman that you are just friends yet your behaviour treats her more than a friendship, she will believe your behaviour rather than your words!

We all understand the beauty of saving our physical bodies for our mates. How much more wonderful if we saved our emotions as well?

When one avoids defrauding, blessings will follow.


IV. Commitment equals protection
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:18, 19

Without a solid commitment in a relationship, the walls around the heart are not protected. Commitment equals protection. When a man and a woman become emotionally and spiritually intimate without commitment, one of the two things will happen: they will marry or they will break up. God the protector asks us to “guard our hearts for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23)
Guarding your heart will require you to discern when to share and when to hold back.

V. The Prize of Life
The prize of life is a relationship with our Creator. To look to anything else to fill that gap will not bring about satisfaction. God designed marriage but He designed us to be complete when we are with Him. Marriage is not the answer to eternal bliss. To give it that much credit is taking away credit from the Creator. Marriage is a blessing, not THE BLESSING! A deeper walk with the Lord is not to be brought about by marriage alone, but by reading His Word, talking to Him, obeying Him and giving Him praise, glory and honor.

VI. God’s Plan for your single years
32I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. 1 Cor. 7:32 -35

Why do so many unmarried people have a hard time facing their singleness head on? Mainly because many singles keep themselves wrapped up in activities that do not foster a love relationship with Christ. They do things they want to do (selfishness), without counting the cost paid. They live in the here and now, without a thought of the future. This focus on self permeates this life stage and in many people the years of being single become a wasteland of me, myself, and I, with little concern of serving and enjoying God.

Jesus was in His thirties and not married. He knew God’s will clearly. He was secure in His position with the Father and His purpose was apparent. Therefore, He kept His undivided attention on the Father.

"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" Luke 2:49

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26:39

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. John 4:34

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. John 17:4

When singles keep their attention and energy focused on themselves and not on a love relationship with God, they miss out on many activities that would bring about deep satisfaction ENJOYING AND SERVING THE CREATOR SHOULD BE OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL, and this period in our life allows for 100 percent attention on GOD

This undivided attention to the Lord is the point of single life!

CONTENTMENT is not the “gift” of celibacy, nor it is the magic key that gives God a go ahead to send a spouse your way. Being content does not mean giving up hope.

What you do need to do to make sure you align with God’s Plan in your single life?

I Continue to seek Him with all you have
“dying to what you want and replacing it with what God wants”

II Make sure that you are serving God.
When you are seeking Him first He can do awesome things and open doors of ministry you thought were impossible.

III Make yourself emotionally UNAVAILABLE to the opposite sex.
If you saw God as your mate, how jealous would He be over you?

When we pray from the selfishness of our hearts for a mate, it can be compared to going to your spouse and asking for money for a prostitute because your spouse is not satisfying you. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures James 4:3

IV Ask God to enrol you in His “Wife or Husband Training Program.”
The Holy Spirit is our teacher, and if you know deep in your heart that your desire to be married is from the Lord, then asks Him to prepare you.


Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

COMMITMENT:

“For better days or for worse days, I accept what God has for me as a single person. He will not keep me unmarried a day longer than He plans. I will save my emotions for God’s plan and I will forgo the games singles play!”

MARRY SOMEONE WHO IS CONTENT WITH THE LORD ALONE!

Made this lecture from the book, Emotional Purity of Heather Arnel Paulsen July 2009

WAIT

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I plead and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said,
“Child, you must wait.”

“Wait? You say, wait!” my indignant reply.
“Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have You not heart?
By faith, I have asked, and am claiming Your Word.”

My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in a balance, and YOU tell me to WAIT?
I’m needing a “YES”, a go-ahead sign,
Or even a “No” to which I can resign.

And Lord, You promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, and we shall receive
And Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:
“I’m weary of asking! I need a reply!”

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, “You must wait.”
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taught
And grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting…… for what?”

He seemed, then, to kneel
And His eyes wept with mine,
And He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.”
I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.

