Our New Wineskin

No one uses a piece of new cloth to patch up an old coat, because the new patch will shrink and tear off some of the old cloth making an even bigger hole, nor does anyone pour new wine into used wineskins, because the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and skins will be ruined. Instead new wine must be poured into fresh wineskin. - Mark 2:21-22

Pope Francis has just fled back to Rome leaving behind so many words and wisdom that were able to inspire many Filipinos, Christians and non-Christians. His very visit and messages pierced a lot of hearts that were once cold and weeping and true enough, it made a great impact to all of us setting our hearts ablaze.
As I relate this event to the Gospel yesterday, let us not allow this new found spirit to be in vain and fade by not acting. Let us not pour this new wine into an old wineskin by going back to our usual routines as if nothing happened.
Lastly, I pray that whatever has happened to us on Pope Francis' visit, may we be able to translate it into actions and decide genuinely to once again follow Jesus Christ.

Buhay YFC: The Other Side of the Coin

We began our youths camps with very little awareness on where are we putting ourselves into. We see young people praying, singing various songs, conducting talks and facilitating activities. This may sound strange, unusual and for some even weird but we have gone through this, nakapag-camp naman tayo lahat eh.
Naranasan nating umiyak dahil sa reflection, napanga-nga at nabored sa ibang mga speakers. Hindi nakatulog dahil maraming lamok o talagang hindi lang sanay matulog sa ibang lugar. Pagdating sa talk 5 napasabi ka sa sarili mo na magpapakabait ka na sabay "pag-uwi ko mag I love you ako sa parents ko." Were very idealistic, so full of enthusiasm in "serving the Lord" through YFC then finally makakauwi narin at makakatulog ng mahimbing.
Then what's next? Oo nga pala may covenant orientation pa, doon daw ako magiging certified YFC at makukuha ang ID ko. O natapos na ang covenant orientation, anu uli ang susunod? Ay teka magpacamp tayo! So may Youth Camp training and Household leaders training diba? Diba ito yung may lokohan na workshop? Yung tipong aasarin ang bagong service team tapos sasabihing, "dapat ready tayo sa mga ganitong sitwasyon" tapos hindi naman pala ganun ka lala, exaggerated lang
Then yehey! Camp na. Magiging service team na ako. Start muna ako sa prayer warrior kasi shy type ako. Ahw ang boring pala nito, paulit-ulit nalang ang rosary. Dapat next camp sa music min ako. Maganda din yung camp servant kasi panay lakad-lakad lang tsaka kitchen warrior kasi nasa kusina lang.
After several years, ininvite na maging speaker. Hmp ayoko nyan baka mapahiya ako. Doon nalang ako ulit sa DGL o sa kahit anu basta wag lang yan. How about sharer nalang? Wala naman akong ma ishare eh (kalokohan lang alam ko haha :p). Eh magdasal nalang? hmp sila nalang, mas magaling sila magdasal eh...
Kaya ayun, camp after camp ganun nalang. Nakakapagod na. Pahinga muna ako, kaya naman nila yan eh. Babawi nalang ako sa next activity.
Pagdating ng next activity. Ininvite ulit. Pero pass muna, baka next time nalang busy ako eh, may exams kami bukas.
Lumipas ang maraming activity di parin ako pumunta. Nagtatago nalang, umiiwas, at nahihiya. miss ko na ang YFC pero nahihiya na ako. Hanggang tingin nalang ako nito. Then nag college nalang at nag-graduate wala na talaga. Goodbye YFC
End of story

Giving and Receiving

Gospel:

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." - Luke 14:12-14.

Reflection:

Just yesterday, my family were invited to a birthday celebration of my nephew and after such banquet we had some sincere discussions with my uncle. He somehow shed light into the overly used principle related to giving. Many people adheres to giving to charity because it will somehow return to you in much bigger amount or quantity. My uncle then asked a question; do you give because of the reward/ return that can surely benefit you? Or do you give out of love?
This simply opened up the idea of various motives in giving. We might see other people generously giving but have always expected something in return and for some who might be seen as a generous giver but in reality alms to that person's perspective.
I think the Gospel is simply telling us to be a generous  giver and at the same time a generous lover. Giving without expecting any in return and giving even small amounts but with enormous love.

