Road to the Cross

The picture above is our Good Friday altar. Its a bare altar. No decorations. No flowers. Just the cross. The old rugged cross-- old but beautiful, rugged but powerful.

The cross alone spoke for itself. It can stand majestically without any ornaments, designs and decors. Its like Jesus speaking to us through the cross--"You only need me--you will be beautiful because of me--you dont need anyone or anything other than me"

Awhile ago, we had our usual "7 Last Words" service and our Pastor gave us such inspiring words. The title of her message was "The Cross--Beautiful in my eyes". Everything about the cross is beautiful, even Jesus' last words while he was on the cross.

First word- "Father forgive them, they know not what they do" - A beautiful prayer of forgiveness

Second Word- " This day thou shalt be with me in paradise" - A beautiful promise to a repentant soul

Third Word- "Woman, behold thy son. Son, behold thy mother" - A beautiful promise of adoption

Fouth and Fifth Words- "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me" & "I thirst"-- A beautiful thought of casting our cares upon Jesus--beautiful words of honesty.

Sixth Word- "It is Finished"- A beautiful thought of finishing well

Seventh Word- "Into thine hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit" - A beautiful thought of committing our souls to God.

It only proves that everything in Jesus is beautiful--that even in his death and even if he is under pain--he speaks of life and hope.

I LOVE YOU LORD.
Thank you for the cross.

50 Tips

Well I've been working for almost a year now and with that, I guess I'm already entitled to give tips based from my experiences. I prepared 50 tips that I've learned from my previous employment. These came from my previous successes, mistakes, regrets, challenges and obstacles. Though I'm giving these to you, they are also for me--for my future success at my new company.


1. Be Confident
2. Do not be influenced by people's negative introductions to some co-workers. You have your own mind.
3. Limit personal stories-- some can use it against you. Less words, less mistakes.
4. Be the optimist, not the pessimist.
5. Be proactive- Have a "can do" attitude
6. Read! Read! Read!
7. Its ok to ask
8. Its ok to be reprimanded
9. Learn to Love
10. Dont focus on performance evaluations. Focus on how you can glorify God thru your work.
11. Be honest
12. Pray before and after your job. Better if you read a verse or two.
13. Create your environment. Never let the environment create you.
14. Use a planner or have a TO-DO list
15. Drink plenty of water. Have comfort foods in your desk.
16. Pray for your co-workers. Better if you pray for them by name.
17. Apply BEST PRACTICE
18. Nice to Have: OFFICE JOURNAL
19. Do not trust everyone. Watch your words.
20. Do not prolong your agony.
21. One at a time
22. Learn to breathe
23. Smile often even for no reason at all
24. Dont be afraid of negative impression of people to you. At the end of the day, its still between you and GOd. Read the poem DO IT ANYWAY by Mother Theresa at the end of this article.
25. Colossians 3:23
26. Be smarty
27. Take notes
28. Be generous
29. Drink vitamins
30. Go the extra mile to learn of your job more
31. As much as possible, 8-5 is 8-5
32. Nutrition is important. MOVABA-- Moderation/Variety/Balance
33. Share your faith every once in a while
34. Avoid being late.
35. Be excited for something
36. Be motivated. Write your motivating factors during Sunday nights to avoid Monday sickness
37. Be grateful to God
38. Listen to God during stressful hours
39. Theres always a way
40. Dont get jealous towards your co-worker
41. White lies are NO-NOs!
42. Nice to have: Vision board in your desk
43. Nice to have: Inspirational music
44. Text some friends once in a while. Never take relationships for granted.
45. Read policies, code of conduct, etc
46. Dont settle for less
47. Take Mission-Vision statements seriously
48. Hum or whistle if stressed out
49. Cherish every moment
50 Its ok to make a BIG mess. Just have fun!

Alright! Thats all folks! Hope you've learned something. God Bless

***

50 tips is part of my Maundy Thursday reflection.

DO IT ANYWAY

Written By Mother Theresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical,
and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some
false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone
could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway

Footwash!

March 31- Footwashing Wednesday



It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

--John 13:1-17

***

The first ever foot washing ceremony at Aldersgate UMC--and Im happy that Im part of the event and I had the chance to be a foot washer.

The experience cannot be expressed by words. I wasnt really part of the "foot washing" team, but our Pastora called me to experience it. And I was priveleged to wash Lola Laring ( oldest member) and Kuya Don's (which I consider as my Elijah-mentor) feet. On the other hand, Pastora washed my feet.

Unfortunately, there was no Youth in sight. :( Oh well.

