Treasures in our heart

Gospel for the day: Luke 2:16-21

 

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
 

Cheers for a blessed and happy new year! Thank you Lord that I am still here!

Wow!!! It was only yesterday when 2016 had just began but I can’t believe that now 2017 has come. As we say hello to another amazing year, let us remind our own selves like what we read in the gospel to glorify and praise God for all the blessings, graces, experiences and the not so wonderful happenings we went through for all these years. Let us have a heart full of thanksgiving and give our praise to God for he deserves all of it and by doing so, he transforms each one of us to be like his son, Jesus.

 

For me, 2016 was a struggling year for my family but somehow we had learn to work and help one another in our own ways. It was not an easy start since oftentimes we would fight or misunderstand each other. It was also very hard to obey but because they knew better, we/I have to follow. Each of us had our own struggles too but then we tried to manage. Me and my siblings wanted to give up as it’s very difficult and it is impossible but our parents kept on holding on. They were trying their hardest to find ways for our existing problem. There were situations when I don’t know where to stand or to whom shall I go? Indeed God is a great provider because he has given our family enough resources to survive and maybe He is teaching each of us a lesson in life. Well the family struggle is still there, though at times we lose hope that it will be fixed but only God knows what’s in store for us.

 

This year our CFC community is proclaiming that we should stand firm in our faith for we will be facing a lot of trials, tested with struggles and of course achieving victories for our God is always with us in our journey. Through this verse maybe God is telling my family to stand firm and believe that He can do wonders for us in the midst of all impossibilities and human limitations. He is reminding us to have faith and believe that good things will still come.

 

Also in the gospel, Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. Like Mary, let us start to store up treasures in heaven for life here on earth is temporary. Let us learn to value our relationships more than the earthly possessions and trends of this world. Let us ponder deeply first before we speak or act for we may never return back the wasted opportunity because of our recklessness. Let us invest our time wisely and work productively in God’s vineyard as he is commanding us to do. May we find joy in serving God and his people even if it is very hard and challenging but through that, it is the most fulfilling thing we can achieve that makes our life worth living.

 

And for all of these, may God be praised!

Sis Sarah Lauren Lim 

Chapter 3B3 ~ CLP Batch 43

Household Head 

SFC Dubai 

Letter to my Beloved Princess

My Beloved Princess,

You are beautiful, unique and special.

You were created to love and be loved!

You are kind, talented, strong, brave, capable and destined for greater things.

You are not an accident for you were called and chosen for a reason.

Open yourself to the surprises that I will show to you.
Be still and patient because it will be revealed when you are ready.

Believe in my promises because I planted them in your heart.

Hold on to me whenever you feel lonely and giving up.

Enjoy the moment, grow in love and serve me wholeheartedly.

Remember that you are worth the wait and just keep the faith.

Someday in my perfect time, you will be in each others arm.

Just allow my will to be done as you trust my plan.

I am preparing your prince because you are worthy to be pursued.
I desire the best in life for you are my beloved daughter.
And I am your Father, the King and Ruler of all.
Be confident that I am writing you a great love story.

Be assured that I love you my beloved Princess.
May my love, abundance, mercy, forgiveness and grace be sufficient.
You both will have your moment, not now but soon.
All is well and all will be revealed in my perfect time.

 Lovingly yours,

Almighty Father and King

Happy Easter 2015

With the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are:

Enlightened;

Amazed;
Saved;
Thankful;
Empowered;
Redeemed.

Preparing to be your last

You and I are worth the wait.

 One true love is worth the wait. 

Patience, trust, faith, hope, endurance and strength equals a great love.

 Just believe that God knows what he's doing and worry not. 

Lord may your will be done. 

#iamBBM #deogloria #thankyouLord#chooseChrist #LOVEmore #endure

Just wait Princess

A message from God

“No man will ever claim you unless he claims you from Me. For I reserved a man for you who has My heart and loves Me even more than he loves you. For I won’t give you unless he asks you form Me. He is asleep; don’t wake him. He is busy for Me... My kingdom. Soon you will know him, but I have the perfect time. You are My princess and My daughter. Let no prince claim you unless he asks you from my hand for I am Your Father and King of kings. You, my princess is worth loving for.”

