So, what’s new? I am already a resigned full time staff ng CBC (effective nung October 1 pa). But of course, not in the worship/music ministry. I’m still very much active, though medyo hindi na masyadong napa-pagkita ang beauty ko sa tabi-tabi… Which I know naman na marami ang natutuwa…hehehe 
About my personal teaching chuvanes naman…, I just finished my 5 consecutive Sunday meetings with different UNIDA church choir representatives at Noveleta, Cavite. My Basic Sight Reading class started last September 9 and ended last Sunday, October 14. Medyo nakakapagod ang byahe but it was so enjoyable kasi magaling yung mga choir. Sayang lang at maraming hindi naka-kumpleto ng 5 meetings. By the way, kasama ko din dito si Kuya Iggy na nagturo naman ng Voice at si Yda Moredo who assisted Kuya. Well, medyo nami-miss ko nga ang turo ko at ang mga people dun…hehehe Hope to see them again…
Also, just last week, October 12 / 7pm, I sang with Windsong sa isang evangelistic event sa New Millenium Evangelical Church, Manila. It’s so good to sing with them again, na-miss ko pala! Salamat sa pangungulit ni Maouie. We sang "You", "Ride the morning Winds" and "How Could You Say No". Of course, kinabahan akosh at ako lang ang alto! hehehe But by God’s grace okey naman ang kanta namin. After the event I went to Shaw Boulevard for my job interview at 10pm. Thanks to Maouie again, may kasabay akong lumipad doon. And guess what, I went home past 1am. Thanks to Cathie, ‘cuz she patiently waited for my job interview to finish, kaya may kasabay akong umuwi… God is so good!
Now that my Sunday afternoon is already free, I will be able to meet my MO7 discipleship group, finally, this coming Sunday. Marami na’kong utang sa kanila… Waaaaaaaahhhh!!! Sorry gals! Also, makaka-rehearse na ulit ako sa choir. Medyo nag-pahinga kasi muna ako..hehehe
But as 2008 is about to come, I’ve been praying for God’s leading and new direction for me in my work/ministry. Maraming new things sa buhay ko ngayon. As in alis ako sa ‘comfort zones’ ko! Kinda scary but by God’s grace i know I’ll manage… Whew! Well, let’s just wait and see….
…here’s a short devotional I made for our Prayer Solitude two months ago in CBC. This short devotional speaks of what’s in my heart that very day. I was able to finish it in just a few minutes. hehe Let me share it with you… :) – NIKKI –
"BECAUSE OF THE LORD’S GREAT LOVE WE ARE NOT CONSUMED, FOR HIS COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL. THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING; GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS." Lamentations 3:22-23
What consumes you right now? Is it a recent problem at home? At work? A broken relationship beyond repair? Fear of the future? Wrong decisions made? Unforgiving heart? Unmet expectations? Hmmmmmmm….. Just take time to ponder the things that seem to consume you lately.
Whatever it is or they are, one thing is sure — we will NOT be consumed because of God’s great love that is greater than any of our problems. The truth is we need not carry all these with us. All we need is ask forgiveness from God for all our sins and for carrying all these problem-baggages with us. Then cast all our cares to God for He cares for us. We need to remember that, by God’s amazing grace, all things are new every morning! We just have to choose to live it by faith. Indeed, our God will always be faithful even though we are unfaithful many times. The fact that God remains faithful — we can always praise Him, worship Him regardless of our circumstances — whether good or bad.
Now, take time to pray for the things you have pondered. As you pray for each problem-baggages, always acknowledge that God is faithful and that He is greater than any of these problems. Cast it all to him and then let go…
It’s been quite awhile since my last blog. I celebrated my birthday silently. Far from the noise of this world. I have lots of things in my mind lately. But it’s kinda very personal that’s why I was silent here for the past few weeks. It’s better to just keep it for awhile. ‘Cuz there are certain things that can be easily shared with just anybody. But what’s been in my mind lately requires sensitivity and a tender heart for those who will know what’s inside my mind and most of all — my heart!
