I Just Knew I Wouldn't Be Able To Stop

Casting Crowns - Let Me Love You

Misty Edwards - Finally I Surrender

Heather Clark Band - Deeper

Heather Clark Band - I Present Myself As A Living Sacrifice

Brian and Jenn Johnson - A Little Longer

I knew I'd find it hard to stop sharing with you, just as soon as I had posted the blog. Here were my iMeem picks over the past few days. I love how God has allowed the Internet to be the answer to the prayers of millions of Filipino Christians who had been longing for decent Christian radio here in this country.

I know that Jam 88.3 plays Christian music as well, but I don't have FM of late. Also, it just rocks that the music I find have not even been released yet, at times.


Here are my old-time faves, before I forget:

Amber N. Brooks - Like You Promised
Nina Landis - Captivated (Just look for it on her playlist)
Meredith Mauldin - Release the Angels (Same as Nina Landis, please just look for the song on her playlist)

And of course, the unbeatable women that got me started on my next level of loving Christian music:

Rebecca St. James - Lion

Misty Edwards - You Won't Relent


And prior to my discovery of Rebecca St. James or Misty Edwards, here are the rainshowers that have kept my heart alive through my dark adolescent years:

Caedmon's Call - Shifting Sand
Caedmon's Call - Love Alone
Caedmon's Call - Piece of Glass

Jars of Clay - Worlds Apart
Jars of Clay - Hymn
Jars of Clay - Flood
Jars of Clay - Liquid


Man, it feels like only yesterday when I've had those Caedmon's Call and Jars of Clay songs as anthems. I can't believe the difference of the angsty-ness of these anthems, as opposed to the lovesick-for-Jesus songs that I listen to today...

I guess it's really the way the Christian travels: from darkness and despair, and into light. :)

I'm so glad that I'm singing for the Lord to be my fire now, as opposed to "Take me out of the dark, my Lord.."

It was not a happy place to be in constant despair, you know. (Mighty redundant for a bit there, but anyway..)

I still have my moments, mind you. But these are more manageable now, thanks to how God takes care of me so well.

I'm just happy to be His daughter. :)

And here I am, sharing with you the songs that had earmarked my journey. :)


It was only yesterday that I had been swimming in the gunk of constant angst and pain, and today, I can finally use the word... "Happy."

I used to swear that word off. I used to despise the people who could use yellows and pinks for their profiles. Today, I am one of those who can use pink and yellow on my profile.

Uh-mazing.

God is. Not meh. Coz as I had realized one time, how I got here was not a function of actually agonizing about things. I had gotten to this happy place, one prayer at a time, one issue surrendered at a time. And oh, one command obeyed at a time.

I can't believe it, 2009 is dawning, and I have never felt better in my life. I had never felt this much hope and this much balance, as well as love in my life before.

And I owe it all to Jesus, for whom all these songs were sung. :)


I love You Lord!!!




(And yes, if you liked the songs on my post, nevermind my self-absorbed blabbering, please say a prayer for me, and let me know so that I can say a prayer for you too!


Hugs and Love!)

Movie to Watch: All Things New

You see them roam the streets. They follow you with sorrowful eyes and outstretched hands. Others are content to lean on the stairs of the MRT stations, sniffing their cares away. And you have the choice: to pour our your mercy and give what you could; or to harden your heart and turn away.


All Things New is a movie for and about these young people whom we meet everyday, and promptly forget, or deliberately ignore. It is a story based on the testimony of Jonjie Barcenal, a young man studying to be a pastor in a Bible school here in Metro Manila, whose former home used to be... In the streets of a city in Mindanao.

This is the story of how Jonjie and his friends got adopted and cared for by Christian missionaries in a shelter that they managed. This is the story of how miracles happened, and how everyone, from Jonjie and his friends, were molded to become the likeness of Christ, in the process of the movie.

This is a movie that would reassure you that miracles happen. This is a movie that would break your heart, as well. While I will not assure you that your movie critic's eye would be satisfied with this movie, I will assure you that this movie will not leave you unchanged.


I came into All Things New expecting another Ploning, with all the subtlety and finesse of Panoramanila Pictures' Dante Nico Garcia and the cinematography of Optima Digital... Nobody warned me, however, that I should understand that this film should be watched with the heart, and not the movie critic's eye.

In light of that, I would like to tell the All Things New movie-goer to shelve the film review skills you've learned in high school. You don't need them here. But I do advice you to bring a box, or two, of Kleenex. I deeply regretted having only my shawl and my hands to wipe my tears with.

