Arg Notes #7:Gibberish Moments of Truth

Fullfillment.
July 10,2012
2:29

I'm tired in every area of my life. I should live a life of obedience and thanksgiving. I asked for a girl, He gave me one. I asked for a job, He gave me one. But behind my most unexplainable reasons, I wasn't that fulfilled with what am I experiencing right now. I feel exhausted and short of motivation. People around me are decaying my sense of passion and limits the potential in me. There are pressures in life that makes me feel inferior and of no use. I earn, and yet feel empty. I don't need money. I need acceptance and encouragements. I've been deceived by the mere smiles of the people around me. Seems that the earth is rotating much faster than I thought and I've not been coping up with the changes of this world. People used to seek me for help. They asks for my prayers, my opinions, my voice, and my help. However, things changed. I don't know. Maybe, I'm not that judgemental or people are now changed nowadays. They don't need me anymore and I feel like a complete idiot trying to push myself to their lives. I've been taken for granted-considering my consistency of unconditional service for their growth. That's the problem these days. With all your efforts and love , people will always take you for granted. "That's your obligation". "You're supposed to do that". "You're expected to do that". Literally, the phrases jamming my head.

So random. Forgive me for the weird flow of thoughts.

Arg Notes #6: My Sassy Girl

Arg Notes #6: My Sassy Girl

July 4,2012

Familiar date isn't it?

Don't mind. It's all over now. Reminiscing would just be a disastrous idea. However, I would'nt put everything into trash - especially those memorable moments that made me stronger and inspired to love even more. My life is being shaped by an all-knowing and gracious God, supportive parents, and an inspiration from the only person that thought me to love truly - without her knowing. I dedicate this article to all those nearly 72 months we've shared together. The laughter. The tears. The breaking up and the getting back. EVery moments are important. It taught me to live life.

To the next person who will have her heart,

Keep this in mind.

• She is simple. Forget your first impression on her - the height, the pretty face, the perfect body. Yes, she's all that. However, the main thing about her and the first thing you should accept about her is that she's a simple person. That would mean, you can make her smile by doing "simple" efforts. Take her somewhere else without over spending- yes, she would enjoy that (just be sensitive about her likes and dislikes). She dresses simply on most occasions- but don't be too shocked when she unleashes her true fashionista side, she's has a better fashion statement than most of the women who pretends to have a celebrity sense of style. 

• Break her heart and I will break your face.

• When ordering chicken at McDonalds, Don't ever ask for a breast part. She doesn't like hard to chew parts. Order wings or thigh part Instead. Another thing, ask for salt instead of ketchup. No matter how I love dipping my crispy french fries on a tomato ketchup, salt will always be her number one choice. Lastly, make sure you have everything you need before going back to the table and after ordering. That would mean that the spoon and forks and straw is already placed on your tray. Or else, expext her viciously looking, still-cute look of her eyes. 

• She prefer Iced Tea more than SoftDrinks. She always bring a bottled water. Make sure you have one too incase of her shortage. Warm water would too, she's not that picky.

• Holding hands: 

1.  On your first (months) of relationship, don't be too aggressive especially on holding her hands on the public. She's the type of girl who doesn't really prefer public display of affection but still wants you to make her feel loved, cared, and being protected.

      2.  HOLD HER HANDS WHILE CROSSING THE STREET.

• Text her " I love you" ramdomly throughout the day. She will reply with a smiley face, "mwuah", or an "I love you too". 

• Obsessive–compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). She likes cleaning the house. She love putting things in order. She has that kind of perfectionism in terms of cleaning. So better ready yourself getting fit to work - cleaning. I help her one time in cleaning our church chapel, after that day I was sick and unable to work. She has the perfect body and motivation - for cleaning. That's one thing I admire about her. 

To be continued...

Arg Notes #5: The Agony of Too Less Stress

Daily Journal

July 3, 2012

Do you know the problem about life? It's when you don't know what you want- or even whom you want to be. Expectations defines our daily life and it seldom reflects our reality and who we really are. The blind decisions of your heart suffocates your every move and now we're living with our scars-trampled life.

Enough for this emo sidetrack.

Today was a gloomy day, yet I can't consider it a bad day. Why? Here's one of my favorite reasons.

