Sariling bahay at buhay!

Nagkaroon ka na ba ng isang bagay na lubos mong ipinapanalangin? Na parang wala nang iba pang mahihiling ang puso mo kung hindi iyong bagay na iyon? Napakaraming gusto ng tao. Kadalasan mga materyal na bagay. Ngunit maaari rin namang kagalingan ng isang maysakit, maayos na relasyon sa pamilya, makapagtapos ng pag aaral ang mga anak, humaba pa ang buhay, magkaroon ng mas malalim na pananampalataya sa Diyos, o maging masaya.

AKO. Bukod sa napakaraming bagay na araw araw kong ipinapanalangin, mayroong isang bagay na talagang hinihiling ko sa Diyos:

Ang magkaroon ng sariling bahay.

Sariling bahay para sa aming mag asawa. Naniniwala ako na kapag ang mag asawa ay may sariling bahay, nagkakaroon sila ng sariling buhay na siya naman talagang dapat.

Ang sabi ng aking Tita Elvie: Leave and Cleave!

Ito ay base sa sinasabi sa Bibliya (Genesis 2:24):

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Kaya't iiwan ng lalake ang kaniyang ama at ang kaniyang ina, at makikipisan sa kaniyang asawa: at sila'y magiging isang laman.

Nais kong magkaroon kami ng sariling bahay at buhay ng aking asawa upang matuto kaming tumayo sa sariling naming mga paa. Nasabi ko na ito sa nakaraang kong isinulat, nais ko lang ulitin na sa dalawampu't walong taon ng buhay ko, natutunan kong huwag umasa sa ibang tao. Hindi ako ng klase ng tao ng iaasa sa iba ang aking buhay. Upang makatayo kami sa aming sariling paa ng aking asawa, naniniwala ako na mangyayari ito kung magkakaroon kami ng sariling tahanan na kami ang bubuo kasama ang aming magiging mga anak.

Sa pagdating ng panahon na ang aming mga anak ay magkakaroon na rin ng pamilya, lubos kong mauunawaan kung kakailanganin nila kaming iwan at magkaroon ng sariling bahay at buhay.

Nagtitiwala ako sa Diyos na sa lalong madaling panahon ay mangyayari rin ito. Ang aming panalangin na mag asawa ay matutugunan. Sumasaya ang puso ko isipin pa lamang na kami ay may sarili nang bahay. Na ang asawa ko ang magiging pundasyon at ako ang ilaw. Bahay na kaming dalawa lamang ang namumuno. Bahay na galing sa aming pagpapagal sa paghahanapbuhay. Bahay na matatawag namin na sa amin. Walang dapat pakisamahan. Malaya. Masaya. Hindi umaasa.

At habang hinihintay namin ang katugunan sa aming panalangin, lagi naming iniisip ang sinabi sa Awit 46:10:

Tumahimik kayo at alamin na ako ang Diyos

Be still and know that I am God

Naniniwala ako na malapit na dumating ang araw na ito, na kami ay magkakaroon na ng sariling BAHAY AT BUHAY sapagkat ito ang pangako at nais ng Diyos! :)

Isang mapagpalang Linggo!



-- I just wanted to share this from http://www.gotquestions.org/leave-and-cleave.html

As recorded in Genesis chapter 2, God created Adam first, and then Eve. God Himself brought Eve to Adam. God Himself ordained that they would be joined together in holy matrimony. He said that the two of them would become one flesh. This is a picture of marital intimacy—the act of love that is never to involve anyone else. To “cleave” means “to adhere to, stick to, or join with.” It is a unique joining of two people into one entity. It means we do not quit when things are not going right. It includes talking things out, praying things through, being patient as you trust God to work in both of your hearts, being willing to admit when you are wrong and asking forgiveness, and seeking God's counsel regularly in His Word.