Behind my smiles are discouragements and frustrations. And I’ll be a liar if I will tell you that I’m not struggling and crying from time to time. Crying is kinda hard for me to do. But somehow a good cry do restore my senses back to normal…
But God is faithful! He is Sovereign! With these great truths I can persevere (by His grace)… He knows when to uplift me, encourage me and to inspire me. I can still remember the last time I already told God, "God enough na po… Hindi ko na talaga kaya…" I was so grateful that He allowed me to feel His presence that time — all the more. I was able to enjoy my Basic Sight Reading workshop at Cavite two Sundays ago. His grace was so evident in me that time — and always will be…
Hmmmmmmmm…. I always speak my mind — but not this time… It’s better to keep silent and just keep my conversations between me and God. Because with God I know He understands me so perfectly…
God, please enable me to persevere for Your glory! In Jesus’ name I pray — AMEN!!! 
God’s perspective on our future is this: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12). That’s a great promise. It encourages us that things will change; whatever we feel stuck in now isn’t permanent.
But this promise also reminds us that change requires perseverance. It doesn’t usually happen overnight. God honors loving obedience and faith that can stick it out over time. And the reward for enduring is a crown of life.
— Chip Ingram
Celphones break. Apples rotten. A disciplined runner can get tired and eventually retire. Even a bunch of red and white roses may wither and lose its beauty after a few more days had passed. However, an ugly worm can turn into a stunning butterfly. A blank canvass can turn into an incredible painting. Squeezed grapes that’s been stored for years can turn into a perfect-elegant wine. And rocks can turn into dazzling diamonds…
Haah! There’s still more to this life, no matter how tough it can get. No matter if you’re about to break. God’s grace is evident indeed! It grants us life! How? Grace saved me from hell. Grace sustains me as I live my life in this dying and sinful world. Grace keeps me running and going. But grace upon grace? Well, that’s another thing. As Joni Eareckson Tada says in her book, “Now, that’s breathtaking! His grace upon grace not only lets me live, His grace lets me serve, it lets me worship, it lets me take His name as my own, it called me by name, it grants me fulness of life…”
This is grace indeed — as a new chapter in my life is about to unfold. The problems that darted me these past few months is still unresolved and without a closure. All situations remain the same despite my faithful pleadings and obedience to God. But one thing is for sure, He is doing something for His glory in each unclosed situation. He has His own perfect timing for all of it. Moreover, what He did for the past months (and is still doing) was not what I’ve prayed for (and has been praying for) — He changed me from the inside out… And so I changed my prayer and prayed for what God has wanted me to pray for instead — that He would grant me continually His grace upon grace ‘til I become the person that He wants me to be.
Now, it is very clear to me that I need to make big adjustments and right decisions (by God’s grace) to be able to join God in His work to the fullest. It’s exciting, indeed, though it will also be hard and uncomfortable. But with God, I know I can!
“But forget all that – it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
For I AM about to do a brand-new thing. See, I hve already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!”
Isaiah 43:18,19
Dear God, nobody knows the secret pains and grief within me that are so overwhelming. But You know them all too well. Right now, I am surrounded by exhaustive circumstances — ready to deplete me ’til I am but no more. Yet, i can always hope in You, my ever present God!
Everything around me seem so shaky and are about to break and fall down. Around me are like worthless chaff that are about to be scattered by the wind. Yet what makes me stand still is the truth of who You are — You, God, is my refuge! I can always hide in the shadow of your wings when the enemy’s arrows are all darting on me. And You will be my Healer — healing me from all the wounds that the arrows had caused.
Thank You so much that I can always cast all my concerns upon You, knowing very well that You care for me incomparably! I can always come to you & share all the deepest desires of my heart.
God, carry me in Your arms because I’m so tired of fighting. I know I don’t need to quit, i just need to let You fight my battles because I cannot fight using my own strength and armor. It has to be Your strength and Your armor that i should be using in facing each of my life’s battles. I am deeply wounded right now. Fight for me, my God!
Also, please cause me also to live one day at a time. Cause me to move in Your Spirit, pray unceasingly and look to You for grace daily. Allow me to rise above my circumstances for the glory of Your name alone!
