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M-A-Y stormy post

For the month of May the weather should be a “sun striking at twelve o’clock” but instead of a striking hot weather I’ve encountered a stormy ones! 

I would like to share this post emphasizing how great our God is in times of struggles. 

http://h3sean.com/big-god-2/?utm_source=aweber&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Email%2BRSS

Highlights:

1. Start with God  - Quality Time with Your Maker.

2. Stop and Listen

3. Surrender

Surrendered needs allow you to live a free life: A life free to give without expecting anything in return; A life free to love without being heartbroken; And a life free to serve because your Master deserves so much more.

From Victory material (All-Weather Series):

“Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.” - Philippians 1:25-26

Joy is something that comes from a growing faith in God that despite of the difficult circumstances that we face, we know that God will make all things work together for our good and according to His plan.

Being a Christian does not mean life will be a bed of roses or shall be problem-free. It is important for every believer (especially new ones) to understand that as we begin to follow Christ, life may even become more challenging. However, be ready to balance this off by telling them that it is the very presence of Christ in our lives that becomes our source of hope, joy, and security even in the toughest times. Tell of your personal testimony in this area of your walk with Christ. 

People by nature are self-centered. They want almost everything for their own benefit. If possible, they would have the world revolve around themselves. Whatever skin color, size of income, or position in this world, every person can easily give in to being self-centered. How can we avoid this trap that would ruin us in the long run?

1. Self-effort is worthless compared to Christ’s work.

      For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh - though I myself have reasons for such confidence. - Philippians 3:3,4

2. Self-achievement is worthless compared to Christ’s sake.

    But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Chrirst. - Philippinas 3:7

3. Self-possession is worthless compared to knowing Christ.

    What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. - Philippians 3:8

  Many people today are so focus on travelling around the world, enlarging their businesses, building new homes, or even becoming physically fit. There is nothing wrong with these things. However, the problem comes when people allow these things to compromise their relationship with Jesus Christ. 

April’s Blast Post

It’s almost mid of May and I haven’t submitted an entry for the previous month. So here it goes…

I can say that last month was really a “fast and the furious’ month. For me, a lot of things happened during April. Elevator shutting down (Cello Building), Power fluctuation of building 1, Seminar for Elevator, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Pro etc, and lastly a company outing that turned out to be a sleeping time for us.

What I’ve learned last Month:

Living out of your COMFORT ZONE - Since my work is getting tougher and tougher in which I’m having a difficulty on handling it promptly, I refocused myself with a statement that things can be done one at a time and learn how to turn these uncomfortable situations into a comfortable one.

Flexibility is the word that is tantamount to COMFORT ZONE. Once you live out of your COMFORT ZONE your learning curve expands and you become more flexible in learning things that you haven’t encountered before.

FAITH - Learn how to trust God’s Will. My last week of April was terribly a heartbreaking moment. Eto ‘ung di-umanong paglipat ko from Rhapsody to Siena Park.. What was worst, akala ko vacant at walang AO si Rhapsody then all of a sudden c Charm daw ilalagay sa Rhapsody at ako sa Siena Park. So lalong nagtrouble ako, ang layo kasi ni Siena Park from our home. Baka mabilanggo na ako dun. But I’ve learned that what ever happens malipat man ako dun or hindi, it is God’s Will. All you have to do is to strengthen your faith and trust Him.

CALLING - Is being involved in a customer oriented job was my calling? Honestly I’m not that good in handling people and communicating with others, that’s the reason why I love mathematics and not english. Hahaha! Medyo nagiging smooth na rin ang takbo ng work ko these days siguro dahil nga fast-paced ang eksena. Encountering people, encountering troubles nakakachallenge! Unlike sa past jobs ko na sobrang monotonous lang ang work. But still I’m reflecting until now, if I would stay beyond my 2 years of contract w/ DPMC or not. Si God na ang makakapagsabi kung saan niya ako ilalagay after 2 years.

Things that I still need to work on:

WALK WITH GOD - Strengthening my relationship with God. Knowing Him More.

VISION - Preparing on things, not on earthly things but rather on a biblical perspective on how I view and live life.

DISCIPLESHIP - Spread the teachings of God. Be a model to others, and show to them how great and awesome our God is.

Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

Habit 5 of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey helped me a lot in my work and in everyday life. In order for us to be understood by people, we should listen to them first. Having an empathic listening skills can lead a better communication with others. Communication is the key to success, a very cliche statement that everyone knows. If you want to interact effectively with me, to influence me, you first need to understand me. They say, you have to build the skills of empathic listening on a base of character that inspires openness and trust. 

