Prayers in Need

Please do pray for the father of a wonderful friend of mine and sister in Christ, Ate Pinky. Her dad has a tumor in his inner ear touching the brain. He’ll be undergoing a major operation in two weeks time. Your prayers will be very much appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

I’ll give updates as often as I can. Thank you.

IGSL Summer Experience

A picture with the women from IGSL. They come from different countries, such as Nepal and Vietnam.

I took on a volunteer job this summer. My very first job. It started out as an, well, you could think of it as an "assignment" for our NSTP summer classes. I had to find a ministry that would focus on my leadership training, something along the lines of DVBS, they (the school) said. Since our church decided not to have a DVBS this year, I had to look elsewhere. Mom inquired one of the homeschooling dads (an indoor soccer coach) who is a staffer at Campus Crusade for Christ, currently taking up his Masters Degree in IGSL. He told me about one of the students there, a lady from Myanmar, who would be teaching a summer class, and would I be interested in assisting her? Not to teach, as it was beyond my experience, but to help in what ways I could. I told him I'd pray about it and ask the teachers...

As it turned out, we didn't have to look for a ministry for training. Our Ministry Week hours had been credited, and we were told that we could spend the rest of the summer taking a real vacation.

I thought of calling up the coach and telling him that I didn't need the job anymore, but I had this peculiar feeling that God was leading me to Something there. God's whisper came to me, Take the summer volunteer job at IGSL. And so I took it.

I was reluctant at first. Hestitant. Afraid that I would not be able to do what would be required of me. Afraid that I would make a mess of the whole thing. God showed me that He was in control, and that this was how He wanted me to spend my summer.

During those ten sessions (although I missed three), I had a great time. Great, as a matter of fact, is an understatement. I learned so much. It was not just training for my leadership skills. The student I assisted, Ahsie, taught Inductive Bible Study on the book of Jonah. I learned how to study the passage as a whole, and then take the verses down and study them separately in order to glean as much wisdom and truth from the Word of God. Not only that, I learned how to make a book chart and even a delicious Burmese dish!

I thank God for pushing me gently in the right direction. I learned more than what I expected. He also showed me to trust in Him in everything. Soli Deo Gloria!

Ahsie, the student I assisted.


A view of the classroom.

In Memory of Maria Sue Chapman

This video is in memory of youngest daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman. Last Wednesday, this sweet little girl was run over and went home to be with her Maker and Creator.




Let us remember the Chapman family in our prayers. May God be their comfort and strength, and may His glory shine even during this dark times.

FIRST AID FOR SPIRITUAL EMERGENCY

George Verwer, founder of the Operation Moblisation shares an interesting article in his book No Turning Back on what to do when a hurt is inflicted on you by a brother or sister in Christ.

1. Keep calm. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Rushing about trying to correct the injury usually causes greater damage.

2. Apply directly pressure of understanding to the wound. What caused the incident? Could you have prevented it? How does the offending party feel? What if things were reversed?

3. Wash the wound thoroughly with kindness to remove all hardness and vindictiveness.

4. Coat liberally with the ointment of love. This will protect from infections of resentment and bitterness.

5. Bandage the injury with forgiveness. This will keep it out of sight until the wound is healed.

6. Don’t take the scab off. Bringing up the subject will re-open the wound. Serious dangers from infection (See No. 4, above) still exist could which could prove fatal spiritually.

7. Beware of painful and touchy self-pity. This is often referred to as withdrawal pains, as the symptom is withdrawing from others, especially the one inflicting the injury. The remedy—accept apologies.

8. Prescription. Take a generous dose of antibiotics from the word of God several times daily, using prayer each time. This has a soothing effect and is a good painkiller.

9. Stay in close contact with the Great Physician at all times. Depend on His strength, joy and peace to help you during convalescence.

10. Full recovery is reached when the patient is restored to complete fellowship and harmony, especially with the offending party.

Over-familiarity often gets a hold in well-bonded and long-term relationships like Christian brotherhood. It steeps the line of respect for brothers and sisters in Christ. Often, though not intended we do things that inflict deep wounds on people around us. Wounds, untended become infected. Infections can lead to diseases and diseases neglected of medication can lead to death. The apostle Paul rightly warned us about it in Galatians 5:13-15(NIV).

13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Though we should be cautious with over-familiarity we should not let it keep us from enjoying the company of co-believers. Romans 12:10 (NIV) tells us to, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

The Lord wants us to enjoy in full consummation our fellowship with the believers but He wants us to be careful knowing that—though saved, we still fall into the enemy’s traps.

