God at Work

God display His work with, in and through our lives :) Living every day with purpose!

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DREAMiCM "The Ministry that leads me to where I want to be"

When OYIM (One Year in Mission) is done, DREAMiCM decided to pursue its vision and by the Grace and Blessings of God through the 6 months working with SSD (Southern-Asia Pacific Division), the group has raised funds to start making our dreams possible. We have few departments and I was voted and hired to be a part of the Operation Team as Marketing Representative where the front liners of the organization are. So many projects, income and service projects that are in our department and we are the core team who will work it out, the vision of DREAMiCM. Though the responsibilities are heavy, I know I'm in the right path and I'm committed to do these challenges not only for myself but for God who will be my strength that put me where I am right now. I'm so thankful to God for choosing me and giving me these big vision of making a difference that I can do lots of things at my youth age for the world do become a better place and make Jesus known to everyone. "Do your passion with people who have the same one."

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Youth Connects + BDG (Bandung Indonesia)

Youth Connects + BDG (Bandung Indonesia)

What is it?

Youth Connects Plus Bandung!

This version of Youth Connects is exceptional because it’s exclusive for the youth leaders from around Southern Asia-Pacific Division. The discussion of the topics will be more intense, and the setting will be a lot different from the other versions.

When is it?

July 1-6, 2014

Where is it?

- Bandung Indonesia

- Universitas Advent Indonesia 

How does it work?

Get in contact with your Youth Director and find out if you can be one of the delegates he is sending. There’s a limited number of delegates per mission/conference because they will be participating without paying anything. But, if you are an extra delegate, there’s a certain amount you’ll need to pay to avail of the materials and pay for the venue. You’ll need to find your own housing and food, too. Click here to see the Speakers and Program.

What’s the goal here?

One: Promote the urgent need for urban missionaries.

Two: Create an awareness of the Compassion Lifestyle.

Which leads to a third goal: Engage youth leaders to adapt the One Year In Mission Culture:

Maximize the interest and passion of the Seventh-day Adventist youth for mission and to graduate from short-term to long-term mission.

Provide greater opportunities for our youth to directly engage in leadership, decision-making, and in the proclamation of the Everlasting Gospel.

Integrate youth projects within the framework of the church’s wider initiatives.

Redirect the best energies of the church away from peripheral issues onto the real reason for its existence: Mission.

Respond appropriately to the growing disengagement of alarming numbers of young adults from the life and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

See you there soon!

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One Year in Mission (Farewell Phase 2)

One Year in Mission, a title that impacted my life and a mindset that will always be in passion, to be Christ's hands and feet to the cities, youths and young professionals. This past 6 months I've been with 13 delegates coming from different part of Southern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventist Denomination. Working with them and seeing their potentials as leaders and as soon to be phase 3 coordinators in their respective territories really amazes me and I've witness their ups and downs, challenges in urban evangelism, projects and being the small lights and salts of the earth as center of influence. I know and I believed that God used them mightily here at Metro Manila and He will continually use them more to touching others lives when they got back home. And finally, as they are departing ways, I see the passion burning with their hearts even though I see also fears and uncertainties in their eyes, God will never leave them and as they walk through OYIM Phase 3 life journey, I know in their hearts the passion to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people will be there and "a Missionary will always be a Missionary" as they continually trust God in everything they will do and put God first of all that all these things will be added unto them. May the God of heavens be with them and also us always, the Grace of Jesus be upon us and the Holy Spirit that empowers us to make a difference as we wait upon Him to be called "true and faithful servants, well done!" OYIM forlife! Compassion lifestyle and Christ Method Alone will always be in our DNA as the last generation of people who will finish the work of the Lord.