Highlights of the movie include the funny customs of Filipinos. And the habits and attitudes that we all have down there, swimming in our DNA. Like reading other people's letters, for example. :p

Mayen Cadd's portrayal of Angelica Oosting was reminiscent of Ploning's gentleness; however, there are stark differences. While Ploning had a gentleness that hid her quiet steel, Angelica Oosting's strength was her gentleness. She is not gentle because she is strong. Rather, Angelica Oosting is strong throughout her being gentle, because her strength is not her own: it is the grace of God, shining through her character.

While it seemed at first that Angelica Oosting is the epitome of the Christian woman: someone I believe I'll never become, there was one scene that I could so relate to. Angelica Oosting was tasked to get only five children for the shelter when they got vacated, but 20 wanted to come with her; and when she got home, she stormed into her house and fought with her husband Ken Oosting, played by Alex Compton.

I could so relate to how she demanded to know why she needed to face the heartbreaking scene of needing to choose only five street kids for the shelter, leaving fifteen others to sleep days, weeks and months more on the street.

I could relate to her helplessness, to how she felt like she should not have needed to face that confusing situation alone, and how she felt like she should have had a shield against the children's onslaught.

I realized that we women need to face a lot of trials on our own, with God as our only shield. Like men, we have our own dragons to slay, and being "women" should not exempt us from these tasks and travails.

Being women does not entitle us to a softer life. Being women, we also have our own fights to rise above as victors, and we will rob ourselves of the exhilaration of the fight and the victory won, if we keep holding on to the mentality that "we should have been protected."

I like the intensity that Mayen Cadd had portrayed that scene with, and I like how she was able to show that sweet and gentle, "perfect Proverbs 31" Christian women get righteously angry too. Heheh.

I like her easy chemistry with Alex Compton, even though I am of the opinion that their sweet moments were a bit too cheesy for my taste. :p In spite of the "cheese factor," think their tandem worked for this film. And I especially liked the look on Alex Compton/Ken Oosting's face, as Angelica Oosting railed on him; I again understood that even a Spirit-filled man gets lost for words in the face of the furious storm of his wife's tantrum. Guys, in preparation for when your wife gets this way, I suggest you start building a bomb shelter months before you marry. :p

Another strength of the film lay in Red's Concepcion's portrayal of Nardo/Jonjie. I could see myself in my rebellious moments as I saw Red defying all that could be defied; and his irreverence, defiance, and intensity fit his role perfectly.

I fondly remember how he had openly challenged Pastor Rico, a former policeman, whom he hated, and mocked Pastor Rico to his face, in the presence of the other foster kids.

While I cringed at his defiance that so reminded me of my own, I had thought that the line "Saan ba mas lumalago ang binhi? Di ba sa tae?" (Does seed not grow better in fecal matter?)

This principle actually makes sense: in agriculture, animal fecal matter IS used as fertilizer. But in the evangelistic sense of the phrase, I did realize that it's amazing that to those who had been through so much, those people whom you could really call "human waste," whose lives are marked by so much of bad decisions, those are whom you'd eventually see becoming most passionate for Jesus. I guess this is what Jesus meant when He said that those who are forgiven much love much (Luke 7:47, paraphrased). Indeed, seed does grow better in fecal matter.

Pastor Rico, as played by Dido de la Paz, also fleshed out a very vivid performance. So did Rio Locsin, and the rest of the main cast. In terms of acting, they were all superb. I have nothing to complain for their acting, and am more inclined to label myself as "breathless" at their acting prowess.

For all its flaws, for all the awkward scenes, this movie is indeed a cup of hot chocolate that warms the hard heart.

It teaches Biblical truths like forgiveness, in a heartbreaking way. It reminds parents and leaders that it's not wrong to ask for forgiveness from your children; it actually helps them heal faster. It shatters misconceptions that Christians are supposed to be walking Jesus-es: perfect and incapable of anger.

While Jesus did get righteously angry too, people expect professing Christians to be perfect and good all the time. On the contrary, like Pastor Rico, a lot of us have guns in our closets still, and we do lose our tempers too. We are human like the next derelict; our only difference is that we have a God who constantly molds us.

Other cliffhanging moments in the film include an action scene that really spoke of God's capacity to protect His children, as well as the line that Alex Compton said, "You work so hard at not working hard," (paraphrased). It hit me because it's exactly what I do: work hard at not working hard. Heheh.

At the end of the movie, the real Nardo, Jonjie Barcenal, spoke to us about his people's plight. He reminded us happy and fat Christians, that there are BILLIONS of street children still out there, needing love, needing an understanding of their value as human beings.

