Change is inevitable.

I did heard that phrase a lot of times. So what? Starting this August, this website’s focus will change from just sharing my life experiences about anything to reflections about God, Bible, life and other stuff.

So what will be different?

Instead of posting random, disorganized, nonsense posts, I will be writing about my personal (hopefully daily) Bible reflections, ministry reflections, leadership reflections, life reflections and even reflections about technology. It differs because I won’t just be posting “anything just so I have a post” but will post something that had a real impact in my life.

Am I going religious?

If that’s how you say it, then that’s it. But let me explain a bit. I am a “Born Again” Christian. I studied in a seminary. I am currently the head of our Church’s Christian Education Department. I lead a small group every Saturday evening. I preach, teach, share the Word of God. Isn’t it logical to put this website on the same track I am walking? I want to be a “practicing” Christian (a Christian who actively practices his faith). And no, I will never be ashamed of the Gospel that God has given me!

What about the readers?

History tells us that not everybody accepted Jesus Christ. History tells us that the world had been hostile to people who actively voice out and practice their faith. If you still want to read this blog, I’d be glad that you did. If you decided not to anymore, I would understand your side. But I do really hope that you’d give a chance to read and “reflect” on your own the things that you will read here (at least the posts that will come after this).

Goodbye Google Ads?

Nope, they’ll stay there.

Preparations

In line with this change. I’ve already changed my tagline. I am also changing the category of this blog on some blogging network from Personal Blog to Religious Blog. I might change the template (currently looking at some). I am also compiling articles, devotions, preaching, etc.. I’ve done before.

Disclaimers

Just to note, I am not an expert theological, expert preacher, expert Church leader, etc… I’m just a simple Christian longing to serve an extraordinary God.

Thanks for dropping by Marvin’s Place. This change is part of my growth as a Christian and a servant of Christ.

God bless you.

See you (hopefully) on my next post.

Image: porbital / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So what’s happening?

• Wife’s back to school, as a teacher. She taught at our Church’s pre school for three years before. Then she stopped to take some professional education units (in preparation for teacher’s licensure exa). Now, she’s teaching again (three levels almost 30 students all in all). It’s a full time job for her.
• My son will go back to school also. He’ll be on the kindergarten level now. New school for him (since my wife will be teaching on my son’s former school, so just to avoid any issues/conflict of interest, we moved him to a different school). New environment for him. New teacher, new classmates.
• I’m the house-band (husband staying in the house). Since I haven’t found any work yet (there’s an offer, still praying), I am the one staying at home. I will be the one responsible for preparing my son for school, bring lunch to wife (school’s just walking distance from our house), and take care of our small store.
• And since I am in the house, I am also spending time in a “project” we started (with some of my friends). It will be a community website for Christians that have no opportunity to join a local Church (and even if they have a Church but want to extend their community and help out others). There’s still a lot of work to be done. Currently, we’re laying down the foundations and at the same time, I am talking to some people that is willing to be contributors for the website. It’s even possible (still praying) that we will be able to partner up with a Christian magazine.
• I was also able to start a small group for our Christian Education department. I’m taking it as training for our teachers and other workers in our Church.

BTW, I’m glad I was able to change our Church website’s (http://libertypresbyterian.org) theme. I find the new theme more suitable for a semi-static website (the former theme was a magazine template that requires more frequent content updates). Please check it out and share any feedback.

That’s about it. I might post more updates regarding “the project” soon once we’ve finalized some stuff.

Image: nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We stayed overnight there bitten by mosquitoes, planted some corns, banana and as I’ve said, ate a ‘lot’.

Again, I’m not a ‘pro’ photographer and I’m using a cheap point and shoot cam. And I am not turning this blog to a photoblog. Just want to share.

God bless.

Copyright Notice: Photos Copyright by http://marvincruz.com. Send us a message via the Contact page for any questions.

Copyright Notice: Photos Copyright by http://marvincruz.com. Send us a message via the Contact page for any questions.

