Manus Dei

2017 was not a good year for me, Last April 2017 I was diagnosed with Stage 1 NHL. My first reaction was why me? Of all people, why me? I am getting married! Which I think is a common response to all, questioning God “Bakit ako”? For me, it was very unfair, thinking that I am alone here in AUH and during that time I’m actually on a healthy lifestyle and doing my daily workout routines. It was an ordinary day to day living for me. But everything has changed. I had so much questions to God and I am in so much pain, emotionally. Then I realized, all that I am praying to God is to always keep my parents healthy, instead of them being sick, I am willing to shoulder all the burden. And I’m thankful because my parents are ok. Because I can’t imagine what I will do if they are the ones who are sick. When I started having my series of tests I wanted to keep it to myself  at first and not to involve anyone most especially those people who are really close to me and my family. As if w...

How does it feel to be “increasingly intense”?! Am I worthy of the Lord’s promise? Should I deserve God's relentless love? Will the Lord forgive me despite my imperfections and sins? or will God embrace me for who I am? These questions keeps running in my head and haunting me in the past. Restless nights, tensions and pressure attacks, stressful work environment, pleasing other people, and a series of negativity, depression, or even spiritual dryness are the triggering factors that the other side is working to pull you down. Perhaps our problem lies in our twisted notion that consistency is good and inconsistency is bad. Maybe, somewhere along the way, we bought into the myth that following Christ means being as perfect as He is and that stumbling is a reminder that we are nothing but sinful misfits. Maybe we do not think we deserve God's relentless love. Perhaps we subconsciously compare ourselves to God, feeling how relentlessly He loves us despite our faults and im...

I honestly had second thoughts about attending this year's SFC National Conference... when I saw the first teaser, I began to reflect on what I have learned in the last conference I attended (MERECON) and was troubled to realize that except for the gist of the workshop I joined, I don't remember the essence of the talks and sharings... for days I pondered about my reason and purpose for going and prayed for enlightenment... and just when I was finally leaning towards making the final decision of sitting it out that God sent people to help me decide otherwise... It was a very early morning for us that started with the Holy Mass and from the onset, my question was answered. During the homily the priest said "we are called to spread the word by living it '. It was further reiterated in Tito Noli Manuel's opening remarks saying "you are a blessed to be a blessing to others - go out and tell the world of the goodness of God". Indeed no question will ...

Is this a difficult reality to transition? Not really! After my 8.3 years tenure in the Singles for Christ Abu Dhabi, finally it is time to bask in my new home called S.O.L.D. (the Servants of the Lord).  But first let me quickly take you back to my journey in SFC. It was on the 2nd of December 2009 when I received the most important, valuable Certificate in my life.  A Certificate that can never be quantified by any amount that I earned after a 13-week, no-fee yet fulfilling Christian Life Program conducted by the Singles for Christ. A Certificate stamped and sealed by God ~ certifying me to be His ‘own’ and servant.  Life then was never tranquil as I expected. Joining a renewal community aimed to transform people’s lives does not offer absolute comfort. During my service life, I had so many falls, and though struggling, I have to stand up and walk my feet out, until one day I found myself kneeling before my God and convicted. Yes, I was convicted. I was tran...

 SFC Abu Dhabi was blessed to have a special teaching with sis Jen Umpad, full time missionary from Manila just days before the 17th SFC UAE National Conference. Brothers and sisters from all four chapters gathered at St. Therese Church at 7:30 pm to listen to this pre-Natcon teaching from our missionaries. Sis Jen started by stating that all who came to the teaching are in different stages of their journey with the Lord, thus all will have different expectations. She asked the state of everyone's heart, ranging from inspired, joyful, grateful, excited, burned out, carrying heavy baggages and curious: all these emotions and more described the state of the journey with the Lord for most of the attendees. Sis Jen likened each SFC member to a jar of clay which is being formed by the Lord, and there are many factors that He uses to form us: our community teachings, household prayer meetings, formations and conferences. He also uses trials and struggles to shape us, painfully if neede...

Growing up, I always hear and read that when one door closes for you, believe that another will open. It’s the same as saying that when you get rejected by an opportunity you really wanted; believe that another one is coming your way. I have no doubt about this and I firmly believe as I experienced this many times. When I first arrived in UAE, I am hopeful that I will get a job related to my profession in the Philippines. Yet after 2 months of searching and application, I found myself working in retail.  I asked God why it happened. This question stayed in my mind for quite some time until I was able to accept that there were really reasons why I am in that situation. As months and years passed by, I learned to love my job and acquired new learning and skills as well. The business was booming and every month we received commissions until one month our salary was delayed for few days. And another month the salary was delayed for a week and so and so forth. Fortunately, our g...

