going loco over coffee...

The story of me and my office mates' love for coffee...

Drinking coffee has been part of our day to day life here in the office. Everyone has his own cup. Others have this stainless tumbler with tight covers to keep their coffees hot. As for me, I only use a plastic cup-good enough so as not to conceal the aroma of the hot drink (sniff sniff).

I do not know where the coffee thing started for all of us. I trace back my addiction to caffeine when I was in Seminary. After a tiring day and night activities, me and my classmates would always take our dinner late. We would always boil water after eating and drink coffee and talk the whole night, realizing that we would still have to wake up early for morning devotions. It was 4 years of coffee indulgence. As for the office trend, I guess it started with our boss. And then someone began bringing coffee in our air conditioned office and everyone else just followed. Now, I can't remember who that was. But since then, the familiar smell has flooded our nostrils everyday...

Now let me tour you to the desks and cubicles of those who dose with caffeine everyday here in the office...

Boss' office: I think he started it all...3 cups of coffee makes his day. I think it is essential for him, as he is a critical and deep thinker. I guess caffeine stimulates his pondering. And when a stressful day comes, it makes him calm down and ease a little to be able to make sound decisions for our company. (credits it to coffee)

Finance: I use to wear those shoes and the Accounting pants. But since it was given back to our dear finance manager (lucky me), coffee has been her pressure reliever. Especially on hard days, when bills, payables, and people come flocking the office. When there are so many things to be paid and the deadlines are near-with no news of money coming, of course prayer comes first (nearly forgot that) and a little sip of of the roasted blend makes her survive the stress each day...

Marketing Boys: The front line for customer service. These guys also seat on the front desk of our office, first ones to pick the phone, answer email inquiry and also entertain walk ins who inquire for flight training and charter flights. I guess they drink coffee just for the love of it. Especially Rohan, our Indian pilot/marketing personnel. I think he cant live a day with out coffee in his system. (watch out for the palpitation)

HR: My cubicle. Of course I love coffee. But never I knew how much it's worth when I started working here. In my first assignment in our company, when I had to deal with numbers and a lot of numbers (not that good at it), I resorted to eating and sleeping after work as my stress coping mechanism to which I am greatly regretful. But now, I have discovered another alternative-"Kape" and thanks to it my life has never been the same. (resounding clap)


And that's it...Here in Aviation Training One International, We treat Aviation as our first Love and coffee as our second first love. (hehehe)


www.fltaccess.com,
www.avtraining1.com

I am saving it for last...

It' s kinda hard sometimes to answer, when my friends bombard me with a lot of questions about my "LOVE LIFE".
When they ask, "how about yours?".
And I just respond jokingly " there's love and there's life..." (means I don't want to reiterate) .
I wish they'd stop there...
But then again they want me to qualify my answer, " so, your seeing someone?".
I do, like I see everyone with my two eyes. Then I have to nail it, "seriously, I'm single and I'm waiting on God for my future wife".
'What??? Are you serious, why wait?" is the common reply, and the familiar look on their faces as if they get it-that I have a vow of celibacy to fulfill. (Nope, pastors are allowed to marry-thank God..hahaha)
Its not about my vocation, and certainly unrelated about not entertaining the thought of having someone...
Yup. I long for someone to hold, someone to talk to with my funniest dreams, and someone to share my life with forever.
So why wait? I sometimes ask that question too. Why not be with the next girl who comes along? Why not date anyone and then maybe God would reveal the one for me along the way?
Hmmm...sounds biblical. (hehehe)
Its been more than a year since my last relationship with the opposite sex. I ask God sometimes, "When Lord, when will I return to the dating scene?" (not the actual words though)
I examined myself, asking those "why" questions again and again, and I came up with this short list of reasons why I have waited, still waiting, and will be waiting...

1. Top of the List. Because, I am sure that this is what God wants me to do right now. Not that I am on a heroic act or on a special mission, but simply just because God wants to teach me a lot of things in this waiting period of my life.

2. Because I am enjoying my being single. Single blessedness, or single with a purpose is what I call it. A stage in my life where I am enjoying the most and living it to the fullest. Doing things I may not have the chance to do again if I'm with someone.

3. Right now, I am not ready for another relationship and commitment with someone. I am a very conditional person, impatient, slow to listen and quick to speak, and full of pride at times. I still have so many things to work at.

4. I'm complete at this stage in my life (note: at this stage). The next stage may not be the same...

5. I will be giving my heart to the girl God shows me as my wife. I may sound a hopeless romantic, but I truly believe that somewhere out there, under the same sky-my future wife exists.

6. I have better things in mind right now. Big plans for the future. So many responsibilities to shoulder, sometimes beyond what my age can handle. But, I'm learning so many things in my job, ministry, family and with the people around me.