Music boxes look simple at the naked eye. But depending on the type of the box, inside it can range from a simple mechanism of cylinder and combs to a very complex one that can also play drums and bells. Others have a ballerina that dances (spins) when the music starts. Most of the music boxes we see today are small, but there are also music boxes as big as house furniture.

Music boxes had been popular since the 19^th century. For some, it’s not just a simple box but a collection. And there’s even a book published dedicated for the music box. Its history and its evolution. It even list 500 different makers of music box.

Life is like a music box. Some take us for granted but some value us. We differ from each other. I play a different tune in my life while you might be playing a different one. My life might be complex than others or less than some. But whatever the case might be, we give joy for some especially for the one who have created us.

The popularity of music boxes isn’t over. There are still a lot of stores selling these wonderful boxes online and offline. So every time you see or listen to a music box, let it be a reminder for you to enjoy every tune and spin of your life.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THV3RYPxi8o

Person 1: Oh, serving the Lord is tiring.

Person 2: What? You shouldn’t get tired serving the Lord!

Person 1: Really?

Have you heard this conversation before? Or have you been in this kind of conversation before. Me, I’ve heard this a lot. And just recently, I encountered this exact scenario, a servant of God saying he got tired (just tired, not quiting) due to his probably hectic schedule doing the ministry of the Lord. One of his friend said that if it is for the Lord, he shouldn’t be tired. Well, the commenter might have a pessimistic mind on that but I think that isn’t things go.

Isaiah 40:30-31 reads:

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)

I believe the verse is clear, ‘Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;’. We are human beings. We are not robots. It is natural, let me repeat – natural - for a person to get tired, whatever he is doing cause he is using muscles that require energy to work. And like any other job, once your body has reached it’s peak on the “tiredness meter”, your brain will send out signals to your whole body to rest. If you don’t, then you’re either a super human being or you’re deceiving yourself. I remember Ptr. Rick Warren on one of his Purpose Driven Church Seminar (watched it on CD) when he said, “Mary had a little lamb, it would have been a sheep, it joined a local church and died in lack of sleep.”

Let us be honest and real. We do get tired while we are serving the Lord. However, it doesn’t end there. God made a promise. That even though you’ll get tired (verse 30), if your hope is in the Lord, he will renew your strength (verse 31). Take note the on the last two lines it said “not grow weary” and “not be faint”. Isn’t this the one that says we shouldn’t be tired when serving the Lord? I believe this only means that God will give us unlimited renewal of strength. That every time we feel weak, God will refuel us. That every time we feel tired, God will strengthen us.

Let us confess that we are only human. We do get tired. But we have a God, that’s always willing to strengthen us.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

- Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

God bless.

Image: Jeff Ratcliff / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

⁵Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’

⁷“Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ ⁸I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

⁹“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.¹⁰For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

¹¹“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Luke 11:5-13 (NIV)

There were two things we can see on this passage.

Importunity

When defined, “Unreasonableness; an unsuitable or inappropriate time; A constant and insistent demanding”. This was the word used on the King James Version on verse 8. It wasn’t actually the friendship that pushed the man to get up and give his friend bread, but rather the friend’s ‘continual asking’ for bread. When he was turned down, he didn’t lose hope and he continued to knock on the door. We don’t know how long he knocked, but for sure he knocked and asked until his friend gave in, probably realizing how this man is in deep need. Take note, it wasn’t the friendship that was considered here, it was the asker’s continuous asking.

Father and Child

Verses 11 – 13 shows a relationship of a father and a child when it comes to asking. For parents out there, you’ll definitely know what this passage says. I know you’ll agree with me that sometimes, even though we had said no to our child about something that he asks, we do sometimes give in to what they ask. How much more if they were asking for something that isn’t bad. And we definitely want the best for our children.

Putting it all together

Knock, not just a single knock, but a continuous knock. Don’t just pray once, pray continuously. When we ask for something from God, and we weren’t able to get an answer right away, don’t stop, continue asking. Knock until the door is opened for you for he promised that he will open the door for us (verse 9b).

