Technology: Bancnet Online

I can't help but share my excitement about a new found discovery (at least for me, lately). This is about www.bancnetonline.com.

If your card or bank belongs to the Bancnet (group of banks), you can now inquire your balance- AND PAY YOUR BILLS online!

No need to go and fall in line in ATM Machines, or even to any Bayad Center just to settle your bills. Bancnet online is just a few clicks away!

And here's more, you don't need to register and be approved after 3 days or a week! Instantly, you can do your transactions!

2 thumbs up for bancnetonline!

Approaching the Throne of Grace: What's Da Meaning?

As a Catholic, I am used to suffer first before I can confidently approach God. I feel like I need to be crucified first, pray the prescribed prayer, and feel the guilt forever because of what I have done. Once I feel guilty, then I can approach God. 

I have never wondered if it was TRUE, or should I just do it, because millions are doing it anyway. At least, I think millions are doing it. Anyway, I was fine, I thought. I was a very religious person. I felt a lot better than those who are professing they believe in God but never went and serve in church. I was not proud, I was just religious and felt peace because I am always in church. I thought.

As a Renewed Catholic, I can say that things has to change, first, in my mind, and ultimately in my heart.

I remember the first day I was confronted with this verse (which became my favorite): 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

What happened was, I was graciously invited for a small conversation with A.B., a friend I met during college. He was there at the canteen outside where my boarding house was located. Waiting for me, as I agreed to meet with him at that exact hour. I was not very interested. In fact, I told the landlady to tell him I was sleeping, but he insisted to wait so I just had to go out and tell him personally I planned something else and maybe just meet some other time. But he was very insistent. 

"If you can't give your all and willing to fight and die to that something that you believe, you never really believed in the first place."

Radical. I have always believed that when doing something, give it your best shot, or else, you might lose your chance. I have always believe in giving it all, or none at all. If you can't give your all and willing to fight and die to that something that you believe, you never really believed in the first place.

"I am fine, kuya. In fact, I always go to church and serve. I have compassion for the poor. I fear God. I pray. Parang I don't see the reason why I have to be what you think I should be because I think I am fine." I said.

"Ah, talaga.?" he lovingly responded. "What if I tell you na those things fall short? Na what you just said were not what really matters?"

The conversation was heating up. He got me very interested. I guess I have to listen to what he is about to say, or else, lose my chance.

AB asked me to open his Bible and read Ephesians 2:8-9, if I am right, around 5 times. I thought he was fooling around already, but on the 3rd time, it got into me. On the 4th time, I was about to cry, my voice was shaking, the verses were starting to dawn deep within. It was just so true. It was getting inside of me, in my mind. In my heart. On the 5th time, I let the tears go. Like a baby, tears just kept flowing from my eyes. We were in a public fast-food chain. I was in a position where everybody can see me crying, but I did not care. He cared, so we had to swap seats so people wouldn't have to wonder why I was crying like crazy.

How can I be so misinformed? How come I haven't known this and just now? It's all timing. It's all God's grace. Life was never the same then.

There is no way I should think like the former thinking. God is so loving He sent His son to die for me and give me a destiny for my life, not just after I die, but now, right here. 

Today, I say, I approach the throne of grace simply because of what Jesus did for me on the cross. He gave me the passes. And it wasn't a cheap ticket. It cost Him his life. He came so I can have life to the full. He endured the suffering in the cross so I can approach the throne of grace with confidence. I can freely worship a living God without even thinking of anything- only focusing on my eyes to the One who deserves my worship. A God who gave me an access to His blessings, to His goodness.

I am no different to anyone. The humility to accept Him in my life and His sovereignty is never because I wanted to be humble, but he enabled me to. I asked for God to fill me with every good thing from above. And he was generous enough to provide them. You can ask too.

If there is anything that I want to share with you- it is approaching God with confidence simply because of Him and through faith in what He has done. It is for freedom that God has set us free. I will never allow the world to measure me according to how it measures others. God has made me immeasurable. Gad has accepted me because of what Jesus did for me. It was never because of me, but because of what Jesus had done. I can ask and it will be given. I can knock, and the door shall be opened- all because of Jesus! 

Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

The Busy Bird Loses Its Temper

You have been working all day,

Toiling, flying, like there is no more tomorrow,

And why all these chasing after the wind?

What are all these for?

Like the fish in the sea, I wonder, do you know why you keep on swimming?

Where are you headed, where are you going?

You have been looking for that one thing,

Yet you don't know what that one thing is for.

After a long day of work and being good to your fellow birds,

You come and I am not sure if it's home,

Feeling restless, why the sudden energy when it comes to work and money?

I can't get it, help me get it, why oh why?

Why would home sacrifice for you,

When you should sacrifice for home?

Why would the little birds deserve what is left,

When gathering is what you are excited with?

Why? Does this home have to suffer what is left?

Should they just understand because you are tired and restless?

You keep flying, you keep toiling, looking for that one thing,

Approaching your nest, your head is aching, your temper lost.

