The Gospel of Matthew 7:24-25

This past weekend, a good brother of mine in Christ went whitewater rafting with other brothers and sisters. Then he followed through a very well-captured moments in his Facebook albums with a heading 'there's a lot to reflect on during the rafting..TRUST IN JESUS". Impressed I was with so many pictures (see his pic) but I could'nt help ask and send him a comment. Wow, there were great shots, how did he manage not to get his camera wet? His reply is different, it's an evangelical story waiting to be told. Was I at the right time and at the right place to be evangelized and to evangelize in turn? Any given chance is a God-given chance. His story is about how he was pulled twice out of the boat to the water and how he managed to rescue himself through the raging current by holding on to a rock. Other rafters came later and he was pulled in back to the boat and finally saved. Was'nt it such a scary and dangerous experience? By the way, he first said that 'water-proofing is the key'. Sure thing.

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

And he went on about the stories of Matthew 14:24:33 and Matthew 8:23:27

But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God." (Matthew 14:24:33)

He got into a boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm 18 came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?" Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, "What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?" Matthew 8:23:27

It was a very inspiring reflection. Yet, I needed to share a reflection, different it is, just prayed and trusted that God speaks to each and everyone of us in different ways and different situations and we pick up all the teachings we could get to help us grow and to exhort in any way possible. I then tuned into the Gospel of Matthew 7:24-25: "Therefore, (A) everyone who hears these words (B) of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn't collapse, because its foundation was on the rock".

The ‘houses’ represent our lives which we build upon a foundation. Each of us is building a life. The ‘storms’ are things which threaten our well-being (ie, literal storms like floods, etc.; or figurative storms like illness, financial setbacks which may take away our health, family, etc; and there’s the final storm of our life that of death and the final day of Judgment. Which will be the truest test of our "building", how will the Lord describe the kind of "builder" (or servant) we have been - "Well done, good and faithful servant..." - Mt 25:21 or "You wicked and lazy servant..." - Mt 25:26

Obeying Jesus is the key to withstanding the storm. Being a ‘hearer’ or listener only is not sufficient, otherwise our lives will be as shaky as sand. Rather, we MUST DO what Jesus says. His sayings and teachings give us the power to live a life that can truly withstand any kind of storms! Just as Jesus is the Rock-solid foundation of the church, so let Him be the Rock-solid foundation of our lives! Let’s heed what Jesus is saying, and our lives will be solid. HE IS THE ROCK!!


ARE WE ALL GOD-PROOFED? OR SHOULD I SAY, GOD-PROOFING IS THE KEY. SURE THING!

GOD BLESS ALL! Until then...SHALOM

Kitty's Birthday 2008

Below are the pictures to tell how I celebrated my birthday last year. Yay, it was a celebration not with the rich and able but feeding the poor through Bridges. I bagged 100 lunches consisted of sandwich, drink, fruit and biscuit/cookie for snacks.

SFC Banner 2005

Hey everyone! I know it's been such a good long while I was out of the loop=) I apologize for the time that slipped by. Our family, with other families, just got back from a much-needed yearly vacation to Disney World and Myrtle Beach, SC. Yes, we had a lot of fun!

As promised before, I would like to share the other banner made for the Singles For Christ's 2005 Conference. This is my second time to handle the project but first to deviate from the norms. This time, I decided to get my design printed on a vinyl, instead of me doing the actual labor on a canvass. Sure thing, it was something different and did not make it. Sigh. But it was a good feeling of fulfillment and service to the Lord by using any kind of creativity I was gifted with. It was such an honor.

Here are the pictures evolving around a theme of "God is Enough!"

ACTS

Hello folks! I was planning on posting about the other banner I created for Singles For Christ, but I got caught with the power of prayer. I started to scribble on ACTS prayer and before I know it, I was enjoying how I was able to put my worshop together. Here it is sharing with you all!

ADORATION:

This is a place called Gethsemane, a place of prayer and a place of priorities. It was there when Jesus was vigilant and diligent in prayer. What a joy it is to know that our Saviour fought all the battles for us and that He prevailed every time! When was last time you offered the Lord an offering of extravagant love? When was the last time you threw away your pride and gave Him worship, honor and praise? When was the last time you selflessly served the Lord Who saved your soul from Hell? When was the last time you broke the bank worshiping Him and serving His people? How long has it been since you placed everything you have, everything you are and everything you care about on the altar of sacrifice before Him? To Mary, nothing in the world was as valuable to her as Jesus. She loved Him with an extravagant love. She loved the Lord more than she loved herself and her things!

