The sky is not the limit

Adventure awaits. . .

[skyinthewind]

"God, I invite Your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares. See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to Your glorious, everlasting ways— the path that brings me back to You."

Psalms 139:23‭-‬24 TPT

[skyinthewind]

Sept. 13, 2013

Just when I thought that this week for me would go "waste" because I always fell asleep whenever I try to read and study about Structural Design - for my upcoming architect’s licensure examination (haha!), one of the suppliers of the company I used to work at and also a good friend of mine) chatted me on Facebook about her personal problem she's been facing for months already. After expressing and sharing to me her grief and what’s bothering her, she said this...

I am so blessed and grateful that God has used me to speak encouraging and inspiring words to those people who are feeling down, depressed and discouraged just like her. I thought I was a little bit "useless" this week but then, God did not allow me to feel that way. Thank You God for using me. Thank You for giving me the gift of exhortation. At the end of the day, it's all about You -- and no one else. Thank You, Abba Father.

P.S. Always dare yourself to be a blessing to someone. :)

[skyinthewind]

Internet Fasting

Goodbye internet… not. 

The other day, I posted a tweet that I would be having an internet fast. (You can check it out on the left sidebar of this blog.) What I meant by that tweet is that, I would stay away on all those social networking sites for the meantime. I deactivated my Facebook yesterday, and I started to delete my saved usernames, passwords, and such on the settings of my iPhone. The reason why I focused my “fast” on the social networking sites alone is because it started to make me realize how much time I’ve wasted by just visiting and browsing those sites. God has made me realize that I need to start to prepare myself for my review for our upcoming architecture’s licensure examination. Also, the reason why I haven’t shut myself off completely on internet usage is for I could still be able to research on references regarding architecture and the like. I do not know how long I would fast, maybe until next year ’til I take my board exam, but here is one thing for sure: It is for my own good (esp for my health).

Ever since I started to walk with Him and surrender my life to Him, I thought that I have already given up ALL my bondages of my sins. But then, lately, He made me remember and think that there are still some areas in my life that I need to ponder on and give it up all to Him. It made me think that the top in that list is my “addiction” to the so-called internet, esp on Facebook and Twitter. Lol. There’s nothing really anything fancy on browsing Facebook except the fact that I could play games, especially the recently-most-popular game: Candy Crush. Haha!

Days have passed, and there may be times that I am still itching to open my Facebook and Twitter account but I know for sure that I will get through it. The more that I get rid of it, the more that I’m able to do the things that I have took for granted. Things such as: reading good books, cooking and spending more time with my family, go outside to have some time with nature, and so on. I need to persevere and concentrate on achieving my dreams because it’s almost within my reach. I can feel the victory and the breakthrough. Thank You, Abba. :)

[skyinthewind]

Praise and Worship Night

As I grew deeper with my relationship with the Lord, I realized this one thing: There is no greater joy than being with your spiritual family (and/or God's people) singing and lifting praises to Him and have given a chance to pray for other people. This is my first time to attend the Praise and Worship Night in Victory church in Pioneer and I am so grateful that the Lord took me to that church that I'm attending (and serving now) and introduced me to the people in church that I call now, "my spiritual family". Such a heartwarming feeling when God answered one of Ate Abby's prayer (and her prayer request to me) and that is to be able to encourage her officemates to join the Worship Night.

My smile looks weird here ‘cause I still wear braces. (haha palusot)

One of her officemates even said to us that she would like to attend the service this coming Sunday. Feeling so blessed. God never fails. ^_^ 

Pastor Robert mentioned awhile ago that why don't we just lift our praises to God and just thank Him. Thank Him for every single blessing that He has given to us.

This week, there are lots of blessings that I am so grateful that God has blessed me with. One of those is the financial problem that I was facing since last week. I was having a hard time to budget my salary. And the hard thing part is, the wage that I'm receiving since January is just a minimum wage. Just enough for me but not that enough to sustain my other expenses especially when I think about the gifts that I'll be giving to my siblings for their graduation this coming April. Just when I was wondering how I would survive for 2 weeks with that certain amount of money, God has answered my problem by blessing my parents and my dad even offered to me some money for my expenses through a phone call. I was trying not to sob that time, but I couldn't help it, tears keep flowing through my eyes when my dad said that that the only thing that I've been uttering to myself is "Thank You Lord." aside from saying "Yes" to my dad.