If either spouse fails to both leave and cleave, problems will result in a marriage. If spouses refuse to truly leave their parents, conflict and stress result. Leaving your parents does not mean ignoring them or not spending any time with them. Leaving your parents means recognizing that your marriage created a new family and that this new family must be a higher priority than your previous family. If spouses neglect to cleave to each other, the result is a lack of intimacy and unity. Cleaving to your spouse does not mean being with your spouse every moment or not having meaningful friendships outside of your marriage. Cleaving to your spouse means recognizing that you are joined, essentially “glued,” to your spouse. Cleaving is key in building a marriage that will endure hard times and be the beautiful relationship that God intends it to be.

The “leave and cleave” in the marriage bond is also a picture of the union God wants us to have with Him. “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him” (Deuteronomy 13:4 KJV). It means we leave all other gods, whatever form they may take, and join to Him alone as our God. We cleave to Him as we read His Word and submit to His authority over us. Then, as we follow Him closely, we find that His instruction to leave father and mother in order to cleave to our spouse is to discover commitment and security, just as He intended. God takes His design for marriage seriously. Leaving and cleaving is God’s plan for those who marry. When we follow God’s plan, we are never disappointed.

Count your blessings!

He is my guiding light!

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58:11

We are always in His plan

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 Jeremiah 29:11

Seasons of Love

Angel

Psalm 127:3. 

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. 

Looking at her I can say I've seen an angel here on Earth. Her innocent eyes and cute little smile bring inner peace in me. She is my niece and and I love her!

I can't? My God is able!

Verse 1:

God is able

He will never fail

He is almighty God

Greater than all we seek

Greater than all we ask

He has done great things

Chorus:

Lifted up

He defeated the grave

Raised to life

Our God is able

In His name

We overcome

For the Lord

Our God is able

Verse 2:

God is with us

God is on our side

He will make a way

Far above all we know

Far above all we hope

He has done great things

Bridge:

God is with us

He will go before

He will never leave us

He will never leave us

God is for us

He has open arms

He will never fail us

He will never fail us

Acts 3:1-10

This is today's preaching in Word of Hope - Main

Unleashing the Power of God

1. Secure God's presence
- God's presence is within us if we have faith


2. Heighten the level of your expectancy
- expectancy meaning to wait for something in suspense
- when we go to church, dapat daw may expectation. Do not think of each Sunday as just another Sunday service.
- expect that God will bless us exceedingly, abundantly and above all
- God wants us to come with believing heart, faith-filled heart and expectant heart
- Because we have a great God, let us expect He will also do great things in our lives.
- (This is my favorite) God will meet us at the level of our expectation.


3. Recognize the right authority
- Matthew 28:18 - All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me
- Declare power in the name of Jesus


4. Allow God to be glorified
- Bring back all the glory to God
- (My favorite again) Wala tayong karapatan sa anumang kapurihan. Ang dapat na mayroon tayo ay kagalakan na ginagamit tayo ng Diyos bilang daluyan ng Kanyang pagpapala at kapangyarihan.

My song for today:

You are Lord of Lords, You are King of Kings You are Mighty God, Lord of everything You're Emmanuel, You're the Great I AmYou're the Prince of Peace, who is the Lamb
You're the saving God, You're my saving graceYou will reign forever, You are ancient of daysYou're the Alpha, Omega, beginning and endYou're my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, and FriendYou're my Prince of Peace and I will live my life for You

June 28

It's my birthday today and I would like to thank the Lord for His unfailing love and for the people who love me.

Thank you Lord for:

Alo, Kelvin and Ian for always being there for me no matter what

Mommy for being what a Lola should be to me and Ronjay for the respect which I appreciate very much

Ate Ofel and her family for making me feel special always

Bebitoy for simply being the child who bring wonderful color to our lives

Tita Elvie and family for loving and accepting me as a member of their family

Nanay Lina and family for treating me like one of their own

Ate Etey, Paulo, JC, Joan and Kuya Jojo for the respect, it means a lot to me!

and for Ryan - who until now never gave up on me

Just knowing these people love me for what I am makes me feel I always have a home.

