Preparations for Hosting a Youth Camp

December comes and the youth group gets so busy with the camp preparations. Not just attending a camp, rather, hosting a Youth Camp for the whole province. It is a tough job, lots of preparations to be made to keep the three-day-activity a success. Like many other church programs there are innumerable things you need to remember to do as you prepare a camp/retreat for your youth group! I do hope these little checklist with some tips  will help you.

ü  Programme of the Camp. You may download and view the Programme Template of the Youth Camp. I would like to thank Mr. James Asuncion and Preacher Arniel Avenido for the making it more artistic. http://www.scribd.com/doc/117930561/Youth-Camp-Programme

ü  Invitation Letters to the Churches with attachment of consent from the parents

ü  Give-aways/Tokens for the delegates

ü  Banner for Each Group

ü  Awards for the Groups

ü  Opening Program/Renditions

ü  List of Working Committees

ü  Choir sheets

ü  Backdrop Tarpaulins

ü  Registration Forms

ü  Identification Tags for the Delegates

ü  Tokens for the Speakers

ü  Decorations for the Church

ü  First Aid Kits and medications

ü  Powerpoints for the Songs/EasyWorship

A month long preparations may not be enough. Usually, we start with the planning on the start of September. We also have to collaborate with the Men’s Group and Women’s Church Group for the Food and provisions.

Whenever I think of hosting a camp, it reminds me of how Nehemiah builded the wall. There are lots of obstacle that may arise along the way. Yet, the work will be accomplished. It will always be for victory, because the battle is of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 15:7 gives a pat on the shoulders to those who are tired of doing the camp preparations. Our hands may grow weaker and weaker and our hearts starts to go down in discouragement but Nehemiah asked "O God, strengthen my hands."! We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us!

God Makes No Mistakes

Summer is nearing to end. In a couple of days, I'll be reporting to my job being a clinical instructor, working and teaching with unending duty. Wishing I could just slow down the racing time. Things has been quiet with my blogging, yet in reality I have been very busy doing the things which I truly love. For a Pastor's daughter, summer vacation means - attending camps, preparing sunday school classes, scouting for new songs for the choir, playing the piano during services (aside from the scheduled-Sunday and Wednesday),  making powerpoints of Dad's sermon and the long list goes on. Nonetheless, I enjoy doing those stuff!. I had the rare occasion of spending my 7-day-retreat at Dumaguete City. I had precious memories and share of lessons learned. I had my time to recollect while traveling. I never had such soul-refreshing and spiritually uplifting vacation. I could not express how thankful I am to God, with all the blessings He plentifully showered me. In response to His benefits towards me.  God's graces were too overwhelming for me, that I could not express it in words but through a song. I never thought, I find a new meaning in an old song. So, here it is, a song rendition by my sisters. I warn you! We are not professional singers, nor do I had formal lessons in playing the piano, so bear with us please. But, I am hoping that this prayer song will touch your life as it has touched mine.

God Makes No Mistakes

My life I give to you oh Lord use me I pray
May I glorify Your precious name in all I do and say
Let me trust You in the valley dark as well as in the light
Knowing You will always lead me
Your will is always right

I know God makes no mistakes
He leads in every path I take
Along the way that’s leading me to home
Though at times my heart would break
There’s a purpose in every change He makes
So that others would see my life and know
That God makes no mistakes

And when some day in heav’n above I see His dear face
May I then be counted faithful as a runner in this race
But now I’m trusting in the Savior to show me the way
In His righteousness He guides me as I seek to please Him day by day

I know God makes no mistakes
He leads in every path I take
Along the way that’s leading me to home
Though at times my heart would break
There’s a purpose in every change He makes
So that others would see my life and know
That God makes no mistakes
God makes no mistakes

Children's Bible Class

Teaching college students are serious type of lectures, discussions, no-non-sense thing. Unlike, teaching outreach classes bring different kind of joy. We want to teach children about Jesus and God, Bible characters and good values. We never have that presentable classroom or a comfy chair with tables, nor powerpoint presentations, yet, we had fun improvising things. Singing songs make you feel like a child again. Nowadays, we need more teachers to teach about good morals and about Bible, something being banned from most universities. 

Above, is a mother also attending the class with their kids. Its one way of reaching the parents to Christ. They too enjoyed the short activity. We taught them to memorize short verses from the Bible and give rewards to those who can memorize.

