My Mentor's Encouragement

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Today, my mentor, Paul, encourages me with these:

Philippians 3: 7-8

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ

It's OK That I Am Not OK

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Excerpt from the book, "It's OK to be NOT OK."

Thus, it is clear that Christians still do experience defeat. Becoming a Christian does not mean a complete release from all struggle and defeat.

The encouraging thing is that as we accept our realities of defeat in the light of God's mercy and grace, we are changed.

In this world, we can never cross the bridge and come to a side where everything will be OK, where there will be no defeat.  But at least we can cross the bridge as a different person, more open to change, more open to pain, because we have learned to share our pain and defeats with God and with others.

"An umbrella cannot stop the rain, but it allows us to stand in the rain." Lament cannot solve all our problems. But it can create the needed space where we can deal with our sufferings.

The lament, however, is not just a coping tool.  It can become a means of growing in our intimacy with God, By being open to God about our own brokenness and about the real condition of our hearts, we place ourselves in His loving embrace.

It is painful, difficult, tormenting, and agonizing.  But the Lord allows us to go through the darkness so that we may reach out to those who are also in darkness.

Leaving Behind

I am leaving yesterday behind.

I am leaving myself behind.

I am leaving immaturity behind.

I am leaving comfort behind.

I am leaving complacency behind.

I have one goal in mind: To glorify GOD in everything I do.

Two weeks from now, I will turn 29. I am thinking of what to do with my life as I get older another year.

My request to God is this:
Don't let me miss You. Don't let me miss the mighty things You will be doing soon. I don't want to be left out of the inner court.

Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit. And I need to encounter Jesus in a way that would really change my mindset and heartbeat. So Lord, I am dedicating my year to You... only to You. Amen.



[Journal entry: February 13, 2013]

URGENT: Spiritual Inventory

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• Am I really living in an explicable way that reflects Christ?
• Do my lifestyle and character attract others?
• Do others take notice of my conduct that draw them to Christ?
• Am I really being an effective Christian?
• Am I a good ambassador of Jesus?
• Is there a change in me that others would conclude that it is something divine?
• Am I making myself usable by God?
• Am I living out the Word of God?
• Am I a contagious Christian?

[PRAYER]
Father God,

Help me in assessing my spiritual condition and reveal to me, if necessary, convict my heart of anything that displeases You and of anything that is hindering me from giving glory to You. Amen.



[Journal entry: July 9, 2011]

Those Who Do These Will Stand Firm

Psalm 15
A psalm of David.

1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
    Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
    speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
3 Those who refuse to gossip
    or harm their neighbors
    or speak evil of their friends.
4 Those who despise flagrant sinners,
    and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
    and keep their promises even when it hurts.
5 Those who lend money without charging interest,
    and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.

Heartbreaking, Heartwarming #YolandaPH

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It's heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Heartbreaking because of what our fellow Filipinos in Tacloban and in other affected areas are going through right now.

At the same time, it's heartwarming because of the overwhelming response and help given by our own Kababayans and other nations.

It's painful. It's bitter. It's a nightmare to most of us seeing the cry of desperation of our fellowmen. But what shines the most in the midst of this darkness, is the gleaming light of faith, hope, and love... Faith in God. Hope for redemption. Love for humanity.
Good morning Philippines! God bless us all!

 
#prayforthePhilippines #bangonVisayas #hopeintheLord #callonGod #iLovePhilippines #ProudFilipino