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Tuesday, December 27, 2005

3-Day Hiatus

I should've posted another entry today but due to time constraints, I don't think I can do that. A few hours from now, I'll be on my way to MDD AYP Conference. It's like a huge youth gathering here in our city. The gathering will last for 3 days, so expect me to be back on 31. I will tell you all the happenings and on what God will do to me (personally) and to the youth during this gathering! God Bless!

Saturday, December 24, 2005

A Night of Praises!

If you live in an area within +8 GMT (Taiwan, HongKong, Manila, etc), it will only be at least 12.5 hours more to go before Christmas Eve. It is in our culture (Filipinos) that when Christmas Eve comes, many preparations have to be made especially today (24). One has to contact several relatives to get together for "Noche Buena", a feast celebrated during Christmas Eve or people rush to the mall to avail products on sale for last-minute gift givings. You can hear your neighbor's component set fully blast in full volume playing Christmas songs. I remember when I was little when I still lived in the suburbs, the whole neighborhood got together in front of the street, the men set up tables and chairs, each family brought food to the table, pot luck style and there'll be music, dancing, singing. You can feel the warmness of the fellowship as everyone greeted each other good tidings.

I'm wondering how the first Christmas was celebrated, it is said the Bible that angel choirs sing, wise men homage bring and shepherds came to the humble stable where the humble King lay fast asleep. Luke 2:8-16 (NIV) gives us this account:
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The night Jesus was born is a night of praise, the angels bring "good news" to all men.


When Christmas Eve comes, I would like to find myself prasing God for sending Jesus. I would worship and sing in His presence for because of Him, I am set free and saved from sin. I would let myself be lost in His presence and cherish every moment of Him. I would make tonight a night of praise for Jesus. Just like the song above says: "Here I am worship, here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that You are God... and I never know how much it costs to see my sin upon the cross.". Thanks to you Lord Jesus. You certainly ROCK!

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Thank You, My Jesus

Last night, I was scrambling through my minus one tapes/CDs. I just realized I have only a week to prepare for MDD Convention Solo singing contest! I have already chosen two songs which are "Lead Me Lord" and "To the Ends of the Earth" and never practiced them using a microphone. I just sang along and left it unmemorized. I still need another song since I was told to prepare 3 songs. So,I was scrambling through my CDs and found Gary V's "Revive". I got my CD player and my headphones and listened to the songs which I might well, be inclined to sing. When Gary V's rendition of "The Reason", originally sung by David Meece came, I was instantly in "meditate mode"... and there I found myself by the foot of the cross and back to the cave in Bethlehem. I was led into a realization that it was for ME that Jesus was born. It was for ME that Jesus died on the cross. I liked it very much when Gary added his own lyrics as bridge, it says:
Everytime I see the cross
I'm reminded that He gave us life
For you and me

and can't help tears flowing from eyes. Gary ends the song with very soulful adlibs of "Thank you, my Jesus... You're worthy to be praised..." and I was mouthing the words like it came from my own mouth or was it rather it was my heart that was speaking. When the song was over, I was still crying, and felt God's spirit moving in me and I thanked God for a hundredth time, "Thank you for sending Jesus Christ to save me" though I know not even I would say it infinitely would be enough for what Christ has done on the cross.

Monday, December 19, 2005

I'm Getting Married (Oh My God!)

The glassLast Friday, I arrived at Waterfront Insular Hotel dressed up for the occasion. My long-time friend since High School, Cindy Avila will be married to the man she loves. I arrived at the ceremonial site - a large white gazebo by the shore, a lightly-cooled ambiance bringing the air of Christmas, the bermuda grass, the cocunut trees swaying along the proddings of the wind. It was kind of romantic - you see like the ones in the movies. There are only a few around, maybe her family's and her husband's family, close friends in work, in the church and us - I (Andy), Mae, Cindy Aguilar, and Kenneth, her high school friends - all the ones special in her heart and I felt quite honored to be invited in such solemn occasion where God would bind two different individuals, to be a life of blessing as a husband and wife, to be nurturer of God's precious gifts as father and mother, to work as one to advance God's Kingdom here on Earth.

