Reminiscing Ate Rosie

 I reminisce the times with Ate Rosie...she had a great part in our life here in America. We met her in Ate Edna's place when ate Reyna invited us. I remember her quiet demeanor, kind and smiling face when we have bible fellowship at Ate Edna's place. I remember the gift she gave us on one of the Christmas we spent here, a simple but beautiful ceramic fruit stand with salt and pepper shaker and Andy also still keeps a black wool formal jacket that he keeps on wearing every winter time. She was the avenue that Andy had his first formal job here. My husband have fondness of her and I recall my husband's pure intention of giving a motorcycle he won at our church so her kids will be able to have a ride to work...that turned to cash as a down payment for a vehicle they bought. She and her kids came to visit our church as a result where her kids professed acceptance of salvation through Christ. Then I did had a chance to talk to her about Christ's salvation and showed her through the scriptures God's atonement for her sins and His gift of salvation which she willingly and readily prayed to ask from Christ and His Lordship in her life. Sure is, I don't

Ate Rosie on the left side 

Ate Rosie on the left side of Andy

Andy in between Ate Rosie's sons

Andy's boss introduced by Ate Rosie

know what transpired in her soul and spirit at that time until the last moments I had with her in the hospital...I asked her of her assurance of the Lord's salvation and in affirmation she smiled and nodded...then prior to going, I asked her if she wants us to bring anything...that simple request was an apple...so me and Andy readily went out to look for such, came back to her room and handed the fruit...I saw her smell the fruit with such avidness and pleasure (she is not allowed to eat solids)...thinking back...it brings tears to my eyes a lesson from the scene of it...the gratefulness exhibited for the satisfaction of simple pleasures of life that we fail to appreciate daily...the daily graces we receive from the Lord are bountiful...even of this...the smell of an apple...which we often become oblivious until we are deprived of it. Thinking of all these, I appreciate the purposes our Lord placed in the life of Ate Rosie and her influence in our life. How the Lord has intertwined our lives with her though our coming together are not as oft. She was used by the Lord to bless us with all the kindness she brought to our lives. I am grateful for the Lord for our privilege to know her and surely though we have not been together as often here, we look forward to seeing her in the heavenlies where the Lord gathers all His own...and as we journey here, Ate Rosie, cheer us on you know better of the great promises God has in store for His children! Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

When we walk in faith, God walks us through an adventure that makes us wonder about His awesome wisdom and purposes! by Maria Katharine (Notes) on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 7:07pm

This soul woke up early this morning as her manner is during workdays. Yet, this is always an unwelcome habit for her specially on a Saturday because of her flesh craving for more rest. Nonetheless, she did wake up and commune with her Saviour. Seeing that there is more time after that, she went back to sleep. She felt her feet dragging then and fleetingly thinking, is it good to go out there to visit people? Ahh! Should she even ask such a question when she is "bought with a price" and that "She is not her own"...She is a "doulos" if she claim Christ...though she act out in her will, it does not change the fact that she gave herself up to the Saviour...she is His. Yet,  She found all the excuses in the world that one can think of which apparently the enemy's subtle moving so she can get off from her accountability of sharing the gospel of Christ. Her mind keeps on battling between the urgency of the salvation message and the urgency of her flesh desire to just rest, relax, do things that her earthly works demand or just be slothful on a beautiful Saturday as this. It brings to mind the fact that her enemy who is more vigilant in "seeking whom he may devour" works in this kind of scenario among the lives of Christians. Whisphering in ears who slothfully cruises through life, not paying attention and having ears but choosing not to listen to the Spirit's call...Even up to the last minute...there is still this excuse of being late...then when at the church, "there is no one here." "How the enemy brings her thoughts of turning around up to the last minute!" Yet, God has given strength since that time that her family pulled off the garage and asked God's presence, leading and mighty work to go forth in this work. And so she did go out and visited with her sweet friend, a great Christian lady in her old age but still willing to be used. Her kids went with the youth pastors to share the gospel as well. Along the course of their journey to the homes assigned. She recalls that the enemy has tried to let them almost give up in locating the apartment of this family. She did not realized that the address only have an apartment building which they can not locate...till she and her friend pulled to a leasing office to ask. She went in and asked two people in the office. They readily pointed the building right off the window. Then they ask her what apartment number, and she said she do not have that information. The woman in the office said to her, "Don't you know that there are like 16 apartments in that building?!" She was surprised about her dillemma until she asked if they know the name of the person she is looking for. And, surely God was amazing because they know the person she is looking for. That was God's guidance...she knows at the back of her mind! She and her friend went and knocked on the door of the apartment. They were able to visit the two persons they are supposed to talk to. At the end of their apartment, she happen to see a girl in her early teens. The girl's name is Shayna. She was given permission to talk to her about God's plan of salvation through the scriptures. "Shayna is a fruit ripe for harvest", she discerned. When she was showing Shayna scriptures, she noticed that Shayna is a person ready to take what God's word is saying to her. Then with the invitation to accept Christ as Saviour and Lord, Shayna prayed herself to the Lord to receive Christ and His gift of salvation. At that point, the Lord revealed to her soul all the reasons why she is to go out today...the Lord help her through with her friend to go out, give out the gospel for a soul whom God has prepared to be harvested today and see how God's divine directions led them through this experience. God is marvelous in revealing himself in wonderful ways beyond human comprehension! Glory be to God!

