Ryan's sentimental twilight zone!

Talking to myself

2009-11-15T07:50:00.000-08:00

How am I as a person? Have I improved at least a little from last year? Or am just doodling around? Where am I right now? Where am I on my career? Am I right in the place that He wants me to be? Am I happy on what I'm doing? Or am I just being motivated by the monetary income that I'm receiving without actually growing on what I'm doing? Or am just doing my work as if I have no other choice but to do it..? again... Where am I? Am I on the right place? Ryan.. where am I? please answer me....

What is this place that you are in? Why are you here? The things that you're doing here... are you sure that you are happy and satisfied? Who are your comrades? your closest friends? When is the last time they asked you if you're fine? Where is your bestfriend? Have that friend makes you feel alone and lonely again..? Where is your family? When is the last time you told them that you loved them? Do you really mean it? again... What is this place that you are in? Why are you here? Ryan.. Why are you here? please answer me...

Lord... why are you here? why you're always here by my side? Are you here to guide me in my doodling times? Are you here to guide me and to show me the place that I should be? You want to help me fly and soar like an eagle? Lord... what is this place that you are in? why are you here? I should be the only one alone here.. why are you lifting this burden that I'm into? You don't deserve this... I deserved this.... this feelings.. emotions..., why are you still here? why raise me up? why love me? ... again... why keep on asking.. Ryan.... Love.. this is the answer.. Agape love... only He could give.

Farewell AMS Family

2009-05-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

Just a few months ago, I wrote a blog about my 2nd year anniversary for my work at Asiatrust Development Bank. Now here I am writing about my farewell blog for the bank.

On the first few days of May, I was pretty excited and "obviously" looking forward for my next career. Everyone is really kind of trying to convince me to cancel my resignation especially my Unit and Sector Head but they knew and understand that the reason of my resignation will help and benefit me a lot in terms of travel distant and safety, as well as good opportunity for enhancement of my career as well.

As the effectivity of my resignation comes to a near end. The "obvious" excitement that I felt for my next career has a gradual fight with a growing loneliness inside of me. Two days ago (that was Thursday),people starts to say "good luck" "thank you sa lahat" and "text text nalang" to me. Almost the whole building knows about my resignation.

Yesterday, as I have my last round trip from all the different floors and people that I so called "friendships", I tried to treasure each and every moments with them. The laughter, enjoyment, hardships, team building, parties, reports etc. these are the main part that I would really missed from the people that I'm going to left behind.

Guys and gals! and to my boss 'Ms. Grace Gan, thanks for the wonderful times that I had spent from all of you. Through thick and thin of our bank, we still survived! and I know you guys can still survive. Just remember "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23 from the Bible.

Thanks everyone peepS! way to go AMS!
PS. Mam Mau.. Until now, I really can't get loose of my smile. Smile pa din ako habang tinatype ko ito! hehe =)

Awake

2009-03-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

Life is short, sometimes people just come and go. We should cherish every moment of our life. Cherish every people that we had today... keeping our selves awake in every opportunity to show love and learn to treasure them. This song said it all...

A beautiful and blinding morning
The world outside begins to breathe
See clouds arriving without warning
I need you here to shelter me

And I know that only time will tell us how
To carry on without each other

So keep me awake to memorize you
Give me more time to feel this way
We can't stay like this forever
But I can have you next to me today

If I could make these moments endless
If I could stop the winds of change
If we just keep our eyes wide open
Then everything would stay the same

And I know that only time will tell me how
We'll carry on without each other

So keep me awake for every moment
Give us more time to be this way
We can't stay like this forever
But I can have you next to me today

We'll let tomorrow wait, you're here, right now, with me
All my fears just fall away, when you are all I see

We can't stay this way forever
But I have you here today

And I will remember
Oh, I will remember
Remember all the love we share today

Why is it....?

2009-03-18T04:31:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since the last time I posted a poem in my blog. Today, I tried to write this poem, capturing the moments and feeling that I'm in right now... As Christian, there will be times that we are Spiritually up and discern.. and there are times that we can feel that God is very far from us... and that is what I felt just today when I started to write this poem. At the end of my poem, it's really weird but my questions has been answered...

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Why is it so hard to hear Your voice today?
Why is it so hard to read Your Word today?
It seems like I cannot understand,
It seems like I’m becoming numb.

Why is it so hard to pray today?
Why is it so hard to confess today?
It seems my mind & heart isn’t right?
It seems I’m hiding myself to Him again…

Why is it so hard to love today?
Why is it so hard to have compassion today?
It seems like I’m selfish again today?
It seems like I just don’t even care at all…

Why is it so hard to please You today?
Why is it so hard to Worship using my Life?
It seems like my life doesn’t magnify Him.
It seems like my will has been done again…

So I lift everything to My Lord today, though my sin is haunting me tonight.
Yes, I lay everything from my heart today, to the One who forgives & revives completely .
There is nothining good in me. There is nothing to be ashame...
My Lord, My God, Messiah. Your grace is made perfect in my weakness.
My Lord, My God, Messiah. Your grace is sufficient for me to hear You speak.

So I lift everything to My Lord today, though everything seems so blurred and weary.
Yes, I lay everything from my heart today, to the One who owns it right from the start.
There is nothing good in me. There is nothing to be ashame...
My Lord, My God, Messiah. Your Love is the answer to my longing question.
My Lord, My God, Messiah. Your Love is from everlasting to everlasting.

AMS way to go!