Point 1: Our boss is absent today and the theory of cause-and-effect states that "If there's something occuring whether it's for a bad or good cause, there will be an opposite reaction". Good thing for our department. His absence totally caused a stressed-free environment.

Point 2: No Sales/Cost Study Request. If there's anything that makes my life miserable, that would be a tons of reports + an additional sarcasm from my co-workers (setting aside the new ones). This day is a procrastination day. 

Cheers anyone? :)

Point 3: It was a gloomy day- but due to a cold and rainy weather. It seems that I would have to complement this one. Todays weather makes me sleepy, relaxed, and even long for our 5pm out even more.

Point 4: If you would just look around you, you can see the aura of every managers and pretending-to-be-working employees. This makes me smile. Don't be so hard on your job.Relax and soothe yourself. This one plus the cold temperature around here, mmm, definitely a relaxing way to earn your salary.

I was quite shocked to see the clock and it's only 8:15am when It seems I've been waiting for an eternity for our long awaited 10am lunch break. It was an agony, but it leaves me no choice but to patiently wait.

Now, it's 11:04am. The next candy bar would be our 12-1pm lunchbreak sleeping time. Wuhoo!

Do’s and Don’ts sa pags-Speak sa Devotion

1. Wag basahin ang notes, magsalita ka ng nakatingin sa mga audience.

2. Magmemorize ng verses na kasama sa topic mo. 

    Para recite nalang from memory at less time pa sa pag-open ng bible.

3. Magpractice magsalita sa bahay! Para hindi utal pagdating sa totoong devotion na.

4. Outline! Para may summary ka o buod ng buong message.

5. Isipin mo na ang mga sasabihin mo sa bahay palang, para ready ka na

6. Relax lang sa pagsasalita, wag kabado, baka ibang words ang masabi mo(or worse ma-blanko ka)

7. Gestures, wag tuod magsalita.(galaw galaw naman para makuha ang atensyon ng audience)

8. Magpray ka personaly bago magspeak. Lagot ka kapag hindi.

9. Magtanong ka sa nkakatanda kapag may Hindi ka maintindihan.
   (Huwag gumawa ng sariling opinion lalo   na't hindi akma sa Bible

10. Time limit. Be sensitive sa time! Baka mapahaba ang pagsasalita.
      (Dapat 30mins lang ang limit natin)

11. Tono ng boses mo- baka nakakaantok na

12. Habang nagsasalita ka, tingnan mo ang mga expressions ng audience or kung nakikinig pa sila.

13. If you did it heartily, You did great. Any other comments and suggestions ay makakatulong din.

14. Repetitive words, "ah" "uhm" "so" "ah." Be careful sa paulit-ulit.

15. Tamang pagtawag:  "Ang Lord" hindi "Si Lord"

16. Wag mabilis magsalita, make sure naiintindihan ka ng audience mo.
       Wag naman sobrang bagal, at baka magdrawing nalang sila sa inip.

17. Wag kang lumayo sa topic, baka may mga sinasabi ka na 

      or explanations na hindi naman related sa topic

18. Before the message, isipin mo na kung ano ang pinaka main message na gusto mo i-point out sa audience and make sure dun ka magfocuse sa whole message mo.

19. Ang pagpprepare ng message ay hindi saglitan lang, hindi applicable ang cramming sa atin. Kailangan natin ng gabay ng HS kahit sa ating pagpprepare palang. Take time to pray, read ur notes/outline na paulit ulit pra makita ang mga dpat baguhin o idagdag na punto

20. Ikaw lamang ang magsasalita, pero nasa Diyos parin ang papuri. Kaya do your best.




By: kuya josh

SPIRITUAL WARFARE: Dealing With Strongholds

SPIRITUAL WARFARE: Dealing With Strongholds

I. Introduction

Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

May isang "digmaan" o pakikipagbaka ang nangyayari sa ating buhay Kristiyano. Ito ang liwanag at ang kadiliman. Ang impluwensya ng Diyos at impluwensya ng kaaway

2 Samuel 22:1-2 Then David spoke to the LORD the words of this song, on the
day when the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and
from the hand of Saul. And he said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my
deliverer;

Kahit tinatawag ang kaaway bilang "hari" ng sanlibutan, ang Diyos parin ang ating tagumpay at tanging tulong sa ating buhay.

