Emmanuel

"There are four kinds of people in this world:
•those who make things happen

•those who watch things happen

•those who wonder what happened

•those who don’t know that anything happened!

I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be first on that list."

(Mary Kay Ash)

I am the first kind. I make things happen. Not because I am good but because I have God. Since time immemorial, I have been tagged as "perfectionist", "OC", or even "OA." It's because I don't settle for anything less. I don't do things just for the sake of doing them. I strive for excellence... all the time. I am always after quality and not just getting things done. I am so passionate about setting things right as well. I follow rules and I am strict in implementing guidelines. And because of this personality, I gained a lot of friends (read: critics). And sometimes these friends become modern day Judases who would kiss and hug you and tell great things about you when you're with them, but would tell lies and prejudices behind your back.

It's disappointing, but more than that, it hurts to realize that the people you trust can be the same people who will betray you. I could just imagine how Jesus felt when Judas played his role of a traitor. Though He already knew it would happen, I bet He was still hurt. Judas was not just a friend, he was a brother.

I am at that point again. When trusted people fails to be true. When negative things are told about you. When you just don't know who really is on your side.

I am at that point when it hurts to obey. Because you just don't get the point of inconsistency. Because you feel so tired and it doesn't help when you see people not doing their jobs or doing things in mediocrity. I mean how could they? Then I realized, they could because there are people who sacrifice, there are people who go beyond their limits just to deliver quality results.

This post could go on with all the other personal sentiments. But this blog is not about whining and complaining and just wishing things were better. This blog is a collection of personal experiences that are meant to teach a lesson and help one grow in faith, love, and Christian character.

While I acknowledge that I do feel bad, I am not letting those negative sentiments get the best of me. I will continue doing what is right and what is needed. I will continue to be my true self. I will continue to trust and obey. Because I know who I am serving and to whom I really belong. I am serving a great God who is just and righteous. I am serving a God who sees everything, knows everything, understands everything. I am serving a God who deserves nothing but the best, nothing but my all.

And this God is giving me the assurance that as I follow Him -
I will never meet a fear He cannot conquer;
I will never face an enemy He cannot defeat;
I will never enter a battle He cannot win;
I will never have a need He cannot meet;
I will never face a temptation He cannot overcome;
I will never have a burden He cannot lift;
I will never face a problem He cannot solve;
I will never have a bondage He cannot break;
I will never have a moment when He does not care;
I will never have a time when He is not there.
(adapted from http://www.meetmeinthemeadow.com/2013/01/assurance-a-repost/)

I will be faithful because He is. I can because He can. He is my strength, my provider, my redeemer, my greatest reward, and my reason for living. :)

No longer I but Christ who lives in me. Christ who is with me. ♥

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Understanding Lupang Hinirang

Every Filipino knows Lupang Hinirang (though some know it better as " Bayang Magiliw "). How can you not know it when it is the national anthem of the Philippines? But do we really mean the lyrics that we sing? Do we understand it in the first place? Photo Credit: http://diazi.ism-online.org This video has gone viral weeks ago. This afternoon, I shared it to my teammates, and one commented, "Yun pala yun . Ngayon ko lang naintindihan." He immediately downloaded it and converted to MP3. So for those who have not seen it, once again, here is Joey Ayala's version of Lupang Hinirang. And I agree, you would never want to sing it in another way. (But that's just me. :D) This rendition is simply beautiful. Truly Filipino. :) Of course that doesn't mean we need to revise our national anthem but maybe we can consider about correcting the way we sing it (read: proper pronunciation). Read more about the Philippine National Anthem here .

Jesus Week 2015: A Time To HEAL ♥

I had the best, most meaningful HOLY WEEK ever, so far (the best is yet to come!). :) Thanks to Joy who shared the Jesus Week poster on Facebook. It was God's personal invitation, and I couldn't thank Him enough for the grace that He also gave me to respond. Everything is grace. It was not just my personal decision to join. It was God's grace that allowed me to. So how did it go? Well, as what I have told my friends, it was amazingly beautiful! The experience was priceless! On Holy Monday, I posted Fr. Jerry Orbos' acronym for HOLY WEEK . I experienced all of that and more! :) I won't be able to share everything as there is just a lot of personal, intimate encounters with the Lord. But if I were to summarize, it was a time for me to HEAL. :) H alt . Indeed, I was able to stop and just rest in the Lord. Before leaving Manila, I have already told myself that this retreat will be all about Jesus ( Jesus Week nga e :D ). No emails, no texts, no calls. I

Thank You, Lord! :)

It has been a long and stressful day (the past three days have been lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng and stressssssssssssssssssssssssssssssful), but You are just so amazing, Lord that I couldn't sleep without telling You how grateful I am. :) Thank You, Lord for the miracle that You did yesterday. Break even and more. :) Thank You, Lord for the laughter and stories shared during the post-mission meeting with Team Thailand. :) Team Thailand - Princesses from SFC Metro Manila :) Thank You, Lord for Lawrence. He is just the (almost) perfect man. He has his flaws, but they are acceptable; he makes mistakes, but they are all forgivable. There are a lot of men but there can never be anyone else. He's really the one. And You know it very well. :) ♥ Nemo. Love. ♥ Thank You, Lord for giving me strength and endurance each day. :) Thank You, Lord for the short but restful sleeps. :) Thank You, Lord for every waking moment and every opportunity that You give

The Holy Spirit*

*Cluster 4 Household Topic Reflections from John 15:26-16:4 True friendship is strengthened in adversity. Jesus offers His disciples the best and truest of friends. Who is this promised friend? Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Advocate (also translated Paraclete or Helper). Counselor is a legal term for the one who will defend someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life. As Jesus approaches the hour that He was to be glorified - through His death on the cross and His resurrection - He revealed more fully to His disciples the person and the role of the Holy Spirit. What does Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit? First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably one with the Father and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life - the very life of God - and who kindles faith in hearts receptive

Interesting Facts Courtesy of Celebrity Bluff :)

I was writing a different post, but Celebrity Bluff is just so fun and informative, I had to stop from blogging to list down the fun facts that I learn from each round. :) Thought it would be nice to share them here as well. For future reference. :D Q: In 2012, what kind of animal was named after Beyonce? A: Horse Fly Q: What rare job in China will pay you US$50,000 a year? A: Fart Smeller Q: What alcoholic drink literally means "water of life"? A: Whisky Q: In which part of the body can you find the tragus? A: Ear Q: According to Merriam-Webster, what is the female equivalent of dude? A: Dudine Q: What is longer in the male turtles than in the females? A: Nails And the final question is... Q: According to Box Office Mojo what are the top four (4) movies of 2013 according to global profit? A: (1) Iron Man 3, (2) Despicable Me 2, (3) Fast and the Furious 6 (4) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire That's all

These Little Wonders

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