Celebrating the Reason for the Season - LAMI G12 Network Gathering

Chrsitmas is really in the air!

A G12 Network Gathering was held at the Brokenshire Resort and Convention Center last December 13 to celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God. It was a fun-filled celebration with the 24 primary leaders of LAMI Davao. I wish I could recount every joke, every performance and every hug and greeting that embraced each one. it was fun fun fun!!!

Seafarers

Kuya Ric's Cell Group

Precious

Ra'ah

Women of Excellence

Streetlight

The Sowers

Ruth

LAMI DAVAO Primary Leaders, PCA, with Ptr. KC and Ate Alice

Esther

(not in the pix: Che, Rorie, Florie, Gizyl, Ninja, Zaharah)

When God is with me, I can go through the deepest darkness, because of Him. Not because of me.

People try to frame God intro earthly context. Im so happy God is way beyond any such frames.

No Excuses, Just Results (Reposted from Rich Christian, Poor Christian)

I came across this blogg Rich Christian, Poor Christian while surfing the web. This post struck me. I guess its really pays to just obey without delay and not to grumble along the way...it reminded me that COMFORT ZONE can be defined as PEACEFUL STAGNATION.

Lord, speak, Your servant is listening..Use me today..I will obey.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No Excuses, Just Results
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who make excuses and those who get results. The excuse person will find any excuse for why a job was not done, and a results person will find any reason why it can be done. Be a creator, not a reactor. - Alan Cohen
There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results. - Art Turock
I'm a trumpet player, and in my high school and college years, I was privileged to travel all over the United States with a great Christian brass group called the King's Brass. After each concert, we would swap stories of how our chops gave out on a certain high note or about how our memory was faulty on a certain song. Whenever we would get into this mode, we always had a running joke or saying that we would tell one another, "no excuses, just results."
This saying was a great reminder for all of us in the ensemble that we could make every excuse as to why something did or did not happen. What truly mattered in the end, though, were the results - did we as musicians do our absolute best in order to achieve the best concert performance possible.
The same is true in our lives. We can make every excuse out there as to why we aren't successful in our job, saving more money, tithing to our church, spending more time with our families, or fulfilling God's mission for our lives. God wants to create incredible results in and through our lives. We just need to quit giving the Lord, our workplace, our families, our churches, and our friends every excuse we can think of. Sure, some of your excuses may be valid, but have you explored every option available to you in order to achieve better results?
In what areas of your life have you been making excuses?

What do you need to do to move from excuses to incredible results?

The psalmist said that if we hear the Lord's voice, we shouldn't hearden our hearts as the Israelites did. You can't escape from the truth and your conviction. You can only obey without delay.

Matthew 25:21 (NIV)
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

"I could ask someone but then at the same time, how hard are you going to work for something if everytime you get in trouble somebody catches you? I did something to put myself in this position I have to work my way out of it."

Affirmed with these truths: I am special (made in God's image and redeemed by Him), loved by the Creator of the universe, and forgiven.

Temptation motivates you to be bad by promising something good. Isn't that just like the devil? (Charles R. Swindoll)

God answers our prayers, not according to our wants, but according to his purpose.

Affliction is one of the Lord's most powerful tools for getting our attention when we're not listening.

Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness …. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.

The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.

At some point in life, you really have to decide whether you're half empty or half full. It may appear the same but it feels different

The worst regret we can have in our life is not for the wrong things we did, but for the right things we could have done but never did

Let your speech always be seasoned with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to respond to each person. Col. 4:6

"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." - Andre Gide

What am I doing wrong?!?!

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

DEVOTION.
The key word. To translate it, I would like to borrow a word from Ptr. Frank: DAYUKDOK. If I want a multiplying ministry, I should banish mediocrity, half-heartedness, and (oh well..) comfort. Ministry work is not for the faint hearted nor is it a joke. The God I serve is worthy of everything. I should be devoted to the study of God’s word, fellowship and prayer. These are just some of the basics of Christian living. Taking time to do these things will lead to knowing the Lord, and what he wants to do through me.

44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.

UNITY.
Oneness. One vision. One Hunger. One Source, One God.

45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

GENEROSITY and SELFLESSNESS.
Whoa!!! Wait. I know I haven’t reached the level of selling what I have for anyone yet. But it is my prayer. First, to have a generous heart. Second, to be selfless and sacrificial when confronted with the pressing need of a brother or a sister.

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts..

