mercygrass - love 2008

FINALLY..

2008-04-17T02:40:00.000-07:00

but still on progress.... stay tuned my friends.

http://cfcinternationalmissions.com
CFC International Missionaries shares their lives. Plus news and updates of what is going on. Spreading God's love to the ends of the earth.

http://mercygrass.com
My journal and portfolio. God blessed me with life. I'm sharing it all to you. I love Jesus.

10 GLORIOUS DAYS

2008-03-26T01:57:00.000-07:00

Never thought spending the Holy days would be like this.
.. with family.. with loved ones... with Jesus.

it's different and unique. God has given me this gift of quality time with people I love the most. It is a reflection of more blessings that He has been preparing for me, my mission and my life.

Unplanned events that captured the days I stayed in Iloilo (plus Aklan and a little bit of Boracay:) ).. Everything in me has been unplanned but, it's true that His will is really different. I just planned to stay lazy the whole holy week and sleep at home or read a new book. But where He took me? Man! It's been an awesome experience. Rushing from here to there.

But the best part is knowing that I am with my family. I have spent the entire 10 days being with the people that God has given me as a special gift. And it's truly wonderful and glorious knowing and remembering that Jesus died for me on the cross to give me life. His death for my life! Wow. Reflecting those words over and over again gives me this overwhelming feeling and desire to give more of me. He has blessed with a family that is not perfect. And this imperfections allowed us to grow more and be with Him. This imperfections allowed us to grow deep in His love to be His "perfect" sons and daughters.

The whole 10 days was an experience that brought me more closer to Him and more IN LOVE with HIM. A lot has happened. Really. Though I could not share it all but everything captured the very meaning of where and what I am today. The laughter and even the tears that I have shed showed me how God loves me and how He loves my loved ones. The best part is knowing that He is there... always.

Now I am back in the rush traffic of Manila. Back to the mission that God has placed me. but I know and believe that I am still in His arms providing me the warmth and comfort that He has always given me. and much more because everyday as I grow to Him.. His love for me flourishes.

I will always remember this 10 Days.

click for the album.

PALM SUNDAY

2008-03-15T23:54:00.000-07:00

Oh What a way to spend your Holy Week in Iloilo and with family. All I could think and be happy about is how the province smells really good. The air, the serenity, and the look of Iloilo is one way of thinking.. yeah, this is home. my room, me bed, my family.. hmmm how can I not miss this place everytime I am away and on mission.

So now, I am home spending the most important week in the calendar with my family. Today is Palm/Passion Sunday. The start of the biggest sacrifice of God into our very lives. The death and love of His Son, Jesus Christ. Let us stop and reflect on how Jesus' has shown to everyone His humility and His love. By His sacrifice. By His grace. By His death on a cross.

Oh, Jesus.. Your love conquers everything. Your love conquers all my fears. your love conquers all my desires. And Your love conquers my heart. =)

P.S. Man, it's great to be home!

SPRINGS FROM THE HEART

2008-03-12T02:12:00.000-07:00

I'm quite enjoying my everydays.. my days of spending mostly cfc work but spending more time with God. really putting everything that I can do to be with Him. And each day is an experience of His grace. Although I admit, the challenges that I have now requires more of my strength to be taken away for God to take over. Allowing me to learn the most and basic knowledge that I should know: That everything SPRINGS from the heart of GOD to my own heart.

MUSIC. One thing that inspires me right now are songs being played on my player. Chris Rice, Rent the Musical, Hillsong, etc... inspires me to move and move and move. and be more of myself. to express what I can do and to let God move in me.
PEOPLE. The people, the missionaries, my family.. everyone who lets me know that they are there. everyone as well challenges me to become who i am today, encourages me when i feel down and of course irritated (that's me!)... and allows me to be me.
JESUS. Man, this crazy guy loves me much! He does.. really.. honestly... How can I love Him more? He has given a lot!

I've got no words to say.. It's just I Love You, Jesus!

LOVE ACTIVITY

2008-03-05T01:25:00.000-08:00

I read this reflection... nice one!

Love Out Loud

By Karen Ehman

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

James 1:22 (NIV)

One of my favorite passages from the Bible is the "Love" chapter from 1 Corinthians 13. I remember being challenged to memorize it for an English class in my public high school in the 1980's. Even secular scholars have no doubt that this piece of literature is a beautiful work, flowing in its rhythm and captivating in its cadence. It is actually relatively easy to memorize. However, living out the words is a whole different story!