Click the picture to view the album. THanks

Sambang Pinoy

Here's the lyrics of my favorite "Sambang Pinoy" songs:

ISANG BANSA (tama ba title? hehe)

Isang bansang tinawag ng Diyos

Isang dugong umaagos

Ang bawat isay may pusong lininis

Nagliliwanag sa mundo

At isang damdamin ang liliiyab

Kaligtasa'y atin

Isang bansang sumasamba

Kumikilala sa Ama

Ang bawat isa'y tinubos, malaya

Nananalangin sa lumikha

At isang pagbangon na sisiklab

Iisang bagong sigaw

Ako'y sumasamba, sumasamba sa Diyos na buhay

May bagong sigaw, purihin Siya, purihin Siya

Isang bansang, sumasamba

May bagong araw na darating

At ang Diyos ay paghahariin

Sa bawat dakot, bundok at dagat

Sa bawat bayan ay luwalhatiin

Ang bulong ng hangin ay pakinggan

Humuhuni ang bagong sigaw

Akoy sumasamba, sumasamba sa Diyos na buhay

May bagong sigaw, purihin Siya, purihin Siya

Isang bansang, sumasamba

Pagdating ng Hari sa kalangitan

Ang lahat ng tao’y sumasamba

Sumasamba, sumasamba sa diyos na buhay

May bagong sigaw, purihin Siya, purihin Siya

Isang bansang , sumasamba

Sumasamba, dakila siya, dakila siya

Ang Diyos ay buhay

Ako’y sisigaw

Maghari siya, maghari siya

Isang bansa, sumasamba

MAGALAK KA PILIPINAS

Magalak ka pilipinas ang Diyos ay sumasayo (2x)

Ikaw ay bayang pinili

Pinagpala ka ng Diyos

May tinawag

May pinili

Sumambat, magpuri sa Diyos

***

Sambang Pinoy is a fund raising concert to support Immanuel Bible School, a pastoral school for the Aeta communities in Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan and Pampanga.

Date: April 24, 2010
Time: 4-8pm
Location: Bren Z Guiao, Convention Center, San Fernando
Guest Speaker: Pastor Eric Maliwat of DZAS
Ticket: P100

This picture was taken during the orientation for the concert. Click the picture to view the album.

A New Road to Explore

This is a picture of the prayer walk. Click the picture to view the album

Rubbershoes, shorts, 6 in the morning, a warm sun, brothers and sisters in Christ, delicious foods, scriptures and prayers-- add them together, you'll have a perfect Prayer Walk.

A prayer walk is an activity of the young adults which promotes physical, emotional and spiritual revival.

To me its more of a walk, its a start of a new road in my life. Yesterday, I received a great news-- a news that will probably change the course of my life.

Im currently employed at a big company, but upon reflection, i realized that the job is not for me. No matter how I try to be excellent, no matter how try to give my "best shot", its never enough. I guess Im destined for something more, something big or something different from my current job. There must be more than this.

February 26, I received a job offer from a certain government agency. Its the same agency where I had my on-the job training last April 20, 2009. Its a cool agency, different from the others. So, I've decided to try and apply for the job. I thought the process is easy, but its not. Its difficult that even divine intervention is required.

First I took the brain-draining examination. Its the longest one that I took to enter a job. It took us for almost 8 hours to complete the exam. Then I was given an interview schedule with a panel which includes the Provincial Director. Its a 4 versus 1 panel. I was given another interview date with another panel which includes the Assistant Regional Director, 7 provincial directors from the 7 provinces of Region 3, the Division Chief and 3 from the Human Resource Department. All in all,I faced 12 people that time. Finally, a final exercise with the Regional Director. Its an emotional challenge which boggled the mind of the applicants. More like Im inside the Big Brother's house.

Then Im hired :) Thats the good news I was talking about.

Back to the prayer walk...

While walking and appreciating the beauty of nature, it also reminded me of how good God is. It reminded me of the obstacles that I overcame and how the impossible became possible. I only asked Him to rescue me from my current job, but not only he rescued me, but he gave me another job. He even increased my salary.

My desire to escape my current job became a promotion to another job. It only proved that God is KING, and we are His kids. It only proved how powerful he is and how he favor those who love Him. It only proved that he can turn things around for your benefit. It only proved that he is a prayer answering God.

A new road to explore... and that road is for God's glory.

Road to the Extraordinary

This is the view outside the church of Camachile. Cool ha?

Pastor Les told us to choose a partner--must be a stranger or a person you've never met before. So God led me to this elderly woman in her 40s. I guess her warmth attracted me to choose her as my partner.

Then, Pastor Les asked us not to talk to our partner or ask anything about them. We just have to sit beside our partners and pray for them in 5 minutes time. The twist: We have to ask God the struggles of our partner. The tip: Listen to God's voice.

"Awkward" i said to myself. "What if I cant pray the right prayer for this woman? What if God will not reveal something to me? This is too big for me. This is almost making a prophecy."

The timer started.

I closed my eyes..

"Lord, this is awkward. Reveal something to me. Please. What do you want me to see? What do you want me to pray for this woman? What are her struggles? Show something."