Do we even bother to knock, ask or seek? Many Christians now says “God already knows what I need”. Yes, that’s true, but he also said that we should ask for it. This is our act of faith to him. And like a father to his child, he will definitely listen to us. And we also forget that he is a “Father” to us, a Father who wants the best for his children. When we pray, pray to the “Father”, and like a child, be importunate, and be consistent. Don’t be discouraged easily. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.

God bless.

We went to bed last night at around 11:30pm. I was the last one to sleep since I was chatting with a friend asking for some help with his computer. After our conversation, I went to the comfort room to brush and, as my usual habit every evening, double checked if the doors were locked (and chained). I’m 100% sure that everything’s locked up since I actually have to turn off the lights outside the house. Went to bed and fell immediately asleep since we’re tired due to a busy Sunday.

My wife woke up morning and we went to the comfort room to take a leak and immediately went down to bed and fell asleep. I checked the watch before sleeping and it’s 7:30am. We didn’t notice anything unusual.

After an hour or so, my son woke up upon hearing his favorite “taho” calling outside. That’s when I noticed something’s not right. The front door isn’t locked anymore it is actually closed (or not fully closed). When I opened the door, I was surprised to see two of my pants laying outside. Those pants were hanged in one of the rooms that we use for closet and laundry (there are two rooms in the house, the one we sleep at and the one with our closet). I opened the gate so my son could get his taho then I picked up the pants and asked my wife (who also woke up to get money for the taho vendor) if she through my pants outside. She as I expected, she said no. My wife took the pants and checked it and she said that there’s still some money on my pants and they’re gone. I said that there’s a coin pouch at the back pocket and it’s gone also. She asked for my wallet and I said it’s in the closed. Upon checking the closet, it isn’t there also. I remembered that there’s one more wallet on top of the fridge and it’s gone also. I double checked other items and none was taken except for the wallets and the money on my pants’ pocket. Those money were the profit from our store. Suddenly, my wife asked about her phone. I tried contacting the phone if we just misplaced it but it’s already out of reach (phone’s battery’s not yet drained since I’ve checked it last night at the church). Three wallets, my wallet contains my Driver’s License and Voter’s ID, the other two contains the money, and my wife’s phone.

I checked the house and we suspected that the burglar was able to unlock the door via the windows. No one could get in via the window but he or they might be able to use a long stick to pick the double lock and remove the chain. I usually close the windows at night, but probably left it open due to tiredness.

The only money left was the money at the store (which is on my mother-in-law’s house). That’s only around 35 pesos. Good thing is only three items were taken. Our computer is in the room where we sleep. Our digital camera is on the computer table (which I usually store on the closet where my wallet was taken). The video camera is on the closet but on the upper storage, blocked by old hard drives and box of computer peripherals. And most important of all, the burglar/s didn’t went to our bedroom (which isn’t locked and can’t be closed properly due to the cables for phone and LAN, it’s only partially closed by using an electric fan to prevent it from opening). The burglar might have noticed that our dim light is on. If he/they went in, something might have happened to us or to him/them.

We still thank God for the protection. Nothing happened to us. Nothing of more value was taken (except for the money and my wife’s phone, and probably my Driver’s License and Voter’s ID, but we can live without it). We thank God for my wife’s niece and nephew who lend us money so we can buy breakfast.

The only thing that still trouble me is why did the burglar left my pants outside the front door. Was he/they in a hurry? Did we actually was able to caught them in act when we woke up? And since he/they already know how to get in, are they going back? Maybe more security measures have to be done, specially making sure that the windows are closed.

Despite of what happened, me and my wife still thank God that we are safe. Please pray for us. Pray for our security. Pray for the person responsible for this, and that God deal with him.

a moment of stress in which a person breaks down or a situation becomes critical

wikipedia

Though I haven’t yet reached that “exact” situation, my condition right now, for me, is unbearable.