2009-01-08T15:55:00.000-08:00

My parents always reminding me that "time fly so fast". In just a blink of an eye, a year is passed already! In a short stint of my position being a Junior Management Trainee (for 6 months) at Asiatrust Bank. I didn’t expect that I will make it through for almost two years in a row. Yup, you guys read it right. This coming March 15, 2009 I’ll be two years old from my work at Asiatrust Development Bank.

Thinking how I applied here two years ago was really tough. I remembered when I was just applying for the bank; the whole waiting area sofa outside the HR was full of applicants aiming for the Junior Management Trainee (JMT) position offered by the bank. The HR recruitment officer carefully trimmed and selected the top Universities (UP Diliman, UP Manila, Ateneo, De La Salle, CKSC hurray! etc) and with experienced individual to join the outsourcing exam and a panel interview with different sector heads of the bank. Each applicant is tested in the way how they respond to the different queries, situations, personal experiences and knowledge of the panelists in a wide scope variety of questions. Unfortunately, only 8 JMTs passed the needle hole like experience of the panel interview (including me). =)

March 15, 2007 is the 1^st day when a group of 8 JMTs first gathered at the HR Training room to have our 1^st orientation. Then we’re being trained with different seminars, manual test and hands-on experience to familiarize the system of the bank. I remembered when I first deployed at the second floor business development section. I was with the Acquired Asset Group for awhile. Then I was shifted through Account Management Sector (AMS) as Junior Account Officer. Since the Account Officer turnover was very rampant last year, I was promoted being an Account Officer. I was routed from Account Management to Consuming banking officer for the bank.

As I reminisced my almost two years stay with the bank. I could say that I gained a lot. I had the chance to talked with a lot of clients, a lot of people who have different personality types, and got the chance to went in different places such as Mindoro, Laguna, Batangas etc.and gained new friends. The most important thing is I came to know more about my capabilities and myself. Indeed people always say that “Experience is the best teacher”. These are the things that are not being taught in the school nor can be seen inside the book.

I thank God for giving me the chance to experience all these things. These little things had shaped me to be more independent and to become more equipped, mature in dealing with things in life. I pray that my future endeavor with my employers will let me see a much clearer picture of what I should be. I know through it all, it’s Him who had open doors for me to teach me and to guide me. Let me share with you with my verse from my work:

“Do you not know that those running in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain. And everyone who strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Then those truly that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.”

1 Corinthians 9-24-25.

Stained Glass Masquerade

2008-09-27T01:26:00.000-07:00

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Matthew23:25-28

I don't think it bothers the world that we sin. I think it bothers the world that we act like we don't. There are times that instead of being myself and exposing my own weakness and hurt. I portray a character of the person that I know I should be. But when I expose myself as weak and frail at times, it frees the Body of Christ to restore me as it should and invites others to unmask as well.
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Is there anyone that fails?
Is there anyone that falls?
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small?

'Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover that I don't belong

So tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too.
So with a painted grin, I play the part again.
So everyone will see me the way that I see them.

Are we happy plastic people under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness and smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open, to every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain on our stained glass masquerade.

Is there anyone who's been there?
Are there any hands to raise?
Am I the only one who's traded in the altar for a stage?

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching can we really fall apart?

But would it set me free?
If I dared to let you see?
The truth behind the person that you imagine me to be.

Would your arms be open or would you walk away?
Would the love of JESUS be enough to make you stay?

Using things, Loving people (especially for marketing people)

2008-08-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

Guys, just want to share with you this wonderful excerpt from Tony Campolo's book: "Everything You've Heard is Wrong". I hope that after reading this excerpt, you're going to have a different point of views in reaching people's need.

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In a sales conference sponsored by a large insurance corporation, the executives invited speakers of caliber to share their most successful marketing techniques. The crowd was all ears to the how's of setting up clients, of pushing the right motivational buttons, and of closing a deal while one is ahead. Supposedly the best marketing strategies, the formulas sounded more like techniques manipulating people.

Campolo himself was given the task of ending the day with a motivational talk that could psyche up the sales team to get the job done. He surpised everyone with his opening words, "Everything you've heard today is wrong!"

Disbelief ran across the faces of the company's executives.

Campolo said people are not things to be manipulated with the right techniques. People are not creatures to be used to further our own economic ends. People are sacred because the eternal God has chosen to make each one of them his home. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

Campolo went on to say that, far too frequently, we relate to people as though they were objects instead of subjects. People in the marketplace deserve something better. He continued, saying, "You don't have to manipulate people if you're selling something they really need. All you have to do is show them the seriousness of their need and then demonstrate that what you have to offer can meet that need."

________________________________________________________

As for my reflection, Campolo couldn't be more right. We live in a secular world that concerns itself with nothing more important than meeting quotas and closing sales. We have considered these more pressing than meeting people's need.

While I believe in the importance of sales conference and seminars, these should not be held at the expense of making us emotionless, money-grabbing mercenaries out to manipulate innocent victims who happen to be the consumers.

During my lunch break at Asiatrust Bank. After I have eaten my lunch, I usually went to National Bookstore Crossings. As I walked passed by the "Business section" of the bookstore, I saw volumes of devoted books to techniques and schemes aimed at manipulating the customer into saying "YES" to that valued order are being displayed.

I wonder how many of our companies have already hired experts to talk about how customers can be manipulated. It's high time for us to get back to the basics.

The basics are the decent principles focused on meeting people's need. The money earned from this kind of deal is not mercenary's income. While this may mean a much lesser value, nothing can surpass the fulfillment and the joy of knowing we've done well in the eyes of men and God.

God's Word in PROVERBS 12:17 says, "A good man is known by his truthfulness; a false man by deceit and lies."

How would you like to be known?

