Chief White Wolf

Just want to share a praise report. =)

When I was in Baguio for the recently concluded 3rd Regional Calvary Chapel Pastor & Worker's Conference (a 3 day event), I was given the beautiful opportunity to share to Angelo (18 yr old boy) the gospel and praise God he prayed to repent and to have a personal relationship with JESUS! That night heaven was rejoicing and my heart was rocking! Btw, Angelo or Gelo is the little brother of Aleign, a Christian. =)

During the Harvest mid-week bible study (Wednesday), he attented with her sister and he told me that he tried sharing with his 'DOTA' friends and that he was happy about it -- another praise report! -- and just last Friday, he texted me this --> "Hi kuya, kagabi nanaman nagshare nanaman ako sa isa kong kabarkada.hehehe haaaayyy.hehehe thanks pala ulit kuya!"

I replied to him with this message -- "=D Thanks for sharing! Keep falling in love with Jesus! =) Keep feeding the white dog." Praise God! =D Actually, what I really meant to tell him was 'white wolf' but I chose to use 'dog' instead because he probably sees the animal everyday! =P

I was so blessed and inspired so I was able to make this simple piece of art -- my best work of art so far!haha

For those of you who don't know, people (family and friends) from Bacolod call me Agustin. I only found out that I have an Edgardo when I was in the 1st year H.S. Do you believe that?!=) No one in my family, not even my parents told me. Ok so how did I become Ed?=) Simple, it's derived from my real name Edgardo. Actually, my roommate back in college baptized me with that nickname because Edgardo is just too long for him.hehe It sounded alright to me so I started introducing my self to people as Ed since then. What's cool about it is that I became a Christian in the 4th year H.S. So when I got my new nick name, I was already a Christian, so Ed is like a new born again name for me.haha =D

Before I became a Christian my spiritual life was dead and was made alive when I received Christ. In every Christian's heart lies a battle between good and evil. Now if you ask me which of the two is winning? Well, obviously, the one you feed most. =)

God bless and keep feeding the White Wolf! =)

Philippians 4:8-9

@ "Dukot"

http://www4.calvarychapel.com/

Just got back last night from a refreshing 3 day conference in Baguio (2008 Regional Calvary Chapel () Pastor & Worker's Conference). It was so much fun and spiritually encouraging! The theme of the conference is PREPARING THE BRIDE and we went through the book of 1 Thessalonians. =) It was sweet!

I like what our Pastor said (Kuya Juni), "How bad is it when we see the Bride, 3 hours before the wedding, calling her ex-boyfriends and telling them how much she misses them" In reality, we always find ourselves in this ironic picture and that's what we're doing if when we ignore God and give into worldy things. I just want to encourage everyone to ponder on this and may we desire to be prepared and be set apart only for our one and only husband to be, JESUS! Another Pastor said, the moment we forget that Jesus is coming soon, we will not move forward and seek Jesus intimately, we will find ourselves doing the things our fleshy desires want to do. NEVER FORGET JESUS is coming SOON! =)

Also, where there is much encouragement, Satan is always there to discourage! On our last day, we had an evangelizm activity at People's Park. On my way to Burnham Park along with Daniel and DJ (2 boys from our youth group) to share, my phone got stolen in just a split second! I was consciously guarding my phone but with just a twinkling of an eye that I didn't think about my phone, it got stolen! GRABE!

Please delete my number in your phone directory. =) I just want to encourage all of us, to NEVER take our eyes off of JESUS! Because the moment we put our guard down, Satan will do everything he can to put us down and discourage us! =) Thoughts On Jesus Always! =)

The LORD gives and takes away but let His name be praised FOREVER!!! =)

God bless ya'll! <><

CORE MANILA OUTREACH 2008

PASSION...PURPOSE...PRAYER...

Starting Friday last week until Sunday was the best SPIRIT FILLED days of my new life chapter in Manila! I was given the opportunity to fellowship and serve along with the college CORE outreach team from my home church (Calvary Chapel Dumaguete)!