It is better for a princess like you to be asleep a hundred years and be kissed and be awake by the right prince than to stay awake and be kissed hundred times by the wrong frog.

It is better to wait for years for someone you are sure of, than to grab that chance with someone who picks you up but drops you whenever he wants to.

"Place your heart in the hands of God and He will place it in the hands of a man who he believes deserves it."

Good things come to those who wait. Just wait Princess! <3

EFG: Patience while waiting

(I got this message way back 2010 in a book titled Emails from God by Cloninger)

Not Yet (Psalm 13:2-3)

Dear Child,

Time is a strange thing. To Me, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. I’m outside of time. Time is just something I made in which you live. I entered time when I sent Jesus to earth. So I know how frustrating time can be.

But I also know what’s best for you. The only way you can learn patience is by waiting. Some people pray, “Lord, teach me patience,and teach it to me now!” That doesn’t make much sense. Learning patience takes time. I hear your prayers. Keep praying. I may give you an answer quickly but if I’m teaching you to trust Me no matter what, I may ask you to wait. If you can learn to trust ME, if you can learn to wait on My timing, I will use you to do great things. Will you trust Me?

Your Leader,
>God

MEC 2013 WORKSHOP: A WALK TO REMEMBER

Patiently and joyfully waiting for God's plan to unfold in our lives

How to practically enjoy your present state of life and realize the beauty in every moment.

What is the difference between Love and One True Love?

Love is not just a feeling but it is a decision, a commitment and a desire to embrace the flaws and imperfections of someone worth fighting for. Love is a gift shared with everyone while One True Love is a commitment shared to an Only One who you desire to spend your whole life with.

1. Love yourself.

The first step is to accept yourself completely and appreciating the beauty, the talent, the imperfections, the blessings, the being that God has blessed you with. It is hard to love others when you don't know how to love yourself. Love yourself first so that you can love others and in turn be loved back.  Allow yourself to be used for God's glory for He will transform, enhance and make you ready for what lies ahead. God wants you to live a life of chastity. Loving yourself means allowing God to work more in your life and learning to do so means preparing yourself for that someone that He has prepared for you to be with when the right time comes.

2. Love the idea of falling in love.

This step requires letting go of fears, doubts, unwanted baggage, insecurities and failures then letting God's plan unfold in your life. Loving is a gift from God and we are called to love not just the lovable ones but also the unlovable beings. Loving the idea of falling in love is giving your heart and soul to someone. God wants us to set aside our fears so that we can freely live our life and be excited to fall in love! 

3. Love God.

Allow yourself to love God before loving someone. For God deserves to be loved, praised and glorified for Power and Majesty! We must love God above all things. We must be one in Him before we can be one with someone else.

4. Love to love.

Sometimes it is hard for us to share our life story with others but with the grace of God then it becomes easy. Opening our own self to others will teach us to be selfless. Love requires action and expressing it well through deeds fulfill its purpose. Allow your own self to love and serve God through others because life becomes full of purpose, meaningful and worth living.

5. Love the life you live.

We must not focus what we lack but on the blessings God has given us everyday. We should learn to be a fulfilled and be happy person. God wants us to appreciate and be grateful for everything that He has blessed us with. He wants us to embrace and love the life that we are living by thanking and glorifying Him with what we have.

For now be still because God is busy preparing you for a love story that you don't expect. Trust His plans because He knows what is best for you. Wait patiently and joyfully for He has someone in stored for you. Guard your heart and get ready. Don't be weary and never worry for it is done says the Lord. Have hope. Keep the faith and fight the good fight for God is with you always!

Activity:

Draw how you see your life in 3 years in a folded half of paper then write a letter to God about your heart's desires. 

Movie: Miracle in Cell no. 7

4 weeks ago, I watched "Miracle in cell no. 7". It was a tear jerker movie that emphasizes on the love of a family, importance of relationships, doing good without expecting in return, obtaining justice that one deserves and seeing a dose of reality. What happened in the movie was evident in our society today. Many are wrongly accused of the crimes they did not commit. They don't get justice that they deserve, somehow they are force to pay the sentence that is placed on them and they are unable to defend themselves because they are poor.

