Feeding Your Soul with Good Things (Investing in Good Books)

Shot by Marvin Aldovino

At a young age, I enjoyed reading books about Bible stories, devotionals, literature, inspirational, facts, love and relationships, health, worship, even Christian novels and the Relentless book, the Bible. It has been my lifestyle since then.

Who influenced me? Because I grew up in a Christian school, we were required to read literature books regularly as part of our PACE requirements. Though we were required to do so, I enjoyed it. My mother who is also a book reader, always bought expensive books for us like Bible stories and Christian health books. The story about Queen Esther was my favorite and even Prophet Elijah! Also, my Ninang Gigi, the manager of Phil. Christian Book Store - Lucena, contantly gives me Spirit-filled books as birthday gift or Christmas gift since I was young and until now. 

Shot done by Marvin Aldovino

My zeal in feeding my soul with good books grew more when I became part of Young Ezra Society, a group of young writers mentored by Ptr. Ronald Molmisa, the author of Lovestruck books. He really encouraged us to read and read books for it will help us to be good writers for the next generation someday.

Well, that was how my reading lifestyle began. I was taught to invest in books that will help me strengthen my faith in God  and will give me wisdom as I live this life. And it did and still will. God even used a cool book, (Lovestruck [white]: Lab mo ba siya, Sure ka ba?) to help me move on from a teenage heartache! And for those who are waiting for God's best, promise, it's really a big help. He even used books to cultivate my leadership and public speaking skills for the young generation. Who would've thought that I would be a youth leader of hundreds of young people in our church and would be a public speaker of different colleges and schools in Quezon?

So what could I say to the young ones? Invest in good books too! And when I say good books, it must be based on God's Word written by Spirit-filled men and women. You'll never know what's gonna happen if you won't try. And by reading this blog, I know God is speaking to your heart to start gaining wisdom. Feed your soul and spirit! You need wisdom that comes from God! It will shape you to be that successful one God intended you to be!

So here are my books that I've currently read, still reading and will be reading soon. (Pahapyaw pa lang ito sa aking book world) Just scroll down =) 

I bought this book just this July 2018 at PCBS - Lucena. It already made an impact on
how I work as a Business Counselor in my workplace and Youth Leader.
It gives motivation to ACT on it! 

This has been one of my long time desire to read, but God surprised me!
I just received this lovely book this August 2018
from a man after God's own heart. Now in the 1st Chapter!

Photo Credits: OMF Literature
I've got a copy of these cool books given by the Lovestruck books author himself, Ps. Ronald Molmisa. This man of God really influenced me big time when it comes to writing, ministering and waiting in God's perfect time. 

Had an autograph by Kuya Marlon Molmisa with my girls, Leah and Bless at Lovestruck Convergence 2017.
The Game Plan of the Underdog helped me not to focus on my weaknesses,
but improve myself with all the gifts God has given me to make an impact to
other people's lives. 

Mahhhhh novel book given by my younger sister Bernice from
New Zealand. Travel back in time as you read this book during  
Queen Esther's life.
Inspired me to be the woman God wants me to be. 

The first Christian Novel I bought in New Zealand.
Ginger Garrett did a great job writing this one!
A soulful book. It was like you are living during the
Old Testament and I felt like I've gone through
a time machine!!!

More books from Ps. Ronald Molmisa. <3 =)

A book from our CLB Chairman, Kuya Double!!! An anointed book
indeed!

I just borrowed it from my cousin and disciple, Engr. Adah. <3 =)
Ru Dela Torre's writing here was so authentic. I''ve been
reading his books, Road Trip when I was in high school.
I really touched my heart to pursue and believe in Jesus more.  

Done ready these soul-touching books!!!
Mr. and Mrs. Poon nailed it! Oh well, I really read it for me to be ready when I enter a relationhip
with God's best. haha...
The Kasi Hindi Ako Ganun Kaganda book was well-written by my co-wrister (writer-sister in Christ in
Young Ezra Society), Ate Rigel Fortaleza. Nakaka-proud siya! This book emphasized how valued we are in Christ
as His princesses. It reminded me that I should base how I view myself in God's perspective, that
I am beautiful because His Word says so!

