HUMILITY

If there's one lesson in 2012 I would never forget was when God taught me how to become humble. 

Humility is probably one of the weakest values I have. Growing up with much attention and praises coming from everyone, it was so difficult for me to practice being humble. Excelling in different areas made me realize that I'm special and better than anyone else. At first, I was confident that these accomplishments were my stepping stone to a brighter future; to a name everyone will dearly remember; to a legacy most would want to imitate. Later on, I found no joy, security and love in here. Rather, more than victory, I've experienced defeat. 

I'm certain that I'm not the only proud soul in here. As worldly individuals, our tendency is to give pride to ourselves; to live up for our own glory and to stand up mightily among a crowd. We were not born to be passive achievers but active achievers, who would want all the aces as much as possible. The degree of our desire is what makes our pride distinct from each other. But the root and the result are one in nature. The root is the enemy's work of using our hearts for something that will destroy us and will displease God. The result is no matter how well you started out your plan to thrive, you end up empty and worthless. 

Pride and humility are so powerful that the enemy combines them during attack so that it leaves you handicapped. Pride and humility: we love them both ways only that we practice them wrongly. We are so blinded with their effect that instead of us being the controller, they are the ones ruling over us. 

Battling over pride and humility a couple times didn't make me a pro in this context. From time to time, the Lord teaches me a different lesson and changes my heart and perspective in life. It was not easy to throw away my old self including the glory days, but when God told me that in Him I can be secured in everything, I felt that the chains were cut off. I was released from the works of evilness. I was more than free.

I remembered that when I was in 2nd grade, my section's name was HUMBLE. And on our wall says: "Humility is not to put yourself down but to accept who you are. What you can do and what you really can't." This line, I must say, helped me in understanding what true humility is. But still, when this is associated with a context apart from Christ, we'll still perceive it the wrong way. 

God is greater than all of us, by all means, in all ways. 

Don't feel you're less of a person when you practice humility for God is pleased with you.

It's God who will lift you up. Do not fear for He cares for you.

The Lord is the only one capable of humbling us down. If we rely on ourselves, we're just wasting our energy. We cannot do it apart from Christ.

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:5-7

If you become the dictator of your own life, you see pride and humility in these ideas:

PRIDE

• It is something you run after to 
• It defines who you are, what you can do and what you are good at
• You value it like a material object 
• You keep track of its quality and quantity
• It makes you better than anyone else
• You work hard for it
• It is your ultimate goal
• You take good care of it, water it and make it grow
• You find your security in it

HUMILITY

• It is something you do to lift your spirit up
• You practice it because it makes you "good"
• You do it so that your righteousness will be noticed
• You equate it with heaven
• You associate it with good deeds=salvation
• You use it as an advantage
• You hide under its goodness
• You do it to keep you clean and fresh as new

Apart from Christ being the center of everything we do, even our values suffer. The wrong motives and second thoughts implanted in us destroy us too. When we allow Jesus' love to change our hearts so that our humility becomes automatic and natural rather than planned, that's when we see true humility. At the end of the day, it's still Jesus.

Jesus' love set me free.

Sealing this with love,

Diane

TRAINED FOR VICTORY

Last November 14, 2012, Training for Victory formally ended with its 77 graduates from Batch 7.

Here is a video presentation of my students' response speech. I hope everyone will be encouraged to pass the baton and be compelled to Honor God and Make Disciples.

Video courtesy of Pastor @bojobonfacio

BORACAY

I should’ve blogged about my Boracay semestral break vacation with my college clique days after our trip was over. I really don’t remember why it took me so long to post this entry. Nonetheless, I still want to share how ecstatic and comforting my experience was.

It wasn't the first time that our group left for Boracay. Two years ago, if I’m not mistaken, the same people booked for a vacation to visit the beautiful island. I wasn't able to come since a storm was about to hit the place and for that reason, my Dad didn't permit me to join.

This year, when my friends suggested staying in Boracay once again, I didn't miss the chance anymore. I immediately told my parents about it so I had enough time to prepare and save-up. I was totally excited and out-of-control since it’ll be my first time to see one of the world’s most treasured beaches.

Last October 12, 2012, we left Manila right after our third shifting examinations last semester. Everyone was so pumped-up (most especially Cheska, Arielle and I who were legitimate first timers). This was the first incident that we were almost complete as a group. Hitting the plane, I was reminded that it was another first timer experience for me to ride the air transportation on my own without any parent by my side. I felt so independent and no longer a teen during that moment. Our flight bounded to Kalibo seemed like the fastest air trip of my life. It only took us 15 minutes to get there.

Since our flight was scheduled late in the afternoon, we arrived at Kalibo pitch dark so we can no longer take a boat ride to cross to Caticlan. Thinking of our safety, we decided to stay overnight in a little inn at Kalibo after having a yummy, cheap La Paz Batchoy meal in the nearest mall.

We woke up first thing in the morning the following day to travel to Caticlan port so we can ride the boat and step into the territory of Boracay. Travelling by land was quite long. Good thing the tour driver was very accommodating. He had a lot of stories to share and for that I didn't have much of a boring period to kill.

As we set foot at Caticlan port, I can feel the wind and the waves rushing through my skin. This is it! A few boat bumps and we’re finally reaching the place every Filipino desires to visit.

