Whew. It's finally over and time to start work on the next one. =D
You know, today I saw God's glory.
I saw His faithfulness and awesome power.
And I saw His people take hold of all that He offered to us and use it to give back to Him.
Seeing the fruits of labor from the faith and dedication of God's people will never cease to amaze me, and even though I am getting recognition I have to admit, that I really didn't have much to do with anything that happened today. haha. I'm not being modest, just honest. God gave me the desire, God gave me the drive, He gave me the patience and the means to do His work while in the process sending me people with similar aspirations.
I can't even begin to put into words how grateful and in awe I am of what has come from the work of this past month, but what I can say is, without a doubt God has revealed Himself to me and has instilled a passion to continue working for Him.
So today, though we performed for our church, for our friends, and for our pastor, we ultimately performed for our God.
And so today is a dedication to Him.
Good Job cast & crew of Fall Into the Arms of Love. God has truly revealed Himself through you.
-aarika
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Philosophy 191: Introduction to Ethics
understanding |ˌəndərˈstandi ng |
noun
• an individual's perception or judgment of a situation
noun
• an individual's perception or judgment of a situation
We are surrounded by towering pillars of moral authorities that sometimes are unanimous in their ideals and sometimes are not. Whether it be, family, church, school, the government, the media, your friends, your enemies, or the books you read, we are bombarded by the ideas and ideals of these influential structures and, more often than most, we concede that they are right.
"But what if you are challenged? What if they are challenged? What does that mean to you?" Professor Moody looked out at my class and simply paced back and forth as the questions were posed, "Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living. Was he on to something there? Or was he crazy. Is a life not examined really worthless? Is that what he meant?"
Now, just a background on Socrates: The oracle in Delphi stated that there was no man wiser than Socrates, which, in short, surprised Socrates so much that he set out to prove the oracle wrong. He knew that there were people out there more intelligent than he was, so the oracle just had to be wrong. But on the course of his mission he encountered men of power and great intellect, interviewing them only to find that, while they did not lack intelligence, they surely lacked wisdom. All these men considered themselves to be right. They lacked tolerance and open-mindedness and could therefore were not open to change. Socrates discovered that the reason why he was wiser than men like these, wasn't because he knew more, but because he knew that he knew nothing.
Wisdom and Intellect are very very different. And Socrates states that true wisdom is knowing that we really don't know that much. And in that, we must know that there is always more to learn and always something to advance to. So, back to the questions:
"What if you are challenged? What if they are challenged? What does that mean to you?"
So the topic of the church and how the constrictions of the church came up. (the most popular example sex outside of marriage. [weird. but ok]) What if you grew up your whole life being told by your church that it is wrong to have sex outside of marriage but someone challenged it. What would you say? What would that mean to you? More importantly: Would you examine what you believe in afterward?
The answer: well there is no definitive answer because the fact of the matter is you make your own choices. BUT, I do believe you should.
For a long time I stood by the reasoning that, "It's what the Bible said. It's what my family taught. So that's what I believe." And I was okay with that. I was fine with just that reasoning, which sadly is probably why the majority of my friends wrote me off as ignorant. But as I got older, I found myself in doubt over some things because I did not understand and also, I could not share the gospel with people I cared about when I did not truly understand. I mean, why would someone want to dedicate their lives to God when I could not even explain why I dedicated my life to him. Sometimes, saying "I believe just because," Just is not enough.
So you should question it. You should do the research not only because an "unexamined life is not worth living" but because in 2 Corinthians it says "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?"
An examination of your beliefs is called for so that you can know if your faith is truly founded upon faith and NOT on habit. So that you can know that you are saved because you truly believe in Jesus Christ's atonement for your sins and not believe it just because you were told. It's important. Because there will be people left behind because they did not know that they truly did not know. (does that make sense?)
Anyway, so if you are challenged, welcome the challenge and find the answers. Maybe you'll learn something new. And even if you end up right where you were at least you went through the process and you have been changed. You have been tested. And you have passed.
I do think that Socrates was on to something when he speaks of this "unexamined life." Is it really worthless? Well, the way I see it, if we do live lives that are left unexamined, lives that are not challenged; not questioned and therefore doomed to stay stagnant then what is it that we live for? If we have no desire to try and understand this life that has been so graciously given to us, then what are we to do for the lifespan?
Sit in an unexamined faith and wait until we are judged and found to be lacking in true faith?
