MARRIED LIFE: Initial Report

After almost a month of being married, I can say that we're doing pretty well. I know that we are still in the honeymoon stages of this new life together...but still...God's grace is overwhelming. 

Marriage has proven to be tough on newbies like us...especially in trusting God and keeping your faith in His sovereignty. Romans 8:28 has been our battle cry from day one. I thought I've properly covered all the bases...but no one can really be prepared with what's coming. My melancholic side is constantly tormented with the unannounced and unforseen testings and trials...It can really push you to a corner where all you have left are stored Bible doctrine. But even after all the hardships and anxiety attacks...I am choosing to praise and trust God!

Lately, the call of God for the ministry has been exponentially intensifying in my soul...since the death of our missionaries in Hernani because of the super typhoon that ravaged through Central Philippines, I feel like God is calling me to do something. I know that after all the relief efforts, rebuilding will be the next step...and this time, I want to offer myself to help.

I am not an action man who can quickly respond to an immediate need...but I know God has equipped me with a unique combination of personality and Spiritual gift that can withstand the long haul. So please pray for me and pray with me...that God may use the people he wants to use for the revival of Visayas.

Well...it's already 2AM...my wife's already in dreamland and I think I've given her enough headstart.

Thank you for all you prayers...thank you for all your support.

more than a word

Grace is just a common word for the common person. Nothing special...nothing spectacular...nothing breath taking.

Grace is just a word...but when you have nothing to show forth...grace becomes your everything.

My first personal and face-to-face encounter with grace came when I was a little over 11 years of age. A Pastor and dear family friend of ours made me realize that unlimited grace was just a positive decision away. The moment I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, grace became amazing in my eyes. The fact that a sinner like me...with nothing worthwhile to show forth...with righteousness as filthy rags...became acceptable in the sight of a perfectly just and righteous God...made grace more than amazing and wonderful for me. The awesome fact that Jesus who knew no sin became sin for me so that I, who have done nothing, can become worthwhile in the eyes of God. That was something I have truly appreciated in my early years as a Christian...til everything became complicated.

Years have passed and God blessed me and my family with so much...we were living a very comfortable life...and our convenience became a breeding ground for leniency in our spiritual lives. Soon, our prosperity quickly turned from being a blessing to a heart breaking test. We forgot what was important. Detailing our struggles here will be unfair for my family...but let me let you this...we were left with nothing...except for God's grace.

Up until now, we are still recovering from what had happened...times became more difficult and tensions within the family rose...but still, God's grace overflowed from the heavens. We may never be as comfortable or financially stable as we used to be, but we are much more secured now as we were before...because now, we understand that security comes from the absolute source of grace. As long as God is in the business of flaunting grace...there is nothing to worry about.

I'm not promoting the abuse of grace...but the idea that without grace, we are nobody with nothing going nowhere...our lives are pointless and senseless.

It's no accident that you are reading my post...maybe God is speaking to you..telling you that it's time you allow grace to be more than a word.

1st fbcsm youth camp

53 souls saved out of 109 attendees...what more could we ever ask for!?

For the past months, the church has been planning for this two and a half days of fun and Bible study. Our theme was "Panunumbalik" or restoration and revolved around the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11. Every game and activity of this event is a reaffirmation of the salvation message...and on the last night of the camp, the last invitation, that's when 53 of them came forward to receive Christ and restore that original relationship we had with God the Father.

The whole 2 1/2 days are still fresh in my mind...and I give back all tje glory to God who made this youth camp possible.

Please pray for this kids as we equip them to take on what challenges are ahead of them with yhe right kind of ammunition - The Word of God!

the marriage initiative

This will be a 10-month, soulishly intense and mentally challenging engagement preparation on all aspects. The engagement period is a very crucial point of my life where I will be preparing to spend my remaining life here on earth with another soul under a soon to be established divine institution ordained by God and recognized by every law of the land. My 10-month engagement period should be a time of honest assesment on my capabilities to take on the responsibility of taking another soul under my care and protection. Close scrutiny should be reflected on the only existing absolute standard which is the Word of God. The spiritual aspect of my preparation is on top of my list. The foundation of my norms and standards will be the basis of everything in my life. My conscience will be the key player of my future decisions. The condition of my spiritual life will directly affect all aspects, but this time of preparation is not limited to such training only.

In the course of my self-assessment period, I have to also financially discipline myself and make sure that biblical principles on money are being applied. I have to be faithful in the commitments I have made regarding my giving in my local church. All debts should slowly be taken care of and not increase its hold on me. It would be an accomplishment to start my married life debt free!

Health is also a major issue I wish to resolve in my life. It is important that I recognize this part as one of the foundation of the anticipated success of the whole marriage initiative process. My goals and aspirations in life will be meaningless if my health is compromised.

My soon to be wife is the second most important person right after the Lord Jesus Christ. I love her and will continue to love her with everything I have...personally and unconditionally! And to commemorate my commitment to my soon to be wife and mother of my children, I will be starting, pursuing, and finishing this initiative as best as I can!

This commitment was conceptualized on 0018hrs of the 6th day of January year 2013!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!