7. Lastly, because I know that God is busy writing the most romantic love story that will sweep me off my feet. Therefore I will wait.


Everyday is an endless battle of the mind and the heart. Sometimes I ask myself, "what am I doing?". When everything is said and done, will it be worth the wait?? I really don't know. All I know is that I will just have to trust God. I also believe that in His time all things will be beautiful. In His proper time.

I want to give my heart to the right person. That's why, I am saving it for it last...

What it means to be held...

I was caught by this song written by Christa Wells and performed by Natalie Grant from the album Awaken. The lyrics of the song was prompted by the tragedies of sickness and death in the lives of 3 women whom Christa admired. These women, even in their grief and pain chose to hope and trust in God.

This song then came out a great hit and have inspired and touched many lives who have also experienced the same heartaches and sufferings...

click the video below.

Held

Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow.
The wise hand opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

"But. In the middle of that heartache. At every lonely, dark, lost moment...the Truth.

That in those moments, even then, especially then...we are held, held up, held together, by the the One who has walked here and knows the pain, and who also holds all of time, every story, my story, your story, the Greatest Story in his hands." -Christa Wells

Reminds me of Jesus words, " No one can snatch them out of my hand..."

A blog to help a breast cancer patient...

My friend asked me to post this link to help a breast cancer patient. Please read her story by clicking the link below. Thanks!!!

http://twistedrumbeats.com/?p=252

Waiting, Dreaming, Running after a Vision...

I just finished reading the book by Matthew Barnett, "The Church that Never Sleeps" for the third time. It's a story of a young man who was sent to pastor a church in the inner city of Los Angeles. The church reaches out to gang members, prostitus, the homeless and every need present in the inner city. The Dream Center began as a typical local church. But with the fresh vision and desire to impact the entire city that God birthed in Matthew’s heart, the church grew from 39 members at its conception in September of 1994, to reaching more than 30,000 people each week in the Center’s 40 services and nearly two hundred ministries and outreaches today. The Dream Center houses close to 500 people who are being rehabilitated for the glory of God. Over 35,000 people a week receive food and many other services are offered to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the community. titutes, drug addicts, the hurting and almost eve

This just shows how God can work in the lives of those who have a vision and choose to trust him no matter what ...

I am reminded of Henry Varley's parting words to D.L. Moody.

The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. -Henry Varley

to which D.L. Moody responded...

“I will try my utmost to be that man.”

and went on to Evangelize most parts of Great Britain and America...

I have a vision too.

I am in the waiting part right now. The prayer and the planning stage. The dreaming leg of the journey...I guess this is the hardest part!!! Not knowing until when or how long is the wait. I guess the length of wait and preparation is a reflection of the magnitude of the task to be done. God is growing me into my vision and is at work in my life and in others behind the scene.

So WHY WAIT???

" Developing a vision or discovering a vision for a particular area of our lives takes time. Visioneering is a process. Sometimes its a painful process. Because of the time required, it can be agonizing. But it is a process that yields a product worth every bit of the agony along the way." -Andy Stanley from the book "Visioneering"

So I'll have to wait...Till when??? Only God knows. Meanwhile it will be a time for me to examine myself and become totally sold out for this God ordained vision.


ps. I highly recommend these 2 books that have impact my christian walk greatly- The Church that Never Sleeps by Matthew Barnett and Visioneering by Andy Stanley.

Hold Me Jesus...

"Hold me Jesus" is a song from the christian alternative band Big Daddy Weave. Heard of it from a friend. Since then, It has been my life song... I keep singing this song, asking Him to just Hold me-please Hold me Jesus...

Life is tough, especially when you have to decide for something. Something that would impact your whole life and define you as a man. I admit that right now I am fearful in following His will, surrendering, and giving it all up. So I just sing "Hold me Jesus". Please hold me real tight...


here goes the lyrics...

Well, sometimes my life
Just don’t make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small

CHORUS
So hold me Jesus, ’cause I’m shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won’t you be my Prince of Peace

And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It’s so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart

CHORUS
So hold me Jesus, ’cause I’m shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won’t you be my Prince of Peace

Surrender don’t come natural to me
I’d rather fight You for something
I don’t really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I’ve beat my head against so many walls
Now I’m falling down, I’m falling on my knees

And this Salvation Army band
Is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin

CHORUS
So hold me Jesus, ’cause I’m shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won’t you be my Prince of Peace
(4x)

You have been King of my glory
Won’t You be my Prince of Peace

click the video below.

I'm a Values teacher every tuesday...