Wow.
That's what I call ignorance.
No. We have to examine ourselves and then, like it says in Mark 16:15 "He said to them, 'Go into the world and preach the good news to all creation'"
Don't stay stagnant. Move forward. And share the gospel. Share what you know.
-aarika
"But what if you are challenged? What if they are challenged? What does that mean to you?" Professor Moody looked out at my class and simply paced back and forth as the questions were posed, "Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living. Was he on to something there? Or was he crazy. Is a life not examined really worthless? Is that what he meant?"
Now, just a background on Socrates: The oracle in Delphi stated that there was no man wiser than Socrates, which, in short, surprised Socrates so much that he set out to prove the oracle wrong. He knew that there were people out there more intelligent than he was, so the oracle just had to be wrong. But on the course of his mission he encountered men of power and great intellect, interviewing them only to find that, while they did not lack intelligence, they surely lacked wisdom. All these men considered themselves to be right. They lacked tolerance and open-mindedness and could therefore were not open to change. Socrates discovered that the reason why he was wiser than men like these, wasn't because he knew more, but because he knew that he knew nothing.
Wisdom and Intellect are very very different. And Socrates states that true wisdom is knowing that we really don't know that much. And in that, we must know that there is always more to learn and always something to advance to. So, back to the questions:
"What if you are challenged? What if they are challenged? What does that mean to you?"
So the topic of the church and how the constrictions of the church came up. (the most popular example sex outside of marriage. [weird. but ok]) What if you grew up your whole life being told by your church that it is wrong to have sex outside of marriage but someone challenged it. What would you say? What would that mean to you? More importantly: Would you examine what you believe in afterward?
The answer: well there is no definitive answer because the fact of the matter is you make your own choices. BUT, I do believe you should.
For a long time I stood by the reasoning that, "It's what the Bible said. It's what my family taught. So that's what I believe." And I was okay with that. I was fine with just that reasoning, which sadly is probably why the majority of my friends wrote me off as ignorant. But as I got older, I found myself in doubt over some things because I did not understand and also, I could not share the gospel with people I cared about when I did not truly understand. I mean, why would someone want to dedicate their lives to God when I could not even explain why I dedicated my life to him. Sometimes, saying "I believe just because," Just is not enough.
So you should question it. You should do the research not only because an "unexamined life is not worth living" but because in 2 Corinthians it says "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?"
An examination of your beliefs is called for so that you can know if your faith is truly founded upon faith and NOT on habit. So that you can know that you are saved because you truly believe in Jesus Christ's atonement for your sins and not believe it just because you were told. It's important. Because there will be people left behind because they did not know that they truly did not know. (does that make sense?)
Anyway, so if you are challenged, welcome the challenge and find the answers. Maybe you'll learn something new. And even if you end up right where you were at least you went through the process and you have been changed. You have been tested. And you have passed.
I do think that Socrates was on to something when he speaks of this "unexamined life." Is it really worthless? Well, the way I see it, if we do live lives that are left unexamined, lives that are not challenged; not questioned and therefore doomed to stay stagnant then what is it that we live for? If we have no desire to try and understand this life that has been so graciously given to us, then what are we to do for the lifespan?
Sit in an unexamined faith and wait until we are judged and found to be lacking in true faith?
Wow.
That's what I call ignorance.
No. We have to examine ourselves and then, like it says in Mark 16:15 "He said to them, 'Go into the world and preach the good news to all creation'"
Don't stay stagnant. Move forward. And share the gospel. Share what you know.
-aarika
Monday, April 20, 2009
My Daddy Nonoy is Home
I can't even remember how long he's been gone for but I do know that we could have lost him.
I think that's what hit me the most last night..er...this morning when I saw him again. The fact that there was a possibility of him...not being around. *sigh* -_-x it was a trip out. But I praise God that he came home safely and looks strangely better than he's ever been. God is faithful to those who are faithful.
But what I find even more amazing is that, regardless of the fact that Daddy Nonoy hasn't been home in over a month and that he had been separated from his family and church. Regardless of the fact that he was sick in a "foreign" country and could have ended up a lot worse off than he is now. Regardless of all of that. His chief concern last night was for Pastor Lubaton and his family who were having trouble at the airport.
