On May 9, 2010 during Mother's Day Celebration at our church I had been tasked to give the Welcome Address which went as follows:
Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
Today is indeed a very special day. Not only because we have been granted once again by God Himself to fellowship with each other and worship Him in this sanctuary. But more importantly this Sunday is truly special because this church is “specially” celebrating Mother's day together with the entire world!
Now, why are we honoring all the mothers? Most of the time we are too busy with other concerns that we actually forget that it was through our mothers that we have been brought by God into this world. The physical, emotional and psychological endeavor that mothers go through during pregnancy and birthing is enough reason by itself for this special tribute. Remember, no one else can actually do this particular responsibility of birthing except the women or the “mothers”.
In its entirety, motherhood is a tough 24-hour job without pay and without day off. Mothers play so many roles in our lives. As the “ilaw ng tahanan”, mothers, unceasingly take on the role of a teacher, nurse, counselor, chauffeur, cook, friend, and the list can go on endless, for each one of us. And it is mainly because of these major reasons that this church has excitedly plan and prepared for this very special day.
Let us all, therefore, joyfully take part in paying tribute to all mothers--“thanking them for giving birth to all of us, raising us and being our constant support and well-wisher.”
As we celebrate Mother's Day in this sanctuary, I warmly welcome everyone—fellow church members, both the pastoral and worship teams, our Senior Lady Pastor Josephine De Vila and family, visitors and most especially, all the mothers who are here. Happy Mother's Day po and Welcome to the Word of Life Cornerstone Glory Church!
Thank you and maayong buntag sa atoang tanan!
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Monday, July 5, 2010
for the Pastors...
(This speech was delivered by my husband Jed on February 21, 2010, during the Pastors' Day Celebration at our Church - The Word of Life Cornerstone Glory Church)
Good morning dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. It is with much joy that I stand before you to speak about our dearest Pastors.
I have been in this church with my family for only a few months and one of the things that I like about this church is its PASTORAL TEAM.
I am sure that each one of us has his/her own concept of what a Pastor is. For me and my family though, the word PASTOR has the following meaning:
The letter P stands for PRAYERFUL LIFE
In this church, our Pastors are always there to pray for our needs and for our welfare.
Letter A stands for ATTITUDE
The pastors of Cornerstone Glory Church have shown a very positive outlook and attitude towards their calling.
Letter S stands for SERVANTS OF GOD
Through our God's annointing, they have been faithfully doing Christ's work of bringing salvation to everyone.
Letter T stands for TEACHER
Our pastors have untiringly taught us about God's goodness and His plan of salvation as indicated in the Bible, his Holy Word.
Letter O stands for OBEDIENCE
Their obedience to Christ, our Lord, along with their dedication to be Christ- like in everything has been a great example to all of us members of this church.
and last is the letter R which stands for RELATIONSHIP
This church has been blessed with a Pastoral Team that values and uplifts the importance of harmonious relationship among church members.
For all these and for countless other reasons, the entire Word of Life Cornerstone Glory Church expresses its sincerest appreciation.
Pastors, thank you for your teachings, prayers, encouragements and the great company. Today is your day! May your desire to serve God be strengthened and may God, our Heavenly Father, bring forth more blessings to all of you and your families. HAPPY PASTOR'S DAY.
Good morning dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. It is with much joy that I stand before you to speak about our dearest Pastors.
I have been in this church with my family for only a few months and one of the things that I like about this church is its PASTORAL TEAM.
I am sure that each one of us has his/her own concept of what a Pastor is. For me and my family though, the word PASTOR has the following meaning:
The letter P stands for PRAYERFUL LIFE
In this church, our Pastors are always there to pray for our needs and for our welfare.
Letter A stands for ATTITUDE
The pastors of Cornerstone Glory Church have shown a very positive outlook and attitude towards their calling.
Letter S stands for SERVANTS OF GOD
Through our God's annointing, they have been faithfully doing Christ's work of bringing salvation to everyone.
Letter T stands for TEACHER
Our pastors have untiringly taught us about God's goodness and His plan of salvation as indicated in the Bible, his Holy Word.
