Philip and Chette Friendster Blog

“What do you fear?” – MJ

That was the Word of God through our Life Group leader (MJ) last wednesday when I attended the Life Group. The text is about the weeping Prophet Jeremiah. Who was really scared when God appointed Him to become a prophet. (Jer 1)

Earlier, I woke up at around 8am and planned to work on the website. I opened my notepad together with all the browsers but I couldn’t do work, I stared for a couple of minutes at the screen and then, I remembered the Life Group and I realized how God always protect me eversince I became His child. True that when our Leader MJ asked me what I fear most, I said “roaches”

At the same time… The Holy Spirit reminded me how many times my God.. protected me.

He lead me to this verse: Psalm 12, but the verse 7 really struck me.

 O LORD, you will keep us safe
       and protect us from such people forever.
 
How many times have God protected me? There was one time.. Philip and I drove toward San Fernando and there was something wrong with the car but as we prayed, God protected us. There was another time, a certain woman called me, “Borbolen” because I became a born again Christian, and her life became so messy. Many times, the people who hurt us; when we are not doing anything wrong… God will avenge and protect us. It’s like whoever blesses us, will be bless and whoever will curse us will be cursed.

Then just last week, when Philip and I rode a jeep (although, Philip already discern something so he told me not to ride the jeep, but because I was in pain due to my period, and I was really hungry and in a hurry so I didn’t discerned it so I grabbed his hand and we rode the jeep)… . In that Jeep, we sat at the center of the “robbers” Philip kept silent and he felt the hand of the robber at his pants, and he hugged me tight and just prayed. His phone was at that side of the pants. But a miracle happened, Philip looked straightly at the robber and the robber stopped what was his doing and when the jeep stopped, they left. We checked everything and nothing was stolen. GOD PROTECTED US.

Another thing happened, as Philip was going home; he encountered another robbery. The Jeep he rode stopped and the girl’s phone was snatched away. Philip already hugged his bag because he discerned something is wrong again. GOD Protected Him.

Then… He also made me remember when I was not yet His child, there were certain things that almost happened to me. (i.e. almost got rape, almost died due to sickness or my stubborness, lots of accident etc.) yet… God protected me because a certain person prayed for me.

As I remembered, what Philip said, “Before, when I was a kid… there were many times I didnt understand but God has spoken to me many times to pray for my godswill. Everytime you were in a big trouble, I don’t know but He keeps telling me to pray for you”.

waii.. im crying now. *inhale exhale*

This is the God we serve. This is the God when He fell in love with you, He’ll do things that are beyond your expectations and Imagination. He’ll protect you wherever you go. 

And thou sometimes, we hurt this God because of our stubborness… This is our God. This is our Dad. This is how He protects His children. So if you feel like doubting the existance of our Loving Heavenly Father, just think of those times how He saves us, think of those times how He solve our problems if we give it all to Him.

You may not see Him, some even deny HIM. But you can’t change the fact and you can’t make Him dissapear in this world because He is real.

and when He falls in love with you?
I guarantee you that everyday of your Life is ♫ sweeter than a day before  ♫

God bless, (geh I need a tissue) hehehe…

- Chette

Spiritual Birthday with my new Spiritual Family
So God provided XD. We celebrated our 7 years with God in Mister Frosty Angeles City. After our Friday Service, Our Disciplers (Bro.Bing & Sis.Mae) together with our lovely sisters in Christ (Ariane and Lizette) we went to the resto at around 8pm na. Why Mister Frosty? because it is a memorable place for me and Philip. We ordered Sisig, Chopseuy and Sinigang (Sarap!) and because we enjoyed talking and sharing… we lost track of time. If the waitress didn’t say, “Sir… Ma’am… we’re closing already” We won’t even leave the restaurant! hehe. The Pipz are so fun to be with! I’m so happy that God led us into this family and we have met them. I am happy now. Actually happier than before. Truly that when God told us, we will have new sets of friends, God didn’t lie about that.