More than amazing love!

The day has been full of God's miraculous doings. Getting up this morning was so pleasant. Immersing one's self in the truthfulness of the Lord's words and basking in His love overwhelms this heart. Then having the ability to see His goodness in the supplies of needs and wants made this soul a royalty. Needless to say that nothing is ever deserved from such goodness, such mercies and graces for who does? Merely a creature made of dust with borrowed breath from the Creator's touch, made to enjoy the fullness of His sustenance not only physically but in such realms as the soul and spirit! What love? Such amazing love? Indeed...such a wonderful love! More is that to a sinner as this soul, in rebellion to His wonderful love...yet, He took in His own the redemption of this poor sinful soul from the depths of hell and bought it with His own blood! Royalty Himself coming down from glorious heaven above, Holiness coming down to reach out to a hell-bound soul! Amazing!?...surely as the song says, "It's more than amazing..." and will there a better word for such love...for "amazing" falls short of it!...

As the day progressed, all around is a manifestation of the infinite goodness of God to mankind. So patient has He been waiting for men to accept His invitation of love. And if you were like this soul when that first experience of falling in love has brought rosy things around caused one to blush...so it should have been to creatures like us to respond to the everyday manifestations of God's love to us. If we but pause and see creation's message of such love...for it is written all around us...like a message waiting to be read...to be reflected upon...if we but keep silent and commune with our hearts to the Lord...is He so very eager to reveal Himself...the embodiment of LOVE and TRUTH! 
Oh Lord, let this soul know even more the height and depth of Your wonderful love...yet, of it all unfathomable! Thanks Lord!

The Bitter Truth

I was caught off guard when I saw flashing lights on the overhead mirror of my van. I just had a fun time with my kids getting grocery items for the week. It was a quick drive to Walmart after work. I felt tired and not wanting to get out among other reasons. Yet, I managed to say yes to my kids since they need snacks the following day for a field trip that they are excited to go to. Besides, I missed their company after a long day's work. 

Once we are finished buying all the items we needed, I oriented my kids about who will organize the items. I gave them their specific responsibilities prior to driving out from Walmart's parking lot. The kids are conversing to each other as I drive. I switched on the radio and listened to our favorite Christian station.