A few weeks ago Kuya Joey had said that even though there are so many people who are willing to put Daddy Nonoy's needs and concerns over theirs, Daddy Nonoy is always thinking of others and puts other people's needs and concerns over his. And I was a witness to it last night. It made me realize that, even though Daddy Nonoy looks different and now must be sure to be different so as not to have another brush with death...he is still the same. A ever-faithful servant.
I think that's what hit me the most last night..er...this morning when I saw him again. The fact that there was a possibility of him...not being around. *sigh* -_-x it was a trip out. But I praise God that he came home safely and looks strangely better than he's ever been. God is faithful to those who are faithful.
But what I find even more amazing is that, regardless of the fact that Daddy Nonoy hasn't been home in over a month and that he had been separated from his family and church. Regardless of the fact that he was sick in a "foreign" country and could have ended up a lot worse off than he is now. Regardless of all of that. His chief concern last night was for Pastor Lubaton and his family who were having trouble at the airport.
A few weeks ago Kuya Joey had said that even though there are so many people who are willing to put Daddy Nonoy's needs and concerns over theirs, Daddy Nonoy is always thinking of others and puts other people's needs and concerns over his. And I was a witness to it last night. It made me realize that, even though Daddy Nonoy looks different and now must be sure to be different so as not to have another brush with death...he is still the same. A ever-faithful servant.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
It's Gotta Count for Something Right?
I have been praying for clarity this whole week.
I've been asking God to help me understand and to help me explain.
I've been asking God to help me know what to do; what the right answer is.
And today I felt like I got it. I felt like He answered my prayers.
But what do you do when the answer is something that is found contradictory to those who you rely on?
How do you push through?
I've never been faced the prospect of having a way of thinking that was not the same as my family's. This has never happened before so now I find myself burdened. At odds.
Because how do you stand tall when the people you the love most won't stand with you?
*sigh* I can only take comfort in the fact that...I'm not alone.
God is faithful to those who are faithful.
I've been asking God to help me understand and to help me explain.
I've been asking God to help me know what to do; what the right answer is.
And today I felt like I got it. I felt like He answered my prayers.
But what do you do when the answer is something that is found contradictory to those who you rely on?
How do you push through?
I've never been faced the prospect of having a way of thinking that was not the same as my family's. This has never happened before so now I find myself burdened. At odds.
Because how do you stand tall when the people you the love most won't stand with you?
*sigh* I can only take comfort in the fact that...I'm not alone.
God is faithful to those who are faithful.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
as i fall asleep in class...
i pray for endurance because my government professor is very-very boring.
*sigh* the poor man.
and poor me! gah. what am i going to do if i can't find some sort of stimulus in this class?
*sigh* the poor man.
and poor me! gah. what am i going to do if i can't find some sort of stimulus in this class?
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Chapter One: Finding My Way Home
I stood in front of my Father's office nervous and unsure if I was ready for this.
You see, I had run away from home. I thought that I knew better than my Father and had left, only find out that I was wrong. The world was cruel to me, unwelcoming and, though fun at first, the fun faded away and that's when I got the letter, from one of my siblings, telling me about Jesus. Jesus was my Father's son and I had never really been close to Him, but knew that He was a real good-two shoes. He never did anything wrong. But I found out that after I left, He went to Father and asked to be punished for me. He went in my place and asked for my punishment and Father did it. Father punished Him.
Jesus took the blame for me and when I wrote back asking why, I was told He did it because He wanted to and because He loves me, just like Father does. It was in that moment that realized I didn't want to be bad anymore. I loved Jesus too and I loved Father, but I wasn't doing a very good job of showing that. I had to own up to my responsibility.
So I came back and here I was, in front of my Father's office, wanting to apologize. But my guilt was killing me. What if it was too late?
What if He was angry with me that He didn't want to forgive me?
I gulped. I couldn't think that way, Father had always said that if I knock, his door will open so...I did it. I knocked.
There was no sound at first and I started to panic, feeling my nerves grating on my confidence, when the door slowly opened and a voice called from within. "Come in."
Taking a breath I walked into the room and saw my Father sitting at His desk. He looked up from His work and smiled waving at me to come closer and I obeyed. "You're back" He said to me, though He didn't sound surprised nor smug, as if he expected me to fail in the world. It simply a statement before continuing, "You've been gone a long time. Some of your siblings were convinced you weren't ever coming back."
At this a dropped my gaze, "I know." I muttered, "I'm sorry."
