Manus Dei

Everyday we are presented with opportunities… Opportunities to show kindness to others; to tell our loved ones how grateful we are for their presence; to step up and grab that chance for career advancement… Opportunities to make the world a better place in our own little way; to bring joy and hope to people are in the throes of sadness….  and opportunities to serve the Lord… Question is – do you seize the opportunity or do you pass it up because you feel that you fall short? That you are not capable?... We are all blessed with Spiritual gifts to be used to serve our Lord, but they lie dormant in our hearts because we refuse to acknowledge and use them – we often give into fear of our shortcomings that we fail to realize that when we tap into and use these gifts for His glory and purpose, He energizes us with His power. What has God called you to do today? Seize the opportunity and believe that He will supply what you need and strengthen you with His mig...

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his  great mercy  he has given us  new birth  into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

O Cross of Christ! O Cross of Christ, symbol of divine love and of human injustice, icon of the supreme sacrifice for love and of boundless selfishness even unto madness, instrument of death and the way of resurrection, sign of obedience and emblem of betrayal, the gallows of persecution and the banner of victory. O Cross of Christ, today too we see you raised up in our sisters and brothers killed, burned alive, throats slit and decapitated by barbarous blades amid cowardly silence. O Cross of Christ, today too we see you in the faces of children, of women and people, worn out and fearful, who flee from war and violence and who often only find death and many Pilates who wash their hands. O Cross of Christ, today too we see you in those filled with knowledge and not with the spirit, scholars of death and not of life, who instead of teaching mercy and life, threaten with punishment and death, and who condemn the just. O Cross of Christ, today too we see you in unfaithful ...

In preparation for the Holy Mass service sponsored by SFC Cluster A, I practiced the second reading from the sambuhay printout given to us minutes before the holy mass. The commentators' instruction was that we have to read from the book on the lector's podium, so no need to carry printouts. When I approached the podium for the second reading, the commentator pointed exactly on the part where I'll start reading, and as I began to read, the 2-3 paragraphs in sambuhay became 5-6 paragraphs in the book! a part of me was in doubt, wanted to stop, and validate with the commentator, whilst, another part talked to the Lord: "Lord, please calm my heart and mind, please remove my doubt and unbelief. This is Your Word. not mine. I'll just be Your mouthpiece." in the end, the book is right all along. all praises to God!

When I was asked to head Manus Dei– I wasn’t able to say yes right away… I am grateful and love being part of the team but the thought of heading the team seems daunting, will I be able to handle it? “may all your dreams come true” -  Bo Sanchez When I was in High School, I remembered collecting  newsletters distributed freely by the school district office. I looked forward every Monday to get a copy and read every page. It sparked in me the desire to write but since I had no one to ask on how to go about my submissions – add to the fact that I was not that confident in my compositions, I just contented myself in reading and collecting the newsletters  - wishing that my school had its own publication and dreaming that one day I would get the opportunity to be part of something similar. College brought me a little closer to that dream. I was delighted to learn that the college ran its own newsletter. I submitted articles for screening but wasn’t able to make...

I was a neophyte of the Singles for Christ Abu Dhabi when my first write up appeared in Manus Dei, back in March 2010.  The feeling was splendid!  Seeing my article being published and reaching the eyes of many, gives me more reasons to be prouder not because I am part of the newsletter’s chosen contributors but, one thing I know, my write up gives inspiration to whoever reads it.   After being in love with this kind of service, the perfect time has come.  It was an answer to my desire, although writing is not my first passion, when in January 2013, I was entrusted to lead this Newsletter Ministry.  I was designated in the Editorial Board headship with high hopes that I can continue whatever has been started and bring Manus Dei even into a higher pedestal of evangelistic credit.  I may not have that defined qualification but I have God’s empowerment as an armament.  The discernment proved me right, in this case, since the power of prayer works th...

John 14:9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Sa mga Sandaling iyon bigla akong natigilan,,, Gusto kong magkwento tungkol sa kanya, Ang mga natamasa kong biyaya... Gusto kong ibida dulot niyang kabutihan, Ngunit sa diwa ay walang mamalas! Kung bakit ang unang pumasok sa isip ko ay ang mga hindi kaibig-ibig para sa aking karanasan, dalawang taon matapos ng siya ay aming matagpuan, ako at nang aking pinsan, na kapwa bagong dating dito upang makipagsapalaran, Kamangha-manghang maibubulalas,,, Sa halip ay ang mga pighating sinapit, Sa malayang pananampalataya ko pala ay nakakapit. O baka naman sa akin talagala siya nakalaan,hmm..talaga namang masarap isipin sa ngayon ngunit aaminin kong hindi kagaya nuon, Sa tabi ng garbage shoot ,sa tabi ng basurahan, kung bakit hindi pa siya tuluyang inihulog ay hindi ko alam, bak...