2 Corinthians 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Sa ating pamumuhay, kailangan nating ng lakas na nagmumula sa Diyos at kakayanan para malabanan ang impluwensya ng kaaway sa ating buhay.

II. What are strongholds? 

1. Old Testament example:

     1 Samuel 23:14,19 – Physical Stature (Proteksyon laban sa kalaban)

     Ang “Stronghold” ay parang source ng protection/depensa din natin laban sa kalaban o masasamang     impluwensya at mga evil gaya ng nangyari kay David. Ito ang isang magandang definition ng stronghold. Maari natin sabihin na ang diyos ang ating tagapagligtas at mainam na proteksyon mula sa ating mga kaaway.

2. The Apostle Paul's Definition of a Stronghold. 

Ito ay kahit anong bagay na nagiging mas “higit” pa sa Diyos na iyong hinahawakan o itinatago sa iyong buhay. Ito rin ang nagiging rason para sa kaaway para impluwensyahan ka ng hindi mo napapansin. Ang mga “Strongholds” ay nagmula sa kaaway at maaaring sanhi ng ating pagka-“lamig” sa ating buhay Kristiyano kapag hinayaan natin ito sa ating buhay

       2 Corinthians 10:5- Kapag nagiging mas “Marunong” ka pa sa mga sinasabi ng Lord

3. Another Definition.

-a MINDSET(maling mindset) kung saan na-iimpluwensyahan tayo na isipin at tanggapin ang mga bagay na labag o hindi WILL OF GOD

Romans 6:6 –“that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”

-Minsan pinaparamdam sa atin ng kaaway na wala talaga tayong pag-asa na makawala sa anumang kasalanan na ginagawa natin. Pinaparamdam sa atin na mag-“GIVE- IN” nalang sa temptation dahil hirap naman tayo huminde sa kasalanan.

NO. Ang sabi sa verse ay ang “old” na “tayo” ay na-“crucify” na para tayo ay hindi na maging slaves ng kasalanan.

Ang strongholds ay hindi lang basta KASALANAN, o mga NAIISIP nating mali, ITO DIN AY MGA AREA NG BUHAY NATIN NA TAYO AY TILA NAKA-BONDAGE AT HIRAP NA MAKAWALA.

III. How Strongholds Take Root. (Pano nag-sisimula na magkaron ang “kaaway” na “hawak” sa ating buhay) 

1. Strongholds Come From Worldly Influence. 

    1 John 5:19- impluwensya ng kamunduhan,( tv, non-c friends, barkada etc)

KAYA SINASABI NG BIBLE NA DAPAT ANG MINDS NATIN LAGING MAGING “RENEWED” – from praying, bible study, CHURCH

-ito ang tutulong sa atin para malabanan ang impluwensya ng MUNDO

IV. Common Strongholds Many Deal With. 

REMINDER: Kahit KRISTIYANO ka na, maari parin ang kaaway na magkaron ng hawak sa iyong buhay. Ito ang mga bagay na alam nating MALI, pero pinahihintulutan parin nating sa ating buhay Kristiyano

(PAGISIPAN MO, MERON KA BA NITO SA IYONG BUHAY?)

Fear - takot
Resentment- hinagpis
Bitterness- bitterness sa ibang tao
Unforgiveness- hirap kang patawarin or ayaw mo patawarin
Apathy- kawalang-pagpapahalaga
Unbelief- ayaw mo maniwala sa isang bagay na TAMA
Depression- sobrang pagkapagod na tipong ayaw mo na, wala ng motivation
Anxiety- SOBRANG PAGAALALA
Lukewarmness- pagiging INCONSISTENT NA KRISTIYANO,
                            Minsan on-fire, minsan hindi. ON-OFF ang Christian life

Sinful thoughts – nag-iisip o nagbabalak ka palaging gumawa ng kasalanan
Lust – PAGNANAIS NA SEXUAL
Pride – PAGMAMATAAS, FEELING MO LAGI KANG TAMA 

             AT AYAW MAG- OBEY SA NAKAKATANDA
Greed – Pagiging GAHAMAN. PERA, KASIKATAN, ETC
Drugs – WAG NAMAN SANA. Extreme case na yan
Pornography – ALAM NA NG MGA BOYS YAN. ITIGIL NA DAPAT.