Also, I was having a hard time lately in my work because recently, I've been feeling so "useless" in our office. I'm still having a tough decision regarding my stay in the office and about my review for licensure examination. Just when I'm feeling so useless (because I can't "use" my "skills" as an architecture graduate in our office), God provided me something for me not feel so stagnant. Kuya Ronnie (he's an architect and my officemate), offered me to help out to his project in Pampanga. He asked if I could make a toilet and bath details and design, then afterwhich if I could make an RCP for the said project. I eventually said Yes!

And oh! I am so beyond happy that I am now officially part of the Communications Ministry! :) I have claimed it before that I'll be part of it and to serve the Lord through His gifts He gave me. 

I thank the Lord for the never-ending grace and gifts that He has blessed me with. God never abandoned us. Although there are few times that we feel that He is silent, but then little did we know He is moving in our lives... we just have to be patient and put our full trust into Him. :) I pray that I'll be able to make a final decision within this month. So help me God. :) <3

[skyinthewind]

There's no greater joy than doing what I've always LOVE to do -- making an artwork (be it digital or traditional painting/sketching) ^_^ As what the scriptures say, "Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well." (1 PETER 4:10 CEV) ☺ Thank You Lord for the gifts that you have blessed me with. I'd always be forever grateful, my Father. ❤

[skyinthewind]

Decisions.

Ever had the time in your life when you have to make a certain decision knowing that there's no turning back? The worst part of it is that, when everybody else around you is depending on THAT decision that you're going to make. Tough, isn't it? You have to weigh the pros and cons. You have to carefully think about it, have it all carry on a plan which would determine what should be and whatnot.

Right now, I am having a hard time to make a decision and it feels like my mind is about to explode whenever I think about it. This would be a major decision that I have to make so far because whatever the decision that I’d make, it would affect my future, especially for these few coming months. I was taken aback when my uncle talked to me awhile ago. I thought he was just making fun of me again (well, I am used to it actually) but then, he was not – he was serious that time. We’ve discussed thoroughly with my aunt and her sister some certain unexpected issues that needs to be settle regarding our stay here in our condo and our plans after such. I concluded that this might be the reason of the uneasiness that I felt since last week – which I even mentioned about it to my aunt. I never saw it coming but then, I have faith that God must be telling me something. Something – which I still need to ponder on yet I’ve have on my mind what that something is all about.

Whatever the decision that I would make, I believe that God is moving in my life now and is helping me on guiding my steps and the path I should take. Let me share something about my devotional reading for tonight. Here it says:

“…Even though continuing to move forward is sometimes painful, it is far better than giving up and sliding backwards. God is doing a good work in you so He can do more for you and through you. So ask Him to fill you with holy determination tonight and keep moving in the right decision.”

I have faith that God is always with me wherever I go. Your plans are way better than mine, let Your will be done. I am holding on to Your promises, my Father. I promise to be strong, to keep moving forward and to never give up. <3

[skyinthewind]

Prayer and Fasting 2013 (Day 4)

Jan. 10, 2013

"Do what the Lord wants, and He will give you your heart's desire." -Psalms 37:4

Got a chance to let my friend, Lemz, join the prayer meeting for tonight. He also wrote and post on the breakthrough wall. If the prayer meeting last night made me cry real hard, this time it gave me a BIG smile and a joyful and grateful heart. I am so forever thankful for everything God has blessed me with. I may be tempted by some food that I see and smell, but I don't let that temptation fool me. I value more my sacrifice to God than to be tempted. I am expectant that God will bless me and give me miracles and the desires of my heart.

