features of a true disciple

• regular unhurried time with the God in prayer and Bible study
• guarding the joy of the Lord
• taking our Sabbath rest
• working with the body by delegating responsibilities to others without trying to meet every need
• sacrificially fulfilling our responsibilities to our families
• looking forward to the coming glory which enables us to live with frustration on earth

If you neglect these features, don't even try to die for the cause of the gospel.

- ajith fernando

The cross demands so much because it has given so much. Its shame and its glory compels every believer to take it up daily and follow the way that it leads...a not so easy way...for it is the way of death.
Lord, grant your servant the courage to take up her cross daily and die so your Name may be glorified...nothing more, nothing less...

messages that warmed my heart

'the important thing is not to be bitter over life's difficulties. learn to let go of the past & recognize that every day won't be sunny & when you find yourself lost in darkness & despair, remember - it's only in the black of night that you can see the stars & those stars will lead you back home. so don't be afraid to make mistakes, to stumble, to fall, because most of the time, the greatest rewards come from doing the things that scare you the most.'

'in pursuit of happiness, half of the world is on the wrong side. they think it consists in having and getting and in being served by others. happiness is really found in giving and in serving others.'

'what if you wait for your special someone your whole life & later on learn that no one is really waiting for you? but true love is worth taking chances for sometimes you don't know why things work out, they just do.' -the lakehouse

'whatever your prayers, dreams, & wishes, be patient - for even the sun has to wait for the morning to fulfill it's promise of a new day.'

'life can never be free from pain but God will always give us the means to endure and survive. in the rush of events, we will see that He's holding our hands every moment.'

'the value of waiting is a value of a lifetime. if we know how to wait, life shall be easy because God knows what to give us at the right time.'

'when you make choces, follow God. not your own way for if your own way fails, you regret but with God you can smile and say, He knows best!'

'nothing you ever do for God is wasted. everything is seen. everything is known. serve on, serve well. don't get tired of doing good for God's glory.'

'missing someone gets easier every day 'cause though it's one day farther the last time you saw each other, it's also one day closer the next time you will.'

'there are two greatest days in your life...the day you were born and the day you knew why.'

'so take heart dear child, when the Lord requires you to wait. the one you're waiting for will not disappoint you. he will not be even five minutes late beyond the appointed time. soon, your grief will turn to joy!'

what have i done?
what have i asked for?
i fear for the answers i got when i pray...
sometimes, i think it would have been better not to ask for anything...
i have to be ashamed of myself...
i ask...and i'm not thankful...
forgive me Lord...
i know you know better...
and still i never fail to recognize your surprises...
how could i ever be so blind...
so doubtful...
how could you ever love me?
how could you ever draw me closer to you?
i have failed you so many times...
i lost count...
help me dear Lord, to muster courage enough to bear and take
whatever you bring my way...
take my hand Lord...
guide me in this path You have led me to take...
i wouldn't last without You...

hillsong - still

i just found this with the aid of master jake

casting your net...
have you cast your net peter?
have you?
o Lord, i have tried in every corner
i have looked on every side
i don't think i will still catch some fish
i don't know where to cast my net now

just cast it on the right side peter
and you will see

i'm amazed Lord!
what has happened is a miracle
but how could you give this to me?
how could you allow me to take this?
this is too much Lord...
i don't know what to say...

just follow me peter
follow like a child led by his father
follow as a servant follows his master
follow, that's all i ask, follow

in following you are trusting
in following you are relinquishing
in following you are serving
in following you are obeying
you are submitting
you are bringing glory
you are offering your life

just trust and follow
no more questions
about tomorrow

on the brink of depression, i struggle to think
what's ahead of me...
where will the road lead?
have i gotten lost to the world of disorders
have i?

the longest road

on that fateful day
when you walked to Calvary
the blood flowed for the sin of the world
'twas shed on the longest road

called to take that same path
i dare to follow, no ifs, no buts
taking not the shortcut
with You, my Lord, to lead and watch

Oh Jesus, Whom I owe my life
You paid the precious price
O what a sacrifice is asked
for me to do as asked

because You were ahead of me
because You have overcome
by Your grace, i stand
with Your love i run

i will take the long road home
and find glory in the most unexpected place
at the foot of the cross
i go back at the foot of your cross

where my sin and all the world's nailed and forgotten
at Christ's life cost,
can i say 'no' to Him Who has done
what no other can do

and because i look at Him
and because i know He is
i will take the long road
back to the path of the cross
into the glory of the cross
for the praise and honor
of Jesus, my Sole Redeemer
my Master, and my King

so what does it mean to die?
this is not to write a last will and testament because i do not have anything to leave anyway...
this is to remind me of the many realities in dying to self for the sake of others...so that i may live...

ayokong mamatay lang ng basta-basta...gusto ko kapag namatay ako yun bang tahimik lang pero inaasahan na...expected...so that people will not be surprised and i will have a chance to ask forgiveness and to offer forgiveness din if ever...but this is not what i really want to talk or write about...i believe i am not scared of dying...it's more of the fear to leave those who are important to me...those whom i love and have come to love...

but this death is necessary...not for my sake but for the sake of those i love...because only in dying to myself do i become alive for others...to put them first ahead of me...this is the call i've said yes to...do i dare turn my back from it...

but how can i talk of dying when i myself have not really died...marami pa ring aspeto ng buhay ko na kailangang ako ang mauna...di pa ako natututo...

kaya nga talagang agony ito...mahirap...masakit...masaklap...

let me write...
of the many ways the Lord has been faithful to m e...
of the reasons why i continue to live & serve
of the evidences of grace & faithfulness
of the unfailing love i always feel & experience
of the songs that keep me alive & sane
of the adventures i g o through for each week
of the people i have come to love & to appreciate
of the friends i have gained...
of the bless ings i have recei ved
of the smiles i have witnessed...
let me write...or else i will sing