Family Feud

2008-07-25T23:53:00.000-07:00

Family Feud <----- Situations such as these can happen when God is not central in the family. If His Word does not wholly guide a family, expect that love for money will gradually creep in until money becomes their god. Eventually people are killed and destroyed by it.

The father, being the founder of a business, usually controls it. He goes on to assign specific duties within its operations to his children. When conflicts arise, they are resolved in the light of the father’s authority. Since all transactions revolve around the patriarch, trouble creeps in when he dies.

I’ve seen businesses crumble the moment this happens. It happened to some of my father’s friends. And it even happened to some of our relatives. The children start to fight bitterly over the spoils left to them. Some of these conflicts are never settled.

I’ve read some stories that had the same kind of situations in Francis Kong’s “The only real matters” book.

Leonard Sheon is the founder of U-Haul, which later became Amerco, a $1-billion revenue enterprise. He thought it wise to transfer the stocks, totaling 95% of the business, to this eight sons and five daughters while they were still young.

In 1986, two of them, Mark and Edward, seized control when they voted their father out. Sam, the eldest, quit after some time and the family split in two. Edward and Mark were running the firm while Leonard and Sam were suing to regain control. Stockholders’ meetings fumed into fistfights. As things became worse, the old man could only grieve and say, “I created a monster.”

Some conflicts are never settled. In 1924, Adi Dassler and his brother Rudolph opened a sporting goods company in Germany called Adidas. In 1948, they broke up after a bitter legal battle that led Rudolph to set up Puma. Since then, the two never spoke to each other again.

Today, Adidas is among the top companies in sporting goods while Puma trails not so far behind. Still the battle is on as the Dasslers avoid each other like the plague. In fact, this has contaminated the workforce. Adidas employees seldom, if not never at all, socialize with Puma workers.

It is always very sad when families are torn apart by the issue of money. Blood relations are too often ignored when power and control are sought. Children misread the values of diligence, hard work, and industry as clean and effective means of acquiring wealth and power. The focus is put on money, and no longer on the gratification and the nobility of doing one’s best in the work. Instead, the signal children get from hardworking parents is that there is nothing more important to life than earning money and gaining profit, all for the cause of a good and comfortable life. In turn, siblings compete for their father’s attention; they do everything they can only to get hold of the business. Almost too often, stories that go this direction end tragically. It is lamentable to see a once thriving business fold up, but more so around the breaking up of a family.

If you are a father reading this blog or soon to be a father and is in charge of a business, God’s Word says, “The Lord is our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. And you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy6:4-7

Teach your children to love God above anything else. Their lives and their future-in fact, their eternal destiny- are far more important than your business. Teach them fear of the Lord, for no business school can do that. Only you can. If you do so, both your family and business will flourish.

Go and bring your family closer to God. That is the father’s main business.

I believe

2008-07-24T23:39:00.000-07:00

I created this poem in my recent three simultaneous hard days that I experienced in my life. Wherein, I wrote a part of it when I am perplexed and twisted, a time when I am just sad and lonely, and a time when my emotion is filled with agony and despair. As I went into those times, God showed me that He is the only way and the only solution for my trials. We just need to acknowledge His presence and ask for His help. Indeed, God is a tender loving God. He will not despise His children nor turn His back from us.

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I’m standing awake in a dreamless sleep,
Where fears and shadows are all mine to keep,
Huge waves of trials embraced me deeply,
I tell you, “I’m about to freak out in a moment.”

As I hide myself in the silence,
I found you in my silence,
Your voice whisper to my ears,
Echoing and said "I will be here".

Hiding myself in blanket of tears,
Confusing on what I have been,
I knelt down in the silence of Your presence
You said “Don’t be afraid, come to me.”

How come you never let me go,
You’re always there with Your Love.
Why do You love me so?
I’ve never been worth this much.

Oh, Lord, I believe,
Your presence became my hiding place.
Oh Lord, I believe,
Your love can move me in the mountains.
Oh Lord, I believe,
Your Will is the cry of my heart and soul.

Teach me, guide me as You want me to be,
Control me, use me as for Your Glory will be,
I believe, I'm safe in Your tender arms...
Thank you Lord for being the solution. I'm free

Hillsong United The one heart revolution -part one

2008-07-07T19:20:00.000-07:00

This is my latest Christian album that I bought just today. This album is a double cd compilation of all live gigs of Hillsong United team worship service around the globe. Though a little rugged in places cause of live recordings, its sounds great. Composed of old and new songs of Hillsong United. Definitely it is a must in your collection of Christian music. The album is about having "Unity" as all around the globe sing praises to our Creator. Just click the widget to listen to songs of the album.

Weak and wounded sinner

2008-06-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

This poem was composed a few weeks ago. The words seems effortlessly created, but the words that I used impacted me in many ways.
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The sun rise up in the horizon,
Another chase up for the season.

Take a bath and eat the morning meal,
Another challenge in my work to deal.

Take the ride and go to work.
As God's abounding grace sustains.

The tables full of obligations to work,
Arms wide open in my chair lock.

The brain said "Relax and take it easy".
But the heart pumps and said "I want to give up".

The work now became a rush of blood.
Another prayers seems to heed.

Weak and wounded sinner indeed I am.
Another cry for His grace I need.

Weak and wounded sinner I always be.
Another statement I need to remember.

Work Slogans

2008-04-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

As I moved to my new department at Asiatrust Bank. These "Working Slogans" posted on the wall of my cubicle catches my attention and somewhat makes me think, agree and smile on what it sez. Hope that these slogans may inspire my fellow youngprofessional readers. This is how it goes:

Work Slogans

1. "It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing."

2. Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness.

3. Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working.

4.Men of lofty genius when they are doing the least work are most active.

5. Motivation is everything. You can do the work of two people, but you can't be two people. Instead, you have to inspire the next guy down the line and get him to inspire his people.

6. When work is a pleasure, life is a joy! When work is a duty, life is slavery.

7. A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

8. "I put all my genius into my life; I put only my talent into my works."

9. "The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one."

10. Individually, we are one drop. Together we are ocean.

11. Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.

12. "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results."

13. "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

14. "The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime."

15. "There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others."

16. Every job is a self portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence.

Its better to give than to receive

2008-04-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts20:35

As we have our Bible study last night at our youngpro fellowship. This verse blown me very hard last night. It makes me realized that as a working professionals, we need to have a different point of view as treating our work as vocation instead of an occupation.

Firstly, let me give you the difference between OCCUPATION from VOCATION.

Occupation- the act or fact of occupying, or of taking or holding possession. the state of being employed or occupied.

Vocation- calling by God to his service in special work or in a special position, or to a state of salvation; a fitness for God's or other specified work.

Indeed God called us and put us in our workplace not just to serve as a dummy in our pre-occupied occupation but to give and contribute for the sake of good welfare in our workplace. Its not just about going everyday to work and waiting for the pay check. True work as vocation means working wholeheartedly, treating our work as a calling by God to us, giving our best at work and never thinking of how much to receive versus the workload that we produced.

We knew that we need salary for our livelihood but it should not be just our basis for our occupation. May wer treat our work as vocation.

Indeed Jesus Christ said "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

God bless.

My testimony at recently concluded YGC Real or No deal camp

2008-04-19T17:32:00.000-07:00

There are several reasons why I joined this camp. But because of time constrain, I'll just give my two reasons.

1. I want to see the beautiful creation of God. I want to see the natures, lakes, mountains, sunset and everything. As a young professional, I seldom go out and have this opportunity to see God's creation.
2. I want to be out of the office.. or out of my occupation.

During the week before the camp. I am really stressed out from my work. There's a lot of responsibilities, to do list and back log that I need to fix before the camp and I'm really burn-out.

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to join the YGC camp and be a part of the Spiritual committee. I'm really blessed.

The topical message "Emo-ako" is one of the messages that struck me deeply. I learned that I should really find joy in serving God. Not only in my ministries at church, but also to find joy in serving God in my work place. God reminded me once again that I need to learn to trust Him in everything and I need to learn control my emotion. In this camp, I came to even know myself more deeper. I learned that I'm a very emotional person. And I need to trust God in everything. Knowing that God is there always. He is my strength and my shelter in time of need. Having in mind that I'm serving God and not man.

As a young professional, this Bible verse is my life verse to my work.
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1Corinthians9:24-27.

To God be all the Glory!

My quality of a woman

2008-02-09T17:20:00.000-08:00

This month is a "LOVE " month for most people especially those who had a girl/boyfriend. Many of my friends were asking bout my love life status. Well for me, by God's grace, I hope that I could find someone who has the ability of this:

"A woman who hides herself to GOD. So when time comes that man seek his woman; he should seek God first in order to find the woman he loves".

This statement has been my sort of qualification in considering the girl of my dreams.. by God's grace. =)

One encouraging day

2008-01-20T18:07:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, my boss and I went through a whole day client call with my clients at Asiatrust Bank. I thought its just an ordinary client call for us but for me as Christian, something happened unexpected that really inspired me. The story goes like this..

On our way to our 2nd client call with my boss at greenhills around 12:30nn. We're heading to Pilita's Pizza restaurant to have a meeting with one of the owner of the said restaurant. After we parked and got off the car. We walked through the entrance gate near music museum. Then I saw one security guard of the mall standing on his post and giving each customers a tiny piece of paper and whispering something to each customers as they passed by. On the first place, I was just curious andfelt stranged and really don't mind on what he is doing.. but as we passed by him, He gave as that piece of paper and in my big surprised.. He greeted me and my boss "Manalangin kayo lagi. Mahal kayo ng Panginoong Hesu Kristo". Upon hearing it, I felt that I was blessed. And as I raised my right hand to read the piece of paper he gave me.. I was shocked that it was a GOSPEL TRACT! And it really did inspired me and blessed me so much. I was just hoping that my boss did read the gospel tract at home.

As with my reflection at the end of that day. I was so touched and inspired by what the security guard is doing. He is hitting two birds at the same time. First, he has his job done as a guard for the mall and second he is doing his ministry as a Christian at the same time. By this scenario, God reminded me that if that guard can do a passive evangelism while doing his earthly job, then so am I too. At times, I felt that I'm doing my spiritual stuff only at church during friday night, saturday and sunday but failed to share the faith that I'm believing during my weekdays. I pray that by experiencing this scenario with the security guard, it will inspires me more to try to evangelize people at my workplace while doing my earthly job at the office. May it be a passive or active evangelism approach..it doesn't matter. I hope that the story also inspired you too. Godbless.

New Year! (What my life will be this year?)

2008-01-05T00:12:00.000-08:00

Today is 2008... I'm sitting here in front of my computer and wondering what my life will be... this year. Of course! I will not know the answer..God only knows. Only one thing I know is that He indeed will make it an adventure once again for me. I thank God for the wonderful life that He gave me last year. For all my accomplish at work, ministries, family and friends. I pray to God that may He continue to use me as a vessel to Proclaim, Obey and to Trust Him.

