My Natal Day!

Another year has passed. Today I am starting another one. As I look back in the past years of my life, I cannot help but thank the Lord for He has been so good to me. Trials came and yet He never let me down. Blessings have already fallen and He keeps on giving me more. He gave me a chance to rebuild my broken relationship. He sent me people to help me in my ministry. He showed me His mercy when I overcame financial setbacks. And most of all, He made me feel that I am loved as I lived daily by His grace. I have been receiving greetings the whole day and I know there is a lot more to come. God’s love and blessings are so evident in my life. In my family, friends, loved ones, and the people who simply care about me.

Pastors Also Cry!

After my devotional this morning, I plugged my ipod in my audio speaker and listened to my favorite Christian songs. While drinking coffee, the song “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns caught my attention. This song is one of my favorites but I never got a chance to internalize the message of the song not until this morning. I was singing along with the song when I found myself crying. I've never cried that hard before. But as I was singing, tears continued to flow down my eyes. The message of the song really had an impact in my life and I know the lyrics are worth sharing.

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You're

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

I hope this song would leave an impact to whoever may hear or read it. May it touch you just the way it touched my sinful yet open heart. Be blessed!

Leave Everything

Yesterday, after almost two months, I was given a chance to speak before my pastorate. I spoke an exhortation sermon, which is not like my typical sermon and probably one of the reasons why I was a bit hesitant to speak. Nevertheless God worked in me as I was preparing that sermon. I know many would be hit "bull's eye" when I speak. So I asked God to intervene and make my sermon as affectionate as it can be. I prayed that it would be able to leave an impact in someone's life. God has been so gracious to me, he guided me in my come-back sermon and the message was able to move the hearts of the brethren. After the service, I thanked God and gave Him all the credit for everything was due to Him. I know it will also work for you, If you LEAVE EVERYTHING to God and give Him all the credit.

My Laundry Experience!

I woke up this morning at 7 o'clock.I had my devotional and prayed after. Knowing that I have a lot of things to accomplish, I went right away at the back of my house and started washing my clothes. I was pressured to finish it as early as I can. So I poured out all the strength that I have to finish it. After 2 hours, I was able to finish it. When I went back in my house, I felt so exhausted and burned out. Then I realized that I forgot to eat my breakfast. No wander I ran out of energy. I felt that I will not be able to finish my remaining duties of the day. This made me realize that it is really essential for our physical bodies to take some energy by eating breakfast for us to be able to do our whole day tasks.
However, physical nourishment is not enough for us to survive the whole day. We also need spiritual food which is more important. I'm just glad I was able to feed my spiritual body before I started my tasks. One thing I have missed in my laundry experience.

Alone?

Life as a bachelor has a lot of advantages when you are in the ministry. Compared to a family man, it is easier for me to go wherever and whenever my service as a minister is needed. But behind those advantages is the feeling of emptiness that somehow says "I need a companion". There are times when I can't find someone to share my burdens with. I can't share it to anyone in my pastorate neither to my loved ones because I know they look high on me. I am afraid I might disappoint them if they see my weakness. My girlfriend has been away and out of the country for quiet a long time now. I long for her company and for the time when I could call her and share my burdens with her. However, I still believe that God sets a right time for everything. I just have to wait. For now, I might feel empty because I don't have a partner in my ministry, but am I alone? No! My Big Boss is behind me!

The Heart of a Great Pastor!

I have never felt as bored in my ministry as way I got bored these past weeks. I came to a point when I started asking myself again if I am fitted in the ministry. My ministry's momentum began to subside. My everyday routine of giving Bible studies and visitation has become senseless to me. That's why I started to doubt my 'calling' again. A week of sleepless nights began to bother me and eventually made me invisible in some of the church activities. I could hardly find myself strong enough to lead and be zealous enough to encourage the brethren in the services of the church. I just feel disconnected with God and so far from Him. After a week of struggling alone, I began to share my feelings with my mom. It was then that I realized that I have been struggling alone. I have been so fed up with the messages I preach that I have already lost sight of my own spirituality. How could I be a good pastor if I can't minister to myself? How can I push other people to have faith in God if I myself doubt my calling? When I began to realize these, God pointed me on reading some promises in the Bible and gave me a chance to encounter the book entitled "The Heart of a great Pastor". The Bible and this book helped me to regain my confidence in my calling. I'm just glad that God never ceases to remind me and revive me whenever I'm in doubt!