The Mind of the Melancholeric Man: Musings on Life and Ministry by Patrick Tan
Zechariah 2:5, "For I ... will be a wall of fire around [you], and I will be the glory in [your] midst."
Christmas is a time of celebration. And it's also a time to meet the relatives. And sometimes it's intimidating to catch up with what's happening with each other's lives. And there's that feeling again of self-belittlement resurfacing. Not that I measure myself by the standard of others. It's just at the back of my heart I've realized that I want to make my parents proud of their children. I want to ask them if they are proud of me. And I'm not sure if I'm doing a great job at it. Yeah, God's Word is the only one that matters. But they are my parents and I just want them to be happy. These are times when you have no place to run and hide but to God. He said I am "the apple of His eye" (Zechariah 2:8) and those who even try to touch the apple of His eye will really get whacked. Lord, I am nothing and You alone are the glory in my life. Forgive me that I had this feeling that belittles Your power and being. Thank you the Word that sustains me. I may have nothing to boast about by the world's standard but in You I know that You are my inheritance and portion.
Christmas is a time of celebration. And it's also a time to meet the relatives. And sometimes it's intimidating to catch up with what's happening with each other's lives. And there's that feeling again of self-belittlement resurfacing. Not that I measure myself by the standard of others. It's just at the back of my heart I've realized that I want to make my parents proud of their children. I want to ask them if they are proud of me. And I'm not sure if I'm doing a great job at it. Yeah, God's Word is the only one that matters. But they are my parents and I just want them to be happy. These are times when you have no place to run and hide but to God. He said I am "the apple of His eye" (Zechariah 2:8) and those who even try to touch the apple of His eye will really get whacked. Lord, I am nothing and You alone are the glory in my life. Forgive me that I had this feeling that belittles Your power and being. Thank you the Word that sustains me. I may have nothing to boast about by the world's standard but in You I know that You are my inheritance and portion.
Hopia Mani Popcorn
I wish in the near future Pinoy Christian youth bands would make it into the scene (I know there are already lots brewing) with the likes of Hillsong United, Planet Shakers and Vineyard. We need our own identity in expressing our worship to God.
It's few hours before Christmas. This year's Christmas is great. More lights, more songs, more Christmas atmosphere. Christmas week is great also. If there are words to describe my Christmas week, "food" would be one of those on the top list:
Friday. Christmas party at church. Potluck party, everyone brought food and there was more that what we could ever eat! Got chocolates from the exchange gift. Mmm... chocolates.
Saturday. Christmas party at the youth. We do this thing once in a while called "Food Trip" it's like make your own food with the ingredients brought by each person. This time we did two: Taco Salad & Banana Split. We were worried that the food won't go a long way but it did. We had fun games, games you do every Christmas party but you never grow tired of playing it. Trip to Jerusalem & Paper Dance - every youth participated all the games, so it was really wacky and fun. Plus I had a very special... ahem... guest. For the exchange gift I got a towel. Plus small but well-appreciated gifts from some of the youth.
Sunday. Christmas service had lots of people. After service the pastors and board went to visit our church planting project and on our way we had to stop by lunch. We had a 5 set meal at Hap Chan in Roosevelt. On the church site, we we're served with snack in one of our member's house... spaghetti and ginataan - talk about heavy snack. And the difference between lunch and snack was like one and a half hour.
After that we stopped by the mall supermarket to have some last minute groceries for Noche Buena tonight. Man, I'm getting really fat.
Friday. Christmas party at church. Potluck party, everyone brought food and there was more that what we could ever eat! Got chocolates from the exchange gift. Mmm... chocolates.
Saturday. Christmas party at the youth. We do this thing once in a while called "Food Trip" it's like make your own food with the ingredients brought by each person. This time we did two: Taco Salad & Banana Split. We were worried that the food won't go a long way but it did. We had fun games, games you do every Christmas party but you never grow tired of playing it. Trip to Jerusalem & Paper Dance - every youth participated all the games, so it was really wacky and fun. Plus I had a very special... ahem... guest. For the exchange gift I got a towel. Plus small but well-appreciated gifts from some of the youth.