Last June 15, The aviation company I'm presently working with inaugurated it's Aircraft Maintenance Technician course. This is an addition to our list of aviation courses offered. We also partnered with TESDA (an authority for improving technical skills) and gave scholarships for deserving students. Of course many heard of it, and more than a hundred applied. This is rare opportunity to be able to learn the basics of fixing and assembling airplanes. We just accepted 85 students though, 90 percent of whom are TESDA scholars. These 85 students were divided into two sections. They were named The Cessna and Piper batch. The latter for new high school graduates until the age of 21 and the former for students 21 to early 4o years old...

Before the classes commenced, my boss asked me if I can devote an hour every tuesday to teach values class to these student. I gave a nod to the idea, thinking this would be a wonderful venue for me to be able to develop my teaching skills (I think I have one). I was told to partner with Capt. Harris our VP for Avition Training Programs, and take one section for himself. I expected that I would teach the Cessna batch. For my age, this would be my niche and the other section would be Capt. Harris'. Later on, I was surprised that I would be teaching the older batch. I was reluctant of the thought at first, but I agreed to accept it thinking it would be another challenge for me...

Earlier, before the regular class started. I had the chance to interview/interrogate (it went together) all students from the Piper batch. I would be making an assesment as to how many are really interested in aviation and how many are less interested. So I talked to them one by one inside the Director's room. I asked alot of questions-questions that digs into personal and family issues, and sometimes beyond. Of course some were candid to tell the truth or I was just too pushy maybe. Skills I've acquired from being an HR (evil laugh). At the end of the interrogating spree, I discovered a lot of things from each one, many of which are sensitive informations.

So then It came, the 2nd Tuesday from the opening of classes. I would be teaching, and there is no turning back. I've heard that the Piper batch has already established a reputation for being the noisiest and mischievous group even for just a week of classes. These guys were so comfortable with each other and have been through a lot with life, unlike the other batch who are just rookies in the school of hard knocks. I was little bit anxious that some of these guys are twice my age, and if not a lot older than me. I also did not know that their backgrounds, the things I learned from them will be a basis of fear within me (should have known better).

But, I was determined to teach. A melancholy of emotions was hovering over me. After their last class in the afternoon, I was to take over. I kept cool and went inside. I was shocked to see 30 people willing to listen. Values class was not compulsory, and not part of there grades but still many came. I wasn't really expecting some faces to be in that class, or maybe I just had preconceived notions. Our class wasnt really a "good manners and right conduct" session- these guys at their age knows that already. It was kind of an inductive bible study. I chose to discuss on the Book of Ephesians (thanks to David White). So, I started to introduce myself and started with an icebreaker and a song. They were all participative and laughing loudly. Then I asked them all "Who among you here thinks that reading the Bible is boring?". Many out of there honesty, raised their hands. So I told them " After this class you will discover how enjoyable it is!". So I went on, gave the hand outs for Ephesians 1:3-14. I let someone read the whole passage and asked them what would be the best title. Many gave their answers and I accepted it, but one said the title should be "Spiritual Blessing". He got that right, so I asked them "what are our Spiritual Blessings in Christ?". And so the lively discussion started. Everyone had their opinions and I listened to them. I asked them a lot of questions, and they were the ones to give their answers. I explained some ideas which was hard to understand but most of the time they did the talking. We ended with discovering 10 spiritual blessings from the passage. I asked them if they would know all of these things if we dint study the bible and they all responded with a "NO". So I asked them if they enjoyed studying the bible, and with gleams in their face they all said "YES". So we ended, I told all of them to stand and that we would pray. They told me to pray for their concerns, which I gladly prayed for. We all went home afterward, and they said that they are excited for the next bible study.

I really enjoy teaching, it's one of my gifts maybe. I also get a kick out of listening to people's ideas, wacky and funny at times. I didn't expect that It would be whole lot fun talking to people older than you. Its like trying to act older than them. I also noticed that people who may not show up in church, are interested in hearing God's word. They may not want to be preached at, but they believe that the Bible has something to say. It's a whole new experience for me, and I'm loving every bit of it. My prayer is that I can influence these guys and point them to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who too changed my life and gave me a chance to put it back into pieces...

Two days after the values class, one student approached me. He said he once contemplated about going into Bible school but didn't push thru. But after our BS class, he said he wants to study after finishing his AMT course. He is a christian and is passionate in following God's calling. I encouraged him to pursue his calling. I saw the passion in his eyes. He then said, "Sir, I am blessed by your life" . I in return, smiled and said "Thank You"...

The start of a ministry...

It was early Friday morning when I received an SMS message from a friend. He was an attendee from our youth bible study in Villarosa ( a low cost housing ) . I have not seen him for months, but he still managed to keep my number in his phone. His name was Dondie, and his message was that his 10 month old daughter is sick and is in the hospital. He asked if I can help them financially or in any way. I answered that ill try to help them in anything I can...

