Embraced By God
July 24,2009- we went to the 25th anniversary celebration of Victory Christian Fellowship in Araneta and boy, God was sure present there. I was with Charmaine, my sister (please post the pics!) and we had a blast! Also, I was very happy to see my friends in VCF Alabang growing in their faith with God. Yeah! You are so good!
July 25,2009- went to Dad’s place in Laguna because I was hoping to look at some apartments there where we could move and to also see my grandmother. I would really want to talk to her or just see her. See, she is 84, papansin na… Hehehe…I know s
he misses me, though I know when she sees me, she will just insult me and stuff. Hahaha…But what a Christian should do? Of course, just shrug it off! I felt convicted throughout the years that I became a Christian that I should show everyone that I have changed, that God changed me. One way of doing that is mustering to be patient with my old grandma.
Rewind 2001. I was really a rebel. I was thinking, I was a rebel for a cause, I want to tell them I have every rights to live as I please it and they have to shut their mouth up about me. I shout at them (at her), I drink, I curse. Name it, I’ve done it (pwera lang drugs promise!). But as God slowly touch my heart, I begin to realize that I wasn’t really reblling for a cause, I was just ruining my life and showing people they were right about me.
Fast forward, 2009. Got married to a great man, getting strong in God, I realized that I need to be really patient. It’s not enough that I could recite Bible verses and evangelize to other people when my family, my own family, see me differently. I couldn’t be impatient anymore, I couldn’t be not understanding , most of all I couldn’t be disrespectful. I felt God is working in my heart. As I feel that I have this daunting task of witnessing to the people close to me to break the curse in our clan. I know it will never be easy because we were raised not to show our emotions, to be always angry and doubtful with each other. But you see, someone has to start. And I know that God is putting that burden in my heart.
I am happy, that I know “GOD is ahead of me touching people’s heart” (from Ptr Michael VCF-QC.) And I know that as I let God heal me, touch me, and make me forgive others, He is also doing that to the rest of my family. And in time, I will be ready to witness to them and will be able to show them how God radically changed my heart towards His.
Life Lessons from Cashflow 101
This morning I went to Ortigas with my brother-in-law’s wife to play Cashflow with the Create Abundance community. Well, I was already expecting so much about this game and we have been procrastinating for a long time. For those who don’t know Cashflow is the game that Robert Kiyosaki, who wrote the best-selling book “Rich Dad Poor Dad”, invented. It teaches all about financial literacy, meaning, learning to invest and how to handle finances, learning to take calculated risk in a simulated environment. If you know Monopoly, It is more of that kind except this has more rules and more real-life. So if you want to know more, you might want to visit the community’s website www.ca2020.ning.com.
On the way to Ortigas I kept asking Dred, 
if there is a dress code. Because we were both wearing jeans and from my experience those kind of gathering requires that we wear some sort of a business attire but she said it is not needed since her Coach didn’t tell her.Okay, so we went in jeans. I was quite surprise to see a lot of people…wearing business attire! Well, they didn’t made us feel off so that is really okay. What really amazed me is that there at a lot of people, we filled the place and there are many tables for playing. Fun! So okay, we met our moderator, Coach Abbie and Coach Jerson and they introduced us to the rules of the game and to each other and…YAY! We were handed a balance sheet. Uh-oh! I was kinda expecting this because I read so much about the board game but seeing it in front of you made me quiver. I hate Math! I abhor Math! More so accounting! But hey, Coaches were encouraging so we started playing. We started about 9:30am and they said it would end about 12:30. Okay long 3 hours, right? Wrong. The time was not enough. When Coach was saying that we only have 5 minutes left we were saying “oh my!” Kinda saying “bitin”. Yes, believe it or not 3 hours was not enough. You want to play more, learn more and that is how exactly we felt. The game is exciting and the people in our group are very accommodating and fun. You may want to join us next time. Just email me or join the community just tell them I invited you.(My name is Clarissa Centeno)
Okay, so what did I learn? I might also be sharing what the others shared after the game.
1. I got so excited because I was getting the hang of doing calculated risk. You see, I made a big loan from the bank just to purchase this business which in fairness has high yield and ROI. So I really calculated (congratulate me!) and found out that even with loan payments and all I’ll still me making $550.00 as cashflow. Coolness. In real life most of us were taught not to take out loans for anything, and as we grow older we were forced to take out loans (from credit cards, 5-6) just so we can make ends meet. But in here, we were being coached to make loans to make more money. You see, borrow someone else’s money but make sure that even while paying that loan, you still get something out of it, cash flow, so you don’t have to borrow during emergency.
2. Saving is losing. Yup, you’re right. I was warned that most people will react negatively if I say it in public. Because what is our idea of becoming rich? Saving enough until we can buy what we want. But, if you play the game, you will learn that no matter how much money you have in your hands, you’re still not rich because the only way to become truly rich is to have passive income (income that you get even if you stop working) that is more than your monthly expenses. So you really have to invest, to make that money work for you or you’ll end up being left in the rat race.