Glasses
FINALLY!  I CAN SEE! LOL! Actually God already healed my eyes. But since I abused it… so… @.@ But it’s a miracle because the lenses were not that high. Actually It only increased a little but I get headaches when I didn’t have my eye glasses. The glasses are from Soliman-Paroli. Really good quality eye glasses. You should visit them when you need glasses. Not only that, I was surprised that many of the VCF Angeles Family were clients of this eye clinic. Talk about coincidence? nah. I don’t believe in Coincidence XD

My Relationship with my family and Relatives.
Before I used to treat them as my enemy. But as God finally opened my eyes. I found out that I should be thankful to God for giving me a great family. Although we still have different beliefs and faith, they are the best family I’ve could ever ask for. So now I thank God that, God is healing my relationship with my family Actually in the Bible, When you Honor your family, its the only command that has a promise.

So I really love how the VCF Church put the “FAMILY” in their Core Values. Then last September, My Uncle, Auntie with my cousins went to Angeles and it was the first time in a long time… that I went with them (before I can’t coz of church) but now I had the chance to be with them. And I found out again that they are the best relatives I could ever ask for. I asked for forgiveness to them and they forgave me… ^^ (waaaii im gonna cry…)

A new wallet XD
So last September, my relatives and I went to the SM Clark and My Auntie (Ruth) saw my wallet and she saw that it was broken… so to my surprised she told me. “choose one for yourself.” I tried to chose the cheapest one.. but she bought me an expensive one @.@ waaaiii…

Marquee Mall
Last Sunday, after church… Philip and I went to Marquee Mall to see what’s inside. My feet hurts from walking. It’s Big @.@ hehe. We didn’t buy anything oh just the 100php camera bag (but that’s all) and we ate at greenwich and Philip and I watched “G-Force”. ehehe Philip’s money so yeah XD

Lastly…

New Bible!
One of my precious material treasure is my bible. So I don’t buy Bibles that are cheap. I buy Bible that are really “expensive” so if God provides. I will buy the expensive one. I had one JIL Bible (you know that right?) but I really want a PINK Bible. (Since PINK is my FAVORITE Color) So I went to PCBS last week, and since God provided ^^ I bought my NEW Bible! I also bought one for PHILIP XD

THANK YOU LORD FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS!
LOVE YOU SOO MUCH JESUS!

VCF Angeles went to Malolos Bulacan
As the Bible said, “Faith without Works is dead.” (James 2:26). So let’s us not just pray but to act as well. So just scroll down to see the pictures XD. The VCF Angeles Family went to Malolos bulacan for the operation ^^ and we helped, as well as some of my online friends and friends who gave their donation (Thank you sooo much XD Lmae, Rics and Alvin XD)

and watch the video ^^

VCF Angeles helping the Ondoy Victims

God bless!

The Blame Game
by Pastor Steve Murrel

It has been one week since Typhoon Ondoy baptized Manila in chaos - destroying homes and displacing 2 million people.

While thousands of ordinary people were generously giving and sacrificially serving those in need, others were busy playing the blame game. According to the blame-fixers, those responsible for the floods include: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the mayors, the senate, the congress, all sinners, God, the devil, global warming, Al Gore (the inventor of global warming), Osama bin Laden, Abu Sayyaf, Ahmajinedad, Gaddafi, Kanye West and former US president Bush (poor guy gets blamed for everything).

On my Nashville to Manila flight a couple of days ago - in order to gain some insights about suffering - I read the whole book of Job, the story of a man who lost it all, then some.

Here are my random Job notes from 30,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean.

1. Bad things happen to seemingly good and innocent people. Four times Job is described as “blameless and upright” yet he experienced horrible suffering.

2. The devil is real and he comes to “steal, kill and destroy.” Chapter 1 makes it clear that all Job’s pain and loss was an act of the devil, not an act of God.

3. People experiencing bad times need good friends. When you have friends who are suffering, try doing what Job’s friends did in Job 2:13 “Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.”

4. Good friends often give bad counsel. Unfortunately, after that week of silence, Job’s friends opened their mouths and stuck both feet in, nasty shoes and all.

