<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822</id><updated>2012-02-04T05:41:52.137-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Read between the lines</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>19</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-6562915941817043563</id><published>2010-06-01T14:27:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-06-02T02:28:09.081-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Capital 'A'</title><content type='html'>It's been a while since i've written anything on my blog. I mean, i felt, there never really was a need to write one. What with the ease and use of facebook, who needs a blog nowadays?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But i've come to realise, this is for me. And for those who read them still.&lt;br /&gt;This is where my thoughts and my heart are laid bare. And it remains for keeps. Not overshadowed after a day or two by new and more recent news feeds.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyway, i got my 'mojo' back (sorry to borrow a line from you, Austin Powers).&lt;br /&gt;I'm in the mood to write again. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Lately, i keep finding friends from high school on facebook. And it brings back sooo many memories of our younger years. Remember our slum book years? Questions we try to wittingly answer hoping our future would turn out to be so. Oh well, now i see these friends of mine, and it puts a big smile on my face how we all turned out to be. After more than 10years, its great to know we still look the same (well, some of us anyway). Ha ha!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But what i wanted to really talk about is the thing that's bugging me.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight:bold;"&gt;Assumptions&lt;/span&gt; and how it can make or break a man.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One makes assumptions without facts and believes it to be so. Therefore bringing in doubts and suspicions that causes one to distrust the other. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I see this all the time. In my family, this was the cause of my parent's distrust for one another. With some group of friends, it causes disunity and within a relationship, it breaks it apart.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Now, we all make assumptions. Whether in big or small ways, its our nature to do so. We assume, mom will not allow us to go out so we sneak out instead. Or we assume the baby is hungry so we overfeed him. &lt;br /&gt;We make so many assumptions, in the end it burns us out from worrying and deep thinking. What if?!?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some assumptions aren't further from the truth. Some could have some truth in it but without real honest facts, how can you be so sure? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I guess that's where honesty comes in. How can you go wrong if you don't wander from the truth? And how can you know the truth if you don't ask? Or speak what's on your mind so you can talk about it. There's nothing more honest than taking the route to humility. Admitting that you've made assumptions doesn't make you lesser of a man. Talking about your doubts opens up the other to see his/ her faults. What if you were wrong all along?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As for me, it all depends on how much you trust and love a person. I do believe any doubts and fears can be overcome with the confidence that God alone can give.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm just grateful that despite of my shortcomings and weaknesses, He remains. &lt;br /&gt;His love does endure forever.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style:italic;"&gt;Proverbs 10:12&lt;br /&gt;Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. (NIV) &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1 Corinthians 13&lt;br /&gt;Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV) &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Psalm 15&lt;br /&gt;LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts..... He who does these things will never be shaken.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-6562915941817043563?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/6562915941817043563/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=6562915941817043563' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/6562915941817043563'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/6562915941817043563'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2010/06/capital.html' title='Capital &apos;A&apos;'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-3572633903316834167</id><published>2009-09-09T02:08:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-09T02:09:28.195-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How to become rich</title><content type='html'>(Source: The Daily Bread)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I find it interesting that Jesus taught more about money than anything else. And He wasn’t trying to ratchet up the treasury. As far as we know, He never even asked for an offering. The reason He taught extensively on the subject is that nothing clogs our spiritual arteries more quickly than money—either working to have a lot of it or wishing that we had.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Think of the man who brazenly asked Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me” (Luke 12:13). Amazing! He had an opportunity to “go deep” with Jesus, but instead he wanted deep pockets.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Jesus responded with a stunning, counterintuitive statement: “Beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (v.15). He then went on to tell the parable of a rich man who was wildly successful from a worldly standpoint—having so many crops that he had to keep building bigger barns—but who, in God’s eyes, was actually a “fool.” Not because he was rich, but because he was not rich toward God.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You’ll hear a lot of advice about how to become rich. But only Jesus tells it to us straight. It’s not about the money. It’s about the richness of our relationship with Him and the joy of turning our greed into generosity.  — Joe Stowell&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The riches of this world are vain,&lt;br /&gt;They vanish in a day;&lt;br /&gt;But sweet the treasures of God’s love—&lt;br /&gt;They never pass away. —Bosch&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Learning how to be rich toward God yields eternal dividends.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight:bold;"&gt;Luke 12:13-21 (New International Version)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Parable of the Rich Fool&lt;br /&gt; 13Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 14Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" 15Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 16And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-3572633903316834167?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/3572633903316834167/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=3572633903316834167' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/3572633903316834167'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/3572633903316834167'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-become-rich.html' title='How to become rich'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-8710283307816121758</id><published>2009-08-24T01:29:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-24T01:33:09.651-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Tell your story</title><content type='html'>I thought to put this on my blog to remind me and those who get to read this blog how important our testimonies are.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;(Source: Our Daily Bread)&lt;br /&gt;READ: Mark 5:1-20&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;An organizational consultant in New York says that his graduate students typically recall only 5 percent of the main ideas in a presentation of graphs and charts, while they generally remember half of the stories told in the same presentation. There is a growing consensus among communication experts about the power of the personal touch in relating an experience. While facts and figures often put listeners to sleep, an illustration from real life can motivate them to action. Author Annette Simmons says, “The missing ingredient in most failed communication is humanity.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mark 5:1-20 gives the dramatic account of Jesus setting a violent, self-destructive man free from the powerful demons that possessed him. When the restored man begged to stay with Jesus as He traveled, the Lord told him, “?‘Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.’ And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled” (vv.19-20).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Knowledge and eloquence are often overrated in the process of communicating the good news of Jesus Christ. Never underestimate the power of what God has done for you, and don’t be afraid to tell your story to others.  — David C. McCasland&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Take control of my words today,&lt;br /&gt;May they tell of Your great love;&lt;br /&gt;And may the story of Your grace&lt;br /&gt;Turn some heart to You above. —Sees&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sharing the gospel is one person telling another good news.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-8710283307816121758?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/8710283307816121758/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=8710283307816121758' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/8710283307816121758'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/8710283307816121758'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2009/08/tell-your-story.html' title='Tell your story'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-8917180263541949588</id><published>2009-01-09T14:31:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-10T03:01:09.935-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Inspirational videos online</title><content type='html'>The following are some of my favourite videos online:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Paul Washer - the man who feared God&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;embed src="http://godtube.com/flvplayer.swf" FlashVars="viewkey=ac1fac07a1fc7b2c449f" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="godtube" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;'Laminin' talk by Louie Giglio&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;embed src="http://godtube.com/flvplayer.swf" FlashVars="viewkey=152b5103d741aca61093" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="godtube" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"The Bridge"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;embed src="http://godtube.com/flvplayer.swf" FlashVars="viewkey=13a4a045cd290bc2ae2d" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="godtube" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;'My Redeemer lives'&lt;br /&gt;&lt;embed src="http://godtube.com/flvplayer.swf" FlashVars="viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="godtube" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-8917180263541949588?