3. Dreams are free but living your dream is expensive. But hey, that is the difference between poor, middle and rich class, the poor dreams small and the rich dreams big. So they get big. See the picture? Also, it is notable from RDPD books that the poor’s mindset always says “I can’t afford that” but the rich mindset asks ” how can I afford that?” The latter, meaning you’re making your brain work and think of possible ways of getting rich.
4. Passive income is the key. Yes, again, passive income are income that you get even without having to go to work. This will come from big businesses, and real estate investments. As you may have noticed, the rich are the people playing golf on a weekday, they dine at the most expensive restaurants during times that most of us work. Because they have passive income.
5. Leverage. Using other people’s money to generate income for yourself. In the game, you can get Small Deal Cards that contains Stock information of certain companies (fiction) and then it says, ” Only you may buy”, so the technique is to ask your co-players to get shares in that stock and since you have the information, you can ask for something in return like a cut from their dividend or profit once they sell or make a profit at hand.
6. Buy low sell high. Obviously. But we were also taught to buy at large quantity because you will not feel the profit if it’s just $2 right?
7. It’s not how much money you make it is how much you keep and how hard that money is working for you. My character in the game is a doctor. And at first we taught that was great because my salary is above all of them. But there was a downside, I had more expenses than most of the players as well. Notice the similarity in real-life. Don’t we all wonder why is it that when we have 8,000/month income it was enough but when our income ballooned to 15,000 it is still the same though there is 7,000 difference? Yes, because as our salaries go up our expenses and the cost of living that we set becomes higher as well. Instant gratification. So after the game, I joked “hmmm… Ayoko na mag-work” Hehehe.
So there. I also have some few lessons learned that are not from the board game but from the people in the community. After the game Coach Patrick Esmundo came at our table and asked us how we did. And then he imparted some invaluable life and financial lessons. He said that the path to becoming rich is not easy. A lot of people will surely contradict you in a way, sometimes even your family, so it is better if you surround yourself with people of the right mind so you can keep the desires burning. He’s not saying to leave them, but just know where the boundaries are in listening to them. After all, it is you who will make the decision. Also, he said leave your past failures in the past, don’t let it hinder you future. And also, I think, the people there are dreaming big, so they are reaching big things. And me too I dream big and I pray that I will be able to reach those dreams! Thanks CA2020 community!
Thank You Lord!
Thank you Lord! Thank you Lord! Thank you Lord! These 3 words are all I managed to say when the bus I was riding on my way to work crashed in a center island in Alabang.
I remember, I was praying when I got on the bus that I was actually praying t God that I will not be late. I kept my watch inside my bag so as not to worry and trust God that that prayer will happen. and then He told me, not to think about it because I will not be late whatever happens ( I work in Pioneer Mandaluyong and I left home past 7:30 pm, my shift starts at 9:00pm). Then, then I waited for the manong to give me my ticket. When we reached Susana Heights exit, I went to sleep. Then, I heard the people on the bus screaming and then a strong impact, the bus hit the center island. I wasn’t hurt because I was able to hold the steel bars in front of me. Then we all went to the door, panicking, afraid that the bus might explode. Then we all went out, me, half crying. But I just thanked God I wasn’t hurt and nobody was hurt. Then we just rode another bus.
You know what happened. I arrived at work 8:55 pm! Not late. God, you’re so great. Indeed nothing is impossible. Imagine, there was accident, but then God still kept His promise. If there is one thing God is not, He is not a liar. It is a good thing I trust Him with my life.
Rabbles
Yesterday, we attended church. It was the last installment of the series, “LOST”. This is not to talk about that though, since Pastor Sonny already tackled that yesterday. Hehehe…
It was my first day ( for the nth time) of discussing One2One with a small group leader, her name is Glo. It was great having been attending church for a long time after I “backslid”, I never joined small group until yesterday. There, I was given a Bible calendar to have a guide to my Bible -reading.
This morning, I read about Numbers 10-11, and was touched deeply. This talks about how the Israelites trusted and obeyed God in the beginning but complained and ranted to Him in the end. Numbers 10 talks about how God commanded Moses to tell Israelites to like follow the cloud. Everytime the cloud lifts and leaves the Israelites follow and as soon as the cloud rests, they camp in that place. They obeyed God, they follow the cloud, camp where the cloud rests even if it takes a month, a year or even decade before the cloud will lift again. It was good obedience , but later in chapter 11, they started to complain about not having meat as food. They said they were so tired of eating manna, they complained about the provision that was given to them by God! So God gave them what they ask for. He gave quails so many that they have ebough of it for a month. He gave the people a lot of meat they hated it in the end. Because that is what God wants them to feel, He became mad that ” while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague” (verse 33). To relate that in the present time here are some points I derived from it, based on my own experience:
1. We obey God at the start- especially when provisions are new. We just had our new car, new house and our business is picking up great.
2. Then we start to complain – when our neighbor gets the newest car model and the likes. When we feel that we’re getting less. Like how they complain about the manns, we want more, we want “meat”, more money, greater job, newest car, a mansion. That we tend to forget that God is the provider, that we have to make all the things that we have prosper first and that God certainly knows what to do.
