We just concluded our semi-annual Youth All-out Praise and Worship of section 2 youth department. It was a blast! There were many youths who attended and it was just as good as the last time. Indeed God moved in the place. Lord, this is for you, that was my song for Him as we close this year in the Section 2 Youth. I am very thankful for his goodness and faithfulness in my life. "Goodness" and "faithfulness" cannot even justify his gracious work in my life. He far did better in its purer sense. Sometimes you keep asking God, "why me?"

Coming from the event, I was a little discouraged with what was going on with our youth lately. Well, I guess some of it is just out of impulse of emotion. But that noon I physically felt a pain of sorrow in my chest because some people are not enthusiastic about getting together. It was really sad. All I could do was pray. I wish I could have someone listen AND understand what I feel but I guess that's part of the call I've embraced. I could imagine and feel what a pastor feels when he feels he doesn't get 100% support.

But indeed in exchange of sorrow and mourning our God has given me joy when I see young people get on fire for God. My only prayer is that from these breed would rise catalysts and change agents of our time. Our speaker Ptr. Sur mentioned about an article in a journal about the current psyche of our youth, that they are people who dwell in tribes, they live in a "cut and paste" lifestyle - meaning whatever seems fit (good or bad) for me, I will take it. Young people live in social tribes where in they share common ideologies and uphold one another's perspectives and would "die" defending one, good or bad. If indeed they are tribes, may they be tribes who would just die for Jesus, who in unity would invade unchartered territories and make it God's. I pray that God would raise up warriors who are willing to lavishly pour out his life for Him, those who would forcefully advance the kingdom of God further and increase it's borders.

Thank you Lord that I'm living in Your-story.

Your faithful love has always been there for me
The greatest love that I've ever known
What can I give to You for all You've given to me?
You gave it all and You are all I need

You are my King, You are my God
The praises I bring, they come from my heart

This is for You for all You've done for me
And I wanted to show You how much You mean my God
My God

This is a little video I made for our Missions Convention. This is about our church-planting project in Valenzuela. I hope you saw Kill Bill vol. 1. :)

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." (Luke 19:37-44)

I remembered this passage during our practice last night for the APAW this coming Sunday. It doesn't matter how skilled we do our thing, for this is not what the Lord really looks at. He looks at the heart. Never restrain yourself from giving glory to God because you are "just youth" indeed as Jesus said, if we stop, "stones will cry out." We have to recognize God's heart and let our hearts align with His. For when this happens, greater things happen. "Recognize the time of God's coming to you."

Today I am really amazed at the prophet Jeremiah as I read Lamentations how despite his depression and utter sadness in the first 2 chapters he still manages to keep straight and without blemish his perspective on God:

I am the man who has seen affliction
Because of the rod of His wrath.

Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness.
Surely my soul remembers
And is bowed down within me.
This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.

The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I have hope in Him."
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.
It is good that he waits silently
For the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3)

Lord, uncloud my eyes that I may watch your faithfulness prove itself pure in the midst of testing. You are my inheritance and I will ask no more. I know you are faithful to save those whose hope is in you.

Journal in a nutshell. These days have been crazy but fun..

Saturday. Was speaker during youth service in Word of Hope. The worship was a blast. Thank God I wasn't too nervous. At the end of the message, Ptr. Marvin challenge the youth and lots of them responded.

Monday. Work has been really stressful lately due to lots of demand. I'm finishing up a project until this coming Monday because I'm off to Bohol on Tuesday.


(Firebrands in Hillsong United Concert)

Tuesday. Hillsong United Concert. It was also a blast. Whole lot of jammin and jumping. Daniel the Korean from Work in Progress joined us. He slept in our place.


(San Agustin Church & Manila Cathedral)

Today. Went to Manila City Hall to work out recommendations for approval of Chi-Alpha as a student organization in Universidad de Manila (please continue to pray for its approval). Getting hold of the city councilor was so close until he was summoned by the mayor. His wife entertained us. Finished around 1PM. During waiting time before lunch, Daniel & I went sight-seeing in Intramuros. I took him to Casa Manila, San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral. It was lots of walking and taking pictures. Went back to City Hall and had lunch in SM Manila. Done by 2PM, I was supposed to have class in Alabang today but i figured trying to catch up would be ineffecient since travel could take 1 or 1.5 hours. Had a haircut in the mall while Daniel and Chi-Alpha workers rested. After that Daniel and I went to Mall of Asia to check-out IMAX theater. To our disappointment we found out that there were no 3D movies showing. So we watched Casino Royale instead and it's good. We met Richard and Lawrence there. After the movie we took Daniel to the bus station back to Baguio. Said goodbyes and best wishes.


(Sunset overlooking Mall of Asia)

Tomorrow, it's BOH day again and I'll be working overtime so to finish the project. Pray me strength to sustain me during the night.