My favorite page in Lovestruck Sexy Edition! <3

Again, a book from that man after God's own heart. It really
change how I view prayer. So awesome. Thank you, Jesus!

Panget Ba Ako?

Photo credits: Pilipinas TV

Am I not enough? Pangit ba ako?,” marubdob na sabi ni Cali (Liza Soberano) kay Gio (Enrique Gil) sa pelikulang “My Ex & Whys” na ipinalabas noong February 2017.

Ikaw, natanong mo na din ba ito? Kung nagawa mo na, ramdam kita, bes. Hindi ka nag-iisa.

Ayon sa isang study na ibinalita ng The Philippine Star noong taong 2005, five (percent) lang sa mga Pinay ang itinuturing na maganda ang kanilang sarili. Nakakalungkot pero yan ang totoo. Hindi lang mga Pinay ang nakaka-experience n’yan maging ang ibang lahi. According sa research ng Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) na inilabas noong taong 2016, “British kids as young as three (3) think they are fat and ugly.”

Bakit nga ba nakaka-isip ang nakararami ng ganitong bagay? Anong dahilan?

Dahil ba konti lang ang likes, hearts at wows ng profile picture? Sa sobrang powerful ng social media sa panahon natin ngayon, marami tayong makikitang iba’t ibang larawang talagang pinaghandaan at ginalingan ang pose, porma, background at kilay. Maaaring dahil dito nai-ikumpara ng karamihan ang kanilang sarili sa ibang tao.

O kaya naman, yung iba, iniwan ng kanilang minamahal at ipinagpalit sa iba o na-reject na sa isang audition o job interview. Isa pang maaring dahilan ay baka na-bully at nasabihan sila na “Pangit ka! Ha ha ha!” Ayan tuloy, nadala hanggang paglaki.

Pero ang pinakamasakit sa lahat ay kung ikaw mismo, ganyan ang tingin mo sa sarili mo dahil pinakikinggan mo ang bulong ni taning (Satan) sa puso mo.

Sa totoo lang, hindi ako naging exempted sa pagkakaroon ng feeling na pangit ako.

One time, pasakay ako ng isang sasakyan. Bukas na ang pinto at papasok na ako, pero biglang may nagsabi na, “Ma-una ang magaganda.”  Tas pinapasok niya yung isang girl na maganda nga na nasa likod ko. Nagulat ako nun. Grabeng sama sa pakiramdam. Para na niya akong sinampal ng malakas, sabay sabing, “Pangit ka, Dara!”

P.S. Nung panahong ito po ay tinadtad ng pimples ang mukha ko. 

Maybe we all had this worst day feeling ever. Baka hindi nga lang isang araw. Tama ba? But I think tama na ang pakikinig sa mga negatibong sinasabi ng ibang tao o ng kaaway tungkol sa sa’yo. And start knowing what God has to say about you and me.

Sa Awit 139:13-14 ASND, pinuri ni Haring David si Yahweh. Sinabi niya, “Kilala n’yo ako, dahil kayo ang lumikha sa akin. Kayo ang humugis sa akin sa tiyan ng aking ina. Kahanga-hanga ang pagkagawa n’yo sa akin, kaya kayo ay aking pinupuri. Alam kong ang inyong mga gawa ay tunay na kahanga-hanga.”

Kailangang mong malaman sa kaibuturan ng iyong kalooban na nilikha ka ng Diyos. Siya ang humugis sa’yo. May purpose Siya kung bakit kayumanggi o puti ang kulay ng balat mo. If you think you are ugly and a mistake, i-delete mo na ‘yan sa isip mo. Kailanman hindi Siya nagkamali sa pagkakalikha sa’yo. You are precious in His sight. 