Almost nobody knew about my current (emotional) situation (except partly my wife). And by making this post, I am making my situation known (if they will be reading this blog).

The Job

Yup, this is one of the main reasons of my “dilemma”. Ever since I moved (or forcibly moved) to sales, my urge to work diminished. I hate sales. When I was transferred, I told myself and some colleagues that my days are numbered. Fortunately, I was able to endure for more than a year (thanks to the help of my managers). However, lately, the papers came flowing. My Father-in-law died and my wife got sick and I wasn’t able to come to work for almost half a month September and October. And that totally pulled down my performance. I was given papers for attendance and performance (wherein attendance is already part of performance – double jeopardy for me).

I was able to get a perfect attendance last month (November). However, my stats still failed. I was required to get 100% attainment (meat ALL my goals). That was like from bottom you have to be the no. 1 agent (since only a VERY few reaches 100%.

And since I wasn’t able to meet the goal (but I moved from the bottom quartile up to the third quartile) I have two weeks to meet the goals we have for this month (divided for the two weeks of course). Unfortunately, I was absent since last Wednesday up till Tuesday. So there is no chance for me to meet the goals. My only hope is if they will lower the goals for last month and my stats would move up the upper 50%. Honestly, I doubt it. Unfortunately, my boss seems to have no plans on salvaging me.

So what’s causing me to break? Well, I have a high chance of losing my job. We’re currently renting a house, paying for utilities (electricity, water, phone and internet) and my wife is also studying (taking up units in education) and it’s close to Christmas.

I was thinking that if I lose my job, I’ll jumpstart the business I want, a computer shop at my home place. I already made some calculations. And based on the current trend there (only 2 shops currently existing on a large community), the business is still feasible. Of course there will be extra services like desktop publishing, computer repair, school supplies and some other perks.

I am planning this for a long time already, keeping an eye on current business flow, equipment prices. The only thing I don’t have is capital.

I tried asking someone if I could borrow/loan money from them. Unfortunately, their funds are all in their business also. I am thinking of having at least 60,000 pesos ($1500) to jump start that business. It is small. But as for my initial computations, that would be enough (no need to pay for rent, this will be in our house; no need to pay for technicians, I can do that; no need to pay for carpentry, my father’s a carpenter). So basically, all I really need to buy are the computers (including networking stuff) and tables.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the money to start. I worked in a call center (people expect us to have ‘good salaries’. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to handle our finances properly. Now, I am struck on how irresponsible’ we’ve been with our money. It is hard to admit. But that is the truth. No savings. Nothing. We were able to buy some stuff but not much (we bought a high end printer that can be used for the business; unfortunately, it is a sleeping investment as of now).

Honestly, I am daydreaming that someone would lend me that money I need (extreme daydream that someone would actually ‘give’ me the money. But reality is reality.

Currently, I don’t know what will happen. I just hope that if my superiors will kick me out of the company, they do this after Christmas.

I haven’t yet talked to my wife regarding this. We actually haven’t prayed together for a long time (and I do feel the result). I am planning to discuss the current situation to her ASAP. She already knew a bit, but not how ‘severe’ the situation is.

I am asking for your prayers. We need strength. I am baffled. My mind is spinning and my heart is pounding. Sometimes, I just want to bang my head on the wall. But I know this will end. However, I am on the breaking point and I need some support.

May God’s will be done.

I was very tired after those event (the fact that I haven’t had enough sleep due to the nature of my work). I wasn’t able to come to work last Monday and Tuesday. I was able to spend time with my family (am glad with that) but it got me thinking (again) of looking for a different job (daytime job, non sales). But with the current status of the economy (many people losing jobs), I can’t afford to resign to a “stable” job. I pray that God give me strength to continue. Me and my wife was able to talk about things (like living on our on, as we are currently living with my ini-laws) that will involve money, and patience.

Will be posting infos regarding the turn out of our events (with some picts of course) later this weekend.

Soli Deo Gloria.