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. :)

When we break love into lists

" ... my reasons for loving her ... I can't enumerate them, or at least when I do, they seem puny. There is a bigger reason--it is love itself. 

~Jim Elliot on Elisabeth Elliot, 1950s, from book "The Journals of Jim Elliot"

Whom the Lord Knew

Deuteronomy 34:10, "Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses whom the Lord know face to face."

"Whom the Lord knew ..." I have three reflections: (1) Does the Lord know who we really are? Such a foolish question, but for a moment let us be. That if the Lord is an average man would he be able to truly know us by our faithful allegiance and sudden betreyals, by our walkings and lying downs. But indeed He is God and more than anyone, He knows our ins and outs, the inner workings of our hearts. Soif God knows who I am, (2) Do I know who I really am? That in the midst of His presence and bountiful graces I would attempt to sabotage this honor and grace by bringing back the old person. Something is lacking: consistency, truthfulness and integrity. Lord draw me near and forgive my sins, that I may worship you with wholehearted devotion. My prayer is that (3) may I know myself as you have known me all along.

Day in the Life: Patrick Tan's Series of Unfortunate Events

Aargh!

7AM - Got up after dozing for only 3 hours because of a client project made rush because of me.

11AM - Leaves house for 12NN Lunch with Ptr. Jerry Balbuena, Reah and Ron Ravela, my client from Guam. They know each other.

11:30AM - Ptr. Jerry calls to know my whereabouts. Apparently the lunch was 11:30 and not 12NN. So I flew over EDSA.

12NN - Managed to drive from Caloocan to Ortigas in 30 minutes. Lunch is at Fish and Co. in Shangri-la. No clue about the agenda. Agenda: Business and pleasure. Food is great but overwhelming. Death by sour cream. 

1:30PM - Reah leaves for work, so I leave also. Stayed at Starbucks to do more work.

3PM - Lawrence arrives for our music practice for this Friday's speaking gig at UBC

4PM - Franvie and Jonel arrives for practice. Together we went to JC's church to practice. Multitasking between singing and working.

6PM -Practice ends. Few high notes but I'm ok.

6:30PM - Kamuning Flyover. Car stalls uphill in the middle of the traffic. Tried to revive the car to no avail. Did not panic but started to get helpless. Vehicles honking from behind. Don't know what to do. I'm with Lawrence, Franvie and Jonel.

7PM - An MMDA Patrol arrives. Thank God. Calls for back-up. 

7:30PM - Rescue truck arrives. Towed me away from traffic.

8PM - Many people tried to fix the car: The MMDAs, some taxi drivers. I need to buy that 100 cds for delivery tomorrow 9AM, gotta get to SM North before stall closes.

8:45PM - Car gets fixed. It cost me a thousand's worth of damage on my wallet.

9PM - Arrives at SM Annex. Run to CD-R King. It just closed. Begged for the lady to allow me to buy. I failed. Energy drops. Just wanted to explode in frustration. Decides to go home.

9:30PM - EDSA Munoz. Car stalls the second time. I didn't follow my instinct not to turn the air conditioning. The guys pushes the car to the side again. I'm feeling really pissed now with no one.

10PM - Dinner at McDonalds. Need to get my composure. Need to think it through. Where will I get those CDs. Tried calling a lot of people to no avail. Face blank.

11PM - Dad arrives to fix the car. Car got fixed. Now his scooter breaks this time. Scooter got fixed. Went to gasoline station to fill up. 

11:30PM - EDSA Balintawak. Car stalls again for the third time. Dad fixes the car. Slowly drive. Arrived in UE area weaved through the computer shops to find 100pcs of blank CDs. I failed again.

12NN - Arrives at home. No sound sleep for tonight my friend. 

Thank God for Dads and Brothers and family and friends. Thank God for the technology.

"The Lord gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." - Job

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m lone

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

 

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near

When my life is almost gone

Hear my cry, hear my call

Hold my hand lest I fall

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

 

When the darkness appears and the night draws near

And the day is past and gone

At the river I stand

Guide my feet, hold my hand

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

 

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I'm tired, I’m weak, Lord I’m worn

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Day in the Life - UP Los Banos

Day in the Life - UP Los Banos

It's our 2nd visit to Laguna for the past two months, this time in the municipality of Los Banos. I was invited to speak at the semestral closing of Life Streams Chi Alpha in University of the Philippines in Los Banos Laguna.

8AM - Woke up 

9AM - Left the House

10AM - Picked up Ate Joy Lampino in Sta. Mesa

11AM - Picked up Netty in Makati

1PM - Arrived in Los Banos, Laguna had lunch at Bonitos 

2:30PM - Stayed at Boston's Coffee to do some work. It's the Starbucks of Los Banos. The coffee's getting there.

5:30PM - Went into UP Los Banos to the place where the group meets. Their current venue is a conference type room in the international student's dorm.

6:30 - Program starts

7PM - Started the talk

8PM - End the talk. Chat fellowship at NYMNet.ning.com

9:30PM - Left for Manila, momentary stop at SLEX for CR break and Starbucks

11PM - Arrived at Manila, took Netty home. Picked up brother at church

12NN - Arrived home

I'm so thankful to God for being able to challenge the youth in terms of their faith and life. Thankful that it went well. Thankful also for Netty who is full support always.

Deut 13

Deuteronomy 13:6, 3-4, "If (someone) entice you secretly saying 'let us go and serve other gods ... you shall not listen to (his) words, for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him, you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him and cling to Him."

The world and my flesh is always secretly (or even boldly) enticing me to follow other gods: gods of wealth and riches, slavery to work, gods of flesh and lusts. The Lord searches the heart of the man. Lord in my weakest moments may your mercy abound. In times that I offend by being enticed may your forgiveness descend to the sorry soul. By my allegience my deepest feelings for the Lord is revealed. My soul, he is not just a friend and a loving Father, but He is also a holy God. He tests you to find out if you love Him. Lord may Your love abound on the day of reckoning. Follow, fear, keep, listen, serve and cling. They are words of submission and emptying. Lord, may I grow in these statutes of yours.

Numbers 33

Numbers 33:8, "They journeyed from Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea ..."

The Lord had to bring them to a point of supernatural deliverance. Wherein the power of God is displayed and is undoubted born of his mighty hand. We need that kind of deliverance, a mighty move of God so that we may be built up and see that God is still with us. Now I sound like an Israelite. Lord, teach me to trust you even before you part the Red Seas in my life. Place in me that peaceful resolve that I am safe in your hands because you are journeying with me.

Numbers 20: Treat Me As Holy

Numbers 20:12 " ... treat me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel ..."

Moses displeased God because he did not treat God as holy in the sight of His people. God wanted him to speak to the rock so water could flow out of it. But he hit it--twice. Perhaps in seething anger for the rebellious murmuring sons of Israel. Lesson: Never let anger drive you to lose focus of what God wants you to do. A classic trickery of the enemy. In fact not just anger, but letting emotions drive your head. (The Israelites in remorse decided that time to enter Canaan only after defiantly disobeying God's prior command to enter it. They were massacred.)

There is much to be expected to us leaders. We ought to treat God as holy in the sight of all men. How many times have we carelessly taken for granted our priesthood in the presence of the sons of this world? And even away from the world's prying eyes we even choose to wander away from God's statutes. May this never be true for us followers of Christ. Be reminded that God is holy. Let our thoughts, speech and actions reflect the holiness of the God we serve, as one whose face the Lord shines upon.