Imprisonment

This is not to discourage our brothers and sisters in availing apple products or buy any gadget but I would post it to remind people of their priorities and potentials.

A lot of us are quite aware of the technology we are enjoying. From the convenience of our computers, cellphones and other machines enabling us to accomplish so many tasks with lesser effort. Even in our Youth for Christ community we evangelize through the use of social media such as facebook, twitter, instagram. We also spread inspirational videos through youtube and other similar sites.
Just like any other things, it also has its drawbacks. Numerous people nowadays including our fellow brothers and sisters tend to be imprisoned with the technology they are enjoying. Some tend to build up their self-worth by constantly keeping up with the new trend in the gadget world. Some tend to consider themselves as famous and having a lot of friends even if the reality says otherwise. They are isolating themselves and only interacting online without the bother to communicate in person.
What's bothering me is the distortion in some of the values which I find very important such as friendship and self-worth. Self-worth is not measured by how many friends/followers you have online neither how many likes did your recent photo have accumulate. It's real foundation is actually the goodness you have in yourself, your talents, skills and how you've used them for the good.

Hope this picture would also remind us the various imprisonment we have over earthly things.

About Faith

The video simply reminded me of the things I do even if other people sees it as irrelevant and worthless. Just like the person in video, he continued helping without even expecting any in return yet in the end, everything seems to have taken their respective place and worked out for our hero.

SEND ME by Liveloud

intro:
C - G - Am - F (4x)



Verse:  (C - G - Am - F)
C      G  Am                 F
here i am coming before your throne
C            G    Am                 F
your servant Lord waiting to do your will
C      G  Am                F
here i am giving my life to you
C            G     Am             F
your soldier Lord, ready for your command



Chorus: (C - G - Am - F)
C       G               Am        F
send me Lord and i will go to the place you have prepared
C       G               Am             F
send me Lord and i will speak with the power of your word
C       G               Am                F
send me Lord and i will seek your awesome love and majesty
C    G       Am    F        G
Lord send me, Lord send me, i will go...
(C - G - Am - F)



Verse2: (C - G - Am - F)
C      G  Am               F
i will go wherever you may lead me
C           G         Am                 F
Your spirit Lord will be my strength and shield
C      G  Am                 F
I will go to valley high and low
C            G       Am        F
Your kingdom Lord on earth may come



Chorus2: (C - G - Am - F) 3x then do (C - G - Am - F - G)
C       G               Am        F
send me Lord and i will go to the place you have prepared
C       G               Am             F
send me Lord and i will speak with the power of your word
C       G               Am                F
send me Lord and i will seek your awesome love and majesty
C    G       Am    F
Lord send me, Lord send me, i will go...
C    G       Am    F        G
Lord send me, Lord send me, i will go...



Adlib:
F - G - Am (2x)



Bridge: (F - G - Am) 3x then do (F - G - Am - G)
F           G      Am
Though I fear what lies beyond the horizon
F           G     Am
I'll be brave for you oh Lord are with me
F          G   Am
There may be a mountain of oppresion
F                     G              Am  G
I will fall for it is your love that overcomes



Chorus3: (repeat chorus3 2x) (C - G - Am - F)
C       G               Am        F
send me Lord and i will go to the place you have prepared
C       G               Am             F
send me Lord and i will speak with the power of your word
C       G               Am                F
send me Lord and i will seek your awesome love and majesty
C    G       Am    F        G
Lord send me, Lord send me, i will go...

TRAILBLAZIN

Intro: E - F#m - A - B

I. (do intro c.p.)
Ahead of the pack keeping up the pace
Together we blaze in God's amazing grace
Paving the trail though at times in may seem frail
We will pursue for the promise is true

Chorus:
         C#m         B
We'll be blazin' for God
        C#m          B  
We will fire up the trail
        F#m     G#m      A 
Zooming onwards with the spirit
     G#m     F#m     B
Make way for here we come
         (intro chords) 
We'll be trailblazin'

II. (do intro c.p.)
Riding with the spirit his move is strong and fast
Be ready anytime don't be left behind
Changing old records setting the standards
Live to the fullest for God deserves the best
(Chorus)

Bridge:
F#m - G#m - A       
For those who follow the trail be faithful all the way
F#m - G#m - A - B           
Strengthening what we've started never giving up when the road is rough

