A lot of things happened yesterday- we had the sunday service in the morning, and i led the praise and worship. I was supposed to go on duty in the afternoon but i decided to take a leave to be able to attend our music ministry general meeting at 5 pm...and since i had a lot of free time, i also attended our monthly inter-church youth gathering from 2-4:30 pm, this time hosted by the church in casiaman.i don't know why the others do not enjoy it, but for me, our interchurch youth gatherings always give me a light, happy feeling, especially when i get to bond with our fellow youth from other bacnotan churches. while it's true that most parts of the service were delivered in ilocano which i don't really understand that well, i still enjoy just being there in the spirit of fellowship, no pressures attached, as if we were just a group of young people who decided to gather together that sunday, to praise God, and to learn more about Him. A bible study with all the parts of a service would probably be an adequate description for it:). But now as i think about it, maybe the others who do not enjoy attending aren't pleased with the informality of the gathering, or with the format of the service, since it is similar with our individual sunday services in our respective churches. But on second thought, it won't probably be as fun if it wasn't informal, although we should still strive for excellence in anything and everything we do for God. The bottomline is those who really want to take part could and would always find a reason to attend, and the otherwise goes for those who aren't really interested.
Back to my itinerary for yesterday, the highlight of the whole day was our general meeting, which was the main reason why i went on leave. The service was of course, great, but our meeting has been highly anticipated for weeks so it's really my favorite part. Pastora Belinda facilitated the meeting and she checked on the status of each of the subministries under music- Tambourinees, JAM (instrumentalists), and VIA (worship leaders/back-up) in which i am a part of. A lot of things were clarified- our individual status as members, the commitment of present and absent members, work discipline, punctuality on practices and call-times, and so much more. The breakthrough among all those we've discussed was kuya erick's idea to create a gmail account where we could post the monthly line-up of songs and music teams, schedules and concerns of anyone, new songs-lyrics, chords, and mp3s, etc. for everyone's convenience. All of us agreed and i am personally excited about it. May God bless this project so that we could all successfully use it for His greater glory:). We will also set a schedule for our monthly devotion where we could be renewed and filled with the spirit by sharing the word of God and praying for one another.
I am really so excited for the church! i don't know what plans God has for me with regards to my employment opportunities but i'm happy to see all these and be a part of this great beginning for all of us. and i'd just do whatever i can at the moment. thank you Lord! unto You be all the glory!
'Reading makes a full man.'(FrancisBacon)...but this read is an exception:p
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
My Wonderful Weekend:)
It was thursday night (June 17) when ate jonna informed me that trix won't be available to worship lead the following sunday (yesterday); while she, had been advised not to strain her voice, and being the worship leader last sunday, she can't do it consecutively, leaving me as the only choice, if I was available. There are really 4 of us who take turns in worship leading every sunday service but ate michelle had just given birth so calling her in would be out of the question. I, on the other hand, have told her early on that I would be able to attend church on sunday but not worship lead or even serve as back-up as i was still coughing, though infrequently, at that time. There was one sunday that I wasn't really in my best shape but I still led the praise and worship, and there was one moment there when I thought my voice would really break so I vowed never to do it again. I believe God would understand, knowing that He always wants the best for me especially in terms of my health, and I know that He would rather hear me singing praises to him on many other sundays/other days, than have me sing that one last time due to unnecessary sacrifices. I know I sound over-acting and so dramatic right now but you get my point, don't you?haha..anyway, back to the story, I really felt ambivalent when I received that text message from her asking me 'Pwede ka ba? Wala n kasing iba.'..Thinking about my recent cough/colds, I wanted to say no at first; but in truth, i really wanted to say yes. I actually miss going to church and worship leading as well. I believe that singing is my gift, and my mode of worship to God. Sometimes, it's even easier for me to sing than think about what to say in prayer. I also believe that to really belong to a church, you must be an active part of it, because for me, your membership in the church ends the moment you lose concern for it-its members, activities, and affairs in general. but i'm fortunate to have reached that level wherein i no longer let the disappointing events in church affect my own relationship with God..but i guess i should be talking about that some other tym..haha...so after praying, and believing that God has healed me completely, and that He would provide everything we needed for His greater glory, i ended up saying yes, at the same time asking ate jonna to make the song line-up as i was still on hospital duty at that time.