Letter O stands for OBEDIENCE
Their obedience to Christ, our Lord, along with their dedication to be Christ- like in everything has been a great example to all of us members of this church.
and last is the letter R which stands for RELATIONSHIP
This church has been blessed with a Pastoral Team that values and uplifts the importance of harmonious relationship among church members.
For all these and for countless other reasons, the entire Word of Life Cornerstone Glory Church expresses its sincerest appreciation.
Pastors, thank you for your teachings, prayers, encouragements and the great company. Today is your day! May your desire to serve God be strengthened and may God, our Heavenly Father, bring forth more blessings to all of you and your families. HAPPY PASTOR'S DAY.
Monday, March 1, 2010
WHAT OF BAPTISM?
I was 35 and old enough to understand the true essence of what I would be going thru when I agreed to be baptized and become a bornagain Christian (alongside my husband, Jed). This was last year and it was an experience we still could not stop talking about up to the present.
Jed and I were about to leave for our baptism rites when one of my siblings told us of our car's flat front tire. It was a Sunday and coincidentally a red letter day--“All Souls Day” in the Philippines-- so I felt quite dismayed that such had to happen at a time when we were already in haste!
It was around three in the afternoon and we knew that rarely were tire repair shops open on a “holiday-Sunday.” Nevertheless, we hurriedly drove out to look for one. The first two shops we checked were closed but the third one was, fortunately, open.
As Jed was driving into the shop, simultaneously telling the owner through the open car window about our flat front tire, we only got a blank stare. Jed and I wondered about the reaction. When we both got out to check though, it was with our own eyes that we discovered the front tire as completely okay! Both of us were astonished! Never in our wildest imagination did we expect for something like that to occur! We saw how extremely flat that front tire was. It was, indeed, that time an unbelievable situation!
We then requested for all tires to be gauged. Miraculously, all four were found to have just the appropriate air content level!
Both Jed and I were so overjoyed about the grand miracle that God did for us that very special day! Moreover, we strongly believed that the Lord fixed our tire so we can head on and fulfill what He desires for us.
That day, November 1, 2009, we left the tire repair shop extremely inspired and excited to be baptized...
Praise the Lord!
- oOo -
“Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
(Acts 2:38)
Jed and I were about to leave for our baptism rites when one of my siblings told us of our car's flat front tire. It was a Sunday and coincidentally a red letter day--“All Souls Day” in the Philippines-- so I felt quite dismayed that such had to happen at a time when we were already in haste!
It was around three in the afternoon and we knew that rarely were tire repair shops open on a “holiday-Sunday.” Nevertheless, we hurriedly drove out to look for one. The first two shops we checked were closed but the third one was, fortunately, open.
As Jed was driving into the shop, simultaneously telling the owner through the open car window about our flat front tire, we only got a blank stare. Jed and I wondered about the reaction. When we both got out to check though, it was with our own eyes that we discovered the front tire as completely okay! Both of us were astonished! Never in our wildest imagination did we expect for something like that to occur! We saw how extremely flat that front tire was. It was, indeed, that time an unbelievable situation!
We then requested for all tires to be gauged. Miraculously, all four were found to have just the appropriate air content level!
Both Jed and I were so overjoyed about the grand miracle that God did for us that very special day! Moreover, we strongly believed that the Lord fixed our tire so we can head on and fulfill what He desires for us.
That day, November 1, 2009, we left the tire repair shop extremely inspired and excited to be baptized...
Praise the Lord!
- oOo -
“Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
(Acts 2:38)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
back but DIFFERENT...
“Where do I begin?” This is the question I have asked myself so many times in reference to how I will write and share (to whoever will be interested) the details of my life as a new bornagain Christian without being labelled a religion lobbyist.
As it is quite difficult for me to discuss my newfound faith without touching on religion, allow me now to apologize in advance to those who will be offended of the narration that follows.
