First Things First

ODB

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A seminar leader wanted to make an important point, so he took a wide-mouth jar and filled it with rocks. “Is the jar full?” he asked. “Yes,” came a reply. “Oh, really?” he said. Then he poured smaller pebbles into the jar to fill the spaces between the rocks. “Is it full now?” “Yes,” said someone else. “Oh, really?” He then filled the remaining spaces between the rocks and stones with sand. “Is it full now?” he asked. “Probably not,” said another, to the amusement of the audience. Then he took a pitcher of water and poured it into the jar.
“What’s the lesson we learn from this?” he asked. An eager participant spoke up, “No matter how full the jar is, there’s always room for more.” “Not quite,” said the leader. “The lesson is: to get everything in the jar, you must always put the big things in first.”
Jesus proclaimed a similar principle in the Sermon on the Mount. He knew that we waste our time worrying about the little things that seem so urgent but crowd out the big things of eternal value. “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things,” Jesus reminded His hearers. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:32-33).
What are you putting first in your life?

Unbelievable Sale

Wow. Buti na lang malapit yung OMF Publishing sa Summit. Makakapunta ako to buy books! Lots of em! Hehehe.

For more info, navigate here.

Happy Me, Again!

Yehey! I've seen the grades of some of my subjects...

and

I

was

like...

WHOAH!


Three more subjects to go!
I pray I can apply again for an academic scholarship.
Thank you Lord. Ever faithful. :D
Glory to God in the highest!

Happy Me

[Just click on the image for a nicer view]

When God told you to claim his promises.... then CLAIM it! Hahaha!
Genesis 28:15, He is not finished with me yet. :)

Desert Song

Claim it like a child! =p

Genesis 28:15
"I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I promised you."

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This is my prayer in the desert
When all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I’ll stand

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I’ve received I will sow

~Desert Song, Hillsong from This Is Our God

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Penetrates

"In life, pain often functions like cracked lenses. It creates within us a conflict between what we experience and what we believe. Pain can give us a badly distorted perspective on life—and on God. In those times, we need our God to provide us with new lenses to help us see clearly again. That clarity of sight usually begins when we turn our eyes upon the Lord...He will help us to see everything clearly again."

-Our Daily Bread


Joel 2:32
And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved...

Amazing Race

Part of a dream: CAME TRUE!

Today I get to experienced another life- challenging, adrenaline- rising, nose-bleeding, mind- twisting challenges! Haha!

Today we had the chance to participate in LCS's Amazing Race! It's a race around De La Salle University! Imagine we've travelled 27 hectares, going one station after another with 7 competitions! Our team, composed of my BCS32 blockmates and friends: Ilyn, Ralph, Zarah, Florence and Kathleen run like dogs just to finish the race! Though we said before the race that we won't settle for any place other than first, after so much effort and hardwork, sadly, we only got Second Place! But who cares! We get to experienced a not-so-common event in our life and we're very happy every single moment of it. Anyway, here are the stations (they call it 'zones') that we've been through before we get to the finish line! We've started with Zone 4.

1. Eating coffee powder with rice (Amadeo's girl Kathleen did this alone)
   
2. Water-transfer challenge (we all did this, yey!)
   
3. Mind-boggling zone
4. Math problem zone (with confusing instuctions, so we did not able to finish it, haha)
5. Rubix Cube Challenge (hooh, so glad we have Ilyn on our team)
6. Egg-eating challenge (I did this with Zarah and Kath, again)
7. Plate number finding challenge (so unchallenging! haha!)
8. Nation-na-list challenge (of course, Gen. Knowledge expert Ralph did this!)
   
9. Pyramid-building blah blah blah...

Though we weren't able to finish first, we finish strong! Yey! We finish every challenge and we did not quit! Yeah! That's teamwork! Haha! My adrenaline was once again awakened! Hehehe!
So there. Looking forward for more of these things. :D

Us, before the race. Not yet haggards. :D

Us, after the race. Look at my back. Nanggigitata na sa pawis.

Love vs Infatuation

For people who mention 'love' too often. Now it's time to have a new, godly perspective on what truly love is. :D

Taken from True Love Waits Philippines.

How do I know if I am really in love or infatuated?

There is an emotion that can feel as strong as love (because it involves your hormones!), but it isn’t love — it’s infatuation. What is infatuation anyway? What’s the difference between infatuation and real love?

INFATUATION

• is an emotion. Real love is deeper than just emotion. Emotions can’t always be trusted. They will change as circumstances around you change. (For example, when your sick, tired, stressed, fearful, etc.) You are so obsessed with someone you fail to see any faults.