Thank you, God, for giving me another year of life.

Thank you for all the experience of this past year;

for times of success which will always be happy memories,

for times of failure which reminded me of my own weakness and of my need for you,

for times of joy when the sun was shining,

for times of sadness which drove me to you.

Forgive me

for the hours I've wasted,

for the chances I failed to take,

for the opportunities I missed this past year.

Help me in the days ahead to make this the best year yet,

and through it to bring good credit to myself,

happiness and pride to my loved ones,

and joy to you. Amen.

Never Alone!

Dad!

The greatest gift I ever had 

Came from God; I call him Dad! 

Happy Father's Day!

Dealing with difficult people

Have you ever experienced having to deal with difficult people? That no matter how you try to help them and be nice to them, they are still treating you badly? What if you have to deal with them every single day of your life? What if the people that pisses you off are the same people you see everyday? I am telling you, it will drain you. Sometimes I feel like asking them, what else do you want me to do for you to be nice to me? Is it all times right to say, I don't care about you as long as I know I am not doing anything wrong? What if you get fed up?

Let me share to you the four gifts you can receive when you deal with difficult people. This was written by Bo Sanchez. He is is an author, entrepreneur, preacher, celebrity and lay evangelist in the Philippines.

Gift #1:

Difficult people can teach you how to love,

preparing you for Heaven!

§ You learn to become more patient, more understanding, more persevering.

§ You have pity for them because you realize that “Hurt people hurt people”

§ You learn to see the good qualities even among difficult people.

§ You learn how to be compassionate as God is compassionate.

§ You learn how to forgive, to remove bitterness from your heart.

Gift #2:

Difficult people can teach you to protect yourself

and learn to say “No” to abuse.

§ You learn to love yourself, respect yourself, by no longer allowing abuse.

§ You learn to be courageous and stand up against bullies.

§ You learn to give tough love—refusing his abuse again. It may be the most loving thing you can do for a difficult person.

§ You wizen up, learn tact, and learn how to distance yourself from harmful people.

Gift #3:

Difficult people can help you

get to know your weaknesses.

§ Difficult people remind you that you too could be difficult to others.

§ Difficult people teach you many important lessons in life. By seeing the tragic results of their actions, you’re inspired to do the very opposite of what they do.

Gift #4:

Difficult people can bring you closer to God.

§ Difficult people force you to pray a lot. (“Lord, help! I can’t take it anymore!”)

§ Difficult people force you to trust in God. (“Lord, I give up! I’ve done everything but she’s still a monster…”)

§ Praying for difficult people may not change them, but YOU will.

§ “Your cross (difficult person) is your key to heaven…” St. Poveda

§ You realize that YOU are God’s difficult person—yet you’re still loved by God!

Click here for more tips on how to deal with difficult people.

Tale of the Tape

I just need to write something about Manny Pacquiao's recent fight against Timothy Bradley.

He didn't win not because he chose to become a CHRISTian.
He didn't win not because he chose to study the word of God.
He didn't win not because he chose to be very vocal about his faith and his belief.

How can people blame Pacquiao's defeat in him choosing to become a Christian? Just because he didn't win, it is already wrong to become a Christian?

What is your definition of CHRISTIANITY? Is it all glory, happiness and victory?

You are very wrong. It is written:

Romans 8:18

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.


2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

My message to Manny Pacquiao

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.


Let me just quote this from Yahoo News by Reuters 35 minutes ago:


"I accept what the result is," Pacquiao said ringside. "I respect the judges, I cannot blame them. It is a part of the game. I give thanks to the Lord. I do my best but my best wasn't good enough."

Short and Sweet

Money

Let me just borrow some of the lyrics of Jessy J's Price Tag song:

Seems like everybody’s got a price,

I wonder how they sleep at night.