Samsom and Delilah Game

 Funny how they make faces out of the Lion, shouting , "WrrrrrRRRR" with all their souls.

The group of boys outran us with their tactics, they got 3 points, ours 1. the girl in white and gray pants whispered to me, " Kanang, dragon na jud atoa te buh". Laughing, i said, "Langga, wala tay dragon, only Lion, Delilah and Samsom." And so with much discussion, they all agreed to do the Lion.

Needless to say, its more fun teaching kids under the Jackfruit tree!

Do I Really Care?

I just heard this song last night, which has tugged my heart of examining the real situation of my heart. The melody plus the lyrics perfectly blend into a song that you will surely love to hit the repeat/rewind button. Ebenezer Ponce, also a pastor's/missionary kid. He is a singer, composer and the eldest son of Pastor German Ponce, a missionary to Bangladesh. 

I Do I Really Care?

Where am I When the people cry?

And ask for life before they die.

Why do I let my heart and ears deny?

Till there’s no time and life passed bye

Cho:

Do I really care and value souls?

Or just ignore and let them go.

Is it worth to claim that the truth is in me?

If I myself don’t show that I care.

Is it enough to say that I love them?

If I’m not willing to go and tell.

I choose to be overwhelmed by shame

And hide the message I’m supposed to share.

Cho:

Do I really care and value souls?

Or just ignore and let them go.

Is it worth to claim that the truth is in me?

If I myself don’t show that I care.

Bridge:

Have I consider them as treasure?

Or I become so craven.

Is reaching them for Christ a pleasure?

Or for me is it just a burden.

Cho:

Do I really care and value souls?

Or just ignore and let them go.

Is it worth to claim that the truth is in me?

If  I myself don’t show that I care.

Optimizing Life

Has it ever happened to you that you want to throw your computer away, just because its slower than snail? Or you are beating deadlines to catch up with some of your papers, when suddenly the cursor of Word application, won't show the letters you are typing? All because your computer has slowed its functioning due to some viruses or excess programs that you never use.

Today, I bumped into this verse from Heart Matters I, Lesson IV. Let me cite God's word taken from Psalms 139:23-24

"Search me O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Often, we can't see our real spiritual condition because we compare our own goodness to the unbelievers. We have this holier-than-thou attitude. However, our basis for righteousness should be God, the standard should be no other than the Bible. It is then when we compare our own self-righteousness to God's righteousness - we are humbled. Daily prayers of searching and knowing should be done. 

Our lives can be compared to a computer of which there should be continuous checking of errors, viruses or unwanted programs that slows down its functioning. Search and rescue team inside our hearts and minds to cleanse us from all wicked way. These wicked ways are the culprit why we became ineffective in our Christian walk, in our church functions of witnessing others, of reflecting God's glory in our lives.Yet, we question, why I am stucked here, I want a higher ground of happiness in serving God. I'm working and moving yet, it seems I can't get out or make another step. Errors! Sins and iniquities lurking inside our hearts and minds. We all need spiritual optimization daily in God's way. At times, we need to stop rushing things just to make it faster. Let us stop for a while and have ourselves be scanned and be optimised. 

Allow me to share my prayer for today.

Father God, you know I am full of sins and iniquities inside out. But I beg for your  forgiveness. Wash me thoroughly, search me, my heart, my thoughts. Renew me, revive me in your word, lead me in YOUR WAY - the righteous and perfect way FOREVER. This I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, my Saviour, Amen.

May our gracious God lead us to His way. 

Just for Single Ladies

Last week I attended that annual church activity- Family Camp. It was full of fun and substance. Though I missed the first three days of the week. Yet, I was full of blessings hearing the sermons, devotionals and encouragement. Unlike the previous years that passed, most of the days were rainy, our tent areas got flooded and traversing the muddy pathways. This year, God granted our prayers of a good weather! The sun never hides from us so we could enjoy the duration of the camp.