You guess it! I'm writing about marriage today! What a huge topic to discuss! For a young man like me, most uf us considered at this point of age to be carefree, to enjoy singleness by forming a network of friends and immersing oneself full-time for God's ministries as well as climbing the career ladder. But anyway, as I was listening to the sermon, marriage appeared to me like some a very sacred bound that no man should ever separate. In marriage, the individuals are not tied to each other like handcuffs tied between a policeman and a criminal, rather God binds them. Imagine a golden, indestructibe cord tightfully tied around two persons. It is like forcing two different, highly individualistic individuals with his or her own paths to walk brought together by deepcommitment, their desire to love each regardless the circimstance, regardless what each of them feel, their will to support each other to whatever calling God has called them to do, to be Christian models for young minds as they become father and mother and to mold these younglings to be the best individuals God has called them to be.

It is a sad fact nowadays that people don't really felt the gravity of the commitment required as they enter marriage. Most of them if not, as I have observed, consider to get married because they feel that their love for them becomes deeper or more intense and marriage would be a good celebration to affirm that loving feeling. No wonder why divorce rates are so high! When these couples realized that they FEEL LIKE NOT LOVING each other anymore brought about the pressures marriage demands, they would say enough and there goes the divorce papers. Though every relationship begins of falling in love accmpanied with the "feeling" of love, it should not be a basis for getting married. As I have said earlier, marriage is based on commitment - it is as synonymous of doing what you have sworn to do no matter what - to be with your partner, in sickness and health, for richer or for poorer till death do you part. If one goes to think and feel its gravity, you realize it requires a great deal of sacrifice, a great deal of patience, sometimes your happiness would be sapped away. However when these are focused to God, the originator of marriage, married life will be richer and fuller, more deep and loving, more intimate in a deeper level compared to the time you have fallen in love despite the hardships you have encountered. It is no wonder that arranged marriage sometimes works, the husband and the wife have sworn to do according the role he/she has given and is commited to do it because they consciously believes that doing so will bring them a life of blessing. Marriage is a spiritual union, as Christians we are to trust God to lead the marriage. Marriage is not two people tied to each other focusing to please each other or themselves, it is two people hand-in-hand looking up to God to please Him that they may be a life of blessing to God, to their children, to their families, friends, co-workers, to the community and most of all to each other.

Anyway after the ceremony, we proceeded to the dining room where we celebrate the newlyweds. I sang 3 songs for the bride and groom and it's good singing (as well as nervous) for them. It is my prayer that may God bless their married life richly. God Bless to you all!

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

What Can I Give?

It's Christmas and it's everywhere!

From the cold winds brought about by the easterly wave hitting our country (Philippines) to the children singing carols, from the songs we hear from the radio to the grandiose christmas lights ornating the neighborhood houses, no one can deny that Christmas is here!

Gift-giving among friends, co-workers, peace-making with enemies, parties here and there, bonuses for employees, shopping during midnight sales, and thinking if we were to receive gifts - we are so saturated with these things and more often than not we are left exhausted physically, mentally (as well as our wallets) with the hurly burly of events. When Christmas will be over, we are left in a daze and wondered if any of these things have really happened. We are so caught up with the frenzy that everyone is doing and has not realized even for just a moment what Christmas really brought.

Why am I saying this? Because right now, I'm so enmeshed with many things that accompanies this season and I realized that I felt lost and somehow lost "in touch" with what is important and things that mattered most.

What is Christmas?

The 3 gospels provided similar accounts that on an eve where that particular star was the brightest, Jesus was born. And as I reflected on the essence of Jesus' birth there are times that I want to cry... because Jesus came for me, he came for us. In that silent night, in such ragged and humble state, Jesus came devoid of his divine glory for us. And Jesus lived not in a life of comfort, he helped many people and freed them from the sin that binds them yet he was misunderstood and persecuted. If any man were Jesus, he would have broken down but he was firm in his purpose of coming and that's for us!

And so this eve of 25, I encouraged us to pray and be thankful for what Jesus has done - to thank Him for his coming ro free us from the bondage of sin brought about by our humanness. Thank him for robe of righteousness that makes us holy and acceptable to God.




This Jaci Velasquez' spanish version of "I'll Get On My Knees", "De Creer En Ti"... just feel the song (even if you don't understand Spanish, neither do I? LOL) God Bless!

Monday, December 12, 2005

A Few More Hours

Blessed are those who wait patiently upon the Lord. There are times when we impulsively do what we think is best for our current situation. May God speak to you through this wonderful story:
A Few More Hours


David and Lynn were getting discouraged. The restaurant they
owned was floundering even though they had extended their business
hours and offered special dinners, hoping to attract more customers.
But no one came.

