...My HeArt SiNgs...

A Season of Waiting...

2010-11-21T01:14:00.001-08:00

While I was having my “quiet time” with the Lord, I asked Him to give me the exact message I need for the situation I’m currently facing…

After an hour of silence, God led me to Psalm 40…

“I WAITED patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; and set my feet upon a ROCK, and ESTABLISHED my goings.

And he hath put a NEW SONG in my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see it, and fear, and shall TRUST in the Lord.

BLESSED is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.”

Then like a sharp two-edged sword, these two words hit my heart…

WAIT and EXPECT

And again, He led me again to another scripture in the Bible-Isaiah 40:31…

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Elizabeth George helped me understand this clearly by explaining in her book that – “The time we spend in solitude with our Bible and our prayer list, our “secret life” spent with our heavenly Father, is time spent waiting upon the Lord. Then, in the fullness of time, in God’s perfect timing, there is the mounting up, the taking flight like that eagle. We are able to soar because The Lord is with us and we’re with Him…”

After receiving His Word, I asked God how long I must wait for the things I’ve been praying for- overcome family problems, career, ministry, personal and spiritual growth, financial abundance, partner, become a virtuous woman…

This is how He explained it…

God operates along a perfectly designed “timeline”. He knows what we need and when to provide it. But He wants us to learn how to TRUST HIM for the blessings He has planned. “Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”

Seeking God involves delighting ourselves in His faithfulness, praising Him for His goodness, and loving Him because He cares for us.

At times, God requires a season of waiting before He can move in our lives. Then trust becomes our greatest asset. If we don’t REST in HIM or trust Him with our need, we will cry out in fear and panic.

At one point during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples thought they would get drowned. But Jesus commanded the wind and waves to be still. He taught those men how to trust Him even in the most tempting circumstances, and He is teaching us to watch and wait for His outstretched arm. ..

I began to see the value of this “season of waiting”. His Grace is really sufficient for me to be still and grounded in His Word. I must admit that the waiting “process”, circumstances, and temptations were not that easy… But God is faithful in providing the “resources” I need. I am really thankful that He surrounded me with “ATEs” and friends that are mature in spirit, emotion, and intellect. :- ) They are helping me to rise up and move forward whenever I feel down and tempted.

God’s Goodness and Grace (undeserved favor) made me realized that this is not about us… not about our good works nor performance… This is all about HIS unconditional Love for us… about what HE has gone through while hanging on the CROSS just to set us free, save us, bless us, prosper us, heal us, and all the good things in life that we can think of…

It doesn’t bother me anymore what other people may think or say about me (though this was a struggle before:- )). I don’t care if some will think of me as “conservative” or “liberated”, “reserved” or “radical”.

All I know is that I used to be a sinner, but saved by Grace. A “lost” child, but now found. And God keeps on changing me…

Outward appearance can deceive us. There’s also a big difference between “internal” and “external” worship. Yes, we can go to church every Sunday, lift our hands, sing worship songs, greet and smile at people in church, read the Bible… but what is more important is our “private life” and our “quiet time” with God. Not what we are eating (laws,tradition,religion) but what’s eating us (priorities,focus,time with God)… Roots are unseen… Change is from the inside-out…

I believe that through this season, God is orchestrating everything for me. He’s preparing my heart to be ready… I am using this time to learn from Him, from the people around me, from my work/responsibilities… By His Grace… to be able to walk in His Calling… To become a “woman after God’s own heart”…

Again… All by His Grace, by RESTING on Him and not by self-righteousness and not by struggling to do good works…

WAIT and EXPECT are now my two favorite action words! These make me excited to get up everyday and continue this journey. I will do my part, and trust God in all things… “EXPECT” means to exercise our Faith. We should expect for the things that we are praying for…

For now, I will just trust His timeline and let Him surprise me. : - ) God has His own sweet ways of surprising His children! :- )

2010-09-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

I am praying for a 'Prayer Partner"...

I am praying to be an "Intercessor"...

Thank You Lord for giving me this New Life... :-)

2010-09-17T20:02:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I'm back to blogging again! :-)

read this

2009-03-06T14:31:00.000-08:00

Hi! I was reading ‘Destined to Reign’ book by Joseph Prince, and all I can say is - It is LIFE-CHANGING! The GRACE of GOD will radically change your life! : -)

I wanna share with you a written testimony (from his book) received by Pastor Joseph Prince:

Pastor Prince, I just want to share with you what the grace of God has done in my life. I was born into a Christian Family. When I was growing up, I was forced to attend church. All I learned was that Jesus hung on the cross, but why He was there, I did not know. I hated going to church. My parents would force me to go and reprimand me, but it didn’t help.

In high school, I got involved with gangs, and started to smoke and drink heavily. I started to live a life of crime, stealing, vandalizing, and getting into fights. I became rude, hot-tempered and extremely vulgar. My parents, teachers and school counselors tried to help me, but nothing worked. It wasn’t long before I was expelled from school and became a full-time gangster. I frequented the pubs every day, and became a heavy drinker and smoker. Most of my friends were drug addicts. I got involved in armed robberies and I saw my life going into a downward spiral. It went from bad to worse and there was a cry within me for things to change.

This whole bondage by the devil came to an end just a few years ago when I got to know this girl called Faith. Even though Faith was a new believer, she would tell me about the grace, mercy and love of God, and why Jesus died for me. I was amazed at her knowledge of Jesus. I was born into a Christian Family, but this new convert knew more about Jesus than I did. She then brought me to her church called New Creation Church, and as you begin to minister, I felt a warmth all over me and I started to cry. I felt like I was falling in love, but I did not know with whom. It was a love beyond the love of man, and I raised my hands up high and said the sinner’s prayer at the end of the service.

From that point on, my life was no longer the same. Jesus began to deliver me from so many bondages. I heard you share a testimony about how another church member was delivered from a smoking addiction by confessing the righteousness of God and I started to do the same. I would smoke and confess that Jesus had taken my smoking addiction on the cross and that He still loves me even though I was still smoking.

Amazingly, two weeks later, nine years of heavy smoking and six years of alcoholism were gone! And as time went by, Jesus delivered me from the gang that I was in. I was even delivered from many other bad habits, like my addiction to pornography. I truly became a new creation in Christ Jesus! Everyone who knew me was shocked at my transformation. I was even healed of a 10-year urinary problem. I used to have to go to the toilet many times at night, but now I am able to sleep through the night in peace.

Pastor Prince, what man could not do, Jesus did. It was the grace of God that changed me. I did not deserve it, but I thank God for the blood of Jesus. He took me just as I was and now I am a child of God. When I heard you preach the Grace of God, I did not go out to start a new gang, smoke, drink or sleep around. It is a lie that when god’s grace is preached, people will go out and sin more. In fact, it was His grace that changed a wretch like me. I believe that God has blessed me to be a blessing. I want to spread this good news that only Jesus can make a difference in our lives.

Pastor Prince, your ministry has blessed me. I have been attending New Creation Church for five years now and I am proud to say that this is my church.

Victor King,

Singapore

Do you know what I want to do right now?

2008-10-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

1. I wanna finish my “projects” na, so that I could stay all day in my room, watching my favorite Korean dramas, while having cheesy fries, pizza, lays, mojos, carbonara, and of course, a cup of hot chocolate AND coffee. (take note-“AND” :->)

2. I wanna read the books (novels) that I bought last October 1. Grabeh! Ang tagal na di ko pa nababasa. :-<

Oo nga pala, pahiram naman ng books pa à novels, romance, fiction, etc. :->

3. I wanna meet and talk to ----. Wala lang, my mom has been saying good things about this guy kase. I’m just curious. Walang malisya,okay? <*Kiligerz!!!*>

4. I wanna have a loooooooooong drive…and feel the wind…

5. I wanna meditate on God’s Word and His love for me, without thinking of anything else…no distractions!

6. I wanna have a simple, yet funny conversation with a special friend, while having a cup of hot coffee ulit. :->

7. I wanna be slim, have curly brown hair (like those of Koreans), and baby smooth skin! (awwwwwwwwwww!!!!)

8. I wanna buy all those shoes, bags, and clothes that I’ve been eyeing for how many months na.. Korean style din yung mga gusto ko eh. (Hi Apple! Can u help me with this one? Harhar! Mwah! :->)

9. I wanna meet “him” na… Si “M-I-N-E”… Yung aking “hunny” na until now di ko pa rin alam kung sino???!!! :->

10. I wanna know what do I really want to do with my life…(specifically for the ministry and career). Ate Ruth has been telling me to join the intercession ministry. And I’d love to! Kaya I’m still praying about it, kung yun na nga talaga. And for my career? My dream is still in my heart… but still confused if I really want to be a Systems Analyst or Business Intelligence Specialist?

I also miss teaching in faith groups… and sunday school…

11. I wanna have my “outlet” on weekends. Meaning, if there is something that I can do pa aside from my usual responsibilities on weekdays. Medyo nagssawa na ako sa I.T…hehehe! joke! Like joining a drama/theatre org, English language training, writing/blogging club (meron ba?!), arts/drawing club… ayun! Parang ganun, basta maiba naman. :->

*Kung may alam kau ha? Just reply to this blog or text me at 0915-383-1925.

Thanks!

Eto na lng muna. Partial list lang ito… :->

Do you know what I want to do right now?

2008-10-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

2. I wanna read the books (novels) that I bought last October 1. Grabeh! Ang tagal na di ko pa nababasa. :-<

Oo nga pala, pahiram naman ng books pa -- novels, romance, fiction, etc. :->

3. I wanna meet and talk to ----. Wala lang, my mom has been saying good things about this guy kase. I’m just curious. Walang malisya,okay? <*Kiligerz!!!*>

4. I wanna have a loooooooooong drive…and feel the wind…

5. I wanna meditate on God’s Word and His love for me, without thinking of anything else…no distractions!

6. I wanna have a simple, yet funny conversation with a special friend, while having a cup of hot coffee ulit. :->

7. I wanna be slim, have curly brown hair (like those of Koreans), and baby smooth skin! (awwwwwwwwwww!!!!)

8. I wanna buy all those shoes, bags, and clothes that I’ve been eyeing for how many months na.. Korean style din yung mga gusto ko eh. (Hi Apple! Can u help me with this one? Harhar! Mwah! :->)

9. I wanna meet “him” na… Si “M-I-N-E”… Yung aking “hunny” na until now di ko pa rin alam kung sino???!!! :->

I also miss teaching in faith groups… and sunday school…

*Kung may alam kau ha? Just reply to this blog or text me at 0915-383-1925.

Thanks!

Eto na lng muna. Partial list lang ito… :->

2008-10-12T19:25:00.000-07:00

Ranting? Not anymore!

One week has passed already, and I can honestly say that I’m “okay” now. Thanks to my friends - Jeng, Jester, Chuck, Mark, Mherv, Apple (Yes, You! : -) ),Trisha, Ate Ruth, and my mother who comforted me… and of course, the Holy Spirit who’s in me always, reminding me to walk in love and stop ranting).

Because of what happened last week, I decided to resign. At first, the main reason for this decision was my anger… Now, I just go on with my resignation to save some “respect’ for myself. At least this is better diba? Yes, I’m no longer part of the project that I soooooo wanted. God knows how serious I was with this project, and that I’ve been waiting for this. I think, that’s the hardest part! That’s the reason din siguro why I cried for almost a week.

But let’s move on, okay?

I believe that God, will once again turn my “mess” into His “message”. From now on, I will just do my part, and let God do the rest. I will no longer depend on any person. I won’t expect too much from anyone, because people can fail us.

Kaya after this, I don’t want to look for a new job agad. I will just take sidelines muna. I really need a break. If possible, I want to stay sa province, or basta sa magandang place and peaceful. I never had a vacation after graduating from college kase eh. Trabaho agad! Kaya ayun! Haaayyy… I’m also praying na matuloy ako magbakasyon next year sa Kuya ko sa Singapore. This will help me siguro to totally recover from all things that has happened…

I also wanna share with you an article of Joyce Meyer. Super sakto talaga para sakin. I pray that this will also bless you.

From Disappointment to Reappointment

Proverbs 13:12 says that “hope deferred makes the heart sick”. What is “hope deferred” I believe it is what we call disappointment.

We are all disappointed when things do not work out the way we want them to. We become disappointed when we have a plan that fails, a hope that does not materialize, or a goal that is not reached. We are disappointed by everything from a picnic that is rained out to the loss of a job. We are disappointed when the new watch we were given will not keep time correctly, or when the child we had hoped would turn out right shows no signs of doing so.

When things like that happen, for a certain period of time we experience a letdown – one that can lead to depression if it is not handled properly. That is when we have to make the decision to adapt and adjust, to take a new approach and just keep going despite our feelings. That is when we must remember that we have the Greater One residing within us, so that no matter what may happen to frustrate us, or how long it may take for our dreams and goals to become realities, we are not going to give up and quit just because of our emotions.

That is when we must remember what God once told me in just such a moment: “When you get disappointed, you can always make the decision to get reappointed!”

Disappointment often leads to discouragement, which is even more of a “downer.” We have all experienced the depressing feeling that comes after we have tried our very best to do something and either nothing happens or it all falls totally apart.