Dondie used to attend worship services before, until he met a motorcycle accident. His right limb was broken and he had difficulty in walking for a year. During those times when he cannot walk, his girlfriend was always at their house to take care of him. He lived with his foster parents who are already advanced in years and has many ailments already. I used to visit him every week and talk with his parents until he moved out to his girlfriend's house and his parents went home to their province for retirement...To cut the story, his girlfriend became pregnant and they decided to marry afterward.

It was Friday evening when I decided that I would visit them in the hospital. I just came from work and felt tired to go. I was battling in my mind if I should get going. You see, I'm not a hospital person. I really don't like hospitals-the blood, the sick people, the wounds and the smell of public health facility literally kills me. Every time I go inside a hospital, my flesh shakes and I always experience an uneasy feeling. I seldom visit somebody in the hospital. Sometimes my friends get offended when I don't visit them and I always end up explaining that the thought of going inside the facility is a malady for me. But, there are times when I am forced to go there, like when my dad was scheduled for an operation and my uncle with a terminal disease. But most of the time, I always thought that visiting the sick is not my ministry. So there I was, trying to reason out why I shouldn't go. I even sent Dondie a message to wait for me outside, and ill just hand him the money-but unfortunately he didn't receive it. So there I was forced with no option. I prayed before i left home for courage (yup..that is what i needed). Dad told me to pray for their daughter before leaving, I also thought it would be a great idea.


So I rode my dad's 1993 Yamaha Rs-100 and off we went to the hospital. I brought my cousin along to hold the small grocery bag that contained food and fruits. When we reached the hospital I immediately stormed the hallway down to the aisle. It was always my dreaded part of the hospital as sick people line up in the narrow area. To my excitement (or the opposite) I entered the wrong building. I remembered him telling me earlier that they were in the pediatric wing extension. I had no idea where it was, so I went back and asked directions. After climbing flight of stairs I finally found the ward...

The first scene I saw were babies lying on the hospital beds. So I told my cousin that we should be in the right place. Thankfully the place was a little bit clean, so I went inside and saw a young couple sitting bedside. the girl was holding the baby, so I approached them. It was Dondie and his wife. My cousin gave the groceries and we talked about what happened to the child. The child had fever the morning on Thursday, and was really weak and shaking. So they rushed the baby to the hospital-frightened on what would happen to their first child. The baby was diagnosed with Urinary Tract Infection. I saw the fear in his eyes when he was telling me these things, along with it the grief of not having enough money for the hospitalization. Dondie had no permanent work and they are living with the parents of his wife. Two people plucked out of their youth-and the hardships of an unplanned family is what I saw in them. After some talks, I gave them the little cash I brought. Before i said goodbye, I asked them if I could pray for the child. They agreed, so there I was in a public ward prayed the prayer of healing for the baby girl. In the middle of my prayer I felt a boldness in me to pray for everyone in that ward. After the "AMEN", I and my cousin decided to go home. So I quickly went down the stairs and out of the building and Alas i was out of the hospital (good griefs).


When I reached home, I directly went inside my room and lay in my bed. I was thinking about so many things. I was asking God what He was trying to teach me. I wrestled with Him, I said "not me Lord, It is the last time I am going to pray for someone in the hospital and there wont be a 2nd time-not in this life". (exaggerating a little) But, I felt a peace in me-that in my weakness God is my strength. I haven't really surrendered to that thought, but I told myself, why not try a prayer ministry for the sick. That night, God gave me a burden for these people-The hurting, the sick, the dying, those without hope and ready to give up, flooding the hospital for a chance to recover and be well again. A burden I cannot disregard. These are the once he came to earth for... to preach good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, recovery of sight to the blind, To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD...

This was the birth of our hospital prayer ministry with the worship team of our church. After I shared to them my burden, they all affirmed it. These youth under me are passionate for God's work also, that's why they decided to come. Every Sunday, at 4 pm in the afternoon we walk the aisles of Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital just to talk to people, pray for them, encourage them and just being there to show love and care for people we don't know. I still haven't overcome my uneasy feeling for that place. My flesh still shakes, only that it is lessened from time to time. There are some places though like the surgery ward that i cant bear to go inside. (I'm working on it) We always ask God for strength, and pray in the lobby before we minister to people.

I always believe that God is the one who will supply us with everything when He asks us to do something. I understood also that in this ministry, I am not doing God a favor. He can always call someone brave enough to do the work. I am just humbled by the thought that in my ounce of faith God is using me. I am not doing this for anybody and definitely not for myself, for if its just for myself I would rather stay at home. I am doing this because I want to share the Love of Christ that is in me. We will never know where this acts of Love, will bring us...


So there it was, and the rest is history...I will post in my next blogs what really happened during those visits and the people we've prayed for...


ps. Dondies daughter was discharged after three days...=)