He didn't say anything else in that moment, just came around the table and took me into His arms, like He knew I needed comfort, and gave me a kiss on my forehead, "The important thing," He said, "Is that you are here now. Why did you come back?" I pulled away from Him and sighed, feeling my guilt coming back, but, none the less, prepared myself to say what I needed to be said.
"I heard what Jesus did for me and it made me realize that I don't want to be bad anymore and I don't want to fight you anymore. I've missed you. I want to spend more time with you and I'm so sorry for all the things that I've done. Please can you ever forgive me?"
I winced back almost preparing myself for Him to get angry and refuse, but no such thing came. Instead I felt Him take hold of my hand and bring my gaze back to Him. He was smiling. In fact He looked really really happy and nodded, "Yes, I forgive you. All you had to do was ask." I was blown away. It was that easy? That was all I had to do? "But...aren't you going to punish me too?" He pulled me into His arms once again and sighed, "No, Jesus took the punishment so that you wouldn't have to."
At this I looked up at him, "So that's...it?"
And He nodded, "That's it. You have been spared and forgiven." With that He took my face in His hands and I felt myself overwhelmed by emotion. Tears ran down my face as He wiped them away and whispered, "No more tears. No more crying. Today is a day of celebration because you have finally been found."
I nodded and gripped Him back saying to Him "I love you. I do. I love you so much." And as He hugged me again I stood there, relishing in the fact that I was here with Him in my home. "I love you too," He said to me, "And I've been waiting for you to come home"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus took the blame for me and He took the blame for you. We deserved a punishment worse than death and instead we are given life in Heaven with God. There is no fine print. There is no catch. There is just sacrifice given for our sake so that we won't have to pay the price. Our God is a loving and just God who wants you to come home. But you have to find the strength and the courage to do so or else you'll be forever lost.
-penman
You see, I had run away from home. I thought that I knew better than my Father and had left, only find out that I was wrong. The world was cruel to me, unwelcoming and, though fun at first, the fun faded away and that's when I got the letter, from one of my siblings, telling me about Jesus. Jesus was my Father's son and I had never really been close to Him, but knew that He was a real good-two shoes. He never did anything wrong. But I found out that after I left, He went to Father and asked to be punished for me. He went in my place and asked for my punishment and Father did it. Father punished Him.
Jesus took the blame for me and when I wrote back asking why, I was told He did it because He wanted to and because He loves me, just like Father does. It was in that moment that realized I didn't want to be bad anymore. I loved Jesus too and I loved Father, but I wasn't doing a very good job of showing that. I had to own up to my responsibility.
So I came back and here I was, in front of my Father's office, wanting to apologize. But my guilt was killing me. What if it was too late?
What if He was angry with me that He didn't want to forgive me?
I gulped. I couldn't think that way, Father had always said that if I knock, his door will open so...I did it. I knocked.
There was no sound at first and I started to panic, feeling my nerves grating on my confidence, when the door slowly opened and a voice called from within. "Come in."
Taking a breath I walked into the room and saw my Father sitting at His desk. He looked up from His work and smiled waving at me to come closer and I obeyed. "You're back" He said to me, though He didn't sound surprised nor smug, as if he expected me to fail in the world. It simply a statement before continuing, "You've been gone a long time. Some of your siblings were convinced you weren't ever coming back."
At this a dropped my gaze, "I know." I muttered, "I'm sorry."
He didn't say anything else in that moment, just came around the table and took me into His arms, like He knew I needed comfort, and gave me a kiss on my forehead, "The important thing," He said, "Is that you are here now. Why did you come back?" I pulled away from Him and sighed, feeling my guilt coming back, but, none the less, prepared myself to say what I needed to be said.
"I heard what Jesus did for me and it made me realize that I don't want to be bad anymore and I don't want to fight you anymore. I've missed you. I want to spend more time with you and I'm so sorry for all the things that I've done. Please can you ever forgive me?"
I winced back almost preparing myself for Him to get angry and refuse, but no such thing came. Instead I felt Him take hold of my hand and bring my gaze back to Him. He was smiling. In fact He looked really really happy and nodded, "Yes, I forgive you. All you had to do was ask." I was blown away. It was that easy? That was all I had to do? "But...aren't you going to punish me too?" He pulled me into His arms once again and sighed, "No, Jesus took the punishment so that you wouldn't have to."
At this I looked up at him, "So that's...it?"