Nothing happened...

"Lord, please, time is running out."

Then suddenly, I remembered that Pastor Les told us to LISTEN..

I stopped talking... I cleared my mind from all thoughts. I just waited for God's voice.

Then surprisingly, I saw something. I saw a small faint light. Then slowly its growing. Its flickering. Its a candle.

"Lord, what is this? A candle? What is the relation of the candle in her current struggles?"

I listened. . .

Times Up. . .

Pastor Les told us to share our prayers and visions with our partners. I asked my partner "I saw a candle. I dont know what is the relation of the candle with your current struggle. Was it that God wanted you to spread a fire of revival in your community? Was it because you have the desire to be the light in your church and in your community?"

She answered "You know what, last week, I was reading a book entitled Salt and Light. Im a pastor and I wanted to win lives especially for our community. I want our church to be the light for the whole baryo. So your vision of the candle is true and correct"

THIS IS SOOO COOL. I cant believe what just happened. Then one by one, people started testifying about what happened. Most or all of us saw visions. To some, God gave them specific answers. Overall, it was marvelous and magnificent.

James 5:17-18 says "Elijah was a human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and earth began to yield its crops"

Like me, Im just a human like you. God gave us abilities, gifts and talents--- he even gave us the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions. We can do the extraordinary with the help of our God that defies the laws of nature! With God, nothing is impossible.

Have Faith!

***

The story above happened yesterday, March 13, 2010 at Camachile UMC, Floridablanca, Pampanga during a prayer encounter. Members of the church are Aetas (Native Filipinos) Here's some of the pictures taken during the said event.

Click Image to Open Album

Its a Hard Road!

Central Terminal - San Fernando Pampanga

Roads will not always be smooth. Some destinations are despicable that they can change us drastically, some can change our character, and some can tap the courage that is hidden in the deep deep valves of our hearts.

While working at Bataan, I received a text that ruined my day. It’s a text from my North Luzon colleague accusing me of something that I know nothing about. I was shocked and I wanted to scream. Not in my life I was accused of something like that.

To clear my name, I investigated what really happened. I found out that Im innocent of the accusation. I was hurt, I was given a “bad name” for something I did not do and so its only rightful for me to defend myself. I told my accusers to be professional and not to link my name to any issues in the area. I have to admit that I did it on impulse that is why I articulated unpleasant words to them. Like a snowball, the conflict increased in size. I thought clearing my name is the end, but I was wrong.

I struggled for days and had sleepless nights. But one night, I prayed about the dilemma and a still small voice told me “BE HUMBLE”. God wanted me to ask for an apology. Is it fair? Is it right? They have hurt me and Im the one asking for forgiveness? I wrestled with God having PRIDE as my weapon. AS usual, God won. No matter how hard it is, I followed God. I sent my accusers a text message asking for an apology. Believe it or not, it worked. I felt peace. It’s a cease fire. Only one of my accusers accepted my apology, but it doesn’t matter. What I know is that I am out of this and I did the right thing. That night, I had the best sleep ever.

This is a learning experience for me. Its ok to be angry but in our anger we must not sin. I also found out the Humility plus Love is equal to Peace. We must not fight fire with fire. And of course…

In adversity we build our character.

Have a happy trip

Click Image to view album (Bataan-Zambales)

Road to True Love

Roads can lead to different places—fun places, scary places, weird places.. But there will always be a point where we have to see the end of our road—Death Street. Its been a week now since we’ve attended the burial ceremony of my spiritual lola, Lola Ibang. Its still clear in my mind how Lolo Angel lamented for Lola. Its like losing half of his life, or should I say his life. Its really heart breaking, but one thing I’ve realized was the fact that the cliché vow “til death do us part” is possible. Its beautiful. Its romantic. Its true love…that even in the road of death, Love will always be present. Goodbye Lola. We love you.

Valentines Day

February 14, 2009

Sto. Rosario Angeles City Road during Valentines 2010. It is filled with vendors selling flowers, balloons and other presents.

Kung Hei Fat Choi and Happy Valentines.
Sharing you my favorite Christian Love song:

Love is not a place
To come and go as we please
It's a house we enter in
Then commit to never leave

So lock the door behind you
Throw away the key
We'll work it out together
Let it bring us to our knees

Chorus:
Love is a shelter in a raging storm
Love is peace in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave, may God send angels to guard the door
No, love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for

To some, love is a word
That they can fall into
But when they're falling out
Keeping that word is hard to do

Repeat CHORUS

Love will come to save us
If we'll only call
He will ask nothing from us
But demand we give our all

Repeat CHORUS

I will fight for you
Would you fight for me?
It's worth fighting for

-end-

Love. It is manifested in different ways. But as for my Valentines day, Love will manifest as Love for my parents. Here's an album of my Valentines 2010 Shots. Some were taken at Marquee Mall as they showered rose petals all over the crowd. Its a nice view, but its really difficult to take pictures that time, instead I took a video.