Losing your temper is one thing, busy bird,

But letting the whole world know it is another,

The little bird has been hurt,

Yet you left, because your sleep has been disturbed by its cry for help.

Shame is upon you, yet shame is what you give,

The birds of your kind, are they like you?

I hope they are not, suffering should be outside, looking for the sufferers,

Not the sufferers suffering what you are suffering after you toil.

Why complain in this life where suffering is like breathing?

Is life in itself something you should be thankful of?

Those little birds, given to you from above,

Are they not enough reasons to learn patience and love?

Tomorrow is another day busy bird,

Tomorrow is another day of toiling,

Tomorrow is another day of choosing.

Another day of losing..... or winning.

A Pleasant Surprise

While setting-up my PC for a long day work today, my officemate who came from Zamboanga handed me "the padala" of a dear friend, Ryan Abutazil. Thank you Gil B. for bringing it sacrificially to Manila! :)

I did not expect that much. :) I was super blessed to have another Apollo Checker and 2 packs of Maggi Curry Flavored Noodles. These are 2 of my favorites from Zamboanga (apparently, it came from Malaysia, but since they are almost neighbors, Malaysian food is cheaper in that part of the archipelago).

Thank you Ryan! :) Connie and the kids will be happy, and I am too! :)

See you on July for the EN2010 World Conference! :)

David Lewis @ One Year and 3 Months

David Lewis, or Dave, or A-vid, or Dale, is our youngest. He is now 1 year and 3 months and 8 days old. Connie and I are just amazed at how young David is growing so fast and smart. 


I noticed David can say words already and can even respond well with simple instructions. I am excited because he can already do the following:


1. When I tell him to close the door, and say "Please close the door, David", he would go, even if he is lying on the bed and drinking his milk, he would stand and close the door. With this, I know, he imitates Matti who is very responsible when asked to do something. Sweet young boys.


2. When I call his name and say, "David, come here", he would come to me. I know it sounds weird to even be sharing but what is amazing with David is that when I put him to sleep, he doesn't do tantrums (I am not just sure if he does it with their yaya, but not to me or even to Connie). He would just lie down beside me and close his eyes. He won't move or try to go out of bed. He would just obey.


3. Like any other boy his age, he doesn't want to be stuck in his crib. He wants to roam, scatter all my CDs, hammer something on my laptop, scatter all the clothes which were piled in the corner, pull anything he can pull from the dining table, climb anywhere he can climb (and wonder how to get down, so he cries for help, but still does it over and over), spill anything he can spill, open anything he can open, grab anything he can grab, break anything he can break, etc. Here's one thing I commend my boy for- as young as he is, he knows the meaning of the words "NO", "Give it to Daddy", "Stay in your crib", and "Don't touch that"- and the consequence of disobeying. That way, I can at least minimize our things from breaking, shattering into bits, food wasted, and anything falling. How comforting not to buy a replacement any longer. :)


4. He can now say "Buh-bye" with his hands waving in the air. It actually gives me energy in the morning when I am preparing for work. He normally gets up ahead of me, and I would normally wake up when something breaks or he makes a sound like something big fell (e.g. a glass broke in front of him, the rice cooker fell in front of him). He will know that when someone discovers he's awake, he will stay in the crib already for the next 3-5 hours, while everyone is busy preparing for breakfast, cleaning, etc. I would wear my socks and shoes in front of his crib and there he will be staring at everything I am doing, while giving me some words which are still alien to me. He would smile sometimes, while talking and pointing on something. After wearing my shoes, and as I stand up, he would start saying "Buh-bye" already, waving his hands, until I leave. I always look forward to this scenario in the morning when I prepare for work.


5. He kisses me when I ask him to (I wonder if in Connie's experience, she still needs to ask, but for me, I have to ask). He is so sweet. When I ask him to kiss me, he would kiss me. These are the times I love to be a dad to my children, that I know, I am here for them, literally. That when they need me, I am there for them. I super appreciate it. 


Post-Script on Point 5. Just to emphasize on this, whenever Matti speaks, he would say "Daddy, buy ________ (whatever- milk, diapers, juice, iced tea, battery, hotdog, Milo, toy, ball, medicine, alcohol, vitamins, etc) for _________ (whoever he wants that thing given)". This is exactly what God wants to see in us- that we are confident to Him, that He is indeed our provider. I don't feel pressured at all or mad at Matti when he says this every time, like almost everyday. It reminds me of my God instead, that I can ask anytime, everyday as well.


There is more, but I am glad to have time with the kids. And it is always deliberate on my part. I have so much to do, so much that I need to accomplish, but I would rather be with them and disciple them and train them the way they should go, and see them grow, mature, and learn new things. They are wonderful blessings indeed. They are teachers in their own little ways- teaching us how to trust God and how to embrace Him as our Father.


1 Cor 3: 10b-11 But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Free SMS, UNLIMITED, to ALL Networks!

I have been using txtmate.com's Free Unlimited SMS for the last 5 months and so far, it has been a reliable and cost-effective source of free SMS through my PC more than the usual and well-known free sms service today.

