"I came for YOU"

http://ccf.org.ph/
Note: Not actual. These were taken from the internet.

First of all, I like to share some things that I know about CCF:

1. I thought this was where Gary V goes to fellowship. =)

2. This is where my Tita Marides and cousin Nikki fellowship. The only few people from my clan who are saved plus our dear cousin Isabel who attends VCF in Robs Gale.
3. This is where my home-churchmates, Josh Cafe, Rey Sarraga, Velia San Pedro, and Saree Gonzales are currently attending.

4. And last but not the least, this is where my co-W.I.L.D. core members in IBM fellowship as well.

I attended CCF's sunday service for the first time yesterday (Sept 28). It was quite a BIG experience. CCF is a big church with over 3,000 people attending per service. They have 4 english services and one tagalog service during Sundays. Despite the hugeness of the church everything seemed to fall and flow in an orderly way. The church is very organized which I liked a lot. I try to be as organized as much as I can in all the things I do. So I like it when things are in order, but don't worry because I was trained to be flexible.hehe

The people in CCF are very accommodating and kind. Especially for the first timers. They really make sure to receive everyone who are new. They have a 'Receiving Area' for first timers where they encourage them to talk/befriend a pastor or an elder. They have a specific room where they conduct this. Very evangelistic and strategic! I LOVE IT!=)

So it was my first time to hear Pastor Tanchi teach and I'm happy because he taught like a Berean! =) Coming from an in-depth bible teaching church, I can say that Pastor Tanchi fed me meat. =)

Now, going back to the real deal, so I attended CCF today because my mom asked me to go with her. I had to cancel youth fellowship and felt that my preparation was wasted but I know that nothing was lost because family ministry always comes first over church ministry. As usual my mom was a toughy! She kept on talking to me once in a while during the bible study which was very distracting and frustrating! =) After the study, my newly found Tita Aida immediately sent my mom to the receiving area to talk to a Pastor. I was also given to Kuya Aaron (counselor or an elder, but he was very young though.) It was funny at first, because he didn't assume that I was saved so I saw in him trying to start off looking for common ground. =) So when I finally mentioned that I'm a Christian, we were both glad. I had a ball talking with Kuya Aaron. He shared his testimony and a few things about his family situation. I could relate to him because his parents are neither saved. I told him my situation as well. He shared how blessed and thankful he was for how God little by little saved his cousins and relatives. We prayed for my mom together and I'm really hoping I see Kuya Aaron again. "If not in this life time, I'll definitlely see you in heaven." =)

Finally, even though nothing miraculous happened to my mother I'm thankful that God had planned for her to step in to a Christian church again and for being received and ministered to the utmost opportunity. She said, everyone was kind and very accommodaitng, I agree. She liked the people because they were very understanding with her current state of religion. FYI. My mom easily gets irritated when her religion is being attacked or when "Christians" judge her religion. As Pastor Tanchi said, rebuke and correct BUT in love, amen! So I'm happy because mom said she would love to go back. Thanks a lot to Tita Aida's earnesty and sincerity to reach out to my mom! But above all, I was so blessed when my mom said, "the only reason why I came today is so that I could understand and relate to YOU (her son) better." WoW WoW Wow! Praise God! I wanted to cry! We also met our relatives, Tita Marides and Nikki. They told us to come back and have lunch together next week! =D

Indeed, some things were wasted on my part but at the end of the day I realized that much more was gained. Thank you Jesus! To ALL praying for my mom, GRACI & Dios el Bendigo! Have a fruitful week everyone! Let Jesus' kindness and love reflect through you this week even in the simplest ways. Keep shining for Christ!<><

@ God's GRACE and PASSION!

Last Friday night was by far the greatest party I have ever been to in my entire life!!! Not only did Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, and Kristian Stanfill wow-ed me, but also the sound crew, the computer graphics crew, and the ushers as well! It wasn't an easy night for all of them but what wow-ed me the most is that God's name was the only one in the center of attraction! By everyone's effort His name was MAGNIFIED not only in my heart but in the heart's of 8,000 plus sinners!!!haha They incredibly and powerfully represented Christ that night.