I got to ask Jonjie of his experiences. Yes, he did go up in front of his Bible study class and defiantly mocked Pastor Rico. Yes, he did "all that," and reverted time and again to sleeping in the streets and tried to escape life via alcohol and other substances too, and my curious self did get to understand what a "rugby trip" felt like, thanks to Jonjie's stories.

I finally gained a better understanding of why street children sniff rugby, and it's not just because they didn't want to smell the garbage and themselves. To them who know no better, rugby, is, indeed, escape-from-life-in-a-bag. I got to ask Jonjie what he saw while tripping on rugby, but more importantly, I got to ask him and understand what finally got him to commit to Christ.

Indeed, when Jesus Christ wants to make a miracle out of your life, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard," what God has in store for you.

If God can turn around a young street child's difficult life and turn him into a soon-to-be pastor, He is capable of anything.

Indeed, like Jonjie said, there are still BILLIONS of him running around, needing our love and care. And lest you get overwhelmed at the magnificent task before you, understand that you are only tasked to be faithful to the one God gives you favor with, at the moment given to you; and if he/she needs to move on, know that "one waters. another harvests" in this Kingdom.

Again, I appeal to you to watch this movie with an open heart, as well as a suspended critical eye. When you watch All Things New, you don't come to be entertained; you come to receive a greater understanding of who God is and who you are in His scheme of things.

Indeed, bring Kleenex. Two boxes, please.


May God bless and protect you wherever you go, Jonjie. And for you, dear reader, let's start to help the street kids, one moment at a time.


Blessings!

Movie to Watch: All Things New

You see them roam the streets. They follow you with sorrowful eyes and outstretched hands. Others are content to lean on the stairs of the MRT stations, sniffing their cares away. And you have the choice: to pour our your mercy and give what you could; or to harden your heart and turn away.


All Things New is a movie for and about these young people whom we meet everyday, and promptly forget, or deliberately ignore. It is a story based on the testimony of Jonjie Barcenal, a young man studying to be a pastor in a Bible school here in Metro Manila, whose former home used to be... In the streets of a city in Mindanao.

This is the story of how Jonjie and his friends got adopted and cared for by Christian missionaries in a shelter that they managed. This is the story of how miracles happened, and how everyone, from Jonjie and his friends, were molded to become the likeness of Christ, in the process of the movie.

This is a movie that would reassure you that miracles happen. This is a movie that would break your heart, as well. While I will not assure you that your movie critic's eye would be satisfied with this movie, I will assure you that this movie will not leave you unchanged.


I came into All Things New expecting another Ploning, with all the subtlety and finesse of Panoramanila Pictures' Dante Nico Garcia and the cinematography of Optima Digital... Nobody warned me, however, that I should understand that this film should be watched with the heart, and not the movie critic's eye.

In light of that, I would like to tell the All Things New movie-goer to shelve the film review skills you've learned in high school. You don't need them here. But I do advice you to bring a box, or two, of Kleenex. I deeply regretted having only my shawl and my hands to wipe my tears with.

Highlights of the movie include the funny customs of Filipinos. And the habits and attitudes that we all have down there, swimming in our DNA. Like reading other people's letters, for example. :p

Mayen Cadd's portrayal of Angelica Oosting was reminiscent of Ploning's gentleness; however, there are stark differences. While Ploning had a gentleness that hid her quiet steel, Angelica Oosting's strength was her gentleness. She is not gentle because she is strong. Rather, Angelica Oosting is strong throughout her being gentle, because her strength is not her own: it is the grace of God, shining through her character.

While it seemed at first that Angelica Oosting is the epitome of the Christian woman: someone I believe I'll never become, there was one scene that I could so relate to. Angelica Oosting was tasked to get only five children for the shelter when they got vacated, but 20 wanted to come with her; and when she got home, she stormed into her house and fought with her husband Ken Oosting, played by Alex Compton.

I could so relate to how she demanded to know why she needed to face the heartbreaking scene of needing to choose only five street kids for the shelter, leaving fifteen others to sleep days, weeks and months more on the street.

I could relate to her helplessness, to how she felt like she should not have needed to face that confusing situation alone, and how she felt like she should have had a shield against the children's onslaught.

I realized that we women need to face a lot of trials on our own, with God as our only shield. Like men, we have our own dragons to slay, and being "women" should not exempt us from these tasks and travails.

Being women does not entitle us to a softer life. Being women, we also have our own fights to rise above as victors, and we will rob ourselves of the exhilaration of the fight and the victory won, if we keep holding on to the mentality that "we should have been protected."