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Rated PG (Puerto Galera): “White Beach Adventure Experience”

  This is my first time going to Puerto Galera and I expect adventures and beach. Last May 19-21, 2014 this experience where given to me by God for free through my iDREAM ministry with great leaders and awesome friends. It took us 6hrs travel of a bus and a boat to get ther in Mindoro Puerto Galera. 1st day experience was great cause we had banana boat riding with 3 falls to the beach. All of us had a great time that we even shout and stand on the banana boat while riding. Then every night we observe their entertainments and the others got their massage lying on a blanket at the sand. The 2nd day was awesome because we experience snorkeling and island hoping in the morning and that was my first time. Being amazed how great the mighty sea, mountains and islands and how beautiful His creation underwater is priceless. Seeing them clearly inspires me to praise God more. Then we end the day with riding a Jet Ski. It was really thrilling and exciting as we are jumping up and down with the waves. Finally the 3rd and last day was unexpected because we went to Tamaraw Falls but we’re disappointed because it was just a view and we can only experience the swimming pool under the bridge that separate the falls and the pool. But surprisingly, our leaders decided to go to another spot called “Virgin Island”, a really catching title and we are excited to see what’s really in there. This is the reason why it’s unexpected because the island is so beautiful and no one is there except the caretakers. It was a white rocky beach, instead of white sand and it was awesome that I experience there boating and racing with the others. The 3 days of full of fun and unforgettable adventures, all first times of my life and thanks be to God for letting me experience His creation with His chosen generation. Praise God for always revealing His majesty that makes us stand in awe. 

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May 23, 2014 “Forgiveness”

This day is one of the enjoyable day of my life with OYIM and iDREAM. Why? Because it’s my first time to play real bawling at MOA. We had really great fun and I think I got my arm pains because of this. This is memorable for me because this is the last bonding time with Lokash, one of my closest delegates which I live within past 6 months of being an OYIM. It was sad but I know God will use him mightily in his own country. Then as Sabbath approaches, I went to Victory church as usual. The last topic for Life App series entitled “Forgiveness”. The speaker wrap up the whole series that we may apply these essential Life Apps with two reasons: To help us grow our relationship with God and share the life that we experience by these Life Apps (Compassion, Humility, Patience and Forgiveness). That we should know that all these have only one reliable source which is the Bible. As Colossians 3:12,13 says that we Christians should clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience and also bear with each other and forgive one another as the Lord forgave us. This is the call for us to reflect these Life Apps that whosoever needs the example of these things may see us and be change whatever they’re going thru. So, the question is how to forgive totally? Is it possible? Yes absolutely. If we had mistaken each other we should fight against the issue not one another. It’s natural for us not to forgive but when you just see that Jesus paid the price to forgive all that only by His blood, Jesus saved us from the humanity’s deadliest sickness which is sin and without the shedding of His blood there’s no forgiveness. The power of the cross that Jesus bore all the cost of every sin so that as we received that forgiveness you can also extend God’s forgiveness to others. If we only choose to see them as God sees them and love them as God loves them that’s the time that total forgiveness can happen. We can only totally forgive if we accepted and experienced God’s unfailing love and forgiveness. May these Life Apps be our lifestyle as we live on this earth and make a difference while waiting for Jesus to come.

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May 16, 2014 “Patience”

Tonight as I went to Victory Church for youth service the 3rd week of the series Life App entitled “Patience”. I learned many new things about this topic and for me it’s new different approach. It started with a verse in James 5:7 “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.” Autumn and springs rains talked about seasons in life where in the center of this topic that your attitude towards waiting matters. Fasting forward or wanting to skip every season, complaining and comparing your season to other person but not knowing what that person gone through for him to achieve that season we are envious of. A quote that really tells us a lot “We can only see the heights of a tree but not the depths of its roots.” So, don’t compare your seasons instead love your season and know that God will prepare you for what He has prepared for you as in Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” and verse 11 says “He has made everything beautiful in its time…” So, we should stop complaining about the struggles and challenges in our season for every season there is problems and challenges.  It’s a matter of how you see your season today and do not quit, wait longer and it might be your time/turn for the next season of life. Love our season right now for God has promised us in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,” that no matter how we wait but Christ is not with it your patient is in vain but when you are connected to the Lord of seasons and you know what your purpose really are your patience leads to perseverance and we will really appreciate every season of our lives as we choose to see it in how God sees it. For it may be bad times today but remember that all things works together for good and if we only choose to see the big picture that God is doing for our lives then we will be grateful enough that He made our every seasons beautiful.