The history of my faith began way back when I was attending Sabbath school with my nanny who was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. It was thru those Saturday church services that I became acquainted with God. I learned what idolatry meant and remembered by heart the rest of God's Ten Commandments thru my Sabbath school teacher. I even practiced excluding pork and shellfish on my diet as it was prohibited by the church. When I turned eight though, my nanny left to take care of smaller children so I just continued to build my relationship with the Lord via the Roman Catholic teachings every Sunday, as this is the religion of my parents.
Years passed, I grew up and, with obedience, went thru the complete routine of having my First Confession, Holy Communion, Confirmation as expected of any typical Roman Catholic individual. In fact, even my wedding ceremony was officiated by a relative who was a Roman Catholic priest. However, despite this obedience to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic faith, I continued to be haunted by questions about God and faith which Sunday homilies failed to satisfactorily address or answer. Until time came that I just stopped going to church in absence of any motivation and definite learning.
My husband could not also act as my source of encouragement as he was, himself, uninspired to attend Sunday masses. Our weekends were then spent malling and restaurant-hopping. We were always out indulging in our capacity to quench material thirst but we were not happy. Indeed, there was satisfaction brought about by material acquisition but it was fleeting. Shallow. Our weekends then became totally routinary and boring.
When we had our child, all the more did this longing for spiritual fullness became prominent. I did not want my child to grow up without a strong knowledge of who God is. As parents, my husband and I were also incapable then of providing this to our child with ourselves being “out-of-track” faithwise, so to say.
Indeed, on the one hand, my husband, having been exposed to Christian teachings by way of the Alliance Church, was a lot fortunate to have already gained the basic idea of what “faith” means. However, I, on the other hand, was entirely clueless. I was always “worry and panic” personified when trials came my way. Whenever my husband would tell me to have faith in God, I could not grasp at all what he meant. It was an intellectual ordeal for me.
But he prayed and I prayed. Until time came when the Prayer of Salvation was spoken in one of my work-related meetings and I decided, in tears, to receive Christ and made Him my personal savior. After that remarkable step, the Lord then began to aggressively move not only in my life but also in my family.
It then did not take long for God to bring me and my husband to the Church where He wants us to worship Him in. Since then, I am proud to declare that I am finally “living in fullness everyday” through God's words.
To those of you out there who may be experiencing spiritual discontentment, I urge you to be attentive to your feelings as God is probably trying to tell you something. Pray to the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit who dwells in all of us for guidance so you will be led to the path and life that the Almighty Father has already prepared for you.
I am also posting here a copy of the Prayer of Salvation. As this has ushered me towards God, I am confident that such will also be its role in your life if you just open your heart and mind to the Lord.
PRAYER OF SALVATION
"Dear Heavenly Father, You have called me to Yourself in the name of Your dear Son Jesus (Yeshua). I realize that Jesus is the only Way, the Truth, and the Life; and is the only Mediator between You and man.
I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner. I believe that Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross, died for my sins, and rose again on the third day. I am truly sorry for the deeds which I have committed against You, and therefore, I am willing to repent (turn away from my sins). Have mercy on me, a sinner. Cleanse me, and forgive me of my sins as I forgive anyone who has ever sinned against me.
I truly desire to serve You, Lord Jesus. Starting from now, I pray that You would help me to hear Your still small voice. Lord, I desire to be led by Your Holy Spirit so I can faithfully follow You and obey all of Your commandments. I ask You for the strength to love You more than anything else so I won't fall back into my old ways. I also ask You to bring genuine believers into my life who will encourage me to live for You and help me stay accountable.
Jesus, I am truly grateful for Your grace which has led me to repentance and has saved me from my sins. By the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit, I now have the power to overcome all sin which before so easily entangled me. Lord Jesus, please transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to You alone and not to myself.
Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my life. With my heart, I believe that God the Father raised His Son Jesus from the dead. This very moment I acknowledge that Jesus Christ (Messiah Yeshua) is my Savior and according to His Word, right now I am born again. Thank You, Jesus, for coming into my life and hearing my prayer.
I ask all of this in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."
As it is quite difficult for me to discuss my newfound faith without touching on religion, allow me now to apologize in advance to those who will be offended of the narration that follows.