In the movie, the father was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. He was mentally incapable and he had a daughter whom he loved so much. Despite his incapability, He managed to help other people who was in need even if it would cost him his life. He is kind hearted, loving and caring to the people surrounding him. He was beaten and hurt several times but He never showed anger towards them. His fatherly image showed how much he loved his Ye-sung despite his unjust circumstances.

He built friendship in cell no. 7 which was the most difficult cell in the prison. He saved his roommate (who was the "boss" in prison) from being stabbed on the side. In return for the bravery he was asked what he wanted, he immediately requested for his daughter. The daughter and father were very close with each other. The emotions from the child was very moving and somehow there's an ache in my heart when I see the unfortunate circumstances they were having. She stayed in their cell for 2 days but was caught by the chief. They were separated and her father was placed in the cell being tied by a rope. An inmate set the prison on fire and they had to evacuate. The father was untied but he saw that someone needed his help and he saved the warden/chief. The doctor told him that he was lucky to be alive and the father begged him to save the chief. I guess that melted the cold heart of the chief towards him.

Things started to change in the prison. The relationship grow deeper and somehow they have proved that the father was not guilty of the charge against him. They started helping him and Ye-sung had to be in the box to see her father. The chief took care of his daughter. Everything went well but he was sentenced to death since he was brainwashed to admit the crime for the safety of his daughter. Everybody wondered why and there was nothing they can do but to accept what was decided. It is unfair that an innocent man who's mentally impaired had to be put to death. I felt sorry especially to the scene when they celebrated the birthday then as they parted ways in tears and denial.

The daughter who's all grown up was proving to everybody in court that her father was not guilty. They re-investigated the case in which she won and obtained the justice that her father deserved. Everyone received the peace that they were looking for. Finally the daughter visited her father who was warden in prison and she left. It was snowing and as she walk outside, she reminisced the time when she was with her father in the hot air balloon. The father and the young daughter bid goodbye and she was teary eyed. The movie ended as justice was served just like how sailor moon would say it and the main characters were copying her.

DEFINITELY A MUST WATCH MOVIE! :) MOVED ME TO TEARS! :)

Movie: Bride for Rent

Just finished watching Bride for Rent. The lesson learned from the movie is how love impacts a person to change in a great way and the importance of forgiveness. We are not perfect and we have a lot of flaws yet it takes real love to embrace those circumstances completely.

Love is a wonderful gift worth sharing and it matters more when you give instead of waiting to receive. Thank you for inspiring me to love patiently and to continue loving even if doesn't make sense or that it hurts. I am reminded by God to love and be loved for He has loved me first. He has assured me that I am God's beloved. I know in time the scars will heal and things will fall into their right places.

True love is worth the wait. Lord may your will be done. I know you have a great plan for me. Thank you Lord for a wonderful end to a stressful day. Finally I'm learning to understand what was clouding up my mind a few days back. Continue to reveal your knowledge and wisdom. As I let go of my worries I felt that my heart is burden free! Yay! Praise God! Peace of mind at last! Good night beloved!   #peace #hope #love #forgiveness #healing #blessed #wait #selfless #patient #tlw #ponder

(Posted via FB last January 2014)

2005 moments with Mama

April 2005 was my high school graduation and Mama was there..
July 2005 was my graduation from YFC.. We had a chance to talk. I hugged you and we prayed over each other. It was a magic moment. I remember the letter you wrote to me and that I was the ate to the younger siblings you were leaving behind.
September 2005 - Mama then left to work in the US..I was studying BSN while they were in elementary.
November 2013 - 8 years later she went home for good..

A lot of things/events have happened during those times. I know it's hard for you to be away from your family especially to your 5 kids who were very young that time. I know the feeling you felt when you missed every milestone that we have achieved. You weren't there to see us graduate one by one and even witness our dreams coming true. Ma, you have done so well for us all. I can't explain the hurt you felt but I know you were struggling with it. It must have been unbearable for you but you were strong enough and you have survived all those years of loneliness and distance. You valued your family more than yourself. You never exchanged us or Papa for wanting to be a legal resident in the US. 