It’s not about the money, money, money

Why is everybody so obsessed?

Money can’t buy us happiness

Can we all slow down and enjoy right now?

These past few days, I feel like singing the part of the song aloud so that the people around me will hear:  It’s not about the money, money, money!

I feel like my head's going to explode! Oh my! Why is everyone around me whining about their lack of money and their need for more of it?!

I am not rich (rich meaning someone with abundant material possessions; who possessed a large amount of property). Of course, I know how it feels to have a desperate need for money, more of it. I've been through that for a long time and very much afraid of having to go through it again that is why I work hard. It's sad that people will hold grudges against you just because you weren't able to help them this time. They have already forgotten how many times you helped them in the past. Well, that's life. We are all different individuals. I just hope that they will come to realize we have our own responsibilities.

For everything in life that I've went through, this has become my principle - I don't know if this is good or bad but I have learned not to depend on other people. - ayaw ko ng umaasa sa ibang tao dahil ayaw ko ng nasusumbatan. Alam kong likas na sa tao na ipaalala sa iyo ang mga bagay na naibigay o naitulong na. Kung meron mang itinuro sa akin ang buhay, yun ay matuto na tumayo sa sariling mga paa at magsikap para sa ikakaunlad. Hindi dapat iniaasa sa ibang tao ang pagunlad ng buhay. At wag maging tamad dahil lang merong ibang maaasahan. Pinagkalooban ako ng Diyos ng kakayanan at kaisipan upang pagyamanin ang buhay na Kanyang ibinigay. Hindi ko ito iaasa sa ibang tao.

Philippians 4:11-13

For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of eating well or going hungry of facing either plenty of poverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me.

I am not rich but I KNOW I AM BLESSED.

Bagong pamilya

Ang nakaraang linggo ay isang napakahabang linggo.

Ang daming nangyari. Natutuwa akong makilala ang pamilya ng aking Tito Rene. Naging mabuti sila sa akin at kay Ryan. Salamat po Tito Rene at hinayaan mo akong maging miyembro ng iyong pamilya.

Napakasaya ko rin na pagkatapos ng halos tatlong dekada ay nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na makasama ang aking Tita Elvi. Salamat sa pagmamahal mo sa akin at kay Ryan. Di mo man sabihin, nararamdaman kong mahal mo kami. Salamat sa lahat ng payo at umaasa akong magkaroon ulit ng pagkakataon na makasama ka pa ng matagal.

Nagpapasalamat din ako sa mga miyembro ng Cornerstone Baptist Church - Mawaque sa napaka init na pagtanggap sa min ni Tita Elvi lalo na sa kin na noon pa lamang nila nakasama.

Salamat po sa inyo!

Kay Nanay Remy at sa kanyang kabiyak na nagpatuloy sa amin sa kanilang napakagandang tahanan. Salamat din po sa pagsundo at paghatid sa amin gamit ang inyong sasakyan. 

Kay Kuya Boyet at kabiyak na si Ate Jing at mga anak na AJ at CJ, salamat sa pagpapatuloy sa inyong tahanan.

Kay Ate Aida at Ate Baby, salamat po sa masarap na pagkain na inyong inihanda.

Kay Ate Glo, salamat po sa napakasarap na puto

Kay Ate Rita, Louie Ann, Ian, Moymoy, salamat po sa masarap na dinner

Kay Nanay Yolly at Kuya Nolly, maraming salamat po sa pag aalaga sa aking Lola.

At sa lahat po ng bumubuo ng inyong iglesia, maraming salamat po!

Para kay Michelle at Mutya na nawalan ng minamahal sa buhay, dalangin ko na matagpuan mo ang kamay ng Diyos sa panahon ng inyong kalungkutan at pagdadalamhati. Lalong pagtibayin ang inyong pananampalataya sa panahon ng mga pagsubok at suliranin. 

Fill my cup!