I like the intensity that Mayen Cadd had portrayed that scene with, and I like how she was able to show that sweet and gentle, "perfect Proverbs 31" Christian women get righteously angry too. Heheh.

I like her easy chemistry with Alex Compton, even though I am of the opinion that their sweet moments were a bit too cheesy for my taste. :p In spite of the "cheese factor," think their tandem worked for this film. And I especially liked the look on Alex Compton/Ken Oosting's face, as Angelica Oosting railed on him; I again understood that even a Spirit-filled man gets lost for words in the face of the furious storm of his wife's tantrum. Guys, in preparation for when your wife gets this way, I suggest you start building a bomb shelter months before you marry. :p

Another strength of the film lay in Red's Concepcion's portrayal of Nardo/Jonjie. I could see myself in my rebellious moments as I saw Red defying all that could be defied; and his irreverence, defiance, and intensity fit his role perfectly.

I fondly remember how he had openly challenged Pastor Rico, a former policeman, whom he hated, and mocked Pastor Rico to his face, in the presence of the other foster kids.

While I cringed at his defiance that so reminded me of my own, I had thought that the line "Saan ba mas lumalago ang binhi? Di ba sa tae?" (Does seed not grow better in fecal matter?)

This principle actually makes sense: in agriculture, animal fecal matter IS used as fertilizer. But in the evangelistic sense of the phrase, I did realize that it's amazing that to those who had been through so much, those people whom you could really call "human waste," whose lives are marked by so much of bad decisions, those are whom you'd eventually see becoming most passionate for Jesus. I guess this is what Jesus meant when He said that those who are forgiven much love much (Luke 7:47, paraphrased). Indeed, seed does grow better in fecal matter.

Pastor Rico, as played by Dido de la Paz, also fleshed out a very vivid performance. So did Rio Locsin, and the rest of the main cast. In terms of acting, they were all superb. I have nothing to complain for their acting, and am more inclined to label myself as "breathless" at their acting prowess.

For all its flaws, for all the awkward scenes, this movie is indeed a cup of hot chocolate that warms the hard heart.

It teaches Biblical truths like forgiveness, in a heartbreaking way. It reminds parents and leaders that it's not wrong to ask for forgiveness from your children; it actually helps them heal faster. It shatters misconceptions that Christians are supposed to be walking Jesus-es: perfect and incapable of anger.

While Jesus did get righteously angry too, people expect professing Christians to be perfect and good all the time. On the contrary, like Pastor Rico, a lot of us have guns in our closets still, and we do lose our tempers too. We are human like the next derelict; our only difference is that we have a God who constantly molds us.

Other cliffhanging moments in the film include an action scene that really spoke of God's capacity to protect His children, as well as the line that Alex Compton said, "You work so hard at not working hard," (paraphrased). It hit me because it's exactly what I do: work hard at not working hard. Heheh.

At the end of the movie, the real Nardo, Jonjie Barcenal, spoke to us about his people's plight. He reminded us happy and fat Christians, that there are BILLIONS of street children still out there, needing love, needing an understanding of their value as human beings.

I got to ask Jonjie of his experiences. Yes, he did go up in front of his Bible study class and defiantly mocked Pastor Rico. Yes, he did "all that," and reverted time and again to sleeping in the streets and tried to escape life via alcohol and other substances too, and my curious self did get to understand what a "rugby trip" felt like, thanks to Jonjie's stories.

I finally gained a better understanding of why street children sniff rugby, and it's not just because they didn't want to smell the garbage and themselves. To them who know no better, rugby, is, indeed, escape-from-life-in-a-bag. I got to ask Jonjie what he saw while tripping on rugby, but more importantly, I got to ask him and understand what finally got him to commit to Christ.

Indeed, when Jesus Christ wants to make a miracle out of your life, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard," what God has in store for you.

If God can turn around a young street child's difficult life and turn him into a soon-to-be pastor, He is capable of anything.

Indeed, like Jonjie said, there are still BILLIONS of him running around, needing our love and care. And lest you get overwhelmed at the magnificent task before you, understand that you are only tasked to be faithful to the one God gives you favor with, at the moment given to you; and if he/she needs to move on, know that "one waters. another harvests" in this Kingdom.

Again, I appeal to you to watch this movie with an open heart, as well as a suspended critical eye. When you watch All Things New, you don't come to be entertained; you come to receive a greater understanding of who God is and who you are in His scheme of things.

Indeed, bring Kleenex. Two boxes, please.