As I drove, my thoughts were about things on the Christian station, it was an account of Mary when the Lord Jesus rose from the grave. She went to the gravesite and was crying looking for Jesus. Then a man asked her who is she looking for. She answered that it was Jesus. She did not realize that Jesus was the one talking to her. Because she was engrossed in her despair of not seeing her Master, she did not sense that the man speaking to her was Jesus, the Master Himself. And I thought to myself, that is the same way I have responded to hard moments in my life. I search for my Lord and rush with my might to look for Him, when in fact, the still small voice is talking to me. It was a great scene to note that Jesus called her by her name and said, "Mary." What a very personal call and Mary recognized and responded to her Master with delight. I prayed to the Lord at that moment. I asked Him for me to recognize and respond to Him better. I told Him that I want to respond so well to His presence.

Well, I kept on driving. I know that am not overspeeding at all nor in any driving violation of sorts. Until I was caught off guard when I saw flashing lights on the overhead mirror of my van. I said "Oh no!" My kids thought I was overspeeding. I said "I don't think I am since we just turned to a 25mph area." I pulled over to the road side and I told my kids to pray. Then, the officer came up. He asked me if I know why I got pulled. I told him I don't know. I know that I have not been overspeeding at all. I told him that I just took out my kids to buy things they need. He said my violation was that my tail and headlights are not on. To my dismay, yes they are not lighted at all since the place we drove to was very much well lit but it was night time already. During the conversation, my kids were very good, all of them were so quiet. Well, he asked for my insurance and my driver's license which I handed over. He went back to his police car. I told my kids to keep on praying and I did pray hoping only for a warning ticket. After a few minutes of waiting, he came back and explained to me a violation ticket (to my dismay in my thoughts) and how I should pay for it before the deadline or to appear before the court. I asked him some questions and he handed me the ticket and I drove off. On my way home, me and my kids were conversing about the situation. In my mind, am trying to find all the blame I can give to what brought me to this situation. Yet, I have exhausted everything I can put the blame on. However, I came to one conclusion. The bitter truth is that, I did violate the driving laws by not switching on my lights. I can say that the road is well lit up, that my kids just want some things to buy, that my husband should have drove them to the grocery, that in the first place I am not suppose to be out since am tired and all the reasons I can think of to be free from the penalty. But no matter how I say all of these, the truth is, I did violate the law.

From that situation, I came to think about the coming judgment of man under the Almighty God. The gospel has been preached about the Lord Jesus being the Saviour of our sins and even nature itself declares God making no one exempted from acknowledging His authority over man. The bitter truth will soon come for people who does not acknowledge the Lordship of God and for not accepting His sacrifice to pay for their sins. They will be penalize and go to eternal damnation. All rationalizations, blames and hate for this just penalty over sinful man will live on in that eternal place called hell. It will be a place full of hate, the sense of guilt that furrows the innermost beings of men, the absence of rest from the blames of one's conscience will be eternal. People blaming people in hell who has something to do with all the sins they have committed which aggravates their penalty in that place. The pleas for mercy will be wailed and shouted...yet, the bitter truth prevails. A violation of the holiness of God needs justice.   

Yes, only until I settle the violation will I be allowed to continue using my license to drive. To settle the violation, there was a deadline given to me. If it gets settled before the deadline, I can drive again. I can also plea for mercy if I choose to appear in court.

The fact is, man needs to settle the sin violation. The great truth is, the Lord Jesus settled the payment of that violation when He died on the cross for our sins. But, we need to acknowledge Him to settle it. If we don't, we will soon settle the violation ourselves in eternal damnation in hell. If we let Him pay it, we are free. If not, the sad truth is, once the deadline is done...eternal condemnation sets in...don't let it pass, Jesus paid the sin penalty...won't you have Him as your Saviour today?!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Brethren at the Pews of High Street Baptist Church