For 150 pesos, I never expected the event to be that WOW. More than my thrill to hear Louie Giglio talk and Chris Tomlin lead worship, I was totally blown away by the whole program itself! I honestly thought that the event could and should have cost thousands even for the 'cheap seats' but for 150 php? It was all God! THANK YOU!!! =)

The message was as clear as the music. People who attended didn't just get the experience of Chris Tomlin's worship but the spirit of God revealing it's grace and passion to everyone that night! It wasn't just jumping, shouting, and praising for me, but I love how God brougt me to my knees, crying and in worship. God reminded me how much he loves me and that truth just swept me off my feet! I've realized, I can never reach the point of being satisfied with His love for me. I'm always going to ask for more, seek it, pursue it, die to my flesh for it, and when the moment comes that I can't do it on my own anymore, when the feeling of dryness and repetition creeps in HE comes and refreshes my heart again! WOW! He is faithful!

Now the reason why the tickets were so cheap was because the passion participants of London (Passion's prior stop before the Manila tour) were praying for the Filipinos until PASSION hit Manila and also they generously gave funds for US! That's why the tickets were so cheap! And just the same the PASSION team invited us (not forced) to do the same thing for Kuala Lumpur (PASSION's next stop). It was beautiful! We all prayed for KL and committed to pray until the event in KL happens. That night the British Christians praying for us got to hear the gratitude noise of the Filipinos through PASSION's podcast! I was just loving the fact that PASSION have started an unbreakable chain of strangers praying for other strangers all over the world! It's beautiful! Not because we have to but because we LOVE!

I praise God for His grace and passion. The message that night centered around PASSION's mission and vision verse in Isaiah 26:8, "Yes Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." If all of us only get it; that because of our sins we were all destined to go to hell, but because God so loved the world that He gave His only Son to die on the cross for the sins of world. If everyone could only understand and believe that then saying "NO" to God, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, Emmanuel, our great Provider, the good Shepherd, our sin Bearer, Star-breather, the Lamb of God, the great I AM, and God's names just go on and on...then saying "NO / Maybe / Only if / Later / When everything is going right LORD" would be the hardest thing that we can ever do because we we're created by Him and for Him and we know that not because we're going to church and do our obligations but because we have a personal relationship with God.

Until Jesus comes back, I pray to see my generation always say, "YES LORD!" What ever He calls us to do and wher ever He wants us to do it, how much inconvenient it may seem, how much opposition we receive; that we would all have great joy and peace in following HIM. =)

Louie Giglio's blog (http://268generation.com/blog/2008/08/massive-wave-of-filipino-response/)

@ "Kotong"

Moral choices. Last Friday, as I was driving skippy (my motor) along P.Tuazon and an mmda (not so sure, basta naka yellow uniform) pulled me over for driving on the sidewalks. I honestly didn't know that it was illegal. It was traffic, I was in a hurry; and I have done it already several times anyway. The mmda was charging me for reckless driving (although I later found out after sharing this to my cop friend, that reckless driving was not the case) he took my license and told me to go get it at the city hall and pay 2,000php. I panicked because it was my first time. I called up my dad and I asked him what to do, he told me negotiate with the mmda and just pay him 200php. I knew it was wrong, my dad spoke to the mmda and somehow got him to 'help' me. The mmda told me to pay him 500 and he'll do the reporting job for me. By this moment, I began to have chills; as I took out the money he told me to lend it to him discreetly. I asked why? He said, "because people might think I'm trying to bribe you." After he said that I felt worst!!! I felt a rushing surge inside by body and it seemed that all eyes were on me. I had a choice to do the right thing or not. Shamefully, I chose to do the latter for convenience.

