Read up, write down.

Stay organized. 
Be responsible. 
Take control of your life. 

There is nothing wrong with writing down your thoughts and ideas down on paper. There is nothing wrong with using an actual agenda to write down your plans. If your life seems to be spiralling down the drain because too much is happening, then try writing down what you need to do. Sometimes the best way to unload our minds is to transfer all the things floating inside our noggin to a piece of paper. When we see our thoughts written down, it may be easier for us to make connections and to plan for action.

What good is it to be inspired and not remember that self-professed profound "aha!" moment days, months, years later? The best way for realizations to become a reality is to reflect. But what good are reflections if you can't have a physically tangible source to make comparisons with- between the old you and the you you are today?

Hearts ablaze: How to relive that post-Conference high over & over again

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

-Colossians 3:17

He is all powerful. He is all knowing.

He is the ALMIGHTY. 

Can you say those three statements above with conviction if you had to? If someone were to interview you right now could you give him/her a succinct answer? How has God been powerful in your life? How can you be so sure that He is all knowing? In what way(s) has He been Almighty to you? 

I know most of us are riding that post-conference high, but as we enter back into our everyday activities let us be mindful of these questions. If there's anything I've learned since coming back from the Philippines, it's this- that reflection time is just as important as prayer time. We must continuously remain reflective of the important moments that touch our lives because these will get us through the rough times.

We need to stop relying on conferences, youth camps and other major events to be on fire. These only happen every few months. Should we burn out when we go back to our homes? Conference only happens once a year, so should we limit our almighty experiences to just once a year as well? We need to stop relying solely on our leaders and speakers as well. Will we stop burning when they stop speaking or are no longer present in our lives? Instead let us look to Christ Jesus as our one and only source of light. If we look to Him as our main source of fire, we will never burn out. It is only with God that our embers can be reignited- He will breathe in us a new life and this is how we will continually be ablaze! 

I've learned to stop grounding my faith in emotions. We can not just rely on emotions because emotions can change quickly. Instead I am grounding my faith in the truth, because GOD IS TRUTH- and the truth never changes.

TRUTH*: that God loves us with an everlasting love.
TRUTH*: that His faithfulness to us is unmatched.
TRUTH*: that the Lord will always forgive us and show us mercy regardless of how sinful we were/are- we just need hearts that are ready to ask.

*click for bible verses

Yes the Lord is powerful. He is indeed all knowing. But he can ONLY be ALMIGHTY in our lives if we allow him to be. Believe that whatever desires are in our heart, he can give it to us. If he doesn't give it to you, it is only because there is something greater out there for you. Think of it this way:

If you ask him for bread, he will give you a whole bakery.

If you ask him for a glass of water, he'll give you a gallon.

If you ask him for crayons, he will give you the 64 pack with the built-in sharpener.

THAT IS HOW THE LORD PROVIDES FOR HIS CHILDREN.

So whether I reside under the heat of the southeast asian sun or walk with the winds of the true North behind me, I shall continue to proclaim the greatness of the Lord with courage. For he did not give me a spirit of timidity but of power, love and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). 

I'm still amazed at how I'm managing to attend these conferences /events despite having nothing (literally) in my bank account. I haven't worked since December 2011 yet I have attended ILC in Boracay/Aklan,   Provincial Youth Con. in Cebu, ANCOP-Cornerstone training in Manila, and later this month the National SFC Con. in Ottawa.


The Lord simply provides. 

I allow him to show me just how powerful He is. I allow him to show me that he is all knowing. I allow him to be the greater force, the biggest influence, the best gift-giver in my life. I simply allow him to be the ALMIGHTY.

And look at how far He has taken me because of this.
Will you let Him do the same for you?

Look at me, looking at you.

It's so easy to put your best foot forward. To put on a show and flash all your best cards. It's easy to figure out what people like and to give them what they want. But how long can that act last? It's like walking sideways, only ever showing that part of you. Parts but never the whole. 

I have a hard time looking people in the eye when I'm talking. Something about it scares the hell out of me. During one conversation I decided to just give it a try, and the person on the other end was just looking back at me- and I mean REALLY looking at me. They were looking at my face so intently, and it almost felt like they were studying it- flaws and all. 

Allowing yourself to be vulnerable in front of someone else is one of the most precious and most profound moment two people can share. That moment lasted no longer than 30 seconds at most, but it was enough to coax out a REAL genuine smile out of me. I felt a kind of peace in my heart that I have never experienced before. 

We spend so much time hiding our fears, our insecurities, our bad habits in fear that they cheapen our value and make us less of a person. Similarly to how girls spend ridiculous amount of money on make up to hide every flaw, every imperfection, every blemish. Skeletons in the closet. 

Being vulnerable is the highest form of friendship upgrades.

You owe it to yourself to experience life face to face. It's easier to get to where you need to be, when you can actually see where you're going. 

Don't spend your life walking sideways.

You will be Captivating to those who are Wild at Heart

Message to all the guys out there: Do you know how many times I've had to confront a guy about their intentions and all I got was a "you shouldn't have assumed in the first place..." THIS is not a valid enough reason to get away with it. Be responsible. PLEASE. If you are NOT planning on courting her or pursuing her, watch your words. More importantly WATCH YOUR ACTIONS. Think twice about what you do/say around a girl. Treat her like a sister. That way, she doesn't end up thinking you mean something else. If you don't make it clear to us ladies what your real motive is then you can be sure that we'll end up assuming. If we're not hearing it from you then you know who we'll hear it from? Our girlfriends. That usually doesn't help..because we don't know any better. If you put it out there, then at least we know it's strictly platonic. We really shouldn't have to question what you mean. If you're a decent guy then your actions will be consistent with your motives.

Message to all the girls out there: If you are ANYTHING like me... stop overthinking! Stop overreacting. Stop assuming. Don't take his caring words and promises too seriously. Don't be drawn in by his charm. Don't think he's all about to get up on it. If he hasn't said anything then DON'T think anything more of it. In short, just try to think of your heart and salvage as much of it as possible by NOT getting caught up so easily.

You know what our worst habit is? Talking to each other about a guy situation and egging each other on about the "feel good" vibes. We live for those "fluffy heart-to-heart" moments. We DIE for those coffee dates where we can just share our latest fling because we know we're going to get a "YOU GO GIRL, DO YOUR THANG!!" kind of reply. Nothing is wrong with being supportive as long as we remind eachother to be cautious. I know it can kill the mood sometimes, but we have GOT to do this more for eachother. Help a sister out by allowing her to see the situation for what it is instead of adding frills and flowers that come with our advice column conversations. OH YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN! 

Nothing blinds us more than a guy whose charm has engulfed our being. This is where we really need to stick it out.

Semana Santo

What does it mean to be out of your comfort zone?

This lenten season is the first one in twenty-two years that I've spent away from my family, away from what I've learned to accept as my "home" in Canada. I've done more self-reflecting within the past month than I ever have in the past few years. The Lord has spoken so many times to me during this trip and at first I found it hard to hear him. I know it was my fault. I had steered so far away from my journey, from the mission that he entrusted me with eleven months ago. One thing I have to keep reminding myself is that our God is not an aggressive or boisterous one. He is quiet, he is calm, he is benevolent.

Spiritual Sarcasm

"The Lord was making me uncomfortable not so that I could feel his absence, but so that I may further seek His presence."

Jesus, you have been too good to me this past week. 

Thank you for making me feel safe and able.

I can do this.