Manus Dei

what keeps you continuously serving? It is a question I often get asked. I have been serving with the SFC community for four years now and amidst my personal struggles, shortcomings, insecurities and doubt, I am still serving... yes in all honesty there are times when I wanted to walk away but there is always something that keeps me going. Last friday I was blessed with the opportunity to sit as a discussion group leader. It was the first time that I sat with the group but it turns out that I have met one of members several months back. In the course of our sharing she recalled our meeting back then and called me an angel. My heart swelled with humility and gratefulness as I am reminded of one of the reasons why I am still in the community - it is because by serving I am able to give myself to be used as God's channel of love and grace to other people and in turn I feel His presence even more. It is by being instruments whereby God uses us to be a source of...

Held last  May 12, 2017  the  16th SFC UAE National Conference  in Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Ras Al Khaimah was the very first national conference that I attended as an SFC. It was a great and amazing experience, it is also the first time that I was tapped to serve  (as bus coordinator) and saying “Yes” is always a great opportunity to serve in the SFC community. It is worth to wake up early and travel for almost 250 kilometer from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah. I have learned a lot from the sessions and sharing during the conference, and all this I put in my heart and mind as my guide as I grow in my faith in God. Our day started with the Holy Mass which set the tone for the conference theme "ALL OUT" with the Gospel taken from John 14:6 (“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.") and the priest' homily explaining that our lives should be guided by The Way, The Truth and The Life which means to say that ...

But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” - Exodus 4:10-12 I’ve join the SFC community for 2 years now as a blessed member and 5 months as a Household leader. I still remember I was hesitant to take the responsibility but it actually turns out as a PRIVILEDGE. I’m exposed to more number of HH prayer meetings, trainings and empowerment programs of the community. It is a priviledge to understand / discover our purpose of existence and the real value of a deeper relationship with our Father in Heaven (where my biological father on earth is 1 year happily residing too). Last 15th of May ...

“ You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” - Psalm 16:11 On 5th and 25th of May 2017, as we attended HOUSEHOLD HEADS TRAINING (Part 1 & 2), it was a great privilege to experience this kind of teachings for the upcoming CLP. On that day, while reading and understanding this bible verse of PSALM 16:11 I felt the greatness, encouraging, loving presence of God and at the same time I also get a chance to reflect. We tackled different talks as follows: TALK # 1 BROTHERLY LOVE – by Tito Rod, we are all brothers and sisters in SFC community as we are called and chosen by God to take care of God’s people those entrusted to our Household and its importance, the attitude of service and attitude of humility. Let us love not only in words or speech but in reality and faith, with expression and patience. TALK # 2 PRAYER AND INTERCESSION – by Sis Joy, if I were not mistaken every one of us has ...

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prospers you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future.” -  Jeremiah 29:11 This prayer assembly that we had last Monday, 22 May 2017, reminds me of how grateful our Lord God is amidst of my own personal fear and struggles, He uses this opportunity for me to make me realized what He has been doing to me while I’m patiently waiting. With all the sharers during the PA, God speak up to me and He let me witness how my brothers and sisters made a triumph to cope up with their struggle while facing the right kind of fear. For all the good and bad things, experiences, scenarios that has been happening to our lives, we always have to pray, we always have to ” trust in our Lord with all our hearts and not lean in your own understanding”  Psalm 3:5 Settings our minds, attuning our hearts to what is right beyond the negative thoughts and temptations that surrounds us, is a great factor f...

Last 29 May 2017, we had our Unit Heads Training (Orientation) for Cluster A household heads and up. It was a first for me so I don't have the slightest idea as to what will transpire during the said training but since the title is already a giveaway, I had a bit of expectation in mind. It didn’t turn out as I expected it to be but it turned out to be something even greater than that.  The training consists of two talks. The discussion on the first talk mainly focuses on setting our hearts on the goal of our calling for the service, taking after God’s own heart. The first talk started with the question about having the proper vision for our service which, I believe, made many of us present there to evaluate our own reasons and perceptions. We may have been asked by our heads to take on the responsibility but it should be made clear to all that more than that it is a calling to be “a servant of God”. It is never easy to answer such call for with it comes fear and doubt. But li...

Being a Singles for Christ member, we have the mission "every single man and woman all over the world experiencing Christ". These words order us to be evangelizers not only to our co-Catholics but to all single people in the world.  I've been in the community for quite some time now and I already attended Christian Life Program many times.  Before, during and after every CLP, the enemy was always there because this is a spiritual battle. Kindly be more faithful and prayerful because we may feel that we're not worthy to serve our God. There were many traps in the way like temptations, sickness, danger in the road and many more.  Everyone was encouraged to attend the CLP Training last May 5, 2017 for us to be ready for this spiritual battle. This training enables us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. To withstand the attacks of the spiritual forces of evil, we must depend on God's strength and use every piece of His armor:  Belt of truth...

Have you ever crossed your Jordan River?  Are you moving or stagnant? Where does your feet and your faith bring you? These three questions stayed with me - thinking and reflecting where my faith has brought me? Last May 18, 2017, I had a chance to be with my fellow Chapter A2 members to attend our monthly Prayer Assembly.  As we had our opening worship to our Lord God and after hearing the exhortation of Bro. Mharvs Roces, I asked myself “have I really crossed my 'Jordan River' "?  I remember the time prior to my exit in Oman. It was Lenten season and I was so afraid of what will happen to me there. As I heeded the advice of one of our sisters in SFC, she said that all the temptations and trials will come, so taking God’s words to my heart and obeying Him will lead me to victory. Know that the Lord will always be with us, pray always, surrender and trust Him in everything and let Him be your tour guide and travel buddy.  Take all the emotional experiences and c...

“Love enables us to see, beyond all else, the great worth of a human being. With enthusiasm and joy, we can celebrate all that it means to be part of a family.” The night of May 4th, room 405 was filled with laughter and songs of praises from my brothers and sisters in Christ until Bro. JM Comia started the talk and lead the prayer. He also encouraged us to read Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation  Amoris Laetitia  (The Joy of Love), a lengthy letter that follows the Synods on the Family held in 2014 and 2015. Everyone in the room attentively listened and silently prayed as I scanned every corner of the venue. Since I seldom join prayer assemblies due to my schedule, I felt that God lead me to join that night and opened my heart and mind to love and appreciate more my family, to forgive each other’s shortcomings, misunderstandings and mistakes.  “Love does not yield to resentment, scorn for others or the desire to hurt or to gain some advantage. The Christian ide...

“But to you who are listening I say love your enemies and do good to those who hate you”.  - Luke 6:27 On April 20, 2017; Thursday night, we were at Al Safa building with Chapter B2 members and leaders. It was my first service in SFC teaching and I was assigned to handle registration. We experienced a memorable teaching led by Bro. Jervy and Sis Verna.  The Bible verse which I took is about loving your enemies, (Mark 12:31) says  “Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.” It reminds me of my experience 4 years ago with my best friend. How we forgive and love each other again, how we accept the truth about ourselves because of insecurity, jealousy and disappointment. Praying for someone is powerful because it leads to forgiveness. I salute Sis Ellen, Sis Kath, Sis Monique and Sis Thal who shared their testimonies that day. How they were able to surpass difficult experiences in life made me realize how really good ou...