My Lovestruck Encounter 2 (For a Greater Purpose)

Dahil sobrang na-blessed talaga ang buhay ko sa Lovestruck ministry, palagi na akong nakatambay sa Lovestruck facebook page. Ang dami kong na-discover na articles about sa love at kay God, at pati na rin mga nakakakilig na istorya ng buhay pag-ibig ng iba't ibang tao. Ibang-iba talaga kapag si LORD ang nagsulat ng love story mo at hindi lang dahil sa bugso ng damdamin.

Taong 2012 nang mag-post si Ptr. Ronald na naghahanap siya ng mga kabataang may puso at kasanayan sa pagsusulat para sa kapurihan ng Diyos upang turuan at sanayin pa sa larangang ito. Yun yung time nahihikayat muli akong ipagpatuloy ang aking pagsusulat. Kaya lang, hindi ako naka-abot sa deadline para ipasa ang aking mga sulatin. PERO (all caps pa!), nag-post ulit si Pastor para mag-invite pa ang mga hahabol na magpasa. Hindi ko na pinalampas ang pagkakataon na yun dahil alam ko na talagang tinatawag ako ng LORD para magsulat. At salamat sa Panginoon, isa ako sa mga napili para mabigyan ng pagkakataon na maturuan mismo ni Ptr. Ronald! Napasigaw pa nga ako nung nalaman ko yun. It was superb!

Young Ezra Society (Y.E.S), ito ang pangalan ng official writing mentoring program ni Ptr. Ronald. Sobrang dami ko talagang natutunan mula kay Pastor. Masaya din ako dahil nakilala ko ang magagaling na Y.E.S. mentees and future book authors na sila Ate Phoebe Tabay, Ate Rigel Fortaleza at Eunice Punzalan (my WRIST's/ writing sisters), at syempre si Kuya Mark Libunao, ang co-Quezonian ko. Na-meet namin sina Kuya Rei Crizaldo, the author of Boring Ba Ang Bible Mo at Kuya Mighty Rasing, the author of May Powers Ka To Be Super Epic. They are friends of Ptr. Ronald and they were our guest speakers in our mentoring sessions.

The great thing was we were not just taught to write skillfully, but also to become closer to the Source of every talent and gift--Almighty God. And the best part was we were able to share our God-inspired writings not only with the Y.E.S. mentees ourselves, but also with the thousands of Lovestruck facebook members and of course, with our online and offline friends too. At dahil din dito, nagkaroon ako ng heart para magkaroon muli ng newsletter ang youth ministry namin sa aming church, ang Christian Light Bearers (C.L.B.) Newletter. Kakaibang saya kapag may mga na-bless sa pamamagitan ng iyong sulatin. And all the glory belongs to God.

Bukod dito, nagkaroon din ako ng desire para marating ng Lovestruck ministry ang aming church at Quezon province. At sakto dahil nabanggit din ito sa amin ni Pastor Ronald nung year 2012. We've been praying for this to happen. And this year is God's perfect time. Magkakaroon na ng Lovestruck Convergence sa Quezon! Totoo talagang ang lahat ng bagay ay may kadahilanan. Minsan ito ay nagsisimula sa mga pangyayaring hindi natin inaasaahang may maganda pa lang maidudulot.

Nagsimula sa unforgettable heartaches, hanggang sa nadiskubre ang Lovestruck books at Lovestruck facebook page at mas madami pang natutunan sa larangan ng pagsusulat thru Y.E.S., papuntang Quezon Province upang mas marami pang ma-Lovestruck kay LORD. All was for a greater purpose indeed! All for Him.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV

My LOVESTRUCK Encounter (Love niya ba talaga ako o Joke lang?)

Taong 2010 nang aking na-encounter sa PCBS-Lucena ang first-ever lovestruck book, ang Love Mo Ba Siya, Sure Ka Ba Edition written by Ptr. Ronald Molmisa. Simula't sapul mahilig na talaga akong magbasa ng mga libro at tumambay sa PCBS, National Bookstore at Booksale.  I was a 3rd year BSBA student back then. Hinding hindi ko makalilimutan ang taong ito dahil dito ako nagkaroon ng isang malaking selebrasyon ng aking buhay, ang aking 18th birthday. Sa taong ito rin ako nagkaroon ng dalawang heartache. Natatawa na nga lang ako ngayon habang isinusulat ko ang sulating ito. At ang mga heartache na ito ang nag-lead sa akin para mabasa ko ang Lovestruck book. Parehong masakit ang naramdaman ng aking puso sa dalawang pangyayaring yun.