Yes, it’s so true. I can attest to this. I’ve experienced this countless times in my 26 years of existence. But for today, I’d like to focus on my most recent experience. But before that, let’s first settle down about what financial stewardship really is. I found a lot of definitions online but this line struck me most; “Stewardship is another way of talking about ministry, and it would revolutionize ministry if people could think of it in terms of stewardship—that we are accountable to God for what we do and with what he has trusted to us.” I felt scared when I first read it. I realized that as God’s steward, I am accountable for all the things he has entrusted to me at the same time it’s a privilege to serve and glorify Him if I will use them for good. In fact, it’s another way of talking about ministry as what you’ve read above. This challenge isn’t only meant for me, it’s not only meant for you or your friends and family. It’s meant for all of us. So, le...

Last 27th of January 2017, Chapter B1’s new members along with B1 unit heads, household leaders, and couple coordinator experienced one of the most powerful teachings of SFC , Live Genesis. Held at Al Safah Building Flat 101 and headed by Sis Goldie Maybuena and Bro. Jason Rodriguez, It was the most striking event after our Covenant Orientation. We are indeed lucky and blessed to hear significant and incisive words from great speakers. The first speaker was Bro. Bernz Arce, who came all the way from Al Ain along with his wife and two adorable kids. He was also one of the speakers during our Christian Life Program. Bro. Bernz emphasized on how to Live Fully.  For (us) newbies, our understanding of Living Fully means to be in control of everything. He taught everyone to weigh every actions in their daily lives and that they should be a disciple of Christ, not only during Talks, Prayer Assemblies, or any other SFC Activities but being a Christian should be seen in ou...

Being a Singles for Christ member and a servant leader there are so many things that I look forward to when it comes to chapter activities. One of them is the morning worship with team building activities as it is a call for us to praise Him as it is written in Psalms 95:6   “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let is kneel before the Lord, our Maker” . It was so nice to wake up early in the morning and worship the Lord under the rays of sun. The feeling of you having another opportunity to praise and worship our God with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Last January 13 was the first morning worship of our Chapter, B2 for this year. It was the first activity since the holidays so I believe that everyone was so excited to participate. After days of not seeing your brethren in the community, you look forward to mingle with them and have fun with them. It was nice to see your sister who you have shared your secrets with and your reliable brother who have helped you a lot...

To see is to believe but faith for me is the other way around; it is to believe is to see. We often seek for proofs, evidences, documents and the like to validate a testimony because seeing is believing, but you don’t always have to see to believe. We all come to a point where we question our faith and if there is really a God above but no matter how clueless we can be, we still continue to believe. Why? Because that is how powerful God’s love is, we may not see Him physically but He never fails to let us feel that He is with us in every step of the way. Last January 12 and 13, a Covenant Orientation Weekend was conducted by Chapter B1. COW as they say is the passage through which the SFC life of a newly Christian Life Program graduate will begin. COW consists seven sessions and each session comprises teachings that will equip every SFC member the knowledge on how to be a better Christian and on how we can cultivate our intimate relationship with God.  Talk 1: Our Covenan...

January 6, 2017  - I approached the Friday morning worship hour to honor Him with a grateful heart and to give thanks to our Almighty God. It was very cold in the park and I've started to ask myself, 'what does the Holy Spirit feel like?' During my CLP days, worshiping together with my brothers and sisters was not something that began easily for me. I felt a little bit awkward in the beginning especially in singing because I don't know the worship song and the process.  After my graduation, I've started to create my playlist of worship songs to listen to word of God, not only to get used to it but to live with it.  Yes, it has now become part of my daily routine as I go to work, during working hours and even after work (no more Beyoncé, Adele and to my favorite secret love song).  After the morning prayer and worship, it's an unbelievable feeling. The Spirit is, truly and literally, God's within us. You would feel the God's warm embrace, embrac...

Matthew 16:13-16 (NIV) Who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” And who do we say we are? Who do people say that we are? Jesus as the Son of our living God and we as the chosen ones, Sons and Daughters of our Loving God. Another day full of affirmation and love, gathering of all His servants, indeed my brothers and sisters, a fulfilling day it was for all of us whom He called to hear the good news, not just to listen but to receive and be empowered with His gracious presence and abundance.  All of us are unworthy, undeserving, sinners, had a lot of mistakes in our life and probably still working hard to be delivered from our past, yet because of His mercy and compassion to bring us to His Kingdom, He keeps on calling us and touching our hearts to surrender and follow His will and ways in fulfilling our life’s purpose individually. All of us are servants “Work in Progress”, being God’s servant is the most hon...

At the beginning of each year, in observance of the tradition that is the fullfilment of a prophecy that the Lord has spoken of very clearly in November 2003 at the annual gathering of The Couples for Christ International Council, the SFC community gathers as one and in prayer, worship and thanksgiving offer their 'FIRST FRUITS' of the year. As a testament on just how bountiful God's grace and blessings are, three of our members have come forth with their affirmations: Bro. JM Comia: The Gift of Family Whenever I am asked to speak about my family, it is always my pleasure to proclaim how  grateful and blessed I am for the gift of family. Apart from the gift of life, the gift of family is one of the greatest blessing I received from God. The grace that I received from being part of this community is that – it changed my perception on how I see life. I became more grateful and thankful for all the blessings that I am receiving. It may be an answ...