 (chorus)

REACHING by Monica Ponce

Verse:
F#m - E - A
Loving God, You have chosen me 
To love You, to serve You
And I can hear Your voice calling out to me
My Father of awe and wonder


Pre chorus:
B - F#m - C#m - B - F#m - A
You are the holy king of everlasting glory
Take me and lead me to Your cross and to eternity

Chorus:
E - F#m - A
You're reaching, reaching out to me Lord
I can feel your presence dwelling inside of me
I'm seeking, seeking ways to break free
From my sins and failures and praying for Your mercy


F#m - E - A
You're reaching, You're reaching, You're reaching out to me
I'm seeking, I'm seeking, ways to break free

Bridge: B - C#m - A
So if I break into a million pieces
I pray to You my Jesus
Lord, make me anew

Credits to: http://cfcyfc.forumatic.com

POUR AND FLOW by Bimbo Yerro

Verse:
E-G#m-A-B
My hope was built in You Lord
There is nothing more I want
My joy is found in Your grace
I desire to remain in Your arms

Chorus:
A-C#m-E-B
Let the heavens sing and the sky stretch wide
As your mercy falls on me
Oh revive my soul and Lord make me new
Let my heart rejoice in You

Bridge:
A-B-E 
Holy Spirit pour and flow
Come and rush into my soul

Credits to : http://cfcyfc.forumatic.com

YOU ARE KING by AJ Manalaysay, Ayana Glann Carlos, and Marianne Alvarez

Verse 1 : E-A
The height of the mountains
The depths of the earth
Are found in Your mighty hands
We're found in Your mighty hands

Verse 2 : E-A
All of creation
lift their eyes in adoration
As we rest into the splendor
of Your holiness

Pre-Chorus:
C#m – A – E – B
We'll come into Your heavenly courts
Our heart as an offering (2x)

Chorus:

E – A – C#m – A – E 
You are King
We will go at Your command
With our cross we will follow
Rise in Your mighty hand


(Repeat Verse I, Pre-chorus, Chorus, Bridge)

Bridge: B – C#m – A
With Your body
And Your blood
We overcome (4x)

(Repeat Chorus)

Tiwala sa sarili

Marami sa atin ang natatakot at ayaw magsalita sa harapan sa pangambang magkamali, mabulol, o mapagtawan. Kaya naman mas pinipli na lang nating manahimik at tila walang pakialam sa mga nangyayari sa paligid.
Marami din ang animo'y gustong magtago at lumayo sa sangkatauhan sa paniniwalang wala silang alam o silbi sa lipunan. Sa kabilang dako, may iilan din ang tila lumaki na ang mga ulo dahil sa mga pag-aari, abilidad at kagandahan nila.
Anu nga ba ang ibig-sabihin ng pagkakaroon ng tiwala sa sarili at paano ito maaabot?
Ngunit bago natin yan sagutin, tignan muna natin ang mga ginagawa na ng karamihan upang tumaas kuno ang "confidence" nila.
Kung mapapansin niyo, kung anu-ano na ang ginagawa ng karamihan upang tumaaas lang ang tiwala nila sa sarili. May nagpapakulay ng buhok, nagpapagupit ayon sa uso, nagpapabraces sa ngipin, nagsusuot ng mga makukulay at mamahaling damit, bumibili ng makabagong gadgets, nagpaparamihan ng likes sa facebook at followers sa twitter at kung anu-ano pa. Wala namang masama sa pagkakaroon ng lahat ng ito pero halimbawa, tanggalin natin ito lahat sayo, may matitirang confidence pa ba, o baka naman maubos na lahat?
Ang tiwala sa sarili ay galing sa positibong tingin sa sarili, sa kakayahan, sa mga taong nakapalibot sayo, sa mga alam at magagandang pananaw sa buhay. Subalit kung ngayon palang ay pangit, bobo at walang silbi na ang tingin mo sa sarili, kahit anu pang retoke ang gawin mo, mananatiling kulang at negatibo parin ang confidence mo.
Mahalagang malaman na ang confidence ay dapat manggaling mismo sa sarili mo, hindi yan maipapasa o maibigay galing sa iba. Marahil ay pwede kang tulungan ng mga kakilala mo ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, ikaw parin ang magdedesisyon para sa sarili mo.
Sa mga pagkakataong ikaw ay hinihimok upang magsalita sa harap, gamitin mo ang inilaang panahon upang maihanda ang sarili. Sa pamamagitan ng maayos na paghahanda, makakatiyak kang tama ang mailalahad mo sa manonood.
Huwag kang mabahala kung makaramdam ka ng kaba o takot kasi kahit ang mga pinamagagaling ay nakakaramdam din ng mga ganyan. Kahit yung mga taong tinitingala mo sa larangan ng public speaking ay kinahabahan din.
Kung umabot ka naman sa sitwasyong ika'y napagtawanan, huwag panghinaan ng loob dahil dumadaan ang lahat diyan. Ang mapagtawanan din ay implikasyon na ang manonood ay nakikinig sa iyo.
Subalit kung nagawa mo na ang lahat upang hugutin ang lahat ng iyong tiwala sa sarili pero ikaw ay nabigo, baka naman may nalimutan kang isang napaka importanteng bagay, ang pananalig at pagdarasal sa Panginoon.

