Loving the Mountains

I’ve always wanted to be a mountaineer.

Explore the forest, trek the woods, swim the rivers, dive into the sea, have massage from the water from the falls, listen to the birds singing, hear the sound of the insects, and marvel at GOD’S creation at the summit after a tiring climb!

Commune with Mother Nature.

It took me some time. But I’m taking it seriously more now. I’m aiming to climb more. Farther and higher will I go. I now have some people who shares the same passion and because of that I’m doubly excited!

Masaya ang experiences. Madaming nakikilalang mga tao. Nakakapagod pero narrating ang tuktok ng bundok! Walang katumbas na saya at ligaya! Pramis!

It makes me appreciate more God’s creation and also reminds me of His mandate to us to be good stewards of His Creation (Genesis 1:28-29).

Tara akyat tayo! :D

Day 7

It’s the last day! I am excited!

I went to Victory Dasma at around 2:30 and arrived at around 3 pm I think. I spent some time chatting with people, and rested while I wait for the start of the prayer meeting.

Prayer meeting was awesome! Praise and worship was really engaging! Pastor Benjie delivered the message.

And finally! It’s eating time! After 7 days! I’m about to eat something other than soup and juice! I thank God for sustaining me! I ate nido soup, goto, and some fruits. I also ate pandesal and puto. Arjay gave us some spaghetti, all are tikim lang naman, kasi ayoko mabigla!

Our season of prayer and fasting really thought me something and I am really thankful to God for His unending love, for His abounding grace, and unending mercy. I just wanna trust Him all throughout, although it seems like it’s hard to understand and uncertain, just heed Him. For sure His plan is always for the good of us.

Makakain na ko ng gusto ko! Mc Donalds's cheese burger, fries, coke float! Spaghetti, chicken! Chic-boy! Inasal! Pizza! pansit! chocolates sa ref namin! Ice cream! and many more! :D

Day 5 and 6

Day 5

I feel so sleepy all day. My rhinitis struck. So I was drained. I played the beat box and my nose is runny. Ate Susan delivered the Word. I’m really sleepy, I should sleep now.

Day 6
No class for today. I was able to rest. I prepared my preaching in the morning. I called my friend and just asked for some update. I thank God for the revelations He gave me. As I continue to pray and fast, God is really impressing me something and I am continually praying for it.

My message is based on what is written in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” To keep in step means to keep walking, keep in pace, remain in Him, and stay with Him. Keep in step with the Spirit, has its benefit. In John chapter 15:5, it says, If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; and in verse 7, If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

But how do we keep in step with the Holy Spirit? According to Steve Hixon in his article Keep in Step with the Spirit, “Keeping in step, or walking by the spirit, implies a conscious dependence upon God. Since the Spirit is to be our source of power, life, joy, and freedom, then keeping in step means staying in touch with His presence. Whatever keeps us in touch with our need for Him, combined with a heart that is willing to follow Christ, keeps us in step with Him. Therefore, prayer, Bible reading, honest relationships, communion, worship, taking spiritual risks, authentic ministry -- anything that surfaces our weakness and causes us to cry out for His strength -- keeps us in step with the Spirit. And then the results of that kind of lifestyle become evident as the fruit of the Spirit -- recognizable as qualities that only God can produce.”

This kind of lifestyle produces the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We become filled with Holy Spirit as we continue to keep in step with the Spirit. And as we keep in step we become more Christ-like.

And so as a conclusion, my one point message is, “Keeping in step with the Spirit transforms us to be more like Christ.”
The prayer meeting was really amazing! Not because I preached, but the Holy Spirit really moved! We felt during our praise and worship time and during the prayer time! It was really great! Really hard to describe!

Day 4

I overslept and so as a result, I was late. This day is one long day, because it’s my longest teaching day in terms of hours. My class is from 7 am to 530 pm with only 1 and a half hour break.

Imagine that! Plus the fact that my last class is a hyper class made up of mostly boys, not just for 1 hour and a half, but for 3 hours! But of course, I'll utilize the break to maximize my time! Genius! HAHA!

I only took, Nesvita for breakfast and had chocolate drink as my liquid intake, had some coffee in the afternoon, and took my soup as dinner. I so love the liquid stuffs! :D

I am really thankful to God for His abundant grace! Fourth day was not much of a struggle, I don’t feel hungry that much. I believe my body is already well adjusted. I’m really getting excited on Thursday! That would be our last day and the day that we’ll break our fast!

Revelation for this day: Ask God whatever, don’t hesitate! He’s our Father after all, He won’t withhold good things to His children! So true! :))

Day 3

Pag-inakbayan ka ni PG (that’s shortcut for Pastor Gilbert) alam mo na ibig sabihin nun. Isa yan sa mga joke na lagging sinasabi naming sa ministry. Ibig sabihin PG is actually eyeing you to enter in the school of ministry.

Kuya Olim last night shared the WORD and said na, suko na siya. Ibig sabihin, he is not anymore hindering God’s calling. He has been a pastor before from another church, but for some reason.. he went out and just contented himself in being a volunteer. It was a good thing he made that decision. Good for his family, to him personally, and to the ministry.

Ako, naakbayan na ko ni PG. Haha.. ilang beses na. At this season I am really seeking God for guidance. Asking Him for the direction He wants me to take. This third day made me think a lot. And I know God is actually giving me some impressions. I’m listening.

I know He also wants me to let go of some things. It’s really hard. It’s really painful. But I know when He asks me to let go of something, something better is coming.

Cause me to be bold God..
Cause me to be strong..
Cause me to rely on You alone..

Day 2

I woke up rather late. That’s a little past 9:30 I think. And then I took some soup.. and guess what.. I slept again! Haha. I really need to conserve energy. I answered my devotionals and took some more rest.

I left my place at around 5:10 pm and I arrived in church at about 5:38. Clement asked me to do the transition and so I did. I also played the beat box, songs were really nice.

Kuya Olim delivered the message, and it was really encouraging! God just confirmed him something.. and that is following his calling.. entering the school of ministry. That’s a welcome development!

Still strong! And expecting God for greater things! :)

My 2012 Seven Days Prayer and Fasting Chronicle

Day 1:

It’s on! It’s day one! I’m still strong. I woke up very early; I think it’s around 5 am. I started reading the devotional for our Annual Prayer and Fasting. We do it corporately to prepare for what God will be doing for the coming year. As they say, “better start the year right.” And of course that is what we’re doing. What better way to start the year, but by seeking God for guidance. 

Doing fasting at this time of the year has some benefits. First of course would be the spiritual benefits. It helps us to be sensitive with God’s direction in our lives. It gives us the opportunity to fine tune ourselves in the way God wants us to be. It is also healthy, it cleanses the digestive system and of course the plus factor would be losing some pounds and bulges added during the holiday seasons!

I arrived at Victory Trece a little past 6 pm (daily prayer meeting starts at 6 pm) and so I was able to enjoy praise and worship time. I was asked by Clement to facilitate the prayer points and so I oblidge without any hesitation. Mark was my prayer partner at that time, and we spent time praying for our faith goals for the year!

I’m praying for many things. For my family, my career, my personal life, and many more which I wish I could write here but I can’t or should I say I won’t.. haha.. 
I’m expecting God for more! He actually blessed me even before I started fasting! My cousin gave me an Ipad2, though I still need to wait till February, it’s a great blessing for me! 

It’s just a joy to know that at this time of the year, we as a spiritual family in Victory are in one in prayer for the Nations, the Church, our Families, Career, Ministry, and many more. 

Breakthroughs are coming! 