Let's pick up the passage in verses 4-8....

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

How would you describe your love for others? Are you a patient soul or do you drum your fingers and tap your toes while you stew and sigh not-so-patiently? Is it hard to bring you to a point of anger or does flying off the handle come much too naturally? Do you keep score with those who have wronged you, ready to dredge up the past and become "historical" to make your point? Do you boast? Got a case of the green envies? Ever been rude to someone? How will we ever learn to love the way this passage urges us to?

Here's an idea to help to flesh this out in real life. Make a copy of the love chapter on your computer. However, wherever the word love is used (or its pronoun 'it') leave a blank. Then try over the next week or so to be able to write your name in the blank when you have a chance to exhibit this quality in real life. Were you patient at the doctor's office today and, instead of grumbling while sitting in the waiting room, you quietly thanked God for the extra time and then used it to pray for others? Write your name on the "________ is patient" line. Did you and another family member get into a heated discussion and you were tempted to bring up a wrong from the past but, with great restraint, held your tongue? Bravo! Write your name on the "________ keeps no record of wrongs" line. Were you kind to the grumpy cashier instead of being rude right back? Get out that pen and write away!

Be assured that if you take this challenge, God will give you lots of opportunities to practice displaying these wonderful characteristics of love. And you can count on others noticing the change in you as you seek to love out loud.

Teach me to love more oh Lord.... in all ways. in all things.

NEW DAY MONDAY!

2008-03-02T17:06:00.000-08:00

A new day. a new week (it's suppose to start on a sunday right?) but well, i'm just actually considering this a new day/week for yesterday was a good week ender! :)

It was the first IMO send off. It was overwhelming. I felt tears inside me. tears of joy as the missionaries go up the stage to be blessed and prayed over. As i was taking shots and documenting the send-off I have felt how God has molded each and everyone of us to serve Him and glorify Him.. in each and every way. in all things that we do. in all the people we meet. wherever and whenever He may take us. I was glad to be part of this. to be part of His servants who is not even worthy to serve Him. He has loved me so much and has shown me a lot. Sigh! I just cannot fathom all the things that he has done for me. He is God and I am not.

I mean, I also have my own desires and problems and trials in life. But it's His amazing grace that keeps us all going. so, today as i took the bus i just keep on reflecting on where I am today. on where God is taking me... on where He is placing me NOW! I may have a lot of challenges to face but it's God who is bringing me and molding me. everything is for Him, man! everything! and It's His.. everything also belongs to Him... again, we are just instruments. we are not owners of this world. even of our own body. it's not ours. It's His.

So today, as I celebrate a new monday. it's a new life again and a new week with Him. whew! where else could I go? Of course, run into God's mighty arms!

I love you, God!

COMING SOON! - CFC MISSIONARIES STORIES

2008-02-25T17:40:00.000-08:00

KNOW THEIR STORIES.
KNOW THEIR LIVES.
CFC MISSIONARIES.

Published by the CFC International Missions Office.

STAY TUNED!

PHOTO UPDATE!

2008-02-20T19:44:00.000-08:00

it's really kinda long before i updated my photos. but here it is.. since i came back from kenya... it was truly a good start of the year for me and God has been really faithful in leading me. I believe that I still need to grow and learn more. In this life, a lot of different challenges had come to me but still i continue to cling and be firm to where God is placing me now.

And truly.. it has been an amazing experience so far...

here are the photos.. [click on the photos/title for the whole album]

End of 2007 and Beginnings of 2008. The best way to celebrate the Christmas and New Year Season was being with family. I miss these guys during my mission in Africa. The whole time i was just thanking God for allowing me to have these people in my life, supporting me and even correcting me in big and small ways. They have been the people who made my life beautiful.

FRIENDS Reunions 2007-08. Although I have blogged about these reunions but i haven;t uploaded everything. sigh.. these people inspire me to go on and give more in my service to God.. To glorify Him more in everything that I do. I love yah all!

The Baguio Experience. Nice to be back in Baguio. But nicer to be serving God in Baguio during the CFC Disciples Weekend. I have seen how our community despite all the conflicts decided to really love one another. [apart from the conference in baguio, there was the Araneta CFC Leaders Conference which made my heart cry out for love of the Lord. It was an overflowing conference overflowing with love love and love. wasn't able to get pictures but that was a memory to be lived and relived forever.]