CONSISTENCY.
Everyday with untiring devotion to the Lord the early Christians met together. I can’t imagine having a worship everyday but want to feel what they felt --- so filled with the Holy Spirit they just can’t get enough!


Reflection:
1. My ministry is not growing because I am not devoted (its do or don’t. anything in between is unacceptable)
2. Too many activities distract me from my primary role --- to love God and to make disciples.
3. Selfishness prevents me from being used by God to showcase His love through generosity for His children.
4. I am inconsistent.

Lord I lift it all up to you… I know change is on its way..I’m letting go..and letting God.

Reflection - Acts 1 (Part 2)

I

May another take his place of leadership - - - Acts 1: 20b (Psalm 109.8)

When one of the leaders fall, he must be relaced to complete the team. In games like basketball, volleyball and soccer, when a player is down or injured, the coach calls that person out and replaces him with a substitute. A substitute however must be able to play as well as those already in the field.

The One who is next in line.

The One who got a point short during the initial selection of the first set of players.

In ministry work, the team must be complete to battle it out. In the case of the disciples, they sought a replacement for Judas to complete the twelve disciples...the power of 12. A biblical model the ministry began adopting since 2006. With one member down, the team is crippled.

II

Then they prayed, " Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen." Acts 1: 24

Three points:

1. The disciples gathered together and prayed

There is power when 2 or 3 are gathered in the name of the Lord.

2. Agreement in prayer and oneness

They all prayed the same prayer. They all longed for the Lord to show them the one to

replace Judas Iscariot. They all acknowledged that only the Lord knows the hearts of men

they are choosing from.

3. Obedience wihtout doubting

After casting the lots, it fell to Matthias, the disciples obeyed. Obedience to God's

prompting without doubting. When the Lord answered their prayer, they obeyed without

questions.

III

In choosing my twelve, i have been lax and chose just anyone because they are the ones available, they were FATS (faithful, available, teachable, submissive)--- or so i thought. I learned that i have to pray for them through my prayers. They are there, waiting for me.

I pray O God you'd open up my eyes, prepare their hearts for the apostolic mission they are to do for You.

A Reflection : Acts 1

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

When does a person receive the Holy Spirit?

When the person is born again

Why is there power when a person receives the Holy Spirit?

Being a deposit from the Lord, it empowers.

Do I have the Holy Spirit? Has its power rested on me?

What does it mean to have power?

Do I have it?

Annointing of Multiplication (Part 1) - Annointed

The stage (the LTH PWT tuning their instruments before the start of the session)

Pastors Laudjair Guerra (right) and his translator (who is also a pastor..i'm so sorry i forgot to get your name..)

LAMI guys (left-right) Jop, Nor, Buboy

LAMI ladies (left-right) Ate Aileen, Cecille, and Manilyn

More LAMI ladies (left-right) Tita Irene, me and Ate Aileen

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The third Sunog Mindanao was held at the CAP Auditorium, Anda Street in Davao City last September 1-3, 2009. Everyone was so excited to see old friends from the past 2 Sunog Mindanao Conferences. The theme for this year’s conference is Anointing of Multiplication. The night started with a very spirit-filled praise and worship lead by the BCC PWT. Indeed everyone can feel the presence of God in the place.

The conference started by introducing Ptr. Cesar Castillanos’ 12 in the Philippines. Indeed God can use an ordinary pastor to do great and extraordinary this for Him…the secret..ANNOINTING…

Ptr. Rich Witmer’s wife Melissa shared a few point on how to be anointed. Here are the points she shared during the start of the night’s session.

How to have anointing

1. I have to have a supernatural experience/encounter with God
Gone are the lax quiet times with my God and the lazy prayers I routinely pray. I need to soak in the fullness of God’s presence in order to experience Him.

2. I have to open up my heart to God
No secrets. Can one really keep a secret from Him? He knows everything!!! I need to stop being so self sufficient and independent and admit to Him what I really feel. I am weak. I lack. Help me.

3. I have to trust Him.
To trust that He will not me go with the confidence of saying it because He said so.

There are tons of things I learned. But the most important of all is that I changed. I am trying to..by His grace.

Prayer for a Friend

This is my prayer for a dear friend singing the Desert Song...
I know what i did for you is far from ALL I HAVE TO DO..
I love you my dear friend..
You are a blessing..
I miss you..

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Prayer for a Friend - Casting Crowns
From the Album The Altar and the Door (2007)





Lord I lift my friend to You.
I've done all that I know to do.
I lift my friend, to You.
Complicated circumstances
have clouded his view.
Lord I lift my friend up to You.