And He nodded, "That's it. You have been spared and forgiven." With that He took my face in His hands and I felt myself overwhelmed by emotion. Tears ran down my face as He wiped them away and whispered, "No more tears. No more crying. Today is a day of celebration because you have finally been found."
I nodded and gripped Him back saying to Him "I love you. I do. I love you so much." And as He hugged me again I stood there, relishing in the fact that I was here with Him in my home. "I love you too," He said to me, "And I've been waiting for you to come home"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus took the blame for me and He took the blame for you. We deserved a punishment worse than death and instead we are given life in Heaven with God. There is no fine print. There is no catch. There is just sacrifice given for our sake so that we won't have to pay the price. Our God is a loving and just God who wants you to come home. But you have to find the strength and the courage to do so or else you'll be forever lost.
-penman
Monday, April 13, 2009
Empty Me
EMPTY ME - By Chris Sligh
I've had just enough of the spotlight
When it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood
And I've tasted my share
Of the sweet life
And the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough
I know how i can stray
And how fast my heart could change
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So i can be
Filled with you
Ive seen just enough of the quick buys
Of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Filled with you
Cuz everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you
Compared to you
Cuz everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you
So I surrender all
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Filled with you.
Filled with you
Empty me
I've had just enough of the spotlight
When it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood
And I've tasted my share
Of the sweet life
And the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough
I know how i can stray
And how fast my heart could change
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So i can be
Filled with you
Ive seen just enough of the quick buys
Of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Filled with you
Cuz everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you
Compared to you
Cuz everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you
So I surrender all
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Filled with you.
Filled with you
Empty me
I have been extremely blessed by this song and have realized that Chris Sligh is my ultimate American Idol. Haha. You know I struggle with sin every moment of every day just as all people do and I give in a lot more often than I want to. I stumble and I fall and I cry out to God because I don't understand why I don't stop myself. Even in the sin I am so unhappy and I know it's wrong and I want to stop but I don't because some part of me, the very human part of wants to keep going. The last few months I've felt as if God is working in my life the way I've always been praying for. It's taken a while to get to this point but God has sustained me and He's shown me that I'm getting closer and closer to Him. I praise God for being faithful to me and my prayer. I praise Him for always being there and not being the distant one, but instead showing me how distant I have been.
When I first heard this song I knew that it was one that would never get old. This is my constant prayer for God to empty me of my selfishness and my sin so that I can be filled with the Holy Spirit and His abounding grace.
Everything is a lesser thing compared to Him. And I surrender all.
-penman
When I first heard this song I knew that it was one that would never get old. This is my constant prayer for God to empty me of my selfishness and my sin so that I can be filled with the Holy Spirit and His abounding grace.
Everything is a lesser thing compared to Him. And I surrender all.
-penman
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Recap on Easter Weekend:
So we'll move backwards:
April 12th, 2009
Easter Sunday. I went to work this morning but found myself extremely anxious to get home and straight to church. Something about the few days before just made it all the more sweeter to be around God-centered people. I was very imporessed with the choir and their presentation. I think Uncle Tony, Chloe, and Kuya Rommel do so much that goes so unnoticed sometimes, but today it made a statement about our sound and projection crew.
They are fantastic.
After service I sadly could not stay and hang out though i made a point to say goodbye to everyone and encourage some new comers that I had met on Friday to keep coming back. There is a family element at CFBC that I would never trade in the world, but even still my own family called.
The Alura side is one that I don't see very often but it's always amazing to be around them when I get the chance. My Aunts are always interested in what's been going on and I'm more than willing to tell them. Their enthusiasm is real and genuine which makes it easy to open up. I praise God for giving me a church family and a real family that I can really relate to and that keep me feeling blessed and loved. I know that there are so many who barely have a biological family...and look at me. I have both. God is so good.
April 11th, 2009
Work and then straight to the funeral. I don't like funerals...they stir up feelings that get you really stressed out and they end up staying with you the whole day, but being with my family was nice. Seeing everyone and hearing about Papa through Ate Lyn. I just wished I wasn't so stressed out by rehearsal. At first I was kinda anxious because I knew a lot of people weren't going to be there and that we had a lot to discuss but I think we did a lot. My only concern is that...not everyone is happy. And I hate it...but you can't change that. Not everyone is going to be happy. I just pray that we continue to focus on God's will.
