Sorry... WEH?

After attending the Sunday worship service a couple of weeks ago, my friend and I decided to take our lunch at the nearest mall from church. I already anticipated the time we spent in choosing where to eat. It was so hard when both of you were saying…”Ikaw, ako okay lang kahit saan!” We knew that the best way was to roam around and to look for the best place to continue our conversation which was basically about what was latest in each other’s lives. When we finally decided where to eat, we immediately headed to the direction of that food chain. In my desire to sit in a good spot, I didn’t realize that I was not looking my way…. And so I bumped into someone’s left arm.

The bump was like the normal thing you already encountered when you are running out of time when you’re heading to school, event, service, etc. Automatically, the word that came from my mouth was… “sorry”. When I did not get any response, I repeated the word, “sorry…sorry”, and looked up and saw the person who is obviously taller than me. Later did I realize that he was holding the hand of his girlfriend, from whom I got the instant response…. “WEH???”

WEH?

The word did not load in my mind until I continue walking. I was about to look back just to let them know that I already said sorry (and I meant it), but I decided to be cool and be reflective, instead.

Many times, we all have the tendency to respond the same way when someone asks for forgiveness with all sincerity. Though literally, we don’t say the word “weh?”, our hearts communicate the same thing. We try to convince ourselves that the person who finally asks for forgiveness doesn’t mean it; giving us the opportunity to hold back the peace that they are asking or we enjoy the feeling of superiority, seeing others suffer emotionally.

It reminded me of our sins and God’s forgiveness. If God is a God who says “weh?” everytime we say sorry, I can’t imagine how hard and rude our lives will become. However, God is a forgiving God. (1 John 1:9) And not until we experience His forgiveness, we can’t extend the same to others.  There can be people who will ask forgiveness with pretensions and insincere hearts (sometimes, we can be one of them), but we are not in-charge of them, we can just trust God when he answered his disciples on how many times they need to forgive, “…not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22)

Luke 17:4

“If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, “I repent”, forgive him.”

Romans 5:8

”But God demonstrates His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for our sins.”

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Count it on "I AM"

God said to Moses, "I am who I am"..... - Exodus 3:14

Opportunities come our way in different forms, times, and even moods. Oftentimes, we choose to grab all these opportunities and make the most out of it. For all we know, we've been missing what they say, "half of our lives" :)

This may be true but I guess seizing opportunities has more profound perspective than just going through it and boom! can create frustrations and the usual: "sana hindi ko nalang ginawa". Which, on the other hand supposed to give a new and greater experience. Right? Ooooooh. I hate to regret on things but hey! inevitable talaga! :)

The Point

I have been thinking of opportunities for a long time now because of the job I'm in at present. *no need to say the particulars* but all I know is that it comes with the following:

• I get to help my parents with some of the school expenses of my sisters.  
• I am able to practice my expertise which I studied for 4 years.
• I'm meeting different personalities.
• I get the chance to meet significant persons which others took a long time to experience 
• I experience professional treatment in excellence and flaws.
• Many more.

Let me tell this as if I'm in a question and answer portion of a beauty pageant. Ehem.....

Opportunities, I believe are God's expression of Grace and Blessing in that it all serve as ways to glorify Him alone. ALONE. ALONE.

Will you count the answer to give me the crown title? No, no.. just kidding! I'm just taking the opportunity to be a beauty pageant contestant even through this. Joke uli! :)

So, all these "I's" I'm experiencing are still out of the abundance of God, out of His provisions, out of His love and mercy. ALONE. ALONE.

So if we are experiencing blessings out of all these opportunities, we receive the reward of our obedience. And part of our faithful stewardship is to take good care of the opportunities God is giving us primarily because we can use it all to glorify His name.

"so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God."

-1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

"not by might nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

image from Google

MnemoniqueJourney

I'm not sounding like I'm perfect in this area of my life, cause there are still times when I fall short of His glory when I forget to acknowledge that all these things and circumstances (out of Truth) that come my way are not from myself or anyone but from God.

Dear Lord,

Most of the time, I fail to recognize that opportunities that come my way can be of greater purpose than what I think is-- that is to glorify Your name alone. Help me be a faithful steward of all that You've entrusted me. Thank You that I can rest on Your grace as I learn to struggle well in my weaknesses until I'm free from it.

Because of Your grace alone, I'm standing. :)

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To You Alone.

Busy schedule and other personal circumstances make it hard for me to update. This, I'm very sad of. But as the common saying goes, "better late than never". This post is my update to this.

Since I've asked for prayers for the event. I would love to update you with all that took place in the Youth Leadership Summit we had last June 8-10, & 12. But first, forgive me on the quality of the pictures. I've only used my blackberry. (Di ko pa kasi afford ang DSLR; Hehe. But I'm sure, God will just provide in His right time.-Ecclesiastes 3:11)

So... let the pictures give a glimpse of the happenings! (again, sorry for the quality)

Pastora Betty talks about Genuine Leadership.

Some of the youth participants

The first night started with a fellowship and leadership talk. It's so ironic that all the participants still enjoy each other's company despite the fact that they see each other often and if they want to.

BTW, the Leadership Summit was titled "Builders' Side: Activate!" We've also enjoyed the theme song (ACTIVATE by Stellar Kart) which was played by SOP Band. Call me bias but their version is one of a kind. haha!