Kailan mo kaya iyan kayang sabihin? Pagkatapos ng lahat ng mga suliranin.. Taimtim na dalangin na iyong minimithi Nagtataka at nalilito kung paano ito nangyari? Sinubukang sundin mga payong paulit ulit Hindi mo namamalayang lumalakas ang kapit Pagdarasal at pagsunod sa Kanyang mga utos Na alam mong ikinalulugdan Nyang lubos Di alintana napansin unting unting dumarating Bagay-bagay, adhikain at mga simpleng hiling Ating mga Pusong natuwa at napatalon sa saya Kaya mo bang ipagsigawang  "ito ay sapat na" Walang maikukumpara sa ligaya nitong hatid Susuungin haharapin at lalagpasan mga balakid Ngayon alam mo kahit nalulumbay at naghihikahos Naniniwala ka na di tayo papabayaan ng ating Diyos

Do you fear speaking in front of many people? do you have that so called “stage fright”? If you’re going to ask me, my answer is definitely "YES!" Yes I do have that fear and I really don’t want to speak in front of many people because when I am required to speak in front of a crowd, my knees, hands and even my voice shake. I also remember experiencing mental blocks. I am also afraid that someone will ask me and I won’t know the answer, that’s why I always have the summary of my reports written in a small piece of paper. Well that was before when I still don’t have the knowledge, wisdom and courage. This training helped me a lot! We all know that most of us have that fear, but do you know what FEAR really means? As our dear Bro. JM Comia told us F.E.A.R. means: FAITH ENTHUSIASM ANTICIPATION RESPECT Let me share some tips that I’ve learned from this training. Before, when I am assigned to report some topics or lessons in class during my high school and college da...

The talk on Christian Character Weekend was held last April 13 2018 in Ruwais. The first talk was about Emotions and Character. I was able to relate to this talk because I used to handle everything by myself. I do not share my feelings and problems to other people. I was afraid that they will gossip and judge me if they knew what I was going through. I acted like nothing is happening with me by just keeping my mind busy on other things and by watching movies and dramas. I struggled at first after joining the community but after I attended the teachings, that’s when I gained courage to sincerely open up and trust people inside and outside the community eventually. I stopped doubting other people and I just entrust everything to God. I do not hide my real feelings anymore and I try to be more expressive to everyone.  Character of Humility is the second talk which is about God who came down to earth not be served but to serve. Our Lord is the perfect model of humility (Philippians...

From inside the enclosed space of Al Safa 101, a low and almost silent chatter accompanies the subtle sounds of worship songs and praises. The Bohemian themed room illuminated by the beauty of chapter A1 and A2 princesses, their lips coffee-drenched, their eyes bright, and grins wide for the lightning-paced day that awaits them. After all, what’s not to celebrate about our Princess Diaries Weekend? What is my worth as a woman? I don’t remember when I started asking this question, and when society started providing an encyclopedic volume of their own answers. Since time immemorial, the patriarchy has always placed importance on the physical attributes of women and considered these as the defining quality for our value. The objectification of women has its roots in the perception that women are mere subjects for aesthetics. I ask again, where can a truly satisfying sense of woman’s worth be found? Is it through the lens of a camera? The right Instagram filter? No matter how much a wo...

Love is the real reason for the creation of humanity. But unlike the other creations of God, only man was created in His  likeness and image. Indeed, when God sent His only begotten Son  our Lord Jesus Christ, to assume the physical being of a of man, he was still recognized by the believers as the Son of God. This revelation was through God's grace.  The woman was made especially for man. This makes the woman a very special creation. To most men, it's not easy to understand a woman. She could be mysterious in a different way that is hard to fathom and sometimes beyond comprehension. A woman needs to be revealed in a more distinct manner so as to be given with high respect and admiration specifically from men. They must treat every woman as something very precious and fragile. A woman needs to be pursued not to be abandoned, neglected and desolated. This is what God wants for He Himself designed a woman, destined a woman as the greatest expression of the creation of...

"I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth." - Acts 13:47. Christian Life Program, a big word for Singles for Christ community. For some of us, it is the same as we are always doing every year. But for me, every CLP is a new experience, a new chapter, and a new beginning. It is a great and another blessing to our community. Not just a program and a service but indeed, it was and always be a start for our souls to renew our faith and it is an amazing beginning to bring our brothers and sisters to let God work to their lives. I, myself thank God for having this wonderful and amazing activity. Of course, since this is one of the important programs for SFC, hindi pwede na hindi tayo equip. God provides us this kind of training. He knows what we need and He finds ways to provide it. Before our battle begin. It was so refreshing that every aspect of the CLP tackled. God gave us His angles and speakers He equipped which He pr...