How disappointing and discouraging it is to see the things we love senselessly destroyed by others or, even worse, by our own neglect or failure. Regardless of how it may happen or who may be responsible, it is hard to go on when everything we have counted on falls down around us. That is when those of us who have the creative power of the Holy Spirit on the inside can get a new vision, new direction, and a new goal to help us overcome the frustrating, downward pull of disappointment. Hope deferred does makes the heart sick, but hope can be rekindled, and our hearts can be made whole again by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ranting?? Not Anymore!!!

2008-10-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

One week has passed already, and I can honestly say that I’m “okay” now. Thanks to my friends - Jeng, Jester, Chuck, Mark, Mherv, Apple (Yes, You! :- ) ),Trisha, Ate Ruth, and my mother who comforted me… and of course, the Holy Spirit who’s in me always, reminding me to walk in love and stop ranting).

But let’s move on, okay?

I also wanna share with you an article of Joyce Meyer. Super sakto talaga para sakin. I pray that this will also bless you.

From Disappointment to Reappointment

Proverbs 13:12 says that “hope deferred makes the heart sick”. What is “hope deferred” I believe it is what we call disappointment.

That is when we must remember what God once told me in just such a moment: “When you get disappointed, you can always make the decision to get reappointed!”

Outburst...Part II

2008-10-08T14:23:00.000-07:00

I've removed my last "mean" blog entry...

So, if you're gonna ask me if I'm still mad at him? lemme think...

I'm still working on it! By faith, of course!

I talked to him, and confronted him about those things that he said.

Sorry, I can't write all the details here. Just send me a personal message if you're interested to know the story. (Hi Apple!) :-)

Basta, I'm still praying that I can move on na nga...

Pero honestly, pinatawad ko na sya ha... ayoko nang magalit...

Kase sabi ng friend ko, ang magalit... ABNOY!

Oh my goolai! I don't want to be labeled as "abnoy"! :-)

So ngayon, i'm trying to forget everything, and totally move on from this...

2008-10-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

A Day Before My Birthday…

Today is October 2, and I’m still not feeling super excited for my birthday.Although we’ll be having a mini-celebration (with my officemates) at chuck’s place, I’m still a bit sad. I think the main reason was that I had a little misunderstanding with my special friends. I love them so much and they are very important to me. What happened last Sunday, was something that I’m really trying to avoid. I don’t want to be offended by them or vice versa. But by that time, I was not able to control my emotions.

Friends, if you’re reading this blog, I’m really sorry for reacting that way. I think that was also a mistake on my part. I was the one who gave you the “impression” na okay lang ako asar-asarin. : - (

That was okay, but of course, depending on the “subject”. I think I should change my image na nga and character as well. No more “isip-batang aiza”. I should be more serious and leave that impression to other people na “grown up person” na ako. But I gotta make sure that my “sense of humor” (kung meron nga) will still be evident.

And one thing I realized then, I should not be focusing on what people say or think about me. I should be “God-Pleaser” and not “men-pleaser”! I really hated the way I’m putting so much pressure in my life. I’m making things complicated, where in fact, my life can be just plain and simple. Thanks to Sir Jester who texted me a while ago, that I shouldn’t be hard on myself. I shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the project because no one is putting pressure on me, but ako lang talaga. So, I was the culprit. : - ) I should take this daw as “opportunity to learn” and not as “tedious work to finish”. Oo nga naman. Chillax, aiz! : - ) The problem is that I’m so troubled about what will happen the next day, especially for my projects. I don’t know if this is a sign of “obsessive-compulsive” syndrome, but this is really not good!I want to enjoy my projects, to learn from them, and not to end up losing my sanity! (well, exag lng yun ha! Di naman ganun talaga. Masyado ko lang kse sineseryoso ang mga bagay-bagay…)

From Joyce Meyer:

Let me encourage you today to get up every morning, love God, and do your best in every situation. He will do the rest! Remember that God is not surprised by your inabilities, imperfections, or faults. He has always known about those areas of your life, even if you are just now discovering them. Only God is perfect. He chose you anyway, and He loves you in spite of all your shortcomings!

… Again, chillax, aiz! All is well, by the Grace of God!

I wanna give thanks to my officemates in advance, for all those preparations for tomorrow's big day. : - ) I'm the only girl in our team, kaya special treatment ito! :-) Videoke na tomorrow! :-)

A Day Before My Birthday….

2008-10-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

From Joyce Meyer:

… Again, chillax, aiz! All is well, by the Grace of God!

I wanna give thanks to my officemates in advance, for all those preparations for tomorrow's big day. : - ) I'm the only girl in our team, kaya special treatment ito! :-) Videoke na tomorrow! :-)

Thinking Out Loud Again…

2008-09-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while since I last updated my blog.So ang dami talagang nangyari. : - ) Let’s just put it this way – there are big changes in my life now! Change of Heart, Change of Priorities, Change of Visions and Goals… and let me add New boarding house, New friends, New fashion statement? New love life? Haha! etc, etc.

I was really amazed with the works of God. How He has turned my “mess” into His “message”. I did not expect that I would still be a blessing to other people. I thought that I would never win souls for Him, or even share His message. But by the time I was thinking of these, BOOM!!! God worked out His plan for me and my new friend, Jen.

I consider Jen as a blessing and one of my rewards for staying and holding on to God’s promises as I continually pray and do my responsibilities at work. Please note that I already had three attempts of resignation!(nanaman aiza?!) But because I was really trying not to be driven by emotions and walk by faith and God’s grace instead, yep I stayed!(Accomplishment ito ha, kse kung ako pa yung “dating aiza”, nagresign na tlga ako for the nth time!)

Jen is just new in the company, and we haven’t talked pa by that time.(kala kase namin tahimik at supladita ang isa’t isa! haha!) And there came a time when she’s looking for an installer and I was the one who gave what she needed. A simple conversation has triggered this “super close friendship” that we had right now. We were both looking for a boarding house before kse hindi kmi natuloy sa house na inooffer ng company. Sama ng loob ko noon, pero grabeh! All things happen on purpose talaga! So I decided to stay at my aunt’s place instead at San Andres, Manila. I also invited Jen to stay with me na lang… So ayun, super saya namin. Kwentuhan to the max! Then one Saturday morning, I was reading the Amplified Bible by Joyce Meyer, and then “purposely” got to “The Secret of Fulfillment” article included in my Bible. I was touched by the message, so I told Jen to read that as well. (We were both experiencing pressures kse and somewhat “lost” sa path that we wanted to take.) I was about to go back to Cavite by that time, while Jen will stay pa until afternoon so I left my Bible for her to read it. Little did I know that God will use my Bible and that article to touch Jen’s heart. She texted me and said that “grabe may sinulat me, naiiyak nga me. May binasa din kse ako na prayer dito sa Bible, Yung How to receive Jesus. Iyak me kanina. Thanks ha!”After reading that, tears fell from my eyes. I remembered that few days ago when Jen started asking me about religion and faith. She told me that she’s open to that and she really wants to have that relationship with God. To be honest, I was unprepared to discuss those things with her pa. I thought na parang pag nagshare ako ng Word, baka di sya maniwala or parang pag galing sakin hindi na kapani-paniwala. Gets? So I prayed, “Lord kelan ang right time to share your word kay Jen?” And how will I lead her to that very important prayer- “How to receive Jesus”? Ayun, so God moved! His ways are higher than our ways talaga.

Now,I’m excited talaga that we will both be attending our Sunday Service tomorrow at Faith Center. Yipeeeeeeeeeee! : - )

It is not an accident that I stayed in that company pa… It is not an accident na di ako natuloy sa boarding house that the company offers… It is not an accident that I was the one who gave Jen the cd installer that she’s looking for… It is not an accident that we’re both staying in San Andres, Manila… It is not an accident that I read my Bible one Saturday morning, and decided to leave it to her to read at least one article… It is definitely not an accident that she came to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and as what Jen told me “may new relationship na ako kay God”. : - )

For Jen:

Sorry Jen, for sharing your beautiful story. Can’t help! : - ) I know you’re enjoying your new relationship with God, Natutuwa ako syo because of the changes na nangyari sayo. You are really hungry and thirsty for God. Just keep the fire burning! I’m here to pray for you, and we will help each other to continue growing in the Lord. : - )

***

Let me lead you guys to pray the same prayer (by Joyce Meyer) that Jen read and confessed:

How to Receive Jesus as Your Lord and Savior

The most important relationship of your life is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you would like to receive Him as your Lord and Savior, and enter into the greatest relationship you have ever known, please pray the prayer below.

Father,

You loved the world so much that You gave Your only begotten Son to die for our sins so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Your word says we are saved by grace through faith as a gift from You. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation.

I believe and confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Your Son, the Savior of the world, I believe He died on the cross for me and bore all my sins, paying the price for them.

I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead and that He is alive today.

I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sins, and I ask You to forgive me. By faith I receive Jesus Christ now as my Lord and Savior. I believe that I am saved and will spend eternity with You! Thank You, Father. I am so grateful! In Jesus’ name, amen.

***

May this story bless everyone who will read this! ‘Til next post! : - )

Oo nga pala, another blessing. I’m writing this blog using my new laptop. Yehey!!! Thank u Lord! : - )

2008-06-15T06:18:00.001-07:00

I just realized that I can never run away from God’s Calling…

There are issues in my life right now that I am trying to ignore. I am convincing myself that I’m okay. That everything is fine… I don’t have to be guilty of anything… That I am not hurting anyone…

But I still have no peace… It feels like something or someone is running after me… It seems like there are responsibilities that I have neglected…

I know I have become self-centered. I am so consumed by my dreams. My dreams have become my “idol”. I am so focused with those things that would bring me up to the corporate ladder. I am busy thinking, meditating, and doing things that will please those people surrounding me. I have been more concerned with what would people “think” or “say” about me… All this time, I was just thinking about becoming the “best”. I want my name to be known.

Two months ago, I was full of the Word and Faith. I always had the Word of God with me. I read it before starting to work and even before going to sleep at night. I had quality time with God and spent enough time to pray for other people.

But what happened? I’ve been easily swayed up! Pressures came in and here I am again, defenseless! Fears and Insecurities were slowly corrupting my mind. I was also distracted by those “people”. I wasted my time thinking about ‘em… Trying to be the best that I can be just to please ‘em. I wanted them to appreciate what I’ve been doing… In short, I wanna be the “center of attraction”.

But then again, God made me realized that without Him, I can do nothing. If I take Him out of the equation, everything else will be meaningless. It was like chasing after the wind. He reminded me that I should focus more on what He wants me to do… not on those selfish things that I wanna do... He is not against me having those good things in life. In fact, He wanted me to have the best in life! It’s just that I realized that I’m not doing anything for the ministry. There were so many excuses that I’ve been throwing just to escape from the responsibilities assigned to me…

But God is really good… so good that He’s still asking me to go back to the place where He has called me… He’s also telling me to go back to my First Love, Jesus…

Oh My!!! The Love of the Father is really unconditional…

U n T i t L e D ...

2008-02-24T21:57:00.000-08:00

I could not find the right words to describe what I’m going through right now…

Para kaseng it’s a very complicated situation…

Or I am the one who’s making it complicated?

Seriously, alam mo yung feeling na you know what you should do, but you can’t do what you are supposed to do… or you don’t want to do what you are supposed to do…

Parang hindi ko na alam kung sino papakinggan ko sa kanila. I respect them, I listen to their advices, and I appreciate what they’re doing for me. Kaya lang, with this situation, it is between me and the Lord talaga. If there is someone na kelangan ko kausapin, that is the Lord.
And I don’t want to base my standards and decisions on other people.

I’ve learned to lay down all these things to God.

I was talking to God the other night, and I was relieved from all these confusions and fears.

It was really hard at first…

As what I’ve posted in my friendster shoutout- “I know that I have to choose wisely, if this means that I have to go through the pain of denial, I’ll accept it”.

Pain of Denial na nga lang siguro rather than greater Pain of Consequence dba?

Pero I’m doing this not because of Christianity or faith issue.

My way of thinking is a lot different from other believers when it comes to relationship…

Really…

I’m not the one to judge other person’s character or belief just because we’re not attending the same kind of church, etc.

I’ve met so many people (pre-believers) who really have this “heart” for God. Who’s really longing for God’s love. I would say that they are a lot better compared to the other Christians that I know… even better than me pa nga eh…

I don’t buy those “excuses” or “reasons” na you will hurt someone, or turn him/her down, by saying na “I can’t love you, because unbeliever ka…”

Please…

May kilala nga ako, na nung time lang yon sya naging Christian, but grabe! Nakita talaga ang pagbabago sa buhay nya…

Don’t get me wrong, I would still advice to “guard your heart”, pero tama na ang paghusga at discrimination…

Hindi rin tama na kung sinu-sino na lang dyan...

Choose wisely nga eh...

Character is very important...