Why do we listen to people? If we’re like most people in most conversations, we primarily listen to give a response! And while we’re listening, we’re preparing for a response already. Steven Covey illustrates four typical responses:

1. Ignoring - not listening at all
2. Pretending - not listening at all, but with mindless responses (“Uh-hhum”, “Yeah that’s really interesting”) (“Ah” , “Oww”, “Aww”, “Ganun ba?”)
3. Selective Listening - not listening to everything, but hearing what you want to hear
4. Attentive Listening - really listening to the words

Effective listening is about really wanting to listen, wanting to understand the other. To achieve this you have to go beyond the words.

Empathic listening is a full body activity. The emphatic listening responses are:

1. Mimic Content  - just repeat what was just said
2. Rephrase Content - repeat, but in your own words
3. Reflect Feeling - express what you think the other feels 
4. Rephrase Content and Reflect Feeling - combine the latter two

Empathic listening is effective when you have the best interest of the other in mind, if you genuinely seek the welfare of the other.

To sum it up, madali lang makinig ang problema eh ano ang isasagot o magiging response mo kapag nagsabi/nagkwento sa’yo ang ibang tao lalo na kapag problema o concern ang sadya nila. For them in order to understand you, you should understand them first by repeating what they said, with empathy in their situation. Handling concerns is really not that easy, but when we empathize them, we can reverse the situation for your principles not to be bended. Minsan intergridad din ang matatanong sa’yo kung bakit bali-bali o pa-iba iba ang iyong desisyon. Na bakit ito piniyagan tas samantala ako hindi. Pero ako i-choose to stick to the rules, ‘yun lang rejecting other people suggestion, request, recomendation or favor is really difficult. I’m creating and finding more safe responses like: “Sir/Maam kung pwede lang sana namin gawin ‘un inaksyonan na namin eh kaso iyan po talaga ung standards eh” or “Maam, kung nasa amin lang po ung iyon, mabubuksan po natin kaso hindi po talaga kami ang may hawak ng mga susi.” Ang hirap kasi iba-iba ang concern nila, iba-iba ang situation. Pero ‘yun nga empathic listening lang talaga. 

End of 1st quarter p.2

Born as a Catholic and still a Catholic but I’m attending a Christian (born-again) services, fellowship, and events that helped me to changed my view about Religion per se.

When I was young probably high school to college or even my elementary years, I was just conforming to the world and not really understanding or appreciating the word FAITH. Before, I was just attending the Sunday mass and not even participating on it. Lumilipad ang utak ko eh, I find it boring to the priest who is preaching the gospel. Sobrang hindi ko kasi maintindihan ung homily nung priest in connection with the gospel. Minsan kasi wala talagang relevance ung gospel sa homily nung pari. Also, back then I was just praying to God for something when I need something, then kapag na-grant ung prayers ko I thanked Him. Wrong perception. Madasalin ako araw-araw, I remembered back when I was in high school and college that if I have a lot of time I will go first to the chapel (hs)/ church (college) before going to our room. Now I realize, that hindi lang naman sa church ang best place to reflect.

Of course, I graduated from a Catholic school malamang meron akong understanding regarding the life of Christ, life of the Saints, etc. But when I changed my view and starting to equip myself from a Christian fellowship, dun ko lang na-grasp o na-comprehend ng mabuti kung bakit tayo naniniwala sa Diyos, bakit may Diyos, ano ang Salvation, etc. Minsan kasi napapaisip na lang ako, bakit nga ba ako nagsisimba dati eh hindi rin naman ako nagpaparticipate. Bakit ako nagdadasal, puro hiling at blessings lang pinagdadasal ko?

Now it’s different. Alam mo na kung bakit ka sobrang dedicated just to glorify Him. It’s because of FAITH. Faith that leads us to SALVATION and Good Works, because we have a Savior who is mighty to save, who rose and conquer the grave.

Going to the main point, Holy Week reminds us the Son of Man willingly came to earth as a lowly slave, to serve us, to be crushed for us, to free us from the sin slavery that leads to eternal death. On his knees, as he washes the dirty feet of his disciples, Jesus enacts for us a parable of the cross.

That the Son of God, died on the cross because for us. It is the eternal gift that was given to us.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life - John 3:16

Minsan naiisip ko kung tatanongin ko ang sarili ko dati, bakit ka nagdadasal at nagsisimba. Marahil ang sasabihin ko, nasa 10 commandments eh. Bakit ko kailangan mo sundin ang 10 commandments? For the wages of sin is death kasi. Hindi gusto ng Diyos ang hindi sumusunod sa batas.

