Proverbs 27

***

Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

***

First verse in this chapter and it struck a chord on me already.

This validates a rebuke that I have given myself not to be excessively forward about my pursuit of someone. What makes me presumptuous is the fact that I am naïve when it comes to boy-girl relationship.

***

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Like a bird that strays from his home.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

As water reflects water, so a man’s heart reflects the man.

***

It’s all in the heart, baby!

***

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.

***

I remembered Francis Cang in this verse. Probably because he mentioned last night that he was a bit disappointed when he did not appear in a music video where he’s suppose to be seen.

***

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

For riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.

You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.

***

This part of the passage reminded me of my core group of youth leaders. This points out to the need to raise up a quality of young Christian men and woman.

Proverbs 30: 24-28

Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:
Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
Coneys (rock badger) are creatures of little power, yet they make their homes in the crags;
Locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks;
A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in the king’s palaces

***
There is so much truth in this part of my reading today.

I am inspired by these little creatures mentioned here especially the ants because I am not the type of person who saves up. I squander my money most of the times, especially that time when I was newly employed. I was overwhelmed with the fact that I generate my own money. I am addicted to buying tees. I don’t give, on a regular basis, tithes and offering. Shame on me.

Recently, I regretted the fact that I did not save money for the Nazirite training. I could have saved the income I earned from the on-line job that I once had and did not have to beg professionally from relatives and friends. The company decided to cut me out for budget reasons. Now that I lost the job, I could just hope and pray it will come my way again.

The issues of my life, now that I am turning 26, include pursuing someone and eventually tying the knot. And these issues would surely need heaps of bucks to push through. But I do not have an amount in hand that would suffice. So I have to be stingy and save money for the future. Buy needs and not wants.

Little creatures cannot be underestimated. It is amazing what they can teach big creatures about.

April 20, 2011

Proverbs 31

Sayings of King Lemuel

(wife) Girl of my vows – answer to my prayers

Do not spend your strength on women… OUCH!

But Lord, I would just be spending it on A WOMAN! Lol

***

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

***

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

…

That is it! Is God telling me today of the qualities of a good wife, my would-be wife?

This is exciting!

***

Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

***

I believe that this is God’s intention to bring me to this part of the Book. He is telling me of the qualities of my future wife. Everything that is happening now is not an accident. I happen to start the getting-to-know-you stage with someone I like. I met her in the training in Baguio.

The training motivated me to be closer with Him: I want to go to the deeper places, deeper places Lord to know the dreams of your heart, I want to go to the secret places, hidden laces Lord till there’s nothing left to know the song says.

But I do not want to be getting intimate with JC for the wrong reason. I know that I would be struggling. In fact, I am struggling now. How can I surpass this stage? I got to talk with my pastors and seek their counsel.

I know papa is happy for me right now. Wish you were here papsy. We miss you! J

I was just thinking of how easy it is to be close to Him when everything is okay and feels good. But no, I have to keep going in my pursuit of Him even when I feel like not doing it.

I am just hoping and will be praying that this is IT.

Do something for God in your campus

***READ AND SHARE IF YOU WANT***

***PROMOTE A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE***

***ASK GOD’S WILL***

(This blog is just a writing of suggestions. I know it might look silly for some people and takes a lot of process, but I wrote this based on my experience. I don't know if i explained enough to impart my passion for you as a student to have this kind of heart that loves your fellow students and leading them to God in such a way the whole of your campus will be affected.)


Before anything else, ask yourself the following questions:

“What is the measure of my love for my fellow students?”
“How far am I willing to go?”
“How serious am I on this?”
“Why do I want to happen?”
And “In what practical ways should I turn a vision into a reality?”

And before anything else again, you must remember that even the toughest person in the world is in need of God’s love. People need to feel it and to be safe and secured about it.

Personally, it took me almost two years in college before I finally grasped the vision and responsibility of being a leader in terms of the desire of turning my campus to God. However, it did not stop there. I thought my dreams and ambitions for my campus are already enough but it seems that I still have some selfish motives. I did some activities that somehow, I still compromised, sometimes I am aware of compromising and sometimes I’m not.