CFC Singles For Christ International Leaders Conference. Home. This is the place I call home. Not the physical home or the country that I am in but the HEART of God's love in me. My heart. God knows me more than ever and He has really shown His bright face to me during the ILC. God spoke. I listened. I've felt I'm truly Home. [thanks to the people who have been holding my cam. haha]

Sending Off. Yes, the IMO have now officially send off our missionary to africa. Hahaha.. Bye, james. and see yah soon. enjoy the mission and thanks for everything. till the next cup!

AFRICA MISSIONS NIGHT. More for Africa. Photos at www.cfcafrica.co.ke

There's more to come... More to life.....

THANK YOU, LORD!

WHERE IS THE LOVE?

2008-02-19T23:32:00.000-08:00

That question can be asked by a lot of people. I, myself sometimes ask this question. Where is really the love when hatred and anger rules this world? Conflicts, biases, wars really conquers the place that we call home. Our earth. Our universe that God has wonderfully created for all of us. We are here to love. Even God sent His son to love us. And loving one another can be as hard as it gets. It's difficult man! it's crazy!

We all live in this crazy world trying to love and give love. Giving ourselves. But sometimes people could not just get it. More times people can just ignore you and not even smile as you say hello. And you ask, "where is the love?"

huh! sigh...

But then we are not here to be granted that love back. We are here to give that love.

GIVE UNTIL IT HURTS! this one is crazier that i thought.

It's nice to read in words but in the real essence, it's difficult. more than ever. To love is to sacrifice. To love is to feel that pain. I just wonder on how God has experienced all that pain that we give to Him. I just can't even imagine how He cried everytime we hurt Him. But then.. He still welcomes all of us with this undying and unconditional love that He has been offering to us. I am just amaze every time He presents Himself to me. With His ever word in the scriptures, with ever gaze of a friend. with every hug of my parents. with every smile of the people whom i even don't know. God is there. He is everywhere!

And so is LOVE. It's everywhere.

It's just up to us to find it. It's just up to us to look for it. It's up to us to unite ourselves with it.

LOVE is also in our hearts. ready to give. ready to take the risk. ready to sacrifice. ready to feel the pain or that hurt. but at the same time ready to accept every fulfillment every time we give that love to someone. And more at the same time, ready to not expect something in return.

Love is big and deeper than you can imagine. It's unconditional. Non-negotiable. We are all called to love and we should love. We are all called to give and we should give.

It's a commandment. It's from our Almighty.

Though it's hard my friends. Yes, it really is.

We have to.

"Love one another as I have loved you." - John 13:34-35

SFC ILC - I'm Home!

2008-02-13T03:06:00.000-08:00

on the way to the 15th SFC International Leaders' Conference in Clark, Pampanga...

i thank God that in my own small and little ways, He used me to be part of the ILC preps. In everything, I give You, My God all the glory in life.

For each blessing and each love. I know that you are going to touch me again more and more during this conference. I will look for you and I will find you. I know that you're going to nourish me, guide me, speak to me intimately, clearly, and deeply this conference.

I await that... and now.. I say Thank You!!!

Love 2008

2008-02-07T02:07:00.001-08:00

hmm.. it's so nice to be in love. to be in love with the Lord, with your family, with your community. God has been showing me how beautiful love is through all the events that has been happening around me.

new life as a missionary. being here in manila for the past month now is energizing. you can really feel God's mighty presence. and new assignment is kinda crazy but challenging. i just continue to give my all in everything that God wants me to do... it's a challenge but i believe this is where God is placing me..
i continue to be in love with God. everyday is just a reason for me to love Him. everyday is a reason for me to glorify Him. everyday is a reason for me to praise Him. and He makes me happy and joyful. i just love the days with God..
amidst everything. God is my life and strength. We are in the season of LENT now. So let us fast, abstain and of course love.

And this day won't be forgotten without greeting

the best NANAY ever...

To my Mother, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I love you so much. Thanks for bringing out the best in me. God will truly bless you more and our family. You have been my guide and my strength all through out this years.. and i owe you everything... God has been blessing me a lot because you have loved me so much.