Welcoming 2013

My Family

Year 2012 has ended but the memories and learnings I have gained from my experiences remained in my hearts. I have so much to be thankful for on the year 2012.

First is my travel to Mississippi on January 4. I gained vast amount of knowledge and wisdom from my stay there. I came back here in the Philippines with a goal–to touch and inspire lives the best way I can.

I have set my heart in renewing my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and to be actively involve in the ministry again. I have graduated in Training for Victory and now leading a small group. I have set goals for my ministry in the Lord and I will continue to serve Him no matter what.

Time indeed flies so fast at parang kailan lang naganap ang mga ito. God is so good.

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I believe that this year 2013 will be year of greater breakthroughs and blessings. I believe for deeper and wider provision from God. This is also a year for stronger family relationship.

I have resolved in my heart to give more time, effort and love to my family.

Good bye 2012!

10 Skills To Add To Your Résumé After Studying Abroad

Reblogged from :

So you studied abroad and it was the best experience of your life. The only problem is, while you were abroad, everyone else was busy doing internships and gaining experience so that they can find a job after graduation. Should you have done the same? Not at all! Studying abroad is an accomplishment and the transferable skills you gained from it are the tools you’ll need to succeed in your career (and in life!) So congratulate yourself on your good decision and don’t forget to include the following skills before handing out your résumé.

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Can we Live Without Sin?

1 Peter 2:21-22 …’For even hereunto ye were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps, WHO DID NO SIN, neither was guile found in His mouth.’

Sin no more. Those three little words from the lips of Christ Jesus should make all professing Christians sit up and think. Jesus healed a man by the pool in John chapter 5, and after He had healed the man, He said the following words:

John 5:14 …’Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.’

And then we have the woman who was caught in adultery by the Scribes and Pharisees. What did Jesus say to her?

John 8:10-11 …’When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.’

Now if it was not possible for us to live without sin, why would Jesus say those very words, SIN NO MORE? These two Bible people above received the grace of Jesus, and yet He told them to sin no more. The majority of preachers and teachers out there today talk plenty about being “free” in Christ, but very little, if any, about living without sin. Why do we hold on to the Bible teachings that sound nice and easy, but ignore the ones that call us to live without, and sacrifice? We must take in the whole council of God, not just the bits and pieces we like. Yes we are “free” in Christ Jesus, but what are we free from? Are we free from God’s law? Can we now continue in sin without being condemned? What did Paul say? GOD FORBID! (Romans 6:15). So what are we free from?
Romans 8:2 …’For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.’
What is the law of sin and death? Well, what is sin? It’s transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4). And what is the result of that sin? The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). And when we are born, because of the fall of Adam, what are we automatically born into? We are born into sinful flesh. As Paul said in Romans 7:14 …’For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.’ … In other words, we are slaves to sin in our flesh. In simple terms, that’s the law of sin and death. We are born into sinful flesh, and the wages of sin is death. BUT THANKFULLY:
Romans 8:1-2 …’There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are IN Christ Jesus, who walk NOT after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.’
Do you see? Who are free and have no condemnation? Those who are IN Christ Jesus, who walk NOT after the flesh, but after the Spirit. And what should happen when we are in Christ Jesus?
Romans 6:1-2 …’What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?’
We DIE to sin, and should not live any longer therein. Read through Romans 6 and you will see Paul pointing out a number of times that we who are in Christ should be dead to sin and should have “put off the deeds of the old man” (Colossians 3:9). We do not walk after the flesh anymore, but after the Spirit. What do you think these words of Jesus mean: “take up your cross and follow Me”? Does this not mean, crucify your old sinful man and follow Jesus, ie, sin no more? Jesus did not sin, and He is asking you to follow Him. Yes, all these words confirm the words of Jesus, “Go, sin no more”.
Just look at what the apostle Peter said about this issue of continued sin in a believers life … 2 Peter 2:12-14 …’But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin.’ … What does he say happens to those who cannot cease from sin? They utterly perish!

How Can we Sin no More?
To sin no more in our lives and start living without sin, we need to surrender fully to Christ Jesus and trust in His righteousness. So many Christians today just accept that they cannot live without sin on their own, and ignore the power of Christ living in them. Is anything impossible through Christ? Of course not! We need to trust in His power in our lives to transform us. Take a look at this great Bible verse:
2 Peter 1:2-3 …’Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.’ ….. Through Christ, we are given ALL THINGS that pertain to Godliness. What does that “all things” include? Does it include being able to sin no more? Yes! It’s ALL THINGS! Trust in God, that He will perform His perfect work in you through Christ Jesus His Son.
We even partake of the divine nature as it says in 2 Peter 1:4. Now would we continue to live a life of sin if we were partaking of the divine nature of God? Of course not. God does not sin, there is no evil in the divine nature, therefore sin would no longer reign in our lives.
What is the same as saying “sin no more”? Keep the commandments.
Matthew 19:17 …’And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.’
1 Corinthians 7:19 …’Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.’
1 John 5:2-3 …’By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.’
Revelation 14:12 …’Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’
Although it is only through Christ Jesus that we can sin no more, we must make the effort to turn away from sin also ourselves. We cannot sit back, continuing to sin and just wait for Christ to turn us from sin. If we don’t make the effort in surrendering fully to Christ then it will never happen. As James says inJames 4:7 …’Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ … We must humbly surrender to Jesus and He will enter our hearts and minds and renew us. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
We cannot live without sin on our own, but through Christ Jesus we can. Let us fall on our knees before God, repent of our sins, and surrender our hearts to Jesus. We need to watch and pray every day. Come before God at the start of every day and ask Him to renew His Spirit in you and help you get through the day without sin. You may be surprised how Jesus will change you. Take it one day at a time.
Remember the words of Christ, “Go, sin no more”.
Hebrews 12:1-2 …’let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.’