Una, nalaman kong ang aking nagustuhang guy ay ikakasal na pala sa parehong buwan ng aking kaarawan. Ouch! Kasama pa naman siya sa 18 roses ko. At heto pa ang big revelation, few months before my debut, humingi pala siya ng sign kay LORD na kapag kasama siya sa 18 roses ng debut ko, hihintayin niya ako hanggang sa maging handa na akong pumasok sa relasyon. Oh well, huli na ang lahat ng nalaman niya ito. One year nga pala ang tanda nya sa akin. Hindi ko na pahahabain pa. (As of now, alam ko na masaya na siya sa buhay may pamilya niya at syempre masaya din ako para sa kanila.)

Heto na ang second heartache. Dahil naging vulnerable yung heart ko imbis na magtanda sa nakaraan, muli akong nagkagusto sa isang guy. Classmate ko siya. Halos lahat na ata ng gusto ko sa isang lalaki nasa kanya na. May isa nga lang na kulang at eto ang dahilan kung bakit ko nabreak ang 6:14 Rule. Sobrang na-attach yung emotions ko sa kanya kahit alam ko na hindi siya Christian. Unfortunately, may gusto din sa kanya yung friend ko. Dami din kasing may gusto kay guy eh. Nung una ako talaga yung gusto nya kaya nga lang, pinili nya yung friend ko. Ouch ulet! Basta madami pang nangyari. (Currently, sila pa din nung friend ko. Four years na sila. And of course masaya din ako para sa kanila.)

Ang tanong, ano nga bang ginawa ko pagkatapos ng lahat ng ito? Tumakbo ako. Tumakbo ako hindi para maghabol ng pag-ibig. No way! Tumakbo ako sa LORD at pumunta sa PCBS para magbasa ng libro. I know na ang Holy Spirit ang nag-lead sa akin sa mga panahong iyon. Saktong sakto dahil kapa-publish noon ng first Lovestruck book. Ang galing talaga ng LORD. It was very timely. Yung feeling na habang binabasa ko yung book, sakto talaga sa mga pinagdaanan ko. Nakita ko ang aking mga pagkakamali at nalaman ko din ang aking mga dapat gawin. Natututo din akong magpatawad. Muling nabuhay ang first love ko sa Kanya. Siya na lagi na lang nandyan para ako ay itayo sa aking mga pagkakamali. I really thanked God because He showed His love for me, this LOVE that I can never find in this world and this LOVE that rescued me and protected me from more heartaches. After that year, I truly committed my heart to Him that I will put HIM first and will just wait until He gives me His best for me. Bumili din ako ng bumili ng Lovestruck books para ibigay sa aking friends and classmates.

Hindi pa dito nagtatapos ang Lovestruck fever. I searched sa internet ang Lovestruck ministry at nakita ko ang LOVESTRUCK Facebook group. Hindi ko na pinalampas ang pagkakataon at talagang sumali ako. Sobrang na-blessed ako sa mga post ni Pas Ronald at ng iba pang members. (To be continued..)

"Quezon Avenue" - Lucena City

This poem is called "Local Color." It is a detailed setting forth of the characteristics of a particular locality, enabling the reader to "see" the setting (definition from tnellen.com). This writing became popular during the Period of Transition after the national struggle of America. 

What an overwhelming sound to hear
Full of lovely birds that sing and cheer
Joyfully playing above the electric string
Watch out for the droppings they may bring

Many people are busily working
While others are obliviously walking
See all the things you can buy
Prepare your money inside your pocket to fly

But in spite of the things this place are offering
Poor people and street children are also suffering
Does the heart of people became cold
Cheer up! God is working to guide people to be called

Ang Pakwan. Bow.