Always carry with you your First Aid!

The Little Digger

A month ago I helped organize a kids’ camp for the Fundamental Baptist churches in the Tagalog region. I had a “cute” little encounter with a little girl that I can’t seem to forget.

It was time for the kids’ siesta but not all of them wanted to have a nap. Some of them just strolled and played quietly in the camp grounds. I was strolling too taking pictures of those who are having their counseling time. I happened by a girl who seemed to me was playing with dirt. When I got closer I saw that she was holding a small branch. I asked her what she was doing.

“Nagdidig po ako [I’m digging],” she answered.

“Oh, nagdidig ka… [Oh, you’re digging…]” I started.

“Magaling po ako magdig [I am very good at digging],” she said cutting me off.
“Masaya po kasi magdig [It’s so much fun to dig]! Magdig rin po kayo o [You can dig with me too].”

“Naku thank you pero wag na lang kasi may ginagawa pa akong iba eh [Oh thank you, but I’m doing something else].”

For me she doesn’t seem to be digging for anything but merely playing with dirt.

“Bakit ka nga pala nagdidig [By the way, why are you digging]?” I asked again.

She just shrugged and said, “Wala lang po, gusto ko lang magdig [I just want to dig]. Paglaki ko po gusto ko magdig ng mas malaki at tsaka malalim [When I grow up I want to dig bigger and deeper holes]. Tingnan nyo po puro maliliit pa lang kasi po maliit pa ako [Look, I only got small holes because I am still [a] small [girl]].”

True enough when I looked more closely around her, there were small and shallow holes around her.

“O sige, sana nga paglaki mo mas malaki pa at malalim ang mahukay mo [Oh… well, I hope that when you grow up you’ll dig bigger holes]. Sige alis na si ate ha [Okay, I have to go now].”

“Bye, Ate.”

I left her and looked back a few times to see if she went on digging. She did. I wanted to laugh at her silly digging work when our conversation began but when our conversation ended I found myself very much amused of her perseverance and faithfulness.

Not only her perseverance and faithfulness amused me but also her vision. Yes, this girl has a vision and a vision that she wants to be realized by giving time and working on it now. Young as she is and however silly an adult may find her vision of digging, she has a vision.

My dear friend Mr. Webster defines vision in this context as 1) a dream; a prophetic presentiment as in a dream 2) the ability to anticipate and make provision for future events.

I wonder how many of us teenagers have a vision? Perhaps we have had plenty of visions but until now they still remain visions. Dreams still dreams.

I find Mr. Webster’s second definition with a more profound meaning directly addressed to young people. It is those who are young who have newer and more ideas than adults who have already passed their youth and have gone past their visions. It is those who are in their youth who have the ability to anticipate yet in our generation there seems to be a prevalent sluggishness to make provision or preparation for future events.

Youths are often tagged by adults as dreamers and seldomly doers. It is a shame that we are viewed like this. Months ago I received this text message: Dreams come true when you stop dreaming and wake up to make it come true. This irony is so true. It is when we stop too much contemplating and taking action that a vision becomes a reality.

Working out through a vision may be stressful and would present many trials yet as I have read in one of my many readings: Perseverance and patience are a result of seeing the big picture.



Perseverance, patience and faithfulness are just some of the things that contribute to a realization of a vision. Our little digger here has a vision of being a great digger and she is preparing for it now by digging little holes which she intend to make bigger and deeper as she grows up. If a little girl can do this, how much more can we teens do if we just choose to act.

For us teens, what is it that we intend to do with our visions? Let us remember that we won’t be in our youths forever. Ecclesiastes 12 states just that. Let us make use of our time while we are still young. Let us use it while we still have our physical strength at its peak to exert effort in realizing our visions and most especially in advancing His kingdom. For His kingdom let us be more than dreamers and visionaries.

“What are you going to be when you grow up?...
….I’m already ‘being’ now.”

~Brock Tully

"Lacking Nothing"

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...

Before my grandfather died, he gave each of us, his grandchildren, Chinese names. Since he tended to have some superstitious tendencies, he consulted his little book for our birthdays. Usually, Chinese name their children after what is "lacking." For example, according to my grandfather, if you are a girl and you lack pearls, your name is Po-Tsu, which means "Treasure of Pearls."
Since we don't believe in those things, we disregarded the "lackings" and just kept the name. He called me Po-Gioh, which means "Treasure of Jade." He told us later that the had made it up because when he looked up my birth date, he found that I was "lacking nothing."