May God bless and protect you wherever you go, Jonjie. And for you, dear reader, let's start to help the street kids, one moment at a time.


Blessings!

Freedom from Distractions - Lessons Learned in an MRT Station

In a person's life, one of the biggest dilemmas is how to keep focused in a world filled with distractions. I learned something as I pushed past the people in MRT - Ayala Station:

I got to the area where I needed to go by keeping my eyes focused on the area where I wanted to land in, and not mind the people blocking my way.

So my lesson learned was, to get to where I need to go, I need to keep my eyes focused on God, and on the Vision He has for me; with that, I won't even know it, but I've gotten to where I needed to go, and I won't even feel the things that are distracting me.

Things that derail people include navel-gazing and nitpicking. I need to stop looking "deep into myself," and finding fault with myself, and then picking at the things that shouldn't concern me, and instead, focus on the things that matter: God and His plan for me.

This doesn't mean that I won't deal with the issues that I still have. On the contrary, I need to just surrender them to the Lord...

One thing that I learned one time was, I realized that I finally got the hang of controlling my brain: things are a lot quieter up there now; also, friends and meh have noticed, and are telling me, that I'm a lot less angry and reactive lately...

And you know what hit me?

I never really agonized to get from Point A to Point B. I never lifted a finger to get rid of my anger issues. I never lifted a finger to learn to be more faithful; All I ever did..................


Was say a prayer.


It's truly God's grace that I ever moved a single step from Point A at all. And how I got to Point B... Is nothing but a miracle.

I'm excited to move to Point C. :D

This Caught My Eye. Makes Sense.

Q. If I’m engaged and my fiancé is pressuring me to have sex, is it wrong, considering he'll be my husband?

Dec 17, '08 5:11 PM by daxx for everyone

A. Thanks for the question. Indeed, it would be immoral to have sex outside of marriage, regardless of how close or far the wedding day is. In the eyes of God, fornication is fornication. If anything, sleeping together when you are so close to the great sacrament of marriage is even more of a problem, because two people who love each other enough to marry ought to have more concern for where the other spends eternity.

You see, being married is a lot like being pregnant. You either are, or you are not. So, I am just as married to you as your fiancé is. Until you have made the complete gift of yourselves as husband and wife, you are not to make the complete gift of your bodies to each other. When a husband and wife make love, they're expressing their wedding vows with their bodies: "I give myself totally to you." When a couple sleeps together before marriage, they're expressing a lie with their bodies because they do not totally belong to each other, even if marriage is right around the corner. Besides, 50% of all engagements break up before the big day.

Think about it: how much more special will it be on the wedding night when you've waited! I've spoken with several spouses who slept together prior to their wedding, and they've expressed to me how much they regretted it, years later. They ask themselves, "Why couldn't we wait those few months? It would have made it so much more meaningful to wear the white dress and have the Church bless our union."

Now is not the time to hop in the sack. It's a serious time to prepare for your vocation. Couples who sleep together prior to their wedding night are three times as likely to divorce as couples who save it. The sexual intimacy clouds one's vision from taking a serious look at your potential spouse. Besides, if there is on-going pressure, then this is a sign not only of disrespect, but of a lack of spiritual leadership and care for your soul. These are not minor issues. I have only been married for 14 months myself, but I can tell you that many great sacrifices await you. Marriage is hard work, and if there is not a mutual respect and spiritual harmony between you, it will be all the more difficult.

Do not forget: love is patient, and if a couple can not say no to sex, then what is their yes worth? Take this to prayer, and may God give you all the strength you need to do his will.

from http://www.chastity.com/chastity/index.php?id=7&entryid=272

The True Meaning of Christmas from Dave Ramsey

The Memorable Christmas Puzzle
While living in Dallas/Ft. Worth, we learned of a family in need during the holidays. My family and I delivered food and toys to a young lady and her 2 small children. The lady told us to put the gifts away because they were all her kids would receive on Christmas Day.

As we put the food away in the kitchen, I noticed a sparsely lit tree in the corner of the living room, with a homemade wooden puzzle of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus on the floor beneath it. Her kids explained to my kids the Christmas story using that puzzle. As we approached the door to head home, her children gave my kids the homemade wooden puzzle to take home and put under our tree. Wow.

This became part of our routine each Christmas. We place that puzzle below our tree, and we remember how God gave his Son and how that family gave us all they had as we reached out to them. Eighteen years have passed by and my kids are adults. But we will never forget that special moment in our lives.
—Ken in FL

Very Sensible Marriage Advice. Heheh. :p

I think... That this... Is VERY SENSIBLE advice for marriage. Heheh.