it will come.

Q. Will I ever make it?
A. There's only one way to find out.
Q. How?
A. Go through it -

ONE STEP AT A TIME
-Jordin Sparks

Hurry up and wait, so close but so far away
Everything that you've always dreamed of
Close enough for you to taste but you just can't touch

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face and the door keeps slamming

Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient, waiting
We live and we learn to take

One step at a time there's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's supposed to happen
That we find the reasons why, one step at a time

You believe and you doubt
You're confused, you got it all figured out
Everything that you always wished for
Could be yours, should be yours, would be yours
If they only knew

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face and the door keeps slamming

Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient, waiting
We live and we learn to take

One step at a time there's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's supposed to happen
That we find the reasons why, one step at a time

When you can't wait any longer
But there's no end in sight
It's the faith that makes you stronger
The only way we get there is one step at a time

Take one step at a time there's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's supposed to happen
That we find the reasons why, one step at a time

One step at a time there's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's supposed to happen
That we find the reasons why, one step at a time

just one more day...

I was browsing through my phone to free up space when I chanced upon this in my inbox:

Forwarded text message>> "Have you ever lost someone you love and wanted one more conversation, one more chance to make up for the time when you thought they would be here forever? If so, then you know you can go your life collecting days, and none will outweigh the one you wish you had back.What if you got it back? - for one more day - what will you do?"

My unsent reply>> For one more day, if I'll have another chance, another time to be with that person I love but did not seem to have, I would instead ask him to hold my hand, and be one with God in prayer. I have chosen to sin the last time we were together. I have chosen to ignore the wisdom of going to God for guidance and protection. I succumbed to my desires, knowing fully well that we may not see each other again - ever. Perhaps that was the last time. I could go on waiting forever for the call that he just won't make or the email that he just will not send. I have lost him... but I guess I never really had him in the first place. He had me... but he never showed enough if I had him in the same way he had me. God's grace, mercy and love are what will sustain me. In the fullness of time, God is out to do me good. Until then, I can only wait and work on my strengths so that I may be worthy of the person that God has prepared for me - whoever it may be - but more importantly, to be the best person that God wants me to be. Without Christ, I am NOTHING. 010208 23:21

I remember purposefully not sending the reply because I knew the recipient wouldn't understand. There is a chapter in my life that's like in 'limbo' state and I believe in my heart that pretty soon - after four long years - everything will be clear. I've chosen to publish my unsent reply as my first step to total liberty and in strengthening my testimony.

One more day to make things right...

One more day before I bid, "Adieu, Monsieur."

One more day is all I need... to fully let go, close that chapter in my life and take a firmer stance in the Right Path.

"The truth shall set you free..."

Whatever is God's will will happen.

I am a work-in-progress and the clock is ticking. My days are numbered and I know in my heart and mind that the waiting is almost over.

JOKE, JOKE...

At a cocktail party, one woman said to another, "Aren't you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?"
The other replied, "Yes, I am, I married the wrong man."

As singles, we have all the time in the world to be the right kind of person for that right kind of person whom we are praying or waiting for. So when the 'pressure' around us seems to be much too unbearable or just plainly annoying...ask: "Why, in Heaven's name, would I want the joke to be on me?"

Oo nga naman, dibaaa?

XXXCHURCH.COM

http://xxxchurch.com/
accountability website

NU-Joy!

Initially, the band was named 'N-Joy' but Wendell, our leader, discovered that it was the name of a dance group something-something in Czechoslovakia. So he changed it to NU-Joy (which kinda reminds me of a cosmetics line). Suffice it to say, both N-Joy and NU-Joy (or even NU-Skin) embody newness. And core-relating it to the Christian's spiritual walk, I must say that it bespeaks of the joy that we gained the very first time we encountered Christ in our lives; the joy that we gained when we re-committed or re-dedicated our lives to Him; the joy that we gain everytime we serve Him wholeheartedly, knowing fully well that it is only when we let ourselves be stripped to the barest minimum that He can fully use us in whatever way He sees fit for His name to be glorified.

I have no formal training in voice nor music and there were times when I felt that perhaps it's 'premature' to be up there on stage with the band when there are other Christians in CCF who are more spiritually mature and more talented and equipped in that area of giftedness. I had my fears, I had my own "What ifs" and "I am not worthy" moments but through prayer and the encouragement of my Christian friends, it dawned on me once again that "There is no turning back." When I got hold of the shaker, the tambourine and the microphone, I knew it wasn't me anymore but the power of the Holy Spirit moving me to make a joyful noise and sing. It isn't about me nor the band but all about God and I knew - I KNOW - and I am convinced, that it is my heaven-bound duty to fulfill His call to be committed in the mission He has set before me by using the gifts He has given me.

