Use Thy Gifts

When I was still clouded with insecurities, low self-esteem and fear before, I always tell myself that I don’t have any talents nor I can do anything. I’m so shallow that when there are people doing small things which are different, I was easily amazed and felt jealous. I even blame my parents for being deprived of things other people gain from their riches, I was thinking then that if they only give me all the things I needed, I will be as good as those people I envied. –See how dull it is. I lived with these negative thoughts throughout my life but one very thing I kept on wondering was – in spite of all these obnoxity, I was still being taken cared of and blessed with a better life than others.

This was all answered when I started my curiosity about Jesus. I noticed that if you are interested in something, you’ll find a way to know it more and more. I started looking for answers and I believe God assisted me in the right way. I went to many Christian churches, and was able to join Couples for Christ.. –this started everything. My spiritual health began to nourish and little by little, took away my wrong thoughts about myself. God uses His people as instruments to make me a totally new person. I was grateful to what He has done for me. Even greater, He lead me the way to be closer to my brother here in California who encourages me more of my faith with Jesus. He put me in their church, New Life Christian Fellowship which made my understanding deeper with the weekly teaching of their Pastor and spiritual conversations with his family. I was able to realize things I don’t think I ever had before—and these are my gifts.

I learned that everybody has given a gift, big or small, unrecognized or obvious. These are all from God if we treasure and claim it. Gifts that are already within us ever since and the only thing we needed to do is to make it richer and pure. Make use of it in the right and best way we can. Thank God for thy gifts and offer them back to Him – for He is worthy of all of these. How?

As simple as this writing, I don’t even consider this as a gift before, but now I’m using this to reach other people as a form of thanksgiving and to serve Him in the littlest way I know. From now on my knowledge in computers will be shared to others according to what God has planned for it. My patience in teaching as what I worked before being Class Instructor can be used in trying to deliver what I know. Gifts of tongue, friendship, and love made my little ways into its biggest mission and that is – to serve our Almighty God.

If you know how to play guitar, use it – in fellowship;
If you are an athlete, use your power to reach your team mates and introduce God;
If you are a teacher, use it in spreading the word of God;
If you are a caregiver – read the Bible to your patient, show them goodness;
If you are good in photography – use it in showing the beauty God had created for us;
If you’re a simple worker – use it, give hope to others by helping your colleagues in getting out from the darkness;
If you’re a musician – use it in giving glory to the Lord;
If you’re a lawyer – use it to give the right justice for all who are in need;

A simple task you can give may create a big impact to others as what had happened to my life. Use thy gifts and share it with others.

Fun Day with our Friends

One thing we’ll surely missed in Maryland is our dear friends who made us understand that homesickness doesn’t exist in America. They were the ones who accepted us for who we are. They helped and supported us till our last day in Maryland. When we left them I felt the same way I did the day I separated from my family in the Philippines. Truly, they made a significant part in our lives. Friends, who we can count on and always there for us in times of fun or trouble. Our CFC Family made us grow in love – love for God and love for family. They inspired us to be in our best, as individuals and as children of God. They totally changed our lives for the better. God really works in mysterious ways. I knew from the very start that meeting the CFC organization was not an accident. They are instruments of God used to make our struggled lives straightened. I owe to them the happiness and the peace of mind me and my family are enjoying right now. For all of these, we take this opportunity to thank them for everything. Our CFC Household Family, Bro. Jun and Sis. Babes Sacay, Annette and her family, Connie and her Family who were there in the last days of our stay in Maryland.

The video clip below will show you how much fun to be with them. You may need to increase the volume because the original music background I used was not loud enough. (Music by Wayne Waltner – God, Family and Friends)








We miss you so much!!! God Bless you all!!! Continue bringing God's blessing to all!!!

Al, Lorie and Clarence

Each Day, Another Chapter!

When I was not into CFC (Couples for Christ) yet, I don’t know how to start using the Bible. Some have told me things about it. One has said that people who are bringing the book are hypocrites because they are exposing it when they have a bag to keep it, another said to the one who carries it, “What’s the gimmick?” But most often I heard people saying that they got answers from it. I’m really confused why some people find it waste of time while others claim it as wisdom. Two people has attested to me that when they are in their lowest moments of their lives, they just get the bible, open it and in front of them is a scripture which lifts them up and resolves their confused minds. I can say that people who has lack in knowledge about the Bible has no right to say anything bad about it. Like, you cannot give criticism to a movie that you, yourself haven’t watched. I, myself is still discovering what it can offer to my life and I’m happy that I was accepted in CFC to make this process possible for me. I cannot say anything yet about the Bible because I don’t want to make mistakes on describing it, all I know is, there’s a purpose why in a very long time, it is still in existence. Having joined the Christian Life Program made me committed in their objectives and goals. Like a husband to my wife, or a father to my son, I have an obligation and interest to pursue. One of them is to read the Bible.

Many might want to try reading the Bible but the often question they have in minds is “How/Where should I start?” In the Bible Reading Guide that CFC provided me, they made it very simple and easy. It has a checklist like this:



Each day, one chapter. That’s really easy, if you can spend a lot of time doing junk in the internet, why don’t you try giving some minutes to do this. They asked us to do this for at least 15 minutes a day. They also recommended the following:

1. Say a short prayer before you start reading, asking for the Holy Spirit to enlighten you and for God’s Word to find a home in your heart.
2. Read the text through quickly. Then read it again, this time slowly and trying to understand more fully.
3. Meditate on what you have read, especially those portions that struck you.