All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want –
But you wouldn’t know Me.
You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint;
You’d not know the power I give to the faint;

You’d not learn to see through the clouds of despair;
You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there;
You’d not know the joy of resting in Me;
When darkness and silence were all you could see.

You’d never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of my Spirit descends like a dove;
You’d know that I give and I save, for a start,
But you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without a sight,
The depth that’s beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have last.

You’d never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”
Yes, your dreams for your loved one
Overnight would come true,

But, Oh, the Loss! If I lost what I’m doing in you!

So, be silent, My child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.
And though oft’ may My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still, “Wait.”


From the book, Emotional Purity of Heather Arnel Paulsen

Let God Do The Choosing!

If men were like buses, how do you catch one?

A more important questions is - how do you catch the RIGHT one?

Simple : You take only the bus that's headed the RIGHT direction.

First we must allow our Heavenly Father to do the picking. And second,the decision for a mate must be made on a spiritual and intellectual basis before its made on an emotional one.What about love?, you ask. I'll tell you why.

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jer 17:9)

The heart is willful and is driven by its own agenda. It does not consider things rationally and intelligently - it just loves to love! Therefore you have to point it in the right directions:

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23 ).

Whenever you meet a man, you need to get clearance from God, check out his attributes, and then allow your heart to engage. Dating exists not for mating; it exists for collecting data. I believet hat the biblical design would be friendship, courtship and then marriage. Friendship is two people walking together in agreement and accountability, learning and growing together. Courtship follows the mutual agreement to commit to one another exclusively - it is the decisive turning toward the agreed-upon goal of the marriage altar. It is a period of laying a foundation and preparing your life together after marriage. But dating? Well, if you do date, use the time wisely to gather facts.So when you do gather facts, let us compare the process to clothes shopping.

1. Check out the fabric. Is the person mate material? Does this man have an intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ? Does he care what God thinks about his behavior? Is he accountable to God as well as another co-laborer in the faith? Accountability is an important factor. It is imperative to maintaining a committed relationship. Is your potential spouse a member of the same family - the family of God? Scripture is clear on this : "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Cor 6:14 ).You need to have common interest and values and agree on the essentials of living day to day. You have a similar spiritual walk. You eat the same diet. You enjoy a lot of similar things. You have like interests, like goals in life, like opinions on basic life issues. You have had like experiences in your background. Though there is some truth to the idiom that opposites attract, like-minded folks fare better together. Furthermore, does he want to get married? If you want to be married and your dreamboat isn't interested, don't waste your time. Remember, women fall in love and get married. Men decide to get married and then look for a wife. Note the difference in order. So if a guy says he's not looking for anything serious, take his words seriously. If he's not going your direction, get off the bus & wait for the right one.

2. Does this man want you? Is he pursuing you? The man who is right for you will pursue you and God's hand in the relationship will be clear. No guessing, no fleeces, no dead ends. Scripture says: "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord"( Prov 18:22). Note- who finds whom? THE MAN FINDS THE WIFE. From the beginning of time, God has transported men & women across the world in order to put them together. At the RIGHT TIME, He will bring that man on the scene and he will find you. In God's perfect design, the man is the one who recognizes his mate. Adam has no problem recognizing that Eve was his missing rib. You do not need to strategically place yourself anywhere. You don't have to help a guy out because he's shy. Men will do whatever they have to do to get what they truly want. The man in your life should recognize you as the pearl of great price inhis life and be willing to do whatever he must in order to gain your hand. If he is passive about gaining your affections, take it as a sign that he is not interested. A woman's mother has suggested that it is a good idea to marry a man who loves you more than you love him. As cold as that sounds, it actually might be scriptural if you stop to think about it : "We love him because he first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19).Until then, take the ultimate chill pill. You don't need a bunch of menin your life to make you feel all right about yourself. You need only one man - your man, the one God has selected to select you. And trust me, the right man at the wrong time can be just as awful as the wrong man at any time. So trust God's timing in this. He is the ultimate matchmaker. Relax, sit pretty and allow yourself to be found. Again - WAIT until the man voices his intentions. He should take the lead in establishing the relationship. You may have an inkling that he is the one, but God will use the man to set the tone of the relationship. Allow him the opportunity to woo you - this is your first act of submission. Jesus set the standard for all men to follow. They should love us first. And they should lead the relationship.

