RICEless No more

Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. Normally, the act of fasting is done by us, Catholics, during lenten season in order to afflict the soul through abstaining from fulfilling the needs or wants of the flesh. But during the 2004 SHOUT, I came across a new concept of fasting - and that is for a cause.

Fasting for a cause basically deals with the idea of giving up something in order to have or achieve something. The 'something' you give up can be an act, a thing, i.e. foods and drinks, a hobby (or a vice?), or anything you can think of - something practical and realistic. This 'something' is the object of fasting. On the other hand, the 'something' you want to have or achieve is the cause of your fasting. It can be anything that you are looking forward to i.e. an event, a thing, an endeavor, health or healing for someone.

The idea is quite easy. BUT, believe you me, doing it is kind of difficult and straining.

The catch: the object of your fasting should not be something of less impotance to you. It should be something within your comfort zone, something that is part of your system, or someting you have been used to doing or having. Why is it so? It is because of the principle that if you want something, you need to pay a just 'price' for it; and if you really, really want that something, you need to pay a higher price for it. In short, the more important it is to you or the more difficult it is for you to give up, the better - the more effective it will be for your cause.

BUT then again, it doesn't stop there.

Fasting alone is not enough. You have to PRAY while fasting since the latter will be of no use in the absence of former. As for me, I prayed as often as possible for the cause that I am fasting for, much more if I am tempted (praying for my cause during regular riceless meals). As such, not only that I have stormed heaven's gates with prayers for the cause of my fasting, but I have also built a more intimate relationship with my God.

And now that half of my prayers (causes) have been positively answered, I can attest to the power and efficacy of fasting for a cause. Such an act has not just been something that you can do for that 'something' you are praying for, but it can also become a great way to build personal relationship with Him.

I know it's easier said than done but don't just take my word - try it yourself.


Maktub!

The Good Ol' YFC Youth Camp Days

While browsing through some of my stuff, I came across a bundle of paper strips that made me smile and look back to the YFC Youth Camps that I attended, participated in, and served at.

Inscripted to such paper strips were different tags like "I like your smile.", "You brighten up my day.", "You are God's gift to me.", "You inspire me most.", and "Hope to see you soon." Written at the back were the names and contact number of the person who will give them away as a form of remembrance and appreciation.

The giving of these strips is done at the last day of the camp, particularly after the closing worship, and just before packing up. It is during that time that everybody is at the height of their spirituality and gladness after listening to five moving and inspiring talks and participating in various clean, good, fun activities. Both the participants and the service team members are given these pieces of paper, which they will also give to anyone who they feel is suited for the inscriptions.

As for me, I usually receive more "I like your smile." strips since I wear a big grin on my face while roaming around, giving away my paper strips. But what really touches my heart are the "You inspire me most." strips. I got a number of them over the years I served God through Youth for Christ. Seeing mementos like these pieces of paper always makes me smile and reminisce the wonderful memories I had in YFC Youth Camps.

God is good, all the time!
All the time, God is good!

Maktub!

Forward In Christ

¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 3:13-14

Five important learnings from Saint Paul to live by:

Always remember of the ONE THING.
FORGET WHAT LIES BEHIND.
STRAIN FORWARD IN HOPE.
Just PRESS ON WITH THE MISSION.
Pay attention to the PRIZE.

Exceedingly blessed weekend for me and everyone who attended the CFC - Bicol Mission Core Weekend. Would like to thank you, Tito Mon and Tita Ludy for inviting me to be part of the production team. I appreciate it big time. It just saddens me that you're going through a trying moment at this time. Am praying for Lola Crispina, and that things will get better soon.

Trivia: My first time to attend such activity, as well as be part of a production team. I'm so glad. Praise God!

St. Paul, pray for us!

Maktub!

SFC Bicol Regional Conference - SFC ABLAZE

Ablaze may mean keenly excited or indicating excitement, or lighted up by, or as by fire or flame or resembling flame in brilliance/color, or lighted with red light as if with flames.