Today is the 43rd Anniversary of High Street Baptist Church! Whenever I think of the 4th decade, it connotes a level of maturity. The first years mark the zealousness of new babes in Christ grounded on the solid grasp of believing the all sufficient work of the Lord. Such zealousness passes through tests that shake this foundational ground. It is characterized by enormous miracles from Christ's inward work in the believer. That of having a clear spiritual insight of God's truths falling in the puzzle...so simple yet so profound marks this new believer who once was an alien to the simplicity of the gospel. That which is of the natural mind is converted to have a mind of spiritual things. The hunger for milk grows as the believer feeds on God's Holy Words. Communing with the Saviour is as natural as one's breathing...spontaneous, informal and non-pretentious. Every word that comes out is a voice that resounds heaven's gift...that of the Saviour. Always so eager to proclaim the nobility of Christ's redemptive power over the believer's life. Realities of the believer's frailties ensue. A battle that goes on is sensed that this new life has in store. Sin is still as real as the hope of Heaven. The Holy Spirit working in the believer's heart whenever he fails in the snare of the enemy. It feels so different before his new birth when he fails. There is a string that pulls him back to call upon Christ who is his Saviour. Christ's grace always present wherever he turns. Such graces can not be shrugged away. It pulls the believer back to those arms that embraces him time and time again to a love that never fails. And yes, there are battles that goes on and on. The believer can be marked by scars of failures caused by eyes that wander away from the Saviour. Yet, through it all, God's own is embraced by His unfailing love...He can not disown a child of His...and yes, through it all, God does reclaim His own...and the believer praises the Saviour all the more..."All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Yes, it is the 43rd Anniversary of High Street Baptist Church! God led us to this wonderful church after a desperate plea of where He wants our family to be. Indeed, we found a gem in a very odd place. Years back, the building was so visible to us but we missed the road on how to get to it! Nonetheless, we went there one December 2006 service. Surprised about the representation of people of different years of life has been a rare sight after searching churches around the city of Columbus. People converses with each other and the social dynamics was something we are not used to. But indeed, the shaking of hands left an impression of friendliness to foreigners like us. Yet more than that, we are more interested in knowing the fundamental doctrines that the church stands for and the biblical basis of faith and practice are what we are looking for. Next to that was our interest in the Christian School. The Lord put everything into place after we conversed with some people of the church. We continued on visiting the church. At which point, we have decided to close on a house so our lives will revolve on this new church. And the kids started to go to the Christian School. The church is filled with different "recipes of preaching" from preachers all over the country. This side of the world made us understand the work of our missionary pastor whose ministry has been an avenue for the gospel to be preached and for us to be saved. Being more appreciative of how America has played a great role in evangelizing our country with the gospel, supporting missionary work and most specially, through such, Christ's redemptive power became true in our lives.

Of all these, the best in High Street Baptist Church are real people whose examples touch and continues to touch our lives.

Bro. Tom Bernacki is the principal of our kids. We have never known such a meek and amiable man. His testimony to us is that of faithfulness and love for his work in the Christian School. He has left a mark in the heart of our kids.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore's testimony is that of an ideal Christian family whose faith was faithfully passed on to their children; all of which are faithful workers in Christ's kingdom and are building the next generation.

Molly Carlisle is a woman of God's miraculous touch. A life that has been full of the world's marks but turned around into a woman touched by God's mercies, graces and love. One of the sweetest Christian ladies that I have ever known.

Ruth Harden's testimony is that of love...an agape love move into action...faithful, constant, humble and sweet!

Lou Anne and Doug are silent workers...whose ministry is that of handshakes and encouragement. Unsung heroes who touches lives by simple ways.

Mrs. Morgan is an epitome of a faithful Christian widow...constantly serving and keeping on in the pursuit of the gospel.

Mr and Mrs Frink are deaf people whose faith was shaken but remained steadfast before our eyes. Resting and just trusting in the hands of God. Such an encouragement to know these people.

And there are more...as we cast our eyes on the examples before us...such a privilege to be encouraged by the faithfulness of our brethren at the pews of High Street Baptist Church!...To God be the Glory HSBC!

