To my new found joy

I barely noticed you before
Yet the universe conspired for me to see you
You were always there
Seems to have your own world
With people already involved
Filled in every role

Then you let your presence felt
You started to show your real self
Took the time to care
Your contagious joy
Your sweet messages
The way you let the child in you play
Your signature pose in every captured moment
The smile drawing on your face
Each time I see you
But deep within
The little girl calls for help
Crying
Longing for something
Missing a gap
Trying to find an answer
Looking for a permanent reason to smile

From your troubles I wanted to rescue you
To hold your hand and stand up tall
For you not to lose hope
To keep believing in everyone
In service and in God
Most of all in yourself
Despite all that you've been through

Yesteday is a mere record
Tomorrow is just a vision
These aren't necessary
For the present you is what matters

I can't promise anything
If I can, I won't
Because promises are not needed
Just a commitment
To continue filling that missing piece
To be with you in times of loneliness
To heal you from all your pain
To guide you in service
To be whatever you need
And to love you unconditionally

I love you
My new found joy

Overflowing, Ablaze, Overjoyed... So on and so forth

The first week of November has been a roller coaster ride, at least in terms of the weather. At least three storms have passed through the country, the latest one recorded as the strongest typhoon in the world for this year. It caused great devastation. Many were saved, but many lost their lives as well. Strong winds and heavy rainfall showered the Visayan region and a lot of provinces in Luzon and Mindanao. The heavy downpour was expected to last throughout the whole week...

But the skies were cleared hours before our SFC Chapters Napico 1 and 2 held the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

Thank you Lord for calming the storm, and giving us the perfect weather to celebrate and join our new brothers and sisters in serving You. 

We still experienced the heavy downpour and strong winds this night ... the pouring of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to our new brothers and sisters, and the winds similar to the first experience of the disciples on Pentecost. Tongues of fire were spread throughout each and every one's mouths, singing praises and worship to the Lord. 

We started with the opening worship led by Bro. Arjay. As we start, we immediately called unto the Holy Spirit to come upon us, most of all for our new siblings. Time to sing praises and offer Him worship once more.

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You shall be clothed with power from on high when the Holy Spirit comes to you

and you shall be my witnesses throughout the ends of the earth...

Come, Holy Spirit 

Let the Fire fall...

Spirit of the Living God

We affirm your presence here

Spirit of the Living God 

We affirm your power here

To heal us and to deliver us

To rest on us and to empower us

Spirit of God

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Raising our hands, praying in tongues, closing our eyes, may we feel the presence of the Lord and the Holy Spirit witihn us.

It was still the same upbeat talk from Kuya Marlon. He never fails to deliver such a great talk for Baptism : from his personal experiences, sharings, jokes and skits. Our new brothers and sisters had their interests caught through these. 

What struck our new brothers and sisters most is the moment when they have to admit all their mistakes in the past. For every bit of a shortcoming, failure or wrongdoing, they had to stand up and accept those. It is necessary for the full cleansing of themselves before filling them up with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is the time to ask God for forgiveness, which He willingly answered. Our God is a merciful God. He forgives everyone who asks for it and calls unto His name. 

After unloading their burden, it is time for the climax of the talk : the pray-over to receive the gifts prepared by God for them. Silent prayers filled the venue. 

Solemn, peaceful, light. 

Tears, calm faces, delighted hearts. 

The pray-overs ended. Candles were lighted to totally cast away all the negative emotions of guilt, unworthiness, sadness, and pain. The tongues of fire made the whole place in total brightness.

Every special event needs to be remembered. Our closing praisefest lead by Bro. Lei filled exactly what was needed. There is no place here for reservations and feelings of foolishness. We sang to the top of our lungs, shouted, raised and waved our hands, jumped, danced, fell silent, prayed, and raised our hands again - all for praising and glorifying God. The calm faces earlier had turned bright as well with smiles and laughter all around. 

We are so blessed for having this multitude of new fellow warriors in service. Their number still is overwhelming -  goes to show how God works through us and especially through them by accepting His invitation and receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

After tonight's experience, I believe that we will continue to harvest more anointed fighters ready to do His mission. We are out to win this good fight. Let us do this with Him, for Him, and by Him. 

With You Lord, we will continue to experience this overflowing, ablaze, and overjoyed emotions while serving You, fulfilling your mission and looking forward to the future where every single man and woman all over the world experiences Christ.

For all of these, we praise and thank you, Lord God.