Like the woman at the well I was seeking

For things that could not satisfy;

But then I heard my Savior speaking:

"Draw from the well that never shall run dry".

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord! 

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul; 

Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more-- 

Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole! 

There are millions in this world who are craving 

The pleasures earthly things afford; 

But none can match the wondrous treasure 

That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord. 

So my brother if the things that this world gives you leave hungers that won't pass away, My blessed Lord will come and save you if you kneel to Him and humbly pray. 

Jesus, I thank you!

I feel so thankful today. I thank the Lord for always taking care of my better half every single day he is on duty and even if he's not. I pray that the Lord will always protect him from danger and that may he be able to fulfill his duty with dignity and honor.

Wherever crime may be, as he walk the darkened streets alone, Lord, let him be close to thee. Help him ignore those who scorn and and show him no respect, but be mindful of all citizens he has sworn to protect. May he always put duty first in the work that he must do. May he not disgrace the uniform but bring pride to the badge he wear. And, please, Lord, through it all; be at His side.


For everything Lord, I thank you!

Happy. Tired. Happy

Happy because I was asked to do several new challenging projects from my clients today.

Tired because that was a lot!

Happy because at the end of the day I was able to finish them all. Having told I am a genius and was a tremendous help eased all the tiredness I am feeling.

I just love receiving words of appreciation. It always put a smile on my face.

“Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.”

Acts 13:15

Good job!

Above is an email thread between me and my Australian client this morning, around 9:30 AM in Manila and 11:41 AM in Melbourne, same date.

Outsourcing really made a big difference in the lives of the Filipinos like me and to the clients offshore as well. They entrust us with their businesses because they believe in our abilities aside from the fact that the Philippines has less expensive operational and labor costs, as well as an English-speaking workforce.

I'm so thankful God blessed us with so much talents and wisdom that we just have to discover and nurture them.


P.S.


He just sent me an email again saying:


You should be proud :)

I like the fact that our business is helping families over there. I know the struggles many go through in the Phils.

I just got invited as Ninong to another Odesk contractors wedding. She said the work we gave her made a big dfference to her family in ways I won't even know about. So sweet!!

:)

Thought for the day

What can I give that You have not given? And what do I have that is not already yours? All I possess is this life I'm living and that's what I give to You, Lord...


I was thinking about the above lyrics from the song I Offer My Life. What can I offer Him who has given me everything? What can I give Him in return? It's really sad knowing that the life I am living right now doesn't please Him. How can a broken life like mine glorify Him? When you want to give your loved one something, you want it to be the very best, something that would make him/her happy and make him/her realize how much you love him/her and how special he/she is to you. But it's not just a loved one I want to give something, it is my Great and Awesome God. The father who never left my side, the best friend who remained faithful, the mentor who never failed to correct me, Jesus Christ who loved everything about me. 

Here I am acknowledging my unrighteousness and unworthiness when He made me realized this:

Nothing you can do

Could make Him love you more

And nothing that you've done

Could make Him close the door

Because of His great love

He gave His only Son

Everything was done

So you would come

Come to the Father

Though your gift is small

Broken hearts, broken lives

He will take them all

The power of the Word

The power of His blood

Everything was done

So you would come

I pray you will also realize that there's nothing more you need to do to make Him love you more because He already bestowed upon us the greatest love of all when He gave His son to save us. Despite our shortcomings and weaknesses, I believe He never loved us any less. To God be all the glory!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the moms out there, a heartfelt:

Who can find a virtuous woman? She is far more precious than jewels...
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.
Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
~Proverbs 31:10, 25-30

Praying I'll become a Mom too someday in God's time.

Romans 12:12

Reminds me of this song...