Check your heart. Is there any selfish motive inside? Why am I doing this? Is it because of a certain task which I feel I need to do because I am a “slave” or something like that, or is it because I love God and I love my fellow students? Is it because I want my pastor or my Christians friends to be proud of me or is it because I want to see a whole university having this kind of fire for God that never be extinguished? Am I willing to lose my life for the sake of finding it and for the sake of others finding God? Am I open to the fact that the credits for this work after it is done may not all be given to me? Because there is a possibility that you receive a small amount of credits and there is also a possibility that you will not get any credit at all. You have must understand and have this AGAPE love that is selfless and consecrated for the purpose of God.

Know and bond with your fellow students. No matter how right or reasonable you might be but if your fellow students won’t feel your love for them, if you they can’t feel that you care, and if they don’t feel that you have this heart for them, they will never listen to you.

Believe me, there came a time when I felt like nobody wants to listen to me. Not even my friends are willing enough to pause for me. Why? Because even though professors applaud me and honor me in front of my classmates, even how strong my speeches are, and even how formal and decent I dress to project my attitude of neatness and my seriousness about my education, but when I failed to ask people on how are they doing and didn’t even ask them on what kind of service can I offer them so that they will have the smoothest life in school, some of my friends didn’t even care also to hear to what I say. Everybody got their own problems and you must be a light, not some sort of a weirdo, that would help them in their life.

Try to spend time with them and try to let them feel that even though sometimes your finances cannot meet your personal needs, you are a friend that helps in times of their need. God wants us to be like HIM and to be able to do that; we must practice to be like HIM! We are the salt of the earth and salt can make people thirsty. Get it?

Additionally, as you bond with your fellow students, know their likes and dislikes. Know their own personal problems and find a way how to be a solution without of course offending their personal privacy. Always be in the attitude of encouraging them to excel in their academic and extra-curricular activities. Find out a way on how they will always want to listen to you. Spend your money if you want. Believe me, you can give without loving but you can’t love without giving.

Get your school grades high and gain the favor of your professors. God is all-powerful. God is Almighty. However, you as a Christian student must prove this yourself, mostly with your grades. God should be glorified in your academic performance. You should not let any intellectual unbeliever to have a reason not to believe you. Don’t let your grades make others stumble in their Christian walk.

Be determined to gain the trust of your professors. Show them so much enthusiasm when it comes to your academic subjects. Have this kind of culture of excellence within you. Always ask questions and extract all information. Be knowledgeable. Be intellectual. Be persistent to gain attention and gain influence. But of course, guard your heart. Don’t let wrong pride enter you.

Find ways to gain influence in your campus. Be the number one active student. Show them your talents and develop your own. Show your care to your fellow students. DON’T BE PLASTIC! BE REAL! Develop yourself. Spend time in the library and mingle with organization and student council officers. Know their likes and dislikes. Find ways to bond and penetrate in their hearts.

In this phase, try to be one of the officers. However, do not play dirty politics. You can be a politician in your school without getting your hands dirty. Believe me, it’s possible. I am a student organization president in my campus and it’s all about NOT COMPROMISING.

But of course, always show and be proud that you are a Christian. Show them you are not negatively conservative but you are liberated. Don’t let your faith be shaken when you have a philosophy subject. Instead, be liberal-minded. Be liberated. Be professional. And in this phase, still show your love and care. Be the best student your campus ever had!

In addition, you can do some extras by writing blog entries with godliness and academic excellence as your theme. Promote your school. Increase your campus pride. Write essays and/or articles about your academic lessons. Interview professors. Charm. BUT OF COURSE NEVER COMPROMISE! NEVER LURE INTO FLESHLY DESIRES! BE SELFLESS IN YOUR WRITINGS! ALWAYS PUT GOD IN FRONT! ALWAYS PUT GOD FIRST! It’s all about making God in front of you so everybody can see HIS LOVE. SHOW THEM HE IS YOUR GOD. SHOW THEM HIS CARE AND COMPASSION! GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR WRITINGS.