3. The man in your life should not desire to move into your house, only into your heart. A man who prepares for your future has made his intentions clear. A man who is husband material has the means to take care of a wife. He is a responsible human being who understands he needs to have something to offer. In short, a man should have the means to bea suitable lover for you.

4. Check out his buddies. Everyone knows birds of the same feather flock together, yet most women fail to see the connection between a man and his friends. A man's pals tell you a lot about the person that you haven't seen yet. They reveal things about the guy's character that might be hidden when he is on good behavior. Everyone knows how to put his best foot forward. Don't stay focused on the foot, check out therest of the body!

5. Check out his relationship with his mother. How does he treat her? This is your preview of how he will treat you. There are lots of men who, because of a negative relationship with their mothers, really don't like women, yet say they do. Unresolved issues between mother and son continue between husband and wife.

6. Remember that a man's family reveals the cloth from which he's cut.Take note and decide whether you want your future with the man in your life to look like his present family situation.

7. Check out the patterns of his life. Do you see repeated cycles of drama in his personal kingdom? broken relationships? problems in making commitments? including the job market? mood swings? Is a problem alwayssomeone else's fault? Does he embrace responsibility or shirk it? Does he keep his promises? Is he a man of good reputation? Remember all garments look wonderful hanging in the store, but with wear, some begin to unravel. Give yourself time and space to check outthe man in your life. Time will always reveal whether or not he is made of the right stuff.

8. Does this man have a vision for his life? Is he running with that vision? Remember, God decided Adam needed help once Adam got busy DOING his assignment. As we saw Adam, a man doesn't need help until he is busy doing what he was created and called to do. Is your guy guided by a sense of destiny and purpose, or does he just allow life to happen around him? A man who is not certain of his mission can be a most miserable person - and you'll be miserable too if you know where YOU want to go in life. A man who has vision is not intimidated by a woman whose mission statement is clear. He will be your best ally,cheerleader and assistant because he wants you both to make it! A man who cannot be supportive of your achievements because he is flounderingin a sea of uncertainty over his own life is not a healthy partner to have and to hold forever. Creating dependencies or feelings of obligation is not the way to get the best out of your man. Somewhere along the way, he will resent you and flee from the smothering burden of obligation he associates you with.You want a man who is firmly anchored in his identity in Christ.Remember, we are looking for a man who will be priest and leader of his home. His first instinct should be to want to cover you, redeem you, and provide for you. Your job is to decide if this is the man God has ordained for you to complement.

9.Complementarity. Do your talents and gifts complement his? Do his gifts complement yours? What about your temperaments? Do you see the two of you as an effective team capable of bringing blessing to the lives of those around you? Do your futures mesh? Can you coordinate your gifts inan attractive and effective way? This is why knowing your purpose is so important. Make sure your hearts beat for mutual causes.When I go shopping I always consider the fabric, the fit and what I already have in my closet. Will my next purchase be a complementary addition to what I already have? If I find that I am going to have to buy shoes and matching accessories to go with a new outfit, I leave it right on the rack. It is too expensive a proposition. If the man you meet makes you feel that you need to completely reinvent yourself, something is wrong. This is where I ask you to consider the relationship in terms of cost. Is this relationship expensive spiritually, emotional or physically? Does your longing for a mate make you willing to forfeit who you are in the process? Or does he see you as the gift that you are?The man in your life should consider you a rare find, a priceless jewel -because of you he is getting ready to get blessed big-time! Any relationship that causes you to fee l unworthy, unlovely, unacceptable, undesirable or that you have to work for love, is too expensive!God has called the man to cover, protect and provide not only materially for a woman, but emotionally and spiritually as well. You should bericher in mind, body and spirit for your union with the man of yourdreams. The man in your life should make rich deposits into your heartand spirit, not withdrawals.