I don’t know what would be your reactions to this blog, but okay lang. I still have Ate Mai and Ms. Chlea, who are really wise and mature enough to attest to what I’m saying. J

Anyway, opinion namin ito and paniniwala…

Now, back to what I’m saying…

I’m doing this, kase I know I’m not yet ready…

There are still so many issues in my life na gusto kong maayos muna…

My relationship with God… ministry… career…

Loving him will just make things more complicated…

So ngayon. I’ve decided na magkanya-kanya muna kami ng buhay.

he can do what he wants, and I will do what I want.

he’s not mine… God wants him… God owns him…

Hindi ako dapat maki-alam sa gusto ng Lord sa buhay niya at sa buhay ko…

Hahayaan ko si Lord… Napakaganda ng plano niya sa buhay namin…

And hindi ito dapat masira dahil lamang sa nararamdaman namin sa ngayon…

I’ve decided to start a New Chapter in my life…

Sobrang ang daming nagbago…

And I would say na “stronger” ako ngayon…

And I would let God write my next love story…

Updates…

2007-10-31T23:18:00.000-07:00

Hello po! Namimiss ko na ang phone ko. Medyo nalulungkot pa rin ako ngayon kse lahat ng fave stuff ko nandoon sa white bag na na-snatch sakin… pati ba naman yung Kikay Kit ko?! Pero ok lng, kse alam ko babalik din sakin lahat yun. Mas maganda pa! At nagsisimula na nga. : - ) Someone gave me a white bag, and ang ganda! : - ) And alam ko rin na may gustong mag-bless sakin ng bagong phone (hint…hint… Kuya!!! Waaahhhh!!!) Ngayon pa lng, I declare that you’re blessed! Because you’re going to sow seed into a good ground. Hihihi! : - ) Receive your harvest! In Jesus’ Name! Amen!

I would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” sa mga friends na nagbibigay ng effort to keep in touch with me pa rin.

For those who are sending messages via Friendster, YM, email…SALAMAT!!!

I appreciate it! : -)

*************

Just last week, My Tiya Maring went to Heaven to be with the Lord na… Sad, but sabi nga ni Kuya Kumar, mas maganda pa nga yung kalagayan nya satin ngayon, coz right now, I believe that she’s worshipping the Lord na, and nagsasaya with Him. No pain, no worries, no sadness, no sickness… Wow!

That time ko lang ulit nakasama mga relatives ko. And nakakatuwa coz dala nila yung mga babies nila. “Tita Aiza” na talaga ako. Napuno ang bahay ng mga kids.

*************

Medyo kinakabahan ako and excited at the same time! Nov 19, mag-start na bagong work ko sa Makati. Medyo balik ako sa normal na buhay. Regular day shift. Tapos baka I will stay at my tita’s house para tipid sa pamasahe. Pero uwi rin ako every Friday.

Kinakabahan ako kse mas mabigat yung responsibility. Dito talaga, feeling ko magma-mature ako. : - )

Pero, sad din ako coz I’m gonna miss AIG so much! And my IT/ADMIN family and friends. : - ) Sa mga funny moments natin, sa mga “dramahan”, pang-aasar, etc. Grabeh!

I would say na sa AIG talaga ako tumagal.

Ayokong umiyak…

********************

I was watching “JONI” at DayStar Channel, the other day, and doon ko na-realize kung ano talaga gus2 kong gawin sa buhay… I’m so blessed with those women kse committed talaga sila ngayon in sharing the love of God. Talagang may direksyon lahat ng ginagawa nila…

Naisip ko nga, ako kaya? San ba umiikot ang buhay ko ngayon? I’m so busy sa trabaho ko, to the point na dumarating ako sa bahay, so tired and wala ng “quality time” with the Lord.

Hindi ito tama…

Nangangatwiran pa ako na, kse naman kelangan ko talaga mag-work. Buti pa yung iba, nasa “full-time” kaya mas maraming nagagawa for God…

Pero sabi nga ni Pastor Jun, ang work natin ngayon ay ang “place of assignment” natin. Ibig sabihin, san ka man nagtatrabaho, or anuman yan, ang maging blessing pa rin sa iba at mag-share ng Love of God ang number one priority natin.

Tinawag Nya tayo upang mag-full time “sa Kanya” .

Sabi ko nga, Lord, pag naging “Analyst” na ako, and may family na, sa bahay na lng talaga ako. Gusto ko tlga sumali sa mga activites ng mga “Anointed Women of God”…

****************************

Ang mga cousins ko, nangungulit na naman. : - )
Kelan daw ba ko magpapakilala sa kanila ng “boyfriend” ko. Ang sagot ko naman eh, “Cge, next year!” hehehe! : - )

Next year, hopefully, makapagdecide na ako… RIGHT CHOICE nga dapat diba?

Sasagutin ko ba sya next year? Or next, next year? : -)

Depende yun, pag I know in my heart na, ready na ko for commitment, and pag strong man na sya, and strong woman na rin ako, and dapat, God, is the center of our relationship. : - )

‘til next post!

2007-10-07T07:24:00.000-07:00

Haaayyy…Eto nanaman ako at nakaharap sa computer koh… Well, ganito tlga ko…pag feel ko mag-blog, ayun nah! :-)

Dami kong natutunan these past few days… or a week before my birthday, and 4 days din after ng birthday ko…

Tuwing darating ang birthday ko, excited tlga ako… andyan yung tuwing gigising ako, nireremind ko sila mama by saying na ‘Birthday ko na!!!’ hehehe! Natatawa nga sila sakin kse para daw akong bata. Excited sa birthday. Ang tagal-tagal pa naman daw! :-)
Tapos nagpaparinig na ko sa kanila about the things na gus2 ko ibigay nila sakin. :-) syempre… GIFTS!!! I love surprises kse tlga! Kahit simple things lng, happy na ko! Kaya sa lahat ng pumunta nung birthday ko, SALAMAT! :-) Presence nyo pa lng, ok na. Lalo na kay joan na medyo nilalagnat pa, pero nag-effort tlga na makapunta. ;-) Ang sweet! :-)

Sabi ko dami ko natutunan before my birthday dba? Well, eto yon… Ilang days bago dumating ang October 3, na-stroke si Tiya Maring. Tita sya nila mama, na lola ko na, and sabi ni mama sya din daw tumulong sa pag-aalaga sakin noon…

Sa ospital ng maynila sya dinala. Friday lng ako nakadalaw noon. Ok naman, medyo nakakausap ko pa sya. Sa room na yun, 5 patients ang nandon. Maawa tlga ang lahat ng dadalaw kse bakas sa mukha ng lahat ng pasyente ang karamdaman at kahirapan. Iba’t-iba ang kinakaharap na problema. Mayroong mga nakauwi na at mayroon naman akong nakita na hinihintay na lng daw ang oras nung isang pasyente doon. Sabi nung isang manong, iuuwi na lng daw nya yung tatay nila at wala na rin naman daw pag-asa at pambayad sa mga gastos. Hindi nila kakayanin. Wala daw pampagamot. Tanggap na daw nila. Nalungkot ako kse bakit kailangang maging problema ang pera? Bakit yung ibang mayayaman pag nagkakasakit, nasasagot lahat ng kelangan. Hindi nila problema ang pera? Ang mahihirap naman, ‘oras’ na lng daw ang hinihintay. Wala na daw pag-asa…

Kung iikot ka sa ospital na yun, malalaman mo kung ano ang kulang. Mapapaisip ka kung san napupunta ang ‘tax’ na binabayaran ng masa… Na kahit yung maliit na sweldo na lng eh binabawasan pa…

Bakit kung alin pa yung mga dapat pinapahalagahan, pinapaayos at pinapaunlad, yun pa yung binabalewala? Kung tutuusin, hindi naman tlga mahirap ang Pilipinas eh…Sagana nga tayo sa resources and matatalino pa ang mga tao dito…madiskarte! Ang problema nga lng e yung ‘diskarteng’ yun ay ginagamit sa maling paraan… O sabihin na lng natin ang lakas tlga ng pangungurakot dito? Wala naman akong balak mamulitiko or makialam sa kanila, FREEDOM OF SPEECH lng ito! :-)

Isa pang issue… karamdaman… Kahit kelan, hindi ito ang naging ‘will’ ni Lord para sa’tin. Nakakalungkot pag may mga taong nagsasabi na “Nagpapasalamat ako sa sakit na ito na ibinigay ng Diyos, upang ako’y bigyan ng leksyon at matuto.” Whaaatttt??? Kung tayong mga tao nga nasasaktan pag napagbibintangan tayo sa isang bagay na hindi naman natin ginawa, e si Lord din noh! Sino ba namang Ama ang maghahangad na mahirapan ang kanyang anak? Sa mga latay ni Hesus, tayo ay magaling na!

Ang dami-daming good things ang inaalok ni Lord sa’tin. Puro Perfect Will lahat. Lahat na nga lng ng ginawa Nya ay para sa kabutihan natin. God is good tlga!

Kaya kami ni Mama, pinag-uusapan namin ito. Ano nga ba gagawin namin? Kay Tiya Maring? She’s 83 yrs old. Pero we’re believing for God’s best! Sa financial provision and maayos na condition ni Tiya Maring. Not just Healing but Divine Health!

Dumaranas man kami ng hirap sa sitwasyon na ito, alam namin na we can rest in the ‘Finished Work’ of Jesus!

Isa pang natutunan ko ay yung pag-depend kay Lord pagdating sa finances…

Well, I honor God with my tithes and sow my best seeds but I must admit na when it comes to ‘believing’ God for a hundred-fold return, don ako medyo…alam mo na…

Siguro kse nasanay ako na magdepend sa parents ko at sa salary ko kapag material things na ang pinag-uusapan.

Praise God for the Word! God is dealing with me nga sa issue na ito. Patuloy akong binabago…

Narealize ko tlga na patuloy pa rin kaming bine-bless ni Lord… Totoo, may “need” kami ngayon pero nakita ko ang Faithfulness ni Lord.

Ibang klase tlga! :-)

Isa pa… kanina after ng youth service, kinausap ako ni Ate Ruth… Sabi nya kelangan nya ang commitment ko sa Sunday Faith Group namin…Pwedeng ako ang magturo pag wala sya...ganon ang mangyayari... FYI po sa mga di nakakaalam kung bakit big deal sakin ito… kse nga po ang tagal ko rin nawala sa youth and ngayon member na lng ako ng faith group and young pro ministry namin. In short, umalis ako sa leadership… lumayo ako sa mga responsibilities… naging selfish ako…sarili ko lng inisip ko…naging emotional…natakot…

Pero lately nga, nararamdaman ko naman na God is talking to me… He wants me to go back where he has called me… sa ministry kung san ko Sya nakilala…kung san ako nag-grow… kung san ko nalaman na buhay Sya at totoo!

Pero lagi akong nagdadahilan… “Lord ang hirap bumalik eh…” “hindi na ko bagay doon…”

Minsan natatanong ko Sya… “Lord, bakit sa kabila ng lahat nandito pa rin ako?” Bakit nandito pa rin ako sa church na ito? Bakit hindi ko kayang umalis dito? Bakit hinahanap ko pa rin yung mga bagay na dati kong ginagawa para sa Inyo?” “Bakit hindi ko kayang lumayo sa Inyo?” Bakit kahit san ako magpunta, nandoon Ka?”

“Dahil ito ang buhay mo…”
“AKO ang Buhay mo…”

Habang sinusulat ko ito, umiiyak na talaga ako… Sa mga katagang pinaniniwalaan ko na galing sa Kanya, hindi ako makapagsalita.

Natutuwa ako sa pag-uusap namin ni Ate Ruth kanina. Hindi nga ba’t matagal ko nang hiniling kay Lord na gamitin Nya ko ulit?

2007-09-26T04:09:00.000-07:00

A Great Life

I've heard the saying, "The best gift parents can ever give to their children is to love each other."

I've had the pleasure of witnessing the truth of this statement for over 40 years. From as far back as I can remember my Mom and Dad were a team. A great partnership. They were more than just a partnership. It was as if they were one person.

Sure, they argued, but there was never any doubt in our minds that any disagreements would be worked through and resolved. Mom and Dad began their married life poor, but they worked hard and, over the years, built a very successful business. They each had their strengths and weaknesses, but the way they worked together, you never saw the weaknesses, just the strengths.

Dad was the outgoing, more public person with whom people met and fell in love with right away. Everyone knew Dad! Then, when they got to meet Mom, they felt the exact same way about her as well. Mom, although not at all shy, was more comfortable being the person behind the scenes. More detail oriented, she ran the books and, according to Dad, was the one who really made the business work.

The biggest lesson about love and marriage that my mom and dad taught us kids was how to talk "about" your spouse. Have you ever heard husbands and wives, when speaking to others, make unkind remarks about their spouses? It's one of those things people just seem to do. Sure, they're "only kidding," or maybe they are not. But words matter. And words teach, whether positively or negatively.

You would never hear such a thing from my mom and dad. Dad always speaks of Mom in the most complimentary, glowing terms. As does she of him.

This lesson made such an impression on me. I still remember when I was age 12 and we were getting carpet installed in our home. The crew boss was one of those stereotypical beer guzzling, hard-living guys, who would have probably belonged to Ralph Kramden's Raccoon Lodge from the old Honeymooner's TV show. For lunch, my folks bought pizza for the crew. Dad went to talk with the boss about the job. I was around the corner listening.

The boss said, "This is an expensive job. Women will really spend your money, won't they?" Dad responded, "Well, I'll tell you, when they were right there with you before you had any money, it's a pleasure to do anything for them you possibly can."

This wasn't the answer the carpet installer expected to hear. He was looking for negative banter about wives which, to him, was natural. He tried again: "But, gee, they'll really play off that and spend all they can, won't they?" Dad replied, as I knew he would, "Hey, when they're the reason you're successful, you want them to do the things they enjoy. There's no greater pleasure." Strike two.

The crew boss tried one more time, "And they'll take that as far as they can, huh?" Dad responded, "She's the best thing that ever happened to me. I'd do anything to make her happy."