On SK absenteeism

Reblogged from :

At the risk of being suspected once more by Del, a valued blog follower I have not met, as a propagandist of the Fariñases, let me say that I only have respect for my congressman, Rodolfo Fariñas, And this respect extends to his adorable kids.

In the months leading to the 2010 elections, then serving as panelist in a debate-forum participated in by congressional candidates in Ilocos Norte’s first district, I noted that while Fariñas had views totally different from mine regarding two issues I deemed important, namely the Reproductive Health Bill and the abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan, his brilliance and eloquence make it impossible to ignore his views.

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My Mother is my Superhero

I want this to be very simple… It may be too late but I really want to  give this post as a tribute to my mother–the greatest hero of all.

I know my life is never enough to repay all those hardships she has done for me and my siblings.

My mother’s name is Felomina Borromeo de la Cruz, a native of the Province of Apayao born of a simple living, now a 48 years old. She was a plain housewife, doing house chores and rearing me and my siblings. However, her life changed 12 years ago when my father died.

She was then 36 years old, still very young to roll herself as a single parent to four innocent children. I was then 10 years old and very ignorant to the life we were about to trek.

One of the many reasons of being proud of my mother is the decision she made not to marry again. I am very proud of that decision! She took the challenge alone and tried to rear us the best way she can.

She tried everything she can just to give us atleast a good living. She made herself a servant–a housemaid of many families. She even sacrificed to leave her children.

While I was in Apayao doing  my secondary studies, she was in a very far place earning money for the family. My other siblings then have their own lives in Laoag City. Those sacrifices are the gems which I forever treasure.

With all of these achievements I have, she is silently cheering for me. I know I am making  her proud everyday and I want to make her proud always.

My mother is the greatest person I have.

She is my superhero!!

HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY!

When Time Seems Not Enough

While I’m writing this, I have only less than 24 hours left to stay in the US. I am going back to my country and continue my ‘life’. It’s just so hard to explain what I’m feeling now.

Four months ago, I was so very excited to go to the US; this is the dream of most Filipinos, I believe, so was I. This dream came true–I came here in the US with so much excitement and expectations. The expectations of meeting new friends and experiencing new things were with me as I boarded on that Delta 647 in NAIA. Well, some of them were fulfilled, some are not.

My life in the US was not all smooth as most of you would believe. However, I was able to complete this program with head humbly held high. I agree that there were those times when I really need someone to help–emotionally, financially, spiritually.

I’m so blessed that I have found generous people here. Even though  I was a stranger, there were people like Sam Rhoads and James Fairly accepted me and helped me with open arms. How can I ever forget those times when “Okay” is at the tip of their tongue when I needed help? They are simply awesome.

I will also cherish my craziest days in the US with my fellow international friends: Elita, Maelle, Ebrahim, Dallel, Nabin, Jenny, and Nadim. Those memories for sure will forever be etched in my heart and mind. You made my stay colorful (and crazy).

I don’t want to talk to much about my academics. I know I did good, fingers crossed. With all the teachers in the world, I am so blessed with my Professors in JSU. Dr. Byron Orey, Dr. Mokhtar Auiona, Dr. Lin Li, and Dr. Himangshu Das are all equally experts and very kind. They are very approachable at any time. I hope the teachers in the Philippines (in general) will adapt this kind of environment most especially the teacher-student relationship. Well, my teachers in MMSU are equally approachable.

My time here seems not enough, yet I am satisfied with the memories those four months gave me. I just can’t thank God enough for this wonderful opportunity.

WE’LL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN, IN DUE TIME!

Thank you!!!

PS. My tears are falling!

LOL

Mentors

This time, I would like to share with you my life with my mentors and how am I grateful about them; something that I value.

I have already experienced a lot, from becoming the Central Student Council President to being an exchange student. Along the way, others may have not noticed the people behind my back who are always willing to lend a hand. They are, what I call, my mentors.

No man is an island, so says an adage. We, people, need others to survive and that we might live our lives to the full. More importantly, we should be with matured and experienced people to seek advice from.

The very first time I took risk and went out of my comfort zone, it was a challenge from my beloved mentor and friend, Herdy Yumul. This was during the filing of candidacy for the Central Student Council way back 2010. I was challenged and at the same time comforted by his words of support.  I will forever be grateful that on that day, I have with me a great mentor who’s willing to join me in the then “concealed wonderful journey”.

LIFEBox Batac is the greatest organization ever! It is here where I have fully understand and embraced the value of mentoring. LIFEBox is the students’ union under the Victory Church.

By the way, LIFE means Leadership, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence. These values of the organization is truly indeed living. I have grown a lot in here; and I am always grateful to all my mentors from this organization.

Pastor George Balisacan , the Senior Pastor of the church, is the greatest mentor that I have ever met. He is a registered Civil Engineer and his wife, Ate Anne, is a registered nurse, but they have chosen to serve God more than to practice their profession. The result, young people living their lives after God’s own heart; there’s no greater legacy more than that–changed lives!

My other faithful mentors from the church are Jeffrey Sadiri and Ryan Daliva. I have seen their lives, and proven how their faith has changed them. They are not  just mentors, they are friends and brothers who continue to believe in me despite my obstinacy.

A mentor is very important as I have proven it myself.  I do not feel  alone, strayed stranger in this world because of their continued support and belief in me. I am forever grateful that I have known them. My successes in life are their successes!

Long live to my mentors, and to all the mentors in the world!

Do you have one, anyway?