To move on in the day, I got to talk to Ian which was nice, it was a chance to pick at his brain which is always fun, but it was also an insight. Then went to Kuya Mike's party and enjoyed myself. I love my youth group. It's hard when you live so far away to relate to a youth group, especially when you don't know a lot of them but I feel the gap slowly being bridged. Thank God for cars. haha But even still I learned that there were a lot of things that took place between the tenth and the eleventh. Some amazingly good....some...incredibly disappointing but if I've learned anything from the past few months it's that God is in control and that brings me to the beginning of my weekend. The incredibly large bright spot in my weekend. The premiere of Fall into The Arms of Love.
April 10th, 2009
I was nervous. I'm not gonna lie. There were so many things that were running through my mind that I could barely think straight but....God pulled me through.
He pulled us all through.
I never had any doubt of how amazing the performance would be or how proud I was of each and every one who took part in it, but...I was nervous about if I had done enough. If I had been enough.
And that's when I realized, in watching and listening to the words that Joanna, Eric, EJ, Derek, Kristine, and Lydia were saying that it wasn't up to me. Moreover, it wasn't about me. It was all about God and the important thing to remember is that God is enough. He is more than enough, especially to sustain through everything, including this musical.
To be honest I was too close to the whole performance to judge it from any kind of critical point of view but I was proud and I felt God's presence the whole time. That's all I needed to know and that's all I cared about. Even if it wasn't openly declared by the entire audience that God was working in their lives at that very moment I knew He was working in mine and I could see that He was working in each person part of the cast and crew. I saw it in Kristine's conviction and Joanna's sincerity. I saw in EJ's eyes and Lydia's honesty and commitment to her character, I even saw in Derek and Eric's improvisation. It was there and I truly believed every word they said even though I had heard it ten billion times.
Joanna said it best I think when she said "Hearing the Gospel never gets old." And it's true because the Gospel is never old. It is forever renewed and never fades away with time. It is the one honest truth in this world and I had never felt so blessed. I HAVE never felt so blessed.
I sometimes think I was crazy to have pushed so hard for this musical...but how can I continue with such a thought when these were the results? God has the will and perfect timing for everything and I will never ever doubt that.
Till next time
-penman scribe
April 12th, 2009
Easter Sunday. I went to work this morning but found myself extremely anxious to get home and straight to church. Something about the few days before just made it all the more sweeter to be around God-centered people. I was very imporessed with the choir and their presentation. I think Uncle Tony, Chloe, and Kuya Rommel do so much that goes so unnoticed sometimes, but today it made a statement about our sound and projection crew.
They are fantastic.
After service I sadly could not stay and hang out though i made a point to say goodbye to everyone and encourage some new comers that I had met on Friday to keep coming back. There is a family element at CFBC that I would never trade in the world, but even still my own family called.
The Alura side is one that I don't see very often but it's always amazing to be around them when I get the chance. My Aunts are always interested in what's been going on and I'm more than willing to tell them. Their enthusiasm is real and genuine which makes it easy to open up. I praise God for giving me a church family and a real family that I can really relate to and that keep me feeling blessed and loved. I know that there are so many who barely have a biological family...and look at me. I have both. God is so good.
April 11th, 2009
Work and then straight to the funeral. I don't like funerals...they stir up feelings that get you really stressed out and they end up staying with you the whole day, but being with my family was nice. Seeing everyone and hearing about Papa through Ate Lyn. I just wished I wasn't so stressed out by rehearsal. At first I was kinda anxious because I knew a lot of people weren't going to be there and that we had a lot to discuss but I think we did a lot. My only concern is that...not everyone is happy. And I hate it...but you can't change that. Not everyone is going to be happy. I just pray that we continue to focus on God's will.
To move on in the day, I got to talk to Ian which was nice, it was a chance to pick at his brain which is always fun, but it was also an insight. Then went to Kuya Mike's party and enjoyed myself. I love my youth group. It's hard when you live so far away to relate to a youth group, especially when you don't know a lot of them but I feel the gap slowly being bridged. Thank God for cars. haha But even still I learned that there were a lot of things that took place between the tenth and the eleventh. Some amazingly good....some...incredibly disappointing but if I've learned anything from the past few months it's that God is in control and that brings me to the beginning of my weekend. The incredibly large bright spot in my weekend. The premiere of Fall into The Arms of Love.
April 10th, 2009
I was nervous. I'm not gonna lie. There were so many things that were running through my mind that I could barely think straight but....God pulled me through.