Sunday. Christmas service had lots of people. After service the pastors and board went to visit our church planting project and on our way we had to stop by lunch. We had a 5 set meal at Hap Chan in Roosevelt. On the church site, we we're served with snack in one of our member's house... spaghetti and ginataan - talk about heavy snack. And the difference between lunch and snack was like one and a half hour.
After that we stopped by the mall supermarket to have some last minute groceries for Noche Buena tonight. Man, I'm getting really fat.
Because of Christ-mas...
Spoke this year's Christmas message (first time!) this morning: "Because of Christ-mas..."
"... and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Because of Christmas...
"... and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Because of Christmas...
- Our FELLOWSHIP (with God) is restored. Therefore we should respond in WORSHIP.
- Our FUTURE is secure. Therefore we should respond with CONTENTMENT.
- God's FAVOR is ours. Therefore we should respond with GENEROSITY.
- Our FREEDOM is reclaimed. Therefore we should respond with HOLINESS.
Recent Youth Photos
Brznf's birthday celebration after service at the Estero.
December 17, 2006
Hillsong United concert - November 21, 2006
More photos here...
I'm here in an internet cafe in UP Los Banos. The Chi-alpha group here in UPLB has just had their 1st Anniversary celebration in one of the restos here along the strip in UPLB. It's such a blessing to see how Chi-Alpha here in UPLB has grown. I feel so full after the dinner and coffee.
So much has happened in the past few days I wasn't able to blog. Past few days I've been in and out of Divisoria shopping for gifts and buying stuff for our Christmas Concert. It was an adventure, and I realized I could endure such crowds. At one time, I got my slippers stepped on and snapped so I had to return to church (it's just few blocks away) minus one good slipper.
Traffic in Binondo has been hellish eversince the Christmas season came. Binondo is where 168 Mall, Divisoria Mall and tiangges are located so as early as the sun comes up people already flock to Divisoria to snag the lowest item on sale.
Last Saturday we had our Christmas Concert. Though at everyone's observation was the last concert (August) had more people than this one, it's not really about how big the crowd was. It was a new set of people though. And though I'd admit we've crammed for this. It went very well. Not to mention the Christmas rush in Binondo area which delayed the start of our concert by 45 minutes. But it was all good. I am really encouraged by how the young people handled the event, each one did his part. The night before I was really encouraged when I listened to the radio on the way home. Jam (88.3) was having a concert featuring Gary V. His songs and testimonies really uplifted my spirit. I was really encouraged when he talked about their preparation for that concert. That when the time of performance came, all you really have to do is to savor "the fruit of your labor" because you really have nothing more to do but to enjoy the moment.
Anyway, we're leaving at 4AM later. I'm still thinking if I'm gonna get some sleep. Later.
So much has happened in the past few days I wasn't able to blog. Past few days I've been in and out of Divisoria shopping for gifts and buying stuff for our Christmas Concert. It was an adventure, and I realized I could endure such crowds. At one time, I got my slippers stepped on and snapped so I had to return to church (it's just few blocks away) minus one good slipper.
Traffic in Binondo has been hellish eversince the Christmas season came. Binondo is where 168 Mall, Divisoria Mall and tiangges are located so as early as the sun comes up people already flock to Divisoria to snag the lowest item on sale.
Last Saturday we had our Christmas Concert. Though at everyone's observation was the last concert (August) had more people than this one, it's not really about how big the crowd was. It was a new set of people though. And though I'd admit we've crammed for this. It went very well. Not to mention the Christmas rush in Binondo area which delayed the start of our concert by 45 minutes. But it was all good. I am really encouraged by how the young people handled the event, each one did his part. The night before I was really encouraged when I listened to the radio on the way home. Jam (88.3) was having a concert featuring Gary V. His songs and testimonies really uplifted my spirit. I was really encouraged when he talked about their preparation for that concert. That when the time of performance came, all you really have to do is to savor "the fruit of your labor" because you really have nothing more to do but to enjoy the moment.
Anyway, we're leaving at 4AM later. I'm still thinking if I'm gonna get some sleep. Later.
Had a good rest today. No schedule to wake me up. Yesterday the youth left church at 8:30PM because of the rehearsal we're having for next Saturday's Christmas evangelistic concert. Exhausting but worthwhile. We're having songs, drama, videos, hand mime etc. Praying that many will come and many will come and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
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