Sam, 17 Years of God's Blessings, Graces and Mercies

Thoughts of yearning engulf her soul. She gazes up longing for answers from whence cometh her help but from Above. Who else will she place her hope but from the "Great I Am..."...the God of Heaven and Earth...will He stay silent? His word assures her that He neither sleeps nor slumbers...neither will He forsake forever...not in any merit she has for there is none...her filthy rags are all laid down so is the deceitfulness of her heart...she is importunate despite...for she depends upon the One who is Righteousness Himself, Him who is mercy and grace...who promised His steadfast love...and that goodness and mercy will follow her all the days of her life despite of her humanly circumstances...for she said, "Yet, I will still hope in Him..."...and truly He did and He is....Then...SAM...her firstborn was an answer she patiently waited for from the 'GREAT I AM"...she thought that the Lord will not look upon her...yet He did!

Sam is a gift...the news about him being conceived in her womb was a miracle! She had thought and hoped for him even when he is not yet...the ultrasound revealed a silhouette of a baby...Yes! He is definitely a boy...didn't she ask that exactly from the Lord! The months of conception was full of anticipation...until, 6 weeks earlier than her expected date...she had labor pains...then bleeding ensued...the Doctors tried to prevent early contractions yet it is his time to come out to this world...and he did...Sam's first cry was such a joyful announcement to his parents...a miracle indeed! ...Sam being a preemie had respiratory distress syndrome though...He was placed in the high risk nursery for close observation and placed on CPAP machine...her mom, though exhausted from labor came to be near him on his first day of life...crying before the Lord and constantly praying for his recovery was now her sighs as she stays with her newborn...Sam, indeed, was a fighter...he pushes the CPAP just trying to communicate that he can be without it...it was an agonizing night for mom and son...yet, even before the first 24 hours came to a close...he was released to stay with mom...He stayed in the hospital for a week and had all the pains he can experience at an early life due to procedures that he needs to go through...but God was indeed merciful...he came about as healthy as a normal baby...

Sam, is truly a survivor...he never let up though he can be quiet. As a boy, he is as curious as he can be...his wrinkled forehead when he was little always attest to his questions about phenomenon that happens around him. His inclination to toys that requires logical patterns and creativity engrosses him. His analytical ability is so eminent at a young age. He has learned his letters so early that he learned to read during his early months at three years. He designed and built his Lego blocks without guidance. His consuming desire to unravel his toys out of curiosity of what makes them work was there. As early as 2 years old, he can open the first Mac computer he was ever exposed to and put the folders in a mess trying to figure out the why's of what he is seeing. Sam is a boy who loves cartoons. He joyfully chuckles and laughs so easily though to some he may appear so serious. His wit can only be discovered when you read his writings, when you see him create his own games. At first, you may think of him as a young man who is so naive...he can be...but when you dig deeper, he is more than that...he has been endowed by God with such prowess...which he in himself knows he must use to bring glory to his Creator. Yes, Sam today will be 17 years of age...still a young boy in his mom and dad's eyes. Yet, God is molding him to be the man he is intended to be to fulfill His glory! Yes, there is dross from here to there to take out. Yes, there are bents and ways that need to be straightened. Yes, there are innate motives to be aligned. Yet, Christ will perform it in His time to mold this young man to that purpose! ...and, his parents will continually pray for him and love him like the baby they have ever longed to ask from their Savior! SAM "Anak", BLESSED 17th BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Mom and Dad

Fishers of Men

Fishing is an activity that I only tried just a few times. I remember going home to my grandma's place where me and my cousins who are experts in fishing took me out to fish. It looks so easy for them to catch fish and so I ask them to let me. Well they did. But it took a lot of coaching and helping before I was able to catch one which made me so happy.

Fishing men is quite an experience as well. You get in contact with different kinds of people along the way. In the past quarter of months of fishing men, it is interesting to note several kinds of people.