He pulled us all through.
I never had any doubt of how amazing the performance would be or how proud I was of each and every one who took part in it, but...I was nervous about if I had done enough. If I had been enough.
And that's when I realized, in watching and listening to the words that Joanna, Eric, EJ, Derek, Kristine, and Lydia were saying that it wasn't up to me. Moreover, it wasn't about me. It was all about God and the important thing to remember is that God is enough. He is more than enough, especially to sustain through everything, including this musical.
To be honest I was too close to the whole performance to judge it from any kind of critical point of view but I was proud and I felt God's presence the whole time. That's all I needed to know and that's all I cared about. Even if it wasn't openly declared by the entire audience that God was working in their lives at that very moment I knew He was working in mine and I could see that He was working in each person part of the cast and crew. I saw it in Kristine's conviction and Joanna's sincerity. I saw in EJ's eyes and Lydia's honesty and commitment to her character, I even saw in Derek and Eric's improvisation. It was there and I truly believed every word they said even though I had heard it ten billion times.
Joanna said it best I think when she said "Hearing the Gospel never gets old." And it's true because the Gospel is never old. It is forever renewed and never fades away with time. It is the one honest truth in this world and I had never felt so blessed. I HAVE never felt so blessed.
I sometimes think I was crazy to have pushed so hard for this musical...but how can I continue with such a thought when these were the results? God has the will and perfect timing for everything and I will never ever doubt that.
Till next time
-penman scribe
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Spring Quarter First Impression
So school started on April 7, 2009 and this quarter I have classes on Tuesday and Thursday
yeah....i know. Two days of school, sounds like heaven. Haha.
But anyway, it looks like it's going to be a very good quarter.
PHIL 191 --> Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am-11:50am
I haven't met Professor Moody personally yet because he was apparently ill the first day of class but...that's okay. His website makes him out to be quite a character. We shall see how that goes.
CHEM 105 --> Tuesdays and Thursdays 12pm-12:50pm
Professor Bell is hilarious. She's laid back and a little loopy, but those teachers are always my favorite kind. Maybe chemistry isn't going to be as bad as I remember. Plus, it's only two units.
PSCI 203 --> Tuesdays and Thursdays 2pm-3:50pm
Professor Miriam is a little dry, but at least I'm not alone. He seems like a really nice guy but he's got one of those voices that is really REALLY easy to tune out. Pray that that doesn't happen very often.
HIST 200 --> Tuesdays and Thursdays 4pm-5:50pm
Professor Lindsay is intense. She's very straight forward and rather passionate about her subject, but I can dig it. She's a no-nonsense kind of person but at the same time she's got that dry British humor that I can appreciate.
KINE 205 --> Thursdays 8am-9:50am
Professor Sullivan apparently teaches Kick boxing and seems very laid back. Plus it's a big auditorium class which makes me feel a whole lot better than the classroom setting classes do.
Overall I can look on the next ten weeks with some kind of enthusiasm. Pray that that doesn't go away. =P
yeah....i know. Two days of school, sounds like heaven. Haha.
But anyway, it looks like it's going to be a very good quarter.
PHIL 191 --> Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am-11:50am
I haven't met Professor Moody personally yet because he was apparently ill the first day of class but...that's okay. His website makes him out to be quite a character. We shall see how that goes.
CHEM 105 --> Tuesdays and Thursdays 12pm-12:50pm
Professor Bell is hilarious. She's laid back and a little loopy, but those teachers are always my favorite kind. Maybe chemistry isn't going to be as bad as I remember. Plus, it's only two units.
PSCI 203 --> Tuesdays and Thursdays 2pm-3:50pm
Professor Miriam is a little dry, but at least I'm not alone. He seems like a really nice guy but he's got one of those voices that is really REALLY easy to tune out. Pray that that doesn't happen very often.
HIST 200 --> Tuesdays and Thursdays 4pm-5:50pm
Professor Lindsay is intense. She's very straight forward and rather passionate about her subject, but I can dig it. She's a no-nonsense kind of person but at the same time she's got that dry British humor that I can appreciate.
KINE 205 --> Thursdays 8am-9:50am
Professor Sullivan apparently teaches Kick boxing and seems very laid back. Plus it's a big auditorium class which makes me feel a whole lot better than the classroom setting classes do.
Overall I can look on the next ten weeks with some kind of enthusiasm. Pray that that doesn't go away. =P
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