We were all asked of that ONE impossible thing that we are expecting that God will give and bless us. I instantly declared that time that God will heal me and remove this pain and scoliosis away from me through His Spirit in Jesus name. From the beginning to the end, I felt the Holy Spirit (once again) swirling around through me. I felt the heat and warmth on my neck, back, shoulders and hips area. It's as though He is hugging me and patting me in the back.

Pastor Robert Hern also mentioned that we could ask Him to give us a gift to speak in Tongues while we pray. I declared that time that God will give me that gift and within a second or two, I felt that my mouth was blabbering and speaking of something that I can't understand if someone might hear me but the Spirit. That moment I realized that I was speaking in Tongues. My mind and heart knows what I am trying to say to the Spirit but again, if someone could hear me,  they won't know what I was saying.

Another answered prayer. ^__^ Thank You so much Lord. You are truly amazing. There's no one other like You. I love You Lord. Thank You for everything. In Jesus name, Amen. <3

[skyinthewind]

Prayer and Fasting 2013 (Day 3)

Jan. 9, 2012

"Fasting reduces the power of self so that the Holy Spirit can do a more intense work within us."

The prayer meeting for Day 3 was super awesome and.. and... I find it hard to explain. Lol. Kidding aside, there are no words that can truly describe how this night had turned out. I'll never forget this day, the night actually. :"> God is so great that He answered some of my prayers in just a short span of time. 

This was the night that I really felt the presence of God. In His presence I find peace. I also felt the Holy Spirit that come upon me. I suddenly felt the warmth, the light and the heat that's been swirling around my body like it was hugging me tight especially on my back area. I even saw a vision of light and clouds, and I saw that I am standing before Him. Before I knew it, I burst into tears and I couldn't stop it. I just couldn't. Tears were overflowing that a thought came to me that my contacts might fall off from my eyes. Lol. But I don't care, it doesn't matter. As long as I am worshipping the One and Only God, feeling His presence, kneeling down before Him and crying my heart out to Him. <3 Pastor Robert mentioned that some of us in the church will be baptized by the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful that I'm one of those who have been baptized. Yes, finally. ^_^ Thank You so much Lord for Your grace and for the blessings. Thank You. <3

[skyinthewind]

Prayer and Fasting 2013 (Day 2)

"My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever." (Psalms 73:26)

Stomach's grumbling and it's only the 2nd day of our fasting but it doesn't matter. I'd rather be physically weak than to be spiritually weak. There's no greater feeling than being filled spiritually by His Spirit through Jesus Christ our Beautiful Savior. :>

So I just found out this morning that we can choose what fasting we should apply each day for this week. The options are: water fasting, liquid fasting, eat one meal only and "others". But since I am quite physically not fit (I am so skinny btw, with a fast metabolism), I chose the water (and/or liquid -- varied each day) fasting and "others" (which I wrote: eat 2 meals only - 1 breakfast and a snack in the afternoon). My Tita also gave me a free copy of the Prayer and Fasting Manual which she downloaded and printed it from our church's website.

I failed to get a free copy of it last Sunday because I wasn't able to attend the service at Victory Pioneer. Instead, I attended the service at our Lola's church in QC for me to give my pasalubong to them and to hang out with them as well. Lol. Okay, back to the topic...

My stomach's been grumbling (it's my first time to not to eat for around more than 12 hours) but then I am so grateful that my day was filled by prayers and by the Spirit which guided me throughout the day. I ate only 3 sliced bread and half pancit canton and drank water for breakfast. XD During the afternoon snack, I ate a hotdog sandwich and an iced coffee cookie. :)) my dinner is this: 

I just found another tasty juice. So yummy and healthy at the same time. This is a must-try. <3

Anyway, I was done with my work even before the lunchtime. For me, I'd rather be busy and productive than to do nothing at all. So I started to listen to the podcast, prayed, listen to the worship songs (and sung and praise in silence), continued to write my faith goals for this year and read the said manual. 

I was too early for the prayer and fasting in our church and was looking at some peaceful, hoping and grateful people that wrote their own faith goals and breakthrough then they posted it to the breakthrough wall. I was hesitant to write and post there, but then my thoughts were still so scattered that I decided to do that tomorrow instead.