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/8917180263541949588/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=8917180263541949588' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/8917180263541949588'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/8917180263541949588'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2009/01/laminin.html' title='Inspirational videos online'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-6536560446247150640</id><published>2008-10-06T14:52:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-11-27T06:14:11.111-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The greatest gift</title><content type='html'>The 'Ber' months have now arrived once more. Aside from the expected brrrr! cold weather, the month of good tidings and cheers, DECEMBER that is, is fast approaching. Yesterday, i was just strolling along Camden high street and went inside the Woolworths shop to look for a belated gift for my pastor's youngest daughter, Melbelle Rose when i heard something that made me smile. 'Chestnuts roasting on a open fire....' Ahhhh.. The warm fuzzy feeling.. Christmas, it's just around the corner.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While pondering the thought of the most awaited year end celebration, I remembered a song I wrote three years ago. It was November 2005 when it only took me an hour to finish two verses and a chorus of a song that I'd say is the best one i've ever written, I mean, the one God inspired me to write and sing about. It's called the THE GREATEST GIFT.. I know, so much and so many have already been written about Christmas that I would never compete or even claim to have composed a classic. For me, it just speaks so true of my heart, I'm just privileged to have been used for His purpose.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And just this week, while I was working, I was suddenly inspired to write a bridge for the song. It's taken me more than two years to make the addition but it was worth the wait. I was quite emotional when the words to the bridge were beginning to form. By the time i was singing the complete song, I was crying.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I give all the glory to God! For He alone deserves it. May it bless you just as it has blessed me!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight:bold;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;THE GREATEST GIFT&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Verse 1&lt;br /&gt;A gift could bring a smile to someone's face&lt;br /&gt;It brings surprise and warms the heart with joy&lt;br /&gt;But once it's been unwrapped and been revealed&lt;br /&gt;The moment's passed yet our lives go unchanged&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Refrain&lt;br /&gt;But/ So think about the One who gave away&lt;br /&gt;The greatest gift someone could ever give to anyone&lt;br /&gt;He had but one Son that He so loved&lt;br /&gt;Yet chose to give Him up&lt;br /&gt;So we could live and be redeemed&lt;br /&gt;Back to Him&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Chorus:&lt;br /&gt;And so it came upon&lt;br /&gt;A night like no other&lt;br /&gt;Where a baby's to be born&lt;br /&gt;On a lowly manger&lt;br /&gt;To fulfill a destined promise&lt;br /&gt;That's to redeem all of men&lt;br /&gt;He was to be the perfect sacrifice&lt;br /&gt;He is the greatest gift&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Verse 2&lt;br /&gt;What could drive a God so great and pure&lt;br /&gt;To give so dear a person as His Son&lt;br /&gt;For such a piece of nothing as a sinful man&lt;br /&gt;It's because of love, it's because of love&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;(Repeat Refrain and Chorus)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bridge:&lt;br /&gt;Who am I?&lt;br /&gt;That You promised to offer&lt;br /&gt;The gift of life&lt;br /&gt;That could last forever&lt;br /&gt;It's so hard to believe&lt;br /&gt;How much love You have shown me&lt;br /&gt;On the cross where You suffered and died&lt;br /&gt;Just to save me&lt;br /&gt;There's nothing much I can give&lt;br /&gt;This gift o Lord,&lt;br /&gt;I receive&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-6536560446247150640?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/6536560446247150640/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=6536560446247150640' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/6536560446247150640'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/6536560446247150640'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2008/10/greatest-gift.html' title='The greatest gift'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-2507632285297585334</id><published>2008-06-26T11:55:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-06-26T12:13:05.806-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Thank God for the lemonade</title><content type='html'>I've been listening to Chris Rice lately and I am so loving his music and his songs...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If indeed life gave you lemons, thank God for the lemonade!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;object width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z2-rKgGnx34&amp;hl=en"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z2-rKgGnx34&amp;hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I love the part where it goes, &lt;em&gt;"we're gonna need another straw. We're gonna need another straaaaaww.............."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So much for sad songs, eh!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some of his songs i like:&lt;br /&gt;- So much for sad songs&lt;br /&gt;- Clumsy&lt;br /&gt;- Pardon my dust&lt;br /&gt;- Home tonight&lt;br /&gt;- Spare an angel&lt;br /&gt;- Cartoons&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and many more...&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-2507632285297585334?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/2507632285297585334/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=2507632285297585334' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/2507632285297585334'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/2507632285297585334'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2008/06/thank-god-for-lemonade.html' title='Thank God for the lemonade'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-4477840186462836526</id><published>2008-06-24T14:46:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-06-24T14:52:39.688-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Here I am to give</title><content type='html'>I thank God for the music and the words He has given me for this song.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;HERE I AM TO GIVE&lt;br /&gt;(Dec 28, 2007)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here I am to give You glory&lt;br /&gt;For all that You have done&lt;br /&gt;Here I am to sing with gladness&lt;br /&gt;the praises You deserve&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Every song I sing&lt;br /&gt;May it bless Your name&lt;br /&gt;Every hand I raise&lt;br /&gt;May it magnify You&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So here I am to give&lt;br /&gt;All to You my heart&lt;br /&gt;To live for You forever&lt;br /&gt;To give to You my everything&lt;br /&gt;In all my days, &lt;br /&gt;I will trust Your ways&lt;br /&gt;For You are The Way, The Truth, The Life&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-4477840186462836526?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/4477840186462836526/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=4477840186462836526' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/4477840186462836526'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/4477840186462836526'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2008/06/here-i-am-to-give.html' title='Here I am to give'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-2362974565731831655</id><published>2008-05-23T16:09:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-05-23T16:45:38.516-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Trust......</title><content type='html'>Here's the latest from me so far.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well, i've got different sort of jobs now. Ever since our old lady died and the G's decided to let me go for particular reasons, i've been to different type of jobs ever since. Don't get me wrong though, i am happy where i am now. Sure, the pay and the job is not the same and not as easy as what it used to but i'm so much blessed i can never complain.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Besides, i have more time now. Which is why i was able to write this blog. (-:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyway, the coming weeks seem more promising. And today was a good one, i got to work part time in a real office environment. I know the PA job is just temporary but who'd ever thought i'd get to have my own desk, use a PC and have a telephone line. Not even me!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh well, God is good. He always has been.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Funny enough though, i have friends who are in the same situation as i am. I mean, i'm doing alright and i have no worries but for some of us, they're just clueless and worried of what lies ahead.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And sometimes, i keep thinking what would life be like without Someone to trust? Someone being our Omnipotent, Omnipresent God?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Which is why whenever i get to a point where i seem to lose it, i'm glad i know there's Someone i can always go to. Someone i can always trust. Because at the end of the day, that trust is the only thing i have left. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I trust in His promises and know that whatever comes my way, He allowed it and would turn out for my good. And sometimes, it may not be what i expect it to be, but i trust Him that much i believe He knows best.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Proverbs 3:5-6&lt;br /&gt;"Trust in the Lord with all Your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;SO TRUE!!!!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-2362974565731831655?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/2362974565731831655/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=2362974565731831655' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/2362974565731831655'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/2362974565731831655'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2008/05/trust.html' title='Trust......'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-1413650215603109348</id><published>2007-12-26T14:50:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2007-12-26T15:20:37.254-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Changes.... A new beginning</title><content type='html'>Oh well. At least for me it is, it's a new beginning all together..&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;New year, new surrounding, new house, new challenges!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I've been sooo pre-occupied the past months it's taken me only this time to put something on my blog.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ever since we moved house, it took us only just a week or two ago to finally sort out our broadband connection.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I never realised our moving house would take so much of our time, our energy and our minds. And i couldn't begin to say how it affected so many people and has changed so many situations i wouldn't know where to start.