REFLECTIONS

Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

It is the sunset here in Island Bolita,San Juan, La Union. My family decided to have a yearend getaway. Away from the traffic and the new year rush. I have decided to write my blog for this week, since it is almost new year. I just want to reflect and thank Abba, Jesus and Holy Spirit for all the things He has blessed me through this year 2013. The goodtimes,badtimes,trials,blessings and all...God has been so faithful in my journey. God provided everything that my family and I needed. He will remain Yahweh Jireh, our Provider!

I look forward for this coming year 2014! God is continuously giving me a lot of visions and dreams for next year! I am overwhelmed and excited! I prophesy and declare to all those people who are reading this blog to receive the overflow of blessings in Jesus' name! 

As we all leave 2013, let us take time to worship and offer thanksgiving to our God for all He has done. We serve a God who is faithful. We welcome 2014 with anticipation of the things God has prepared.

Let Jesus be the center of our family,studies,church,workplace and activities this coming year and the years to come. 

Hallelu Yah!!!

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." - John 1:14 NIV

Our church - Grace Communion International ( Baguio City/La Trinidad) recently celebrated Its annual Christmas celebration. Our church decided to celebrate it earlier (December 15,2013) for everyone to be able to attend. We started our celebration with worship service, where in we sung Christmas songs like "O Come All Ye Faithful" that speaks of Christ's incarnation . We are very privileged to have Dr. Rey Taniajura as the one who gave us the message/sermon. Then as always, we as a church partook of the bread and wine  (Our church celebrates communion weekly). This celebration is also special because the new member of our church named Kaiden Ziv Yap A. Yap was dedicated and blessed. The service was concluded with the hymn entitled, "Fairest Lord Jesus" and the prayer of benediction/blessing.

The second part of the Christmas celebration was the short stage presentation of our church's youth and kids ministry (Young Emerging Servants of the Lord). The presentation was entitled - "The Birth of the Savior" which depicted the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. All performers wore beautiful costumes that added to the mood of the presentation. Right after the short stage presentation the presenters sung the song "Silent Night" in preparation for the exchange gift activity.

The celebration won't be complete with the delicious dinner (prepared by my family). Hot special coffee and batirol with mallows were served. After all were satisfied with the sumptuous dinner, all went to the dance floor for the evening's dance for all! Everyone enjoyed the dancing,no doubt that Abba, Jesus and the Holy Spirit's love relationship is described as a great dance wherein all are included,loved and accepted to join the dance.

The Christmas Celebration 2013 gloriously ended with a prayer for each other,singing of "Silent Night" and a photo op. All gave their hugs, and goodnights to end the celebration. I look forward to our future church christmas parties! I am so excited! God is amazing!

I thank God for planting me to this church family. God is the source of the love,fellowship,peace and harmony that the church enjoys. This is church is all about. 

As we celebrate Christmas, let us continue to share this goodnews of God's coming to flesh- incarnation through His Son Jesus Christ to redeem,reconcile, save, have relationship and make his dwelling among us all. Yes, this is the Christmas message! This is love! This love is meant to be shared and testified! 

Gloria In Excelsis Deo!

ADVENT SEASON

This is the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Advent is a christian holiday celebrated annually by most of the christian churches including our church. The word "advent" comes from the latin word "adventus" meaning 'coming'. Advent is celebrated 4 consecutive sundays leading to christmas. This year, advent is dated on December 1,8,15 and 22. Our church (Grace Communion International - Baguio City/La Trinidad Church) started to celebrate the 1st Sunday of Advent last week. We started singing christmas hymns and lit the first candle in our wreath which is the candle of HOPE.

6 "For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this." - Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

(The Lord's table arrangement is conceptualized and arranged by my auntie Auey).

We are blessed to listen to our Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach Jr. to talk about the topic on Jesus as our ultimate source of HOPE. This Sunday and the Sundays to come he continues to share the meaning of the 2nd,3rd and 4th candle/sunday which are,Jesus as our PEACE,JOY and LOVE.

I am blessed this 2nd Sunday of Advent because my family and I had the opportunity to have a breakfast fellowship and prayer with Ancherry (our dear sister in Christ from Manila). We took time to share and give our testimonies of how great God is in our lives. We met Ancherry in Manila 2 years ago in the concert of Hillsong United. We are blessed to have connections with christian brothers and sisters especially with Ancherry.

May I ask you all to pray for Ancherry, she is waiting for God's leading where God calls her to a particular place to do missions. Like tita Cecilia Bangay and other missionaries, it is good to be partners with them in missions through prayer. I also have a passion for missions and doing missionary works. I offer this passion to God.

Let us take time to pray for GOD's MISSIONARIES!

STUDENT LIFE

I've been busy with school requirements lately. Researches,reports and projects. Yeah, this is the life of a 3rd year college student. They say that 3rd year is the highlight of a student's life because of the paper works. I have proven that! Hehe! I always thank God for giving me his strength to finish all these 'things-to-do'. As Apostle Paul writes:

"I can do all this to through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13 NIV

I say 'Amen' to that! His strength is always available everytime I needed it. I just dedicate this semester to Abba,Jesus and Holy Spirit! May God be the one in charge of my schooling. Even in this busy-ness with school works, My prayer group in school (KSEEDS GROUP) still meets every friday to pray,encourage one another and study the bible. As for me, I am excited of the coming activities for December!

Thank you and may God richly bless you! :)