Against the Odds

Its been a while now since my last post. For now, I'll just be sharing this video I happened to watch after browsing facebook.

Judgmental Test

Being judged or being judgmental might be one of the most common source of conflict and misunderstanding. However the problem may rise on whether we have really judge or is it something else.

While I do consider myself as a judgmental person, I came to realize this thought that all of us whether old, young, professional or out of school have attached meanings to various words, gestures and things we encounter. This may be the result of a social norms or how other people describe it to us and its not a sin nor we are to be blamed for that. With all of these meanings, its inevitable for us to filter the thought/idea attached to a certain word when we happen to read or hear it. For example, when we hear the word dog or cat, some might say it's a pet or perhaps others would consider them ferocious but then again, its not a sin because it had been imprinted in us.

Now saying ones a judgmental person starts by simply stating a notion or first impression you have for her/him because in the first place, we do render our first impression to everyone. However, if one sticks to that particular idea of that same person, then I believe one now becomes judgmental, especially when that someone doesn't even bother to ask questions as to why and how he/she came to be.

Now before you say someone is judgmental, how about asking that very question to yourself. :)

Good day and advance happy weekend!

What Excuse?

This Good Friday, many reflections and realizations have taken place inside my head. Many of them came from witnessing and hearing other people's testimony of sacrifice, love, hope and faith. These reflections includes one of my drive to continue believing even if the world shouts to refrain from believing in God due to many crimes, tragedies and death covering the whole world.

Seeing all these survivors from various tragedies that have happened in the Philippines including those who survived typhoon Yolanda and the destructive earthquake in Bohol makes my heart cryout in pain for their loss and at the same time, shout to the world how we are loved by the Lord. These people who have lost so much; shelter, clothing, food and loved ones still continues to have faith in the Lord. All of them who experienced traumatic pain and overwhelming odds managed to cling to Almighty God and found strength in Him to move forward and build their lives from almost nothing.

With that being said, what excuse do we have in not believing? We who might have a recent break-up with our girlfriends/boyfriends, who might have lost to a computer game, we who are being troubled of not eating in a fancy restaurant, we who couldn't style our hairs right or who have received a failing grade, what excuse can we come up to somehow validate our actions in continuously sinning and saying the Lord is without worth?

As we continue to be in solemnity of this Lenten season, let us reflect of all of these things and the unconditional love of the Lord. Let us offer prayers and for just this time deviate from our daily routines to make way for the Holy Spirit to enter our hearts.

Dare to be Different

Almost everything around us has already deviated from its most basic sense. Many things have lost its importance to the society and even its resemblance to people. We can observe this tragedy by simply observing our surroundings and looking at those ordinary events in our lives. We can see a very poor quality of education not just brought by the educational system but also a result of irresponsible parenthood, poor quality of living and many more. Now that is the most obvious and perhaps, all of us are very aware of that. But as we dig deeper, we can probably consider that even our literature suffers the same condition. We have mainstream movies and albums that are only produced for profit's sake. On top of that, we have a stained justice system presumed to be fueled by money and power. Another thing that is very disturbing is the diminished essence of faith. Many believers now tend to practice their faith only as part of tradition without any experience or encounter with the holy.