I was trying not to laugh. I knew he wanted Dad to give in just a little bit and say, "Yeah, I guess that's true." But it wouldn't happen... not in a million years!

Finally, the installer gave up and went back to work, probably shaking his head in bewilderment. Witnessing my dad in that moment taught me more about loving and respecting your wife than anything he could ever have told me about the subject.

Mom and Dad are now retired and enjoying their life together, just hanging out, reading, and visiting their children and grandchildren. They recently celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary.

They still hold hands, and they are more in love than ever. Throughout the years, whenever Mom would remind me that I should be looking to get married, I'd say, "Ma, I have plenty of time." She'd jokingly reply that I don't have "that" much time. My Dad would then look at me in that wisdom-filled, city streets bred way of his and say, "Hey, you take all the time you need. If you marry someone just half the woman your mother is, you'll have a great life."

I should only be so blessed.

Author Unknown

This is just too beautiful not to share...

2007-08-29T03:24:00.000-07:00

This story was written by a doctor who worked in South Africa...

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.
"All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as did most days, I went to have prayers with many of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.
During prayer time, one ten-year old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, God" she prayed, "send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon."
While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"
As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen". I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything, the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!
Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door! By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children.
Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting.
Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out - yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly too!" Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!

Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"
That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon."

"Before they call, I will answer" (Isaiah 65:24)

2007-07-09T02:00:00.000-07:00

Be Consistent

Today's Scripture

“You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other” Hebrews 10:25 (NCV).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Today, we would like to impress upon you the importance of consistently in serving God. Never, never give up on Him, because He never gives up on you! Some believers may be in the habit of living for themselves and dishonoring God, but don't let your circumstances cause you to become discouraged and give up on meeting together with other believers for worshi and fellowship. The church is the center of God's plan for this day. He wants to bless us not only individually, but also corporately as the body of Christ. When you're consistent in your worship, then others may be encouraged to stay consistent and that may just start a holy “domino” effect. Keep working, loving and worshiping with God's people.

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for never giving up on me, even though I'm not perfect. Help me to be an encouragement and example of consistency to other believers who may be struggling. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

IsiP-IsiP...

2007-06-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

haaayyy! wla lng...dami ko lng iniisip ngayon...

Sa sobrang dami, di ko na alam uunahin...hahaha!

well... as time goes by... lalong lumalakas ang desire ko to take MS Information Management sa Ateneo IT Institute or MSCS sa La Salle... Basta kahit anong degree na makakatulong sakin. :-)

But what I really need is...of course... wisdom and strength para ituloy ang pangarap na ito... financial provision din...

Sayang kse di ko pa tinanggap yung offer last year...sayang tlga... MSCS sa Mapua din yun... yan kse nagpadala ako sa takot non eh...tsk tsk tsk...And yan na nga ba sinasabi sa WORD eh...

Pag-pray nyo ko ha...gusto ko tlga ito eh. Thanks!

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Ano pa ba... Ayan na...dami na changes sa office... Lalo na by August... Honestly, natatakot ako... Pero di ko dapat i-entertain ito... The Lord is with us! Amen!

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Magbibigay na tlga ko ng "quality time" sa mga friends ko... Oo nga dapat ganon... mamya bigla na lng sila umalis dba?

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Namimiss ko na c best friend Mayds, si Kuya Mike, si Cassie and ang buong "Barkada ni MonMOn"!!!

Nagkita na nga pala kmi ulit ni joshie. And I can honestly say na namiss ko rin sya. :-)

(Binabasa daw nya blog ko kaya kelangan ko ito sabihin!hahaha! joke!)

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Excited na rin ako sa changes sa YP faith group...

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Ano pa ba? wla na. ito na lng muna! God bless! :-)

2007-06-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

Long but a great read… very inspiring…

--------------------------------------------------

Three years ago, Mr. Butch Jimenez's commencement address to the graduating class of UP entitled "What's Better Than?" made the email rounds and inspired readers with the practical sense the speech offered. This year, Mr. Jimenez was invited to address the graduating class of Silliman University and likewise, his speech (though he does not have a written one since he spoke only from an outline) and its transcribed form is again making the rounds of email. This is a copy of that speech, with messages on leadership and success and an interesting hook -- Descending (yes, not Ascending) to the Top. Take the time to pause from work and read thru it for a lesson or two and some quick inspiration.. .

----------------------------------------------

Subject: Descending to the Top 93rd SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

Luce Auditorium Lobby March 26, 2006

Descending to the Top

Delivered by Mr. Menardo "Butch" G. Jimenez Jr.

Senior Vice-President, Retail Business Group PLDT

OIC, Wireless Consumer Division, Smart Communications

-----------------------------------------------

It is a privilege of mine to be here. In 2003, I was requested to be the commencement speaker for the graduating class of the University of the Philippines-Diliman. And after I gave that address, I said to myself-and this is true-the only other invitation that I will accept after UP Diliman is Silliman University . I have actually been waiting for almost three years. And I would have waited 30 more years to address you. You may be asking, "Why is that?" It is simply because of the Christian roots and the Christian heritage that this university has; the same roots and the same heritage that my great grandmother, my grandmother, and even my mother have tried to instill in my life.

That is why I am here. So thank you very much for the privilege. I am actually quite excited to address all of you. One of the questions running in your mind today as you graduate and move forward is, "How do I reach the top?" A fair question and one that needs to be answered. And since I now presently handle marketing for both PLDT and Smart, let me share with you some marketing principles that I have learned, that may guide you on your quest to the top.

A battle for the mind

Success in marketing is a battle to be the first in the mind of the consumer. That is the principle proposed in the '80s by two authors, Al Ries and Jack Trout, in their classic book, "Positioning."

Ries and Trout said that success in marketing is a battle to be the first in the mind of the consumer. If you are first in the mind of the consumer, in most cases, you will rise to the top and become the leader or number one. So, the battle is to be the first in the mind.

Let's give a couple of examples. When I say cola, what comes first in your mind? It's Coke. And today, Coke has risen to the top and is number one. When you say beer, the first thing that comes into your mind is San Miguel. They are first in the mind, they are at the top, and they are the leader. When you say toothpaste, in most cases, what comes to mind is Colgate. The same rule holds true. Colgate is at the top of your mind, and they are number one. When you say photocopier, it's Xerox. They are first in the mind, they are the leader, and they have risen to the top. Let's try something more hip for the new generation kids. When you say mp3 player, what's first in your mind. I can actually read your mind. The iPod. They are first in the mind, they are at the top, and today, they are number one.

So, in many instances, the rule actually works. If you want to rise to the top, you have to be the first in the mind. The second thing that Al Ries and Jack Trout talked about, aside from being the first in the mind of the consumer, is burning an attribute or a characteristic in the minds of the consumers.

For example, Volvo did that. They burned into the mind of the consumer the attribute of safety. If you want a safe car, Volvo is it. iPod, for example, is burning in all our minds the attribute of being cool. They want to drive into our minds that the Ipod is the coolest gadget in the universe today.

So, two concepts we learn from Marketing to reach the top: Be the first in the mind and burn an attribute in the mind. Then, you start rising to the top.

So what does this all mean to you, as you go out into the workplace? If you guys want to start rising to the top, you have to do the same thing. You have to be the first or the top of mind amongst the people that you work for specially your boss. When the boss needs something done, you have to be the first in his mind. If you're just the third, or the fourth, or the fifth, or the tenth in his mind, you're just like a company that is in third, fourth or fifth position -- far, far away from rising to the top.

But like I said earlier, being top of mind is not enough. You also have to burn an attribute in his mind. Now, a slight word of caution. Burning an attribute in your boss's or co-worker's mind is a double-edged sword. You have to make sure that you burn a positive attribute and not a negative one. Ries and Trout explain that it is very difficult or next to impossible to dislodge an attribute in ones mind once it has been established. If you go into the workplace and the attribute you burn in your boss's mind is tatamad tamad ka (you're lazy), mahirap kang pakisamahan(you're not a team player), or di ka mapagkakatiwalaan (you're not trustworthy) then chances are, that attribute will stick in his mind for years to come and you'll have a hard time rising to the top.

How many classmates do you know have been branded "lazy", "a flirt", "playboy", "cheater" etc. Think about it, no matter how hard they try to change their image, it just sticks and is so hard to dislodge from your mind isn't it? That's how powerful burning an attribute in the mind is, positive or negative.

So, key lessons if you want to rise to the top is, you have to be the first in their mind and you must burn positive attributes in their mind.

Discipline

This leads me to the question, "What attribute should you burn in the minds of the people in today's world?" There are many attributes that I would have wanted to share with you, but in the interest of time, I will focus on two.

The first one is the attribute of discipline. If we want to be able to compete not only with our peers, but with the best in the world, we have no choice. As a person, as a people, and as a country, we have to be disciplined.

Discipline is a very fascinating thing. In the world of competition, you're always competing with somebody else. There is Smart competing with Globe, There is GMA competing with ABS-CBN, there is Sony competing with Samsung, and the list goes on. But when it comes to discipline, you are not competing with anybody else. You are only competing with yourself. And if you lose, guess who actually loses, only you.

A year and a half ago, I went to a leadership conference in Singapore that put together and assembled some of the best speakers in the world. I actually had to pay a huge amount-probably my whole month's salary-just to be able to enter that conference. Al Ries was speaking. Film legend, Francis Ford Coppola was speaking, Rudy Giuliani, who led New York to rise from the 911 crisis, was speaking and Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister of Singapore was one of the speakers.

I wanted to listen to Lee Kuan Yew and what he had to say. Lee Kuan Yew shared how he built Singapore from nothing to where it is today. He shared that Singapore , barely a generation ago, was far worse than many of its peers. But today, it is an economic superpower. He narrated that when he first started to lead Singapore , he asked his think tank to visit neighboring countries like the Philippines , Indonesia , Vietnam , Laos , Cambodia , and figure out what they don't have. He said they all came back with one conclusion: These countries lacked discipline. So to differentiate Singapore from its neighbors, he decided to build his country on discipline. This meant that if Singapore promised something to its people, to its foreign investors, and to other countries, it will be fulfilled. A disciplined country and a disciplined people-that's what he built Singapore on.
Discipline is a very important attribute all of us must have to be able to bring this country up from where it is today. If you want to reach your goals and dreams, you cannot do it without discipline.

One of my good friends is the president of Alaska Milk, Fred Uytengsu. I used to see him on the baseball field when he used to coach his son's team and I was an assistant for my son's team. One day, I saw him wearing a shirt that said, "If you don't have discipline, you don't deserve to dream." No matter how harsh it may seem, the point is true. If you're 350 lbs. overweight and you're dreaming to become the next big hunk, but you don't have the discipline to watch what you eat, to exercise, and to make it happen, it isn't going to happen. Don't even bother dreaming, if you don't have the discipline to make it a reality. You'll just get frustrated. That's how important discipline is in achieving success.

In the world of business, discipline is defined as work ethic. I'd like to share with you an anecdote from a great man who epitomized what work ethic is all about. Thomas Alva Edison. At the age of 82, the President of the United States said it was about time he was honored with an award for his lifetime work. So they put together a huge event in honor of Thomas Alva Edison. Being 82, he felt a bit sick that night and fainted. Good thing they were able to revive him and he was still able to go up on stage. Edison upon accepting the award simply said, "I am tired of all this glory. I want to get back to work." 82 years old, and all he can think of is going back to work.

That is work ethic. That is discipline. And that is one of the attributes we need to burn in people's minds if we are to rise to the top.

Execution

The second attribute we should burn is execution. We need to be able to drive in the minds of the people that we work with that we are the "go-to" guy. That if they want to make something happen, you are the guy to go to, because you are the person who can execute. Execution is one of the attribute that will help you rise to the top.
I'd like to quote one of the greatest mentors of all time who said to his pupil: "Luke, there is no try. There is either do or not do." You know who that is? That is Yoda teaching Luke Skywalker of Star Wars one of the most important lessons in life: execution or making it happen.

An icon of execution, of course, is Michael Jordan. He is arguably one of the greatest basketball players that ever lived, but not without getting the ball, taking that shot, and executing the play. Can you imagine what would have happened to Michael if all he ever did was to plan on shooting the ball but never did? One of the things you have to remember about execution though is that it doesn't mean you have to be successful every single time. Part of execution is learning how to fail yet rising up again.

Michael Jordan says this, "I missed more than 9,000 shots in my career and lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions, I have been entrusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life, and that's precisely why I succeed."
When you go out to the real world, you will realize that there are many people out there who have great ideas and great plans. And that is good. But like I always tell my team in PLDT, what separates the good from the great is execution. We can spend endless hours and tons of money strategizing, planning, team building, and analyzing to come out with a great plan. But until we execute that plan, that's all it will ever be, a plan.

When something goes wrong in a company, the question the leader or the CEO almost always asks is not, "Who has the best grades?" "Who has a diploma?" "Who has all the awards?" "Who is the summa cum laude?" "Who graduated from an Ivy league school?" The CEO just asks one question: "Who can get the job done?" That, dear graduates is the importance of
execution.

Let's learn a lesson from Mickey Mouse. Well, maybe not from Mickey, but from his originator, Walt Disney. Walt had four mantras: dreaming, believing, daring, and then doing. Of the four, "doing" is what turns everything into a reality. Walt said, "Dreaming, believing and daring without doing is just like Dumbo, the elephant, without ears. It just won't fly. ABRAKADABRA will never work." Only execution does.