When I opened Mark’s Gospel, It says in the introduction that it’s an ideal starting place for someone (like me) who knows little about Jesus. It’s style --—simple sentences, without complicated transitions or long speeches ----makes understanding easier. I realized it’s true, it made me wanting to read more when I started. It’s my 10th day today and I just read Chapter 10 a moment ago. Who can say that the old Bible we found under the pile of books in my Aunt’s house in the Philippines will be useful for me. Now I know why we were able to dig it up and brought here in US.

Singing is Praying Twice

Singing is praying. When one sings one prays twice - so said the great Saint Augustine. While singing in the front of the Lord, we are in touch with the deepest center of our heart. Whatever moves there, comes out before our Creator as a loving offering to Him. The emotions of joy, grief, anger and frustration pour out in the presence of the Lord in loving trust and total self-surrender.

Singing together is praying together - brothers and sisters in deep communion with each other in the overflowing love of God. Praising God in song draws down double graces too.

Singing right doesn't exclude off-tuned singers. It is when you sing with all your heart and soul as an offering to God Almighty. Before, I sing quietly in church because I know that I’m one of the off-tuned people who can’t raise a note. Funny because I do that just not to look stupid, but I realized it does made me look more stupid when there’s a crowd singing then there I am, showing how much shy to sing. It’s different now, if you know that you are singing as a family with the same objective, you’ll not feel any awkwardness. You can shout without anyone noticing you. I found myself singing so loud whenever we give worship and praises to the Lord. Why don’t you try these songs below. Don Moen is one of our favorites.







ADS

Good News!

Last night was not an ordinary night for me and my family because it was the night we believed God has prepared for us. It was a glorious celebration when we have been baptized once again as Catholics or should I say Christian Catholics, receiving divine gifts from God and the wisdom and knowledge from the Holy Spirit. Many might raise their eyebrows or do their prejudices and might consider us fools, I can’t blame them, they have their own opinions and beliefs but for us, it didn’t bother a thing since we are here to please no one but God. We are willing to be Fools if that will mean serving our Creator. We are all servants of the Lord. You know what? It felt really great, an indescribable feeling. The very first time I, myself can’t believe that it’s all happening to me. I think that’s why there is a name called Heaven when you really felt that you are talking with Jesus alone, one on one with extreme happiness. It’s very uplifting. Everything will stop but your heartbeat. You will see that the world is so little compared to the greatness of God. Being considered and accepted as one important human being not only in our group but in the whole world. I believed that I suddenly found my purpose. They made me enter in one silent room after a long meditation of prayers and praises, the 3 of our Christian leaders reassured to me that I have the power to talk with Jesus in my own will, my own prayer, my own belief and strength, and you know what, I did! While I’m doing it, with all their pray-over’s, I didn’t notice that so much tear drops are rolling down my cheeks, a moment I promised myself that will never happen, that I will have to cry. I didn’t feel any embarrassment or pride. All I know was I felt new and cleansed. This is what I’ve been longing for, a life that is free of guilt, has peace of mind and true happiness. And that all happened when I surrendered myself to Jesus.

Many might be asking, especially to those who really knew me, how did it happen? Well it happened when everything seems falling in their proper places, I did not exert much effort but it just happened right before our own eyes. Even before we got here in US, my wife and I have been looking for our place to be with God. We tried different Christian groups in the Philippines, each one is great but the problem still lied within us. We always find a reason not to maintain it. It’s like a roller coaster ride, one time, we will be there but most times we’re not. Here in US, it took us 2 years before we got to know that there’s a Christian Life Program pillared by Filipinos like us. Our constant problem of not being in the church every Sundays has been solved when we joined this program. Here how it goes. One Sunday, actually it’s an Easter Sunday, I told myself to attend the mass not at the usual church we go to but in Sacred Heart Jesus church with two goals in mind. First to have my catholic obligation be done and second to see the Sacred Heart private school I’m considering for my son’s preschool. As usual, I wasn’t able to finish the mass since Clarence is so impatient inside the church disturbing everybody by screaming and making lots of noises. I decided to go out and just pray a little. I felt a little guilt because I got really mad at my son and thought of making it up on him by going to the nearest play park. When we were in the park, someone asked me to which chapter I belong? I didn’t get it because I have no idea that there will be a group of people having an Easter celebration on that place and on that very instant. I believed God has proven His power once again by bringing us all together in one place and in one time. Everything has really a purpose; my son’s mischief that I thought was unreasonable was actually the way for us to be driven towards Him. The man who approached me introduced us to the group whom I’ve heard a lot of times before, it’s the Couples for Christ or CFC. I asked if they could still fit us in and they are very welcoming in accepting us to be a part of their group without any questions at all. The funny part is, the venue of our meetings are regularly held at Sacred Heart of Jesus church, I didn't need to look for it since I was able to searched for it before in finding a good school for Clarence. Last night was our 9th talk and done with baptism. Who can tell that a shy person like me, who can’t talk in front of many people, is now sharing my life experiences with God to other people in our every session. To God be the Glory! To Jesus we commit ourselves and everything in us.