I honor you Ma for all your sacrifices and love for me and for us. Thank you gd Ma sa tanan.. Thank you sa faith mo, sa encouragement, sa advises, sa teachings and all.. Now I realize the importance of your discipline when I was young even though I questioned it before na daw ka unfair. Hehehe pero now I am proud to be a carbon copy of you.. hehehe I have changed and grow to become a better person  You are my inspiration and that's what I have come to know and understand. God is good for blessing me such wonderful, dedicated, loving and kind parents!

Happy Mother's day! I miss you. I long to see you. Ako nalang ang wala pa nakakita sa imo in person! Ingggggit heheheh It was September 2005 that I last saw you. I hope to see you this December and para ma completo na rin family natin after nearly 9 years. With God's grace, lahat possible. Claiming and praying for it!

I love you Ma.  See you! God bless you! Enjoy your special day! 

-late post (copied from FB)

SFC FAMILY

Merry Christmas Angels, my dear Household and to our CFC Singles for Christ family and extended families in Christ.. 

May Christ's birth bring us peace, joy, hope, love, faith, trust, light, healing and prosperity in all our good works as we live to evangelize others with God's grace! 








Thank you Jesus for being born in this world and for saving us from our sins. Happy birthday Baby Jesus! Cheeers!    Lalaaaabs! God bless us all! Mwaaaaaaaahhhugs! 
   

No gift higher than LOVE

Love.love.love. is just a word but everyone is crazy about it.. . It’s like an epidemic sickness that once you get caught, you can’t run away.. It’s contagious.. Or maybe yeah you can runaway but trust me.. It will haunt you for the rest of your life.. It’s like you can’t just go without it. It’s an interesting topic that you want to talk over and over again.. You can’t get enough.. No matter how it is, even if it gives you pain, hurt, sadness, but you can’t forget that it really felt good to love and be loved. That’s why no matter how bad what it brings into you and our life we continue living because we loved to love. And according to the bible no gift higher than love (read 1Corinthians 1-13).

And the reason “we love because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19.

We define love based on how we felt and experienced. I feel loved because of the love He manifested in every people I met, in every experience I’ve been through. I just felt loved!! And in return I love the people who loves me too.. romantic way or not. I’m in love with the feeling knowing that He loves me very much. It’s not that I have a perfect life..

Actually I have a broken family, I have this complicated job, and I’m away with the people I loved most. But still He gives me thousands of reason to smile and to be grateful about. It was like He promised me something that everything will be okay. He gives me hope everyday and something to look forward for. I don’t know what it is.. but I trust Him because I know He loves me and because of that I’m falling in love with Him every day.

MISS NOT PERFECT BUT REAL
ANGONO, RIZAL

inspired by God, powered by loved
blessed to bless..loved to love!!

Renew thy vow

 Earlier in the Mass at St. Mary's Church, I witnessed the renewal of marriage vows by couples coming from different countries and culture. As it went on, I looked around seeing a lot of dedicated couples who were in love, teary eyed, smiling, joyful and full of happiness. I felt the feelings they felt. It was a very nice thing that I witnessed because it looked like they were married again. I was so touched and happy to see how verbally they professed and renewed the vows they made when they were married years back.

While the priest was leading them to the renewal of vows, I heard and saw how committed these couples were and they were even holding each other's hand. "I will love you… for richer or poorer.. in sickness and in health.. in happiness and in sadness… till death do us part.." After that the priest said "You may give each other the sign of love." Then the couples kissed each other and everybody clapped their hands and smiled to the newly renewed married couples.

Renewing the marriage vows is the same with regards to our service for the Lord. Sometimes we need to renew our covenant with Him to realize how important the YES or I DO that we said to Him. I guess it's a matter of being aware of the journey that we choose to take and to check if we are on the right track.