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But thank God we've overcomed. Truly, nothing is ever permanent in this world but change. And if you're not ready to let go and face the situation, nothing good will ever come out of it. I'm not speaking for myself though. I love where I am now. I enjoy my private time, oversleeping in my bed, lazily spending time in our newly bought couch and watching cheesy movies in our tv. But most of all, i love my precious moments alone with God, freely worshipping Him in my own time. I love that i could just go outside the house and do window shopping. Or ride the bus for 10-15 minutes and discover I'm in the heart of the city. Or go to work spending just 25 minutes of travel instead of 90. I love Camden and its shops and its atmosphere, it's so very London. But most of all, i love it that God made a way for His work to start in our place. We now have a weekly gathering every thursday in our converted mini- pad room.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I mean, God has His ways of blessing His children. And i'm just thankful for He blessed us in so many ways. This one being one of them. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And what's more, Dad finally decided to move out and end the relationship and stay with us in the flat. So, we've all spent our first Christmas together this year and of course this new year's as well.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Lately, i just stand amazed at what God is doing in my life and my family's. He's answering every prayer and proving to me what a Big GOD He is! I mean, there's still a lot of prayers i need to wait answers to but i can wait. All in God's time....&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm just grateful that everytime i thought I'm beginning to lose it, He keeps proving me wrong!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-1413650215603109348?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/1413650215603109348/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=1413650215603109348' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/1413650215603109348'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/1413650215603109348'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2007/12/changes-new-beginning.html' title='Changes.... A new beginning'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-2817701187911798106</id><published>2007-10-12T11:10:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-11-04T01:40:22.609-08:00</updated><title type='text'>It's been a while...  Then have a peek at my past journal entries</title><content type='html'>&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Yeah, it's been a while.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I really haven't had the chance to update my blog for the past months (my, my! i can't believe it's been months already). Oh well....&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well, i've been preoccupied with so many things... ministry, work and so many more.. although, there's so much to say about what's happened, i could never sum it all. but all i can say is, God has been working and is working still. And I'm just privileged and blessed to be a part of it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;....&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyway, i was sorting out my stuff the other day and i came upon my personal journal of written thoughts and songs and i browsed through it and was intrigued at what i've written in the past. I got saved July of 2003 and as I read, I'm amazed at how God is changing me from glory to glory. And so i also wanted to put it here on my blog.. Hope you will also be blessed!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;THE SPONGE (Written July 08, 2004, a year after I got saved)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Have you ever felt so down and so heavy you seem to have lost it sometimes? I know I have. Just recently, I felt as if I've been squeezed out, worn out and utterly tired out of my mind. And what's worse, that was what I was feeling spiritually. From the outside, no one had a clue what I was going through. And deep within, I knew I still had the connection to God, but somehow, I can't get through the line. Maybe because there was no signal..... FROM ME...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I don't know! I felt so tired of the environment I live in, sick of hearing the same things over and over again. I felt so overused and exposed. Nothing I hear or say ever sinks in. It felt too much for me, I can't hardly breathe. But then, even though I felt that way, I kept on believing I'd get over it one day.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Then one time, just as we were having our Wednesday devotion, I was moved by a force to finally open up and reveal what I was feeling inside. Our topic was about encouragement but I felt it touched openness too. For it made me realise that if I keep on nursing these feelings, I might just end up in ditch. Besides, these are the people I share the bathroom with everyday. Who else should I turn to? I mean, spiritually, why should I keep digging my grave?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So as I tearfully recounted the things I've felt, the thoughts I've kept, there seemed to be a release of sorts. Suddenly, I was carrying a lighter load. But there was still something there, an excess baggage. Then as I was tasked to close our devotion with a prayer, the Lord spoke to me in pictures.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I saw a sponge, all dried up and alone. Then a hand took the sponge, dipped it in a clean water which washed away the dirt, and squeezed it just enough to still have some water in it, put some washing liquid and used it again. I didn't know what the Lord wanted to say to me at first.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Then I realised, that could be me. I was the sponge! In my worship to God, I allowed myself to be squeezed out and dried up. Like a sponge when it's been dried up, if you use it to wipe away the dirt, it will just gather them on the surface that even if you puff it out, the dirt won't go away. That was me. Spiritually, I was dried up and worn out. Because I was tired of the situation, I was harbouring inside the negative aspects of what I was hearing and seeing. I was gathering the dirt. The pores to my understanding were blocked out that no amount of teaching would come in.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But then the Lord wanted to tell me that I could be made clean. If I humble down, learn to open up and understand, then all the sins that I've made will be washed away. For by His Son, Jesus Christ, we have all been saved when He died on the cross for our sins. He is the Living water. And through Him, can we be made clean. When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I have been redeemed. And so, when I feel as though I have lost that connection, all I need to do is to go back again. Go back to His words and dip myself in the Living water and be cleansed. In doing so, I am opening to God's love.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I now realise that whenever I feel burdened, heavy or tired, all I have to do is freshen up! Be a sponge. Open up and absorb God's love. Don't squeeze yourself to dry, to get rid of things you want to get rid off. It won't. For God will never allow you to. Instead, open up and allow God to squeeze you up just right and just enough to absorb His love.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My prayer in moments like these:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;LORD, DON'T LET ME DRY UP&lt;br /&gt;Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, renew me again and refill me with Your Holy Spirit.&lt;br /&gt;Lord, squeeze me just right, that I might be soaked in Your love.&lt;br /&gt;AMEN...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-------------------------------------------------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;(next journal)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;BIG CHANGES (written January 28, 2005)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;These past few days, I have been contemplating on how I have come to change so gradually in all aspects of my life. Physically, I can feel I'm getting older (not that I am old). I mean, I'm not as fit as I used to (I do splits and kicks before since I do aiki-jitsu. he he!), my knee joints sometimes click with sudden movements. I also feel as though I have to constantly keep watch of what I eat. Not that I'm strict on diet, anyway (I just can't help it. I love my pack of bueno or a bag of sensations balsamic &amp; vinegar flavor.. (-:)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I've also noticed some sad changes! I say sad because it makes me remember how sometimes work can be so depressing. Sometimes the job takes its toll and your inexperience leaves a mark. And the pain on your back, just don't seem to go away. Everyday tube or bus ride is your nap time as you can't keep your eyes from dropping off every time you get yourself in a comfortable position. Sometimes you wonder where you get your strength from. But then, that's another story...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Emotionally, I have overcome my struggles. My longing and sense of comfort have been kept at a distance. The comfortee has become the comforter. Suddenly, I'm in charge! And I can say I've handled it quite well.. My insensitivity have been thrown, awkwardness and pride put on aside leaving just a pure and heartfelt intent. I'm not saying I've grown to be a saint but I understand things better now and why they happen. I used to not let my emotions take control but now I've grown more mature at how I react to things. Suddenly, I don't just think of my needs. In fact, I think of my needs less and I feel happy doing so. Well, sometimes you still can't resist to treat yourself with lame excuses but who ever said you'd be perfect.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mentally, I've become more wiser. Yes, wiser! I sometimes feel I've aged to leaps and bounds! Things are so clear to me now. My understanding seems to be so simple and right-in-your-face. Why don't people get it? Don't they know all the answers to their questions are written in the bible? If only people would look at the bible as if it's their diary or their self-help meditation books. Not some traditional memento, or you know? the 'not-for-me-just-for-the-oldies' kind of reasoning, or the 'so-boring-i-couldn't-keep-my-eyes-open' excuses. Man, how lame!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And spiritually, well... this is where it all started. If I haven't changed spiritually, I would have been a completely different person. You see, it affected every area of my life. Having Jesus in your heart and accepting Him as your Saviour, your Lord and Friend makes a big difference. This is where it begins and it's where it happens. You don't get to change overnight. Your willingness to accept His words and live His words are the barometers to change. You undergo the Refiner's fire until you may well be fit enough to shine like gold. You undergo struggles and persecutions but as you do, you tend to be more stronger and bolder to move on, to speak and take action.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What else can I say....