The first group are those who are hard to bite the bait of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Most of these people have common responses. The responses are they already have a church, they do not believe in the Bible, they are busy with different activities, they are atheists, agnostics, were offended by wayward Christians, they have no time, they are not accepted by certain denominations because of their sexual orientations, they have their own book of religion, or they just want to engage you in a conversation but their minds are not open to what they will hear. No wonder the Lord stated in the Bible that "...as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark." Matthew 24:37-38 (Genesis 6-7). People are just engaged in the daily grind of life and are distracted by the things of this life in order not to think about the state and destiny of their soul in light of eternity.

The second group of people are those who are well-fed by the gospel of Christ. They have taken the bait and are caught in His family. They are awesome encouragers along the way and are also encouraged when they see Christians fishing men for Christ.

The third group of people are those who are caught by the Spirit of God. They are drawn to listen intently on God's word. The evidence of hunger for truth are remarkable and are taken by the bait of the gospel of Christ. Often, the fishers of men are the one surprised when catching these people. It is a miracle in time. The fishers are given such joy because of the guidance of the Spirit in enlightening these men to come to understanding and accepting the gospel. And surely, at that point, there is no audible rejoicing besides the new creature and the witness. Yet, "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which needs no repentance."

Surely, it is a great privilege to let the Lord use broken vessels as His instruments to fish men to Him. Yet, the broken vessels testify of their imperfections that their Maker who made them whole will have ALL THE PREEMINENCE AND GLORY UNTO HIMSELF! PRAISE THE LORD!

June 12, 2010 Compassion

His stench appalled me though I didn't show it. Inside me I thought, Jesus gave Himself for this person just like any other...I prayed, Lord help me in caring for this patient! I wiped his face with a washcloth, I helped him gargle with oral rinse, changed his gown, tucked him with toasty warm blankets and talked to him with great nursing care and respect. I felt good going home as if God told me I served Him well. The following day, my coworker told me that the follow up call to that patient was made. His comment was "I have never been treated very well as a human being." That made my day and told the Lord, "Thanks for helping me serve that patient very well." I never thought it was an opportunity when my manager told me to help out in ASU. Indeed, it was a great privilege for me to do so! And, it taught me to take heart in each moment! This one surely takes more weight than the financial rewards! Praise the Lord!

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:42 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40