I just want to share what the team did the whole week starting with DAY 1 first. I was hoping to join them for the whole week but God thought best for me to join them on their 4th DAY instead. =D

Just a quick back ground, the college CORE fellowship is led by our Youth Pastor, Jerry Camacho along with other college servants under his leadership. I was part of the CORE during my college days and it blesses me very much to see some of the guys whom I was serving before serve with Kuya Jerry today! Every year, come October, during the college semestral break, Kuya Jerry invites his CORE members and other college students who are interested to go on an outreach. I have been part of 2 CORE outreaches, one in Cebu (2006) and one in Manila (2007). Kuya Jerry prepares the TEAM 2 months in advance, mainly teaching the team how to share their faith to strangers, how to make personal devotions, and more importantly to be able to share ones testimony whether for 3mins, 5mins, or 10 mins! Our testimonies are our primary weapon. =D

On top of those, we prepare for children ministry and youth ministry as well. We were always taught that the best way to minister is to just love them like Jesus, to reach out in love even if it means to get down in the mud and play with the kids. The most important thing we need to learn is FLEXIBILITY. That’s why Kuya Jerry never tells anyone what itinerary is! We just need to be ready with our testimonies, devotions, and more importantly to serve in love in any kind of situation anytime. The key to accomplishing this is simple to empty ourselves with us and be filled with JESUS. It’s mandated from us to sleep early and wake up early for morning team devotions and worship. It's bittersweet because we want to stay up late and goof around and we want to wake up late to get the extra sleep!haha Kuya Jerry & Ate Marisa are very strict when it comes to this rule! They admit they are kill joy but the reason being is that they don't want to see us tired and sleepy when it's time for ministry. =) Yet more often than not, we sleep late and look tired in the morning...then we already know what to expect from KJ and Ate Marisa. =D Discipline!haha Like I said, it's bittersweet but I personally learn a lot from it! Thank you KJ and Ate Marisa! For always setting the standard! =)

Alright! I’ll stop here and let you enjoy the CORE OUTREACH team’s multiply account. I’m also uploading my account with outreach stuff. Expect videos, music, blogs, and more pictures from me. For now, please check them out here -->http://coreoutreach08.multiply.com/.

God bless! <><

Mother's Second Wedding

This is my mom. She's old but very young at heart. She's like my sister lang -- especially when we fight and argue which we often do. =) The main reason is because our spiritual views don't meet and thus we tend to clash all the time. My mom's a devoted catholic but slowly backsliding to becoming an agnostic, meaning "a" without -- "gnostic" knowledge. Basically, an Agnostic is someone who plays it safe. Believing that everything leads to God. Sounds good but very dangerous.

Anyhow, I've been praying for my mom for 5 years and counting. I've been PUSHing (Praying Until Something Happens) that she would have a personal relationship with God. Iv'e been dying to my self many times just to plant little seeds in her heart and many times I felt kneeling without hope.

I don't live with her today. She lives with her brother at Antonio's in Tagaytay. Yes, the restaurant Antonio's is owned by her brother (Tito Ton) and their house is literally below the resto. Great food! Kain kayo doon if you get the chance. =) My mom's an artist and she helps out decorating and designing some of the interiors in the restaurant. On the other hand, I live with my dad together with his 3rd family and my brother from his first family in Quezon City.=) Many actually perceive my situation to be difficult but really we are all very close -- like real siblings. =)

I try my best to visit my mom once or twice a month. I figured that she is happy the most when I'm around but ironically speaking she bites off of me a lot. =) I've already mastered the art of being patient towards her and I praise God that every time we see each other our "quality time" together has been improving. =) I have to tell you though, just recently, I have been feeling hopeless again; hopeless about my mom every realizing what it means to have a relationship with God -- and not just religion. BUT NOW, Praise God, my pessimistic feeling have shifted to pure optimistic faith and trust that all my prayers for her has not fallen on deaf ears! Of course not!=) YES! God has given me so much hope for my mom! That until the day comes she would stop breathing God will continue to be loving and gracious toward her, not wanting her to perish but to have everlasting life. =)

Here's to share a couple of HOPE scenes from her that really jerked the tears off of my eyes. Thanks to God! =)

First, was when she attended a Christian church again, and that time her reason for stepping in was to better understand me and relate to me. =)...

Second, she text ed me that she will attend more bible studies so that I'll be happy. =)...

The third one was yesterday. I got a text from her in the morning and she said, "Read Peter now chapter 1&2. I so blessed and I feel like locking my self inside the room. I don't feel like working but I have to.."

All I can say is Praise God!!! I just can't wait to see her fall in love again... =)

"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