&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SUDDEN THOUGHTS...... (July 2003 to JANUARY 30, 2005)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Lessons I've learned in my walk with God (well, as of date written above)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Salvation... the only way &lt;br /&gt;2. God's words are painful but it heals.&lt;br /&gt;3. In Him, you find peace that passes ALL understanding&lt;br /&gt;4. Give more of you, think less of your needs &amp; think more of others&lt;br /&gt;5. Contentment is the key&lt;br /&gt;6. The gift of sacrifice - having the burden&lt;br /&gt;7. Prayers can go where no man has ever gone&lt;br /&gt;8. How far can I go? How much am i willing to take? (Patience!!)&lt;br /&gt;9. Commitment&lt;br /&gt;10. SUBMISSION - the big word!&lt;br /&gt;11. For worship to be worship, it has to come with a price...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and more....&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;GOD BLESS!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-2817701187911798106?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/2817701187911798106/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=2817701187911798106' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/2817701187911798106'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/2817701187911798106'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2007/10/its-been-while-then-have-peek-at-my.html' title='It&apos;s been a while...  Then have a peek at my past journal entries'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-1107262173819555802</id><published>2007-06-26T06:39:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-11-04T01:46:31.045-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Of living rocks and pebbles....</title><content type='html'>-----------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hope you enjoy this video I made from our trip in Kent!&lt;br /&gt;-----------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;object width="425" height="350"&gt; &lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vGS7xh0FLXw"&gt; &lt;/param&gt; &lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vGS7xh0FLXw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"&gt; &lt;/embed&gt; &lt;/object&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;(For stories and experiences, please read article below...)&lt;br /&gt;---------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;LIVING ROCKS AND PEBBLES?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Last weekend, June 23 &amp; 24, we had the privilege of going outside London for a seaside fellowship in All Hallows, Kent. Booked ahead of time, we managed to reserve two caravans for our weekend outing.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Although, most of us couldn't make it, we still went on with the activity since it was scheduled ahead of time and the caravans have already been booked. Besides, we rarely have this opportunity to go out of London as a group anyway, so minority or majority aside, the show must go on.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So off we went by batch. We were the first to go followed by another batch. It only took us an hour or so to reach the place. Thanks to Mr. Navi (the navigator), we reached the place the quickest possible way. The weather was great! We were all eager to unload our bags and head off to the sea. Hanniel &amp; Esther even wanted to change into their swimming outfits already. But then we had to wait for the rest of the group. Besides, we haven't eaten lunch yet and they have our lunch (a savoury feast of adobo and veggie salad compliments of the chef, Sister Fhely. (-: yummm!)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So when they did come after an hour, we ate lunch then excitedly headed off to sea.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It was low tide so there were no waters to see at the sea (it rhymes. he he!) &lt;br /&gt;What we found were hideous rocks and pebbles. Thus, the title. The scenery was magnificent. Makes me stand in awe of God's creation. The skies were so blue and the vastness of the sea was incredible. We were literally standing on the seabed (well, quite) and around us were these rocks and puddles of water. Then Aunty Helen said we could start picking oysters and crabs. We didn't know where to start so we just followed her around. Only to find out that the oysters were actually the small rocks that we see and ignoringly pass by.  While on the bigger rocks, once you flip them open; crabs, big or small, start to crawl out, it was amazing! It was a joy watching them (i was taking the video) pick up oysters as they figure out which one's an oyster and which one's just a rock. But it was much funnier seeing them try to catch a crab with their bare hands. I'm telling you those crabs don't go down without a fight. They don't have those claws for nothing. (Watch the video and you'll see one geronimo crab fighting for his life. He he!)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyway, aside from oysters and crabs and other sea creatures we found; we also had fun picking up pebbles. They come in different types, sizes, color and form. I manage to pick some interesting rocks and pebbles (see the picture below). &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/RpQI6HCIGTI/AAAAAAAAAAs/_L9eiXeF6p4/s1600-h/100_0031.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/RpQI6HCIGTI/AAAAAAAAAAs/_L9eiXeF6p4/s320/100_0031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085699673621535026" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/RpQI63CIGUI/AAAAAAAAAA0/ZBr4c9EoNNA/s1600-h/JLU.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/RpQI63CIGUI/AAAAAAAAAA0/ZBr4c9EoNNA/s320/JLU.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085699686506436930" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Maybe if we stayed longer, we could have found some diamonds or pearls. You never know. LOL!&lt;br /&gt;But anyway, my point really is, we've learned a lesson from this experience alone. Just take a look at the sea when all the waters subside. In the naked eye, the oysters looked like dead rocks. Black and not very pretty. But when you take a closer look, there's life inside those rocks. It becomes food and serves as nourishment to physical bodies. Just like us, we were once dead and unpleasing. But when God found us, He picks us up, cleanses us and makes us realise there us life through Him. A life that has its purpose. Which brings me to my next topic. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That &lt;strong&gt;of faith and repentance..&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well, although it seems we were there for the fun and pleasure, our main objective was to do God's will above everything else. We went out of our common dwellings and headed to this place to have a fellowship. Now before I go on, what do I mean by fellowship anyway? In its New Testament sense, fellowship is an inner unity expressed outwardly. It is not just being together but doing together. It is not just doing anything together but it is working together to accomplish God’s will.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And one of that was for the baptism of our brethren.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You know what? Whenever I hear or witness someone submitting to water baptism, I could not help but shed a tear of joy. It means, they are willing to submit their lives to Christ. Baptism in itself is repentance. It is an act, done by faith to show repentance of our sins. In the bible, it is a command. "How do we enter the kingdom of heaven?" Someone asked Jesus and He replied, "you have to be born again, born of water and of spirit". Jesus Himself was baptised. He did so to fulfill all righteousness. That is, he lead an example for us to follow. There are a lot of scriptures about baptism and I don't have to go into details. What matters is we do it as our act of true repentance and humility, by faith. I like how Romans 6 describes it. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Paul says this of baptism, "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have friends who were asking me my views about baptism and all I can say is I did it so I may be right with God. I didn't know a lot about God's words then but when I heard the gospel about baptism, I just wanted to obey. Jesus did it Himself 'to fulfill all righteousness',how much more for me, who's just a mere man? Some friends didn't want to be baptised thinking they're not worthy or they're not yet ready. And I just wonder, when is the right time? When do we know it's right? The gospel says no man is worthy, not even one on the face of the earth. Therefore "Blessed is the man who believes and obeys even without seeing."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That is what faith is all about....&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Although there are more things I could share about our trip to Kent, like our bonding moment on Saturday night or our morning service with the IGO UK group on Sunday or the indoor activities we had on Sunday (cause it was raining), for me what I've talked about is what touched me the most. And so i just wanted to share it with all of you.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;These experiences are once in a lifetime. Moments I treasure and keep. And i pray that you experience it too.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;God bless you!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-1107262173819555802?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/1107262173819555802/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=1107262173819555802' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/1107262173819555802'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/1107262173819555802'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2007/06/of-dead-rocks-and-pebbles-of-faith-and.html' title='Of living rocks and pebbles....'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/RpQI6HCIGTI/AAAAAAAAAAs/_L9eiXeF6p4/s72-c/100_0031.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-5724699040538767304</id><published>2007-06-17T13:40:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-06-19T15:11:56.587-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Guitar lessons, snakes &amp; ladders &amp; pasta bake - This is my week so far</title><content type='html'>I know it's quite a long title but it sums up what has occupied my week.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well, aside from my regular weekly activities, these are my highlights for this week.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I thought i'd have some spare time last tuesday in the afternoon to do some shopping for stuff that i'd send home to the Philippines (cause my sister will be going home for a month this coming July) but then i had to cancel that when i received a call from Connie.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It appears her employers are looking for someone to teach their daughters some guitar lessons to fill up the kids' weekly schedule. And Tuesday being only their free time, she asked me if i'd be free to come and have guitar sessions with them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well of course who wouldn't say yes. Music is my passion and guitar has been my first instrument. So, postponing some shopping which is a girl's-favourite-past-time (sometimes) is not a bad choice.