Descending to the Top In my UP speech, I talked to them about "what's better than," and I juxtaposed what's better than this versus what's better than that. Now, all of us want to ascend to the top. No doubt about it. And we should. We should plan on ascending all the way to the top. But I will pose the same question I did three years ago: "What's better than ascending to the top?" T

he answer is DESCENDING to the top.

That may actually baffle a lot of your minds. "What is he talking about?" "How can descending to the top be better than ascending to the top?" It is a biblical principle. The Bible tells us that he who wishes to be the greatest must be the servant of all. That is the concept of descending to the top. What I want to share with you is that as you rise to the top, the more you have to be a servant. The keyword is humility. The more you start rising to the top, the more humility needs to become an important place in who you are and in your life.

I want to share with you what happened to Steve Jobs the founder of Apple computers and now the Ipod. We all know what a great visionary Steve Jobs is. But if we chronicle his career, Steve Jobs, as he was ascending to the top, as he was rising towards greatness, forgot all about humility. While he was hitting his peak, all he thought about was how great he was, how fantastic he was, and how the world and his company revolved around him. That is ascending to the top. The higher you go, the bigger your head.

What happened to Steve Jobs as he hit the peak? He was driven out of his company both in failure and in disgrace. Then after having failed in many other endeavors, he started again and went on to make an indelible mark in the entertainment industry, and with the extraordinary success of the iPod, regained his reputation as the "greatest innovator of the digital age". And so Steve Jobs, after having ascended to the top and then unceremoniously booted out, now gets the chance to lead Apple again. But something was different about the man this time. People started to feel Steve had changed. And so in a big conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco , there he was, listening to the chants of his people, demanding him to come back and run Apple again. Let me share with you how the new Steve answered the call. No longer ascending to the top, but understanding what descending to the top is all about. And I will quote from the book, "Icon: The greatest second act in business".

For the first time in his public life, there on stage, Steve appeared genuinely touched when the people were starting to ask him to come back and take the CEO position. He wasn't brash or cocky anymore. Maybe his four kids and the complete failure of a company and the near failure of another taught him something. There on stage, he fought back the tears as he mumbled something to make it clear that yes, even Steve Jobs can change.

He had made the transition into a world where feelings and passion could partner with business and technology. Steve Jobs said, "You guys are making me feel funny right now. I get to come to work with the most talented people on the planet at Apple and Pixar. The best job in the world! But these jobs are team sports. I cannot do it alone; I can only do it with a team."

A team sport. Fifteen years ago, it would have been a lie. It would have been all about him and how great he was. But now, everything was different. He now understood that it was really the many others who helped him succeed. He did realize it wasn't all about him. That Apple is a team sport.

That is descending to the top - the higher you fly, the lower the ego. If you're able to get a copy of Time Magazine's issue where they declared who their Man of the Year was for 20005 you'll see their choice was Bill Gates. But not because of what Bill Gates has done for Microsoft. Not because he revolutionized the computer industry. But because of what Bill Gates has started to do for humanity. If you read that article, Bill realizes that this is probably the generation where if health care were given enough resources, he can actually make a big difference in millions of people's lives. And that has become the man's passion and advocacy, donating billions to uplift the health of poverty stricken nations. This today is what truly defines him; no longer his technological achievements. It is now about serving and helping other people. In other words, descending to the top.

A heart for our Country Finally, as you rise to the top you should never lose your heart for our country. I always tell my team in PLDT, that yes, we have a business to run, but let us never forget we also have a country to serve. And that is the same thing I will tell you as you guys rise to the top. You will have businesses to run, you will have your own careers to take care of, and you will have your own dreams to pursue, but never forget you have a country to serve.

You may ask, "How? How do I serve the country?" One way is actually quite simple. I'll give it to you in one word. If you are great, if you are smart, if you are the best, if you have a Silliman education, then, please STAY. Just stay in the country. You would have actually done a great service to our country just by staying.

But if you can't stay, or you don't want to stay, that's fine. If you think you want to make it out there in the world, that's a-ok with me. But I want to ask two things of you.
First, go out there and show the whole world how great the Filipino is. In whatever field you're in, prove to the world how special we Filipinos truly are.

Second, don't just plan to COME back. Plan to GIVE back to the country. If you do that, if every Filipino who goes out there into the world -- and there are millions of us already -- proves to everybody how great the Filipino is, and not only plans to come back, but actually plans to give back to this country, in less than one generation, we will be an even greater nation.

I will end with what I told the UP students in 2003. You must be asking yourselves, "How do I reach my dreams?" or "How far can I go?" I told them this: In the last 42 years of my life, I have realized one thing, "There is no destination beyond the reach of those who walk with God."

So when you go out there in the world, take God's hand and walk with him. Because when you do, whatever destination it is you are hoping to reach, if God walks with you and takes you through, there will be no destination beyond your reach.

To the graduating class of 2006, I will meet you at the top and nowhere else!

Go Ahead and Grow

2007-06-15T02:14:00.000-07:00

I need this scripture... Grabeh! Tamang-tama sa situation ko ngayon...

Today's Scripture

“God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” Philippians 2:13 (NLT).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Nothing can change God's love for you. He wants the best for you and desires for you to grow spiritually. God says in the Bible that His plans and purposes for your life are wonderful - and nothing can stop the almighty God from accomplishing great things through you! God orders certain circumstances in your life He knows will be a challenge and cause you to grow in your faith. God loves you far too much to leave you where you are. So why settle for a middle-of-the-road life when you can cross the finish line victoriously! God continually works in you to give you the power for abundant living -so believe it, receive it and use it mightily for Him!

A Prayer for Today

God, I'm so glad that You love me too much to leave me where I am. Help me to live in the obedience and victory that I know are Your desire for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

2007-06-05T20:08:00.000-07:00

“If you desire to become an abider and a lover of God, you spend time with Him and spend time meditating on His Word. If you want to successfully walk in faith and live by faith, you will be diligent to read the Word and exercise your Faith. If you would like to walk in love consistently, you will meditate on the scriptures about Love and you practice walking in love.” – Gloria Copeland

Wow! I love what Gloria Copeland said. This is really… as in really… the desire of my heart…

These past few days, I’ve seen improvements in my “quiet time” with the Lord. I just can’t leave my room without talking to Him and reading His Word. I am so hungry for His Word. I’m beginning to understand those things that were not so clear to me before. The answers are now so comprehensible.

Indeed, God’s Word is powerful! I know it is changing me…

As I read His Word, the Holy Spirit is helping me not to forget the “basics” of my Christian life. He’s reminding me of what “Salvation” really means… also “Righteousness”… “Faith”…”Love”…

His Word has become my “weapon” in every situation I am facing.

With all honesty, I can say that I now truly love the words from Joshua 1:8-9

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Grabeh! I might be experiencing problems right now…responsibilities and challenges… But If I will just meditate on His Word, and ACT on it…I know I will be victorious! No, I am ALREADY victorious! Amen!

It is not wrong to be afraid or to fear… but we should not let fear hold us back from doing what God called us to do…

2007-05-13T23:58:00.000-07:00

The greatest battle lies within…

…famous line from SPIDERMAN 3...

Oh men! If you get to watch this movie, you will surely agree with me that it was SO GREAT!!! I’m not just talking about the effects, the actions, and the cost of the production… Though, it was evident, of course! I’m talking about the “lessons” I’ve learned. It spoke to me…really!

If you have read my previous blog entry, you will know exactly what I’m trying to explain here…

Hmmm… See the connection? Hehe!

Here it is…

I agree with what Peter Parker said…”We do have choices”

Driven by his negative emotions… hatred…anger…frustration…depression… He has been ruled by his “Other side”… The “evil character”…

But at the latter part of the story, He has chosen to forgive and let go of those negative thoughts and emotions…

As a result, He regain his true character… that benevolent heart… love for people… friendship with Harry Osborn… and trust and love for Mary Jane…

We do have choices! Choice to forgive, to walk in the LOVE of GOD, to put faith in action, and to obey God!

…The greatest battle lies within…

Yes, it was so true! For us Christians, It’s like choosing between the works of the spirit and the desires of the flesh…

For countless times, I’ve been in situation like this… I mean the battle between the “spiritual aiza” and the “emotional aiza”.

I have to choose if I’m going to walk inline with the WORD or to give in to what the flesh is telling me.

… And I’m thankful for God’s grace and also for the support and prayers of my dear friends… ( Hello Debbie and Hazel! Luv yah! )

And now, I’m declaring that I’m walking in the Spirit…

I’m walking in the love of God…

And that…

I choose to forgive…

I choose to let go of those past mistakes and hurts…

It wasn’t their intention… Maybe I just over reacted or became too sensitive…

I will not let those negative emotions messed up with the vision I've received from the Lord.

I am now a new creation in Christ! Therefore, there is no more “emotional aiza”.

No weapon against me shall prosper, in JESUS’ name, amen! : - )

2007-05-11T22:54:00.000-07:00

I need to be strong and walk in the LOVE of GOD…

I have to forgive those people… I need to love them kahit sobrang nasaktan na nila ako, right? This is what the WORD of God says… but I’m struggling… I need your support and prayers… I need to overcome these negative thoughts and emotions…

I’m fed up… I’m tired of those kind of people… really… I did my best… I did good things to them… I treasured them… I sowed my time and effort…

I’m prayin for a new environment… new set of friends…

I don’t need people who are “users”, back-stabbers, pretentious, hypocrites… Syempre? Sino ba naman ang may gus2 sa mga ganitong tao dba?

Kaya super ingat na ako ngayon…

I’m thankful for my TRUE FRIENDS… konti na lng tlga sila… most especially…my bestfriend Maydel, Young Pro girlz, KC, Mike and to my officemate and friend Ralph… Mahalaga kayo sakin. ..

As of this moment, I’m really trying my best to walk in love… I know this is just a test… I need to overcome this one… If I desire to be a true WORD PERSON, then I should not base my acts/decisions with my emotions… the WORD of God is the final authority, right? I must do what I preach! Act on the WORD!

2007-04-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

I love our young pro faith group! :-)

This afternoon, we had our YP faith group. Once again, I was encouraged by the testimonies of my sisters in Christ. We made a promise that from now on, we will be the kind of person that God wants us to be. The WORD WOMEN! What do I mean by this? A WORD PERSON is someone who based all his decisions, confessions, and deeds in the Word of God. The WORD is his life. He can’t leave without it. He meditates on it day and night. Not on Sunday services only, but EVERY SINGLE DAY…Every second, every minute…All the days of his life…

I’ve been a Born Again Christian for 10 years now, and to be honest I can’t say that I have already reached that highest level of my spiritual life. I know I should do something. I know what I need. IT IS THE WORD! It is always HIS WORD! God is constantly reminding me that his word is the absolute truth. I can find all the things I need in his word. That’s why I’m making this promise and also commitment with my co-yuppies that from now on I will be a WORD PERSON! My desire is to know more about God and His WORD. To do what the word says, to act on it. To have great faith. Like the faith of the centurion found in Matthew 8. He acknowledged the authority of the Lord.I wanna reach that level. If God said it, that settles it! I will not complain. I will not entertain fear and unbelief in my heart. I will make His Word the FINAL AUTHORITY over all things! I am going to the next level of my Christian life, my career, my relationship with God and with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I wanna experience the depth of the Love of God.

I know God is moving in my life, and so in the lives of my dear sisters in Christ. We promised that we will be committed in this ministry. We will help other young pros out there. We will share the LOVE of Christ.

I am still learning… I wanna be more rooted and grounded in the WORD…

2007-03-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

an email from a friend...

When You "FALL IN LOVE" -- be inspired.

-- an excerpt from Bo's newest book "HOW TO FIND YOUR ONE TRUE LOVE" this is nice... i'm sure everyone could pick up a thing or two from it... happy reading!

WHEN YOU FALL IN LOVE

(Debunking the Myths That Are Driving You Crazy) By: Bo Sanchez

This article isn't for teenagers only.

Falling in love happens to the young and the not-so-young. (Did you see 42-year-old Tom Cruise jump up and down Opra h's couch because of Katie?)

I t happens to everyone. Fat, thin, tall, short, intelligent, uneducated, holy, not so holy, dark, white, yellow, green… it doesn't really matter.

All of us fall in love.

And we get stuck in myths that drive us absolutely crazy.

My goal is to debunk these myths and convince you not to believe in them.

Let's begin …

MYTH 1: LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL

Let me qualify.

This is such a tricky myth. Because love ----- as defined by the Bible ------ will conquer all. But love ------ as defined by glazed-eyed lovers ----- will not.

If you believe in this myth, you might do the following:

You overlook major obstacles in your relationship.

Everyone you know is wondering why you chose that creature from outer space as your boyfriend. Your bestfriends are telling you to get rid of him. Your family is telling you to throw him out of a running vehicle. Aling Rosa of the sari-sari store across the street is telling you to lace his drink with poison.

But you won't --------- because you're in love. That's why there are songs entitled, "you and me against the world".

Your best buds comment, 'but he's been jobless for the past three years!" And you say, "He's free-spirited. He feels boxed in when he's in the office. '(in other words, he's undisciplined, lazy bum.)