Click image to view album

Rest

February 13,2010

Our travel in life can exhaust us. We need to rest. Even a car or a machine needs rest. That reminds me of my digicam's battery every time it shows the "BATTERY EXHAUSTED" sign every time I shoot pictures consecutively.

Today, no matter how tempting it is to go outside, I've decided to stay home, lie in my bed, have a movie marathon and eat one of my favorite comfort food--Corned Beef. It felt like Im back to being a grade school student. I love the feeling.

Don't overwork. Take time to rest. Grab your comfort food. So that for your next journey, you'll be strong as Superman.

-end-

How to prepare Corned Beef ala Darby in 5 minutes

Ingredients:
> Purefoods Corned Beef
> Sky Flakes or Fita Crackers

Instructions:

1. Prepare the frying pan.
2. Put the Corned Beef in the frying pan. I recommend that you will use Purefoods Corned Beef.
3. Dont add oil, garlic, onions etc.. You will spoil the taste of the beef. Just heat the beef.
4. Wait for 2-3 minutes.
5. Prepare the crackers
6. Decorate the crackers for better look

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 9:7 "EAT YOUR FOOD WITH GLADNESS"

A Paradigm Shift

This picture was taken inside a cab as we travel to La Trinidad, Benguet.

The Road to Baguio- A Paradigm Shift
February 11,2010

The nature of my work is travel. I spend more or less 8 hours a day in a public utility bus every time Im tasked to do field works. Eight hours? you think its boring? Its not. The road that leads to work is an opportunity for me to learn new things. Its an opportunity to meditate, to have quiet time and to renew my mind as I see the glorious environment outside the window. Here's a lesson that I've learned the hard way inside the bus:

This day, I need to go to Baguio. Baguio City is 5 hours away from home so I can say that its a really really long ride. I entered the bus and chose a comfortable place in the middle seats. I sat near the window for the view. I have my seat, I have my window and I have my view. No one can take this comfort away from me.

After a minute, 4 elderly people entered the bus--3 grandmas and a grandpa. They were noisy especially the grandpa who seemed to be bragging that he can endure the cold temperature inside the bus without using a jacket. The grandpa sat in front of my seat. He kept on talking and bragging. I had a bit of an irritation that time but I just ignored it. As I've said, Im comfortable--I have my sit, my window and my view. Until he inclined his seat leaving me a limited space and a disquieting state.

That time, I really hated the old man. I cant complain and I dont know why. I cant sleep, I cant move freely. For 5 hours, Im annoyed with the old man and im irritated with the entire situation.

Twenty-minutes before reaching Baguio changed my paradigm towards the man and probably towards life. I saw him holding a handkerchief in his forehead and another handkerchief in his right hand. The hanky on his hand is filled with blood blots. He wiped his nose and I saw more blood in his hands and hanky. That view broke my heart. :(

What if the old man has a serious disease? What if he's going to Baguio to enjoy the remaining days of his life? What if his bragging and noisy personality is a way to survive life? I dont know. What I know is that the man taught me a lesson. The lesson of love.

In our road to life, we will meet strangers, difficult personalities and people that will push our buttons. The question is, are we going to love them in spite and despite of?

-end-

Here's some pictures of my "side-trips" at Baguio and La Trinidad. Click the pictures to open the entire album.

Click image to view the album

Click image to view the album

The Road Not Taken

We are all part of a huge traffic.

All of us are travelers. Each has its own road to take. But most of us, including me, has chosen the "go-with-the-flow" road. We are in the road that leads to complacency, mediocrity or an average life. We are settled with the standards of this world. We must be like "this" to become like "that". Everything is bounded, limited and just plain dull. If most of us are traveling that road, we are just contributing to a huge traffic.

I love the verse from the Holy Bible, found in Jeremiah 1:5. It says "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Wow! We are set apart.

I believe that God created a special road for each of us. We have a road custom-made just for us. All we have to do is to step out of the traffic and start journeying the route our Creator designed for us. Easier said than done, but if we ask God's strength, we can surpass everything.

This blog is about the journey to my road. Dont worry, this will not just be about what happened to me in the journey, but also the realizations in the heart of it.

Lets explore and step out of our comfort zones. Lets take the scenic road instead of the short-cuts. Let God add color to our lives. More adventures and adrenaline rush for you, my reader!

Before I end this, I want to leave a short poem written by Robert Frost.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
and sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
and looked down one as far as I could
to where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
and having perhaps the better claim
because it was grassy and wanted wear;
though as for that, the passing there
had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
in leaves no feet had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference

Thanks :)

I took the picture above last December 29,2009 at Calasiao, Pangasinan. Calasiao is the home of our favorite Puto. FYI