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So i quickly went to a music shop and bought a beginner's guide and bought a notebook where they can write their notes on then went to the place (which is a blessing as it is very close to my morning job).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I didn't quite know what to expect. Connie highly recommended me to her employers and I wasn't sure i'd live up to their expectations. it's not as if i'm a pro at this, you know. yes, i've learned to play the guitar when i was 12 but i haven't professionally gone to a school or something. For me, i play music by ear.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well anyway, i went and everything turned out fine. The kids had a blast and they enjoyed the very first song we tried to learn which is 'somewhere over the rainbow' (inspired from the song that this 6 year old girl named Connie (again) sang in Britain's Got talent TV show - she's sooooo cute!)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So now I guess, my week's full now. My Tuesday afternoon's taken but i couldn't have hoped for a better way to spend it.&lt;br /&gt;-------------&lt;br /&gt;From there, i had to spend the night at pastor's place. Cause the day after, Wednesday, we'll be going for a mission trip to Devon and back on the same day. What used to be a 5-6 hour drive turned out to be 3 1/2-4 hours because of less traffic and pit stops. Our drive was smooth sailing and along the road, we played snakes and ladders where the winner has the right to sleep. We didn't have that much sleep the night before and slept really late that night waiting for Shawnee who will be coming from Walthamstow. Now i'm not saying we're not allowed to sleep or anything like that. We have the choice but it's up to you. We have this term in Ilokano which is 'makirikna' meaning being considerate of others. Pastor Melchor is also our driver and we know he lacked sleep and is tired from previous dates and appointments. Which is why the last thing he'll be needing is to see or hear someone snoring or relaxing in the car. So, what's ideal would be for one person to sleep at the back end while the others have to keep the driver awake. (-: LOL! &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/RnW5UM9WtZI/AAAAAAAAAAM/iokmuyZWjsg/s1600-h/IMG_0841.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/RnW5UM9WtZI/AAAAAAAAAAM/iokmuyZWjsg/s320/IMG_0841.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077167911657190802" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/RnW6E89WtaI/AAAAAAAAAAU/Mv9qfTsjljY/s1600-h/IMG_0875.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/RnW6E89WtaI/AAAAAAAAAAU/Mv9qfTsjljY/s320/IMG_0875.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077168749175813538" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well it turned out no one slept anyway. We're just too considerate and caring people you know? (clap clap! he he!) And besides we enjoyed each other's company (there were 4 of us who went with pastor, my 1st cousin april &amp; her boyfriend paul, my 2nd or 3rd cousin-shawnee &amp; there's me). Being related in a way has its advantages. I'm just glad i get to do this mission trips with family. Praise God!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh and before i forget, we had a funny experience when we reached the place. Well we had lunch and we were preparing to start the bible study when Martha thought she'd drop by the bank first which was just 5 minutes away. So, off she goes down. Funny thing however was, when she tried to open the first door of the house, she couldn't. It turned out it can only be opened from the outside. Their new housemate unknowingly double locked the door on her way out to work. WE WERE TRAPPED! So, there we were, looking for ways to open the door. Then the guys thought they had an idea (really?). Yes, they thought they could do a superman act and jump from the window (i'm not kidding). 'It's not that high' said kuya Lawrence, who tried it first. So then he went out from the window and stood on the ledge. However, that's as far as he went. Then Pastor had a go at it as well. He even practised jumping up and down before going out from the window and standing on the ledge. We were, like, asking him not to, you know? I mean, come on, he'll be driving afterwards, what if something happens to him? (you're probably saying, hey where's the faith, man? i know. i know. however, we're just looking after pastor, you know.. he he!). Well anyway, he didn't jump. We were all relieved. Then again, they thought they could do a pole act. You know, grab a pole, then someone will hold on to one end and hang on to it while slowly going down and the other person will hold the other end from the window. Well, I thought that was scarier than the first suggestion.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But thank God! someone came around. Maybe, God was laughing so hard while looking at us, He finally decided to send some help. (-:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm telling you, it was so funny. It may not be so back at that time but now that i look back at it, man, was it hilarious. And what was us girls doing, you may ask? Uhmmn, we were on the other window looking out getting ready to scream for help in case someone passes by. Well,.... we were ... just ... being girls, you know.  (-:&lt;br /&gt;------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;FATHER'S DAY - JUNE 17, 2007&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is a special day.... And i knew i had to do something again for our Father's Day special. Since a year or so ago, we've been organising surpises for special occassions. As much as we can manage, we tried to make every event special. And not only has it brought us closer together, it made us more of a family towards one another. However this Sunday i didn't have that many help. Each one had some place they had to go to and something they have to do.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Which is why i was probably at my busiest this day. I woke up 6 in the morning, created and edited the video special (which you can see on my youtube account) for 4 hours. Then proceeded to Tesco to buy the groceries for our dinner in church afterwards. I bought ingredients for pasta bake (the only recipe i'm really good at), chicken wings and green salad. Went home, prepared and cooked them all (thanks to Sherill who was around to help me out to prepare the chicken wings). Then i managed to take a shower. Prepare the instruments and used our mini 4WD (Baby Georiel's push chair) to transport some of the instruments to church (which is a short distance away from our house, praise God! for that).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Then i managed to play the piano and worship in my private time. My song at the moment is Dwelling places, it just makes me wanna cry out all my love to God. Shawnee did come shortly afterwards to help carry out the rest of the instruments. Then kuya Roy came and so we practised Shawnee's lineup. Then April came then kuya Jerryson and Erlinda came. Then before we knew it, the service has begun.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It was a blessing. The message was crystal clear and direct. Just what we needed and every bit of our worship service was encouraging. Our prayers are not in vain. Renewal and revival has begun. As long as we keep the flame burning, no one can stop us from moving forward.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Which is my reason for writing this blog. I'm inspired and I want to do more. I'm just starting and I know God has more plans for me and my ministry.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;All in all, this is just one of those weeks for me. The only difference is, i get to write it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh and to top it all off, everyone enjoyed my pasta bake. Someone even said it was professionally done. I was so proud, my ears were clapping. He he!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, just so you know, in case you're badly in need of a good ole pasta, you know where to reach me. He he!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That's all folks! God bless ya ol!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---&lt;br /&gt;The Father's Day video special:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;object width="425" height="350"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dJntjb52UrU"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;param name="wmode" value="transparent"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dJntjb52UrU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-5724699040538767304?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/5724699040538767304/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=5724699040538767304' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/5724699040538767304'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/5724699040538767304'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2007/06/guitar-lessons-snakes-ladders-pasta.html' title='Guitar lessons, snakes &amp; ladders &amp; pasta bake - This is my week so far'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/RnW5UM9WtZI/AAAAAAAAAAM/iokmuyZWjsg/s72-c/IMG_0841.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-3259686889357451779</id><published>2007-06-08T15:47:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-06-09T15:09:21.586-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Martha or Mary?</title><content type='html'>Lately, I've been reading a book by Tommy Tenney (titled Chasing God, serving man) and I am so getting where he's coming from. Definitely it's what we need today. Not only in our churches and congregations but also to each of us, as individual bodies of Christ.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In church, it's true that we have to make accomodations for both man and God. Mary was always on her knees before the Lord while Martha was busy serving in the kitchen. Now some would probably say Mary loved Jesus best. However, while it's true that Mary set a supreme example of loving worship when she broke her costly alabaster box to anoint Jesus, is it not possible that Martha's staying up all night in the kitchen to prepare the last supper be considered as worship as well? Can "burning heart" service be "broken-willed" worship?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"Words from Tommy Tenney"&lt;br /&gt;If we ever want our churches to have a visitation from God, we have to learn how to host the Holy Ghost. Meaning, we have to make accomodations for both man and God. Not only must Mary worship His divinity, but Martha must host His humanity. Every church house should have both Marys and Marthas. No segregation here! Both must be allowed to thrive. There must be a mutual appreciation. The dual nature of Jesus presents the perfect model for us. He was entertained and hosted in both realms. Christ our head is at the right hand of the Father, but His body, the Church present and the Church future, lives on earth in physical bodies. For centuries, church leaders have searched for ways to make people fall in love with the church. The ultimate quest is for God and man to get together.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But although the Lord honors and appreciates our "Martha ministry" to humanity, our eternal destiny culminates in an everlasting "Mary ministry" to Divinity. As any pastor will quickly confirm, the Marthas in the typical local church are usually wondering, "Why in the world doesn't that Mary get over here and help me in this kitchen? If she wants to be so spiritual, then she needs to drag herself over here and help me feed these hungry folk and clothe the naked. If she was really all that spiritual, she would get up off the floor and stop all that boo-hooing and crying long enough to do something that really helps hurting people."