I fear that I won’t have the words
that he needs to hear.
I pray for Your wisdom , oh God.
And a heart that's sincere.
And Lord I lift my friend up
to You.

Lord I lift my friend to You.
My best friend in the
world, I know he means much
more to You.
I want so much to help him, but
this is something he has to do.
Lord I lift my friend up to You.

There's a way that seems so right to him.
But You know where that leads.
He's becoming a puppet of the world.
Too blind to see the strings.
And Lord I lift my friend up to You.

Lord I lift my friend to You.
I've done all that I know to do.
I lift my friend, to You.

Childhood Memories and Lazy Holidays

A hot lazy holiday morning.

Today is a holiday to celebrate National Heroes Day and since i have nothing to do except play Farm Mania in my laptop, i decided to go to my Tita Jean's house to spend some quality time. After eating a (very) hearty breakfast of tapa, sinangag, cream bread, cream cheese and a mug of coffee, i buried myself in my laptop and "facebooked" away. After about an hour or so, Facebook lost its magic and i felt the hot holiday morning.

To my surprise the sky became gray as the sky threatened to pour down and spoil the fun of the many people enjoying the holiday sun at the beach. And then it poured...heavily...i thought hey..can i play in the rain? I know Mama won't mind and Tita and Tito won't mind..and so i asked my cousin Jericho if he wants to bathe in the rain..he twitched hi faced and continued playing a game in Tita's laptop.

I really want to bathe in the rain..i called my other cousin Sarah if she wanted to bathe in the rain..she grinned and said yes..wearing my pajamas and my cousin wearing shorts..we jumped and laughed in the rain..

Fun..pure fun..

I remember bathing in the rain with my sister Gladys and my brother Ton ton way back when we lived in Forestry, UPLB. Whenever it rained hard, Mama allowed us to play in the rain..when the rain stopped we would continue playing using our garden hose to create an effect of rain..

Bathing in the rain brought back the child in me..the child who laughed and enjoyed in the rain.

Prayer

Dear God,

people tend to be accusing even without proof

sometimes i wish i could take things into my own hands and fight,

But You say otherwise, and so i will obey

Lord, i always pray i'd be the light

Lord help me do what You want me to do

help me be to patient and loving

even towards the people who put me down

You have said in Your word that you will never let me down

Lord i entrust this to you

knowing You hear me and you will vindicate me



In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Of Mice and Men - The Tale of Remy & friends

Tukutuk tukutuk tukutuk..



It's 2 a.m...I'm supposed to be asleep but the irritating sound woke me up in the middle of the night. I actually thought I was only dreaming and the sound is a part of the dream. I opened my eyes and there "he" with his "waxed" side was nibbling on my coffee stick.


Oh men! "he's" at it again!!!


Yes again..this is not the first time Remy (the mouse as we fondly call it) feasted on my food and Florie's food and Ate Evzz food..and.."he" is not the first Remy.."he's actually Remy III...to give you and brief recap on the Remy thingy in our house let me tell you how the first 2 Remy's were discovered and how "they" got exterminated (haha)

REMY I - DISCOVERY:
Discovered when "he" munched on Ate Evzz Choco Flakes, when
"he" feasted on Florie's biscuits, when "he" muched on my Crimson
Seedless grapes from Papito, and when "he" ate Teacher's chocolate
and a bunch of other stuff.
CAUSE OF DEATH:
Ate Evzz expect konking using a "tabo".

REMY II - DISCOVERY:
Like Remy I, "he" ate a bunch of our stuff.
DEATH:
My discovery of the STICKY FLY PAPER caused the end of poor Remy 2.
I sentenced "him" to death and prophecied "HINDI KA NA SISIKATAN NG ARAW."
By putting 4 traps within our house and sticking "his" favorite Goldilocks mamon
at the middle of the STICKY FLY PAPER, Florie's trap caught poor Remy 2.
Another victory for the Pretty Ladies.

That was tragic death of the 2 Remy's that once existed in our house.

Remy III is a warrior..a survivor...he sought vengeance for his two fallen comrades. In retaliation to what we did, he raided my grocery..my noodles, my coffee, my biscuits and my precious Seedless Crimson grapes..he can eat all my stuff but not my precious grapes! Remy III also ate Florie's Stock of fish feed ("he" must be really hungry).

We used the STICKY FLY PAPER to catch "him" but we only found tiny stands of "fur" stuck to the NOT SO STICK FLY PAPER. And so "he" continued with his being a tiny pest..eating our stuff...