the next day, friday, the weirdest thing happened to me. I woke up at around 8:30 am, had my devotion, then played computer games. when i got bored, i decided to just rest on the sofa while watching tv, then after a few minutes, i suddenly felt cold with my muscles and joints starting to ache. i also felt the same way the last time i had fever so i took my temperature, and it was actually 37.9 degrees celsius. sinat lng naman so i didn't really worry, but i took paracetamol just the same because my sister micah and i were supposed to watch the final installment of shrek movies that afternoon.I also asked micah to pray for me and she asked me 'ate ung sa sarili ko lang ba o ung sinasabi?'..haha..but she prayed for me loudly just the same. after 30 minutes, i actually felt better but when i rechecked my temperature, it suddenly went up to 38.8. I waited for a few more minutes but it won't go down so i decided to take a bath to release excess body heat. It worked:) and micah and i just had instant chicken noodles for lunch to save time. We were rushing and all only to find out that the movie was no longer showing. ang sabi ko sa sarili ko, siguro sabi ni Lord, 'pinagaling na nga kita maglalakwatsa ka pa.'..haha..so we just decided to stay home and watch a different movie, the tear jerking 'my sister's keeper'. Later that night, my fever went back and i had to sleep in pajamas, socks, covered with two blankets because i really felt cold. i was thinking about church practice the next day and i wasn't so sure if i could do it so i simply asked ate jona to have somebody else do it, but if there isn't anybody, i asked them to just pray for my healing.
the next day, saturday, i felt so much better, and i should after 12 hours of sleep:) i also had my period starting that morning so i thought the fever was maybe due to the one-day delay of my period due to stress from 8 days of incomplete sleep. i was even happier to see dong and ambet finally join us once again, so for the first time in weeks, we had a complete set of instrumentalists, with anna on keyboard, wapo on drums, ambet on guitar, and dong on bass guitar. The practice went well and i had my duty in the afternoon from 3-11 pm.
being the worship leader, i woke up early the following day (sunday), had my morning prayer then prepared myself. it was also father's day and my sisters and i prepared a card for papa, which according to him, made him cry:). the service went great and we had a hearty lunch at the monsoon party of the barley group headed by tito chito. I also got to chat with my friend cathlyn whom i haven't seen since christmas break. at first i wasn't so sure whether to go on duty or to just rest at home that afternoon but thank God responsibility won and i went on duty. It was a busy 8-hour duty, with only 4 of us in our group who came but as i always say, it's when the going gets tough that i get to learn a lot of things especially in terms of time management, increasing speed in doing things while at the same time making sure that i don't commit any mistake, whether of omission or commission. I thank God for another great week He has given me, for Father's day, for my papa who's the best father for me and my sisters, for church, for friends, for delicious foods, for work, for funny and helpful companions, and for all the innumerable blessing He has given, and is giving me.
ps..this is a delayed post. there was no internet signal yesterday, and i was too tired to finish this blog last monday...i would probably agree to worship lead again for this coming sunday..so help me God. Good day everyone..meow!
the next day, friday, the weirdest thing happened to me. I woke up at around 8:30 am, had my devotion, then played computer games. when i got bored, i decided to just rest on the sofa while watching tv, then after a few minutes, i suddenly felt cold with my muscles and joints starting to ache. i also felt the same way the last time i had fever so i took my temperature, and it was actually 37.9 degrees celsius. sinat lng naman so i didn't really worry, but i took paracetamol just the same because my sister micah and i were supposed to watch the final installment of shrek movies that afternoon.I also asked micah to pray for me and she asked me 'ate ung sa sarili ko lang ba o ung sinasabi?'..haha..but she prayed for me loudly just the same. after 30 minutes, i actually felt better but when i rechecked my temperature, it suddenly went up to 38.8. I waited for a few more minutes but it won't go down so i decided to take a bath to release excess body heat. It worked:) and micah and i just had instant chicken noodles for lunch to save time. We were rushing and all only to find out that the movie was no longer showing. ang sabi ko sa sarili ko, siguro sabi ni Lord, 'pinagaling na nga kita maglalakwatsa ka pa.'..haha..so we just decided to stay home and watch a different movie, the tear jerking 'my sister's keeper'. Later that night, my fever went back and i had to sleep in pajamas, socks, covered with two blankets because i really felt cold. i was thinking about church practice the next day and i wasn't so sure if i could do it so i simply asked ate jona to have somebody else do it, but if there isn't anybody, i asked them to just pray for my healing.
the next day, saturday, i felt so much better, and i should after 12 hours of sleep:) i also had my period starting that morning so i thought the fever was maybe due to the one-day delay of my period due to stress from 8 days of incomplete sleep. i was even happier to see dong and ambet finally join us once again, so for the first time in weeks, we had a complete set of instrumentalists, with anna on keyboard, wapo on drums, ambet on guitar, and dong on bass guitar. The practice went well and i had my duty in the afternoon from 3-11 pm.
being the worship leader, i woke up early the following day (sunday), had my morning prayer then prepared myself. it was also father's day and my sisters and i prepared a card for papa, which according to him, made him cry:). the service went great and we had a hearty lunch at the monsoon party of the barley group headed by tito chito. I also got to chat with my friend cathlyn whom i haven't seen since christmas break. at first i wasn't so sure whether to go on duty or to just rest at home that afternoon but thank God responsibility won and i went on duty. It was a busy 8-hour duty, with only 4 of us in our group who came but as i always say, it's when the going gets tough that i get to learn a lot of things especially in terms of time management, increasing speed in doing things while at the same time making sure that i don't commit any mistake, whether of omission or commission. I thank God for another great week He has given me, for Father's day, for my papa who's the best father for me and my sisters, for church, for friends, for delicious foods, for work, for funny and helpful companions, and for all the innumerable blessing He has given, and is giving me.