By renewing our vows/covenant we are given the choice whether or not we will continue, pause, change or will stop. A vow is something that you pledge to a person. It is powerful than of the promise because you will surely do it. A vow you make with the Lord is an extraordinary one that will change and improve your life. It doesn't matter if you keep failing as long as you keep on going and still improving even if you're tempted to stop during the times it's tough.

For me, I think I have renewed my covenant for the Lord like almost 5 times or more. It's because from time to time, I have to check if my heart still desires to serve Him. I have to see if I still want to pursue my mission. I have to check myself if I want to fulfill my dreams.. I have to evaluate myself in these situations.  I also have to check the willingness in me to be an effective evangelizer, a servant leader and a follower of God's word through the examples of Christ.

To renew your vow, you just have to say.. (My homemade Prayer)

Lord God, I praise and thank you for all the blessings you have given me. I am sorry for my faults and failures. Lord I want to renew my covenant with you. I want to really serve you with all my heart, mind, body, soul and everything. I desire to bring glory to you and proclaim your greatness. I will do all these works in love and joyfulness. I know that You are always with and in me. Empower me Father so that I can evangelize your people. I believe in Your promises Lord that you will fulfill them in due time. Please hear my prayers and provide for my needs. I know you will give me my heart's desires. Equip me Lord as I go on this mission and I claim victory over the struggles and difficulties that I will soon face. Lord you are God and You will win. I love you Lord. In sickness and in health.. in joy and in sadness.. for richer or poorer.. for service and for trial…I say YES, I DO and I will GO. I am ready to do your will Lord  This I ask and pray through the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, with the intercession of Mother Mary and through Christ our Saviour, AMEN.

.

(Written and experienced last January 11, 2013)

Your sweet and loving princess,
Sarah Kailyn :))

Bible definition of LOVE

 

I remembered our PLT (Provincial Leaders Training) last August 2011 at VB Alba Foundation at Dinginan, Roxas City. After the training we were given an opportunity to select a verse that's going to reflect our identity or it's going to be our life verse.

As I was thinking of a specific verse that I can relate to, I then remember the verse about love. As I struggled to think hard about it I came across the verse and I decided that this verse will be my identity and my mission.

It's all about LOVE. Giving LOVE and SHARING LOVE.

It has been over a year and I admit it was a topsy turvy adventure and time flies so fast. I guess I failed in my life verse and I forgot to stood by it. And still now I keep on failing to do so. Sometimes I would question myself why or how can I keep loving them unconditionally? I would then question God, how is it possible Lord? It is so difficult to love and keep loving. The Lord just answered because I loved.

At work I am continuously struggling. I am easily angered and my patience is not that long. I keep trying and yet I still keep on failing. I guess I have to keep loving more. I have to include love and increase the dose. I need love and I have to share love.

Lord, please help me to carry out my mission with full of faith, hope and love! Amen.

Princess and I: True love endures

True love conquers, perseveres, rests, endures and wins.

"She taught me how to love unconditionally.

And that's the story of the princess and I."

It was true love that brought peace to the fight and argument between the North and South. It was true love that gave light and life to everyone. It was true love that conquered evil and defeat. It was true love that's willing to sacrifice one's own happiness for the sake of others and for the sake of peace. It was true love that endured until the end. It was true love that reigned and won. It was true and unconditional love, a love like God for man.

I watched the finale of Princess and I. it was a good teleserye portraying love for the service of his people in the Kingdom. Actually I'm not an avid viewer of this serye but I was able to check clips that showed a glimpse of it. It's wonderfully produced and I'm sure a lot of people learned from the serye. It's actually nice and heart trembling. It was full of kilig scenes, banat to the max, challenges faced, happiness, action packed and their struggle to bring peace and unity to everyone in the Kingdom.

It takes someone who loved to understand the power of love in our life. Love is the greatest gift and blessing that God gave us. Love is everything. Love is service. Love is passion. Love is our mission. Love is great and bountiful. Love is endless and overflowing. Love conquers and endures. Love perseveres and reigns. Love always wins. Love is Me. Love is You. Love is who we are. Above all, Love is God.

FEB-IBIG NA! This month is all about LOVE.

Make no room for hate. Spread the as God has loved us..