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"iDREAM ROAD TRIP"

This is one of the very tiring, fun and 1st ever "Road Trip" I ever had with iDREAMers Leaders and Staffs. Tony spend lots of money just one night for celebrating the past 6 months of survival for One Year In Mission, a project that iDREAM was assigned by SSD to handle. We all first went to Star City, an amusement park near Pasay Manila to play Lazer Blaster, an interactive shooting game team against team inside an arena. All of us had really a great time. Then we iDREAMers seperated ways with OYIM delegates after we eat Halo-halo at Iceberg in Harbour Square not knowing that Tony, our executive director wants to have a road trip. We went to many places around Manila with Mark's car and we are like sardines inside but even though we're so happy to have a road trip without thinking of responsibilities because OYIM is already done finally! We went to Makati and eat again at Mcdo, then went to a place where we find Ilocos Empanade then eat again, then from 12:00-2:00am we went circling the Bonifacio Global City, Roxas Blvd Bay walk, Malate looking for open Starbucks and lastly got back home at Leveriza. Some of us are already knock out of tiredness and even me, I'm so sleepy and groggy that time but really that time is memorable to me to have such time to celebrates how God been so good to us and see us throughout the past 6 months. Thanks be to God and all glory to Him. Yahoo! Another chapter of my life as iDREAMer accomplished!

[worshipgifs]

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#promise #emmanuel

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May 13, 2014 “Buendia-MOA Free Ride Ministry”

Even how tired I am in my tasks as One Year In Mission staff, I choose to grab every opportunities to grow and apply what I’ve learned on how to reach urban people. Our COMPASSION projects has a limitless creative ideas how to show God’s Love in practical ways and today the OYIM Task-force rendered a COMPASSION Project called “Free Ride” Ministry on a route from Buendia to Mall of Asia, 2 round trips paying all the passengers including us. There are 6 teams with some pastors with them. So, the ministry goes like this from our team, we plan to scatter ourselves inside the multi-cab and one will talk to driver and pay for everyone then give pay it forward cards quoting “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great LOVE and COMPASSION” and try to make friends and explaining that we just want to show God’s love in a practical ways. Seeing the people’s reactions and how they response to that unusual act of kindness really inspires me a lot and it’s just amazing how people can be so open to talk about life when something unusual but positive happens to them. We meet some friends, talked with them about our mission in life and why we’re doing such stuffs, and prayed for them and with every driver also. This day is my first time to do this kind of activities and it really blessed me a lot how people can be open for God through these little acts of kindness. May we live a life like Jesus did on this earth which He filled with His COMPASSION. Your Passion in Action because actions speak louder than words.

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May 15, 2014 “Dreams”

When it’s about time for me to go to PICC (Philippine International Convention Center) for Hope Manila 2014, I met pastor Reylourd, one of the pastors that I admire, in front of Pasay Adventist Church waiting for his Simply Mission’s members going Harbour Square for a lifegroup meeting. His car is parked there and I asked him to drop me off going to PICC but I thought we will leave early but it takes almost an hour waiting for others. So, in short if I will pursue to go to PICC it’s useless because it’s already so late, I decided to join them and just spend the night with them in a meaningful way. The café life group talks about “Dreams” and all about how important motivations are. We really had a good and meaningful time there and surely God really reveals Himself through that experience. We share our own ideas about these things and I’m so blessed about it. God is our ultimate motivation and motivator that while we are waiting for Him, God gave us the power to live life to its fullest in accordance to His will. I learned how people around you, may it be your ups and downs is a part of your growth in achieving your dreams. It depends on how you stand your ground, know who really you are and doing the best you can be in a right and Godly way and most importantly making Jesus as the center of it all then all these things will follow. “For God is for you who can be against you?” and “All things are possible with God who strengthens us”. I pray that as we continue reaching our dreams make sure that God is with it, the one who fulfills everything.

