Sisters In Faith

For the past five years or so I have not gone for a trip during the holiday break. But this time I got to go out for two adventures.  #1  Last Wednesday, I went to Pagsanjan with friends from the seminary -  Dr. Fletcher Tink (my professor), Ryan (his son), Ate Ree, Ate Tutit and her husband, Kuya Nico, and the Alamario couple, Ptr. Andrew and Ate Ruth. We left at around 7am and it was raining. I was kind of worried that the rain would go even harder and it would be impossible to see the falls. Typhoon Quinta had no sense of timing, trying to ruin our planned trip (and the lives of the people down in Visayas and Mindanao). Anyway, we still went on. We stopped by Ate Ruth's Uncle's house to grab some glasses because there was not enough for us. It was a zig-zaggy ride. There were more than enough curves on the road to make people dizzy. Good thing, my dizzy days are over.     When we arrived at Pagsanjan, a man who was wearing a camouflage jacket, shirt and denim shorts

JESUS is not just a scripture. And He's definitely not just a relic. JESUS,  who is God, went down to the earth and saved mankind from all sins.   JESUS is a friend.  JESUS is someone you can rely on when you're weary. JESUS  heals. JESUS  makes miracles. JESUS  loves his brothers, mothers, sisters and friends. JESUS  never rejects sinners who come to Him. He even comes to them. He knocks at each person's heart. For us to love God and to love people. To follow Him   the way he lived here on earth. To put our Faith in Him, the only begotten Son. To enjoy the riches and glory that the Father gives through Him. That's what  JESUS  wants. And though we are not worthy,  JESUS    still loves us truly. A lot of people overlook this Name. A lot of people take this Name for granted. But this Name makes our hearts beat each and everyday. And so... This Name, I breathe. This Name, I lift up high. I do my

I was down, tired and weary All the weight of the world burdened me I couldn't get up, my knees were weak Couldn't even shout or speak Stones of pressures thrown at me High-rise expectations set before me Mountains of tasks laid in front Tears of exhaustion flowed endlessly I wanted to quit, that is for sure I wanted to leave, never to stay anymore But then I heard Your voice calling me How can turn away from Thee? Your love has always been my comfort Your hands has always been my guide Your embrace restores my soul Your Word brings encouragement Never can I deny Your unfailing love I swim in Your abounding grace How can I feel so defeated When you, my God, holds the victory? You are my shield against the stones You lift me up to reach excellence You move the mountains to pave the way Tears of joy flow endlessly! I am a child and God is my Father I am a sheep and God is my Shepherd I am a soldier and God is my co

Yesterday I posted this on Facebook: "Whenever Apple releases a new iPhone, or iPad... or anything with "i", people (especially the young ones) clamor to get the new thing.  Sadly, when there is a call for prayer, people disappear.  And most young people probably spend more time  with their phones (or whatever devices) than praying. :'( It's time to wake up, young people. Gadgets won't give us the satisfaction. Nothing in this world will. Only through Jesus can we have a full life. But how can we experience it if we don't even communicate with the One who holds our life??? You! Yes, you who's reading this... If you are asked "Do you pray"? Can you say "Yes, iPray."?" I posted this for the upcoming prayer night we arranged for young people. There is a need to WAKE UP our generation and make us realize how much we've taken prayer for granted. We are living in a fast-paced world where

I wanted to do something special for your birthday. I didn't want an ordinary "Happy Birthday" greeting posted on your facebook wall. So I said, I'm gonna make a blog post. I didn't know what to do at first... until  I remembered how you love Jason Mraz' song, " Living in the Moment ". So here is my special birthday message. :) "If this life is one act Why do we lay all these traps? We put them right in our path When we just wanna be free" You've been through a lot in your life before you met and became serious with Jesus. You've made mistakes which led to... you know.... not so good times. Made poor choices, took some detours. And... as the song has said...  laid the traps in the path.  But you WANTED TO BE FREE.. free from all which bonded you. "I will not waste my days Making up all kinds of ways To worry about all the things That will not happen to me" And so you came to the point when y

This is a reflection on being BROKEN  and BLESSED by God. It has been a long time since our last post (my last entry). And I admit that I have not been in the mood of writing. I was feeling awful during the last month. Though now, I could say I am better. I am well. For the past few months, a lot has happened in my life. They weren't perfectly happy times. Yet, I would say that God has BLESSED me beyond my expectations . When I look back at the moments when I cried myself to sleep (literally), I can smile and say that God was with me and has comforted me. Even though I shed tears and felt lonely, I was able to experience our Father's comfort.  There was even a time when I found it hard to forgive someone. Bitterness started to grow in my heart; it was choking me inside. And that felt terrible. But the Lord helped through it. He helped me forgive and it released my heart from the grip - I was freed. Before all these, God has told me that the RAIN OF BLESSINGS are coming.

"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All the authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” -  Matthew 28:18-20 How are we going to do this?     I believe that there are many ways and many tools to evangelize. Some Christians roam around a vicinity to talk to people and share the Word, some others ride at each public vehicle to announce the Good News to the passengers, others invite their families, friends and enemies at the church services and some others hold concerts, seminars, or outreach programs to insert the knowledge about Jesus. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with doing all these to advance the Kingdom of God, but there is one guaranteed way on how we can fish for people: BY LIVING LIKE JESUS.  

What we anticipated may not always take place. Have you experienced a day when everything seems to go wrong? When all are going against what you have in mind? What if the things you expected to happen did not come to pass? What if the ideal did not become real? What are we supposed to do?  WHAAAAAAAT?!? There were occasions in my life when the things I expected to happen did not hapen. I've been through struggles when my faith has been extremely tested. I was praying for certain things but it seemed like God was not doing anything. It felt like God was not listening. So, I wondered. Is God mad with me? Have I done too much to displease Him, He already decided not to listen to me? At first, I thought I was unselfish. I want things to happen because I want to be able to bless other people. Now, I realized I was just using that as a reason to defend the motives behind my plans. But God truly knows our hearts. So He exposed the selfishness of my plans. He told me that, th

If the Lord had not been on my side, I would’ve been a loser since I was born. If the Lord had not been on my side, my family would’ve remained in poverty and we will not have enough food for ourselves. If the Lord had not been on my side, I wouldn’t be able to study at the University of the Philippines. If the Lord had not been on my side, I would’ve fallen real hard on every relationship I had. I would’ve had a family at an early age. If the Lord had not been on my side, I wouldn’t have been a good teacher. I wouldn’t have a lot of patience for the children. I would’ve been a strict and snob teacher without the Lord. If the Lord had not been on my side, I wouldn’t gain this much knowledge and wisdom that the Lord had given me. If the Lord had not been on my side, I’ll surely live a miserable life. BUT I HAVE THE LORD. HE IS WITH ME AND HE IS ON MY SIDE.  -Judie