Create connections. Mingle with church leaders. Mingle with youth leaders. Be with Christians that have a selfless and consecrated goal for the glory of God. Don’t give up. Be determined and persistent to be contact and be trained by Christians whose hearts are pure. Of course, test their spirits. Be careful also. Beware of false Christians. Beware of compromisers.

Get in touch with people you think can help you in terms of prayers and encouragement. Don’t be ashamed to connect and/or invite these people. BE ON FIRE! ACT IN GOD’S WILL. BE WILLING ENOUGH TO LOVE YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS THIS MUCH.

In this phase, avoid the unhappy and the discouraging. Your main circle of friends must be hardcore Christians. Radical enough to be revivalists. Unashamed of God’s Word. You act as a group that strengthens each other’s faith.

Plan, pray, and fast. Get into the secret place of the Most High. Rend your hearts and not your garments. Do everything to have this kind of faith and purpose to see your campus turn to God. Ask God for strategies more and more. You should be doing this from the beginning. Use your influence and everything that you have including your charms and charisma for the glory of God. Find out ways on how an event that would share about God’s love be approved. But of course make sure not to offend other religions directly. You are trying to win their hearts and not just their reasons. Practicing God’s love is the perfect way to reach out.

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY,

Delight in the law of the Lord.

READ BOOKS. INVEST IN PEOPLE AND IN THEIR HEART.

Right from the beginning you should be doing this. You should never stop seeking God’s will. Don’t let anybody discourage you. Don’t let any circumstance cause to decrease your faith. BE ON FIRE! LOVE YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS! LOVE THEM AS IF YOU DON’T WANT THEM TO GO TO HELL. LOVE THEM AND SHOW THAT YOU CARE.

Plan and pursue events that would glorify God. Find out ways to create activities that would lead your fellow students to God.

Pursue, pursue, pursue. Don’t be ashamed. Be broken for a selfless ideal. Pray for a culture of excellence. Do your part for a culture of godliness not in terms of religion but in terms of God’s love.

In all of these, don’t be a formalist. Don’t be a conservative. But of course be broken and determined for God’s glory.

Another reminder, avoid arguments. Don’t win souls through words but through actions.

Anyway, I know this blog entry might be too long for you. I might just stop here and continue writing soon about this topic.

If you need prayers and if you still want to ask some things, I would gladly answer them for God’s glory.

My email is: princeobed_dc@yahoo.com
The same email is with facebook.

Thank you and God bless!

Source: http://obed-dela-cruz.blogspot.com/2011/02/do-something-for-god-in-your-campus.html#comment-form

POD Diaries: Five pesos away from heaven

April 2, 2011

Today, Dimple and I went up to Tikalaan, Talakag with the aim of promoting the youth camp to the members of one of our sister churches here.

We left home at 9:30am and arrived in Carmen Market at 10:30am. We thought that the jeepney bound to Talakag is about to leave. But we were surprised to know that it was not yet and that the double-tired jeepney was almost empty.

Edward and Ram were already there. They will be with us in going up to the backcountry. These two are from Tikalaan, Talakag. These two were able to join last year’s camp. I am glad to see both of them. Ram is one of our students in the church’s training center. Edward, on the other hand, goes to a university in the city. I see a leader in both of them.

It took us almost five hours before we arrived in our destination. The road was rocky and bumpy. The wind is cold. The surroundings – mountains, corn field, rubber trees – tell of the grandeur of the Creator.

We were welcomed by Ps Ernie, Ram’s father, and his wife. We were ushered in to the missions house, they call it. This is where the students of last year’s training at church were also housed. Then we went out to have a chat with Ps Ernie. We told him of why we are here. Then our conversation led to the needs of the new outreach they have in the quarry area. He also told us about the new outreach in Dos which is near the said area. We will tell Ps Arlyn about the information we have extracted from Ps Ernie today.

They served us food and ate while we were conversing. Then all of a sudden, towards the end of our talk, Ps Ernie told me that I will share God’s word tomorrow in his church. I am not ready, to be honest. But I will be ready. Then he asked me what time is it. I told him that it is already 4:25pm. He invited us over to church for a prayer with his members. We prayed. I noticed how sincere their worship and prayers were. These people are real and authentic.