5. Some things can’t be explained and some “why?” questions can’t be answered. The book of Job never answers the “why?” question. But is does paint a good picture of “how” - how to find God in our pain and how to respond to calamity.

6. We can find God in our pain and loss, if we do what Job did when he realized the extent of his loss - “then he fell to the ground in worship…” Do we only worship God in the good times?

7. In the end, the blessing of God caught up with and overtook Job. Most people don’t press through and read the whole book of Job. But if you endure til the end, you will find that “the Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former.” Job 42:12 And if we endure past our pain, we will find God in the end.

——-

Now my opinion about this:

1. Yeah. Bad things happened seemingly good and innocent people. Actually a certain leader once said, “It seems that when you’re right in front of God. You are wrong in front the people” ^^;; When you want to do right things, people will misunderstood you. (kekeke…) and when you want to expose the wrong thing, you’ll get blame and become the “bad person” ^^;;

2. Amen Pastor Steve, All the sufferings and pains are an act of the devil. God doesn’t want us to suffer. So I really don’t believe in the people saying, “God has given me sickness so that I can be helpful and I can become strong” waaa… ^^;;

3. Yep. When you experience bad times, you need to have good friends. But friends that you can trust on.

4. Painfully but true. Most of the times, Good friends often give bad counsel. So I have learned that when you help your friend, help him or her. Then be alert of your actions. Do not gossip or say anything to your other friends. Don’t share this secret to others (even though your intention is good.) Just pray and don’t speak. Whaaa… also a positive word is ok and backstabbing is no no.

5. yep. If the questions cannot be explain? Don’t bother to ask. In God’s timing everything will be revealed. Amen!

6. Pastor Emer said last sunday, that we are not storm-free but storm-proof. And during our Storms in life, during pain and loss. We can find God and God will manifest in us (if we give it all to Him). It’s a means of testing and a testimony.

7. This is what I LOVE! teehee. A quote once said… after the rain comes the rainbow. Every problem has a solution. Every suffering has an ending. And if we hold onto God in every problem we have, He will blessed us more than what we expect and the blessing of the latter part is more than the former.

Thank you pastor steve and Pastor emer for the wonderful insights ^^
We thank God for your Life pastor steve and Pastor Emer

So what about yours??

Tags: Pastor Steve, sharing, Storms, VCF

After Church service, We had a great lunch with our newly friend-sister in Christ (also a chemist @.@ *bows down to her* just kidding!) Sis.Nikki. It was an accident though, I never thought she  rode the same jeep, that we rode going to SM City Clark. We had a great sunday and the preaching is about “Discipling Nations.” (LOL. I realize my calling is not just locally but internationally…but in God’s timing) hehe. Anyway we ate at Ikabud, Philip showed the restaurant and we stayed there for about 3 hours! would you believe that? just chatting here and there and chatting about life, about God. She really loves God and we can really feel that she’s an amazing person (so we are excited to get to know her more.)

But the most unforgatable conversation (dami na kasi hehe) we had that time (well for me) is when Philip said, “God design people to take interests in things that are growing. People like to see things that are improving. It’s because that is how God design us.”

I guess that is why I became addicted to “Farmville” hehe. Here’s  my farm ^^ I love seeing how these seeds turn into fruits or vegetables. I love seeing how they grow and improve.

This game is really addicting. But you don’t have to be online all the time to monitor them. There’s seed where it grows after 2 to 3 days.. and it teaches more about time management and it analyses how you handle things. My farm’s name is “God and I” ^^ hehehe…

So God doesn’t just want us to “stop” like, once you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior then “stop”. No. You have to become mature. No baby stayed baby forever. Sooner or later (even though you will lie about your age, you will continue to grow… ouch hahaha!) and… even you stop living your life, in reality you’re still ageing. So God wants us to be more productive. He doesn’t say, “Hey kid. Here’s your vision. Then Stop.” Once a vision is being fullfilled, another vision comes.