Sa dinami-dami ng tao sa mundong ito, wala kang kaparehas. Unique ka. At kahit ano pa ang tingin mo o ng ibang tao sa iyo, mataba ka man o payat, makinis ang balat or hindi, mahal ka Niya at gusto Niyang malaman mo ‘yun sa pamamagitan ni Kristo Hesus.

Through Christ, God is able to give you a crown of beauty instead of ashes. Bukod dito, kaya Niyang linisin lahat ng kadungisan mo inside and out. You just have to put your confidence in Him and let Him mold you again into a better version of yourself than before. Tiwala lang sa Diyos, kapatid. Sabi nga ni Ginger Garrett, the author of The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther, “We honor God when we present ourselves, by faith, as beautiful.” 

Believe that you are and smile! 

When Fear Strikes But Faith Moves...(CSC Examination 2016)

This was the sticky note I posted on my desktop a few weeks 
before the result of the Civil Service Commission Examination 
(CSCE) - Professional Level - a by-faith gesture.

Examination - ito ang kinakatakutan ng karamihan like exams sa school, exams sa job application, board exams, at kung ano-ano pang exam. Actually parang lovelife din ito. Dito titibok ang puso mo ng mabilis o kaya naman dito ka rin matatakot magtake ng risk kasi ayaw mo nang masaktan ulit.

Sa mga ganitong sitwasyon talaga, wala kang ibang magagawa kundi ang magtiwala sa Diyos at hindi magpanic.

Because I work in a government agency as a special project service provider, I needed to take the Civil Service Commission Examination. It is really a MUST.

Sabi nung Admin namin, kapag di ko daw mapapasa itong exam on October 23, 2016, hindi na mare-renew ang aking contract. Honestly, I felt the pressure.

Nung una, ayaw ko na sanang mag-exam kasi natatakot na akong magfail muli. Nag-exam na din kasi ako noon and I failed. Siyempre, masakit yun. So I feared to fail again. Buti na lang may mga ginamit si Lord na sitwasyon at mga tao to encourage me para mag-exam ulit ako. So I ended up as an examinee again! (haha)
Before the exam on October 23, 2016, naging speaker ako sa youth night ng church namin, and guess what, ang mga youth na umattend ay mga Electronics and Communications Board and CSC examinees. Yung feeling na same kami lahat ng struggle. And topic that I was going to share was about wisdom from God. Of course, as someone to speak in front of them, I should be the one who would encourage them and not to make them feel down. It was really an opportunity to be used by God to lift their confidence up through His Spirit and Word. Thank God, it was a success talk. Nung time na yun, even myself was encouraged. Nagkaroon ako ng hope na makakapasa din ako.

What I did was I prepared again for the exam. Di mawawala ang prayer and Word of God. I reviewed subjects such as Math, English, Philippine Constitution, Analogy and Logic,etc. I also attended the CSCE free review from our office. It was really a privilege. Salamat din sa Lord for my cousin Adah na di sumuko sa pagtuturo sa akin magsolve ng problems sa Math. Para makapagfocus talaga ako nun, I deactivated my facebook account, then I went straightly home after work. Bawal muna pumunta ng mall. Ganito talaga kapag may gusto ka ma-achieve, you need discipline.

I did what I could do in the exam and just entrusted the result to Father God. After 40 days of waiting for the result, on December 3, 2016, Saturday, my sister, Bernice and my disciple, Trish, told me that I passed the exam! Sarap sa feeling! Lalo na't kasama sa tagumpay mo ang pamilya mo at mga taong minamahal mo. I really wanted to make my parents and family proud of me too.

Sa totoo lang, alam ko, ang Diyos ng karunungan ang tumulong sa akin para makapasa. Hindi ko ito kaya gamit lang aking sariling kakayanan. Believe me, lalo na sa Math.

Kaya naman I want to give my God the glory, the God Who knows everything about me but still loved me and saved me.

To sum it all up, this Bible verse, James 1:5 that says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault and it will be given to you, was God's promise from His Holy Word I held on to before, during and after the examination. Actually, it is one of my life verses.

