One Year at GE Money

My Thoughts:

Has it been really one year already? June 27, 2006 was last year... Today is June 27, 2007... What? I didn't even realized it today... not by myself... someone only reminded me...

One year ago, I was a fledgling fresh graduate who was out to look for work. I didn't know what I liked. I didn't know either what to look for. I just thought that any work would do or any work will be alright except for work in the bank.

Who could blame me. I have had my ups and downs in that field. Yet no matter how hard I shied away from it, it seems the Lord wants me to be there. Isn't funny how God sometimes deliberately puts you in a place where you really didn't want to be. Maybe because that place brings out bad memories or maybe because it is not your comfort zone or maybe because you just don't feel like to be in that place.

Whatever the reason, God still knows what is best for us. We might not see it. We might not understand it. Yet somehow I feel that God is truly leading my life into some place I've never imagined. When I look back and see how pieces are starting to gel in, I see God's work in it.

I had my OJT at PLDT's quality department where my project was about comparing the actual and theoretical process of the Collections Department. Who would have thought that in GE Money Bank, after more than two years, I'll be able to go back again to working with the Collections group? I know I couldn't have especially in a bank.

My only response today is in humbleness. I've only started and have a long way to go. I'm not sure where God will lead me, but as long as I do my part and trust in Him, I know everything will be as it should be.

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My Prayer:

Lord, I know You have plans for my life. I have plans too, but may my plans be according to Your will. Help me to truly love You and trust in You. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to love and enjoy the work that you gave me. Help me to learn more and to gain experience more in this field. Help me to overcome my fears and be a good Christian example to my colleagues. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

On Covenants, Promises and Prayers...

Last week for me was a constant reminder on learning how to keep my promises and vows.

The first time was Friday when we had a Bible Study on the book of Judges. Achi Hensie wasn't around so we had to split into groups of four to be headed by an assigned facilitator. The topic was a continuation of the story of Jephthah. He swore to the Lord that if the Lord gives him the victory, he would offer to God the first living thing to greet him upon his arrival. Sadly, his daughter was the first one to greet him. Of course, it was his own folly that lead to that consequence. Jephthah didn't completely trust that God would deliver even after God assured him of victory. In the end, Jephthah did what he had promised to the Lord.

* This made me think. Many times we do tend to treat God as a genie. Our wishes may go something like "I would do service if you grant me this..." or "I will tell that person about You, but first You have to..." I am reminded once again that God has His own purposes and plans and he gives us what is best for us in His own perfect will and time. I tend to believe that most of the promises that we make to God are selfish and "gut-feel" promises. Sometimes, out of the blue, we just say it without thinking, without it really coming from the heart.

Another point is that when God does provide or give your request, do we do our part of the promise? We can see daily that God has been and will always be true and faithful to His Word. How about us?

Another question might be "What is the motive for asking such a request?" May we learn to please God in our promises and may God helps us to ask for the right things.

The second reminder was last Sunday in the worship sermon. Ahia Harg was talking about having the successful life using God's standard. He's saying that we should have love that is faithful and faithfulness that has love. An example of love that is true is a family that is eating together (love) vegetables as against a person eating fattended calf by himself . An example of faithfulness that has love is a couple who dearly love each other (who truly treasure each other's wedding vows) as against a couple who do not even sleep on the same bed or do not talk with each other.

* This made me think of my future wedding vows. Maybe God doesn't want me to have "someone special" yet is because I am not ready yet to a commitment. According to the discipleship material, when God doesn't give you your request, it may be that He wants you to learn faith and perseverance. That's why I'll wait, I'll wait... and I need to learn faithful love and loving truth.

The last reminder was unexpected actually and a little related to Ahia Harg's sermon. My mom was watching a Koreanovela entitled "To Marry a Millionaire". I just happen to catch up the last few episodes, but something between the heroine and the hero struck me. I think because it was chezed kind of love! In the end, the guy said to the girl that he'll surely keep his promise to wait for her and that everday will be better. The girl said to the guy that he'll never be able to keep that promise because today (being with the guy) is best! (of course, they got back together after the hardships that tried to separate them.)

* It is romantic and somehow realistic. Oftentimes, we are afraid to tell someone we love of our problems and state because we think that we will encumber them or that we will shame them. But as the series pointed out, if we truly love that person, we are willing to share the pain and bear together the burden. I guess this is the kind of commitment that is at par to the chezed kind of love and faithfulness!

Till next time! Ü

Review on "Care for Christmas?"

While searching for the website of our Church, I stumbled upon this interesting review of our Christian Christmas play, "Care for Christmas?". I just want to share it with you.

A Review of Two Musical Plays

Dec 28, 2006
- Kathy C. Uykiat
"Tsinoy: Chopsuey"

Care for Christmas?

The Chancellor has prepared a Christmas musical for all members of United Evangelical Church of Malabon. I admire the originality of the playwright, Tim Benedicion. His target viewers are the busy people who do not care about Christmas. Hensie Reyes and Wenselyn Reyes are responsible for the lyrics and music while Nenel Arcayan, a Chancellor repertory directed the musical play.