Above, is the photo of our small group devotional, where we get to have intimate heart-to-heart talk with Ms. Lois Rabaya, our leader. The daily devotional lessons for "Ladies" were a great help to us. It has expounded on how could a young lady could prepare herself of building a  strong family someday. It focuses on the priority of pursuing after God, of laying the foundation early by abiding on God's word. It talks about preserving purity, of building a stronger relationship with Christ. Of which, nowadays, the word purity was something neglected mostly by young teenagers.  Also, we shared among the group about our dreams, our prayers, our hopes and aspirations of how can we be a lady who will someday be a mother of a strong family. We also talked about strengthening our personal walk as a Christian, of reading God's word, of witnessing Christ, of ministering, and fervent and unceasing prayers. We also tackled our personal issues regarding matters of the heart and have noted that we- women, does not want to become the richest, nor the most famous person, but we all aimed for one thing - building a Godly family. What a deep confessions from these ladies! What a meaningful conversations with these young ladies. Every morning, I'm so excited being with the group of digesting  and digging precious jewels the Bible. The conversations was so rich and inspiring, that I wish it would never end. 

Oh how i love the lessons, I'm encourage of going back to my ritual-Daily in the Word. I got to kick this start of pursuing the REAL happiness of abiding in Christ. Of doing the great things all for God's glory. I could still remember 3  years ago, still during the Family Camp, when Ms Yashinca Pontillas asked me how do I see myself in the future. I told her, "I will be a successful Clinical Instructor". A year after, I got my request granted from God. Now, i had my dream I shared it to the group, I am so excited of fulfilling this dream again to be an instrument of spreading His word, of showing everyone, that the God whom I have served was true to His word and is gracious enough to answer my prayers.

May our gracious God grant us our petitions of building our own strong family to support a strong church. 

God is the First Surgeon and Anesthesiologist

Have been teaching students about pain medications, analgesics, anesthetics and all sort of medications commonly found in the ward. Have been checking nursing care plans with diagnosis of "Altered Comfort: Pain". For the first two semesters in teaching, I was assigned to teach Bioethics/Medical Ethics which delves into stem cell, abortion, human cloning and transplantation and human experimentation.   Lately, have been taking Mefenamic for my muscle pain, and just recently have heard that my superior underwent C-section- a major operation that involves anesthetic agents. 

We all need these pain medications. We don't want to suffer and see someone in agonizing pain. Remembered the last time I had my blood sample taken for CBC count, that even just the sight of 3-cc sharp pointed syringe brought much tears. All the more about surgical operation, being under the knife! Thanks to the one who invented these pain relievers.

But don't you know, that long before man used cocaine as the first anesthesia component, the Bible says in Genesis 2:21 "And the Lord caused a deep sleep  to fall upon Adam..." - that means ANESTHESIA- state of unconsciousness! God did the surgery on Adam to make Eve. And why did HE took the RIBS?  Why not other part of the body? What is in the ribs by the way? This calls for understanding about stem cells and about human cloning/embryo cloning. That is  to  harvest the stem cells that have the potential to develop into almost any cell in the body.  The extraction of stem cells from the blastocyte- from the bone marrows. Our ribs has bone marrow! My teacher in   college once said that  Rib bone marrow had higher protein, iron, non-heme iron and total pigment than scapula, aitch/hip bone or vertebrae marrow. Isn't that amazing? No wonder a researcher once said, "Most of what I need to know about clinical research methods, I learned from the Bible".

These are just small proofs that the Bible is the greatest Book. Science can never refute the BIBLE. These proves that God is OMNISCIENT.. If you want to be a scholar, a researcher, a scientist then better read the BOOK of the OMNISCIENT AUTHOR!

Get Yourself RICH in just Few Minutes

Really? Is it possible?

Today, we live in oh so materialistic society. Media advertisers feed our insatiable desire for luxurious money,  beauty, and fame. When we listen to songs you affirm to yourself- I WANNA BE A BILLIONAIRE!. No wonder, many have lifestyle-related diseases  caused by stress. I-need-to-work-very-hard mentality creeps in every young and old employees and employer. If only I can have this and that, I would be the happiest person. And yes, I do admit I am guilty at charge. I've been into a double job situation, wherein day and night I work. Teaching in the morning, hospital duty at night time. I live by the principle- SLEEP BELONGS TO THE SLUGGARD. But with all honesty, I was not totally happy! I get so much heartaches, headaches, muscle aches  and all sorts of aches of no straight to the point etiologic cause. 

Then one day, I realized what's the point of working too hard, of accumulating material things when you are not happy. I have to quit with my other job. I need time for myself and recollect. I have been hearing so much about contentment and covetousness. Every Sunday, I have been playing the piano of the song "COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSING" of which it becomes a routinary, that I never meditate on the lyrics after all. It has something to do with my so called SPIRITUAL PRESBYCUSIS- a progressive loss of hearing ability. Yes i am  hearing it with my auditory organs, yet I do not take HEED with my HEARTS.