Dear God, Thanks once again for letting me live this year. I obviously do not know what will happen this year but I pray that my life will continue to pursue for perfection.
As you said: "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
May my goal this year will continue to strive into perfection. I know that I've only saved by Your grace and yet still am a sinner. I may sometimes fall and stumble but if that happens, may You give me the grace to stand up and fight the obstacle/s of my life. I know that trials of life may sometimes be so harsh but thats the only way for me to learn and be sharpen and learn to look back and call on You. So Father may You continue to embrace me and mold me into Your Potter's Hand. Use me, make me and teach me O God! In Jesus name most precious name I pray.. Amen!

Advantages of life

2007-10-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

Why is it some people born with many advantages in life? while some are very unfortunate? This thoughts has been lingering in my mind everytime I saw scavengers in the streets and begin to make comparison with my advantages that I have from them.

Each person born in this world have different status in life. Some born in a wealthy family, some born in a poor family, some born with broken family, some born with blessed family, etc. Indeed you ( yes you!the reader of this blog) and me are very fortunate for being born in this world with more advantages in life than them. But we should not spoil the advantages God designed for us. We should use it for His glory. Remember it is not bad to become rich or born rich, not bad to have a lot of money or possessions in life, as long as you are not controlled by them, for as long as you have the heart to share your blessings with others and for as long as you're using it for the glory of the one who's the giver of your advantages.. GOD

Unfortunately, many of the people in this world have such advantages in life but their not using it for the benefits of others. Some even abusing it by taking drugs, spending their money to gamble, some are using their advantages by coveting to adultery etc. In the book of Judges13, before the birth of Samson, the angel of the LORD told the mother of Samson that even if she is sterile, she'll conceive and have a son. The angel of the LORD have revealed that her son would have advantages. No razor will be used on his head, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines. Judges13:5 Fortunately, Samson born with advantages tag in his life. He had incredible strength that he only possessed. He is strong and very skilled Nazirite but he don't use it for good. He killed and shed many blood. He abused the advantages that God had gave him.

May the the story of Samson be a good example to start to reflect in our own lives. Evaluating our advantages that we already possessed since birth, making good use out of it and to bring glory to the one who's the giver of all gifts. May God receives all the glory from the advantages that he puts in us before we had born in this world. Godbless. (";)

Unwinding the past (A short testimony)

2007-10-02T22:45:00.000-07:00

One monday night, when I was doing nothing on my room. I lay down on my bedroom all alone thinking and rewinding of my past. Thinking how have I been as a person, as a son of my parents, as a friend of my friends, as an officer at my workplace, or even as a bachelor of my age and most of all... being Christ-like as a believer.

When I look back in my high school years. My life was just a happy-go-lucky guy like every teenager boy possessed.. nothing special. I'm not that really serious going to church every sunday and even not too sure of my salvation though I graduated at St. Stephen's High school. But God works in many different ways to touch my life. When I'm already in college. God used different kinds of friends to touch my lives to win me back to Him! He gave me college Christian friends who really convinced me to go to their church and try to attend to their saturday fellowships at Grace Gospel Church. That's the first church that I attended seriously in my entire life at that moment. Then 2nd is at UECP and finally at my home church now at UECM-alabon.
My college life has ended 2 years ago and previously a youngprofessional who is very aggressive working as an officer at a bank to win a good career. In my own little way, may God continue to mold me, crafting me thru His Potter's Hands, making me to be able to testify to Him thru my actions at work, relatives/families, friends and to fellow believers.

Indeed God uses different means to touch different lives of the people. Just like using His very own Son Jesus Christ to redeem as from our sin. Being crucified and died on the cross, rose again from the dead after 3 days as a sign of victory over death and went up to heaven. We are just like sheep that gone astray. Don't know where we're going till we finally met Christ that enable us to identify ourselves as sinners who indeed need Him as Savior. Just by repenting of our sins and accepting Him, we will have eternal life.

My reflection that evening monday night really convicts me and made me evaluate myself that I still have a long path to take as Christian. I'm just starting to find meaning of my life thru Christ, just like a treasure hunter hunting for treasures. As I slowly continue to see the big picture that God had planned for me, I will continue to serve Him whatever happens for He said in the Bible that I should not be afraid cause He is always with me wherever I go. Joshua 1:9 To God be all the Glory! May God continue to reveal Himself to me as I'm walking on the path of my life everyday. (";)

At Your service!

2007-08-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

I have been observing the people around my church at Uecm every sunday and noticed that my church is really blessed with people who are strong and dedicated. Strong in a sense of being strong in their faith and deed. I saw especially those people who are in their different ministries with different responsibilities. I saw that they are really committed and have the heart to make a service for God. May it be in ushering ministry who are really early on guard at their post, may it be in tech team ministry who facilitate the technical aspects of the church, may it be in praise and worship team who gives life and energy to sing praises and adoration before God, may it be in sherebiah choir who have the angelic voices like angels, may it be in junior worship ministry who minister for the kids etc. As well as those people behind different fellowships every friday.

I remembered the passage in Romans 12:4 "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we though many, are one body in Christ."
I thank God for allowing different individuals like us to serve Him. Indeed we are very unworthy, knowing that we really can't pleases God because of His high standards yet He still gives us the priviledge to serve Him to bring glory to His name. Don't you think that it is really a pleasure for us to serve Him? Of course! we are serving the king of kings and the Lord of Lords! Its beyond everything.

May we always be reminded that each individuals in different ministries are very important. So whatever we do, we should be committed and prioritize God's ministries above all.