As I drove off to the office, I felt very guilty. I know for a fact that God was hurt. =( I know, that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, but I also realized this...yea, I was able to save 1500 and the inconvenience of having to go to the city hall; was able to save up some time and treasure for my self, but I know in my heart that I lost some of my treasure in heaven...=(

That's not cool! I realized that I'd rather lose my treasures here on earth than not adding up to my treasures in heaven!!! When a police pulls me over again; gets my licence and tells me to go to city hall and pay 2000php...I want to have the strength to suffer the inconvenience and pay the mouth-full, then walk away having the peace in my heart that God is smiling down at me and hearing Him whisper to my heart, "WELL DONE SON".

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." - 1 Timothy 6:18-19

"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." - James 4:17

A Deeper Glance @ My love for the game

This coming Friday will be our 1st basketball game against the TR Toreros. This game is in line with our IBM Sportsfest celebration. We named our team, the FUN TEAM. =D

See my intimidating look below? =) In case you didn't know, I love basketball! Given another chance and choice, I would most exhaust my time and efforts in improving my self in basketball so I can play in the professional league. =)

I was struggling earlier tonight whether to go running or not. As you all should know, I'm quite...ok, very competitive when it comes to playing basketball. =) I simply want to win. I remember back in college when I was living in the dorm. My dormmates know that I'm a Christian, but when it's time to play, how ironic to hear them laugh and tease me na murag demonyo nako mudula. hehe For witness purposes, know that I always apologize if I'm not acting Christ-like.hehe So eager as I am to make sure that I'm conditioned and prepared for Friday, guess what?=) I went running 11:00pm in the night!haha

After running I was thinking about how passionate and competitive I am still for basketball. I literally battled with my self to run even when I didn't feel running at all! Just for the love of the game!=)

After running, I sat on the gutter thanking God for the time, the sweat, and discipline to complete my goal tonight. Then once again, God spoke to me. =) He was making my realize how passionate I was for the things I love to do. "Well guess what Ed!" "You love God!" Yet, so many times I was not competitive enough in my spiritual battles...=( I should be! I want to be! Because I'm crazy in love with God! =) Thank you Jesus!

O yeah! It's crunch time! Bring it on satan! =) I realized tonight, that I need to be as competitive in my spiritual walk. And the key to be ready for the game is to pray and pick your bibles and allow God's word to mold you and shape you to become the kind of "players" that He wants you to be. God bless ya'll!<><

A Deeper Glance @ The Dark Knight

Just want to share my thoughts on the movie. Awesome movie by the way. It's legendary! =)

I'm amazed by how Batman's story and character was portrayed in this movie. Funny because I think The Joker was the real star in the movie. He was the center of attention all throught out; not Batman. The worst part is, Batman was never glorified in the movie because he chose to. For that, I'm blessed to share this entry.

I felt sorry for Batman in the movie. All the good that he tried to do for Gotham city just back fired at him. All he had in mind was Gotham city's best interest. He was there to save, rescue, and protect yet the people rejected him and even blamed him for the escalation of the crimes and chaos. Also, he sacrificed a lot in the movie. He sacrificed his trust worthy associate, Morgan Freeman (forgot his name in the movie!), for the common good. He also sacrificed his best friend Rachel for the common good. On top of sacrificing himself everytime when he's fighting crime. Even with some of his negative behaviors in the movie, at the end of his struggle, he knew/realized what his purpose was and he willfully went through fire for his cause. He couldn't break the rules as Joker mocked him.

Batman kind of reminded me of Jesus. Jesus came into this world to save that which was his own but his own did not receive him. The people rejected Jesus. He had his faithful few and one betrayer. Batman had his faithful few also and a Judas (Ms. Ramirez). The good guys always asked the question, "Who can we trust?" Jesus kept dying to his flesh and glorified his father in heaven until the day he was crucified on the cross, he still glorified God. Likewise, Batman never took credit; he even gave it to Harvey Dent at the end of the movie who had been already consumed by the 2Face to become. He was not considered a hero yet he was not worried about it. All he cared for, all he ever thought of was the safety and protection of Gotham city. Batman, exemplified selflessness and letting go of pride and recognition, just like Jesus.