Your officemates say, 'He flirts with other women constantly!' and you say, 'No, he's just friendly.' (in other words, he's a pervert)

Your cousins say, 'He's taking drugs, He's got needle marks all over his arm. And you say, 'No, he's into cross stitching.'

You overstay in toxic relationships, believing that your love will change him

The wedding doesn't transform anyone…Even if three Popes officiate the wedding. The person you'll march with into the church will be the same person you'll march with out of the church. He doesn't change one bit.

In fact, the marriage makes the hidden more obvious.

If he was selfish before he got married, he will be even more selfish after the wedding. If he was hypercritical before he got married, he'll even be more vile and prolific with his criticisms after wedding. Here's the truth: You need more than feelings of love to make a relationship work. You need mature character, total commitment and a minimum level of compatibility.

Especially compatibility in the area of values and mission in life. I hear people say, 'We're compatible. Our names begin with the same letter J. My name is Julie and his name is Julio. We're both born in July."

Wow. That's so deep, I want to cry.

MYTH 2 : WHEN IT"S TRUE LOVE YOU WILL KNOW THE MOMENT YOU MEET THE OTHER PERSON

I'm sure you've had this experience before.

You are in a crowded room. You're surrounded by boring, noisy chatter when, suddenly, this gorgeous guy enters the door. Your eyes meet. Instantly, time stands still. The universe grinds to a halt. Except for this attractive man in front of you, everything in your vision becomes a giant blur. The hubbub of the crowd becomes a soft muffle and, from out of nowhere, you here gentle violin music from the background.

One week later, he's your boyfriend.

A few weeks later, you discover that your boyfriend's a pathological liar, buried in credit card debt, borrows money from all his girlfriends (you're his eight in six months).

Your mind says, 'Dump him'.

Your heart says, 'But it was love at first sight!'

Here are the consequences …

You become so focused on the magical first moment, you become blind to the dark side of the relationship.

Six out of seven days, you're fighting with your boyfriend. & nbsp;But you can't give him up because you met each other in such a magical moment. Your car keys fell and he picked it up, and then your eyes met, you smelled his deodorant, and you dropped your keys again ……How can you not be meant for each other?

You become a love-at-first-sight junkie that you could miss out on the 'real thing'.

One intelligent woman told me, 'Bo, there's this guy who's courting me. He's okay. He's kind, he's responsible, he has a good job…….'

"I could hear a 'but' coming ," I said.

"But there are no sparks!" she bit her lip.

"No violin music playing in the background huh?"

"None. When I see him, the background music I hear is lululalu-lalulalulalei…"

"Listen. You don't need a magical first moment to meet our potential husband. The important things are mature character, financial responsibility, ability for commitment, compatible mission and values…"

I actually met this girl again on her wedding, and before she marched down the aisle, she whispered to me, "Do you hear the violin music, Bo? It's loud and clear."

It doesn't have to be love at first sight. In fact, marriages with the least adjustments are those between friends who've known each other for years before they realize that they're good marriage material.

What is love at f irst sight? Many times, it's lust at first sight. Or infatuation at first sight.

Don't give it too much weight.

Here's the truth: it takes a moment to experience infatuation but true love takes a lifetime.

MYTH 3 : IF IT IS TRUE LOVE YOU WILL FEEL THIS WAY FOR EACH OTHER FOREVER

No, you won't. Here are the consequences for believing this myth : You panic when the feelings wane, and wonder whether the marriage is over and whether you really loved one another in the first place.

Imagine the night of your honeymoon. Your new bride is sleeping. The cotton curtains are gently swaying in the cool breeze. You gaze at her lovely face. You study her soft cheeks. Her long eyelashes. Her beautiful nose, her parted red lips.
And all of a sudden, she snores. "Ngggggggooork"
How do you react? Because it's your honeymoon, you say, 'How cute.'
Six months down the road, the same scene transpires. Your wife is sleeping. And the same cotton curtains are gently swaying in the cool breeze. And you hear her snore. "Ngggggoork."
What do you say? "Ssssssheeeesh, Honey! You sound like a boat!"
What has happened? The feelings have gone. Let me say this: 'That's normal. It happens to everyone. But it doesn't mean your love is gone so don't panic!
You can make a decision to love the snoring boat.

You start blaming your partner for the loss of love This is nutty. But many people do it: when we don't feel in love, we think it's the fault of the other person. And so we fight him. Again, we fall out of love because we're human beings. It's nobody's fault. The moment you fall out of love , the real work begins.
Let me explain.
This is the most important point I'm going to make. (I got this from Scott Peck in his bestseller book, The Road Less traveled)
"Falling in love isn't love ."

Here's why. When you fall in love…
a. No decision is required. Falling in love just happens.
b. No effort is required. Falling in love is like…. Well, falling.
c. No hard work is required. Falling in love is being bitten by the love bug.
On the other hand, true love requires all three : Decision, effort and lots of hard work. In the Bible, love is a command. You make it happen. Sure true love can only happen after you've fallen out of love.

When you begin choosing to love, even if you don't feel like doing it ---- that's true love. And that's the foundation of a lasting marriage.

MYTH 4: YOUR PARTNER WILL FULFILL YOU COMPLETELY

Again because falling in love satisfied you completely ----- you want the same satisfaction to last. No it won't. Consequence? You might fail to recognize a good relationship because your partner isn't fulfilling the needs you should be fulfill ing yourself.
Here's the truth: the right partner will fulfill many of your needs but not all of them .

There are just some things your husband can't give you: you're self-worth. Your spirituality. Your inner happiness. These are things you have to work on your own. I've met lots of people who think they're dissatisfied with their marriage. In reality, they're dissatisfied with themselves. I've met lots of people who think they're bored with their marriages. And they complain to the high heavens how boring their husband or wife is ---- when in truth, they're really bored with life.
Meet your own needs. Find your happiness in God. Find y our niche, your calling, your destiny. And then share your joy with your spouse.
MYTH 5 : IF IT'S TRUE LOVE YOU WON'T BE ATTRACTED TO ANYONE ELSE

If you believe in this myth, you panic when you get attracted to someone else, questioning the authenticity of your love for your spouse.
One man told me, 'Bo, I love my wife. Or I thought I did. But then I met this woman at work. She has nice make-up. She smells nice. She wears a pencil-cut skirt. When I go home, my wife is wearing a drab rag. Her hair is undone. She smells of vinegar. Gosh I am attracted to this girl at work."
Being attracted to someone is normal ----- even if you have a happy marriage. But being attracted doesn't mean falling into adultery.
Every time you think of the other woman, discipline your heart and say, 'Home, boy, Home!' and escort your heart back to your wife. Because if you feed your attraction with fantasies and constantly think about the other woman, it grows.
But if you starve your attraction, it dies a natural death.

WiSdOm...

2007-03-08T17:43:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! :-)

Share ko lng... I'm so happy kse ang dami ko natututunan d2 sa office. I mean, kahit umalis na ang aking mentor, di ako pinapabayaan ni Lord! :-) Things are getting easier na rin. Nasosolve ko na rin yung mga system issues sa production. :-) Nakakapag-propose na rin ako ng mga bagong projects and gus2 naman nila. :-) Excited ako lagi magprogram ngayon. Grabeh tlga ang improvement! Love ko ang work ko! :-)

Ano ang secret? WISDOM that comes from above! :-) Best teacher ang Holy Spirit! Dapat tlga kahit small things lng, we should pray lagi. Hndi natin dapat ipagmalaki na "ok lng yan, kaya ko naman yan, madali lng yan!" Apart from God, we can do nothing! We should spend MORE TIME with the Lord, and allow Him to speak...meditate on His Word... He is more than willing to give us great ideas, concepts, wisdom, etc.

God Bless! :-)

All AboUt ObEdienCe...

2007-03-04T17:25:00.000-08:00

Obedience is better than sacrifice...

I was so blessed with our faith group yesterday. The message is about "Obedience". Ate Ruth shared with us that when we obey the Lord, we should also give our hearts unto Him, and trust Him completely. Obedience is not just simply following what God tells us to do, but it also requires Faith and Love. "Partial Obedience" is total disobedience. We should listen to the voice of the Lord and obey Him completely. It is not enough to do "good things". Yung mga bagay na magmumukha kang "mabait" sa paningin ng iba, pero deep inside, you're not completely obeying God naman. Nagsasacrifice nga tayo pero hndi naman yan tlga yung pinapagawa sa atin. We cannot say that "OK, Lord, nasunod ko na yung ibang pinapagawa nyo. pero yung iba hndi pa.hndi ko kaya eh!Saka na lng po." To be completely honest, I must admit na nagdaan din ako sa ganito. I know that God is telling me to let go of someone. Pero hndi lng pala ko nag-iisa, because some of our faith group members were also dealing with this kind of situation. I'm so thankful because God helped me and strengthened me as I obey Him. :-) Sa una mahirap, kse sbi ko "Lord, happy ako d2 eh. Kelangan ko ba tlga mag-let go?" Pero nalaman ko ang purpose non. grabeh! Napakabuti tlga ni Lord noh? Kse narealized ko na lahat ng pinapagawa nya ay para din sa atin...kapakanan din natin ang iniisip Nya... Wow!

I realized then, dapat tlga maging consistent tayo... I mean, if you're obeying the Lord ngyn, dapat ganon ka rin bukas and so on... hndi yung ok ka ngayon, bukas hndi na naman...papadala sa emotions, and then lalayo ka again kay Lord, tapos babalik pag ok ka na ulit... God does not want us to live that kind of life!

I really admire Ate Ruth! Kse Word Woman tlga sya! Hndi lng sya basta nakikinig sa Word, sinusunod din nya! :-) As I was listening to her, i was also encouraged to have a deeper personal relationship with God. I want His thoughts to become my thoughts, and His ways, my ways.

In obedience, there is satisfaction.

From Pastor Joel Osteen:
You can experience satisfaction. That's right; no matter where you're at, what is troubling you today, or what has happened to you in the past, true satisfaction is close at hand. It's found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And along with the satisfaction that God gives you, peace and joy will flood your life to an overwhelming degree! This satisfaction and peace is not temporary, it's not just here until something bad happens. Experiencing true satisfaction in God lasts for an eternity. You can live the way you were born to live, the way God intended for you to live! With God's satisfaction, you can live a healthier, happier, and victorious life for as long as you live.

Lord, thank You for Your satisfaction that is beyond anything I have ever known. Strengthen me as I seek to serve and obey You and find my joy and satisfaction in You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

KuNg Anu-AnO lng Po!!!

2007-02-27T17:29:00.000-08:00

Hi! Magkukwento lng ako ha... :-)

Kakaiba ang mga araw na nagdaan...(Naks!parang seryoso,hehehe) ewan ko ba pero lately kse parang naging consultant ako ng mga taong may problem sa love life nila. Ilan sa mga friends and officemates ang nagtatanong sakin about this... so syempre, super payo naman ako. hndi ko nga alam kung bkit sakin pa sila nagtatanong, eh wla naman ako masyado alam or experience dyan. Pero sbi nga, hndi ko naman kelangan magdaan sa matitinding heart problems para makapagpayo ng maganda, kse the WORD OF GOD is enough.:-) At magandang opportunity ito to share the love of God. Ok naman kse nakikinig sila.

Pero di nagtatapos doon, kse kapag tapos na sila bigyan ng payo, may mga follow-up questions naman sila... ganito... "kaw Aiza, bakit wla ka pang bf?" at meron pa... "Wla ka bang balak?"..."May minamahal ka ba ngayon?"...

Grabeh! pati mga cousins ko at kapitbahay namin ito ang tanong sakin tuwing nakikita nila ako. :-) Alam nyo, pag tinatanong ako about this, hndi ako nagbibigay ng malinaw na sagot... laging "Ah basta"...o kaya naman "Secret!"... "Eh, ayoko pa po"... Dati kse ayokong magsalita tungkol dito, kse bka di ako maintindihan ng tao... kse nga naman dapat daw sa age ko, meron na. :-)
Pero ngyn pwede ko na sagutin yang mga tanong na yan... At ito ang nilalaman ng puso ko...

Hindi naman ako takot magmahal.Wla na yon!And syempre may nagugustuhan din akong tao. Pero ang alam ko ngayon, hndi pa ko ready. :-) Kse i'm enjoying this precious moment of my life eh. "SINGLENESS!" Ang dami ko pang gustong gawin, gusto ko si LORD JESUS ang maging number 1 sa buhay ko.Maging complete kahit wla pa si "mine" ("mine" kse ang gus2 ko itawag sa kanya.hihihi) At gus2 ko ganon din sya. Kse kung hindi pa, it means na di pa kmi dapat pumasok sa isang relationship. Ang sarap kaya ng feeling na yung partner mo ay pareho kayo ng purpose sa buhay. Yung pareho kayo ng itinitibok ng puso :-) And that is to love God forever!

Ayoko kse mangyari na iikot lng ang mundo namin sa isa't isa... Yung tipong wla ka nang inisip kundi siya na lng... hndi ka na mabubuhay ng wla sya... AYOKO non! hndi maganda yun...

I just wanna make sure na bago ako pumasok sa isang commitment, dapat rooted and planted tlga ako sa WORD, and si LORD ang number one at hndi si "mine". Kaya i'm using this period of my life, para maggrow pa and madevelop ang character :-)

Kaya ayan, nageenjoy tlga ko ngyn!:-) And alam ko, in GOD's perfect time, magiging ready na ko sa pagdating ng taong yun.:-) Man of Integrity... A man after God's own heart! (Ay grabeh,medyo nagba-blush ako ngayon sa sinasabi ko,hihihi! Hndi kse ako masyadong nagsasalita tungkol d2, ngayon lng tlga!)

Pero ito tlga ang mga naiisip ko ngyn! Iba tlga kapag sumunod tayo kay LORD. Laging tama ang decision! And ang result? Syempre, the BEST! :-)

Hindi ko po ito sinasabi para magmuka akong "spiritual" masyado... sinasabi ko ngayon kse ito tlga ang nasa isip ko... at laman ng puso ko...promise! :-)

Ang mga "kilig moments" kse na yan ay panandalian lamang... hndi mo masasabi na yung nararamdaman mo sa tao ngyn ay ganon pa rin after ilang years... Mahirap bigkasin ang mga salitang "mahal kita" sa taong di ka sure kung siya na nga tlga... Kaya dapat ipagpray at kilalanin maigi! :-) (Thank you Ate Mai, Ate Ruth and Bes Maydz! kayo po ang inspirasyon ko pagdating sa ganitong bagay)

Ang sarap mabuhay!!! :-)

*********************

Yesterday, nakachikahan ko ang aking boss! At napagusapan namin ang tungkol sa work ethics ng mga tao dito sa office. :-) Ang dami nga daw magagaling pero may attitude problem naman... Sbi pa nya, may mga taong pinanghihinayangan kapag umalis, meron naman na ok lng :-) In this conversation, dami ko natutunan!yehey! Dapat din mahal mo ang work mo and mahal mo rin ang mga clients nyo :-)

Gusto ko tlgang maging magaling na systems analyst! pero hndi lng bsta magaling, mabait at mapagmahal din na analyst! :-) Naalala ko tuloy yung boss ko sa EPCIB... Grabeh! I look up to her kse tlga pagdating sa s.a.d... Hndi lng sya basta magpoprovide ng malupit na system, kundi minamahal din nya ang mga end users... Meaning, lahat ng ginagwa nya ay para maibsan ang hirap ng mga tao sa manual processing, and at the same time, maimprove ang production. Kakaaliw tlga si ma'am! Talagang nasa puso nya ang line of work na pinili namin! :-) At gusto ko maging ganon din ako. :-) IN JESUS NAME!

*********************

Namimiss ko na ang kuya ko... Haaayyy kuya kelan ka ba tatawag ulit?Dami ko kukwen2! :-)

**********************

Nababawasan na ang aking mga KUYAs dito sa office... Three KUYAs na ang nagresign eh... Mamimiss ko po kayong lahat...Thank you sa lahat ng tinuro nyo sakin and for making me a better person...for teaching me to be independent... thank you mga mentors ko sa IT! (Sir G, Kuya Aldous and kuya Eric)

*********************
Cge tama na muna ito, magpoprogram pa ko eh!hehehe! God bless! :-)

ThInKiNg AbOuT...

2007-02-22T21:24:00.000-08:00

Hi! This is a long entry… Kayo pong bahala kung gusto nyo basahin…

Just wanna share with you what I was thinking about these past few days… hmmm…

I have so many plans, and I’m praying that these will all come to pass in 2007. Honestly, I don’t believe in New Year’s resolution… I don’t know why… or maybe because for me, resolutions are just like promises that are meant to be broken… It’s like a vow that you really have to keep… and not doing so will just make you feel so bad! =( I’d rather have PLANS and VISIONS… at least just plans… meaning you can still make some changes about it, try to bring out your best and fulfill it! I have so many decisions to make… Dreams to pursue… New things to find out and experience… God-given VISIONS…

Last month, I’ve made a very big decision… yes… And it was about my career… It was something that I gave up, and would probably change lots of things… I must admit that I was so afraid when I let go of that ‘thing’… should I say ‘job offer’? hehehe! Yes, it was a great offer from other company… you know the story… I declined the offer, and chose to stay with my current work… Some of my friends disagreed with my decision. "Sayang!!!" That’s the word I received from them!

But don’t worry my dear friends, I know exactly what I’m doing… I’m now ready to get out of my shell, take some risks, stop playing safe, face challenges, stand up and walk by faith! I chose to stay because I know God has great plans for us… I know that we’re all experiencing problems right now, but I believe that everything will be restored and put into place… Our hard works will be appreciated.

Grabeh Noh? I have so many goals tlga! But one question that popped out of my mind was that ‘HOW AM I GOING TO DO THESE?’ Ooops… Don’t get me wrong… It doesn’t mean that I don’t have enough faith or was that I’m having doubts on what the WORD of GOD says… I do have faith! And I believe HIS WORD. I’m asking this question because I know there are still not-so-good attitudes in me…

WEAKNESS! Oo, tama yun nga po…and I know I have to overcome those wrong attitudes and weaknesses. God is willing to help me and He loves to see me overcoming those issues and running the RACE with joy! But the decision to obey Him is yours, Aiza! Makinig ka! ( Oo ako nga po!) I need to go back to the basics… THE BASICS… reading the Bible, praying, loving God, serving His people and to walk in the LOVE OF GOD.

Alam nyo ba na without the LOVE OF GOD, the greatest foundation of all, I will never be happy? Yes, I could possibly achieve my career goals and have those entire things that I mentioned earlier (by the Grace of God, and because HE is faithful!), but the question is, MASAYA BA KO?

That’s why I’ve been telling you po na I need to go back to my FIRST LOVE --- JESUS! And stop acting like a little girl pa rin… I have to make good decisions…maging wag mashadong dependent and nagtatago na lng sa likod ng anino ng ibang tao… I was reading all my friendster testimonials, and napaisip ako…wla lng, kse most of what they said about me was that shy type daw ako na makulit! God-fearing, etc… Naisip ko, ganito pa rin ba ko ngyn? Nahihiya tlga ako…lalo na kay LORD. Nasan na yung dating Aiza? Parang nagbago na kse sya tlga eh…

I’ve noticed na ang dami ko na rin pinalampas na magagandang opportunities lalo na sa work… Mashado kse akong matatakutin dati… takot sa challenges and all… takot mag-take ng risk…takot sa tao… takot sa responsibilities… e anong mangyayari sakin nyan? Naaamaze nga ko sa ibang mga yuppies na ang lalakas ng loob sa mga workplaces nila. Grabeh! We’re of the same age lng, pero ang gagaling na nila and hndi pa mahiyain… Well, hndi naman tlga ko mahiyain eh…makulit tlga ko… nahihiya lng tlga cguro ako pag sa mga serious or more formal settings na…like meetings ksama ang mga matitinding tao sa company, discussions, presentations, trainings, etc… kse nga lagi akong natatakot…

Kanina, I was browsing through all my files nung college… yung mga projects, assignments, exams… napahinto ako saglit, and thanked GOD for His goodness… Hndi Nya kse ako pinabayaan sa school… Naisip ko… Kung noon nga di ako pinabayaan ni Lord, ngayon pa kaya? Shempre lam ko andyan pa rin Siya. :-) kaya ko ito!Dami ko nga gus2 matutunan ngayon…parang I wanna go back to school nga eh! super namiss ko na kse mag-aral! True yon ha! :-) Pero before that, dapat mawala muna yung pagiging matatakutin ko and mahiyain…

Someone told me this… ‘Monalisa, shyness will take you nowhere’… oo nga naman… I trust God nga, pero if I will not do my part, pano yan? Kaya dapat maovercome ko na tlga mga weaknesses ko. They told me that I have the potential…the skills… kelangan lng madevelop. I need to come out of my shell! This year is the year of OPEN DOOR! (based sa prophecy po) Kaya dapat I’m in the right position and attitude when God opens up a lot of good opportunities and possibilities. Kaya po ang VISION ko tlga this year is makita ang sarili ko na nandon sa place kung saan ako tinawag ni Lord… let me pray for a while… LORD, I ASK FOR YOUR GUIDANCE… AMEN!

Hmmm...

2007-02-14T01:31:00.000-08:00

Grabeh... got this one from a friend! happy reading! :-)

My husband is an Engineer by profession, I love him for his steady nature, and I love the warm feeling when I lean against his broad shoulders.

Three years of courtship and now, two years into marriage, I would have to admit, that I am getting tired of it. The reasons of me loving him before, has now transformed into the cause of all my restlessness.

I am a sentimental woman and extremely sensitive when it comes to a relationship and my feelings, I yearn for the romantic moments, like a little girl yearning for candy. My husband, is my complete opposite, his lack of sensitivity, and the inability of bringing romantic moments into our marriage has disheartened me about love. One day, I finally decided to tell him my decision, that I wanted a divorce.

"Why?" he asked, shocked. "I am tired, there are no reasons for everything in the world!" I answered.

He kept silent the whole night, seems to be in deep thought with a lighted cigarette at all times.

My feeling of disappointment only increased, here was a man who can't even express his predicament, what else can I hope from him?

And finally he asked me:" What can I do to change your mind?" Somebody said it right, it's hard to change a person's personality, and I guess, I have started losing faith in him.
Looking deep into his eyes I slowly answered : "Here is the question, if you can answer and convince my heart, I will change my mind, Let's say, I want a flower located on the face of a mountain cliff, and we both are sure that picking the flower will cause your death, will you do it for me?"

He said :" I will give you your answer tomorrow...." My hopes just sank by listening to his response.

I woke up the next morning to find him gone, and saw a piece of paper with his scratchy handwriting, underneath a milk glass, on the dining table near the front door, that goes....

My dear,

"I would not pick that flower for you, but please allow me to explain the reasons further.."

This first line was already breaking my heart. I continued reading.

"When you use the computer you always mess up the Software programs, and you cry in front of the screen, I have to saved my fingers so that I can help to restore the programs.

You always leave the house keys behind, thus I have to save my legs to rush home to open the door for you.

You love traveling but always lose your way in a new city, I have to save my eyes to show you the way.

You always have the cramps whenever your "good friend" approaches every month, I have to save my palms so that I can calm the cramps in your tummy.

You like to stay indoors, and I worry that you will be infected by infantile autism. I have to save my mouth to tell you jokes and stories to cure your boredom.

You always stare at the computer, and that will do nothing good for your eyes, I have to save my eyes so that when we grow old, I can help to clip your nails, and help to remove those annoying white hairs. So I can also hold your hand while strolling down the beach, as you enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful sand... and tell you the color of flowers, just like the color of the glow on your young face...

Thus, my dear, unless I am sure that there is someone who loves you more than I do... I could not pick that flower yet, and die.."

My tears fell on the letter, and blurred the ink of his handwriting... and as I continue on reading...

"Now, that you have finished reading my answer, if you are satisfied, please open the front door for I am standing outside bringing your favorite bread and fresh milk...

I rush to pull open the door, and saw his anxious face, clutching tightly with his hands, the milk bottle and loaf of bread....

Now I am very sure that no one will ever love me as much as he does, and I have decided to leave the flower alone...

That's life, and love. When one is surrounded by love, the feeling of excitement fades away, and one tends to ignore the true love that lies in between the peace and dullness.

Love shows up in all forms, even very small and cheeky forms, it has never been a model, it could be the most dull and boring form.. . flowers, and romantic moments are only used and appear on the surface of the relationship. Under all this, the pillar of true love stands... and that's our life... Love, not words win argument..

Hi GiRl FrIeNdZ!!! ThIs Is FoR YoU!!! HiHiHi

2007-02-01T17:55:00.000-08:00

In a brief conversation,
a man asked a woman he was pursuing the question:
"What kind of man are you looking for?"

She sat quietly for a moment
before looking him in the eye and asking,
"Do you really want to know?"
Reluctantly, he said "Yes."
She began to expound...

"As a woman in this day and age,
I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can't do for myself.
I pay my own bills.
I take care of my household without the help of any man... or woman for that matter.

I am in the position to ask, "What can you bring to the table?"
The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to money.

She quickly corrected his thought and stated,
"I am not referring to money. I need something more.
I need a man who is striving for perfection in every aspect of life."

He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain.
She said "I am looking for someone who is striving for excellence mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation. I don't need a simple-minded man.

"I am looking for someone who is striving for excellence spiritually
because I don't need to be unequally yoked...
believers mixed with unbelievers is a recipe for disaster.

"I need a man who is striving for excellence financially
because I don't need a financial burden.

"I am looking for someone who I can respect.
In order to be submissive, I must respect him.
I cannot be submissive to a man who isn't taking care of his business.
I have no problem being submissive... he just has to be worthy.

"God made woman to be a help mate for man.
I can't help a man if he can't help himself."

When she finished her spill, she looked at him.
He sat there with a puzzled look on his face.
He said, "You are asking a lot."

She replied, "I'm worth a lot."

NiCe Po...

2007-01-31T23:35:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! I love this one... God Bless! :-)

A good piece to reflect on...

2007-01-31T17:39:00.000-08:00

Hi! I've received this message from a friend... just sharing with you! God Bless! :-)

AN OPEN ADVICE ABOUT CAREER DECISIONS:

Several of my staff has approached me lately about their career decisions. I really appreciate my staff opening up to me. It is quite reassuring to know that they're still having second thoughts about leaving. Here is part of the email I sent to a "confused" staff:

I have worked for more than 5 companies already so I guess you might be correct in saying I have had considerable experience about leaving and moving on. I will not stop you nor tell you to leave, though of course it will be better if you stay. In any career decision, leaving or staying I believe, based from my personal experiences and as an HR professional, should only be done for the right reasons.