After, we headed to Venyl (I am not sure about how it is spelled). I did not know exactly what we will do there. First, I heard that we will just have a visit to houses of their church members. We trekked down and while walking I was feeling the cold wind. I can also see the slopes and contours of the mountains across. It was fun being with the company.

Then we reached the place after a 3-kilometer hike. It was quite tiring, the road was mostly rocky. Ps Ernie stopped in a church member’s house while Dimple and I along with the young people, led by Edward and Ram, went house-to-house to call young people. We went to Amor’s house and met her mother. Majority of those who were around were young people. I realized of the opportunity to reach out the youth in this place.

Then we went to another house where we are supposed to meet that night. It was already dark when we started the meeting. Ps Rolly approached me and told me that tonight was supposed to be a thanksgiving for the students who graduated from elementary and high school. He asked me to share the word. I was excited because I thought, right there and then, after he told me, that I will share my testimony about my schooling.

I believe that I have become useful today. I was able to encourage them to seek God, listen to His voice and know that Jesus has the best plan in store for each of us. And again, while worshipping, I can sense authenticity among these people. They are inspiring me. I took photos. Ps Ernie wrapped it up by pointing that it is good and just right to thank God for everything including the accomplishment of the students who just graduated.

The way back to the church was fun. It was so dark but we had our flashlights on. I turned on the music player of my phone after Dimple told me to do so. We were so noisy on our way up that dogs on the side of the streets barked at us. We saw fireflies on the way and stars in the night sky. It was a lovely night.

God is great. I will now be preparing for my task tomorrow.

April 3, 2011

We had a wonderful day today.

I was excited and at the same time apprehensive of my task at Ps Ernie’s church today. I shared God’s word. I was conscious of the need to talk in Bisaya (our dialect). But then I just asked God to work through me and reminded myself over and over again that it is not all about me.

Worship, again was so real amongst these people. There was no electricity by the way. My laptop was almost out of battery and I was quite worried because I saved my outline in my desktop. I attempted to transfer it in a paper but time was running out.

When I faced the congregation, I realized that almost all of the people present at church are old ones. There are a number of young people. Most of them have attended the youth camp last year.

So I started sharing God’s word. I shared about the importance of listening to God’s voice. I almost never glanced in my laptop not until I forgot the verse about Jesus’ listening to His father.

To God all be the glory.

After service, we went out to buy food. Ram and Juneil went with us. We ate Batchoy and RM. After, we went home and took a rest. I had quite a good rest.

At 2pm, we woke up and went inside the church to prepare for the youth fellowship. I was bit worried because there was no one there yet. Then Edward came with his friends. I was glad to see them. Then the rest of the young people arrived and we started playing the games. Dimple led the games while I was taking pictures. We had fun. Everyone had fun. There were even little children who joined us.

After the games, I shared the Word, I shared 1 Timothy 4:12. And I believed that I have served my purpose of encouraging these young people. All of the young people who joined by the way are from Tikalaan. No one from Talakag, Indulang and Kulawingon showed up.

After I have shared God’s word, we prayed for one another. We formed a big circle and prayed for the person to our right side.

Then I promoted the youth camp. I started by asking among those who have attended to share to the group what they have learned or what they remember from last year’s camp. Amor shared about the two kinds of pride. I was impressed. Then Rando shared their group’s experience during afternoon fun in the camp last year.

Then I gave basic details of the camp then suddenly asked them to shoot questions to make it more interactive. Edward started the ball rolling.

We finished at past four. Edward and the rest stayed inside to discuss more of their preparations for the youth camp. I see a leader in him.

Then I went to the room to prepare for our supposedly swimming in the river. I was excited. But then it turned out that I was the only interested in swimming so I just forget about it. Instead, we went to Edward’s house and ate Star Apple fruit. The rest of the girls followed us in Edward’s house. Then after staying in the house for quite a while, we went to the elementary school. We trekked our way back to the church but stopped in a barbeque station. We bought some and ate. On our way home, Edward shared to me his plan of initiating a ‘youth festival’ in their area. He wants to bring altogether young people, regardless of denomination, in their area. I was excited for him. This guy is a leader-material. I can see myself in him. I want to disciple him. But then he has hinted his plan to transfer from MUST to BSU in Malaybalay.