I'm just thankful for the movie and how it has reminded me of spiritual things. Not only did the movie satisfied me, it also satisfied my spirit. There's alot of points I can't recall from the movie! I really need to watch it again and maybe I can further give you a beautiful picture of dying to ones self so that others can have life. That's what Jesus did and the sweetest part of the movie is that Batman also made his choice of dying to him self so that the people of Gotham can be at peace.

I find this lesson of dying to ones self very true in my life almost everyday. As a Christian, I pray for a lot of people to know God and fall in love with Him; and more often that not, it comes with a lot of sacrifices; sacrifice of my time, money, pride, selfishness, and my happiness. Long long time ago, animals had to die for man's sins to be forgiven. Jesus died so that whoever believes in him might have life for eternity. It's the way of true love I guess in any kind of human interaction and relationship. If you want other people, your friends, and your loved ones to live, you have to die to your self. =)

@ a White Christmas

Christmas has gone by once again! Indeed a lot has changed for me. Truly God is amazing! God's changed my looking forward to Christmas from me, myself, and I to Him and others. Strange enough Christmas has never been meaningful.

Hearing the Christmas story from friends has been such a delight. Knowing the true reason why we celebrate the season and the stories behind it, like the 3 Wise Men's journey to seek after the new born King (Matt 2:1-12) and the story of Joseph and Mary's unlikely travel to Bethlehem, and the account of the first Christmas celebration - the nativity scene (Luke 2:1-20). =)

Just like in the Christmas song that goes, "I'm dreaming of white Christmas..." truly, everyone is dreaming of a white Christmas. Everyone longs for their own ideal Christmas celebration. Others may want it loud, others quiet, others with their families and lots of food, others going out to their favorite vacation destination, others having wild parties, and others with all grandiosity as possible. I realized that Jesus did not at all experienced a very white Christmas; from the hard, dirty, & dusty manger to the stench of animal feces all over his "room". Ironically enough to consider He owns EVERYTHING. The 3 wise men each called him, the King of kings, the High Priest, and the Lamb of God. The wise men, the shepherds and all the animals with them despite the unlikely setting, we're all in awe of Jesus. 300 prophecies were made concerning the birth of Jesus and over 300 prophecies were also made concerning his 2nd coming. He is coming back and when that time comes will all of us be ready?

From now on, every Christmas season, I want to dream of a RIGHT Christmas. I pray that in Christmas 2008 more and more people will celebrate the Chritstmas season for the right reason - JESUS.

Jesus loves ya'll. Have a Christful year ahead! <><

@ Patience

Another fishing day in the streets and this time at Luneta park. My second fishing date with heaps from Harvest. We bought with us food to give and Jesus to share. We we're 30ish who took time and took part. Do you remember the first time you had a relationship with someone you really like or love? I do! I was so proud that I just had to tell the 'whole world' about it! Can you relate? Ofcourse you can. Have you ever met a genuine person who had genuine interest for another person who didn't tell all his friends the moment they became boy & girl friends? Anyway, my point is, that's the kind of sensation I get when I have the chance to tell somebody about my relationship with Jesus!

After sharing to manong police officer I got to hang out with a bunch of kids. I took time with them and at first they we're cute, but after a while they weren't that cute anymore. I had a hard time getting their attention without having to sound like 'teacher-terror', yet some listened while some had other intentions. Deep inside I was about to lose my patience with some of them, yet others got me excited with their attentiveness. I was a little bit upset in end though. I was thinking all they really wanted was food. I clinged to God's promise that his word will never return void. He reminded me that I was there just to plant 'little mustard' seeds.

At a deeper glance, I said to myself how easy and quick it was for me to become impatient. Now I know I'm guilty of something. O how the many times I've been inattentive to what God was telling me in so many situations and circumstances, how many times I have broken His heart, and yet He still forgives me, yet I know He's still patient with me.

Thank you Jesus for that lesson! Help me to be more like you!=D