As we internalize all of these things, maybe we are already thinking that this is hopeless, or we just do not care. But as we go back to the identities we have as YFC, we are then challenged to make a difference; to be excellent, to be a champion of the poor, to be missionaries, to be single-minded for God, to be patriotic, be 100% free and be a source of unity in the family. Though many have already forgotten these identities, I would slap it again to everyone and constantly remind you that the moment we entered our youth camp, the direction of our lives was already redirected towards God and by being closer to Him, we are also called to possess those traits.

BELOVED by Kirby Llaban

Intro: E-A-E-A
Dbm7 - B/Eb - E - Bsus - A9(Hold)

Verse 1:
       E             Bsus    A9
Redeemer of all mankind
  Dbm           Bsus
Born in a manger
  A9
Raised as a carpenter
  Dbm        Bsus       A9
Oh my King, we come to ponder

Verse 2:
  E         Bsus         A9
Son of our God, Most High
   Dbm            Bsus
Obeying the Father
 A9
Destined to suffer
 Dbm        Bsus     A9    A9
All of these we come to ponder

Pre-Chorus
            Dbm7        Bsus    A9
Cause who am I, that you should die for my sins?
         Dbm7    B/Eb    A9(Hold)            A9
Cause everyday, as I pray I thank you Lord for saving me

Chorus:
   Dbm7 - Bsus  A9        Dbm7-E         Bsus
Beloved........... Son of God. Oh Jesus,     we worship You! (2x)
    Dbm7   Bsus              F#m
All glory be to the One. Father, Spirit, Son.


Coda:
Dbm7       Bsus                Dbm7
On the cross you said, "Woman, Behold your Son"
 A9             Dbm7
Son, Behold Your Mother"
       Bsus             A9
And with Mary we come to build Your Church
    F#m7        E/Ab        A9(Hold)
May Your Kingdom come on Earth

Credits to Youtube Uploader: ehperoles

A Thought of Pride

Have you ever looked down a person before? Maybe its due to his/her appearance, capability whether he/she is mentally challenge or simply obtains very low grade. Other than that, it could be the lifestyle they have. Perhaps one would say this is naturally occurring among men to be judgmental or simply be a critic to others, however, if we look at it closely, it will still boil down to how you see yourself.

Even until now, I haven't noticed a person with a low projection of his/herself criticize others. No matter how superior that low esteemed person might be, he/she would not even talk about the weaknesses and failures of others. From this standpoint we can establish that those who are full or partially full of themselves are the ones who have the guts to talk about others. And thus, we can conclude that pride is truly at work here.

Just like the story of the tax collector and the pharisee when they were at the temple offering. the latter was able to make some criticisms to the former due to his pride. And as what Jesus mentioned in that story, the one who is more deserving to be in heaven was the tax collector who simply accepted that he have done something wrong.

A Happy Mood

Its been a while since my last article and until now, I can't manage to write something that will somehow attract people.
I just decided to make this one just to express how grateful am I to all of our teachers this semester, by the way, I finished our last exam just this afternoon so right now, its the start of my official summer break :).
Anyhow, this semester might be the toughest of them all so far with so many requirements and the grades we need to catch up. Not to mention all of the extra curricular activities that I also need to consider. It was indeed an exhausting journey yet the reward is much much bigger. This coming April 4, I will be flying to Palawan together with our brother's and sister's in Christ to be part of the ICON Revival. This will be my second International conference and I am very excited.

I guess that will be all for now. This write-up is just to somehow relieve my stress and express how grateful am I to my friends, classmates, family and of course, to our Lord Almighty.

Kitakits sa PALAWAN Kapatid!

Daily Gospel: February 24, 2014

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.
Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him.
He asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?"
Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.
Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so."
He said to them in reply, "O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me."
They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth.
Then he questioned his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" He replied, "Since childhood.
It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Jesus said to him, " 'If you can!' Everything is possible to one who has faith."
Then the boy's father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!"
Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, "Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!"
Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, "He is dead!"
But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.
When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, "Why could we not drive it out?"
He said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayer."

Mark 9:14-29.  

Credits to: Dailygospel.org

Daily Gospel: February 23, 2014

Jesus said to his disciples: «You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:38-48.  

Credits to: DailyGospel.org