We come to you Oh Lord
For we have all the reasons to sing a song
It's not what we feel that counts
But it's what we know that matters
It's the truth that sets us free to worship you


We have all the reasons to thank You
For the blood You shed to save us
We have all the reasons to praise You
For from glory to glory You're changing us
We have all the reasons to worship You
And that's because of who You are

I work online

September 2010 when I decided to end my 3-year career in a call center. If my memory serves me right, it was in 2003 when I first applied in a call center. It was in Wynsum Corporate Plaza, Ortigas. It was my first. My first time to brave myself and go job hunting in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. My first time to ride an elevator and go all the way up to the 36th floor. My first time to see executives from foreign land. A place where everybody speaks in English. Fluently and proficiently.

I took the examination which was composed of multiple choice questions and essay writing (which I loved before). I went home sad and disappointed when I didn't pass the second pace of the application process and that is pronunciation and speech testing. Two words that marked my first ever call center application: Philippines and beverage. How can a 2-year college graduate like me could not pronounce those words correctly??? The rest is history. I left Ortigas swearing to myself not to step foot in a call center again.

November 2007 when I tried my luck again. I just have this feeling that I should give myself another try. I really need a higher pay at that time and my mindset - only a call center can give me that. I prayed. I prayed really hard to get a job in BPO. The Lord granted my heart's desire. I got hired December 2007 and everything happened so fast. I've received countless recognition, certificates and awards (in all kinds) for being the top agent. How can a 2-year college graduate like me who could not pronounce Philippines and beverage correctly back in 2003 and is a newbie in this industry is now on the top among 300+ agents on the floor?

Isn't the author of my life working on me?

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I have decided to resign in September 2010. I am happy. It prepared me to a bigger opportunity and that is online.

November 2010. I can't believe you can earn while at home while sitting in front of your computer. Freelancer? Dollars? Really?

A very good friend, a confidant, almost like a sibling to me introduced me to oDesk. A global marketplace that help businesses hire, manage and pay remote freelancers or teams.

It does not only changed how the world works. It changed my life.

You can say I'm such an oDesk fanatic. I'm just grateful.

oDesk made me realized a lot of things that I can do which I am afraid to try before. What I really enjoy aside from the benefit of working at your own home (or wherever you want just as long as you have a working computer and an internet connection, you are all set) is that I got the chance to work with several people from different parts of the globe. There are clients from the United States, Europe and Australia - teammates from India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, etc.

oDesk also changed the lives of the people around me. I 'sometimes experience' financial freedom if that is what you may call it. When the amount you are earning is 'at times more than' what you need.

I always see in the jeepneys a tag line 'katas ng Saudi'. I am really excited to write a post about my 'katas ng oDesk'. Soon.

Only God's love and grace are permanent. Online projects will end. There are times I am without any projects left. No projects mean no dollars. I just have to stay positive. There are hundreds of job opportunities posted every now and then, I just need to apply to the position which I think I will excel the most.

To be able to survive in this online world, I need to prove the clients my worth. A big no no to just my second best. I should always give my very best because that is what the client expects from me.

I work online and I love it.

My first ever post

Why I started to blog? The answer is so simple. Because I have no one to tell. This is the only medium where I can freely write how I feel about anything and everything. It doesn't matter if people will follow my blog. 

I am doing this for myself. Online. Free.

Let me share to you God's message to me. This might be His message for you, too.

Here it is. Strong Arm by Lenny Leblanc.

My child I knew you before the world began

And I was there everytime you put your name on the sand

But lately I know you've been through quite a storm

My child I've been there, since the day you were born

Oh, and I rule the wind. O yes and I calm the sea

And the sun won't go down until I say that it can leave

Just as sure as my Word I stand here right by your side

And if you're just too weak to go on

Remember child that I'm your strong arm

The people will wonder, and they'll stand amazed

They say you are a miracle and I will be praised

And even though your pain has been too hard to bear

Just know that I am with you, there's no need to despair

Who wouldn't be ever so grateful knowing that the Lord - our Great Creator and Mighty Savior will be your strong arm if you can't go on anymore?

I'm holding onto this: He never left me and never will.