Thank God for the lemonade

I've been listening to Chris Rice lately and I am so loving his music and his songs...

If indeed life gave you lemons, thank God for the lemonade!




I love the part where it goes, "we're gonna need another straw. We're gonna need another straaaaaww.............."


So much for sad songs, eh!


Some of his songs i like:
- So much for sad songs
- Clumsy
- Pardon my dust
- Home tonight
- Spare an angel
- Cartoons

and many more...

Here I am to give

I thank God for the music and the words He has given me for this song.

HERE I AM TO GIVE
(Dec 28, 2007)

Here I am to give You glory
For all that You have done
Here I am to sing with gladness
the praises You deserve

Every song I sing
May it bless Your name
Every hand I raise
May it magnify You

So here I am to give
All to You my heart
To live for You forever
To give to You my everything
In all my days,
I will trust Your ways
For You are The Way, The Truth, The Life

Trust......

Here's the latest from me so far.

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.

Besides, i have more time now. Which is why i was able to write this blog. (-:

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!

Oh well, God is good. He always has been.

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.

And sometimes, i keep thinking what would life be like without Someone to trust? Someone being our Omnipotent, Omnipresent God?

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.

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.

Proverbs 3:5-6
"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."

SO TRUE!!!!!

Changes.... A new beginning

Oh well. At least for me it is, it's a new beginning all together..

New year, new surrounding, new house, new challenges!

I've been sooo pre-occupied the past months it's taken me only this time to put something on my blog.

Ever since we moved house, it took us only just a week or two ago to finally sort out our broadband connection.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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....

I'm just grateful that everytime i thought I'm beginning to lose it, He keeps proving me wrong!

It's been a while... Then have a peek at my past journal entries

Yeah, it's been a while.

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....

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.

....

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!

THE SPONGE (Written July 08, 2004, a year after I got saved)

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...

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My prayer in moments like these:

LORD, DON'T LET ME DRY UP
Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, renew me again and refill me with Your Holy Spirit.
Lord, squeeze me just right, that I might be soaked in Your love.
AMEN...

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(next journal)

BIG CHANGES (written January 28, 2005)

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 & vinegar flavor.. (-:)

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...

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.

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!

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.

What else can I say....


SUDDEN THOUGHTS...... (July 2003 to JANUARY 30, 2005)

Lessons I've learned in my walk with God (well, as of date written above)

1. Salvation... the only way
2. God's words are painful but it heals.
3. In Him, you find peace that passes ALL understanding
4. Give more of you, think less of your needs & think more of others
5. Contentment is the key
6. The gift of sacrifice - having the burden
7. Prayers can go where no man has ever gone
8. How far can I go? How much am i willing to take? (Patience!!)
9. Commitment
10. SUBMISSION - the big word!
11. For worship to be worship, it has to come with a price...

and more....

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GOD BLESS!

Of living rocks and pebbles....

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Hope you enjoy this video I made from our trip in Kent!
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(For stories and experiences, please read article below...)
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LIVING ROCKS AND PEBBLES?

Last weekend, June 23 & 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.

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.

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 & 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!)

So when they did come after an hour, we ate lunch then excitedly headed off to sea.

It was low tide so there were no waters to see at the sea (it rhymes. he he!)
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!)


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).





Maybe if we stayed longer, we could have found some diamonds or pearls. You never know. LOL!
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.

That of faith and repentance..

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.

And one of that was for the baptism of our brethren.

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.

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."

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."

That is what faith is all about....

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.

These experiences are once in a lifetime. Moments I treasure and keep. And i pray that you experience it too.

God bless you!

Guitar lessons, snakes & ladders & pasta bake - This is my week so far

I know it's quite a long title but it sums up what has occupied my week.

Well, aside from my regular weekly activities, these are my highlights for this week.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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!)

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.
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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!






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 & her boyfriend paul, my 2nd or 3rd cousin-shawnee & 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!

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.

But thank God! someone came around. Maybe, God was laughing so hard while looking at us, He finally decided to send some help. (-:

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. (-:
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FATHER'S DAY - JUNE 17, 2007

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

All in all, this is just one of those weeks for me. The only difference is, i get to write it.

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!

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!

That's all folks! God bless ya ol!

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The Father's Day video special: