Nothing much to do today. Woke up pretty early. Had devotion in the morning. I wanted to go to SM North today to check out an earphone for my iPod but I slept and woke up exhausted because it was so hot. I suffered again those waking times when I couldn't move my body or utter a word, just manage to groan in mild panic because I couldn't get up. Spend time with family and bonding time with my cats 'cause I've been gone almost a week last week. Somehow the cats fail to recognize me for a few hours after a long time away from them.



Yesterday, we held a youth concert for our church org's youth org. Thank God 'cause it went well for me for a first time as a large event coordinator despite several hindrances. We had three bands and three sets of praise and worship sets for the whole afternoon. I played keyboards for the last set. The sanctuary of Caloocan Bethel was full of young people excited to jump and sing before the Lord.

Why have You chosen me?
Out of millions Your child to be
You know all the wrongs I have done

Oh how could You pardon me?
Forgive my iniquities
To save me give Jesus, Your Son

O Lord, let me be what You want me to be
Your Word I will strive to obey
My life I will give, for You I will live
And walk by Your side all the way

Photos>>

Got back from Davao today at 2PM. It was rainy. I planned to go home.. or go to the mall since my family's going to church in the evening. I rode the taxi undecided where to go. Then I noticed the taxi fare from airport to Malate is P100 already, I thought how much more when I got home? So I asked the driver to take me to Binondo. It was tiring. Carrying a backpack, a sports bag and a box of durian.

The South-Eastern Mindanao Chi-Alpha retreat held in Samal, Davao was great. I spoke for two nights and a day with Ate Merla from Iloilo. Praise God for His goodness and grace that He allowed me to communicate what He wanted me to communicate. I spoke about Faith Foundation, Identity in Christ and The Joshua Challenge. On the last evening, young people from the local AG there joined us and we numbered around 30. Throughout the retreat I got to know student leaders from SEM Chi Alpha. It's great to listen to what God is doing through XA in the campuses. Truly the Holy Spirit is moving even in this island. Ate Afel (pastor & xa coordinator for SEM) was truly a blessing and inspiration, a woman of humility.

Thursday afternoon after retreat, Samal AG pastor Dario took us to Ligid Island for swimming and snorkeling. The reef is magnificent there. Even few meters from where we were staying the reef is full and beautiful. Too bad I didn't bring my gears. Early Friday morning we packed our bags and headed back to the city. Ate Merla was first to leave for Iloilo. So Kuya Arth kept me company. He introduced me to durian and checked out some pasalubong.

For some time I forgot that I resigned in our company. Then I remembered it morning of the last day of retreat. I know the possible results of this move, and I cannot lie that I had worries and fears, the what if's. Woke up early around 5.30AM. God painted a beautiful picture in the sky. I felt His reassuring presence that everything is gonna be alright. I silently wept in unspoken love for Him. He took me to Psalm 91. It was a comfort for my soul.

¹ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

² I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

³ Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

¹⁰ then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

¹³ You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

At this moment I’m lying alone in an open bamboo cottage just beside the shores of Samal Island. It’s total darkness. Only the night lights illuminate the sky. Barges lit across the sea with rolling Davao mountains in the background. I can hear the sound of calm waves clashing through the shore. The place we settled in is an uncut diamond. A private resort off the island’s more popular resorts, we managed to arrive at 3PM. The sand is white and lined with trees. It reminds me of Bataraza in Palawan.

I left Manila Domestic Airport at 10AM. I felt a little dizzy while on flight. Arrived at Davao International Airport 12NN. Ate Merla and Ate Afel were already waiting for me outside. We dropped by Gaisano Mall to have lunch. I remembered to text Kuya Arthur (or Bay Arths), my Dabaweno classmate in AIYS 2004. He helped us roam around the mall as we purchased last minute necessities. I forgot to bring my toothbrush. We and Kuya Arth separated ways after that. We took a taxi to the bus station crossing the strait going to the island of Samal.