• is love at first sight–fireworks!–bells! You can be infatuated with someone you have never met, like a movie star, or someone you notice at school. Real love takes time. It’s a growing experience based on shared interest, beliefs, and attitudes. A fantasy that is created in one’s mind based on emotion of how things would be if they were paired with another (often specific) person.

• may lead to love over time, but it is not love. Infatuation only takes. Love gives. Infatuation wants to know “What in this for me?” Love says, “What can I do for you? How can I make you a success? How can I meet your needs?”.

• is insecure. Infatuation gets jealous and unreasonable. Love doesn’t. Infatuation fades with time, separation, or change. Love won’t. You’ve heard it said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Well, that is only true with real love. Being apart will kill infatuation over time, because it must take to survive. When someone else comes along who has more to give, infatuation will switch its attention from an old flame to a new one.

• is fueled by passion and lust. Love runs on respect. Example David said he loved Kay and wanted to marry her when they graduated from college. Just before their senior year, Kay’s face was scarred in an automobile accident. By Christmas, David broke off the engagement because he said he no longer loved Kay. What David felt wasn’t real love that says, I love you unconditionally, no matter what. It was infatuation that said I cared because you were…pretty (or sexy, rich, popular, etc.)

Now that we defined what infatuation is, it’s time for you to analyze your relationship with the person you’re with now.

Know if you are IN LOVE or IN LUST…before it’s too late!

What is real love? God describes it for us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Compare your commitment to the real thing and see how you measure up.

LOVE

• Love isn’t blind, but it is unconditional…someone may have the worst habit in the world, but you love them regardless…you know you’re in love when another’s desires become your desires too…you want the best for another. Love is a commitment to the other person, whether the emotions are there or not. It is a type of devotion that will continue when the emotions aren’t there.

• Love is a conscious choice to commit (unto death) to honor and cherish the other person and to do what is best for their good (even if what is best is not you in his or her life). This love is not based on what the other person can do for you, but your choice of loving the other person unconditionally. Emotions can enter in, but love is primarily volitional.
  

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant; love does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; love bears all things, understanding in all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

• Love is patient. When you really love someone, you accept them just as they are. Of course, you encourage them to grow, but you love and accept them unconditionally — no strings attached. Real love allows you to be patient with weaknesses and flaws.

• Love is kind. Love is positive and lifts people up, never pulls them down. Love sees the needs of others, and does what it can to meet those needs. It’s never harshly critical.

• Love is never jealous. Remember, love gives, it doesn’t take. It wants to share time and attention with others. It allows the one you love the freedom to have other friends and interests apart from you. It’s not possessive.

• Love is never boastful. It centers on the other person and not on yourself. If it brags about anything it brags about the one you love.

• Love is not proud. Love keeps you from being full of yourself and keeps you humble. You are proud of your partner and not of yourself for snagging him or her. You realize that person is a gift from God, and not somebody you have earned.

• Love is not rude. Love respects others and show them courtesy. It demands respect from other people toward the one you love.

• Love doesn’t demand its own way. Love thinks about others first. Real love accepts changes in circumstances and people. It produces a concern for the needs of others.

• Love is not irritable or touchy. Love is not too sensitive; it doesn’t take everything so personally. Real love doesn’t wear it’s feelings on a sleeve.

• Love does not hold grudges. Love is able to forgive; it doesn’t dwell on the past failures. In the Old Testaments, a teen named Joseph was sold into slavery by his older brothers. He was taken to a foreign country never to see his home again. Many years later, Joseph became the ruler of that country. One day his brothers came to this country begging for help; they didn't know Joseph was in charge. He had to choice to make: forgive and help them, or hold a grudge and hurt them. What would you have done? Joseph said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” (Gen. 50:20). Essentially he said, “I forgive you.”

• Love is not glad about injustice. Real love doesn’t find pleasure in the pain or wickedness of other people. It doesn’t enjoy finding fault in others.

• Love is glad when truth wins out. Real love is based on truth and honesty. The Bible says perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). Fear is what keeps us from being honest—fear of what our friend will think of us, or fear of what if she knew the truth. Love tells the truth, even though it’s not always pretty.

• Love is loyal no matter what the cost. It will always be faithful and stand by the person loved, no matter what.

• Love always believes. Love is willing to trust. When you really love someone, you’ll believe in her, even when she cannot believe in herself. Again, because there is no fear in love, you trust that person. You’re able to give yourself completely to the relationship.

• Love always expects the best. It will always give a person the benefit of the doubt. Real love is positive, not negative. It looks for the best and finds it.

• Love always stands it grounds in defending the other person. Love is protective (without being jealous), and will continue to love even when it’s not returned.