These past few days, I ablaze in one way or another.

I just came from a life-changing experience. It is indeed an honor being part of the first ever SFC Bicol Regional Conference (previously with Southern Tagalog for the SFC STaB Regional Conference). The SFC ReCon entitled SFC ABLAZE (anchored on the verse "I have come to set the earth on fire and how I wish it were already blazing." -Luke 12:49) is, as expected, a revealing and moving meeting with God. With sessions about the Holy Trinity and how to ablaze the world for Him, who would not be inspired?

This is how I (together with the SFC Albay Delegates) spent my weekend in Masbate City.

Friday, October 24:
For our 9 am meeting time, as usual, some were late and I definitely cannot be excluded. We left for Pilar, Sorsogon at 9:30 am. After an hour of travel and another hour of waiting, we departed through the Montenegro Shipping Fastcraft. We reached Masbate National Comprehensive High School at around 2 pm. Upon arrival, we had our lunch and immediately looked for a place to settle at (DepEd Masbate City Division Office warmly accomodated us for only Php150 - the place is very nice and the people there were very kind; thanks for the pair of basketball shoes that was lent to me and for the Indian mango fruits and seedlings that were given to us). We toured around the city through a motorcade at 4 pm and attended the opening mass at 6 pm. After the preliminary activities, we had our dinner, took a bath, dressed formally (okay, just semi) and proceeded to the hall for the evening session: Embraced by the Father [Lessons learned: That God is so rich that He can and He will provide all our needs; we just have to trust Him. That our Father loves us so much that if we offer everything to Him, we will be truly blessed.] The night was concluded by a short disco party of the knights and princesses - the heirs to the throne.

Saturday, October 25:
Woke up at 6:30 am and started preparing for the morning activity: Workshop Sessions. I attended the Counseling Workshop (Gift of Wisdom) with Fr. Felix Ponferrada. The workshop was truly nourishing; Fr. Felix is really a gifted counselor. Not only I learned about counseling but I also learned how to deal with my 'back subjects'. Listening to the unsaid, unearthing, forgiving yourself, cherishing yet treating the wounded past and printing good memories are just some of the things that I will keep in mind. After a couple of hours, we had our lunch break, took a short break and prepared for our basketball games wherein we played against Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. With only 5 players in the team, mostly haven't played an officiated game, both games resulted against our favor. Nonetheless, we sweat hard and enjoyed the game. After the games, we went back to our 'barracks', rested for a while, freshened up and attended the anticipated mass. After which, we ate dinner and dressed up for the evening sessions: Saved by the Son [Lessons learned: The if we are to love and trust the Father, we ought to be more like Jesus - an obedient son of God. That whatever hardships and difficulties we encounter as we live our Christian lives and as we serve God, all we need to do is to simply remember what Jesus went through - His passion to abide by the will of God.] and Empowered by the Holy Spirit [Lessons learned: That it is by Holy Spirit that God is able to manifest His love for us. That if we learned to acknowledge the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will be richly blessed and be able to go just about anything in serving God.] The night was concluded with a party with the Lord through worship.

Sunday, October 26:
Woke up at 6:30 am, packed our things and started preparing for the final session: Ablaze - Set the World on Fire [Lessons learned: That if God and His Spirit is with us, who can be against us? That if God and His Spirit is with us, we can set the world ablaze, we can conquer the world for Him, we can build the Chruch of the Home and the Church of the Poor.] Praisefest, symbolic pray-over of the continents and awarding ceremony concluded the conference. We rested for a bit, had our lunch, headed to the port and boarded the Fastcraft. We then bid goodbye to Masbate and say hello to Camarines Sur. After 2 hours of sea travel and an hour of land travel, I am back home - physically tired and exhausted but emotionally and spiritually nourished, inspired and invigorated.