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Marys in the church are saying to themselves, "I wish 'that Martha' would just forget about all that cooking. She should know that when you're spiritual, you don't have to eat. What she needs is some old-fashioned 'praying through' time in God's presence. That would take care of her unspiritual devotion to the works of her hands."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But the truth is that it takes both ministries to build a Bethany, a house of balanced passion and compassion. Mary and Martha, it is time to come together and create a place of hospitality where Divinity and humanity can meet.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So let us keep chasing God while serving man.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-3259686889357451779?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/3259686889357451779/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=3259686889357451779' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/3259686889357451779'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/3259686889357451779'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2007/06/martha-or-mary.html' title='Martha or Mary?'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-5732165669548358458</id><published>2007-06-05T14:04:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-06-08T15:47:49.155-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Song To My Parents</title><content type='html'>&lt;em&gt;(I have been listening to Keith Green lately and this song just struck me. Keith's songs are just so honest and real. And this one in particular speaks so true of my heart and i believe, it is so with those of us who came to know Jesus first before their parents)&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I need to say these things cause, I love you so,&lt;br /&gt;And I'm sorry you get angry when I say that, you just don't know,&lt;br /&gt;But there's a Heaven waiting for you and me.&lt;br /&gt;I know it seems every time we talk I'm only trying to just make you see.&lt;br /&gt;And it's only that I care, I really only want just to see you there.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please try and overlook my human side,&lt;br /&gt;I know I'm such a bad example and you know I'm so full of pride.&lt;br /&gt;But Jesus isn't like that, now He's perfect all the way,&lt;br /&gt;I guess that's why we need him, cause by ourselves, there's just no way.&lt;br /&gt;And it's only that I care, I really, really only just want to see you there.&lt;br /&gt;To see you there.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;We just want to see you there dads and moms....&lt;/em&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-5732165669548358458?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/5732165669548358458/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=5732165669548358458' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/5732165669548358458'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/5732165669548358458'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2007/06/song-to-my-parents.html' title='Song To My Parents'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-5524319369727246869</id><published>2007-05-28T23:16:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-06-09T15:12:30.693-07:00</updated><title type='text'>.. Of true hearts and real passions...</title><content type='html'>First... &lt;strong&gt;of true hearts&lt;/strong&gt;..&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;- Sunday (May 27, 2007) -&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This Sunday, I was assigned to lead praise and worship at church. So I prayed and sought for God's voice. And all week long, the messages that I've come across has been all about openness and honesty. The signs were everywhere. The newspaper i read, the movie i watch, the conversation i overhear. Literally, everywhere. And so, I tried to reflect on what God was trying to say.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Personally, the message was for me. I'm not an open book to be honest so for a start, openness has to begin from me. So point taken, i took it upon myself to try to be more open about my true emotions, my fears and inhibitions.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But what about honesty in worship. Sometimes, we make mistakes of following a pattern or having a standard in leading worship. Does it need to end in a certain way? On a high note? Will the songs lead the people to worship? We tend to complicate things more instead of just going back to basics. We forget that what matters is what's inside the heart.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I believe that God wants us to be open and true. What's really inside your heart. Are you hurting, broken and contrite? David always pours out his heart to God. He would cry about his enemies. About his failures. But in the end, he glorifies God and worships God for His faithfulness. And that's what should come out when we worship. Our openness and honesty when coming in the presence of the King. In humility, give ourselves openly and thankfully praising God for His mercy and grace.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Second.. Of REAL PASSIONS!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bank Holiday - May 28, 2007&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This monday, Pastor Melchor scheduled a congregational whole day prayer and fasting. So, those of us who could make it gathered together at St. Stephen's Church to pray and seek God. God said, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Truly, we needed to seek God. All month of April, I've always had this longing to seek God more. I even told my friend and cousin, Shawnee if we could start something, even with just the two of us, to do something in order to seek God through prayer. Cause honestly, during the past weeks, we've all been busy going to outreaches, doing this and that activity that I felt, Yes we were busy with the kingdom but not with the King.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Also, I've noticed that seats are slowly vacated every Sunday and the people who used to come hasn't been coming anymore. What's happening? Sometimes, even our church services seemed heavy. There's really that need. God is speaking to us. SEEK ME MORE!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So this Monday, I believed we finally came together. Like the families who helped Nehemiah build the wall, we came united in prayer. We sought God on our knees. Cried till we have no more tears and interceded like never before. Yes, INTERCEDE!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Truly, we need to keep the fire burning. Cause when the burden is gone, the passion starts to fade. And what's left? A heart that's void of passion for the lost and hurting. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And this is just a start. I know God will do more great things as long as we keep on seeking Him and Him alone.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;.............&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The following song is my own composition that was inspired from the book of Gwen Shaw about prayer and intercession (Teach me to weep)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;TEACH ME TO CRY&lt;br /&gt;(C) 2005&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here I am, Lord on my knees&lt;br /&gt;Listen to my pleas&lt;br /&gt;As I pray on behalf&lt;br /&gt;Of those who are in need of Your mercy,&lt;br /&gt;Forgiveness and peace&lt;br /&gt;The lost and the sinner&lt;br /&gt;The poor and the weak&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Chorus:&lt;br /&gt;Teach me to cry and weep&lt;br /&gt;Teach me to pray, oh Lord and intercede&lt;br /&gt;I'll cry and weep&lt;br /&gt;Let my heart be broken&lt;br /&gt;Bruised and broken&lt;br /&gt;Let my heart be contrite&lt;br /&gt;Oh have mercy, Lord&lt;br /&gt;Draw us close to You&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bridge:&lt;br /&gt;Grant us, Lord Your mercy&lt;br /&gt;And lead us by Your grace&lt;br /&gt;Touch our hearts and soul &lt;br /&gt;That we might see You face to face&lt;br /&gt;.............&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-5524319369727246869?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/5524319369727246869/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=5524319369727246869' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/5524319369727246869'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/5524319369727246869'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2007/05/royal-telephone.html' title='.. Of true hearts and real passions...'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-3687049422613926107</id><published>2007-05-23T13:31:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2007-06-12T12:17:09.788-07:00</updated><title type='text'>My Diary of Songs</title><content type='html'>&lt;em&gt;Here's a list of some of the gospel songs I've composed throughout the years since i came to be saved. They're my heart's cry and my true voice...&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;HEART'S CRY/ CALLING OUT TO YOU&lt;br /&gt;(Music: 1998, Lyrics: Jan 2004)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You gave everything for me&lt;br /&gt;Freed all my sins and set me free&lt;br /&gt;What more can I say&lt;br /&gt;What more can I ask for?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When I am down You pick me up&lt;br /&gt;When I am tired You lift me up&lt;br /&gt;You are my comfort, and my peace&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yet still at times, I loose my way&lt;br /&gt;At times I make mistakes&lt;br /&gt;At times I wonder why, Lord hear my cry&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please be with me, speak to me&lt;br /&gt;I need to hear Your voice in my my heart&lt;br /&gt;I want to live each single day with You&lt;br /&gt;So please, oh Lord&lt;br /&gt;Stay with me&lt;br /&gt;When I am weak then I am strong&lt;br /&gt;For You're my strength&lt;br /&gt;And You're my guide&lt;br /&gt;Forever..&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh Lord, hear me calling&lt;br /&gt;When I am crying&lt;br /&gt;I seek for Your will in my life&lt;br /&gt;I am longing, I am seeking&lt;br /&gt;Do as You please with me&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Calling out to You, seeking for Your truth&lt;br /&gt;I long to hear Your voice speaking to my heart&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Fill this longing in my heart&lt;br /&gt;Fill this longing in my soul&lt;br /&gt;Fill me with Your spirit&lt;br /&gt;And Your passion from above&lt;br /&gt;(Repeat)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-------------------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;KAIBIGAN&lt;br /&gt;(Music:1998, Lyrics: Jan 2004)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Kaibigan, isang tanong, isang sagot&lt;br /&gt;Naniniwala ka ba?&lt;br /&gt;Sa nag-iisang dakila&lt;br /&gt;Hesus ang ngalan Niya&lt;br /&gt;Siya lang ang kaligtasan&lt;br /&gt;At ang iyong pag-asa&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Kaibigan, bakit mo pinagyayabang sa iba&lt;br /&gt;Ang yaman mo sa lupa&lt;br /&gt;Sa langit meron ba?