When we think of all that He endured for us that night, in that eventful night in Gethsemane, it should drive us to our knees in worship! It should fill our hearts with His praises. It should make us want to lift holy hands to praise Him. It should make us want to rejoice in songs and shouting. It should fill us with a desire to worship and exalt Him! This is an hour that calls for action, it is not a time for God’s people to sleep. Let Mary’s gift make us ashamed of our self-centered, half-hearted love for the One Who did everything for us! We wana love Him with extravagant love! We wana love Him so much that He has control of us and all that we possess and all that we are. We wana love Him without shame, without fear and without foolish pride getting in the way. We wana love Him like Mary loved Him. Has He spoken to your heart today? Come as He calls. Love Him! Praise Him! Worship Him! Adore Him! Believe Him! Receive Him!

We worship you, we adore you, we praise you! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth! You are holy, holy! O worship the King, how majestic is His Name! We praise your Name, oh Lord, we magnify Your Name, Prince of Peace, Mighty God, we bow down, we crown you the King, King of all Kings, Glory to the Lord on high, Lord of heaven and earth! You are holy, Praise Your holy name! The universe declares Your majesty! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! O worship the King! Hallelujah, praise God!

(Song: This is Your House or Prince of Peace or How Great Thou Art)


CONTRITION:

“What is that in thine hand? The Lord asked Moses and he replied, ‘a rod’. To Moses, all he had in his hand was a dry, dead stick. All Moses possessed was the rod. It represented his life, his identity and his livelihood. That stick told Moses, “You are nothing but a shepherd keeping another man’s flock!”

Like Moses, we also hold some things in our hands today. Some of those things are good things and others are evil. All of these things, whether they are good or bad, identify us and control our lives. Like a shepherd leans on his staff, we lean on the things that we hold in our hands. Things like our past, our problems, our grudges, some hard feelings over things people have done or said to us, unforgiveness, the sorrows of life, feelings of inadequacy and negativity. Moses yielded the stick he carried that day to the Lord. When he did, he was released from its power. When he did, it ceased to define him. When he did, it became the power of God in his life. God will use Moses to teach us that we can rise above the things that we hold in our hands.

“What is that in thine hand?” What do you carry today? What defines you? What are you holding on to that holds you back and keeps you from being everything God saved you to be? Is there some sin that needs to be laid down? Is there some event from your past, some hurt, some sorrow, some bitterness that hinders you today? Is there some area of life where you feel like you have arrived? Is there some talent or ability that fills you with pride? Is there something in your life that holds you back? Is there something in you that holds your family and your church back? Look at your life and see what you hold. You may hold it in your hand, but it dominates and controls your life. This is an opportunity for you to be free from its pull and from its influence. Throw it down and let God have it. When you hold it, it is a liability. When you give it to Him, it becomes a spiritual asset!

Bring what you hold in your hands and cast it down before Him. Let Him take that liability and turn it into an asset for His glory. You need to confess your failures. You need to repent of sin. You need to renew your vows and commitments to the Lord; you need to get right with God. Come home!

(Song: You Are My Hiding Place; intro solo by me)


THANKSGIVING:

Give thanks in all circumstances.
Give thanks for everything.
Give thanks at all times.

This is a step beyond remembering God and thanking God for all the wealth that we enjoy. This is a step beyond remembering God and obeying his commands because he has given us fine houses and filled our bellies. This is even a step beyond thanking God, as the leper thanked God, for healing him through Jesus of his disease. Do you have a faith that is thankful in everything? God wants us to celebrate his love. God wants us to give thanks in everything. God doesn't want this because he is greedy for praise, the Lord doesn't want it so that he will feel better about himself. He wants it because it will bless us and because it will bless the people around us. He wants us to remember what He has done so that we will not be afraid when we are in need of help, and so that we will not grow arrogant or rude when we are prospering. He wants us to remember and give thanks to him, and to those around us so that our lives will be full of light and hope and so our actions full of tenderness and love. Psalm 92: "It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to his name!”

(Song: Give Thanks!)

SUPPLICATION:

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Can God really meet your needs? No matter where the road of life leads, no matter what problems arise, God is always ready with the necessary means to meet the needs of His children. It is simply coming to the place where you just believe God is big enough to handle your problem. It is reaching the place Paul came to when he made the matchless declaration found in Ephesians 3:20, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."

Do not let the old “Simon” within you control you otherwise you can expect nothing but failure in your life. We should get beyond "God could and God might" and get to the place where we could confidently say "God can and God will"! Maybe you need is that of salvation, you can come and have that need met today. Maybe yours is a material or physical need. You can come and find the assurance that God will take care of that too. Maybe you need is emotional in nature, God can handle that! Whatever the need bring it to God! Satan and the flesh say, "Can God?" Those who walk in faith rest their head on the precious promises of the Word of God and in blessed assurance reply back, "God can, God can!" God can do anything, God can meet your need! Why not bring your needs, your burdens and your worries and fears to Him tonight, and find out that not only can He, but that He will also!

(Song: will have to think what's more appropriate)

Praise be unto God and thanksgiving for his many blessings. Amen.

Feeding (Con't.)

Some more photos at the Hoboken Shelter. We were asked to wear an apron and hairnet at the Goodwill.

