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Tonight, I thank the Lord for another opportunity for me to prove my faith and trust in Him.
Earlier, I gave up and surrendered ALL of my pirated DVD and VCD movies. You might think that “all” means a few of ‘em sitting amongst a collection of original copies. But in reality, it’s the other way around…! There are merely a few originals (about a handful) sitting amongst close to a thousand pirated DVDs in a dedicated cabinet for it.
I took all of them out and was suddenly at awe as to how many bootleg (but very good) copies I was actually able to gather in 4-5 years.
And it’s NO joke… I loved adored my collection… I used to scour the entire metropolis just to look for the highest quality (DVD copy; 5.1 audio) pirated movies. Ask my wife… she can attest as to how obsessed I was with my illegal library. I’d rather buy discs than spend money on important clothing or food. That was then.
Anyway, I packed these discs in big plastic bags (I wasn’t able to obtain cardboard boxes)… and soon after, my wife started scouring her stuff for fake clothing and accessories which she also wanted to give up.
My kids soon followed… and to my amazement, they happily surrendered their China-made fake toys and other stuff.
I packed them all in the car and took it to our home base for proper disposal. The bootlegged discs will be destroyed and the bags, clothing and accessories will most likely be given to indigents and the needy.
This is a very BIG step for our family towards being totally and unconditionally righteous.
We vowed that from now on, we shall NEVER EVER patronize anything fake…!
Praise God for giving my family the courage to follow through and do what is right in order to be pleasing in the sight of the Lord. I thank Him for making my children understand the purpose of it all.
I’m pretty certain that I’ll be able to find a few more unwanted stuff sitting around the house which I might’ve overlooked during earlier’s cleanup but I’ll be sure to gather all of what’s left and have them disposed of properly.
We are finally FREE of these things… All praise and glory to God!
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This particular Christmas of 2007 was probably one the least spent on in terms of money as far as I could remember. Not by choice but by circumstance… and yet, it was THE best Christmas we, as a family, have ever had!
It gave us an opportunity to truly focus our hearts and minds to the true essence of this season… to reflect on the sole reason why we all celebrate this joyous occasion. We went to our around 6pm and had our Christmas Mass there. Wonderful presentation! The 1st and 2nd “readings” were performed… not just read aloud. The Gospel and all the other parts of the mass were spectacularly executed…! I’ll bet nowhere else in the metro could have probably topped the Christmas mass Elim prepared for us dwellers and family.
It provided for an air of hope and love for the coming of the Savior that evening. The choir (music ministry) and their instruments (complete with timpani, strings… the works!) helped lift the spirits of everyone in the Auditorium… it gave me goosebumps all throughout the event.
And even though we didn’t really have much… it seemed as if there was actually more for all of us! More gifts under the tree… blessings of food… provisions from the Lord who is never late.
Indeed… only when we are truly empty can the Lord our God fill us up entirely. That is what exactly happened this Christmas… everything was made unto good once we surrendered everything to Him.
A little before Christmas eve, we went back to our center since we were invited to celebrate with close friends and dwellers. We had our “Noche Buena” (Midnight Dinner) there and a small program was prepared to the delight of everyone who attended.
Christmas never felt this good. Christmas never had such real and deep meaning to me till this year when I renewed my faith.
I have a whole lot to be thankful for… and it’s all because of the Lord. This new found personal relationship I have with Him has made me truly realize what is and isn’t important in life… what aspects of my life should take a backseat and which He desires that I put more importance to.
We may all know the Nativity story wherein Jesus was born in a manger during this most glorious night… and though I may have celebrated Christmas every single year of my entire existence… only this year has Christmas been truly born in my heart for Christ to rule and reign absolutely over my life.
May you experience the same revelations that the Lord has opened up to me…
May you develop a deep and personal relationship with our God… the kind of relationship that Jesus has so very much longed for from us…
And may everyone realize that the Christmas spirit is experienced not just in December, but each and everyday by those who truly embrace the Lord’s unconditional love.
May Christmas happen in your hearts now and for all eternity.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
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Christmas eve is tonight… we are spending our Christmas with our community which is actually probably the BEST way to celebrate the coming of the Savior.
My prayers for everyone is that they may reflect and remember (and for some, ultimately realize) the true and ONLY meaning of Christmas Day.
It’s isn’t about the shopping, the revelry, the parties, the vacation… none of that really matters. May we all come to know that the greatest gift we could ever continuously receive during this special day is to be constantly reminded that Jesus Christ came down to Earth to save us from sin and to reconcile us with the Lord.
So, rejoice and be glad… Christ has come for you and me. May He be at the center of our lives and the true reason of our celebration during this glorious occasion!
To everyone… A Blessed CHRISTmas and a Christ-filled New Year!
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.
- John 3:16
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I’m looking forward to attending Elim’s “Pathways: An Encounter With God renewal seminar” this Saturday at Balanga, Bataan. The Pathways is a weekend renewal seminar for all who want to come to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
This seminar includes talks, sessions and spiritual exercises that are all geared towards making you come to know and love Our Lord.
My wife and I will be spending the weekend together and at the same time spending it with the Lord. Praise God for this special “time out”.
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My wife is going through a tough time at work. I just found out earlier this evening when she phoned me.
I feel for her… but what can we REALLY do, right? The only thing we have total control over is OURSELVES. Everything else that we don’t have dominance over should be turned over to the Lord through prayer.
I immediately told my wife to pray. To pray and to praise the Lord like she’s never done before. These are the best times to surrender everything to God and to prove to the Lord how faithful we are to Him.
Always and in all ways, we should praise the Lord. Not just in times of victories and triumphs… but all the more so during moments of despair and uncertainty.
Give thanks and praise to God for dire times such as these, for we are given another opportunity to demonstrate our strong faith.
No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
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It recently was the first Saturday of December and my kids are well aware that every first Saturday of the month means that it’s “Kidz Life” time! The gathering started a bit earlier than the previous months (about an hour ahead).
Kidz Life, for those wondering what it is, is actually a praise and worship assembly made just for kids. They sing songs, dance, participate in different activities and learn more about God.
Earlier, they sang a few joyous Christmas songs, they created cute paper candles with a birthday greeting to Jesus which they pasted to a big paper cake.
Here are some pics and videos of my kids during the recent event…
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I was talking to my wife over dinner before taking her to work… and I somehow noticed that no matter what our topic of conversations start out with, we always end up talking about the Lord… isn’t that great?!
We always manage to unconsciously find means to relate and incorporate even our simplest of small talks to God.
She even mentioned last night that whenever I start talking about the Lord and express how I am so much in awe of His presence, my eyes suddenly light up and it’s as if I am a crazed person… desperately in love.
What a wonderful way to be…! Crazily in love with the Lord!
Praise God for this feeling.