I Love you too , my dear and faithful God! Thank You for being Sovereign — in control of all circumstances. Indeed, the whole world is in Your hands!
Forever Yours, NIKKI…..
After our choir rehearsal yesterday, I and two other friends went to watch "TRANSFORMERS" at The Block… I was really looking forward to watch this movie ever since I saw its trailer in the movie house. I’m not actually a Transformer cartoon addict but I was watching it always on tv because my Kuya Iggy loves to watch it so much — siya ang addict hindi ako! hehehe
I almost missed watching this movie because of hectic schedule. I was so glad when we saw that it’s still on the go in some movie houses yesterday. So, we watched! And just like the day I watched Superman last year, the feeling also was very nostalgic! Specially when I saw my favorite brave "robot" soldier — bumble bee and their leader — prime! I can’t help but smile upon seeing them in the big screen…
Hmmmmm…., i’ll be looking forward for the Transformers The Movie: Part 2!!! Weeeeeeee…..
ONLY BY GRACE Christian Family Fellowship, the name of the church at Hagonoy, Bulacan that invited the Elo’I Choir, with Pastor Ronel as the guest speaker, on their 1st church anniversary celebrtion.
The very name of the church was exactly what we experienced last Sunday. It was truly by God’s grace we were able to perform an extra ordinary feat of singing a capella the songs that needed minus one accompaniment.
On my part, it was my first time to conduct with tears literally rolling down my cheeks…hehehe Yes, there was tension but God had His way of comforting all of us through the message of our impromptu song:
“For all those things that we don’t understand.
We come by faith and we place them in Your hands.”
We did just that and placed the situation in His hand. Sure enough nakabawi kami! Thanks to Jaivy and company for rushing to get the minus one I failed to bring along….Jengers talaga! hehehe
Guess what?! We were again invited to sing there. Indeed, “Not to us, O Lord, but to Your name be all the glory!”
….chibugan time after singing syempre!!! =p
"KNOW THEREFORE THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GOD; HE IS THE FAITHFUL GOD, KEEPING HIS COVENANT OF LOVE TO ATHOUSAND GENERATIONS OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND KEEP HIS COMMANDS…" –Deuteronomy 7:9–
I was encouraged and strengthened by the truth of the verse written above, in my time with God in His Word, just 2 hours ago. Everything around me changes. You would never know if things would still be okey or not in just a few hours from now.
It’s very true that we get excited about God when circumstances around us are delightful, great, and wonderful. We always find ourselves saying out loud, "Thank you Lord for the wonderful day!" But when things are bad and gloomy we tend to think that God is nowhere, beyond our reach, never cares.
But the verse above says that God is the Faithful God — who is steadfast and true yesterday, today and forever! The world changes because it is a decaying snful world. But what remains constant in this world is the One who created it —GOD! He never changes! Sad to say, we are all so prone to let our circumstances dictate our view of God. When things are good, God is good. When things are bad, God is bad. But the Bible tells us that God is God regardless of the circumstances. We cannot allow circumstances to dictate our view of God. But rather, we must let our view of God — that He is "The Faithful God" — dictates and changes our perspective of our circumstances around.
May we find ourselves praising God and thanking Him for a "Great Day" each day, whether our day is delighful or not. Because our world changes but God remains the same. May this truth cause us to put our complete TRUST in Him and OBEY His Words for the glory of His name!!! God bless you all!!!
Why is it that people loves to talk so much? What is it in talking that makes a person feels satisfied or maybe fulfilled? Is it because in talking we can express ourselves, say what’s in our hearts & it reflects who we are?
Sad to say, when we are not careful in what we say, how we say it and who do we say it — we are not aware that it begins to hurt others. In our talks, we begin to judge people and then speculate, which later leads to slander, gossip and lies. And worse yet, we encourage others to do them, too. No wonder it was written in the Scriptures……,
“…we must not speak evil of anyone, and we must avoid quarreling. Instead, we should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.” Titus 3:2
“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people..” Leviticus 19:16a
Chewing at these verses, it tells us never to gossip or slander. But also, to avoid people who gossip or even stop them from spreading slanderous gossips.