Seeing Boracay at first was an awe-filled moment for me. As a beach lover, I cannot hide my joy of how much I appreciated God’s creation. The entire province was a living miracle of how the Lord can perfectly orchestrate everything.

In Boracay, I enjoyed every single day spent. I woke up gladly every morning knowing that I’ll be served with a variety of delicious food, will be engaging in activities I’ve never done before and will be carving memories of love, laughter and sisterhood with people whom I value so much.

If there were five things I wouldn't forget about this wonderful experience at Boracay, they would be:

• The beach that gave me a complete sense of serenity and fulfillment of just embracing the Lord’s creation in full appreciation. That for days, I was able to connect with the waves of the water and let me be who I want to be. I felt like my inner mermaid wish came true in a snap;
• The delectable array of food and treats being served at the table every meal. The days I've took time to exert on weight loss before Boracay were all wasted with no regrets. Above all, the baked cheesy and garlic scallops captured my stomach;
• The refreshing collection of drinks and shakes at Jonah’s that was always available to block-off the throat-drying thirst that the sun gave us;
• The ATV ride that made me feel like a pro-motor driver who strikes both low and high grounds of the province;
• And the company of my sisters from another mother who took time to share their life and joy with me.

Three days of an unforgettable getaway with friends closest to my heart… What can I even say? I’m so thankful that God blessed me with the chance to have this vacation. It made me realize how grateful I should be for God’s provision of creation whether animate or inanimate. It helped me understand that more than a human being, I’m a steward delegated to love and take care of these riches.

Sealing this with love,
Diane

STACY'S (A Review)

"Never have I seen a place that accommodated my feminine side plus the cravings of my hungry stomach!" -Diane

This is what I can only say to this restaurant called Stacy's that Emery Eugenio (@emeryeugenio) and I visited last November 19, 2012. Prior to our trip, I've already been eye-spying and researching on this very interesting place I've first encountered through random google-ing. I was attracted on how it looked like from the photos I've seen online. And, of course, the good review on their food and services.

It took us a long time to be there due to a rainy traffic afternoon plus the fact that we got "somewhat" lost (hihi) Nonetheless, the time that was wasted was incredibly worthy!

Welcome to Stacy's Resto! 

Look at the dainty set-up and the fresh ambiance. I'm sure every girl would love this!

They serve delicious dishes from breakfast, brunch, lunch, snacks and desserts.

They even give free treats for appetizer while waiting. 

Look at their menu for desserts written down on a blackboard using colored chalks. 

Their desserts are a must-try! They sell homemade ice creams for a competitive price. And, take note: Don't underestimate the tastiness of their ice creams!!!

Emery and I really had an awesome stay at Stacy's Resto. All the time taken up and the money spent were worth it. I believe this dining place is a big option for those cliques who would want to chat over a variety of sumptuous meals, families who prefer a quiet and fresh place to hold their get-togethers, groups of girls who would want their feminine side to be satisfied and for those who are looking for a special place to celebrate marker events in their lives! For Emery and I, we saw this place as something we could visit over and over. Its comfort and serenity were perfect for us to hold our 121 in there. I also suggest this place for those conducting small group meetings and fellowship.  

At Stacy's Resto, it feels like home!

Stacy's Resto is located at: Capitol Greenstreet (Capitol Golf,QC) near Ayala Heights, IBC-13, RPN-9 and Celebrity Sports

To know more about Stacy's Resto

Call:  952-6843

Like: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Stacys/195711510453811

Follow: @StacysResto

Email: abynachura@gmail.com

Sealed with love,

Diane

THE HOLY SPIRIT

My Mom always, if time permits, tags me along to her activities whether it be a lunch date with her college friends or a get-together with her spiritual group. 

Last October 27, 2012 was one of those dates that I'm thankful I've came to interfere. My gate crash moment was definitely something to be treasured.

My Mom together with other intercessors gathered as one and invited over a missionary couple who was there to facilitate that day's spiritual meeting. Like any other spiritual event, it was filled with worship, prayer and God's word. But what struck me were the lesson and experience I had on that day. 

I've never felt the Holy Spirit that powerful that it made me cry like a child. My tears were all out of joy and gratitude for all that God had done in my life. It was the best feeling during that time.

Truly, God works in many ways unfathomable by human comprehension that the only responses you end up with are shouts of praise, hands raised up and a heart full of passion to glorify the Lord more.

It is a privilege to be given the chance to be embraced by the Holy Spirit. I encourage everyone not to neglect, underestimate and fear the Holy Spirit but rather have more willingness to call for its wings to surround us. The Holy Spirit is in us and sways us away from the road of sin and lead us to the path of righteousness. The more that we should invite its presence to cloth us so that our daily decisions will be wise and Christ-like. 

The Holy Spirit is not an entity, not an element, but a living, active proof of Jesus' power to share His love, guidance, compassion and protection for mankind. 

As we open our hearts to become sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we allow God to shine in and through us. 

The Holy Spirit fills the hole...

"But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the Earth. " -Acts 1:8

"And I will pray to the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever." -John 14:16

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." -Romans 8:26

So that empty hearts become whole.

Sealing this with love,

Diane