The rainy season is fast approaching and so is the start of the school year. Many will find these last few days of summer to be a rush especially when preparing for enrollment and for the increase of traffic and that could be stressful. Although some people have been into so much stress lately. Before you plunge into the busyness of the coming weeks, take time to pray, praise God and reflect about the lessons He has taught you this summer by journaling it, blogging about it, and / or talking about it with your family and friends if you’ll be out with them for one last time before June comes in. Take time to ponder upon this Psalm adapted for busy people:
The Lord is my pacesetter I shall not rush. He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness, which restores my serenity.
He leads me in the way of efficiency through calmness of mind, and His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day and crisis may pile upon crisis.
I will not fall apart for His presence is here.
His timelessness, His all importance will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity.
He anoints my mind with His oils of inspiration. My cup overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruit of my hours,
For I shall walk in the peace of the Lord and dwell in His house forever.
Source unknown.
Came across a comic / superhero generating program in a website recently. Although I forgot the web address. So when I tried it, I was able to capture in an image one of the characters I imagined and often drew on paper when I was around 10 to 12 years old. The character’s name is Ares: a hero who had telekinetic powers. He has a side-kick named, Grey Fang, a wolf. Just wanted to share this.
Last April 23 to 27, 2012 we at GCF Paranaque’s Fusion Youth had the opportunity to have 41 young people join the youth camp (together with 2 chaperones) that was organized by Word of Life Philippines in their camping facility at Calauan, Laguna. The number of campers, which almost doubled on the first day itself, was indeed an encouraging blessing since GCFP sent one of the biggest delegations in the camp.
With the theme, “A Call to Duty: Spiritual Warfare in Modern Times,” the Bible sessions based on the letter of Jude challenged the campers to respond not only to the call of salvation through faith in Christ, but also towards a more committed life bearing the name of Christ and His gospel in their homes, barkadas, and campuses, some even considering being trained for a life of ministry. Complementing the messages, bite-size seminars offered discussions on Biblical manhood and womanhood, managing anger, use of technology, conquering the fear of superstition and Filipino animism, and sharing the Gospel.
Along with the hearty feeding of the Word and some equipping on the side, the campers also had their dose of good clean outdoor fun, even if it meant at one time they would have to crawl through mud! There were big team games during the afternoons and evenings as well as the opportunity to play basketball, wade in the pool, and ride Word of Life’s version of a zip-line. And we won’t forget to mention the generous servings of meals which kept the camper’s energy level almost always to the full.
The most meaningful thing that happened was that commitments were made and renewed during that time. The last night in front of the bonfire became witness to that many signified their utmost desire to let God use their lives so that others may also know Him through their testimony and witness. As the camp ended on Friday, April 27, 9 individuals from our campers followed Christ in water baptism. Let us pray that God may continue to enable each of our individual campers to live lives that are pursue Him and His glory. May this also be a challenge to all of us that age, vocation or inabilities are not hindrances to allow God’s plan to be fulfilled in our lives. Let us “…contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” (Jude 3, NIV)