The 2nd day of prayer and fasting was so fulfilling  heart-warming and delightful. Some people were also healed at that time, just like yesternight, through our prayers that was lead by Pastor Robert through the help of the Spirit. The "theme" this night was about Nation. We started praying for the missionaries, the future and aspiring missionaries (whether for a short or long-term) and for the nation. But the main focus was about "Restoration". It was for the health; broken relationship with other people like family, friends and loved ones; the "your" supposed-to-be inheritance and the like. 

I am so grateful that I was able to "help" through praying for other people. The Spirit filled me so much with grateful heart and inner happiness that it's hard for me to explain. I am so grateful that I was able to forgive myself and other people who have hurt me in the past, and still I am thankful that I met them and learned the lesson from them and from the past experiences that I've had. I am also thankful for the answered prayers within 2 days of fasting: my backpain was lessen (though it may be temporary but at least I have faith that I will be completely healed), my parents were able to make up in just a very short span, and I think (and there's something that's been telling me that) I am forgiven and had made a "100%" peace with my past. Things will be genuinely be okay in God's perfect time, but for now I am completely happy and contented with what I have in my life. <3  I will also patiently wait for my prayers that are still yet to be answered in God's grace. <3

O Almighty Father, I worship You and give You glory and give You thanks. I pray for the restoration of my health, my "broken" relationship with other people; salvation for the people (especially my loved ones) who have not yet touched by the Spirit and have not yet accepted Jesus as their Savior in their lives; and for the financial breakthrough of my family and my loved ones as well. Thank You Heavenly Father for everything. I know that You know that words are not enough to express my gratitude to You. Thank You for filling me with Your Spirit. Thank You for all the blessings and answered prayers. My stomach may be empty but my heart and soul is filled by Your Spirit. Thank You Lord God for everything. Thank You. In Jesus name I pray... Amen! :")

[skyinthewind]

Prayer and Fasting 2013 (Day 1)

"Fasting without prayer is a just DIETING."

So this year would be my first fasting as a Christian. What a great way to start my year! :) But still, I am working on my faith goals and I'm praying and asking if what else God wants me to do and achieve for this year 2013. 

I almost forgot about the fasting when I woke up that I've eaten rice with 1 hotdog and 1 chicken for breakfast and rice with meat (lol. so much for the food). When I'm almost done with my lunch, I suddenly remembered about the fasting and regretted the fact that I've eaten a little bit too much during breakfast. Lol. Forgive me Lord God for I have "sinned". :( To make it up to Him, I managed to control my temptation to eat snacks and meals and dinner as my way of sacrifice/fasting for Him. I've drank just enough water since around 12 noon and up until now, instead of eating dinner.

It was around past 6pm when I left the office and had made my way fast to the bus stop, and I was praying to God that hopefully I could manage to be there to the church by 7pm. It's still a mystery how God works and He is so good that when I entered the bus, that's when the rain started to fall. I left my umbrella in our condo and I'm so grateful that He let me ride a bus before He let the rain to fall. I arrived at the church at around 10 minutes past 7pm and the "praise and worship" has already started.

The Day 1 of Prayer and Fasting has prophesied (to me) that I need to let go COMPLETELY of whatever failures, disappointments, heartbreaks, bitterness and other negative stuff that I've had and experienced last year (2012). I need to let go, forgive and completely surrender to Him. And to let things be done and flow according to His will.

I'm so thankful and it was an honor to me to give my praise and worship to Him. Everything seems so perfect.. worshipping with God's people, lifting our praises to His name, got a chance to meet other people, and got a chance to pray for other people as well, especially for the Youth (which was the "main topic" for the 1st day of fasting). We were also given a chance and opportunity by the Lord to be prayed and healed for our sickness through those people and it was lead by Pastor Robert. 

The healing (for me) to ease the pain (on my back and shoulders) may be temporary, but I know that God is working on making me heal completely in the name of Jesus through His Spirit. It may be not drastically but I know that eventually, I will be healed. Yes! I have faith that I will be healed (in Jesus name I pray and declare, Amen!).