The history of my faith began way back when I was attending Sabbath school with my nanny who was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. It was thru those Saturday church services that I became acquainted with God. I learned what idolatry meant and remembered by heart the rest of God's Ten Commandments thru my Sabbath school teacher. I even practiced excluding pork and shellfish on my diet as it was prohibited by the church. When I turned eight though, my nanny left to take care of smaller children so I just continued to build my relationship with the Lord via the Roman Catholic teachings every Sunday, as this is the religion of my parents.
Years passed, I grew up and, with obedience, went thru the complete routine of having my First Confession, Holy Communion, Confirmation as expected of any typical Roman Catholic individual. In fact, even my wedding ceremony was officiated by a relative who was a Roman Catholic priest. However, despite this obedience to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic faith, I continued to be haunted by questions about God and faith which Sunday homilies failed to satisfactorily address or answer. Until time came that I just stopped going to church in absence of any motivation and definite learning.
My husband could not also act as my source of encouragement as he was, himself, uninspired to attend Sunday masses. Our weekends were then spent malling and restaurant-hopping. We were always out indulging in our capacity to quench material thirst but we were not happy. Indeed, there was satisfaction brought about by material acquisition but it was fleeting. Shallow. Our weekends then became totally routinary and boring.
When we had our child, all the more did this longing for spiritual fullness became prominent. I did not want my child to grow up without a strong knowledge of who God is. As parents, my husband and I were also incapable then of providing this to our child with ourselves being “out-of-track” faithwise, so to say.
Indeed, on the one hand, my husband, having been exposed to Christian teachings by way of the Alliance Church, was a lot fortunate to have already gained the basic idea of what “faith” means. However, I, on the other hand, was entirely clueless. I was always “worry and panic” personified when trials came my way. Whenever my husband would tell me to have faith in God, I could not grasp at all what he meant. It was an intellectual ordeal for me.
But he prayed and I prayed. Until time came when the Prayer of Salvation was spoken in one of my work-related meetings and I decided, in tears, to receive Christ and made Him my personal savior. After that remarkable step, the Lord then began to aggressively move not only in my life but also in my family.
It then did not take long for God to bring me and my husband to the Church where He wants us to worship Him in. Since then, I am proud to declare that I am finally “living in fullness everyday” through God's words.
To those of you out there who may be experiencing spiritual discontentment, I urge you to be attentive to your feelings as God is probably trying to tell you something. Pray to the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit who dwells in all of us for guidance so you will be led to the path and life that the Almighty Father has already prepared for you.
I am also posting here a copy of the Prayer of Salvation. As this has ushered me towards God, I am confident that such will also be its role in your life if you just open your heart and mind to the Lord.
PRAYER OF SALVATION
"Dear Heavenly Father, You have called me to Yourself in the name of Your dear Son Jesus (Yeshua). I realize that Jesus is the only Way, the Truth, and the Life; and is the only Mediator between You and man.
I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner. I believe that Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross, died for my sins, and rose again on the third day. I am truly sorry for the deeds which I have committed against You, and therefore, I am willing to repent (turn away from my sins). Have mercy on me, a sinner. Cleanse me, and forgive me of my sins as I forgive anyone who has ever sinned against me.
I truly desire to serve You, Lord Jesus. Starting from now, I pray that You would help me to hear Your still small voice. Lord, I desire to be led by Your Holy Spirit so I can faithfully follow You and obey all of Your commandments. I ask You for the strength to love You more than anything else so I won't fall back into my old ways. I also ask You to bring genuine believers into my life who will encourage me to live for You and help me stay accountable.
Jesus, I am truly grateful for Your grace which has led me to repentance and has saved me from my sins. By the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit, I now have the power to overcome all sin which before so easily entangled me. Lord Jesus, please transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to You alone and not to myself.
Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my life. With my heart, I believe that God the Father raised His Son Jesus from the dead. This very moment I acknowledge that Jesus Christ (Messiah Yeshua) is my Savior and according to His Word, right now I am born again. Thank You, Jesus, for coming into my life and hearing my prayer.
I ask all of this in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."
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