What makes this free service really interesting is that it is UNLIMITED to all networks. It uses different numbers though, that is why it has to be explained to the receiver that they should not reply to the number and reply to the sender's original numbers instead.

Since it is unlimited, there will be no message that says "You have reached the maximum allowed number of SMS" or "The receiver needs to reply before you can send another message".

The service (txtmate.com) has a small-sized software (simple UI) that can be downloaded here or the web-based software that can also be accessed here.

Enjoy technology! Be a responsible texter. Don't send spams, malicious messages, prank messages, or porn-like messages! :) Text to edify, encourage, and empower people! :)

A Worship Experience: Worship in Faith

Yesterday was a special day. I would always think that everyday is really a special day, well, at least i think. And expect, or maybe, just believe. Especially when I am about to sing as part of the music ministry. It makes me realize the grace of God upon me, that I never deserved, His love that is just so amazing. I remember how I love, that is my choice to love, and I would love just the people who are lovable or those who loves me back or loved me first. How different God's love is- a love that loved me not because of what I did, but just because He wants me to, period.


As I stood there, I wanted to do things right. I wanted to make things right, the way I was taught, during the first phase of training. I wanted to remind myself of the Scriptures that I can remember, the way I should stand, the way I should clap, that I should minimize breathing, because my tummy might get bigger, from how big it is already, the way I pronounce my lyrics, my movements, that I should minimize looking at the lyrics from where the sound mixers are, that I should minimize closing my eyes while singing, that I should look around and try to communicate what I am not understanding (it is hard to feel the lyrics while communicating it to the people, huh). I was so consumed of the way I should do it, being so conscious that one of my training leaders are around, observing.


The first service was "just" right. I did what I "should" be doing. While the techniques are not wrong at all, I tend to really be submerged into it, not realizing that I am finishing the service without really worshiping God the way He wants me to. I did not really want to finish it like that. No excitement, no expectations of God, just finishing the worship service. Yesterday was a little different, and I guess, life-changing thus, worth-sharing.


I was trying to sing the songs, when suddenly, I was reminded of the phrase "It's not about me". 


Before that, I was tired the whole night prior to that night. I practiced. We had the best musicians- passionate guitar player, the best keyboardist-drummer of all time, a dancing bass guitar player, singers who can pull off almost any genre of songs. Therefore, we were ready. But I wasn't, like maybe the past Saturday nights I was a privileged to be a part of the music ministry.


But last night was just so different. My wife noticed it too. Or maybe she just encouraged me, but I am convinced it was different. I felt it was, at least.


I worshiped God. And I just felt His presence and I think saw Him smile at me!


I looked up and gazed upon His beauty. And man, I hope I will be able to describe it as exact as how I experienced it, and hopefully be able to put it into words, what I experienced. I closed my eyes, trying to feel the lyrics and put life into them. Something tells me, it's by faith that God is pleased. It's believing in a God I can't see but realizing His sovereignty over my life, over my family's. There was nothing really extravagant about my family, nothing really depressing and life-and-death situation. Nothing new that should make me feel a little emotional. 


There was nothing so emotional about my life, that should make me cry and ask God for His presence to be felt, and worship Him because I feel bad. 


God never needs me. He will never need me. NEVER. But I was in great need of Him. I am the worst sinner of all. I feel like I have been a guilty offender of His goodness. I did things right before His eyes, and realizing how gracious and loving He is, makes me really fall on my knees and worship. There was nothing about me that is worthy of His presence. There will never be. And I like it that way. Makes me worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. And Spirit and Truth signifies FREEDOM to me. Where the Spirit of God is, there is Freedom. The truth sets me Free. And I am free indeed. I am no longer a man-pleaser, but a God-pleaser. While all those preparations are great, God deserves every excellence that i can give, from everything to my life as a whole. I just can't help it. Praise and worship is not just finishing the line-up but enjoying every single second of it, to honor God, be amazed at  His goodness and beauty, enjoying His presence, sitting on His lap and allow Him to fill me up (like that of Mary in contrast to Martha). I wanted to just pour out my appreciation of God. I wanted to intimately be with Him and like a child who wants something so desperately, I did not want to let His presence go. Such a wonderful worship time- worshiping Him alone, setting aside what I am going through and just enjoying Him. And I know, He is delighted to see me worship Him and my eyes focused on Him. I danced, clapped, sing with joy and love, all because He deserves it. How I hoped it never ended. 


Without faith in worship, it's just going to be an activity. A part of the Service. It will just be 4 songs, 2 fast and 2 slow, and 1 special number. Without faith, it's just going to be lyrics and music from talented artists. Faith, according to the Bible, is being sure of what I don't see, and certain of what I hope for. I am sure of God's goodness, I am sure of His love, I am sure  of His existence. I am certain of the hope that one day, things will get better, in my life, in my family's, in the people I pray for, etc. I am certain that God will never leave me and that He remains to be faithful, even when I am not, or I tend to forget, or maybe just not. God is just so awesome beyond description. I just love worshiping!


“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”- Hebrews 11:6