&lt;br /&gt;Hindi ka maililigtas ng Iyong mga gawa&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Pagkat Siya lamang&lt;br /&gt;Ang tanging daan sa kaligtasan&lt;br /&gt;At tunay na yaman&lt;br /&gt;Na naghihintay sa langit&lt;br /&gt;Nakahanda para lang sa iyo&lt;br /&gt;Basta't sumunod ka lang&lt;br /&gt;Sa utos Niya't salita&lt;br /&gt;Kaibigan ko&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Huwag kang liliko&lt;br /&gt;Huwag na huwag kang lalayo&lt;br /&gt;Kung may bagyo&lt;br /&gt;Kumapit ka lamang sa Kanya&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;LORD, YOU ARE MY SONG&lt;br /&gt;(Music: 1996, Lyrics: Jan 2004)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Lord, You are my song&lt;br /&gt;I worship You alone&lt;br /&gt;For no one else compares&lt;br /&gt;All of the things You've done&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You have created me&lt;br /&gt;In spite of my weakness You love me still&lt;br /&gt;So Lord, I lift to thee&lt;br /&gt;My voice and my praises&lt;br /&gt;My life and my heart&lt;br /&gt;And to no one else but You, Lord&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;All that I've ever long for&lt;br /&gt;Is to be right with You, Lord&lt;br /&gt;You're all I ever need&lt;br /&gt;In my life forevermore&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Lord, You are my song&lt;br /&gt;My music and melody&lt;br /&gt;You fill my life with songs&lt;br /&gt;In all of my days&lt;br /&gt;I will sing all my praises&lt;br /&gt;To you, oh Lord&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-------------------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;IN THE SHELTER OF YOUR WINGS&lt;br /&gt;Psalm 61&lt;br /&gt;(January 30, 2004)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hear my cry attend to my prayer&lt;br /&gt;From the ends of the earth I will call to You&lt;br /&gt;When my heart is overwhelmed&lt;br /&gt;Lead me to the rock that is higher than me&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For You have been a shelter for me&lt;br /&gt;My strong tower from the enemy&lt;br /&gt;I will trust, I will abide&lt;br /&gt;In the shelter of Your wings&lt;br /&gt;In the shelter of Your wings&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For You, o God have heard my vows&lt;br /&gt;For those who fear Your name&lt;br /&gt;You have answered their pleas&lt;br /&gt;So I will sing my praises to You&lt;br /&gt;That I may perform my vows&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-3687049422613926107?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/3687049422613926107/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=3687049422613926107' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/3687049422613926107'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/3687049422613926107'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2007/05/my-diary-of-songs.html' title='My Diary of Songs'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-7054549279332243910</id><published>2007-05-23T13:13:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-23T13:27:48.676-07:00</updated><title type='text'>My Diary of Poems (A life with Jesus)</title><content type='html'>BORN ANEW&lt;br /&gt;(July 21, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I never expected this sudden change in me&lt;br /&gt;Least of all, this decision to be a part of something great&lt;br /&gt;I have been baptised&lt;br /&gt;And i felt the Holy Spirit enveloping me in a tight embrace&lt;br /&gt;Now my eyes are open&lt;br /&gt;And now I see and understand things more clearly&lt;br /&gt;And I have only these special people to thank for&lt;br /&gt;For they have welcomed me&lt;br /&gt;And accepted me with open arms&lt;br /&gt;Without prejudice nor impatience&lt;br /&gt;But accepted me for who I am&lt;br /&gt;Now I'm a new man!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;ONE DAY AT A TIME&lt;br /&gt;(December 26, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Why do I feel this way?&lt;br /&gt;Who do I feel so burdened and restricted?&lt;br /&gt;I thought I was getting past that stage&lt;br /&gt;I thought I knew of a way to make it all better&lt;br /&gt;But time and time again I feel pressured to deliver&lt;br /&gt;To follow and to perfom the way they do&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh Lord please help me to understand&lt;br /&gt;Help me to overcome these struggles that I find&lt;br /&gt;Give me the strength to stand through all the test of time&lt;br /&gt;Be with me, Lord&lt;br /&gt;And keep me within Your sight&lt;br /&gt;Keep me in Your presence&lt;br /&gt;In Your unfading light&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sometimes I feel I've had enough&lt;br /&gt;But by Your grace I keep hanging on&lt;br /&gt;I want to leave and get away from it all&lt;br /&gt;But You keep pressing me on&lt;br /&gt;To hold on to my faith and never let go&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I know I fall short of a lot of things&lt;br /&gt;And I ask for Your forgiveness&lt;br /&gt;All I ever wanted is to be right with You&lt;br /&gt;So lead me, Lord&lt;br /&gt;As I take it step by step&lt;br /&gt;One day at a time&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;--------------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;MEEKNESS&lt;br /&gt;(February 7, 2004)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Lord, I ask for forgiveness&lt;br /&gt;Purify my actions&lt;br /&gt;Lord, I should know better&lt;br /&gt;I've heard Your words&lt;br /&gt;And I keep being reminded on&lt;br /&gt;But I stand proud&lt;br /&gt;And I hear without understanding&lt;br /&gt;I close my heart and pretend not to listen&lt;br /&gt;So now I humble down before You&lt;br /&gt;Take away all my pride&lt;br /&gt;And open the eyes of my heart&lt;br /&gt;Make me wise to understand&lt;br /&gt;Make me humble to please You&lt;br /&gt;Make me worthy to be Yours..&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;PERSECUTED&lt;br /&gt;(March 6, 2004)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm a sinner not a saint&lt;br /&gt;But when they look at me they paint&lt;br /&gt;A different picture in their minds&lt;br /&gt;People tend to overact&lt;br /&gt;They criticise without the facts&lt;br /&gt;And they seem to know what it's all about&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But i don't care of what they say about me&lt;br /&gt;They don't know what's inside my heart&lt;br /&gt;I will never compromise my faith&lt;br /&gt;I will always cling to what I believe&lt;br /&gt;By my sacrifice I'll be rewarded&lt;br /&gt;By my faith I'll be saved&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;--------------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;BLESSED&lt;br /&gt;(May 11, 2004)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I feel so blessed nowadays&lt;br /&gt;You've given me so much meaning in my life&lt;br /&gt;And You've taught me so many things&lt;br /&gt;For adding one more year to my number&lt;br /&gt;I have come to terms with a lot of things&lt;br /&gt;I've learned that happiness doesn't come&lt;br /&gt;With pleasure or ambition or fame or fortune&lt;br /&gt;It comes with knowing you are contented&lt;br /&gt;And You've given me that&lt;br /&gt;And I've learned that love doesn't come from shallow ground&lt;br /&gt;It comes from a good and strong foundation&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-7054549279332243910?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/7054549279332243910/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=7054549279332243910' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/7054549279332243910'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/7054549279332243910'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2007/05/my-diary-of-poems-life-with-jesus.html' title='My Diary of Poems (A life with Jesus)'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-1170399131466181212</id><published>2007-05-23T12:29:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-23T13:12:55.826-07:00</updated><title type='text'>My Diary of Poems ( A life without Jesus)</title><content type='html'>&lt;em&gt;The following are written thoughts of mine when i was still searching.. As you can see, life was so depressing then.. I can't help but smile when i read them now. I just thought it'd be nice to put them on my blog so you can see the changes as you go along.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ORDINARY&lt;br /&gt;(January 21, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sitting here feeling wasted and useless&lt;br /&gt;Wondering if there ever is a future ahead&lt;br /&gt;You call this a life?&lt;br /&gt;By the end of the day, I go home, watch TV and go to bed&lt;br /&gt;I wake up in the morning, take a bath and go to work&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Work, though sometimes busy, sometimes blurry&lt;br /&gt;Is not my idea of a bright future&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I live the life of an ordinary&lt;br /&gt;A monotonous adventure, a boring exploit&lt;br /&gt;I feel I have more to give&lt;br /&gt;I feel so blessed with enormous talents&lt;br /&gt;Yet so repressed in many ways&lt;br /&gt;What do i do to make a difference?!?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;BEING ALONE&lt;br /&gt;(January 23, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I wait for the day when I am me and no one else&lt;br /&gt;When i can contemplate without having to share&lt;br /&gt;Just to work without having to make somebody's day&lt;br /&gt;To ache without having to conceal&lt;br /&gt;To feel pleasure without any reservations&lt;br /&gt;For every man needs some moments of solitude&lt;br /&gt;Some cloudless days free of time and space&lt;br /&gt;Just free to live the moment...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN&lt;br /&gt;(January 24, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I feel her pain, I see her worries&lt;br /&gt;Trapped in an unwelcome circumstance&lt;br /&gt;Life has never been this agonizing&lt;br /&gt;Always paranoid of the unknown&lt;br /&gt;Fearful of the past haunting back...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;--------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;THE ULTIMATE GOAL&lt;br /&gt;(January 25, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I wish to see the day when everything is good enough&lt;br /&gt;In which I am able to give them something they can look forward to&lt;br /&gt;Everyday....&lt;br /&gt;Or some purpose in life&lt;br /&gt;Free of anxiety and sham&lt;br /&gt;It is my dream that someday&lt;br /&gt;All our aims and ends are realised&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;--------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;HOPES&lt;br /&gt;(January 29, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I see depression in her eyes&lt;br /&gt;Doors of hope closing in on her heart&lt;br /&gt;The rest of the world seem to give up on her&lt;br /&gt;Heedless of her merits and insensitive of here emotions&lt;br /&gt;They sometimes forget her victories&lt;br /&gt;But they always remember her imperfections&lt;br /&gt;Never forgiving, sometimes adamant&lt;br /&gt;Not giving her enough reason to make up for it&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;She's glum, she's feeble and she's not getting any younger&lt;br /&gt;If only I could make up for all the things she hope for&lt;br /&gt;If only I could give her all the importance she deserves&lt;br /&gt;Make her feel special and appreciated&lt;br /&gt;Make her hope for another dream&lt;br /&gt;And somehow make them all come true&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;----------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;FEELING OF EXTREMES&lt;br /&gt;(January 31, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In this line of work, you come accross two perspectives of extreme nature&lt;br /&gt;At one point you are vital and necessary&lt;br /&gt;The next, you are of no great concern&lt;br /&gt;Yesterday I was the servant&lt;br /&gt;Today, I'm the chief&lt;br /&gt;Do I feel happy about it?