So, without much dilly-dally, I'll be giving you the main point of getting yourself rich quickly in just few minutes. All you have to do is to  do simple counting. It's very basic even preschooler can do it. Early morning, just do the counting-counting of your blessings.  I'm sharing to you an old hym yet most neglected song of every believer. It's entitled COUNT YOUR BLESSING by Johnson Oatman Jr.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be disheartened, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Be ready to guard your heart and mind. The moment it wanders to the land of discouragement and covetousness, brace and chain it. Starting counting

1. Love. Talk to yourself. Think about your family and loved ones. Think about God, our JEHOVAH JIREH. No one can ever buy genuine love. Many Have sought after it, many have traded it for money and wealth ending up all frustrated.

2. Good Health. Think that you are still breathing and moving well. You are still alive. Try to ponder, if you are in the hospital paying so fees just to oxygenate you cells in the body. Thank God you are not struggling to catch the oxygen you need.

3. Sanity. You are still using your brain. While reading this, your neurons are still functioning well. Try to visit those in the mental hospital, then you would know how blessed you are. Your brain is a gift from God, take good care of it, because once it's lost, you'll never have the chance to retrieve your sanity.

4. Job. Well for some it's a burden. But i tell you, shift your negative mind gears to positive side. Try to look those at the street corner, those who do nothing but ask money and alms. Do you think you can survive with such activities. Instead of whining and murmuring how you superiors abuse you or use you, make the most out of your job. Pursue excellence, pray hard, give the best you can, for sure promotion will follow.

5.Beauty and Nature. Appreciate the views around you. When you go to work and school, look around feel the goodness of Earth. You are a creation of God. It's a blessing you are not part of Kingdom Animalia.

6. and so on and so forth.. and to the infinity... :) (you have your personalized long list)

No wonder the BIBLE has stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:18,

                    "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

So, the next time you are feeling low self-esteem and getting ready to throw yourself a pity-party, or are overwhelmed with your bills, and tremendous debts just remember: Get Rich Quick! Count Your Blessings! Never be wary of BEEFING UP your BURDENS, instead, BRAGGING your BLESSINGS for HIS GREATER GLORY and HONOR!

Still Single? Why?!?

Genesis 2:22
And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

This is the love story of Adam and Eve, the first couple in the Bible. I picked this verse, to meditate upon since I'm in the stage of INTIMACY vs ISOLATION-according to the theorist Mr. Erikson. And yes, I'm 25 years old, a time for intimacy- not isolation.

This verse made me realize that the rib was taken from the man. and God has reshaped, reformed and made it to a woman. The word "made" can be interpreted to a process of molding, reshaping and perfecting one's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual state. After perfecting God's work to a woman, what follows next? It says, "brought her unto the man". What a love story! Well, if you are single lady at the age of 20-30, relax, never worry, God will bring you to the man whom he had planned for you. Take the patience and enjoy the reshaping along the way. Though sometimes, we feel pain and hopeless, bear in mind that it is part of perfecting.

Oh! it made me then think that I am still imperfect, unfit and unshaped to be given to my Adam. But when the fullness of time comes, God will surely bring me to the right man for me. For now, I am enjoying the process of how God wants me to be the perfect Eve.

QUEEN'S GAMBIT

lesson from Daddy's favorite game..

never underestimate your PAWN,they will become powerful QUEEN when they have taken to your edge..

REFLECTIONS:

keep moving forward even with just one small step. Don't be overwhelmed with the pompous power of those around you.When the KNIGHT opponent gets close beside you, don't be carried with fear, rather, think! think! They don't have the power to harm you, they have different pathways. Study individual movements of your opponent. Be not deceived with the enemies' front liners, look beyond and beside and at the back of you. Be vigilant, silent enemies may be lurking afar. Be a team player, don't compete with your allies but cooperate with the mind of winning.Continue moving and stepping heading to your most coveted end. Never let go of humility once you have reached the edge to become the queen. Despise not the weak, instead recall the time when you started being an ordinary pawn. Empower them through experience and with perseverance. 

however, in reality, PAWN doesn't have brains on their own, chess masters do. In life, we are the pawns. God is our Chess Master Champion. Our success depends on the Hands of our GREAT MASTER. 

Be bless and be the QUEEN pawn, for God's glory and honor.