Truly time is slow in the rural. In the island the main means of transportation is not the tricycle but the motorcycle. We dropped by the house of Pastor Dario, an AG pastor (mind you) in Babak district in Samal. He was gracious enough to drive us to the resort. We still had to drop by his church to pick up a karaoke and a guitar, the wet market to buy food for tonight.

The place I’m staying in has no electricity so tomorrow they will bring in a generator. For now they were gracious enough to bring me later a gas lamp because I will make my messages tonight. This is a new experience for me. Since last night I’ve been seeking and nearing the presence of God and He has graciously revealed Himself to me. This latest experience has helped me close everything and focus on Him. I managed to borrow an acoustic guitar here, so I and Ate Merla sang praise songs until the day lights were gone. The retreat delegates are coming tomorrow morning. They are around twenty I think. Later tonight we will still finalize the program.

Everything is calm and serene and peaceful. This is great. My ears are open to You, Lord. Please speak to me and through.

I'm leaving today for Davao at 10AM. I'm really worried and praying that I don't mess up in this event. My trust is in the name of the Lord.

Today I preached at church, it was too long therefore it felt less effective. First service heard comments how the preaching was long (I extended 10 minutes). Somehow I can't fit everything I wanted to say in 45 minutes. Felt a little tired. Last night we went to CCP, had long walk. I also lifted weights last Friday. So until Sunday morning my body ached.

We lunched at SM San Lazaro. Went back to church 'cause parents are gonna attend a wedding in a church nearby. We're supposed to go home but time was too tight. So I slept my tired body in church. I was awaken by my mom at 4PM, and they had to go straight to the wedding reception. So we had to stay at church until 9PM. I took my rest.

I've been disappointing some people lately. My parents were saying that I leave home too much. And I spend more time in ministry than family. This was when they realized I plan to go to Banaue when I return from Davao. We ended up in bad terms because I expressed my irritation, now I feel bad. It's enough to say it the first time and I get it. When you hear it like a broken record, I gets to you. And I feel that for the past year I have been spending a lot of time at home to a point of idleness if not for my work (with few trips here and there). They assumed that my Banaue trip is another ministry trip and that I would just be tiring myself, but it was a personal trip on my part, which I do regularly to spend sometime alone in quietness. But whoever's right or wrong, I still feel bad right now. And tomorrow they will take me to the airport. Talk about total guilt feeling.

My boss has also been frustrated about my work. I feel I am no longer effective in the company. So I just sent him an e-mail submitting my resignation. What's up next, Lord?

Been busy working on my sermon for this Sunday. Also working on my messages for the Davao retreat next week. My mind is very hectic right now, ouch. Lord, may Your suffecient grace produce in me the excellence that is worthy for Your work. I'm missing Jo, she would be on her way to Bangkok now. I'm excited to go to Davao. Little nervous how I will deliver the goods to the best of my ability. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Then it's a good rest when I go up to Banawe for the fourth time. Got the whole day tomorrow to work on my messages. Life is GOOD!

Isaiah 41:9-14

⁹ I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, 'You are my servant';
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

¹¹ "All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.

¹² Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.

¹³ For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

¹⁴ Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob,
O little Israel,
for I myself will help you," declares the LORD,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

The Subsonic Band (Standing, L-R) Arvin (rhythm), Vida (vox), Duke (bass); (Sitting, L-R) Raymond (vox), Criz (drums), me (keyboard); Edmund (lead guitar) - overtime sa work... kaya di nagpakita.

I had reunion with my band way back in highschool/college days tonight at UCC Tomas Morato. Reminiscing the good old days.

Dreams closing in.
His mind aches endlessly thinking of her;
His heart breaks knowing she is beyond his reach

Waiting.
Dreams closing in,
Penetrating his weary soul

Soon he falls into slumber,
Hoping another Day grants him fair love.

Purchased this book this afternoon. Have read a handful of pages, was interesting so I got it. Talks about Filipino cultures and values. Witty and unapologetically correct.