&lt;br /&gt;No!&lt;br /&gt;I'd rather be treated fair, treated right&lt;br /&gt;At a certain standpoint.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;--------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;NO TURNING BACK&lt;br /&gt;(February 4, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My decision has been made&lt;br /&gt;I would either have to spit it out or chew it in&lt;br /&gt;I choose the latter&lt;br /&gt;I've been through this before&lt;br /&gt;But this time, there is no turning back&lt;br /&gt;It's now time to put away uncertainties&lt;br /&gt;And move on...&lt;br /&gt;Hoping maybe, just maybe&lt;br /&gt;I made the right choice&lt;br /&gt;Lord, hope You are with me...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;SLEEPLESS NIGHTS&lt;br /&gt;(February 5, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I stayed up late and woke up early&lt;br /&gt;In bed, I kept tossing and turning&lt;br /&gt;My eyes are puffy and my thoughts are on a wander&lt;br /&gt;And every now and then I heave a sigh&lt;br /&gt;I wait for the day&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I wish I could drag the hours so I would know&lt;br /&gt;So I could find peace even in defeat&lt;br /&gt;So I could plan even if unrehearsed&lt;br /&gt;So I could hope for better days&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;BEREAVEMENT&lt;br /&gt;(March 23, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;She is my friend, my partner at work&lt;br /&gt;Born on the same day and the same year&lt;br /&gt;I almost know her, her moods and her passions&lt;br /&gt;Yet today, she is in deep pain&lt;br /&gt;She is throbbing and sore&lt;br /&gt;Crying silently and being brave&lt;br /&gt;Her ordeal seems unbearable&lt;br /&gt;Yet she holds on&lt;br /&gt;But then she passes out&lt;br /&gt;And even unconscious, her face illustrates sorrow&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yet there I am, sitting on a corner&lt;br /&gt;When emotions are running high&lt;br /&gt;I could never imagine her loss&lt;br /&gt;I could not know how to comfort her&lt;br /&gt;And i never want to know&lt;br /&gt;For i pray hard it never happens to me&lt;br /&gt;I would rather solve an unending puzzle&lt;br /&gt;Than take a loss I could not bear&lt;br /&gt;I may not be able to understand&lt;br /&gt;But I will learn to feel&lt;br /&gt;Even without knowing what it's like&lt;br /&gt;I'd rather be that...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A MOMENT'S VICTORY&lt;br /&gt;(April 10, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It was already morning when we arrived&lt;br /&gt;We were stressed out, without sleep and a bunch of nerves&lt;br /&gt;When finally the time came to face the challenge&lt;br /&gt;I couldn't keep my hands from shaking&lt;br /&gt;I was preparing myself non-stop&lt;br /&gt;But my nervousness seems to take me over&lt;br /&gt;When they finally called my name&lt;br /&gt;My confidence was renewed&lt;br /&gt;I was myself again!&lt;br /&gt;I was witty and proud and I delivered!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It was a good feeling knowing I achieved what I cam here for&lt;br /&gt;Knowing I did what others could not do&lt;br /&gt;In that little moment, I felt that victorious feeling&lt;br /&gt;Oh how sweet it is!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;--------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;THE LAST DAY&lt;br /&gt;(April 17, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I've taken all my things&lt;br /&gt;Turned over my responsibilities&lt;br /&gt;And removed all my files&lt;br /&gt;For three years since i first started to work here&lt;br /&gt;This is the hardest moment to remember&lt;br /&gt;Working your last day&lt;br /&gt;Punching your last time-out&lt;br /&gt;And seeing and doing the usual things for the last time&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;They said it's harder to be left behind&lt;br /&gt;Than to leave someone behind&lt;br /&gt;Perhaps it is so!&lt;br /&gt;But it is also hard not to live the usual routine i have come accustomed to&lt;br /&gt;Not to see familiar faces I have come to love&lt;br /&gt;Not to experience the joy of belonging to a group of fun and loving people&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This experience has been worthwhile&lt;br /&gt;I have learned more than I can imagine&lt;br /&gt;And I've gained friends more than I expected&lt;br /&gt;These memories I shall keep with me&lt;br /&gt;Forever...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;LEAVING!&lt;br /&gt;(April 30, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I've packed my bags and I've said my goodbyes&lt;br /&gt;I've tried so hard to be strong&lt;br /&gt;But deep inside I'm just holding on to a thin line of thread&lt;br /&gt;That would keep me from breaking down in tears&lt;br /&gt;I'm not a showy person, nor do I express myself in words&lt;br /&gt;I keep my thoughts and my feelings to myself&lt;br /&gt;Others may see that as cowardly&lt;br /&gt;But I see that as my strength&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And as the time draws near for me to say my final goodbye&lt;br /&gt;I keep hanging on to that thread to keep me going&lt;br /&gt;But it's hard looking at the eyes of my family whom I'll be leaving behind&lt;br /&gt;Seeing the longing in their eyes and sadness in their hearts&lt;br /&gt;I wish I could say things will be just fine&lt;br /&gt;But I can't&lt;br /&gt;For I don't know what's ahead of me&lt;br /&gt;What's waiting for me out there?&lt;br /&gt;Will i come back sooner than expected?&lt;br /&gt;The question now remains..&lt;br /&gt;Will I ever?!?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;ADJUSTMENT PERIOD&lt;br /&gt;(May 11, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It's been over a week now since I came to this place&lt;br /&gt;And it's only now that things are starting to sink in&lt;br /&gt;It's such a lonely feeling when you're away from everything you love&lt;br /&gt;From your family, from your friends&lt;br /&gt;And from your surroundings and behaviours&lt;br /&gt;you've come to be familiar with&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I miss myself&lt;br /&gt;I miss how I could live so carefree and funny&lt;br /&gt;I miss how I could enjoy life so simply&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But I am strong&lt;br /&gt;I know I could look back and move on&lt;br /&gt;They may treat me like some fragile glass&lt;br /&gt;Someone who needs caring&lt;br /&gt;But I can take care of myself&lt;br /&gt;I'm stronger than what they regard me to be&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;---------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A HOME DIVIDED&lt;br /&gt;(May 26, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Everday is torture&lt;br /&gt;There is so much silence and discomfort&lt;br /&gt;Like calm enemies without any visible cause&lt;br /&gt;It's a house but it's not a home&lt;br /&gt;Divided into two&lt;br /&gt;One in union and one by blood&lt;br /&gt;Which one should make a way to make things better?&lt;br /&gt;I guess no one should ever try&lt;br /&gt;For it's a home that is divided&lt;br /&gt;A union not blessed by Gos&lt;br /&gt;A blood not nurtured by time&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-------------------------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;IN BETWEEN TWO WORLDS&lt;br /&gt;(June 13, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One lives with it&lt;br /&gt;One condemns it&lt;br /&gt;One is spotless&lt;br /&gt;One finds out where the spots are&lt;br /&gt;One's bigger yet so crowded&lt;br /&gt;One's too small yet so full of space&lt;br /&gt;One is too nice and too Godly&lt;br /&gt;One is too silent and worldly&lt;br /&gt;And I'm caught in between&lt;br /&gt;And sometimes I feel I can't breathe&lt;br /&gt;I need some air..&lt;br /&gt;I need some time for myself&lt;br /&gt;I need a friend...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-----------------&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'M SORRY, DAD&lt;br /&gt;(July 9, 2003)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In your unknowing ways you've hurt me so many times&lt;br /&gt;You're cutting me into pieces and you have no idea how&lt;br /&gt;Which is why I have to leave&lt;br /&gt;So things won't be complicated&lt;br /&gt;You don't know me too well and I don't know you either&lt;br /&gt;Sometimes you're like a stranger to me&lt;br /&gt;And i know i am as well to you&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It's better this way, dad&lt;br /&gt;Maybe in time we'll learn to understand each other better&lt;br /&gt;Learn to build our relationship more&lt;br /&gt;As father and daughter&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm sorry I'm not who you expected me to be&lt;br /&gt;And i'm sorry i can't repay all the help you've given me&lt;br /&gt;You're getting older and I should be more willing to understand&lt;br /&gt;And i do.&lt;br /&gt;But i love my mother...&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-1170399131466181212?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/1170399131466181212/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=1170399131466181212' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/1170399131466181212'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/1170399131466181212'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2007/05/my-diary-of-poems-life-without-jesus.html' title='My Diary of Poems ( A life without Jesus)'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130861615279850822.post-1979830776832227160</id><published>2007-05-22T13:49:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-22T13:59:16.326-07:00</updated><title type='text'>My first post</title><content type='html'>Oh well, i thought i'd start my own blog. I've always written my thoughts on paper and never intended to share them. These past few days however, i've realised it's a form of release. So here i am, writing my past and present thoughts; my own diary of poems, of sonnets and songs..&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3130861615279850822-1979830776832227160?l=ellenquinopez.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/feeds/1979830776832227160/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3130861615279850822&amp;postID=1979830776832227160' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/1979830776832227160'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3130861615279850822/posts/default/1979830776832227160'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://ellenquinopez.blogspot.com/2007/05/my-first-post.html' title='My first post'/><author><name>ellen</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00910435921545827959</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KLO5wBjzlh8/SbOCrDTF3KI/AAAAAAAAACw/_qOwIikWNfA/S220/DSC00063-1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry></feed>