This story tells about the life of the Pilgrims. Richard Pilgrim is the head of the family. He is a corporate businessman who makes himself so busy during Christmas season and neglects his family because of his work schedule. Sarah, Richard's wife is a rich woman who does not stop to bother about her children even during the Christmas season. Peter Pilgrim is their eldest son who is relatively quiet but more mature than his siblings. Tracy Pilgrim is their second child and the eldest sister who holds her own opinion higher than anyone else. Henry Pilgrim is their third son and actor wannabe. He overemphasizes everything he says and does. Malcolm Pilgrim is their fourth child, a bit mischievous and the narrator of the story. Sandy Pilgrim is their fifth child but she acts more like a child and wants everyone to be done her way. Their youngest child Alice Pilgrim is sweet, adorable, and innocent. She may hold insights unknown to other family members.

Other characters that are significant to this play are Jack Dawson, Richard's right hand man and Kim Clark, Richard's secretary. The white clothed man represents Jesus Christ who is interested to see how different characters interact with Him and how people treat him during this time of the year.

The conflict of this drama starts when Tracy and Sandy had a fight over a small matter, and then Alice tried to stop them both but she was accidentally pushed away by Tracy. Alice lost her consciousness and needed to be brought in the hospital. This incident happened on Christmas eve. There is a 50 percent possibility for her to live. Richard blamed God for what happened as he lost his hope. On the other hand, his sons reminded him that God never leave them. They cited some examples such as the materials blessings that they possess to show that God is powerful and He had always blessed them from the start. The tragedy brought a good outcome because the whole family commit themselves to Christ, followed by the positive changes in their lives.

This musical play simply teaches us that we must hold on to the promises of God. He is always there for us but we have to surrender ourselves to Him first before we attain His wonderful grace, His salvation. Remember that the purpose of this Christmas is to commemorate His wonderful gift to us. God gave us His Son to save us from our sins.

The message is very apt even if it is not Christmas season. We are about halfway through the year, so it is a good time to evaluate again our lives, to really search where is God in our lives.

Nahum: Chapter 1 Part 2

After describing in verse 8 about God's wrath as an engulfing flood and darkness so that Nineveh would not escape it, Nahum continued on with how God would actually overthrow Nineveh and restore Judah's joy.

Verse 9-15 :
Here it obviously states that no conspiracy would topple down God's kingship and authority. (But as humans, why do we constantly think we can? Why did Jonah run away if he knew God would find him? Why would we choose to constantly sin even if we know God is not happy with our actions?) We see here a resolved God who just wants to say to the Ninevites or anyone who opposes him for that matter that all attempts would be futile. Tangled in thorns? Drunken like drunkards? I think this is suppossed to somehow illustrate the futility of Nineveh's plots against the Lord. (This is like saying "You brought this upon yourselves!")

Verse 11 mentions a wicked counselor. It is interesting to note that this may refer to Ashurbanipal or Sennacherib (kings of Assyria). This makes a lot of sense. Most of the time, a king should be the representation of the state of the country. If you have a wicked king, naturally/generally you have a wicked country who would do wicked practices. But this time, they picked on the wrong country to bully - Judah. (Remember vengeance is of the Lord's)

Verse 12 is like the Lord talking to Nineveh (they) and Judah (you). It is a statement of comfort for Judah because although 1) Nineveh has walls to protect them (safe) 2) Nineveh has a lot of people (many), God will cut them down. It is as if a yoke has been lifted from the backs of Judah. Picture chains and bonds being broken just like that. Imagine that these were the chains that you wore for almost your whole life, now God is saying let me break them for you. What a nice relief!

Verse 14 is the ultimatum for no other than the king, the gods and the people of Nineveh themselves. First, we see that the king's name shall perpetuate no more. (We know that the king represents his kingdom so this means that Nineveh and its inhabotants will be no more.) Secondly, this concerns the gods in the temple of Nineveh. God will destroy all these man-made idols. And lastly, the Lord has passed judgment on the king of Nineveh that he will be put to death.

Verse 15 is the result of what happens in verse 14. After the destruction of Nineveh, Judah will once again be able to hear the good news and do their feasts. (Not sure what this mountains and the feet and the feasts pertain to.) But rest assured that the summary of this second part of chapter 1 was to see the judgment on Nineveh by the Lord. As these have been foretold by Lord through Nahum, so shall it pass.

Notes and Questions:
1) Actually, the cross reference of this book runs through some parts of the book of Isaiah and some scattered verses from Micah, Ezekiel, and Zephaniah. It may be wise to also look at those verses. (Is. 10:5, 24-27, 14:24-25, 30:31-33, 31:8-9 and many more!)

2) Acording to the study Bible, feet on the mountains signify the feet of those who would announce the deliverance from Babylon (Is. 52:7). So is it used here because being free from Nineveh would also be a good news?

3) The feasts, on the other hand, represents the original feasts that they had when they were free. Of course, Nineveh and its people prevented the people of God in celebreating their annual feasts. That is why God here is reminding that His people should perform the vows the they made when they were in slavery and to observe the annual feasts.