Feeding our Less-Able Bros & Sis as my Bday Bash

To make my birthday extra special and meaningful, off i went to Hoboken Shelter, Hoboken, NJ on June 17; and Goodwill Rescue Mission, Newark, NJ on June 19 to help prepare and serve meals.

The Hoboken Shelter feeds 75-100 people and sleeps 30-35 men and women nightly. The Goodwill Rescue Mission offers help to Newark's poor and disadvantaged. Every day of the year, Goodwill serves three meals a day to 150 meals/people in need.

As always, it was a rewarding experience to reach out and serve our disadvantaged borthers and sisters. What struck me the most was when I served this nice-looking and composed man. As he approached with his plate towards me, he greeted, 'kumusta ka?'. And we started a little chit-chat in our native language. He was the only Filipino in line and didnt look disheveled at all. I asked myself what could have possibly happened to him - left by the family and alone struggling alone to make it? I brought home with me its mystery and sadness that I couldnt help blurt out of his situation during dinner with my husband. For sure, he did not have even $5 in his pocket otherwise he could have bought himself a Mc Chicken or any burger around Hoboken strip to save him the trouble of queueing up.

How much do we have in our pockets? How much do we spend for our lunch? For our vices and unnecessary things? These people barely have any.

I appreciate my husband's gesture and effort of waiting for me with JC outside the shelter during the whole feeding time.

Take a look at the pictures. At Hoboken Shelter, we prepared tuna with pasta, green salad (which is considered as a luxury, happens only once in a blue moon), bread and fruits. I prepared the salad myself and tuna with Jessie. Jerry, Shanon and Andrew, Kitchen Manager, did the boiling of pasta and eggs, slicing of the bread and cleaning of the fruits. Ops yeah, I almost forgot, I still had to ran 10 blocks to A&P Mart for a gallon of mayonnaise. At Goodwill Rescue Mission, meals were already prepared and what we did was to serve the meals to over 100 people. There were generous servings of hotdogs, corn, green beans and bread. I did it with Donna who's been doing it for 5 years or so, 14-year old Kayla, James, Mike and the coordinator. The Goodwill Rescue Mission is like 3x bigger than the Hoboken Shelter.

It was awesome, I had fun! I want to do this all time!

Birthday Week Begins!

This week is the peak! Let my birthday week begin! Well, it's a lil late in posting though because it's already Wednesday.

So in order that another summer solstice be as special and good as it gets, I've lined up things to do, not too much about myself but definitely outreach tops the list:

1. Soup Kitchen c/o Jersey Cares (Wed and Fri this week instead of brown-bagging with Bridges, Inc.)
2. Visit to Spa Castle (originally Thurs but moved next week)
3. Fine Arts & Crafts Show at Brookdale Park (on my birthday itself, June 20, lovely!)

Yep, no food celebration. Maybe i'll have a slice of cake or a cone of ice-cream but I'll never go for some kind of lavish spending for no cause. For me, it's only worth it if done for the benefit of helping our less-able brothers & sisters. So tonight, I just did the soup kitchen in Hoboken. It was soo great, awesome! I'm excited for the rest of the week. Got photos to post next time!=)

http://www.jerseycares.org/
http://www.bridgesoutreach.org/
http://nyspacastle.com/
http://www.rosesquared.com/

SFC NJ Banner Won 1st Prize

I didn’t know I was in for a great treat! I took the courage to change somebody else’s design and pursued my own concept (of course, with a permission to do so from the elders) to represent Singles For Christ New Jersey on the Banner Competition during 2004 SFC Worldwide Conference. It was the first time I became an artist (painted on canvass) and first time that NJ ever won! We didn’t just win any award but we bagged the FIRST PRIZE! Hallelujah! It was an amazing award and unbelievable experience! NJ’s elder remarked that he was surprised, impressed and sure we are going to win when he saw the banner being paraded along with others. Thanks to my sis and co-painter, Mary Gene. She was such a delight to work with. It was a good team of cooperation, respect and value for the masterpiece. We faced the challenge heads up and hands together of finishing everything within 7 days (remember Genesis), rain or shine and late nights. Imagine our panic when it drizzles and the paint would drip all over the canvass, aaawww! Praises and Gratitude to the Almighty, the Lord has completed His work!

It was an honor to be chosen to create the Message into such an art. I knew I just had to put Him there, and that's all He wanted - Him and His Message of love. Mama Mary manifested in many ways whenever I'd have a 'painter's block' - tassels, colors, borders, etc. It was a vision revealed - flat-out obra maestra!

Network of Blogs Part IV

Network of Blogs Part III

Profile Description:

I want to be more so I could give more. Inspired with this passion, I’m driven to create and maintain a vast network of blogs to benefit the poor and needy, esp our little ones. Four charitable organizations are featured on my network and will grow in the future for the same cause. I live solely to fulfill a purpose - to write and to give. I hope my blogs would motivate you to aspire for more and make a difference. Together, you and I have the power to relieve poverty.