After several weeks with no change in sight, Lynn said, "We
might as well close up and go on home." It was nearly eleven. o'clock.

"Let's stay open for a few more hours." David suggested.

"Why?' Lynn frowned. "What's the use?"

"Because tonight may be the night we get more
customers." David grinned, and his wife noticed the hope shining in
his large hazel eyes. Even though Lynn didn't relish the idea, she
agreed that they should keep the restaurant open.

About thirty minutes later, a miracle seemed to occur. A
late evening bus drove into the small community and stopped in front
of the cafe. People poured out of the bus and into the cold winter
air. Quickly they entered the warm cafe, since it was the only
restaurant open.

The profits David and Lynn made that evening helped
compensate for some of their earlier losses. But that was only the
beginning.

Soon word spread that the small restaurant stayed open late
at night. Business came from all around -- people driving through the
town late at night, buses passing through, late night workers. The
couple even had to hire an extra waitress for the late shift.

Sometimes when we have worked late in the night and are
ready to give up, if we wait patiently, we will reach our goals. What
we long for may arrive within minutes. Take comfort in the fact that
we don't know what tomorrow brings. It could be a special day -- or
night for us.

* Find inspiration in the Scripture, "Simon answered, 'Master,
we have worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But
because you say so, I will let down the nets.' When they had done
so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to
break." (Luke 5:5-6)

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Imagine Me Without You (Final Fantasy)

I love this video! May God Bless you with this song.


God is Our Big Brother


        Fearful Housemates
Last night, many were somehow shocked with the latest happenings in Pinoy Big Brother. Big Brother told the remaining 4 housemates to pack up their clothes and bring them to the garden. He told them to exchange baggages and sort the clothes which will they need for the remaining 4 days. Behind them were huge, top open, boxes labeled G, S and T. The remaining clothes will be put inside these boxes. Whatever box that is, depends on the housemates. So housemates did what they were told. When Big Brother told them what the letters stand for, the housemates start to be anxious. G stands for "Gupit" (English. Cut), S for "Sunog" (English. Burn), T for "Tapon" (English. Throw). To make things short, the clothes inside these boxes will be cut, burned or thrown. The tension increases as they were told to get the matches, scissors, etc from the storage room. Jason, one of the housemates was told to get a pair of pants from the "G" box and was told to cut it. The pants belonged to Uma, the half-Filipino, half-Israeli housemate and you can see in his face the anxiety of cutting the pants his beloved mother gave him. You can see the housemates' faces angsty in protest. Jason would not cut the pants so he was told to go the confession room. There he was told by Big Brother that not following his orders would mean force eviction on his part. However Jason did not care he will be evicted. He was convinced that Big Brother's order was absurd and would never break his friendship with Uma by cutting his pants. Big Brother let him out of the confession room and called for the remaining three housemates. Each of them were teary-eyed, angrily confessing what they think is absurdity on Big Brother's orders and they would join Jason too to go out of the house.

When they were done, the housemates were still trying to figure out the point of the task they are given. When it was Big Brother's turn to talk, he told them to scrutinize the so-called pants Jason is suppose to cut. They inspected it. It was not Uma's pants - just a replica of it. The housemates were put to shame when they realized that Big Brother is just testing their trust in him. While I was watching at that moment, the scene where God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac came into my mind. Many times God had been faithful to Abraham so Abraham was so secure that he could trust God even in this seemingly absurd and pointless task. If I were Abraham, I would think,

"God has given me a son and now he wants to take it? What is he playing at? He well knows I love my son! He made withg me a covenant that I will the father of all nations. How can I be one if he's going to take away my son? My ONLY son!?"

But Abraham, knowing that God has been faithful to him ever since He had called him, trusted and obeyed God and we all know today how many Jews were scattered throughout the world... maybe including Uma. It was a lesson to trsut God always. How? By meditiating on his words and his promises. He will never leave is nor forsake us. Our feelings might manifest doubt, fear or anger but clinging to God's word is a brave step to overcome these feelings. In the end, God always make better ways, better than what we might expect.