Sometimes, we may feel like no importance at all in the ministry that we are in and allow the evil thoughts to enter in our minds. But may the passage above reminds us that we are called to serve Him, and no matter what we do, we should have the goal to serve God and to glorify Him. May we always check ourselves and correct our motives. Making sure that we are to point and lead people to Christ and not to glorify ourselves.

Harry talk!

2007-08-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since the 7th finale chapter of the Harry Potter book were out of the bookshelves. And today, most of my officemates were asking me if I had finished reading the book 7 of the Harry Potter series. Some even told me that they read each chapter thrice before jumping to the next chapter just to make sure that they understand the flow of the story clearly.

I was thinking and imagining that what if the book that my officemates were talking about is the Bible... the talk of the whole office, the one that they read thrice just to make sure that they understand it clearly before reading the next chapter. I hope and pray that the eagerness that they had in reading those Harry Potter books may one day shift to the Word of God. The Holy Bible

I pray that the devil may not win over those people who love reading those what I so called junk and witch books Harry Potter. Instead, may God's Word be introduce to them and may they have the same eagerness to learn and understand the Word of God.

Before the dawn

2007-08-18T15:59:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been in-love with a person that is not acceptable to your clan or family? And somehow you decided that whatever it takes you will fight for the one you love? Given the chance that you can only see him or her at the dawn?
I wrote this simple but emotional (repeatable as you can see from the verses)poem with the story of two non-christian lovers who ought to make "Tanan" just to be together. We all know that without God and the blessings from their parents their relationship will never work. I have fun composing the lines for this poem although its a secular poem. I'm sure that the verses of this poem will make a great impact for lovers with the same situation.
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I've been dreamin you lately for sometimes,
Why can't I be with you this time?
Meet me after dark again and I hold you,
And we will never be apart again...

And maybe tonight,
We'll fly so far away,
We'll be lost before the dawn.

If only I can hold you now,
Then I'll hold you my love.
Then we'll make this dream real,
And I will never ever wake again.

Somehow ,
I know that we can't wake again from this dream
Cause its not real but..

Maybe tonight,
We'll fly so far away,
We'll be lost before the dawn.

When I fall

2007-08-16T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is my first composed song. I wrote the lyrics of this song during those times when I'm alone and don't have someone to accompany with. Then I realized that there is He who I can seek for that someone in times of feeling like falling into deep loneliness. Indeed with Him I'm already contended.
I.
How can I find You?
Are You hiding in my heart?
Should I meek or should I wait?
For the Son.

II.
Father I adore You,
You hold my hands when I'm bout to fall
Today I know I'm not alone
Cause of the Son

Pre-Chorus:
And when my emotion
Got a little bit alone
I know I'm not forsaken
Cause You never leave me alone.

Chorus:
When I fall, when I fall
I know, I'm not alone here anymore.
When I fall, when I fall
You stood here beside me.. when I fall.

III
I have now the answer
It is You who cares for me
Your going to wrap me
Into Your Holy hands.

Tune it up!

2007-08-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

Last sunday, I watched the Junior Choir UECP Concert entitled "Tune It Up"! Around 6:30pm, my friend Wayne and me was already at the church lobby, waiting for the main entrance to open. While waiting, I saw some UECM-alabon familiar faces like Ahya Mark, Adel, Abby, Usher, Zeus hya, Achi Loves and Ahya Elliot.
The show starts 7:15pm, the first song to start the show is kind of like weird.. All the choir were lying on the floor, and whispering some chants, then they raised their hands and continue to sing like some chant song. Really spooky intro. The chant end when all of the choir members stand up that signal the start of their first song.
The show ends 9:15pm and one of the songs that they sang that really moved my heart is the song "UNDIVIDED" wherein the 3 UECP choir (Junior, Senior choirs and Cross Encounters) join together as one and singing the song. The song really did carried me away cause of the truthfulness of the song and the magnificient rhythm mixed with the angelic voices of the 3 choirs of UECP.
====================================================
Undivided
We may worship different ways
We may praise him and yet spend
All of our days living life divided
But when we seek him with open hearts
He removes the walls we built
That keep us apart
We trust him to unite us

In our hearts were undivided,
worshipping one Savior one Lord,
In our hearts were undivided,
bound by his spirit forever more, undivided.

It doesn't matter if we agree
All he asks is that we serve him faithfully
And love as he first loved us
He made us in him image
And in his eyes we are all the same
And though our methods they may be different
Jesus is the bond that will remain

In our hearts were undivided,
worshipping one Savior one Lord,
In our hearts were undivided,
bound by his spirit forever more, undivided.

Who among the trinity created Lucifer?

2007-07-23T21:20:00.000-07:00

I'd just read this in one of the Gospel tracts and find it amazing bout what it sez..
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Do you know who created Lucifer or A.K.A. Satan?
Of course it is God. But whom among the three trinity created him? Is it God the Father? God the Son? or God the Holy Spirit?
The answer is God the Son
If you read the Gospel of John1:1-2. It is clearly stated that the Son of God is the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was GOD. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made thas was made.
And in Colossians1:16 For by him all things were created, in HEAVEN and on earth, visible and INVISIBLE, whether thrones or dominions or rulers...
Can you see the all caps HEAVEN and INVISIBLE? It clearly stated that it is GOD the Son who is responsible in creating the heavens, as well as the INVISIBLE things.. that is all the ANGELS in heaven. If you analyze it, it seems that God the Son really made all the creation in GENESIS1:1 but if you come to think of it.. they are all in one.. right? Trinity-they have a separate identity but God said that they are all in one.

Anyway, it is upto you guys if you will believe the statement above or not. I just want to Glorify GOD in everything coz He indeed is sovereign. We may never know understand His identity as becoming trinity but we may have this hope that He indeed is our creator and without Him we are not created. Godbless.