And this is so true. Every time I ask Him to give me wisdom in a certain situation, He gives me wisdom. Kapag nangako Siya, tinutupad Niya. GOD is faithful and true. Kaya naman laging tayong magtiwala sa Kanya at sa Kanyang mga Salita. =)

Hindi ako, kundi Ikaw sa buhay ko.

Practical Tips:
1. Mag-practice magsolve ng maraming MATH problems ng mabilis na walang gamit na calculator. Also, magreview ng English. Sa Math and English kasi ang pinakamaraming questions.
2. I-search na agad kung saan ang school/room mo sa exam proper before the day of your exam. 
3. Eat breakfast before exam. Mahirap magsagot ng questions kapag walang laman ang tiyan. 
4. Magdala din ng mangunguya at bottled water. Allowed naman yan. Effective silang pampagising. Nung nag-exam ako, almonds ang dala kong snacks. Bukod sa nakakagising sya dahil sa pagchew, it also boosts specific brain functions.
5. Magdala din ng two to three ballpens para may reserve ka in case of ink emergencies.
6. For professional takers, mayroong 170 items in 3 hours and 10 minutes. Kung hindi alam ang sagot sa isang item, lampasan na lang muna. Dapat tuloy-tuloy ang iyong pagsagot. 
According to PH Civil Service Reviewer, allow an average of one minute per question in English exams and a one-and-a-half minute average for math questions. 
7. Basahin at intindihin ang bawat tanong. =) 

            TO GOD BE THE GLORY                                   

Below are some of the inspirational quotes I found in facebook that God also used to encourage me during those times. I hope it will encourage you too! ALWAYS BELIEVE IN HIM! Nothing is impossible with God!

Photo Credits: Christine Caine

Below was one of my reviewers. A good help to practice answering tests. Thanks 1taker.com.
Here's the link. https://1taker.com/civil-service-exam-complete-reviewer-philippines/

You Still Came

Even though You know she was far
You still came
Even though You know she didn't have time for You
You still came
You are a Lover that is so faithful and true
So right now, I just want to thank You

I LOVE YOU.

DEAR GOD'S BEST (2nd letter)

I decided to write this letter because first and foremost, 

I want to honor God with my heart and I want to honor you as my future love.

In these past years, I've been dealing with trust issues. 

There was a fear inside of me that kept on bursting not to trust people, especially, men.

 Something happened in the past that really hurt my heart. 

(I'm gonna tell it to you when it's time.)

And this past kept on holding me back and hurting me. 

It really affected my trust in people and sadly, in my relationship with God. 

And I just want to say sorry because 

I thought that I couldn't trust you either. 

That wrong mindset gave me an idea that you will also leave and betray me. 

And this fear, I surrender to Jesus. 

I'm sorry for judging you too early. 

I'm sorry for almost giving up on waiting for that 

God-given and orchestrated time
that we'll see each other with our very own eyes. 

Forgive me. 
I'm sorry for being self-centered. 
I CHOOSE TO LET GO OF THE PAST AND GIVE IT TO ABBA FATHER'S HANDS.
From now on, I CHOOSE TO TRUST GOD that He is able to move mightily
in our story. And I CHOOSE TO TRUST YOU. 

I am persistently praying that God will work in my heart

 to fully trust Him on this and that 

He will also work in you as we continue to live out God's purpose in our lives. 

Honestly, I am still in the process, 

especially in the PATIENCE AND TRUST section. 

I've seen and heard love stories failed because God wasn't at the center. 

And you know, I really want to do it right. 

Though, the world says, it is impossible,
but with our God it is so possible. 

It is still possible to wait for that right time.

It is possible to have a relationship that doesn't manipulate,

nor put earthly desires first. 

It is possible not to give our first kiss until the wedding day. 

Know that I am always praying for you. 

May the God of peace rule in our hearts as we wait on Him.

May we always be filled with love, joy, faith and hope from the Holy Spirit. 

With much love and anticipation,

Your sister in Christ and

Your future wife.