Again now it’s different.. Kung ako tatanongin mo ngayon ang sasabihin ko utang na loob ko na ito sa Diyos. Parang, I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross. Isipin mo na lng nagpapako Siya para lang sa mga kasalanan mo na hindi kayang bayaran ng kahit anong material na bagay.

A dead Christ I must do everything for; a living Christ does everything for me. ― Andrew Murray

This lenten season is about Christ dying for us just to save us from the earthly things. I remembered nung may pumuntang Jehovah Witness sa office who gave us a pamphlet regarding the death and resurrection of Christ.

*Note: Ayon sa Jehovah Witness, they don’t celebrate Christmas parang Iglesia ni Cristo because for them it was really not important to celebrate the birth of Jesus. What was the Jehovah Witness told us, that the death of Christ and the resurrection of Christ should be also need to reflect and give importance.

I heard a loud voice in heaven say:“Now have come the salvation & the power & the kingdom of our God,& the authority of his Messiah. - Revelation 12:10

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. - Romans 6:6

***Check out this blog : Did Jesus Have to Pay For My Sins?

End of 1st quarter

So this is it, Q1 has ended and still I wasn’t able to make a major/special project for Rhapsody aside from the car pass, household helper, driver, visitor pass identification cards layout. For this month entry, I classified some topics that helped me well.

Discipline / Patience

As I’ve mentioned above, I wasn’t able to propose/create/make a major or special project/activities for Rhapsody. Supposed to be I’m targeting to have at least one project. Para sa ikakaganda ni Rhapsody! The reason why I wasn’t able to implement such activities or project is because of lack of manpower. Ikaw si admin officer at dahil wala ka pang admin assistant ikaw rin si AA, at dahil wla ka pang permanent accountant, tinutulungan mo si temporary accountant mo regarding RRCC transactions.

Since I already mention that there are interruptions in reality (see post: january month end report) and opposition will always be present. We need to inculcate discipline and patience within ourselves. Tipong maraming istorbo at ‘di mo matapos-tapos ung daily activities mo, patience lang.

Besides from work, we also need to inculcate discipline and patience in other aspect of life. For example, dahil medyo toxic na ang work ko I’m starting to count my remaining years in DMCI/DPMC kung tatapusin ko lng ba ung bond ko or should I stay probably 5 or 6 more months. I know that God has something big for me kaya siguro hindi tlga ako pwedeng umalis sa DMCI, and maybe kaya hindi ako inililipat sa ibang project is because I need to focus this start-up project. I’m so grateful, that God placed me to where I am now. In which I’m learning to be more flexible since I’ve been encountering different people with different personality.

Next one is finances, getting rid out of the unnecessary expenses. Compared to last year nabawasan na rin naman expenses ko, pero sablay pa rin sa communication expenses!

Patience goes together with discipline. You need to control yourself from something that may lead to unwanted result/outcome.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6

Just trust Him, and He will lead You to something better. Submit to Him, dedicate the all the things that you are doing to Him because we want to glorify Him!

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as. - Matthew 6:33

Seek first God! When in trouble, struggles, and doubt seek Him first! Discern from what is right or wrong, and everything will follow.

Moreover, internal identity dictates external lifestyle. How you’re approaching life is determined by how you view yourself. Your understanding of your identity determines on how you relate with other people. If we are impatient, undisciplined or lack of confidence these internal identity will dictate our external lifestyle.

Stay the Course

Well, I want to share this insights that I’ve read from a book given to me by my auntie/godparent.

Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. - Joshua 1:7

To be intentional means working with purpose making every action count. Successful leaders are intentional. They know they’re doing it. To become more intentional, do the following:

1. Have a purpose worth living for: Willis R. Whitney,the first director of General Electric’s research laboratory, observed, “Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can.”
2. Know your strengths and weaknesses: Playing to your strengths rekindles your passions and renews your energy.
3. Prioritize your responsibilities: Once you know the “why” of your life, it becomes much easier to figure out the “what” and “when.”
4. Learn to say no: You can’t accomplish much without focus. If you try to do every good thing that comes your way, you won’t excel at what you were made to do.
5. Commit yourself to long-term achievement: Most victories in life are achieved through small incremental wins sustained over time.

The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player

LOVE MONTH. LOVE POST ♥

I’ve heard about this trivia twice that Valentine’s Day is the event that most of the people spend their money next to Christmas. Chocolates, flowers, and plushies are on the top purchased/sold items for the month of February. Sweet quotes, touching notes and cheesy lines are on the trend when the so-called LOVE MONTH arrives. Medyo huli na itong post ko, but I want to share the kick off series for this month: Will you….