I flip the pages of my Bible to Psalm 23 and realize that the passage pretty much describes my life.

1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup Runneth over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Yes, I have everything I need and could possibly want. He's given me a warm home, wonderful parents, loving siblings. He's put me in a great school, surrounded me with great friends.
As I think about it, all I can say is that it is indeed true. God has been faithful to me, always taking care of me, always watching over me, always providing for my needs.

And I think about how fitting it is that Po-Gioh should be my Chinese name. "Lacking nothing."

HeuMoore Productions Presents - The Widow's Might

The Widow's Might is a poigant story about an elderly widow and the several families defending her most cherished earthly treasure.

Brought to you by HeuMoore Productions, this movie is perhaps yet the biggest and most powerful film that the Siblings cast has ever encountered.

Stay informed by signing up for e-mail updates.

Spread the word by telling your family and friends.

For more updates, check out http://www.widowsmightthemovie.com/

The Chosen Vessel

I got this from someone's blog. I pray that we will all learn to be vessels of clay, small, meek, and humble, not seeking glory for ourselves, but rather seeking to give glory to God.

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many which one would He choose?

"Take me, cried the gold one I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.

My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like you, Master, gold would be the best!"

The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;

"I'll serve you, dear Master, I'll pour out your wine
And I'll be at your table whenever you dine,

My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment you."

Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.

"Here! Here!" cried the vessel, "I know I will do.
Place me on your table for all men to view."

"Look at me", called the goblet of crystal so clear.
"My transparency shows my contents so dear,

Though fragile am I, I will serve you with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy in your home to abide."

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.

"You may use me, dear Master", the wooden bowl said.
"But I'd rather you used me for fruit, not for bread!"

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay,
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.

No hope had the vessel that the master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

"Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all mine.

I need not the vessel with pride of itself;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;

Nor the one who is big mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;

Nor the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with my power and might "

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.

Spoke to it kindly "There's work you must do.
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."

Prayers for Myanmar

Yesterday, I received a text message from Ahsie, the student I work with at IGSL. Myanmar needs prayers. This Southeast Asian country was hit by a fierce cyclone, the Nargis. It started early Saturday, blowing off the roofs of hospital and school buildings, cutting off electricity as well. Almost 4,000 people have been found dead and almost 3,000 others have not yet been found. Please pray!

PurityPeople.com

It's back!

Last year (I think) we were all devastated to hear that PurityPeople.com (as well as PurityGuys and PurityGirls) would not be continuing. Still, God is good, and it has returned once more, this time to a joint site - PurityPeople.com
I encourage everyone to sign up and join this website, where a community of people - both guys and girls - who are dedicated to serving God with pure hearts, meet to share experiences and exchange stories.

See you there!!!

www.puritypeople.com

The Challenge: One Generation, One Big Change

Our pastor at Messiah College presented us with a challenge during one of our classes a few days ago. We were reviewing the Filipino values. Some of them are positive, such as Close Family Ties, Politeness, Hospitality, Gratitude. Some are negative, such as the "Come-What-May" Attitude, Flattery, the "Macho Complex" in men, and the "Martyr Complex" in women. Some, on the other hand are neutral, such as the strong Religious beliefs (more often than not, a false religion). What struck us most, however, were the "lost" values: Patriotism. Word of Honor. Bayanihan Spirit (helping your "neighbors"), and many more.

We can sit back and regret what has long been gone, the pastor told us. But we can also decide to do something about it.
It only takes one generation, he said. One generation to turn things around for the bad or for the good. That got us thinking. What if...? What if we decided to work together to create an impact, first in our school, then our churches, and then the whole nation? What if we brought back the lost values? What if we did something to redirect the lives of the youth? Yes, it's a big change, it's a big move, but it takes only one generation.
We must realize, however, that it has to start in us. "Be the change you want to see," Gandhi said. People won't change until they see that we are changing. They won't pay attention to you if you don't do it first. You have to do it first.

We have a choice: we can sit back in our chairs and relax, thinking "The next generation can do it." Or, we can be the generation that accepts the challenge and faces the opportunities with a the purpose of creating an impact.

The challenge? Be the change. Bring back the lost values. Pray desperately for our countries and our people. And be the salt and light of the world.
It's a big thing, but with God, nothing is impossible.