He wants the best for us, of course. But we also have to show obedience first and be thankful on what we have first and then if He sees we can be trsted with greater things then He will give us His best. Sadly, I am like that, I keep on complaining about my job now, I want something new, I want a business. I forgot that God provided this for me and this is where He puts me. I just pray I can change my state of mind.
“God, give me a thankful and patient heart. Help me stop complaining and help me learn to trust you fully. Amen.”
post also in my Multiply site.
Am I wrong?
This is another ranting. If someone from my family read this then all the better.
Two days ago, my sister texted me, she said that my Dad and stepmom fought that night because of me. I am not doing anything to them, I am not even going there anymore. Well, it all started when my aunt texted my stepmom to ask when are we moving out from the crib we’re living in right now, which is my grandma’s. Then, I don’t know if who is saying the truth but I guess I just have to put it this way “nangulit” daw si tita. Then, my stepmom, being the naturally selfish character that she is ( please walang kontra! read my previous post and kung uso na itong blog when I was 6 years old baka meron din blog siya dito) she told my dad that I/ we could not take a large portion of the house they live in. You see, my grandma wants us (my sis and me) to take half of the house and she is insisting that that is our share. My stepmom, argued with my dad about it, she does not want us to live there. Well, sorry but the feeling is mutual. But I guess, the point is, why are they picking on me? I am not the one who made that decision and ALL OF US does not have any rights to claim any of my lola’s property because it is hers. If it is my dad reacting that way, I guess it will be fine, but it was her! Argggghhhh…
Then, being the matapang person that I am, I texted my aunt and my stepmom. Asking them to stop it, because I am not after material wealth. Honestly, now I am thinking of investing in heaven. I want to be with God when I live this temporary residence. And I know I couldn’t bring the land titles and the monies to heaven. So they can suck it in their bags, (pakitagalog lang bags is baga). Hehehe…
It just so hurt me, because I keep on forgiving her. I never ever did her any wrong even if she is so rude to me. Then even if she is just being plastic to a lot people I never did spilled it out because I don’t want my family to fight. My husband told me tuloy that because of covering up for members of my family, ako yung naaapektuhan, ako ang masama.
Well, I told my sister nga, it doesn’t matter whether they approve of me or not as long as I am not doing wrong in God’s sight then I don’t care. I am not for the world.
Do not conform to the patterns of this world…
I’m blessed
I am blessed by God’s love. It was a wonderful Sunday service, until now I feel awesome!
I have been mumbling about a lot of things. See, I’m sick of my job. I seem busy though I’m basically doing nothing. Nothing, meaning, I’m busy doing the things that I don’t like. I don’t know what I want to do. The only thing I am sure of is that I don’t like what is happening to me now. I feel empty.
I’ve been complaining to my man about all this things and he usually shrugs me off by saying that I am just getting lazy. Well maybe I am and maybe I am not. I know I am tired of this pattern in my life:
No Money No Time
X X
This is me. I don’t have time to do the things that I want to do and I am not even rich workaholic. Ugh! All this things running through my mind.
Then, I went to church, and God answered me! Guess what! I’ve been so busy I forgot my Lifesource! God is my Lifesource. I should allow Him to be. And I should believe that he will give direction to my life.
Business!
Well, well, well, finally I started my buy and sell business selling health and beauty products. They are high end products that apparently not a lot of people can afford. But I can vouch that the products really work so it is not really a matter of price but a matter of quality. Meaning if the products deliver great results. Which I can personally say it does.
There is just one thing that I need to try out. The product Metabotrim. Maybe if you’ve been reading my blog and seeing my pictures you have seen that I am “vertically challenged”. My executive told me that he is using the product and before he was really really big but now, he is fashionably fit. So I might be trying it. I’ll show you some pictures and maybe you would like to check the Pharmanex website . If you like and wopuld like to try out any of the products just email me at john_lord76@yahoo.com or leave a comment here. I can tell you the products are really so effective you will want to be a regular user! Also, the company is very well-known in the States as it is at par with other products like Clinique etc. Please check my items.
The first product is Body bar which is a soap free soap that helps promote supple skin. Second is the Polishing Peel Skin Refinisher that is equivalent to a microdermabrasion treatment and then finally Metabotrim the metabolism enhancer. If you want to know more about the products and pricing just email me or shoot me a message in YM user id : john_lord76.
Interactiveboiz
Hay…
check this link….
naiyak ako…nami-miss ko rin ang tropa… though there are a lot things that didn’t go well with us. Sobrang na-miss ko sila after I watched the video. Waaahhhh… What happened to them na kaya?
Friendster
I am surfing my friendster… Ha…I miss YFC… I miss my “kids”. The pictures in their Friendster accounts reminded me of my past. Before, I never thought I would leave them because I love them so much. I have been a YFC eversince I was 15 and up until I changed my civil status.
I don’t know if they still miss me, I don’t know if I somehow influenced them to something good. But I do hope they saw something in me at least.
The first picture was the covenant orientation. January 30, 2005. The second one was from the International Leader’s Conference in Subic. For readers, covenant orientation is for YFC who finished the youth camp and they are there to renew their vows t.o God and for us to explain the facets of the organization. The ILC is for youth leaders all over the Philippines and even around the world.