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“The nature of compassion isn't coming to terms with your own suffering and applying it to others: It's knowing that other folks around you suffer and, no matter what happens to you, no matter how lucky or unlucky you are, they keep suffering. And if you can do something about that, then you do it, and you do it without whining or waving your own fuckin' cross for the world to see. You do it because it's the right thing to do.”

John Connolly, Dark Hollow

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May 12, 2014 “Zumba to the Max”

This day, I was assigned by Hope, my mentor to go to Ortigas to meet him and to do something. Many things happened and done but the memorable thing is the first time I have a 3hrs Zumba even though it’s not straight 3hrs still it’s a long time of exercise. It’s so fun and enjoy dancing with my friends there, because part of their ministry is Zumba in reaching urban people to mingle with them and make friends then eventually when they win their confidence and the relationship is build to encourage them to come and follow Jesus. It’s just amazing how things like this can be used by God mightily that 4 of zumba friends are now volunteering for several service ministries and have been attending regularly on Sabbath program called “Overflow” handled by youth and lead speakers to equip and train everyone how to become disciples of Jesus and be a better lover of God and lover of others. Christ method alone really is the best way to touching people and changing lives.

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May 11, 2014 "Passion"

  This day I’ve fallen asleep for so long, I’ve forgot that we have COMPASSION project at Brgy 8, Pasay City “Summer Fresh” (Free Haircut and children ministry) to attend. But even though it was a fail in my part still God didn’t fail to reveal Himself through the video I downloaded. It’s a concert of Hillsong, a very famous Christian band at Miami entitled “Aftermath”. At the beginning of the video, it gives you excitement because of the beat and the environment itself, but later on the excitement that catches people’s feelings turn them on to filled that concert hall with PASSION on praising, magnifying and uplifting Jesus Christ the best that they can. How can I know that? Because for myself as I watch it and saw their emotions while singing, their passion for Christ that really can’t contain their body but express everything through actions, emotions, dancing, and singing on the top of their lungs for Jesus whom they feel the LOVE, FORGIVENESS, GRACE, MERCY, STRENGTH, FREEDOM and SALVATION. I really wish at that time to be a part of them and felt the oneness of their spirit with Jesus Christ body honoring and praising with all my heart and with all my PASSION not only on that event but throughout my life that no matter where you are or whatever the settings is you can worship Him with all you are in the best way you can for His Glory. Anyways, I’m so happy that Hillsong United will visit my country, Philippines this coming June 2014 to have a back to back concert night at Araneta Coliseum. See you there by God’s will and Grace to allow me to experience those feelings and be more passionate in serving God and His people.

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Forever by Kari Jobe (Live) "One of the songs that put me a goose bum and really appreciate Jesus' Death and Resurrection, the good news that we should be telling the world". This is not just a live song but has a testimony of a guy whom really inspires me through his creative writing on how he shared the gospel of Jesus. The message is really striking through my heart that I can feel it through out my soul the essence and power of the cross and the chorus goes like this:

"The ground began to shake

The stone was rolled away

His perfect love could not be overcome

Now death where is your sting

Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated

Forever, He is glorified

Forever, He is lifted high

Forever, He is risen

He is alive

He is alive

You have overcome

Your resurrected King

You have overcome the grave

You have overcome"

-Hallelujah in the Highest :)

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May 10, 2014 "What will you gain if you gain the world but forfeit your soul?"