Monday, December 05, 2005

Intimacy and Faithfulness

Last June 11, 2004, Reuben MorganFYI came here in the Philippines to give a seminar about Praise and Worship leading. As a whole, the entire session gives the whole point and the goal of a Praise and Worship ministry. After the seminar, we were given tips and how-to's on how to play the instruments and turn ourselves into a great army of musicians ministering people to praise and worship God. Note that I've haven't arranged my notes during the seminar - you might find some of the ideas incoherent. Also I have added personal insights that might help. May God bless you with this.
Reuben Morgan is a pastor, worship leader, composer, musician of Hillsong Music Australia. He also leads the church's auxilliary Youth P&W Team, United


--> In any ministry, Jesus is the originator. Without the love for God and for the church, all our works will result to nothing.

The Vine and the Branches (John 15:1-17 NIV)

1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.

Being intimate with God.
- God would rather be with you than please Him with your good works.
- having a personal relationship with God (the bottomline of it all)

It is impt WHY we do WHAT we do!!!
- Why I am involved in music ministry?
music- a tool of God for conveying His love for His people.

"There are walls surrounding us that seem so hard to conquer. With these wall we become hindered. Ask for God's healing in your life so he can your wounds and so that you can minister with Him not out of inclination but with your love for God and serving the church"

The Walls of Jericho (Joshua 1:1-21 NIV)

1 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.

2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in."

6 So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it." 7 And he ordered the people, "Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD."

8 When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD's covenant followed them. 9 The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. 10 But Joshua had commanded the people, "Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!" 11 So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the people returned to camp and spent the night there.

12 Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. 13 The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the LORD and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets kept sounding. 14 So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.

15 On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted [a] to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute [b] and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. 18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury."

20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. 21 They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.

Conquering these walls require and is found in healing and God's salvation.

Do not focus on problems, focus to God cause He has given us the VICTORY to overcome it.

Sing regardless of your circumstances.


Reuben Morgan
Reuben Morgan: Sing regardless of the circumstance

Paul and Silas in Prison (Acts 16:25-31 NIV)

25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."

- Why do we SING?
- not for performance, not for SHOW but 4 service to the CHURCH and so that people will be healed in Jesus' name.

MAKING THE PRAISE and WORSHIP BAND

A) The elements of Groove.

1) Pulse - refers to the time element, metronomic sound
- music produced is patterned of definite time element
- mostly used for background (bass guitars)

2) Forward Motion - music that brings the song into motion.
- it should make the people moving (clapping, dancing). It should make people really grooving and singing
- i.e. (distinct song intros like intro in All Things are Possible)

3) Unity - a band is composed of different entities (ie Hillsong - song leader, back up song leaders, background choir, musicians, percussionists)
- it is important for them to sound as one without having the effect of sounding SCATTERED and CONGESTED.
- each musical instrument is played to harmonize/complement with each other to effectively play the song. It does not mean if you knew a certain stylistics, u can incorporate with the band. If it makes the music too congested then don't use that stylistic.

4) Dynamics - the most important ELEMENT because it is the soul of the music. It makes the people "feel" the song.
- for song leaders, it means when to soften or quiet or make your voice loud and powerful to emphasize "moods" of the song. In addition it is also having the proper diction and PRONUNCIATION of words when to sing fast or slow.
- for instrumentalists - same with loudness or softness at the exact time it is necessary to do that. With dyanamics it also implies how each instrumentalists (ie keyboardists, guitarists, drummers) communicate to each other when to emphasize each.

HAVE A GOOD CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH MEMBER OF THE BAND AND STRENGTHEN EACH PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. IT IS THE BOTTOMLINE OF IT ALL.

Friday, December 02, 2005

Carry Me

For the past few hours, I've been deciding what to write for my entry today. When I browsed on my PC, I get to listen to the videos I have and Marty Sampson's "Carry Me" struck a note! I've been feeling helpless and defenseless, failing every time against the many battles raging inside... but you know what, every time I've fallen, Jesus would carry me back into His arms of love. He draws me closer to Him and I want to be where He is. I feel so bless with this song... I hope you'll be blessed too. So here it is "Carry Me" - by Marty Sampon from "For This Cause" Hillsong live worship album.





You lead me in to Your courts
Surround me with Your love
I walk with You
I do not fear

In this place
Dreams are made
In this place
Where You are
Carry me here
In Your arms of love
Draw me close to You
I want to be where You are
I want to be where You are


You carry me, You are my strength
I've learnt to trust in You
And once again
I'm reaching out