Now this is the real thing. How do your feelings of love compare with what God says love is? If you love someone, you should see the evidence. Real love can grow and mature if it’s really there. Infatuation cannot produce the actions and attitudes of love. No matter how intense the feelings, it’s not really love.

Remember, the Bible says, God is love (1 John 4:8).

To really know love and be able to love, you must know Him.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

It will not even come from you. It takes God to love. Know Him, for He is the Author of Love. Teach me to love you more Lord! ;)

A Celebration with the Celebrities

Wow. Sobrang saya ng araw na ito! Dahil kaka-birthday ko lang at ilan sa mga co-workers ko, naisipan nila, especially the mastermind Ate Joan, na supposedly i-'surprise' kami! Hehehe, pero hindi na siya surprise sa akin kasi may nag-leak na ng information nung Tuesday at kahinala- hinala ang mga kinikilos nila nung Sunday kaya alam kong may binabalak na silang hindi maganda! Hahaha. Sayang lang, kasi dapat sana sa Tagaytay kami. Sayang at hindi kami natuloy. Nag-eexpect pa man din ako ng matindi- tinding challenges, mala- Survivor ganoon(ipapalabas na ang latest season ng Survivor on Sept 25). Pero nag-enjoy pa rin naman ako. After naming maglakad sa Dasma Bayan ni Cindy ng pagkaini-init(bumili kami ng ingredients ng kakainin namin) piniringan kami ni Ate Joan hanggang COG at doon na nagsimula ang aming kalbaryo. Pinaikot- ikot nila kami sa loob ng Marilag na parang mga laruan!

Ako, Ate Aireen, Kuya RJ, Cindy

Halos masira ang aming mga dangal! Enjoy naman siya kahit mainit. Hahaha. Nakashades pa nga ang Kuya RJ hehehe. Pagkatapos nun ay dinala naman kami sa isang room at hindi pa doon natapos ang aming paghihirap. Pinaupo nila kami na parang iniatiation sa isang fraternity at mukang papaluin pa.

Ako, Ate Aireen, Cindy

Pagkatapos nun ay kung ano-ano ang mga pinakain sa amin!

Me and Jam with Chef Jerich's Specialty

Kadiri yung nasa baso! Pero madali lang naman ang paggawa sa kanya. Kailangan niyo lang ay:

• gummy bears
• egg
• coffee
• cream
• softdrinks (royal ang ginamit namin)
• marshmallow
• asukal (brown sugar ang ginamit namin)
• toyo (optional)
• suka (optional)
  

Then paghalu- haluin niyo lang siya! Grabeng ewww. Hahaha. Pero inubos ko siya ha hehehe. In fairness, masarap ang ketchup ng Jollibee at McDo na hiningi lang namin. Pumasok lang kami then hindi man lang bumili kahit ano. Haha. Kapal ng mukha!

But the greatest part of our agony is when our co-workers told us their inspiring messages and birthday wishes. Hehe. Sobrang nakaka-inspire ang mga sinabi nila, na nakapaggawa ako ng isang blog entry ulit! Hehehe. Sobrang nakakatuwa lang at sobrang nakaka-blessed just hearing them. Indeed we are loved. And if I'm gonna remember the years being with them is like whoah. Ganoon naging ka-faithful si Lord sa mga buhay namin at sa ministry na hanggang ngayon ay magkakasama- sama pa rin kaming naglilingkod still by His grace pa rin. And sobrang nakaka-blessed ang mga ate at kuya kasi nagrespond sila sa call ng generation namin. We need people of God who will father our generation. Sobrang bulok na ang generation natin and praise God for sharing their hearts to us.

Ate's and Kuya
Kuya Jem, Ate Aileen, Ate Mhe, Ate Joan

Sa mga lider namin na sobrang tiyaga at sobrang pasensiya para turuan kami at i-disciple kami. Ha! Especially kay Ate Mhe na talaga namang andami kong natutunan. Always telling me to always treat people with love, speak with kindness, open-up, etc. Ate Joan who has answers for everything! And has so much love for us! Bakit? Kasi she's overflowing with love! Love from the Author of Love.

Ate Mhe! Naiyak pa. Hehe. :)

Happy Birthday sa lahat!

Celebrity! =P
Josh, Kuya RJ, Mad, Panjei, Ate Aireen, Cindy

SALAMAT sa lahat. At HAPPY BIRTHDAY sa lahat!
(I'll post the video of Ate Mhe's message while crying, soon, sa multiply, kung papayag siya hehehe)
(at video namin habang kinakain ang nakakadiring bagay, soon din, sa multiply)

I Have A Creator =)

"Men go abroad to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering."

-St. Augustine

"For God dost form my inward parts,
God didst weave me in my mother's womb,
I will give thanks to God,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

-Psalm 139:13-14