Perhaps you might agree with me in saying, "There is no such thing as a shy Christian"? that we cultivate not self-confidence but God-confidence, knowing fully well that there is new joy to be found, waking up to a new day, each day, serving Him and walking with Him.

 "21 Yet this I call to mind
       and therefore I have hope:

 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
       for his compassions never fail.

 23 They are new every morning;
       great is Your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:21-23

"I CANNOT WORDS!!!"

MY TWO CENTS from the Encounter 2 Singles' Retreat:

A last note syndrome and a tagline not to be forgotten:

"From no fruit to bearing fruit; from more fruit to much fruit..."

"I cannot words!!!"

There is just too much joy in my heart yet there are tears being shed. I am so overwhelmed and recharged yet it looks like I've been losing sleep and weight (when the scale says otherwise). A paradox the reason of which only God knows.

Everyday just keeps getting better and better and better for me and I just find myself growing and growing and growing. Answered prayers, transformed lives, renewed faith and humbled hearts are fruits that cannot be 'easily' seen by the naked eye yet I feel privileged to have 'seen' all of them in this weekend's Secrets of the Vine retreat at Hotel Dominique in Tagaytay. It's just amazing to be able to validate the existence of something that I've doubted to be real and it's simply awesome to have my doubts erased, my concerns clarified and my questions answered.

God's BEST for me is just around the corner and though I am not purposefully looking and asking God for him at this point, I know that in God's perfect time, He will reveal him to me. For now, I must say that as I am still being molded into the lady that God wants me to be for His glory, so is He molding that special man for me. That man who is not afraid nor ashamed to tell people that I am only his number 2 because his number One is God. That man who will treat me like a queen, who will respect me and trust me enough to be independent to some extent and will be magnanimous enough to teach me and help equip me to be of full and good use wherever God wants me to be. That man... who will be my adventure partner for life, 'til death and beyond it... if God so wills it.

The four levels of fruit-bearing made me look deeper into my heart. Initially, I thought I had no fruits yet. But when I digged further, I've discovered I've already come a long way from the person that I was last year. My basket already has some tiny yet plump fruits in the form of... well, that's just between God in me... and I am not afraid to fill the basket little by little each day by being more sensitive to other peoples' needs and being mindful of ways where I can use my gifts to bring glory only to the Vinedresser. Easier said than done but by faith, I know, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Borrowing "I cannot words," from what Pastor JP has shared in humorous fashion, I guess I could come up with pages upon pages of the insights I've gained about disciplining, praying, growing and bearing fruit but those will not be enough to cover what for God wants from me and all of His children: willingness, availability and obedience. Kudos to my D-group leader for being such a great 'salesman' for God's vineyard, I endeavor to be fully transformed from leaf-ing to grape-ing from this day forward!

"Go forth and multiply..."

When God said those words, He meant only good. If I'm not mistaken, those were His words to Noah and his family after the great flood. (Genesis 9:1,7) I remember a pastor saying that drunkards, adulterers, or the plainly irresponsible people shouldn't take those words as heeding God's commands when they 'sow' their seeds by having multiple partners. That is just so absurd and downright blasphemous, right?

The Multiply site and all other online social networks are tools made by humans for the purpose of interaction and it is such a pity when some people misuse or abuse these 'privileges,' by engaging in misleading debates, sinful indulgences or illicit affairs. At some point in time, I too, have been guilty of 'misusing' my privileges. But God's graciousness and loving mercy has made me understand what it truly means to mingle and to share His love and goodness to everybody. It brings joy to my heart knowing that there are sites like this - no matter how virtual - that bridge people with common beliefs and values together.

God has meant something good for everyone of us and I believe that if He has so planned for me to get married, then I will. Otherwise, I shall be single forever and dedicate my life in full service to Him. Whatever the case may be, I must say that I am just enjoying this season of singleness to the fullest, investing my time and resources in activities that make my life worthwhile; in nurturing relationships that help me strengthen and grow in my faith; and in bringing people to experience God's love through the way I go through life each day.

I invite all singles out there who are in the quest for the seemingly elusive 'perfect match,' to check out our CCF Singles group here in Multiply and join us in our 'purposeful waiting' as we "go forth and multiply" the number of single people who believe in God's wisdom and trust His perfect timing for everything.

"If it's meant to be, it can only be good." Natasha Bedingfield