- BE MY FRIEND?

- BE MY VALENTINE?

- MARRY ME?

We want to look forward of having a biblical perspective in every season of a person’s love life. May each of us have Jesus in the center of all our relationship! But what does it really mean to have God in the center of one’s relationships?

Two are better than one. because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!… Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:9,10,12

God made people as social beings. He designed us with the need to relate with others. Though God created Eve because Adam needed a wife, the point still stands that relationships, in a more general sense, are important to us. Thus we start by talking the importance of friendship. What does friendship bring us?

Friendship before courtship should I say ideal in terms of having a relationship with the opposite sex. Acquaintance then friendship. It is advisable by many, that friendship first rather jumping into the next series which is courtship (boyfriend-girlfriend). The essence of this advice is that you already recognize the personality, character of your friend.

One thing I’ve read from one of my Joshua Harris book is that dating without intention of marriage is like shopping without money, you’ll end up frustrated because courtship is dating with a purpose. It is friendship plus possibility. It is romance chaperoned by wisdom.

Nowadays, anything goes with the way people live. There are too many choices as to how we would like to live our lives. However, this does not guarantee us that whatever we choose will do us good. What does the Bible say about choosing to live the godly way?

God wants us to be holy. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified - 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Many people mistakenly believe that holiness means to become boring, sad, and isolated. They miss its real meaning to be set apart for God and His purposes. What they do not understand is God intended holiness for us because He wants the best for us.

Sexual purity is part of holiness. … that you should avoid sexual immorality: that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God, and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him… 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6

Part of holiness is not to get involved in sexual immorality. Once a person gets into this, he or she opens the door to a lot of problems that go with this sin, causing physical, emotional, and spiritual scars.

Last part…

But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate. - Mark 10:6-9

The Bible says that every good thing comes from God one of which is marriage. This God-initiated union is a relationship covenant between a man and a woman. Three points to better understand what marriage is and God’s purpose for it.

1. God designed marriage.

But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female - Mark 10:6

2. Marriage is a union between man and woman

What makes marriage beautiful is that it is a union of two complementing parties. In fact, the difference between a husband and a wife is what makes them complementary. The different but complementing traits could add to the union’s strength if understood properly.

3. God intended marriage to remain a union for life.

Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate. - Mark 10:9

When God starts a union, each party must work to keep it together. It is indeed a covenant not a contract. A contract has limited life while a covenant is for a lifetime. Also, parties in a contract seek their respective gain. In a covenant, each party should give and, if possible, sacrifice to keep the relationship alive.

January month end report

I knew it! Starting this year, I’ll be posting a month-end entry instead of a weekly entry. Sad to say, I’m really in busy action! I felt that this year will be so fast and there will be a lot of surprises, storms and challenges as well! I don’t have enough time to reflect more on the other things because I’ll be focusing more on the current situation that I will be handling :(

Things that I want to share and what I’ve learned this month:

1. OFFICIALLY I BELONG TO ONE OF THE VCF GROUP IN ALABANG :D

2. I am now deployed at the site as an AO. :)

3. I gained more friends/colleagues, from VCF, site, workers, etc.

4. Tito Cito and Tita Elvie went back from abroad to Manila. Wherein I learned something about insurance, funds and retirement stuffs. I hope when they returned five years from now here in Manila, I will be marrying that someone God planned for me. Sila ang Ninong at Ninang :D

5. Got interested reading a good book. (sa ngayon di ko pa tapos sa sobrang daming ginagawa)

6. Bucket List (Present term), Faith Goals (Biblical Term). No resolution for the year :D

7. Fasting, but it didn’t work for me. :(

8. Be Proactive!

9. Begin with an END IN MIND.

10. Put first things first.

11. There are a lot of interruptions in reality. Even though you want to do or focus on something, there will be a time that interruption occurs.

From Beyond Normal 1 materials:

As followers of Jesus, we need to realize that opposition will always be present and that we need to focus on Jesus who endured all there for us. - Hebrews 12:3

12. Surrender everything to God. Sabi sa akin ng VCF leader ko, kapag hindi ko na kaya sabihin ko lang kay Lord na siya na lang dito sa pwesto ko.

Whole month topics naman sa service is about DIVINE COURAGE, DIVINE GUIDANCE and DIVINE INTERVENTION. Really great way to start the year! :D

From Beyong Normal 2 materials:

As we pray, the Holy Spirit blesses us with gifts that enable us to enjoy worshiping and serving Him. Prayer and praise are powerful tools that can help us live victorious lives.