Afer reaching the tipping point, we decided to put an end to this circus. We used our STICKY FLY PAPER and put bits of meatballs at the center to catch Remy III attention. We went on to work and got home only to find out that he manged to squiggle "his" now hairless body our of the sticky trap we had for "him". So that explains his waxed side, the white patch on his side caused by risking his freedom to eat the food at the middle. Disappointed, we were close to quitting.

The next afternoon, my rommie Trina sent me a text message that she deserves a proze for what she has done. I thought it was just one of her usual fairygod roommate stint (she actually fixes my bed and my stuff when she senses the aura of my being my old self).

When I got home, Florie tried to tell me something but i said later...
I opened my room, Trina was sitteng on her bed..smiling..
I checked my cabinet ---- still unimaginable..
I checked my shoes ---- still scattered on the floor..
My bags ---- still dumped in the cabinet...

I looked sideways and saw the NOT SO STICKY FLY PAPER gone...
My eyes widened..
"Is Remy...???"
Trina smiled and nodded...
I leaped and shieked with joy at the victory...
She whacked Remy III to unconsciousness with her Plant slippers when she saw the poor mouse stuck to the NOT SO STICKY FLY PAPER...
Ate Evzz actually took a picture using Florie's digital camera but the image is too gross to post here.

And so Remy III is gone...

SCORE:
Pretty Ladies: 3 points
Remy & friends: 0

FIN

I had to borrow the title of John Steinbeck's well-known book "Of Mice and Men" for this blog.

Crying Out

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.”

Psalm 62:8

I need a break, I desperately need one...
The hustle and the bustle of my so-called-life has left me empty...
Dry?
More like parched
Tired?
Dead tired actually
Remember the 4 spokes of the Christian's Life?
Yeah I do..but right now, I'm a flat tire..

The Race

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” Hebrews 12:1

In our town, there’s a very prestigious race where only the chosen few are invited to join. The organizers and sponsors are not to look down at because their reputation for being strict and their high standards cannot be swayed. The organizer started calling the prominent people in our town, people who are regarded in their field of expertise…some are teachers, some are businessmen, some are managers, some are consultants…prominent people coming from various walks of life. I wanted so much to be part of the race, not for fame, not for the prize..but with the ultimate goal in mind---to make my Father proud. The campaign for the most prestigious race was in full blast, but I still wasn’t invited. Then came the last day of invitation. Still no call. I heard it was presented to the major sponsors and organizers when they decided to disqualify one participant in the ladies category. They said the lady is overqualified and should be one of the organizers. Upon hearing the news, I was ecstatic! I got all excited and I got down on my knees, crying, praying..praying it would be me..i promised my Father I would be the bestest runner in the whole wide world and a ton of other promises I could think of! Days passed..some friends told me I was being considered to be the replacement..but there was no confirmations to the heresays..until that blessed day...ohh that blessed Sunday when it was confirmed and was welcomed. I figured my Father did something to influence the decision, He must have whispered to the ear of the organizers and said “Jinsel’s good..I think she is the best candidate.”

And so, the race started, I started god, but I did not see a small rock in the track..i fell..but I stood up and ran like hell..i fell again..this time I hurt myself and could not get up that easily..another one of those small rocks caused my fall. “Why didn’t they clear the path before the race?!?” I saw blood on my knees and scratches on my elbows. I stood up, tried to run but the wounds hurt and I think I sprained an ankle. I pretended to be okay but I fell..facedown. The other runners are now way ahead of me now. What if I just quit..just slip away from the track and disappear? I was about to walk away but I heard my Father’s encouraging voice saying,
“Stand up my child, stand up.”
“But I’m hurt. I’m weak. I can’t do it anymore Father,” then I burst into tears.
“You can do it my child. Let me help you get up.” He picked me up and wiped away my tears and said, “Go…” I looked Him in the eyes. He nodded. I ran, not as fast as the other runners but I will finish this race and make my Father proud.

Being cut-off...

I am the vine, you are the branches, if a man remains in me and I in him he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)

Early this morning the communication line(s) of 23 branches was cut off due to a cut off fiber optic connection at Bayugan, Agusan del Sur and Quezon, Bukidnon was cut due to certain incidents. This caused a burst of energetic activity for those support units in the bank until all connections were up. During the time the connections were down made me realize we (along with our operations) are at the mercy of the telecommunication providers of the bank. Without them it is hard (closer to impossible) to continue operations.