ps..this is a delayed post. there was no internet signal yesterday, and i was too tired to finish this blog last monday...i would probably agree to worship lead again for this coming sunday..so help me God. Good day everyone..meow!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Keeping the Good Fight of Faith
It's been weeks since I last read my Bible and spent time for devotion. It was, undoubtedly, my fault. I could blame it on my schedule, work, feeling always tired, having so many other things to do, etc.but in my heart, I always know that my priorities are always up to me no matter how many other factors affect me. I lacked time for it because I didn't give time for it, instead, I placed more importance on other things. But this morning, I decided to allot time for it and I'm so glad I did. There's really no better advice than that which comes from God, revealed to me through His Word. At first it felt like I was trying to read it, but after praying, it already felt natural, and I felt open, ready to absorb the wisdom that only comes from God.
I was led to Hebrews 11:1 which says ' Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see'; v. 8 also says that 'without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.' The entire chapter further talked about the people of God who led lives of faith. I personally love Abraham's story, who followed God and left his comfortable home to live in the land God has promised for him. It wasn't all abundant when he lived there, and He could've easily gone back to his home, but because he believed in the great and mighty things God has planned for Him, he stayed, longing for a better, heavenly country that could only come from God. He died not receiving all the things promised; 'he only saw them and welcomed them from a distance' but even in his death, he was contented, with his firm, unwavering faith that all the things God has promised, will come to pass in His time.
I don't know if I would be able to reach the same level of faith as theirs but each day, I keep on praying, trying, and hoping that my faith will always remain strong, growing as I grow in my relationship with Christ. Just a few minutes after my devotion, I called up a hospital for a training program I was applying for. I still lacked one of the requirements, an IVT license, and although I've already applied for it, it's common knowledge that it usually arrives 2-3 months after or longer. The training's scheduled to begin on September and I was told that if the license doesn't arrive by the 2nd week of August, I could no longer join the training. I was so excited for it, so positive that I would be able to make it, but for a moment there, I felt the facts slapped in front of my face, telling me to stop hoping, putting me down.Until I was reminded that nothing is impossible with God; that faith without action is dead; that for as long as I do my best to make it, then I would have no reason to be guilty about it; that if things don't happen the way I want them to even though I've given it my all, then God has another, much better plan for me. It was a simple test of faith. I may have failed many times, but I've also succeeded many times more than I failed. I pray that my application has already been submitted and processed, with the license ready for release soon. I need a miracle, and there wasn't a day in my life that God did not give me one so my fingers are crossed, my heart remains hopeful, and my faith remains strong, with full trust in the Lord that for as long as my life is His, everything will be great and wonderful in the end.:) Thank you Jesus, thank you Father God, thank you Holy Spirit! I love you! and all these I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
I was led to Hebrews 11:1 which says ' Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see'; v. 8 also says that 'without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.' The entire chapter further talked about the people of God who led lives of faith. I personally love Abraham's story, who followed God and left his comfortable home to live in the land God has promised for him. It wasn't all abundant when he lived there, and He could've easily gone back to his home, but because he believed in the great and mighty things God has planned for Him, he stayed, longing for a better, heavenly country that could only come from God. He died not receiving all the things promised; 'he only saw them and welcomed them from a distance' but even in his death, he was contented, with his firm, unwavering faith that all the things God has promised, will come to pass in His time.
I don't know if I would be able to reach the same level of faith as theirs but each day, I keep on praying, trying, and hoping that my faith will always remain strong, growing as I grow in my relationship with Christ. Just a few minutes after my devotion, I called up a hospital for a training program I was applying for. I still lacked one of the requirements, an IVT license, and although I've already applied for it, it's common knowledge that it usually arrives 2-3 months after or longer. The training's scheduled to begin on September and I was told that if the license doesn't arrive by the 2nd week of August, I could no longer join the training. I was so excited for it, so positive that I would be able to make it, but for a moment there, I felt the facts slapped in front of my face, telling me to stop hoping, putting me down.Until I was reminded that nothing is impossible with God; that faith without action is dead; that for as long as I do my best to make it, then I would have no reason to be guilty about it; that if things don't happen the way I want them to even though I've given it my all, then God has another, much better plan for me. It was a simple test of faith. I may have failed many times, but I've also succeeded many times more than I failed. I pray that my application has already been submitted and processed, with the license ready for release soon. I need a miracle, and there wasn't a day in my life that God did not give me one so my fingers are crossed, my heart remains hopeful, and my faith remains strong, with full trust in the Lord that for as long as my life is His, everything will be great and wonderful in the end.:) Thank you Jesus, thank you Father God, thank you Holy Spirit! I love you! and all these I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)