Blessings

2007-07-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

God does not promise to bless every plan, but no plan can succeed without His blessing. ;-)
"The blessings of your Father are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents." Genesis49:26

Controlling emotions

2007-07-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who have an emotional struggle at work. The problem is not about her work, but her struggle is her partner at work. Yep! She is quite in-love with her guy partner. They've been together everyday for almost 9hrs a day, and seven days a week including attending at the sunday worship service.

Her problem is not bout falling in-love with the wrong guy.. her problem is that she is not quite sure if that is love or not. First thing is that the guy is soooo much kind to her, a gentlemen and they are both growing as Christian. She is afraid that maybe she is just fun of the guy for being sooo kind to her and she is not sure if the guy also wants her or maybe the guy will reject her if she honestly tell it to him.

For my advice and point of view... Don't let your feelings control you. Instead, you should be in-control of your feelings. It's like anger. Of course you can control your angerness. If you let your anger control or swallow you, you will surely be defeated. You should always use your head/Wisdom and not heart cause heart is just mostly emotional. Pray to God, pray that you can discern and take hold of your feelings. I know that opposite sex attracts each other and its really possible specially in the case of my friend. But we should always look on the prons and cons first and be prayerful that thy Will be done.

Let us always focus on God's love as said on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and let us always read our Bible and pray to God for wisdom everyday.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" Psalm111:10 .

God said

2007-06-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

I wrote this poem to share how God helped me, for not leaving me, for guiding me thru the trials that I'm encountering everyday especially at work,from keeping me to say "No" to temptations and for reminding me to focus everything for His Glory!
=====================================================
Folders piled up in my table,
Phone rings can't even entertain it.
Reports shout itself at me can't consolidate.
Heart pumpin, Brain machination denies,
"Your working for me not for men" God said!

Good clients are hard to find.
Sweet words should never left unsaid.
Good clients takes months to have,
But just seconds to lose them.
"What you sow is what you reap" God said.

A close officemate who once so gentle and sweet.
But now thorns suddenly grows in her head.
Buddy, what makes your sudden change?
Silent words, fake personality came up.
Testimony knocks my heart, Love one another God said.

Cigarettes and curse words flooded the room,
God what am I to do?
"Be a salt and light" God said.
May I be the reason to stop them from sinning.
Stand on faith especially when you're alone God said.

Man's way VS. God's Way

2007-06-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

The human heart
Man's way
People say "Mankind is basically good." We hear, "I'm OK, you're OK."

God's way
The heart is desperately wicked, who can know it(Jeremiah17:9)? All have sinned(Romans3:23). Trust the Lord completely; do not ever trust yourself(Proverbs3:5, 28:26).
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Trust/dependence
Man's way
Some say, "If I don't take care of myself no one else will." Self-reliance is supposed to be a goal for life.

God's way
God says if you will seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, He will meet your needs (Matthew6:33). Do not depend on your own understanding; instead, seek God's way. (Proverbs3:5-6)
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Freedom
Man's way
We're told everyone must protect and guard his own rights and that each person is born to live free (i.e., freedom of expression, free speech). It is said we only live under authority because of our common social contact.

God's way
Apart from God, you are a slave to sin (Romans6:16). The one who focuses on saving his life will lose it; but if you are willing to lose your life for His sake, God promises your life will be saved(Luke9:23-24). Be subject to those in authority over you(Romans13:1; Hebrews13:17)
.
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My problems
Man's way
We sometimes think "No one can really understand my problems;" and we may believe that each problem and set of circumstances are unique.

God's way
Your problems are common to mankind. God promises to help you through them so that you do not have to sin or lose your peace and joy if you will choose to live life His way(1Corinthians10:13).
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My enemy is successful
Man's way
Enemies are to be hated and their success is to envied. We try to discredit our adversaries and to win over them.

God's way
Rejoice in any situation(Romans12:14-15; 1 Thessalonians5:16). Love and pray for those who view themselves as your enemies(Matthew5:44).
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Love
Man's way
Marriage is often viewed as a social convenience. People seek to find a spouse who can meet their own needs. Loving another depends on a reciprocal love from that person.

God's way
You focus in marriage is to put the interests of your spouse above your own and to reflect Christ in your marriage relationship(Ephesians5:22-33; Philippians2:3-4). Biblical love is giving not getting (John 3:16; 1Corinthians13:4-8).
--------------------------------------------------
I hurt someone
Man's way
We seek to justify our actions and give excuses for our behavior. Some even enjoy hurting others.

God's way
Go to that one, ask forgiveness, and be reconciled(Matthew5:23-24; Romans12:18; James5:16).
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Problems/conflicts
Man's way
We avoid problems and do everything we can to get out of them. We look for excuses or shift blame to others. We fail to admit we even have problems or say they are someone else's fault.

God's way
Conflicts and problems are for your good and for your spiritual growth. They help you to see what is within yourself(Matthew15:18-20). Rejoice that God uses them to bring you to maturity(Romans5:3-5;James1:2-4).
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Leadership
Man's way
We are told to assert ourselves. Learn to take charge and give orders; these are keys to success.

God's way
Be willing to be a servant. The best leader is the one who serves. God gives more grace to the humble(Matthew20:26-28).
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Sex
Man's way
We seek lovers to satisfy us. We say it is our spouse's duty to meet our desires;"After all, my spouse belongs to me."
God's way
You and your spouse belong to theLord; you must seek to meet your spouse's best interests and to bless your spouse. Sex is to be reserved for marriage only(1Corinthians7:4; 1Thessalonians4:3; Hebrews13:4).
--------------------------------------------------
Anger rights
Man's way
We retaliate in order to get even. We protect our rights and don't let them be violated.