Planting Seeds and Harvesting Souls

It was a chilly Saturday morning. As usual, my son has to go out with his Youth Pastor and the rest of the teens for soul winning. He is very constant and faithful to this work. As a mom, I drive him to church regularly to attend this great activity. June 2 of 1985, God opened my eyes about His plan of salvation to me which I gladly received. And, during my teenage years, this exact activity which my son was into is what brought me face to face with God's powerful Words in converting sinners to Himself. A task that truly puts into action the urgency of the need in harvesting souls ready to have the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord of their lives. Of truth, I have retreated myself to purely giving out gospel tracts since coming to America. I have seen tracts sent back to my home church in the Philippines and for me it was a good way to fulfill my soulwarning responsibilities (Ezekiel 3:18-19 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.) Yet, at times, I find myself using gospel tracts distribution as a crutch to avoid personal confrontation of people about the question of where they will spend eternity? Although I see gospel tracts distribution as a means of scattering seeds wherever Christians are, I find my excuses pertaining to confrontational evangelism ridiculous. These includes embarassment, failure to speak up, time factor, lack of care, necessities and cares of this life among others. But then, I have to turn the table around to recall the many times that Christians around me heeded to the call for evangelism efforts. As young as 6 years of age, I remember going with Lani Peralta who is our neighbor, to a Baptist Church in Aurora Hill, Baguio City, Philippines. My only recollection of that time was that it was my first time to go to a Sunday School. If am not mistaken, that was the first time the gospel seed was planted in my heart. In high school, our school director, Sir Emmett Asuncion, was a Christian. He fondly spoke of the sacrifice that the Lord Jesus gave to save us. Some of my teachers will talk about Christ in class. And a missionary from Youth with A Mission started a bible class among me and my friends. I was confused during this age. I was born a Roman Catholic and loved the mysticism and traditions that surrounds it. Besides that, I was involved during my younger years in mystic religious organizations like faith healers, moonies and other enchanting activities that high schoolers are drawn into. Also, high school made me realize the many religions all around me as spoken and embodied by my classmates. During which, me and my classmates will argue about the many facets of our different religions. Religions of the mormons, Jehovah's witnesses, methodists, Iglesia ni Kristo, Seventh Day Adventists, Lutherans, Roman Catholics etc. made me comment back then during our arguments that the best religion is dependent on the person. That is, doing what he thinks is right will eventually be rewarded. After receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour because of my sins that deserve the eternal punishment in hell, He showed me it was not so. What I think that were right were actually declared foolishness and is evil in the bible. Well, I am sure glad somebody warned me about my sinful state and the eternal punishment I deserve because of it. Much more because of the fact that the Lord Jesus never left me alone in such state but offered Himself to die as payment of my sinful state. Yes, He took my eternal punishment the moment He offered Himself to die, was buried and rose again from the dead! Such victory from death! Thus, as I see my son go to his teen soulwarning/winning activities, I thought to myself, I need to go out once again as well. Me and my daughters knocked on doors in apartment complexes and condominiums. What a realization for me that my middle daughter was actually coaching me into what my usual activities back in the Philippines. Yet, I gladly accepted her coaching. Oh! We were so glad when I had the opportunity to talk to Edgar Badillo. He listened intently when I went through the Romans Road in the Bible. Declaring the same truth that was revealed to me when I got saved. He consented to praying to the Lord and accepted his sinful state and Jesus to save him. Wow! Was that so quick I thought! I never thought that Edgar was a fruit ready to be picked. God had let me and my daughters to knock on his door! How awesome God is! I never felt so good all this years but sure is when you pick a ripe fruit, it is surely a joyous one! After two weeks, me and my last daughter went back to the same door for follow up. We had the chance to talk to Alex, Edgar's brother. Oh my! After showing him the plan of salvation, he just went on to pray and did the same! How awesome God is! It was our privilege to pick the fruits ready for harvest.

Of course, I would like to say as well that there were soils out there that has no seed in themselves. Some of such soils never let us till their hearts to plant God's Word in their hearts. Others did allow us as well but needs more tilling. Nonetheless, with or without the harvest of souls, God will surely bring forth harvest of fruits. Not for us at times, but for other Christians to do so as well. Yet, we will continue to spread the Word in the soils and let God bless the increase. Of truth, the yield of our labors we will only see when we are in Heaven. Till then, our anticipation here even grows of what the eventual harvest will be. The seed anyway is God's, the fruits as well is His! For His own glory! Thanks Lord for the privilege in spreading Thy Seed and Picking Thy Fruits!

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."—Prov. 11:30.

Declaration: April 25, 2010

To declare before people that you are taking a stand for God's call is quite a scary thought in a sense. To own it before witnesses who will hold you accountable for every word you said is something that would let you be in line. It was scary then to say so before a person. Even more in the presence of God and His angels. Yet, it liberates you to the reality of it all. Joshua's challenge to the Israelites and his declaration was courageous when he said, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15 Honestly, this soul is not a courageous Joshua. Thoughts of what ifs fill my calculating mind. When these thoughts come, I cry out to my Saviour and Lord to show me who He is. For I am undone, and His holiness is far beyond me! My sinful nature is far from the qualifications set forth. I throw myself in the arms of my Saviour. That my life be hid in His righteousness. Who am I but a fool and a weakling? Lord, have mercy upon me and that your grace be upon me. All my prayer is that He will go forth before my husband and me. If He bids us to go, then let Him lead. And if perchance, our movings are destitute of CHARITY OUT OF A PURE HEART, of GOOD CONSCIENCE and of FAITH UNFEIGNED (I TIMOTHY 1:5), LORD, PUT ALL THE HINDRANCES BEFORE US...yet, we longed for You to change us till you find in us a willing and obedient heart to Your pleasure and glory alone!