10. Does he have a healthy love & acceptance of himself? Make sure theman in your life has taken time to heal from past relationships and has made peace with himself. How he cares for himself is how he will care for you. A man's relationship with God is crucial here. His love for himself will only be as strong as his love for God. This is not something that you can impart. You cannot be his savior or teacher. That is out of spiritual order. In his rightful place as your personal priest, he should be leading you to a richer relationship with Christ. If he is causing you to compromise your faith and destabilize your walk, if he is leading you into sexual sin or causing you to be distracted from your commitment to Christ, the relationship is too expensive. Offending the Lover of your soul, who promises you eternal love, is too high a fare to pay for a ride that has a limited run. If you and your man can't soar in the Spirit, when the force of yourlove for another is tested by the pull or gravity of the world, your union will not be able to survive.S o you decide. How much is your life worth? How much is your love worth? You will be able to accept only what you believe you deserve. God himself calculated the worth of your love and decided it was worth His life. He now pledges you His love for eternity. Yes, Jesus sets the example for all others to follow when He paid a ransom for His bride. Should you expect less from a mortal man? Throughout the biblical age, men were willing to pay the cost for thehand that they desired. The truth of the matter is, everyone knows that anything worth having, costs. And no one gets a ride in this life for free.

Your prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I confess that I have not always been as careful as I should've been with my heart. From time to time, my desire for love has caused me to leave my heart in the wrong hands. I now commit my heart into Your hands for safekeeping. Please help me to stop being so impulsive with what you deem so precious. As I learn to celebrate Your love for me, let me learn from Your example what a bridegroom should really be like. Help me to never settle for less than what you desire for me. As I embrace You as the Lover of my soul, keep my affections in the haven of Your own heart. As I rest in Your love, make me more discriminating of those who approach me. I ask that You take over this area of my life. Keep me from those You know would hurt my heart. I invite You to set a hedge around me and keep me from all who would draw me into unfruitful relationships until the day you present me to the mate that You have selected for me.Grant me the discernment to recognize him as he recognizes me. Cleanse me from the temptation to typecast the men I meet according to what I see. Help me to trust in Your knowledge and lean not on my own understanding. I know that You know what is best for me; therefore I yield to Your choice. In Jesus Name. Amen.

I wish I was a child like that!

Matthew 18

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2He called a little child and had him stand among them.

3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

It was a Sunday morning, I went to church and was very excited because Pastor JP is preaching again. I really enjoyed the messages he shared during our 2 day retreat on SINGLES MAX - Living Life to the Max!

I sat third row from the front of the theatre where I would always do together with my housemate. During Praise and Worship, I saw this little girl Revekah, (we call her "vecky" in Sunday School) dancing with all her might as we praise and sing "One Way" to our Lord Jesus Christ. This little sweetheart is just around 5 years old and was on the very front row of the theatre. I smiled as I sang and told the Lord, "bless the little children who come and worship you like that little girl infront, I wish I was a child like that!".

As the worship progressed, this little girl didn't stop. She was swaying her arms, raising it up and down, kneeling,bending, bowing down; basically doing her own interpretative dance on all the worship songs being sang. I was amazed at her passion and creativity! At one point, I was soooooo tempted to run beside her and just dance with her for all I care!!!! hahaha

As I continued to watch, I told the Lord, "I wish all the people of God in all ages can just freely worship Him just like that. No inhibitions, no fears, no ifs and buts......... and again, I wish I was a child like that"!

You know, children are amazing!

They teach us a lot of things - more that we can ever imagine! They are innocent, pure, void of malice, transparent, contented, humble, obedient, trustworthy, dependent............... (deep sigh)

I wish I was a child like that.................

Because at this point of my life,

A child-like faith is what I need.

A child-like humility is what I long for.

A child-like surrender is what I need to do.

I wish I am Vecky.

I wish I was a child like that.......