To listen to a gossip and to believe in it is no different from the person who gossips. Ouch! It is very true. I, myself is guilty of all these! 
And what’s more…,
“…but evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them…” Matthew 15:18
We all gossip in one way or another. When we gossip it defiles our whole being because we sin —we sin greatly against God (aside from the person we gossiped). And God hates sin so much! Moreover, as God’s children, slanderous gossip must never be a part of us because it is sin itself. Unless, we belong to the other side — the devil!
So what can we do to avoid , to stop and to resist slanderous gossip???
“…we must not speak evil of anyone, and we must avoid quarreling. Instead, we should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.” Titus 3:2
We should be gentle and quiet in spirit. Above all, consider others better than ourselves. If we are confused how to respond to a certain situation or how we will live our lives — the only thing to do is to follow the footsteps of our Lord Jesus. We can always ask ourselves the question: “What would Jesus do?”
Like David, we should admit and confess our sins before God if we find ourselves partaking in slanderous gossips. “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 52:10
Likewise, while we are here in this decaying sinful world, we should abide in God in His Word and in prayer… If we are tempted to gossip ouselves or to partake in a slanderous gossip of others, let us choose to PRAY TO GOD instead!
>PRAY FOR YOURSELF.
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds…” Psalm 141:3,4a
>PRAY FOR OTHERS.
“Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18
Prayer changes us! Through prayers we could counter attack the enemy from his temptations of slanderous gossips. Also, prayer can help us to be more like Christ in our actions, speech and thoughts because it aligns our will to the will of the Heavenly Father.
So, the next time we are tempted to gossip or to take part in slanderous gossip of others, let us ask ourselves again and again this question: “Why Gossip, When I Can Pray???” Then be on your knees…..
Days ago I overheard a lady talking with her companion while riding the public jeepney. She said to the other, "It’s hard for me to forgive him! I was hurt! He can’t blame me! Only time will tell if I would be able to forgive him…."
I smiled upon hearing it but not because her voice was too loud and I couldn’t help but hear their conversation. I smiled because I remember how God forgave me from my sins and keeps on forgiving me over and over again. He was also hurt by the things I’ve done which is against His will but He NEVER say to me "Child, I don’t know if I can forgive you because you’ve hurt me so badly. Wait for time to heal the pain you’ve caused me and only then will I forgive you…" But rather in 1John 1:9 (NLT) it says, "but if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." There were things I’ve learned about "forgiveness" from this verse:
(1) Forgiveness is a choice. I’m so glad that God chose to forgive us from our sins than leave us for eternal doom. If not for His love & forgiveness through Jesus Christ no one is saved from death and there will never be any hope for mankind.
(2) Forgiveness is not dependent on time. When someone asked for forgiveness for the wrong things he has done, the only right and godly response for a christian is "to forgive" right there and then. One does not need to wait for time to heal his pains before he can forgive the person who wronged him.
(3) Forgiveness is choosing not to remember. When God cleansed us from our sin He remembers it no more. In Hebrews 10:17 it says, "I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds…" It just simply says that when we forgive we don’t have to torture the person by reminding him his faults over and over again. But rather, you will choose not to entertain the thoughts of it when it enters your mind.
(4) Forgiveness is humility. When we don’t forgive a person it’s because we are too proud to do so. Christ humbled Himself even to a point of death on the cross just to forgive a wreckless sinner like us. Will we do it also for someone?
(5) Forgiveness is obedience to God. Even God demonstrated forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ. And as Christians (which means ‘little Christs’) He expects us to do the same. "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. FORGIVE AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU…" Colossians 3:12,13
Did someone offended me or has done me wrong? Did someone caused me great pain? How did I responded? Did I responded like Jesus or did I retaliated and fought back instead?
Dear God, Thank you so much for forgiving a sinner like me. Indeed, if I have really understood how much I have received through grace Your forgiveness for my sins, I will be greatly humbled always in Your presence. Cause me to respond right, whenever a person wronged me, by choosing to forgive the way Your Son –Jesus did when He was nailed on the cross for my sins. All for the glory of Your name! In Jesus name AMEN…