Ito ang prutas na paborito kong kainin

Talaga nga namang kay sarap nitong namnamin

Hugis bola, kulay pula at luntian

Nakakatakam at napakagandang pagmasdan

Ngunit isang araw nang ito'y aking tikman

Di ako nasiyahan sa aking nalasahan

Hindi masarap, hindi rin matamis

Sa paborito kong pakwan, ako'y na-inis

Aking natutunan na dapat pa lang hintayin

Ang tamang araw na dapat ito'y kainin

Hindi sa panahong pangsariling kagustuhan

Kundi sa araw ng paghinog para ito'y makamtan

Mayroong panahon sa lahat ng bagay

Turo sa akin ng Dakilang Manlilikhang mapagbigay
Kaya naman ako'y maghihintay ng may ngiti
Sa Kanyang inihandang oras di ako magsisisi

Photo Credits: sodahead.com

TOP 3 PAALALA FOR MUSIC TEAMS

Paalala No. 3

-PURSUE EXCELLENCE. The word ‘excel’ is defined as “be exceptionally good at or proficient in an activity or subject according to Oxford dictionary.” Syempre, hindi basta-basta ang ating Hari. Nararapat lamang na ibigay natin ang ating BEST. Kung lampas pa nga ng 100% ang magagawa natin para sa Kanya, bakit hindi natin ibigay, diba? HE DESERVES our ALL. Todo na ‘to! Kanta kung kanta. Sayaw kung sayaw. Tugtog kung tugtog. Talon kung talon!

Paalala No. 2

-KEEP A PURE HEART OF WORSHIP. Pagdating sa pagsamba sa ating Hari, di mawawala ang HEART ISSUE. Dito papasok ang mga tanong na, "Bakit ka nga ba natugtog, nasayaw o nakanta?", "Para kanino mo ba ito ginagawa?", “Are you a pure vessel of His presence”? Ikaw lang ang makakasagot niyan. Bilang Levites sa panahon ngayon, nararapat lamang na alagaan natin ang ating puso at panatiliin itong DALISAY para sa Kanya. Psalm 24:3-4 says, “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully.” Anong ibig sabihin nito? Ang kinaluluguran ng Diyos sa harapan ng Kanyang banal na trono ay yung mga mayroon malinis na kamay at pusong dalisay. 

Sabi ni Sir John Piper, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” SEEKING HIM WITH A COMPLETE HEART OF LOVE and SURRENDER is the secret of capturing His heart.

Tandaan, di natin trabaho ang pag-capture ng heart ng congregation. Ang Holy Spirit ang may power para gawin yun. We just lead them and worship God with a pure heart. Then the flow of His holy presence will have His way in our midst.

Paalala No. 1

-DEPEND ON THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Napakahalaga nito bilang worship ministers. Di dapat tayo umasa sa sarili nating galing dahil apart from God we can do NOTHING (John 15:5). Yari kapag puro yabang lang sa stage, walang mangyayari. Depend on Him, not on yourself. Isa sa mga sobrang dependent sa power ng Lord na worshipper sa Bible ay si King David. Sabi niya sa Psalm 23:5b, “You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.” God has chosen us be part of this team and He’s the One Who can anoint us. And most importantly, let us always be led by His Spirit. By this, we can be assured that we are doing what God wants us to do as we lead people. At kapag ang Holy Spirit na ang kumilos, madaming amazing things ang nangyayari. Katulad nalang noong panahon nila Peter and John in Acts 4:31, it says, “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” And let’s remember, that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Cor. 3:17).

TANDAAN: Ang tatlong paalalang ito ay hindi puwedeng magkakahiwalay. Mayroon ngang Excellence, wala namang Pure heart at Anointing ng Holy Spirit, wala rin. Connected silang lahat. Kaya naman, ihanda ang sarili. As Joshua says to the Israelites, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." Joshua 3:5

Below are some of my favorite quotes from different worshippers of God Almighty. You might read and check them out. =D

FAVORITE QUOTES ABOUT WORSHIP :

"What many churches need now is the MANIFEST presence of God. Anointing refreshes weary souls. Anointing transforms hearts. Anointing breaks the yoke of the bondage. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, righteousness, joy and peace!" Ptr. Ronald C. Molmisa

Ang mag lead ng worship sa 5, 50, 500, 5000,50000, 500000 na gathering, pareho lang dapat ang feeling, gana,intensity, passion at energy.We only have One Audience (si Lord). Dumami lang ang kasama mo mag-worship.-Ptr. Rommel Guevara

Worship is pouring out our LOVE to God, and God pouring out His love on us.
- Kim Walker

Humility has nothing to do with being soft-spoken and self-demeaning & has everything to do with living boldly in the power of God's grace. -John Bevere