"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Serving an Audience of ONE

The ultimate test of servanthood is whether you can be content to serve an audience of One, when it’s OK to serve in anonymity, when you can throw yourself into a bit part, when you no longer live for the approval of others, when the size of your audience doesn’t matter anymore, and when the size of the role you play is less important than being faithful and obedient.

AUDIENCE OF ONE
Greg Ferguson

It’s such a strong temptation to live for man’ applause
But I don’t want to buy into the lie ‘cause I know that’s not a worthy cause
So to keep things in perspective, I hung a signed up on the wall

The sign is nothing special, but it really says it all
And the sign says

I’ll be content to serve an audience of One
Only His approval counts when all is said and done
And this is my prayer, when the race is finally run
I want to hear “Well done” from the Audience of One

When the drive for recognition starts to get the best of me
All I’ve got to do is look around at the people serving selflessly
And they don’t serve for glory, and they are not keeping score
There’s a sign that’s written on their hearts
A sign I’ve seen before

I’ll be content to serve an audience of One
Only His approval counts when all is said and done
And this is my prayer, when the race is finally run
I want to hear “Well done” from the Audience of One


In the not-too-distant future
When the crowds all fade away
I’ll stand alone before my Lord
And this is what I long to say

I’m overjoyed to serve an audience of One
It’s what I’ve been created for ever since day one
And this is my song, as I bow before Your throne
I love to hear “Well done” from the audience of One

So this will be my prayer, ‘til the race is finally run
I want to hear “Well done,” I long to hear “Well done”
I want to hear “Well done” from the audience of One

SINGLES MAX RETREAT: Are you ready to live it up?

YOU ARE INVITED!!!!!

If you are Single and located in Singapore, we would like to invite you this life-changing event.

WHAT: CCF SINGAPORE Singles Retreat
WHEN: June 5-6, 2009
WHERE: Trinity Theological College
Fee: $95 - $100 (inclusive of the overnight stay, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, materials, etc)

Only GOD Could Love You More

Oh Lord, one day soon I will sing this song to my future husband! :-)

Truly, ONLY YOU CAN LOVE HIM MORE!!!!

I asked the Lord for someone,
and I always knew
that in God’s time and in God’s way
it would be someone like you.
All my hopes and all my dreams
were suddenly fulfilled
It’s almost unbelievable
our love is in his will.

Only God could love you more,
for He gave me this love I have for you.
What a blessing to know He’s your Lord,
For only God could love you more, than I do.
Only God could love you more,

I’m tempted to be saying ,that we met by chance
But God was there at every turn, In every circumstance
To share this life God gave me
seems such a fearful task,
But every moment we have shared
is more than I could ask

Only God could love you more,
for He gave me this love I have for you.
What a blessing to know He’s your Lord,
For only God could love you more, than I do.

For only God could love you more, than I do.

25 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME:THE HEART OF THE ARTIST REVEALED!

I was tagged at Facebook, here's what I wrote:

1. I am a certified SSB! SINGLE SINCE BIRTH! But no regrets co'z I am enjoying life!!!:-)

2. I am a director and I organize BIG EVENTS.But I truly miss acting on STAGE! I dream of being a part of any Broadway Musical! hahaha

3. I am a big fan of Mark Bautista and Sarah Geronimo! They are the ultimate "TOTAL PERFORMERS" for me!

4. I am a Christian. I got to know the Lord when I was 11 years old and my first ministry was the JEEPNEY MINISTRY and VISITATION! Cool!!!

5. I dream of having my own school but do you know what my ultimate dream is? To be a HOMEMAKER!

6. To most people I am very intimidating, dominant and unsubmissive: I challenge you, GET TO KNOW ME and you will know YOU'RE WRONG! :-)

7. I will try any new adventure even if I am scared to death, as long as I have a friend who will do it with me.

8. I am the eldest of 3. Throughout my life, if there is one thing I can be proud of, that is the LOVE and RESPECT I gave to my parents.Believe it or not, I have never fought with them. My goal is to make them HAPPY and COMFORTABLE each day of their lives especially now that they are getting old.