V. Faith Principles For Pulling Down Strongholds.

 (Paano ba natin mapagtatagumpayan ang mga "Strongholds" na ito?)

    2 Corinthians 10:4-5 

1. We Bring Our Thoughts Into Captivity To Christ's. (Tumingin ka sa Diyos, Tanggapin mo na hindi lang siya ang “Savior” mo, kundi siya din ang “LORD” mo. Ibig sabihin siya ang may hawak sayo, nagbabantay, at nagaaruga. Kaya ka niyang tulungan sa anumang pinagdadaanan mo.

2. Obedience Brings Us Into the Stronghold Of Christ's Likeness.

   (PAGSUNOD SA MGA UTOS NG LORD)

   Romans 8:28-29 - kahit anong pinagdadaanan mo ngayon, kaya yang awing “blessing” ng Lord, kung    ikaw ay susunod sa kanya. Mapagtatagumpayan mo yan, kung makikinig ka sa TAMA.

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

Gaya ng sabi sa verse, kailangan mo muna mag “submit” sa Lord / sumunod sa kanya, bago mo mapagtatagumpayan ang kaaway. Never na mangyayari na magiging victorious ka without the help ng ating Lord. Nasa kanya ang tagumpay, wala sa EFFORTS mo. You just have to SURRENDER SA WILL NG LORD.

3. Building A Stronghold Of Christlikeness Involves A Struggle.

Ang proseso ng pagiging MALAYA sa mga stronghold ng kaaway ay laging may “STRUGGLE”. Hindi ito overnight na magiging victorious ka kagad. Kailangan mo ng CHANGE OF HEART, OBEDIENCE, AT PAGIGING CONSISISTENT SA LORD bago mo matalo yang pinagdadaanan mo. – kaya nga tinatawag na “STRUGGLE”

1 Peter 5:9 – RESIST HIM “THE DEVIL” – Meaning dapat may EFFORTS ka para makawala. Efforts na pagsunod at paglapit sa Diyos.

Habang mas lumalapit tayo kay Kristo, mas tumitindi ang tukso, kaya dapat maging matatag pa tayong Kristiyano upang maiwasan natin ang kanyang mga bitag.

This is a Tagalized summary version of Pastor Ken Birks 's Devotional: "Dealing with Strongholds".

All of the contents from these devotional shall be used as a devotional topic for our Junior Youth Fellowship.

Thanks,

Josh

Arg Notes #4

July 2, 2012 Monday
Daily Journal

It's been months since the disaster. My life has now been ran by series of
unfortunate events. Laughter is not my medicine anymore - but stress and a tired whole
being. I just can't believe why did I dedicated and comiitted my heart to a single
person for an almost 6 unfruitful years. Worse than that, beyond the scars and the
bitterness, I am very sure of myself that this person would still be, or should I say, is
still the one who owns my heart.

Never in our 5 years of relationship that I broke from our commitment.
She's always been the one, the most beautiful, the perfect woman
I've been praying from the Lord, my best friend, and the only person who really knew the real me.

But we have our separate worlds now. Different goals in life, priorities, and dreams. Seems to be that maybye, correct me if i'm wrong, that the only thing that binds our relationship from the past is a blind love. That's explains the immaturity that gaps me from her and the big wall of priorities that separates our goals in life. No matter what our differences is, I still love her.

I'm still waiting for a miracle. Not for her to realize that I'm the best person for
her(Pride aside), but her growing up on the Lord and maturing in her Christian growth.
Sure, distance can seperate us. I can live with that. Seeing her happy with her
seems-to-be good influence friends and contented with what she is experiencing now.
I am happy for her, honestly.

Soon and I'll be soon deciding whom to trust and whom to obey.
My heart or my mind.Whether to get rid any remembrance or keep it just to have an .03% encouragement inspiration and yet prolong the agony with each resemblance of our broken relationship.
My commitment to her is beyond words. However, I should live a life and still focus on what God wants me to do- even without her. Even if this would hurt me a lifetime, I should continue the life God wants me to have. I have to live life to the fullest.

I am hoping for a miracle, before it's too late.

God is still in control and will always be.