Worship is not about the LOUDNESS or SOLEMNESS of the music. In fact, it's not about the music at all. It's a matter of the heart. Puso, kapatid, puso! -Kuya Jhuart Dizon

The name Levi means "to be attached" (Genesis 29:34). Levites were called to be ministers as priest in the temple. In the same manner, worship teams should be foremost "attached to God" before they can be effective ministers. - Ptr. Ronald Molmisa

Worship isn't a song or a feeling--it's the way you live your life. -Chris Tomlin

Don't ever stop doing your best just because you aren't getting any credit. God sees you hearts, intent and struggles. -Wait for your Boaz

When you see Jesus for who He really is, no one has to convince you to worship. It's your natural response. -Chris Tomlin

Rekindle The Love Fire (P.S. walang sukuan)

Na-in love ka na ba? Anong pakiramdam? Diba masaya? Sa termino ng modernong kabataan ngayon, ito yung feeling na kilig-much. Karaniwan, kapag in love ang isang tao, lagi siyang naka-smile. Yung smile niya, kakaiba. Hindi yung pangkaraniwan. Ito yung smile na may spark. Nakaka-relate ka na? Isa pa, kapag in love ang isang tao, lagi niyang gustong kasama o nakikita si Mr. Love o Ms. Love. Lagi niya ding gustong kausap. At kapag kausap na, di na namamalayan ang oras at di na din nawawalan ng kwento. Syempre, my theme song din yan. Yung tipong kapag nakikinig yung certain song na yun, naaalala siya. Well, kahit wala namang song, lagi pa rin siyang tumatakbo sa isip. Tama? Ilan lamang ito sa nararanasan ng isang taong umiibig. 

Kapag ito talaga ang topic, lumalaki ang mata ng mga mambabasa. Pero, ibang love ang pag-uusapan natin ngayon. It is the love that is more than anything or anyone in this world. 

Imagine this. You are in a youth camp. Of course, kapag nasa camp ka, you feel refreshed and recharged spiritually. Feel na feel mo na in love ka kay Lord. At dahil last hour of the last day na, talagang kung makapag-praise and worship ka para sa Kanya, parang wala nang bukas with matching tears all over the face pa. Talon kung talon. Iyak kung iyak. You are absolutely on fire because of the power of the Holy Spirit. Then you start making promises like these: "Lord, I will seek and love you first and always. Araw-araw na po akong magbabasa ng Bible at mananalangin. Mamaya palang po sa bahay sisimulan ko na po agad agad. Mag-aaral na po akong mabuti. Susunod na po ako sa aking mga magulang. Hindi po muna ako magkakaroon ng boyfriend/girlfriend. I will share Jesus to my family, classmates and friends. Ako mismo ang magsisimula ng pagbabago sa mundong ito. I would go to the ends of the earth for You!"

Ilan pa lamang ito sa mga pangmalakasang pangakong binitawan ng mga labi mo. Pagkatapos ng PAW, heto na, uwian na. Pero syempre, may selfie, groupfie at group hug muna with other campers and new friends. Nagpalitan din kayo ng cellphone numbers para pasahan ng Bible verse. Talaga namang hindi maalis ang iyong ngiti dahil sa pag-ibig mo sa Panginoon. But it's not the end of the story yet.

Hindi mo alam, may naka-abang pala agad sa'yo na susubukang patayin yang apoy na nagliliyab sa puso mo, walang iba kundi si Taning at ang kanyang mga kampon. May dala-dala silang tig-iisang timba. Ang laman ng mga timbang ito ay nag-uumapaw na malamig na tubig para ibuhos sa nagliliyab mong puso. Dahil hindi nila hahayaan na mas mapalapit ka sa Hari ng mga hari, gagawa sila ng sari-saring estratehiya para maibuhos sa'yo ang tubig na iyon kahit saang aspeto ng buhay mo - sa pamilya, pag-aaral, buhay pag-ibig, trabaho at kung ano-ano pa para mamatay ang apoy sa'yo at manlamig ang love mo sa Kanya.

Nasa iyo ang desisyon kung magpapadala ka sa lamig ng tubig at hahayaang mamatay ang apoy o panatiliing nagliliyab ito sa kabila ng mala-dagat na pagsubok na ibinubuhos sa iyo. Pero iyong tandaan, ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa'yo ay hindi mawawala. Fresh ito bawat umaga (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Sa panahon natin ngayon, hindi na uso ang papatay-patay ang apoy. Dapat hindi lang pag may camp, conference, retreat, sunday service o youth fellowship in love at on fire sa Lord. It is supposed to be EVERYDAY. Wala nang sukuan ito, mga kapatid. It is time to use our authority in Christ and to stand firm for what we believe in. 