What a weekend; what a bliss! God is truly an awesome God; I couldn't ask for more. I wished that the said conference would not come to an end. Conferences, for me, are like charging devices wherein I am being re-supplied with spiritual energy or power after a 'hard day's work' serving God. It is like taking a break, going home, resting, freshening up, nourishing and equipping yourself, reviewing your battle plan, and getting ready once again for attacks. It is paying homage to God and asking His grace, blessing, wisdom and 'encouragement' to enable you to keep going and conquer more territories for Him.

Looking forward to the SFC International Conference on February 20-22, 2009 in Cebu City!

Maktub!

A Profitable Servant

Years have passed since I was called into a renewal,
To accept and know Christ more in a way that is personal.

I’ve rejoiced, felt being changed and really gone out of my way
because He has touched me and healed all my dismay.

In my great delight, serving Him seems to be a good payment,
And maybe, in one way or another, a very good investment.

And so I focused myself in becoming a servant in His name,
Taking everything away including my shame.

Little did I notice, my passion for service started to grow,
Sharing the blessings I have to the less fortunate people I know.

I felt good, felt differently,
To these people, I have built camaraderie and became friendly.

Admiration came that entailed bragging my own,
Putting everything aside for my all to be shown.

To everyone, I’ve became known
For I have disregarded my family, even my studies I have thrown.

I exerted effort in showing and giving more,
Until I’ve become rotten and selfish to my very core.

For I have thought of doing more, and even my best,
Making everything at my very own hands be at rest.

I’ve became a man of service, believing that I was good,
Instead of being a man of God, leaving everything to Him for good.

I focused in strengthening the service that sustained me,
Serving so many people but not the One above me.

Soon I became a loser, because all my work to Him I didn’t offer.
For service did I thought was all that matter!

~ 3:58 am ; 11-12-03

This is also one of the literary works God inspired me to come up with during my YFC days. Truly, He works in mysterious ways.

To God be the glory.

Maktub!

KASUROG

SI KRISTO AMING BANTAYOG
BIKOL AT SOUTHERN TAGALOG
YFC MAGKASURUROG

Kaibigan, kapatid, kasurog kung tawagin
Binubuklod ng iisang puso’t panalangin
Bawat isa’y aalagaan at mamahalin
At si Kristo ang bantayog at tanging didinggin.

At kung puso ang iyong susurii’t titingnan
Purong pagmamahal, walang halong kaplastikan
Sa lungkot man o hirap, maging sa kasiyahan
Laging nariyan at t’yak na hindi ka iiwan.

Sa pag-ikot ng mundo’t paglipas ng panahon
Maraming trabaho’t pagsubok ang naghahamon
Na sa bawat lubak, pipiliting makaahon
Para maging matatag sa gagawing paglingon.

Upang lalong mapagtibay ang pagsasamahan
Iba muna bago ang sariling kapakanan
Simbolo ng isang tunay na pagbibigayan
Na kahit sinong tao ay kayang patunayan.

Respeto, pag-uunawa’t tanging pagmamahal
Ang sa bawat nilalang ang s’yang pinapairal
Maging sa taong may pusong sing-tigas ng bakal
Dahil t’yak na lalambot din ito pag-tumagal.

Ordinaryong tao ngunit hindi sumusuko
Dahil ang pagsuko sagisag ng pagkatalo
Pagkatalo sa mga labang ipinangako
Laban para sa katarungan at pagbabago.

Gulong ng buhay ay kay hirap maunawaan
Ngunit kung si Kristo ang ating pinaglalaban
Kailanga’y pusong lubos na naninindigan
At mga kasurog na ating masasandalan.

While going over some of my files, I saw this one. I wrote this tula (tagalog poem) way back in 2004; just a couple of weeks after our CFC - YFC STaB SHouT (Couples For Christ - Youth For Christ Southern Tagalog and Bicol Summer House Training) in Camarines Norte. I was a very active member of YFC Albay then. I was really moved by the experience I got from that activity, inspiring me to come up with this literary stuff.

To God be the glory.

Maktub!