The Teacher's Challenge

John Ortberg's challenge was about the value of teaching (or preaching) as a spiritual gift in our church, and challenged us to commit on the following:

1. I will seek to make sure my church is taught by people with the spiritual gift of teaching. (Eph 4:11-12)
How to know if a person has a gift of teaching:
- Studies the Word recreationally
- Has the ability to automatically connect learning and communication
- Discerns the spiritual temperature of the congregation and knows how to address it
- People have a deep conviction that the Word has changed their lives
- Frequent feedback on the impact of your teaching from other people

2. I will lead a surrendered life. I will make being a fully-devoted follower a higher priority than being a successful pastor. (1Co 9:27)

3. I will pay whatever price is required to fan my gift to flame. (2Ti 1:6)
Learn to evaluate your own teaching. Listen to yourself preach.

4. I will teach with integrity and authenticity (James 3:1-2)
Learn to disclose your own humanity but sharing only what needs to be heard.

5. I will help develop the next generation of teachers (1Ti 2:2)

6. I will measure my teaching by how Christ is seen in the lives of the listeners. (Col 1:28-29)

Today was my class in Lighthouse. I slept at Caloocan to try how long it would take to travel from Caloocan to Alabang. Woke up 6AM, left 7AM, took LRT to EDSA Station and took a collorum van to SM South Mall, then finally took a jeep to Lighthouse. I was 30 minutes early! During class my mind was half awake and half asleep, when my mind was literally seeing things and situations that were not really there. I was going into a dream. It wasn't that the class was boring. Last night I came home at midnight from an impromptu visit to Star City with some youth leaders in our section. Earlier that night we had a meeting for our upcoming Youth All-out Praise and Worship on the 26th.

So all throughout the class I was half asleep. Even a double-shot Starbucks White Mocha had little effect. Last portion of class was a video preaching from John Ortberg from Willow Creek that put off my sleepiness until we were dismissed.

It is a very productive day today and I feel good. Even though I'm just here in school, I feel I've done alot today. This morning woke up at 7AM, lounged and relax until 8AM, prepared and left to drive Lawrence to UE Caloocan before I go to my 9AM class. I came around 9:30AM. It was my NT Theo class, I'm surprised we are only 6 in the class. Our professor is good. For the next two hours it was a very interesting class, yet there were times when I feel my head will explode in analyzing assumptions and bringing reason and meaning together with all those theological arguments. Had an early lunch with Emmanuel at KFC, it was nice that we are classmates again, and for the last time. He's graduating this semester and he's coming back to India. I'm here at library now doing stuff. It's great. I'm done with all my things-to-do today.

Woke up today at 7AM. Today is BOH day. Lounged until 8AM. Prepared and left 8:45AM. Amazingly I came by the office 9:15AM, 15 minutes late, from Kalookan to Katipunan in 30 minutes. Stayed at the office the whole day until 7PM. My boss is back and my work is rush. It's nice to be with the BOH team again. Kuya Ty gave out chocolate-covered dried blueberries. Left 7PM...

Got 4 more Starbucks stickers from a friend - thanks Tonette! Plus 2 more. Unfortunately the barista won't transfer her stickers to me. I'll try another branch. 1o (or 6) more stickers to go...

These next two weeks will be swamped with schedules. 2nd semester has come and I'm still swamped with lots of work. Can't wait for my Bohol trip! Yes, you heard right. I'm gonna go to Bohol. Bohol is my most wanted destination and finally it's gonna come true. My dive buddies and I are going to dive there, and if lucky, perhaps a night dive in Balicasag Island.

Our youth bulletin board for some time now has become a living organism of relationships, culture and church life...


Victory is within my grasp... 12 stickers na lang...

"So this is the answer to all the riddles: here in the wild I have you, two halflings and a host of men at my call, and the Ring of Power within my grasp." - Faramir, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Definitely to watch out for... but isn't that too CG?

This ought to get us into the Christmas spirit.

New Chikka commercial. Hands down again to Ramon Bautista... so funny. There's another one of this.

Total Wreck

New music video from Radioactive Sago Project featuring Ramon Bautista and Strangebrew's Angel Rivera and Tado directed by RA Rivera. The video pays tribute to Lino Brocka's Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang of the 70s. I still not into the song, but love the video.

A little fatigued right now. I already slept too early this morning because of a work project. Today I went to UP to print our APAW posters, drop by the office to get materials for my discipleship group, lounged at Starbucks Katipunan in front of Ateneo to pass time before I went to school for my Hebrew class. First time I experienced headache with coffee, it hurts til now. Throughout the one and a half hour class my eyes were already dropping. After class, went to Binondo to meet up with one of my youth for dinner and coffee (again). It's not obvious that I'm trying to collect the stickers in the Starbucks coupon to get that cool leather bound planner. It was a productive day though and I thank God for that. I need to sleep now.