9. A lot of people admire me for being a good Director, Artist, Host, Trainer, Cook, etc. But do you know where I am really good at? TEACHING KIDS!!!!! Oh man, for those who are not aware, TEACHING is my FIRST LOVE!!!

10. I am a SHOPAHOLIC! I get annoyed if I know that I still have money in my wallet.I so hate myself for spending too much UNNECESSARILY! sick!!!!

11. When I was small, I played all kinds of street games! Gosh, PATINTERO, TUMBANG PRESO, MARBLES, CARDS, SHIATO, TAGUAN, LANGIT LUPA IMPIYERNO, AGAW-TAKAW, TAMAAN BOLA, CHINESE GARTER, MORO-MORO, LUKSONG-BAKA, atbp. Gosh, I wish the kids today are able to play those. It was so much FUN!!!!

12. I've watched "27 dresses" and enjoyed it. However, after watching the movie I realized I had more than 27 dresses already yet I am still single! hahaha, still counting.............. (sigh) When will my BEACH WEDDING ever come true? :-)

13. I am targeting to lose weight significantly in the next 2 months.

14. I miss SBC so much - the people, the ministry(ACTS), the worship, the rehearsals etc. I wish I can already be back to the Philippines for good.

15. After the Singles Retreat I am organizing right now, I will start planning for a MISSION's TRIP in Cambodia. I've been there before but I went there to teach PHONETICS and Theater. This time I want to have a 3-5 days MANNA FEEDING PROGRAM! I want to personally cook and feed those precious children of the Lord. Open to anyone who wants to join me! Pray, Pray, Pray!

16. I don't like guys who ADMIRE, LOVE AND ADORE me too much. It's very ANNOYING! A BIG TURN OFF!

17. Even up to now, there are still times when I would just suddenly wake up in the middle of the night and cry. I miss my family and friends in Manila.....................:-(

18. I love to cook. It's one ministry that I have while I am here in Singapore.

19. My voice is just NATURALLY TOO LOUD! I am always mistaken as angry or too demanding and arrogant because of my voice. Yes, it is one of my greatest assets but it pulls me down to embarrassment as well.

20. I hate to admit this but I really think I am madly in love with someone at the moment. The sad thing is, I don't think he is the man the Lord prepared for me so I AM LETTING GO! No text, no e-mails, no phone calls, no dating. I invested too much time and emotions already into something that eventually led to NOTHING.................. Ouch, sakit ha! So TAMA NA!

21. I am so scared of giving birth. Maybe that explains why I am still single.... hehehehe, my tolerance on pain is very low!

22. I wish I learned how to play any musical instrument when I was a kid.

23. I enjoy guys who are confident and can make sensible conversations with me.

24. I can live without CAKES and ICE-CREAMS, but I can't live without PASTA and CHICKEN! Yum Yum!

25. I am a "mother hen" to many. But I wish and pray that the guys that I meet won't just look at me as a "mother hen" but as a woman who can be a perfect wife and a mother to their kids! :-)

HAPPY 5th Year Anniversary ACTS!

This is our 5th year anniversary video last year which we were unable to upload because of its length and size, but as they say, "It's better late than never!" hehehe ENJOY!

G U I D A N C E (Dancing with God)

*received this from a friend today...... it's really nice!

Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance,

I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.

The movement doesn't flow with the music,

and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,

both bodies begin to flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back

or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.

It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness,

and attentiveness from one person

and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".

"God, "u" and "i" dance."

God, you, and I dance.

As I lowered my head,

I became willing to trust

that I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings

and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday.

May you abide in God, as God abides in you.

Dance together with God,

trusting God to lead

and to guide you through each season of your life.

Love Hurts

How come LOVE can cause so much joy and at the same time so much pain?

How come a guy says I LOVE YOU yet doesn't really seem to know what it means?

And how come a girl like me even believes that there is HOPE with someone like him?

STUPID LOVE, STUPID ME!
(Can I just cry Lord? why do I fall on the same trap over and over again?)