Pero paano nga ba kung nawala ang apoy ng iyong pag-ibig sa Panginoon? Return to Him. Huwag ka nang magpatumpik-tumpik pa. Go back to what He has done 2,000 years ago and you'll remember His unfailing and unending love for you. He is waiting for you to come back to Him.

And remember God is the Source of the LOVE FIRE. As Solomon says in Song of Songs 8:6, "Set me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, passion as intense as Sheol. The flames of love are the flames of fire, a blaze that comes from the LORD."

He is the only One Who can REKINDLE the LOVE FIRE in your heart.

Prayer: Lord, re-flame the fire of my first love for You. You are my Forever. Revive me again. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Daddy's Girl

Objective: To help readers know that God is not only a loving God to us, but also, a loving Father who is willing to give His all for His children. He is a Father who cares for each individual.

In your grade school days, have you ever asked your Dad and Mom to buy you a notebook or pencil because it was needed in a certain class in your school? Of course, because you asked for it and you needed it, they provided.

Nung tinanong mo ba sila, nahiya ka ba? Dahil magulang mo sila, hindi, diba? Alangan namang humingi ka sa kapitbahay nyo. Yun yung nakakahiya. ^-^

Bilang panganay na anak ni Tatay at Nanay, nakita ko talaga ang pagsusumikap  nila para  matugonan lahat ng pangangailangan ko simula pagkabata. They have given up so many things just for me and I'm so grateful for that. At kahit yung tipong naging pasaway ako o kaya naman kahit anung itsura ko sa bahay, gusgusin o itsurang katanggap-tanggap sa lipunan, tanggap nila ako. At yun ang pagmamahal ng magulang.

Just yesterday, I decided again to have my prayer journal. So I started to list all prayer items during my quiet time with Him. And guess what?  Sobrang dami ng naisulat ko simula sa ministry, family hanggang personal prayer items. Then I asked God this weird question, "Lord, how can you handle all the prayers of your people? Kung yung sa akin palang ang dami-dami na, siksikan pa sa isang page, then what more when thousands of people in this planet pray to You?

Well, because He is Almighty God, He can do anything (Ephesians 3:20) and He knows EVERYTHING, even the number of our hair (Matthew 3:20). It just amazes me that He knows every single detail of all the people in this world including me. That is precisely cool and awesome. And when every time I think about it, my mind can't contain it. Another thing that blows my mind is the TRUTH that He is my Father and He answers my prayers.

The question is, "How on earth did I became God's daughter?" It was when I believed and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour. John 1:12 says, "But to all who believed and accepted him, he gave the right to become the children of God."

Got Questions says, Abba is an Aramaic word that would closely be translated as "Daddy".  It signifies the close, intimate relationship of a father to his child, as well as the childlike trust that a youth child puts in his "daddy".

Understanding that not all people are children of God and that becoming a child of God only happens when you are adopted by God through faith inChrist Jesus(Galatians 3:26) is important for understanding how and why God deals with people differently. If we are born again (John 1:12,3:1-8), we have been adopted into the family of God, redeemed from the curse of sin and are “joint-heirs with Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:17; alsoGalatians 4:7). Part of thatnew relationshipis that God now deals with us differently, which includes His chastisement when we sin (Hebrews 12:3-11). Because of that new relationship, Christians may sin, but they cannot be comfortable or content living a life of habitual, ongoing sin. If people are living a life enslaved to sin and are comfortable in that sin and without the chastisement of God upon them, then we know they are “illegitimate and not sons” (Hebrews 12:8). In other words, they are unbelievers.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/Abba-Father.html#ixzz2uboHUhij

Fixed Eyes

In that lonesome road I stood
Stuck in the middle of nowhere
With down and discouraged hood
It's like nobody seemed to care

I tried to glare around
But all was confusing lies
I wailed in my heart aloud
Tears just flowed through my eyes

Then I heard a familiar Voice
I closed my eyes and listened to His song
A sudden change in my awful poise
The thing I yearned for so long

Lovely melody filled the skies
So I joined and sing through the night
It's about fixing my enlightened eyes
Upon the face of the Great Light