Glorify Christ, Make Stewards

Happy Anniversary!

Labor for a New Home

Each family desires a place where to dwell together.  A home is a place where we can find refuge, security and happiness.  It is an environment where you feel being loved and cared for.  Though a home is more than just the visual structure, we are to admit that the physical building and ambiance it offers has somehow a contribution to make us feel more comfortable.

Christ Stewards Fellowship Hall has become a place of refuge for our emotional and spiritual needs. Being united with the bond of Christ, each member of CSF is continually learning and growing to build each and everyone’s relationship stronger and to reach out also for others who are in need.  Since last year, we started praying for our church building needs.  We have stayed for almost five years and ever since we have not made any major renovations in the building that we have occupied. 

Stewarship and Giving

 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

1 Peter 4:10

This year has brought a new perspective in our lives, as being Christ’s stewards in all the gifts He has entrusted – time, talent and specially treasures (resources).  The past topics about stewardship have reminded me of being God’s faithful steward in every gift that he has given.

Last 2011 God has taught me to be grateful for everything I have.  As our family grows bigger, needs become greater.  Most of us would care of our own family’s sake and need.  There are also times that I also wish to have the things that we don't have such as: a new beautiful house, appliances, gadgets, new trendy clothes and shoes, what's in with the children's toys and the like.  At times I really do find myself murmuring to God - asking for things that I wished we had.

Costume Party

For a change a to break the routine of our usual cell group activity for our young people's fellowship, they have suggested to have a costume party. Few weeks before the event everyone was thinking of what type of costume can they wear in the party, or a person they can portray. It was exciting night when we held the event. We have prepared a short program then afterwards had a very delicious dinner.

At times we would wanted to mask ourselves and imitate the things around us.

Lost Son

It was one Wednesday (February 16, 2011) afternoon, I went to the supermarket with my son JC. We used to do it most of the time. I will find someone who will look for my daughter then I will bring JC with me especially during my shopping time. As usual I will have him sit in the push cart then pick up the things that we need to buy. This Wednesday afternoon was not different than those days that we go to the supermarket. I had no idea that something wrong will happen. When we are on the cashier paying the stuffs, JC asked me to lift him out of the cart then he sit at the box near me. After giving the cash to the cashier, I glanced at the box where I knew he is then suddenly I could not find him anywhere. I asked the guard which is just next to me if he saw where did my son go but he is has not give me an answer. I felt my heart pounded, it beat so fast, and even cannot explain my emotions that time. I have never been so worried in my life. All I am thinking about is where did my son go and where could I find him. Different thoughts flashed in my mind that he may have gone out of the supermarket or could have followed a stranger. I knew he cannot get home by himself. He could not even say where he lives and he only knew mommy and daddy not our specific names. I did not care of the things we bought in the store; I left and forget all of the stuffs we buy. All I wanted was to find him.

Planting

I have grown up close to nature since I grew up in a province. I love plants and appreciated every garden that I see back when I was a child. I kept on my mind that one day I wanted to have my own house with a very beautiful garden. My grandparents are farmers so somehow I understand a little bit about planting.

I haven't any chance to really take care of plants when I was younger. My mom would just ask me to water them and that's all I did. When I get married and doesn't have any choice but to stay in the house and look for our children, that was the time I considered to start my own garden. I only used to grow bacteria in petri dishes back when I was working in the laboratory. Now, I find gardening a good past time for me.

We don't have a big space in the place that we are renting. We live in a market place so there's no piece of land to plant. The only way for me was to use pots.

Camp and Travel

I love to travel it is because I find it very relaxing for me. If somehow I find myself bored and stressed, going out would bring me back to my senses. Even a simple walk outside will really help. In every travel find myself enjoying the views of the trees, green plants in the fields with its colorful flowers, the blue skies and its fluffy clouds. The sight of them makes me feel closer to God, His creations really reflects His magnificence.

Recently, we had an opportunity to be at the BBCA (Baptist Bible College Asia) Camp. I told my husband if we can go at the camp. He settled everything for our accommodation. This time I know it won't be easy to travel with two children around - JC and Eu-La. But still I insisted for us go. I know I needed time to go out and be in a place very different from the four corners of our house. Most of the time it gets me bored staying at the house looking after the children and doing house hold chores. Joining the camp would break the daily routine we had.

The Gift of a Child

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalms 127:3 (New American Standard Version)

God has blessed us with two children, Joseph Celso and Eunice Lauren. They have brought us so much joy and challenge on how to raise them. It is our desire and prayer that they too in God's perfect time will come to know Christ and serve also in the ministry.

I just celebrated my birthday. Since the start of the month, I  have made self reflections of what I am now and compared the past years of my life. God made me realized of the things that I needed to work on to keep me growing in faith. It also made me grateful for everything I have in my life and desired to want more of Him.

Remembering my childhood days, growing up in a Christian family, I got used in going to church every Sunday attending Sunday schools. It was my mother who was really eager for us to be present during service programs and activities in the church. She have done the best she could so we can be guided in the principles written in the Bible. In which I now consider to be the very best gift I had from my mother.

Learn...Act...Teach

Truly it is God's grace that enable us to continually minister with different types of people. And it has been five years of God's grace, faithfulness and provision how our Bible School continued. It has always been an opportunity and blessing to be used in equipping church leaders through teaching, conducting seminars, trainings and also facilitating the school. God has used different people to pray, to support us even in the financial needs of the school and to volunteer even without compensation to share their knowledge and train laymen and church workers in His vineyard.

It is really overwhelming to see how God worked for the past five years in our Bible School ministry.

Fun, Ball and Pins

It has been a long time since I haven't played bowling and even couldn't remember the last time we played. One thing I remember, my husband (Pastor Celso) and I often play ten pin bowling game almost seven years ago with my little brother Joshua. Main reason was that the bowling alley was just across the street of our bread store there in Calicanto.

It was such a great idea from the Young Stewards - the name of our Youth Group, to go out one Sunday afternoon and play a bowling game besides of having their ordinary cell group meeting inside the four corner of our church room. It was just too exciting for me to play the game though what we will be playing is the duckpin bowling.