Without us knowing, Ps Ernie and the rest of the elders prepared tinolang manok (chicken stewed with moringa) for us and for everyone for dinner. While waiting for the food to be served, I fetched water. While waiting for my turn to get water from the communal faucet outside the church, I realized how fortunate I am living in the city. The supply of water here, I was informed, is only during night time and in the dawn. Although, water supply here is for free, something that I could just only wish for in the city.

After, I went up and turned the laptop so that they can view the pictures that were taken during last year’s camp. One by one, they came inside our room and altogether we had fun reminiscing what happened in last year’s camp. This made me more excited for this year’s camp.

Dinner tonight was so good. The food was scrumptious. I had my tummy full and my taste buds satisfied. And I sensed community while we were in the dining table. We are a big and happy family tonight. Everybody was having a good time and was cracking jokes once in a while. We met Joel tonight, the myetriously silent type of person. Towards the end, the discussion turned a bit serious. It started with Juneil’s new and funky hairstyle that eventually led to contextualization.

I know that I will be nostalgic when I reach home tomorrow. I just love it here. It is peaceful and quiet. Life is calm and relax. Life is simple and is away from noisy bustle of the city. I have always dreamed of having a rest house in the mountains where I could just go to using my own wheels every time I need to take a break. I love the people. I will always say this that they are authentic.

We are heading home three or four hours from now. The first trip is at one or two in the morning. I am excited to come home. I miss my mama. I have not made any communication at home yet since we arrived here because the signal here is weak. There are designated areas for cellphone signal. One is across the church.

Good night. We still have a lot of things to work out for the youth camp. Help us God.

(first draft)

Prepare for the grand show

I never had the intention to play a trick on a student who asked me if she passed in my subject not until I remembered what today is.

Two days ago, I read a post in a friend’s page inviting his friends to go and dine in a luxurious resto in the city on April 1. I thought ‘what’s the occasion?’ then rolled my eyes down the comments and read someone saying ‘I think I know where this is going.’

And so I decided to go on that direction as well. It was apparent in my student’s reply message that she was so worried of her failing. I laughed but then was quick to spill out the bean that she passed and greeted her a Happy April Fool’s Day.

But prolly nothing beats the claim that Judgement Day is on May 21, 2011 as the trickiest hoax ever. I stumbled upon this claim while reading an article that elucidates the Book of Proverbs. On the face of it, the declaration was meant for people to take it seriously. I was about to give a laugh or two when I remembered hearing straight from the horse’s mouth that actually there is a church in our city that preaches about the end on this specific date.

It ain’t a trick. They are serious. I was in disbelief. Come on, I thought. How can they claim that the Christ is coming on this very date when it is written that His coming will be like that of a thief in the night? No thief will let one know about his moves. The problem is that often times we try hard to rationalize the ways of God when the truth is that His thoughts are so much deeper than ours. And no one can ever fathom them.

I concur to the truth that God is a God of great mercy, compassion and love. He has shown true love when His only Son was crucified on the cross to save the world from eternal condemnation. I reckon that not letting people know of the exact date of His second coming does not make Him less of a loving God because He Himself is love.

The thing is, it is our responsibility to work out our salvation knowing that days on earth are as transient as a person’s shadow. These days are like rehearsals of a theatrical show only that God’s show is on an unspecified date.

Unspecified yet we know that it is coming soon. With all these natural disasters in almost every continent of the globe – flood in the land down under and earthquake that shook New Zealand, war in the Middle East, and more earthquakes and tsunami in Japan and other Asian countries – we can say for certain that we are living in the last days. These are signs. And actually, the Word describes these as birth pains. More is yet to come. And soon the show will start and He will appear for the second time.

That time when we face God’s verdict should not scare our pants off and piss. If you’ve done your rehearsals well then there’s nothing to be scared of.