"My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; He is all I ever need." (Psalms 73:26)

[skyinthewind]

Change.

As the cliche goes, "Change is the only thing that is permanent in this world". Personally, I could state that this year (2012) was a life-changing year for me. A lot of things had happened in my life this year... the ups and downs which I certainly no need to elaborate nor to enumerate such. This year has been a turning point in my life. The happiness, the heartbreaks, the breakdown, the success, the victory... everything that has happened to me in the past has molded me into what I am in present. A "new" me, yes. Not in physical nor mentally aspect, but in the spiritual way. 

A while ago, I've finally got the courage to ask my parents about converting to another religion. I know that this would be a sensitive topic because my family is (and even most of my "nearest" relatives are) Roman Catholic. But, my distant relatives (mother side - that are sooo close to us) are Born-again Christian. I've always prayed to God that I've always wanted to be closer to Him and to know Him more. He answered that prayer when I graduated in college just this March 2012. I was surrounded by Christian people. I mean, after college, I decided to work in Manila in the company where my Tito (my mother's second cousin) works. My parents wanted me to stay in my granny's house since they were worried about me being "solo" (and they were worried about my health). Every Sunday (the Sabbath day), me, my granny and everyone in the house would go to a Christian church -their church. Well, of course, the "ceremony" wasn't that quite new to me because I've already experienced to go to their church when I was in grade 5. But this time, it's a lot of different (since I've matured enough, I guess).

Needless to say, during summer before I went to Manila to work (or to attain my apprenticeship, which is a requirement for us Architecture graduates before taking the licensure examination),  I've downloaded some Christians songs that I always listen because there is something to those that make me feel soothing, like I'm at peace. Maybe, THAT paved way to everything I am now.

The most important (and I could say, life-changing) is that, when I was in the amidst of struggles and "darkness" in my life so far, I even began asking, "why me?", "what have I done for me to suffer like this?". My health (which I think would be impossible to be "healed"), my possessions (the material things that I've worked hard was gone and in the hands of someone that is wicked and a thief), relationships (that failed).... Despite of those, I still hold firmly onto Him and I've always prayed that I know that everything will be alright. In that moment, I felt His warm embrace (so warm that I began crying and sobbing when I felt that) and little by little, I felt that He began lifting my burdens away from me. And there was a tiny voice that spoke to me saying, "My dear child, everything will be okay. Trust in Me and everything will fall into place. Hold on to me, for I am with you always.". I could never control my emotions that time because I was crying my heart out. The tears turned out to be from joy and inner happiness, or maybe from pain and sorrow, well I don't know... I never understood what I felt. All I know is that the emptiness I've felt that time was gone, the pain has been healed, and I've felt the light shone upon me. Because of that, I am forever thankful to the creator of heaven and earth, my Lord God. 

Well, back to the topic, I've prayed to God that in His time, let Him help me to tell about it to my parents and help me to explain to them what He wanted me to be. I've finally opened up the topic to my parents. I am so thankful that they understood my point and they were okay with it, and even said that it's up to me if I wanted it to be. I've finally surrendered my life to Him and I know that God has bigger plans for me. I know that God has called me to do this and this is just a beginning for me, so there's no turning back.

As what the scriptures said,

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name, Amen. ^_^

[skyinthewind]

Back to Tumblr

Yes, I am back. For real. Hahaha. It's been a while. So here's the reason why.. I have no actually had intentions to go back in blogging here on Tumblr (well, I'm pertaining to my old personal account, btw) and I was having second thoughts if I should make Wordpress as my "personal blogging site" instead. But since Tumblr is much easier to use than Wordpress, I guess I finally have decided to stick myself here. Lol. 

I also would want to get rid of my old personal Tumblr account which I made last December 2009 but I am hesitant if I would deactivate that account or if I would just put password on it so no one could backread my blog. Lol :))

So, yeah. I'll be posting here about my life, travel, adventure, work and the like. 

No reblogs, just personal stuff.

Cheerio. ;)