I'm also preaching on Sunday. Please do pray for me :)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

by Andy Williams, in 3/4 jazz waltz (listen)

It's the most wonderful time of the year | With the kids jingle belling | And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer" | It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's the hap-happiest season of all | With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings | When friends come to call | It's the happiest season of all

There'll be parties for hosting | Marshmallows for toasting | And caroling out in the snow | There'll be scary ghost stories | And tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year | There'll be much mistltoeing | And hearts will be glowing | When love ones are near | It's the most wonderful time of the year

+++

I'm feeling senti-Christmas mood right now. I'm thinking of doing a compilation of classic Christmas songs...

• It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
• It's Christmas All Over the World - Sheena Easton
• Merry Christmas Darling - Karen Carpenter
• Have Yourself A Merry Christmas - Karen Carpenter
• The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting...) - Karen Carpenter
• Christmas in Our Hearts (The whole album) by Jose Mari Chan
• Christmas album of Ryan Cayabyab

Any suggestions?

First day of class and I wasn't able to wake up on time. Gr. I wasn't able to advise my folks to wake me up. But later I'm going to Makati to pick up some bread (yum!) and off to Marikina River Banks... magpapakain si Kuya Sur! Hehe.. Then gonna sleep at Ate Dayang's place in Las Pinas for my morning class in Lighthouse in Alabang... Looks like it's gonna be an adventurous week.

Listening to:



A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio

1. O Tannenbaum
2. What Child Is This
3. My Little Drum
4. Linus And Lucy
5. Christmas Time Is Here ( Instrumental)
6. Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal)
7. Skating
8. Hark The Herald Angel Sings
9. Christmas Is Coming
10. Fur Elise
11. The Christmas Song
12. Greensleeves

New Season

by Martha Munizzi

[+] It’s a new season, it’s a new day | A fresh anointing is flowing my way | It’s a season of power and prosperity | It’s a new season coming to me

The devil’s time is up, no longer can he bother me | ‘Cause the Controller of the universe, He fathers me | And it’s transferable; your children’s children will be free | It’s a new season!
If you don’t know, but now you need to know it’s Jubilee | My debts are cancelled and your children walk in victory | It’s all available to you right now just taste and see | It’s a new season!

The new millennium presents a new horizon and | No greater time for us to make a choice and take us and | All that we need is resting safely in the Master’s hand | It’s a new season!
All that was stolen is returned to you a hundredfold | Tried in the fire but you’re coming out, go! | Cling to His hand, “yes” to every promise take a hold | It’s a new season!

I'm currently reading this book I found while I'm in APTS called The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. I have already seen it before at the ASCM library when a friend pointed it out to me and had made such impression that I knew I would read it soon. When I saw it in APTS bookstore it was the last one and as I flip through the pages an excerpt on simplicity immediately caught my eye. Indeed, how does one celebrate discipline? It seems those two words are contradictory. I believe I will soon discover. Reading through the pages, there are great insights from this seasoned disciple.

Foster gives a fresh perspective on working in and out our righteousness (salvation for Rick Warren). He calls it objective and subjective righteousness. Latter being righteousness achieved by discipline and the former achieved by grace alone. The two are inseparable. Even the new testament had little distinction between the two because it was already understood that they come in one package. I liked how he explained that achieving righteousness is like growing a plant.. God alone can make it grow (grace) but it's the job of the farmer to cultivate it, water it and create the condition for its growth (discipline).

Going back to the YA event. There had been tons of memorable insights from all the sessions of the event. We had this speaker who went in as a sub for an absent speaker but Tom Bohnert's message perhaps penetrated deepest to the heart of the people. He talked about the love of God. I'm struck at how one could make an organized thesis from what seemed a basic, even diluted, topic. His insight on the healing of the leprous man by Jesus captured how we often judge ourselves so strictly and we would ask God "if" He want to make us clean when in fact He is delighted and readily willing to do it for us, because He loves us. He loves us because He is our Father. Sometimes we project our impression of Him through our perception of our earthly fathers and other people, but hearing that as a Father, God loves still love us even if we get into mess. Now this should not be grounds for abusing His love. Paul talks about how Freedom should make us love Him even more. Foster talks about sin that it is something that cannot be scored, that sinfulness is a state of being. Therefore God doesn't keep score of our sins when in fact our whole being is sin, until Jesus made Himself as sin in our place. I believe in order to worship God, one must know and discover His being first. Even though it wouldn't be possible to fully unfold His glorious Being, understanding and experiencing His Fatherly love alone satisfies that "God-shaped" hole in our being.

I just came back last night from Baguio for the young adults convergence of the national youth of Philippine Assemblies of God called "Work in Progress". I'm still in the process of dislodging my adrenaline rush and I couldn't stop making kuyakoy. Part of the rush is because I was part of the organizing team whom I am very privileged to be working with. Nevertheless I learned so much from our sessions and talking with some people (Though most people would think I never spoken a word!) The event helped my to reevaluate my walk as a follower and leader.

I'm here at Baguio in Asia Pacific Theological Seminary for a young adults retreat. The area has been almost zero visibility because of the fog, except for this morning when finally the sun showed up. This I think is my first time to come up here during the "-ber" months and indeed this is the coldest Baguio I've experienced. The sessions are great that gears toward young adults in the workplace.