Let me continue.

There were so much to tell but let me just give you highlights of the day.

I. Encounter with a Campus Full Time Missionary. We are very much blessed that Kuya Cip never hesitated to respond to our request to be one of the speakers specifically on the topic of servant leadership. He is a full time missionary of Philippine Campus Crusade for Christ and is committed in helping fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Kuya Cip maximizing his time with the guy leaders

while group discussions are on-going.....

II. Encounter with Surprising Creativity. One of the activities utilized on the second day is to describe personal leadership traits through group drawings. Criteria for judging favors explanation more than the drawing. I was surprised how each and everyone became creative in explaining. Can you guess who won? haha!

Best in haggard face na ako.

III. Encounter with the Community. Then here's the favorite part of the participants (i hope so)..Community Cleaning! We decided to partner with the Barangay where God Has The Answer Church is located. Thank you Barangay Bitano, Legazpi City for giving us the privilege to use our strength to help clean  the area. We pray for a consistent relationship. And honestly, everyone is excited to do community cleaning monthly. 

Nothing beats preparation through a prayer

And ang walang kamatayang truck ni Kuya Angelo!

Kuya Joash, our Young Professionals Group Head

when excitement strikes...

Totoo ito, okay?

After the community cleaning, groups are tasked to re-enact what they have learned and experienced during the community cleaning.

One of the groups on their presentation

I soooooo love this candid shot! Mas maganda talaga pag hindi vain ano? I love them!

I cannot thank God enough for giving us the opportunity to have an intimate encounter with him together through this event. All these activities are nothing of purpose if not for the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Indeed, there is joy in being physically tired. It was all worth it!

Grateful!

MnemoniqueJourney

To my Gracious God,
 Let me join David in his prayer....

It is good to praise the Lord,
and make music to Your name, O Most high,
proclaiming Your love in the morning,
and Your faithfulness at night,
-Psalm 92:1-2
 For You make me glad by Your deeds, Lord;
I sing for joy at what Your hands have done.
How great are Your works, Lord,
how profound Your thoughts!
-Psalm 92:4-5
But You, Lord are forever exalted.
-Psalm 92:8

And! Thank you for your prayers! :) 

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Getting Ready

Today (by 5pm) will be the start of the Youth Leadership in our church in which I'm one of the facilitators. I'm honestly in anticipation as to how the delegates will present themselves as excited participants. I've even composed text messages for event countdown via sms and in every text brigade message, "Are you ready?" question will never be out of it.

ARE YOU READY?

To be one of the organizers of a camp is an opportunity. It is not just about planning the whole thing, , hitting the target number of audience, coming up with well established objectives and a good menu for meals, and many more. But it is an opportunity to stay on track despite the triggering busy disposition, misunderstandings, clash of ideas, cost-cutting, change of schedules, and many more stuffs for remedy. All these "triggering" factors become threats in the part of the organizers in that it can produce that "obligation thing" in every person....only IF one is not ready. And to be ready is to know that all things (including technicalities) are all in the hands of God believing that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

MnemoniqueJourney

As I glance through my phone just this day, I reviewed all the text messages I've sent. Surprisingly, the "are you ready"-usual-question personally touched something in me.

One thing I've learned from organizing an event is the need to make myself ready before the execution of plan and its technicalities. And when I say to get ready is to have atleast a moment with God, talking things with him about this specific mission and staying in His presence the whole time.This prevents me from being tired emotionally (being physically tired is inevitable) and taking things like just a sort of obligation. To be in no moment with God (even in general) robs the joy that God has bestowed in me at the first place. And being spiritually prepared is not just about preventing myself from haggard and tired face (haha) but it's more of centering my perspective that this is all about Glorifying our Lord and not myself.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says:

³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  

Please pray for our Youth Leadership Summit which will be held at God Has The Answer Church Legazpi, Inc. on June 8, 9, 10 (Service in the morning) and 12.  Help us pray for the following:

• Provision for the 150php registration fee of each participant
• Smooth flow of programs
• Wisdom for invited speakers
• Praise and Worship Team 
• Safe venue
• Favorable weather 

• lasting effect of messages, workshops, and plenaries on participants and even facilitators
• MOST OF ALL, that the event will GLORIFY THE LORD JESUS. 
  

¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

John 14:13

Just the front page of the event's manual :)

 Thank you so much!

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Overflowing Cup

It's just so sweet to receive gifts out of creative efforts and quality time. It only shows how one serves as of greater value to a person.

I've received this gift from our church youth leaders. Actually we, the young professionals have one each. They said it was an appreciation token to acknowledge our efforts in leading them and at the same time as we work with the need to drink coffee (hehe). That was so thoughtful! The gift actually didn't matter to me if not for the thought and the hearts who made it.

Thank you very much.

MnemoniqueJourney

It's a mug, ("a" because the other one in the picture is not mine) yet it reminds me of the "overflowing cup" we experience in the presence of God. That as we fully surrender our lives to Christ, confessing our sins, and genuine repentance, our cup continually overflows.

Mine is on the right side :)

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. -Psalm 23:5

And the gift will always remind me of the OVERFLOWING CUP. :)

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