For one, you shouldn't leave because you don't like several people in the company, nor should you stay because of the friends you have made here. At the end of the day, it is your life. Your friends or "enemies" should not make or break your career. If you let them be the deciding factor, then maybe you should think twice. You are the craftsman of your fate and the captain of your ship. Captain Hook shouldn't be one of your worries!

Do not leave nor stay because of the "brand" of your company. If that was the case, I would have rushed off and sign my JO in "C"! Ask yourself whether you want to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a bigger pond. Know your priorities. Only you can answer that.

Do not leave the company because you're so damn frustrated about the way things are being run, or stay because you have this "messianic complex" that you can change things overnight. Be realistic about the things. Learn to accept that there is no perfect company. Be accepting that change is a slow and painful process at times and be thankful that you realize and act on things that can be changed and improved. Definitely, do not leave or stay just because your parents want you to. I know I am advocating obedience to parents but again, we are talking about YOUR career. But learn to value their wisdom and discern well.

Money isn't everything. The package being offered now might be better but look at the long-term prospects. Do not leave or stay just solely on the compensation package. Look for growth prospects and review their career plans for you. Your immediate gains today might actually be a loss a few years from now if you do the Math.

Boredom is another challenge all professionals are faced with during lull periods in their career. Do not leave because you have become so bored with your job. Do not stay either because you want things as they are. Change is inevitable in any organization. Talk to your boss. Ask for more responsibilities or other tasks if you're bored. Enroll in a special course. If you're satisfied with the status quo and is just waiting for retirement hoping things will stay the same, you're in for a big disappointment - either you will be forced to change or you will be forced to leave. Be ready before that time comes. Boredom or complacency is perennial battle most professionals have to deal with. Arm yourself with creativity everyday!

Tonight I suggest you rest well. Sit still and listen to what He is saying. PRAY. I have always made my career decisions through His guidance. He was and still is my Career Adviser/Talent Manager. Your work, our work, is a vocation. He knows us more than we know ourselves so trust Him for whatever plans He has for you. You can never go wrong.

And remember: Use your head to get to the top. But use your heart to stay

BonDinG iTo!!! :-)

2007-01-08T12:50:00.000-08:00

Hi! I'm back! hihihi! Just wanna share some events on our Christmas Break! (As if meron?!) before I go on posting new entries for 2007! yiheee!!!

Last Christmas, I went out with my friend Dhang! (Hi Dhang!hahaha!) Wla lng...we just watched KKK (Kasal Kasali Kasalo)! Oh dba Judy Ann fanatic ito! C Dhang kse eh! hey dhang, if you're reading this, just feel free to post a comment, ok?!hihihi! To be honest, I'm so thankful that this girl invited me to go out... I was planning to sleep the whole Christmas day na lng kse bcoz I'm super tired na! Pero thank God! Nakalabas din ako and enjoyed the movie, and had a simple chat with her! :-) I realized then na it's better tlga if you'll get in touch with your friends again! kain lng sa labas! do funny things together! picture-picture! videoke! yun lng! nakakawala din kse ng pressure eh... =)

Here's our cutie picture!

Cge po! God Bless! Love yah! :-)

MeRrY ChRisTmAs!!!

2006-12-21T10:01:00.000-08:00

Hi Bloggers! It's Christmas! =) This is a very special and unique season because people from all corners are celebrating the birth of our Savior. =) Well, Born Again Christians know the truth that December 25 is not really the exact date of Our Lord Jesus' birth... Just go through your Bible and you'll know the truth! =) Hey! I'm not posting this blog to instigate a dispute, ok? Relax! hahaha! =)

Anyway, just wanna share somethin... I really love this season! I enjoy listening to kids' Christmas Carol in our place... Colorful Lights... Chilly nights... Christmas Shopping Rush... New looks (Christmas Fashion!), Decorations, Christmas Partees (Yehey!), Giving gifts, etc! =)

...And most of all... I really appreciate the fact that it becomes easier for some people to forgive, share their blessings and can even love their best enemies during this season (hahaha!) :-)

I hope we can do these good things everyday! that is possible, right? It's so nice to be in love! Wink wink! =)

With all these Christmas Fête and Shoppin' Sprint please don't forget the true meaning of the season... Put God first in everything... Celebrate His goodness... Jesus loves us unconditionally... We can be happy this Christmas because of JESUS... Receiving so many gifts is not an issue... Having so much in your dining table during Noche Buena doesn't count... If you're currently in a relationship or still waiting for God's best is not the basis of real happiness... A satisfying life with GOD and making HIM your priority will give us TRUE HAPPINESS! This is so true! Promise!

Merry Christmas mah friendz! I miz u all! God Bless You! Expect greater things from God this coming year! :-)

BoNdiNg WiTh KiKaY gUrL FrIeNdZ :-)

2006-12-19T11:39:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody! Last Saturday, Dec 16, the girlz of Yuppies Faith Group had a vey unique christmas partee! =) Well, it wasn't really a party, but a night out with the Kikay girlz --- Ate Mai,Hazel,Debbie,Cindy and of course, the one posting this blog! haha! =) Too bad, Ate Ruth wasn't able to come with us... =(

We had fun! I met new people like Kat (Hazel's friend) who guided us in looking for a cool place to stay, and also one of the KLite's DJs, who was in the SaGuijo's place. The DJ has really a great voice and good accent, promise! aliw tlga! =) Although I'm not into heavy rock music, and the first band there made me feel that I was in Jurassic Park bcoz of the growling sounds (haha!), I enjoyed my stay there (kahit pano) bcoz of mah friendz. we just had iced tea (bcoz we don't drink tlga!) and wait for the other bands. =) SugarFree played their music too! nice! =)

Oh! We also had our dinner at GreenBelt area. =) The food was nice! If I'm not mistaken, that was in BabbaGump(or BubbaGump) sorry!i forgot how it was spelled. =)

Aiza and Debbie (wla yung iba eh..busy! :-)

And of course, as KiKaY GuRlz, How can we forget about SHOPPING! =) I bought an elegant blouse for my mama and accessories to make it look better. =)

We stayed at Hazel's place and had "makulit na chikahan" there. =) Saya!

Ooooppsss... Please be informed that this was the very first time I was actually allowed to stay outside and super late na (Makati area pa!)... But of course with so many DOs and DONTs and with my parents' text messages asking 'San ka na?'...hahaha! =)

Hey! Sana we can do this again. Wink Wink =) Love yah! mwuah!

Lungkot...

2006-12-12T08:43:00.000-08:00

Haayy!!! Grabeh!!! Bkit ganon? wla lng, so sad kse my father got mad at me last Saturday night. It's bcoz I went home late na raw...11:30pm pa lng naman yun eh... We had an all-girl-bonding kse sa starbucks. Super chikahan, yun lng. I had fun with my kikay girl friendz...kaya lng napagalitan naman ako...waaahhh!!! I realized then na, papa is treating me like a li'l girl pa rin... I'm 22 years old na... I want my freedom na po... =(

Goodbye...

2006-12-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

Hello po! Well, have somethin to share again... Last Wednesday, Nov 29, kuya went to Singapore na... well, namimiz ko na sya agad... Wla ng clown sa bahay...ako na lng.haha! =)

Grabeh ganon pala tlga...sometimes u'l be needing space and distance to realize the value of a person...I know that c mama and papa super miz na nila c kuya...especially c ate...

Kuya ingatz na lng! God Bless yah! :)

About Faith...

2006-12-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

Hi Bloggers! I hope ur doin great like me! Haha! =) Just wanna share u somethin… Yesterday, I attended the Word of Faith Convention in our church. I really thank God for giving me that opportunity. I’m so blessed with the word. The three speakers were really anointed! I just felt the Holy Spirit teaching and leading me back to the word of God. The Lord has delivered me from great depression I had…

These past few weeks I’ve been so depressed, and I don’t even know the reason… I’m searching for something but wasn’t able to find it… It’s as if my whole world is falling apart… I thought--- “Oh well, maybe I should go out with my friendz and have fun with them, meet new people, etc.” – But this was not the answer…

And the Lord once again moved in my life… I know I should go back to the basics… Reading God’s word, Loving God with all my heart, soul and mind, have passion for the ministry… God’s love is really amazing…

College Days!!!

2006-11-24T17:02:00.001-08:00

Haaayyy! Super miz ko na ang school!!! Most memorable tlga ang College, promise! I’ve learned so many things kse doon… Sa friendship, love, dreams, reality, pressures, etc!
Miz ko na yung mga times na we had group reviews, punta sa bahay ng classmate para gumawa ng thesis, mapuyat dahil sa pagrereview, makipag-asaran sa mga classmates.haha! Dati sabi ko “sana matapos na lahat para maka-graduate na”…. and now I’m saying na gusto ko ulit mag-aral! Haha! Ang labo mo tlga aiza gramatica! Haha! =)

Iba na kse tlga sa corporate world eh… u have to become more independent, confident, smart sa lahat ng areas… u also have to choose kung saang crowd ka sasama… promise! Dapat maingat! Kse it’s either u’l be influenced by them or ur the one influencing them… Dami ko pa dapat matutunan… Pero I’m happy kse I know I’m giving my best naman, and as a result, I’m receiving good feed back from my boss! Lord, thank u po! =) For Without You, I am nothing!

Until here! Nxt time ulit! Gudnyt, Sweet dreams po! =)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2006-11-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

Yehey!!! Thank God wla kaming pasok for 2 days! Well 4 days na rin including Saturday and Sunday =) Thanksgiving Holiday kse! Saya!!! Kaya lng wla pa kong plans for this long weekend eh…hmmm… ano kaya? Lungkot nga kse yung iba samin on vacation tlga! I wasn’t able to go with them… Hndi ko naman mayaya ang mga ibang friendz ko sa ibang company coz hndi naman nila holiday ngyn… Grabeh this was the hard thing when ur working for an American firm kse… you know, different holidays! Graveyard shift, so walang tulugan! Haay bsta daming nagbago…gising ka sa gabi, and tulog ka naman sa morning. waaahhhh!!! Tapos pag wala kaming pasok, yung iba naman meron. Kaya no time din para mag get together! Haaayyyy!!! pero ok lng, I’m used to it na rin! =)

How I wish meron kaming bahay sa province where in I can have a real vacation tlga… Gusto ko tlga ng silence eh… I mean, yung quiet place lng with my family and friendz…

Gudnyt! =)

Leadership...

2006-11-22T18:45:00.000-08:00

Hi Bloggers! While writing this blog, I’m reading an eBook about ‘Ethical Leadership’. (haha! As required by the company!) Well, this one is nice! I’ve learned a lot – about true leadership and influence in particular. Being an ethical leader also means serving the needs and well-being of others—recognizing your role as a duty and as a service to others.

Leadership is about moving people—inspiring and motivating them. It also requires being sensitive to other’s needs. Haayyy! Grabeh noh? Ganon pala dapat? Tama! =)

Go to the Other Side...

2006-11-22T18:43:00.000-08:00

What a great day! Pastor James Reyes shared about how to put faith in action. To go into the “other side”. He used the story of “Peter’s walk on water with Jesus” as an example. To get out of the boat, have faith and do whatever Jesus commanded us to do. =)

I spoke with one of our Youth leaders about my career… And the conversation was great! I’ve learned a lot. I know now what to do. I’m beginning to put passion in my career na. =)
I’ve got so many plans. =)

After po ng Sunday Service, I went to southmall to meet my former officemate. =) Grabeh I’m so happy to see her. We had fun! We talked about our work…dreams…crushes…thoughts about relationship, etc.

Haaayyyy!!! Kainis! I ate too much 2day! As in! I’m so full na naman. I need to burn all these calories tlga… Oh I forgot to tell you about my workout…haha! Well, it’s been a month now since I started joining the Ringside Boxing Club! Yeah? Really! I love boxing! Those punches make me feel confident, well-built and of course happy! Haha! Kick Boxing is fun too! Promise! Congratz to Pacman! =)

‘Til my next online journal! Gudnyt fellow bloggers! =)

Life After Graduation!!!

2006-11-22T18:38:00.000-08:00

Hi! Kamuzta? Let me start with the ‘events’ of my life after graduation! =)

Hmmm… After all those hardships, pressures, terror professors, tough subjects, sleepless nights during thesis, laughin and cryin with my barkada…. Whew!!! Thank u Lord!!! Sobra! Natapos din ang lahat! Buti na lng andyan c Lord, grabeh di ko lam how will I ever overcome all these trials sa school, kung wla c Lord! =)

Thank you rin sa lahat ha! Mga friendz and batchmates, miz u so much!!!

Now, we’re working na po… I’m happy naman with my current job. =) At least, I know na po what career to pursue… But of course, di pa rin mawawala ang dream ko na magkaron ng sariling flower shop! Haha!

Ok naman mga officemates ko… I have true friends naman there! We’re having fun during breaktime… we laugh all the time kse! Hilig din naming kumain! Haha! Kulit noh?

Wow! Happy tlga ako 2day. After kse ng Sunday Service, we went to tagaytay, then direcho sa Batangas! As in, super drive lng c kuya! : -)

I had fun with my family, picture-picture kmi and laugh trip! =)

God’s creation is really awesome! =) Just looking at the views… wow! Oh God You’re amazing! =)