I am like that too.

Apart from God, I am nothing.

If I continue to live my life away from God, destruction is just around the bend.

So that is why suddenly I feel dry, powerless, and so off tangent...

Truly God's presence in my life is determined on how I respond to Him...I know I will find Him if I seek Him with all my heart (Jer. 29:13)...where is the confidence coming from? well..because He said so..

3.07

1 Corinthians 13 (The Message)
1 Corinthians 13 The Way of Love

1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. 2If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.

3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,

Doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Let's see how well i fared in this exam:

Scoring System: 1 highest, 5 failure

My Score

Love never gives up. 3
Love cares more for others than for self. 4
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. 3
Love doesn't strut 3
Doesn't have a swelled head 4
Doesn't force itself on others 2
Isn't always "me first," 5
Doesn't fly off the handle 4
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others 4
Doesn't revel when others grovel 2
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth 2
Puts up with anything 3
Trusts God always 2
Always looks for the best 2
Never looks back,But keeps going to the end. 4

TOTAL SCORE 46 / 15

GRADE 3.07

EQUIVALENT FAILED - TO BE ENROLLED THIS SEMESTER

Jinsel: So near yet so far..please be patient with me..God is not finished with me yet. I am a work in progress. Fine fine I'm making excuses...sigh..hope i pass this test the next time.

A New Do for a New ME

For most of the people i know, getting a drastic haircut means something...it could mean rebellion for some, an outward manifestation of newly gained independence, a new look..
Well, i got a haircut not just to counter the effects of the heat wave that is sweeping Davao City by storm (the answer i give anyone who asks me why i cut my hair to avoid the chain of questions if i tell them the sysbolism of the New Do), i got a most needed haircut to symbolically shout out that i have decided to really have a New Life. For me it means cutting off the OLD ME along with the OLD WAYS and the OLD THOUGHTS. It means a NEW LIFE, NEW WAYS, NEW THOUGHTS, NEW WAY OF LIVING, DEEPER FAITH, STRONGER CONVICTIONS, a STRONGER WILL...a NEW ME.

Drifting Away

Tired
Stressed out
Weak

These three words best describe my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual status right now. The past week went by in a daze. I can't even think straight right now. I can't even organize my thoughts and put them into writing..I hate this feeling..it leaves me in the middle of nowhere..i tried to do what i had to do..but i failed..i failed..i hate this feeling..i know..i'm drifting away...i wish i can sleep and wake up feeling light and reconciled..

Picking up the Pieces

It all started last September 2008, when i was chosen to be part of the G12 Ladies Network. I was given the opportunity to lead ladies and mentor them. I thought it was easy..I mean my G12 leader, Ate Irene, did it so with much confidence, with so much ease..she lead our cell group without sweat! Then came my turn..i was so excited for our first meeting..it was okay..but it didn't turn out the way i wanted to. Then it all came crumbling down..the flocks were scaterred and i don't know what to do. I got discouraged and even thought of giving it all up. Boy it was hard..i got tired..and blamed it all on the ladies..their weaknesses..their pride..their unavailability..their unwillingness..their lack of commitment and conviction..then they were gone.

I must admit it took a while before the smoke all cleared up and i was left alone, kneeling, crying before my God. Asking for forgiveness and surrendering all i am holding on so dearly..everthing was taken away because of my self-centeredness..my pride, my unyielding spirit..it was all about me..and my lack of HIM.

I surrendered. Now I'm picking up the pieces..they are now coming back slowly..others are now being added..

Lord, change me, mold me..use me..help me as i pick up the pieces...I am living under your grace..I am yours..all yours..

Resolutions?!?!

Looking back in the past year, i am now made painfully aware of the countless times i failed my God. Just like when the Lord Jesus asked Peter, the same question is posed for me..:"Jinsel, do you love me?" I can enumerate everything i need to do to LOVE God...RESOLUTIONS! It didn't work last year..or the year before that..God doesn't need my promises to try harder this year. There is just one thing the Lord asks of me..LOVE HIM. If i truly love God, i will serve him in the quality that He desires and deserves....no more mediocrity nor hypocrisy nor jealousy nor competition,,,hence, excellence, genuine brotherly/sisterly love, genuince appreciation and co-laborship should rule..This year is all about LOVE LOVE LOVE !!! Love in every angle...in every aspect...Mark 12:30 " LOVE the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your mind and with ALL your STRENGTH."LOVE LOVE LOVE...