What matters most ;-)

Life is all about love.

Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you cannot make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving him a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That's why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. The best way to spell love is T-I-M-E.

I am a busy person. 24 hours is not enough for me.  I do a lot of things.  I teach from morning till afternoon, I jog, exercise and play sports after school, and I do my online jobs at night till midnight.  And so, little time was left for myself, God and my loved ones.  I seldom spend quality time with my family, friends and loved ones because of the busy and hectic schedule that I have.  I am making resolution today that I spend and devote more quality time in enriching, deepening and nourishing my relationships because they are most important in my life.  I am created to love and be loved. And so I need to live in accordance with how and why I was created.  In doing so, I give more meaning to my life, I experience true joy and peace, and I appreciate my purpose in this world.  Relationships are like plants.  They need to be nourished and watered.  The water that we use in making them grow is our time.  The more time we spend with people, the deeper and the stronger the relationships are.

Lord, teach me to value what You value.  Teach me to put love above all the things that I do. Every time people are with me, may they feel Your love and care radiating and overflowing from me.  Amen.

Human Billboard

God wants to speak to the world through you.

When I was asked by someone give an adjective that best describes myself, I told her “SuperBlessed.” God has been so good and generous to me.  I am amazed by all the blessings and surprises that God has given me.  He has been blessing the different areas of my life abundantly.  I am so happy and grateful for this.  I believe that God has a purpose for doing such to me.  Despite the tragedies and pain I had in the past, God still continues to prove that He is a faithful God.  And I believe that He wants my life to be His message to the world.  

I believe God will lead me to those people who are giving up and desperate.  I want to be a prophet of hope to them.  I don’t necessarily have to open my mouth and tell people how loving and good God is.  People will just witness it through the life I’m living right now.  I’m living the best life that God desires me to have.  And I believe that best things are still coming.  This is just a foretaste and preview of what God has prepared for me.  I am a human billboard of God.  God will use me to tell the whole world how great and loving He is.  Every time people will see my life, they will be reminded that there is a God who loves them unconditionally.

Dear God, let my life be a living testimony of Your faithfulness, love and goodness.  I’m ready to receive an explosion of blessings and surprises from You.  May my life be a blessing and inspiration to others as well. Amen.

What Drives Your Life?

Living on purpose is the path to peace.

The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose.

My personal purpose/mission statement drives, excites and motivates me every day. Every morning, I never fail to recite and declare it. It’s a good way to start the day. It makes me excited about the day. It is something that I look forward to every day. It serves as God’s reminder for me that I have a great job and responsibility to do every day. It helps me simplify the things I have to do and focus on the essentials. All areas of my life revolve around and are anchored on it. Without it, I can’t find meaning in everything I do. Without a purpose, I am not living, but simply existing.

My Personal Purpose Statement:

To help people to know, love and serve God more by inspiring them, touching their hearts and transforming their lives in my words and deeds, through my simple, fun, creative and meaningful ways

There are people who misunderstand me and think that the driving force in my life is the approval of others. I have my limitations and shortcomings. I personally and humbly admit that sometimes this is my reason and motivation in performing my tasks and fulfilling my responsibilities. I want to be affirmed, appreciated and recognized. I am hungry for the approval of others.

However, I want my personal mission/purpose statement be the driving force in my life. I want God to use me for the purpose He created me. I want to do things for the greater glory of God and in the service of my fellowmen. 

“You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in You.” Isaiah 26:3 

Lord, give me the strength, perseverance, humility, faith and courage to fulfill my purpose in life. I believe You have entrusted this specific mission to me, and to no one else in this world, because You believe in me. May I not fail You. Amen.

I’m as close to God as I choose to be.

God always acts in your best interest, even when it is painful and you don't understand it.

Trust is truly an important component of a relationship.  It is one of the foundations of a healthy relationship.  Without which relationship won’t last.  It’s easy to tell God that I trust Him, but it’s difficulty to prove and show it.  My family and I have gone through a lot of trials and challenges in life.  There was a point in my life when I was to give up and question God for the all the bad things that happened in my life.  One of the sources of my hope and strength during those times was my parents.  I have not seen nor heard them complaining to God even though everything we had was lost.  We had a painful and unforgettable past.  I had difficulty understanding the reason behind that tragedy, and so I began to lose my confidence in God.  Thank God that He did not give up on me!  Thank God that He did not leave me alone.  Thank God that my family and I survived.  It’s only now that I discovered the very purpose and reason behind everything that happened to us.  I won’t be the successful, stronger, God-fearing and super blessed person I am now without the sad, unpleasant, hopeless and tragic past that I had.  Everything happens for a reason.  God knows and desires what’s best for me even though it’s painful and I cannot understand it.  Now, I completely trust God, my BestFriend.

Lord, I pray that You always call my name so that I won’t leave your side.  Remind me that You’re a good friend of mine who won’t give up on me.  Thanks for the trust!  Thanks for the love!  Thanks for the friendship. I love you my Friend. Amen.

Gifts with Extraordinary Wrappings and Trappings

God puts difficult people in our midst for both their benefit and ours.  They are an opportunity for growth and a test of fellowship.

God has always good reasons and purpose why He permits unpleasant things to happen in our lives, and why He allows difficult people to cross our paths.  Some may view this as a punishment from God.  In truth, they are blessings in disguise.  I firmly believe that because of God’s love, care and concern for us, He has been showering upon us blessings and sending us gifts.  Although these gifts may be wrapped or packaged in different ways, and sometimes in the least we expect it, we need to view problems, trials and even difficulty people that God is sending us gifts as well.  They may not be wrapped in the way we want and expect it, but behind the wrappings and trappings are blessings and gifts that God wants us to receive.  I must admit that it is not easy for me to deal with difficult people.  I easily lose my patience and give up on them.  But, I need to consider them as opportunities for growth.  God is sending me these difficult people because He wants to mold and form my character.  He wants me to grow and become more mature, stronger, more loving and more understanding.  In doing so, I am shaped and molded into the person He wants me to be.

Worship is a lifestyle ;-)

Worship is far more than music and prayers. It is a lifestyle. Every activity can be transformed into an act of worship when you do it for the praise, glory and pleasure of God.

I entered the seminary at a very young age.  After graduating from grade school, I made a decision to start my journey towards the fulfillment of my dream to become a pastor.  I spent 8 years of my life in the seminary.  I grew in my knowledge and my relationship with God in the seminary.  We studied the Bible, Theology, had prayer services every day, interceded for people, meditated on the Word of God every day, had our small groups every week, and learned a lot in our monthly formations.  I thought that only by doing these religious activities that I would become holy and closer to God.  I thought that this is the only path to holiness, and the only venue where I can encounter God.  

But, all these misconceptions changed when I read the story of St. Therese, who was known for her Little Way, and the Purpose-Driven Life book.  I realized that I can be holy and have an encounter with God in the ordinary things that I do.  Holiness can be attained and worship can be done by doing ordinary things extraordinarily, that is, when I give my best and offer to God everything little thing that I do.  From then on, I start, spend and end my day with God.  I offer everything I do to Him, become aware of His presence and have a personal conversation with Him every second, every moment of my life.

Lord, I pray that everything I do begin with You, find its origin in You, and reach completion through You.  May all things I say and do be pleasing to You.  May my life be a great offering to You. May my life be a sweet song to Your ears. Amen.