God's way
Your response to difficulties is to put off anger, forgive, and return a blessing(Romans12:14; Ephesians4:31-32). Be willing to give up your freedom or "rights" for the sake of others(Matthew5:43-48; Romans14:15-21).

Unleashing the book of Jude

2007-04-14T16:20:00.000-07:00

The book of Jude is one of the shortest books from the Bible. If you have read or gone thru upon it, you can see that Jude is foretelling alot of warnings. Infact someone had summarized it in 4 words: "Warning against the heretics".
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1. Jude is warning us against the rising of different cults, false teachers and religions. V.3-4

2. Reminding of people who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority and blaspheming the glorious one. v.7-8

3. Execute judgment on all and convict all the ungoldy of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungoldy way, and of all the harsh things that ungoldy sinners have spoken against God. v.15

4. As for Christians, we must remember the predictins of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungoldy passions." v.18 It is these who cause divisions, worldy people, devoid of the spirit. But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. v.20-21

5. We should share and spread the gospel to the people so that they may not be condemned in the eternal fire, have mercy on those who doubt; show mercy with fear and hating the desire of the sinful nature or the flesh. v.22-23

These warnings that Jude told us are not ordinary warnings. Some of them are happening right now. So we should always equipped ourselves with our Lord Jesus Christ and be renewed in our mind, thoughts and actions. So that we may be no blemish when we meet Him face to face soon.

Hiding

2007-04-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

Hiding wrong does not erase wrong. It only postpones its discovery.

"The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden." 1 Timothy5:24-25

Life = worship

2007-04-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

Worship is not a part of life. Worship is our life. The way we talk, treat others, our work, our relationships.. All these to glorify & please our God.
" Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!" Psalm96:9

Forgiving is not forgetting

2007-04-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

Forgiving is not forgetting. It is acknowledging the wrong & not letting it affect the way you treat that person or others hard but by God's grace we can do forgive. Forgiveness is not a matter of time constraint. Some have an idea of letting time goes by and letting the wounds healed.. but it doesn't turned out that way. Unless you are ready to get healed and willing to forgive.. it wouldn't happen.
Do you have any person in mind that you hate or angry with? Forgive him now as our Lord has forgiven your sins from past ,present and future.
"If one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Colossians3:13

My Old Blue Bible

2007-03-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

This is a poem for my 1st Bible(NIV) that I bought a few years ago. Even though its old, even though I opened it a thousand times, the message that the Author had bring forth to me had become my daily refuge. Through my ups and downs, this Holy book has been my light to become strong and not surrender in the battlefield of my life. What an awesome wonderful book to have.

My old blue Holy Bible,
What message have You
Prepared for me to learn?
What verse for the day to seek?
What interpretation to think for thoughts?
What devotion to foretell?

Is it for my iniquities?
Sidle walk of my sin?
Stable faith to continue?
Blessed things to give thanks?
Bore unsolved problems?
Or just reminding me of Your Glory?

What a magnificient Author within,
Aspiring, touching and teaching me
To become an obedient child of His.
Turned away from my old self,
Trained me to do His will.
Treasured good news that I obliged to spread.

My old blue Holy Bible,
Merit of Love is your content.
Through redemption of Blood of Christ,
The entire humanity accepts Thee had become Yours.
The Author rejoices as I ponder your content,
Thank God for having you to nourished me everyday!

Mankind's step to doomsday!

2007-03-08T20:48:00.000-08:00

Do you guys familiar about the Doomsday Clock? Which was created by these scientists at the University of Chicago after the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Japan to end World War II. Given the idea that mankind now had this ultimate destructive power, they were contemplating what the repercussions of this would be and the idea that the end of the world could be imminent. It is written in the Bible that the days are evil and so mankind! Remember that the Prince of this world "Satan" currently in his throne ruling us. (John14:30) And the knowledge and intelligence of mankind for their invention of such destructive device is obviously came from the otherside and not from God.

But being a Christian is an exception, because Christians are Christ centered and they have been born again with Christ. And instead of conforming into this world, with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells among Christians, they are under God's guidance and providence and He will not allow them (Christians) to be taken away from His grasp. Galatians2:20, John16:8-11, John10:29

I agree that as mankind progress from generations to generations became more intelligent and wise. But, they lack Wisdom that comes from the giver of all wisdom...that is from God. And their knowledge and intelligence about such things like the Doomsday clock and the capability of mankind to invent such destructive device is only a result of mankind turning into evilness from generations to generations.

I am thankful because I'm a Christian. Hope that in some way and somehow, each people will open their eyes and have the opportunity to know the truth.. the good news which is the Gospel of Christ. To be able to accept Christ as Savior. Indeed God will savour them with Wisdom to create and invent things that will give life to humanity..instead of destructions.

My God, My Employer!

2007-03-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

The day has ended again as it was yesterday,
Weary thoughts had gone astray.

My God, Thank You for keeping me safe and sound,
To Thee indeed all my works are glorified.

As I met different kinds of people everyday,
It only yields me that You indeed are above all.

Slave to my earthly masters, Treating them with high respect!
Slowly tiptoe thru the windows, Saluting God in heavenly realms!

A just and fair omniscient God,
Who elected His creatures according to His will!

From CEO to Assistant clerk,
From Rich to Poor,
From White-collar jobs to Scavengers,
From Death to became Alive again!
My God! You're my Employer..my Redeemer everyday!