Sleeping and waking up early

I have noticed for the past three days I have been sleeping early and waking up involuntary early. I have noticed it because I use to endure sleepless nights. But now it's like my body clock has moved a few notches up. And the people I know who have early body clocks are old people. My parents dozes between 9-11PM and wakes up like 5AM. Ptr. Galin, our host in Mindoro, a 70-plus old pastor (but still strong for his age) said he and her wife gets like two hours of sleep and don't feel any tireness because you get like that when you grow older they say.

BFGFC Youth Leaders Retreat Praise Report

Just came back from our youth leaders overnight retreat at Valenzuela Full Gospel Family Center. Though it was a just an overnight retreat, God did not fail to move in our midst that it's as if we stayed there for a few days already. Our retreat coincided with VFGFC's 2nd year anniversary where Rev. Gerry Cruz, District Superintendent of Southern Tagalog District Council encouraged the body. After the anniversary celebration, the youth leaders stayed in Valenzuela for our retreat. We were also joined by some youth leaders from Valenzuela. Here are some highlights and reflections:

Evening session at 9PM. I led the devotion on the evening session. I shared to the group about the value of finishing strong. I contrasted the life of Samson and Samuel, both anointed with power, but the first had some issues with self-control (his weakness was women) and focus and the latter finished his life with flying colors. It's a constant challenge to us as leaders to be always connected to the source and finish this life race strong. I led the team to focus on what could be Samuel's famous words: "Speak Lord, for thy servant is listening."

After the short sharing, we started to pray for baptism in the Holy Spirit and praise God two youth leaders were baptized for the first time. Others were likewise refilled. It was indeed an awesome time praising and worshiping God. 

Seeing younger people get baptized and refilled I told the leaders that this is why we exist as leaders: to lead the next generation of youth to a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ. I also reminded all of us that such experience follows a PURPOSE--and that is Acts 1:8, "and you will be my witnesses ..." Experience without fulfilling the purpose (just for the sake of a feel-good experience) is incomplete and vain. The Holy Spirit empowers us for service and witness.

We ended at around 12MN and it was just then that we had our dinner--communion style. After that we rested for tomorrow's continuation.

Morning 7AM. I was amazed to wake up that most of the leaders are awake doing personal morning devotion. We had breakfast of hot pandesal and Dairy Cream courtesy of VFGFC's local pastors Ptr. Jess and Ptr. Jeiho. After breakfast we proceeded to our team building activity--an affirmation activity of sorts which brought out a lot of tearful appreciations and thanks from each other, it was truly an honest moment. The activity took more time than expected but it was okay. 

I shared my reflection to the group. That I was reminded of Rahab the prostitute in the book of Joshua who aided the spies to hand over the win over their city. That with what seem to be a small act of faith Rahab was able to cross-over to God's side and made a difference. We seem to lose sight of her for the rest of the OT books, but come the Gospel of Matthew we see Rahab as part of the lineage of great men who have walked the earth: King David and Jesus Christ. I relate this to our service to the Lord, that sometimes we think our part seems small and even at times looks unfruitful, but if we would just see the big picture and look closely, we are part of the tapestry of God's story. Seeing that my influence as a servant of God has already rippled through four generations, and remembering the people who discipled me to be the Christ-follower that I am today (Ptr. Jess Tomagan & Ptr. Sur del Rosario), I am filled with thanksgiving and the more encouraged to invest on lives of youth and become part of His story.

After everyone was able to affirm and be affirmed, we worshipfully proceeded to a foot-washing ceremony (preceded by a reading from Philippians 2 and John 13), remembering Christ's example of being a servant-leader, it was truly a moving experience as some had just experienced this for the first time. After that we proceeded to our afternoon intercession.

It was a short-retreat, but so full of learning experience and uplifting. I am more convinced that venues, number of days, number of people, or even speakers-- is not the primary factor for a revival, but when hungry hearts together aligned to a single cry and desperation for God. 

Looking forward to our next retreat in November. :)