New Look for 2009

Forgive me for suddenly changing this blog's look. I've been experimenting on which template is better for 2009. For now, I've chosen "Stretched Denim Light". However, I still want a more appropriate template. I'm open to suggestions here. Happy New Year!!!

Year of the Breakthrough

How was your 2008?

Every year that ends sets forth an opportunity for us to evaluate how we spent the year that has passed. What goals set in 2008 were we able to accomplish? What went wrong? What did we do right? and what changes should we do to become better the next year? - these are but some of the questions answered during these "year-end life-evaluation" days.

For some, the year end might lead to gratitude to God for the wonderful things and blessings received. While for others, it might be a deep sigh of "finally, the bad year has come to an end... business is bad, spiritual status is bad, health is bad, financial status is bad, family is bad, even love life is bad! and to make the bad year even worst, sin is doing good, and Satan is having a good year through me!!! you wish it wouldn't continue to 2009.. and you wish 2009 will be a "year of the breakthroughs".

Well, what is a breakthrough?

A breakthrough is a "barging-through" to whatever obstacles are in front of you, a demolition of the barriers hindering you to where you would like to be or what you would like to become. You break-through it to destroy the barriers and let your life loose from all the entanglements that limit you. We can compare it to a "charging foul" if you are a ball player. (but you won't be called for a violation) hehe...

What is it that you need a breakthrough for?

• A sin breakthrough? You wanna live a victorious life for God, not sin all the time?
  
• A forgiveness breakthrough? You can't forgive someone who has offended you?
  
• A financial breakthrough? A physical health breakthrough? (maybe you are sick always)
  
• A breakthrough in your love life??? Whoa! (you can't see God's will for you?...)
  
• A bad habit breakthrough? Whoa! It can be anything in your life! You need a breakthrough this 2009?
  

May Satan not hold you down as a prisoner of your past and your failures. May he not be able to hinder you as you pursue God's plan and purpose for you life. May God give you have a breakthrough this 2009! Pray for it!

Look at what the bible says:

"Thanks be to God Who gives us victory in Christ!" 

- 1 Cor. 15:56 -

"In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" 

 John 16:33 -

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith!. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" 

- 1 John 5:3-5 -

"In all these things, We are more than conquerors through Christ Who loved us! 

- Rom. 8:37 -

Only Christ can give us breakthroughs!

May 2009 be full of breakthroughs for each one of us whether it be financially, spiritually,

and any other areas of your life! God bless us!

New Years Resolution

With the new year just a few hours away. I guess many are already finishing up their New Year's Resolution list. However, I still want to suggest some of the things that you may add. Thank you also for those who contributed to adding to this list.

1. Fast for two days once every month or two.
2. Read your Bible, at least one chapter a day.
3. Finish reading a book, a Christian book.
4. Make a journal, it will help us count our blessings.
5. Have a weekly exercise, like jogging, basketball, volleyball, badminton, etc.
6. Lose 10lbs [for the overweight] / gain 10lbs [for the underweight] by the end of 2009.
7. Commit to attend one fellowship, not being absent more than 10 times.
8. Eat vegetables or fruits atleast twice a week.
9. Have a friendly conversation with a church attendee/member each month whom you haven't interacted with before.
   
10. Set aside tithes before Sunday, so God gets the best, not the rest of what's left
    
11. Carry a Gospel track in your pocket/wallet. Give it away at the first opportunity.
12. Bring one person to church by the end of 2009.
13. Share the Gospel to one person by the end of 2009.
14. Learn to drive.
15. Learn to cook something edible.
16. Stash some biscuits in your car. If a beggar asks for money, give biscuits instead. God loves a cheerful giver.
17. Attend a Bible Study group. [If you don't know how to find one, ask the church office or ask me.]
18. Go to the sanctuary 5 minutes before worship service starts. Pray while you are waiting.
19. Pray together with your family at least once a week.
20. Take up a new hobby that can help in your ministry, such as photography, flash making, etc.
21. Learn a new language.

Well, I'm all out of ideas. Maybe you guys can suggest some more. Happy New Year.

Goodbye 2008, Welcome 2009

As we wrap up 2008, let us remember some of the things that happened. Well, I'm writing down the things that I can remember so far. At least these are the more significant things.

[In no particular order]

1. Our GCHS gym burned down
2. Grace Christian College started
3. Our economy was hit by the oil crisis
4. Massacre at Talayan Village
5. Joshua De Leon was hit by a serious tumor
6. Our church joined a basketball tournament (PCIBL)
7. Sister Sharon Chio joined our pastoral staff
8. We had a mini fair, Fun for Fund
9. We had a youth summer conference in Baguio
10. DVBS (Daily Vacation Bible School)
11. We celebrated our 40th Anniversary (Anniversary Concert and Lunch)
12. Annual Christmas Party
13. Inauguration of our Fellowship Hall and Activity Center
14. Renovation of our church sanctuary
15. Out of one fellowship came Zion and Young Pro Fellowships
16. Chancel Repertory performed the play "Call Waiting" in our church
17. The biggest batch of Baptismal candidates
18. Junior Church Bible Camp
19. Christmas Shoebox project

If you count all the things I've listed down... there are more good than bad. I honestly couldn't remember anymore of the bad events. Lots of bad things have happened; but, I guess, they didn't really leave much of an impression. This reminds me of how God gives us His blessings, but we just don't seem to be thankful enough.

"Count Your blessings, Name them one by one. 

Count your blessings, See what God hath done..."

[you know the rest].

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That is all I'm saying.

How about posting some of them at the comments section below?!

Happy New Year