This quote from the Bible is being emphasized by our famous Filipino Actor Cesar Montano and Ms. Earth Sandra Zeifert, both converted adventist with their testimonies on how Adventism influence their lives to follow Jesus and make Him their most satisfying experience in life. It really amazes me how God works in people that even persons whom we consider have everything still feel the emptiness inside realizing that we can only find true and genuine happiness if we have God in our lives. Their testimonies really inspired me a lot to be more contented being in relationship with God and for what He has given me for with or without money the meaning and fulfillment with Christ is really remarkably amazing. Really if we have God whatever situations we have, we have everything and without Him we are nothing. This Sabbath really is awesome day how God reveal Himself to His people. "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied with Him" a very powerful quote that explains the secret of having eternal life here and to the world to come when Jesus comes. Godbless! :)

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May 9, 2014 “Humility”

This day is the very exhausting, challenging yet fulfilling day of being a staff of OYIM where in I find myself waking up early and with no rest/break do lots of stuffs that they gave me as my responsibilities. I started from 8am and finished at 6:30pm where I went places to places doing different kind of jobs. I went to Indonesian Embassy to process visa at Makati then Immigration to get the ECC then BPI to encash a check to pay for the hotel at Edsa then to Recto to get the plaques and finally drop off to Vito Cruz and start my Sabbath at Victory Church, a Christian youth service. They have this series of topics for the month of May which called Life App that relates to our generation that different apps found in each gadget. Life Apps talks about COMPASSION App, Humility App, Patience App and Forgiveness App and this time Humility App is being discussed. It really strikes me that throughout the day of business I’m not consistent on applying this app but thank God for reminding me that humility must be a lifestyle. These are the quotations and phrases that I learned about this app: Humility is thinking of yourself less not thinking less of yourself. Humility says: “I know my place here” instead of “I don’t have a place here”. Humility is putting others ahead of you not putting others above you and the most special quote that really inspires me is this: “IN A WORLD OF UPWARD MOBILITY, CHOOSE CHRIST-LIKE HUMILITY”. So, all day of hardship in work still God enlightened me so much and reminded me on His day (Sabbath) to rest and try to apply humility as a lifestyle.

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May 8, 2014 “Put your fears and uncertainties at the feet of Jesus and know that He is God”

My girlfriend told me that she is going to a fiesta of the hometown of her co-worker. Then we texted a lot encouraging her to enjoy the party in a right way that even she might drink alcohol, just drink a little and assuring her that she should take care of her health. Accepting the fact that I’m worried about her but can’t make her change in a snap of a moment. So, time passes and I’m about to sleep but something went wrong, she got angry with me not knowing that she likes to text me more than talking with her friends there. I called her to fix the situation and knew that she was a little drunk telling to me that she felt dizzy. My fears and uncertainties grows bigger and come to the point that she is about to went home but her text is misspelled and short, knowing in my mind that she is really dizzy and can’t contact her when she didn’t reply anymore. I started to be more worried because I love her so much that I can’t do anything for her cause I’m so far. I started to pray to God and put everything and remembered that He is in control of everything, knowing that if I’m limited in ways I know for Him anything is possible. Before my prayer finished, my phone received a message from her, at first she said that she don’t know where she is because the place is so far from her home and it’s late midnight but my God calmed me from being scared and letting God take control not only her situation but mine also. Then she called telling me that she’s at home, and we talked about what happen. She told me that she learned many things but because of her situation of dizziness mix with tiredness I just let her take the rest and we’ll talked next time and lastly telling her that I worried a lot and how much I love her and thankful to God that He took care of her. Really when you put your weary to God, He will give you rest and calm your fears and uncertainties knowing that He is God and He is in control. Thank you Father for inspiring me today to write and start my journey again with you, holding my hands and showing me how great You are makes me more wanting to know You more and being more faithful. Please forgive me on my short comings and sins, by your grace I’m healed and have courage to face again this life doing not my will but Your will for me and for others. You really are my comforter and friend, whom I can run with my uncertainties and worries. I trust to You not only my life Lord but my love ones as well. I love you and thank You for countless chances You’ve given me Lord. In your name I praise and pray, AMEN.