So don’t stop growing. Be more productive. Grabbed all the oppurtunities and chances God is giving you. Study, Work and serve God wholeheartedly in whatever Ministry God has called you ^^ 

Also please continue to pray for the Ondoy’s victim in Manila and also remember to donate if you can, because Faith without works is dead. So grabbed the oppurtunity to help, whether is it through cash, text (donate your load), donate dress, food or physically help those who will go there to distribute the relief goods.

and 

7 years

… on October 09, 2009… Philip and I will celebrate our seven (7) years in Christianity. And according to the Jewish tradition… Jubilee is being celebrated after 25th or  50th year.. but in the Bible (Biblical meaning of Jubilee), especially in Deuteronomy rather than waiting for the 50th year, the Deuteronomic code requires the slaves be liberated during their 7th year of service. And seeing what we are right now… It’s really a great timing Jubilee is a time to rest, a time of refreshing, a time of cancelation of debts, time to retrieve the land, a time of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

And It’s been happening in our lives right now, How?

1. Time to Rest and Refreshing -  We left the other Church and God led us into a new church, where we feel so refresh and since, we are plain members we are resting for now and just focusing on our lives.

2. Cancelation of debts - Financial blessings are overflowing, many of my debts were already been paid up and some were canceled due to favor from above.

3. Time to retrieve the land -  The land that I own, came back to me. I thought I could not retrieve it anymore but I did retrieve it. Because God gave it back. He saw how much I sacrifice my time and life before in His ministry and now I am reaping what I sow. Thank you God!

A time of God’s goodness and faithfulness Halleluiah! and so I put my pictures from 2002 to 2009. God has been so good to me in spite of my stubbornness and also in spite of people kept cursing me. I thank God for the protection and I thank God that the curse being spoken to me, has no power for I am a Victorious Christian ^^ that’s why my new church is called “Victory Christian” hehehehe…

Testimony: When it’s for you… it’s for you. =P

May sira na kasi yung boots ko… and then We saw a boots in Robinson Galleria, and I really liked it, but it cost 800 pesos so I prayed to God and told Him if ever.. that boots is for me… then when I come back for it, it will be available and cheaper. And we came back after church in VCF and when I looked at the boots. It is available and a miracle happened! it only cost 180 pesos! would you believe that? It was on sale! so I bought it! Galing talaga ni Father God! Love you Dad

Friends

God spoke once before in my heart, when I became a Born again Christian… when some of my friends left me because I became fanatic to Jesus. He said, “I will not leave you empty”. And He didn’t lie when He said that. He gave me… “Emily, Hijiri, Ranma, Akane, Ems, Josanne, Rics, David, Preacherman, and Lmae” (of course you hehe I won’t forget you) and a lot more. Then this year, I again lost lots of friends but my true friends stayed by my side, and again.. The Holy Spirit spoke in my heart that “Jesus will never leave me empty” and God gave me brand new sets of friends and groupies. they are the VCF Angeles Family.

I just want to say thank you… Thank you so much VCF Angeles inspite of you’ve heard many negative things about us, still you have kept us and welcomed us in your Church family. Most especially, Ptr. Emer, Bro.Bing, Sis.Mae (kisses), Sis.Ianne (huggles), Sis.Lizette, Sis.JHOI!!!!, Sis Nerissa, Bro.Paul, Bro.Ivan, Bro.Jaycel, Sis.Seanne, Sis.Lei, Sis.Lyka, Sis.MJ and Sis.Jessica. Thank you… Thank you so Much. May God bless VCF Family in Angeles and also new friends online like Ken, Jessica, Kimbalee Tika and a lot more =D God bless you all! (oh also Euri, and Himeka who were not a Christians but they encouraged me a lot ^^)

Hello! Chette Here. I’m having a break from studying and so I wanted to share you some of the things that opened my eyes during the past weeks and we were out of our daily routines. I really like my life right now. I can think fast, I can get enough rest and I can have more time with my real friends as well as my God ^^

Attending VCF as well, has changed the way as I approach God… and I’ve been attending eversince August 16 and every teachings/preachings were always an eye opener for me. I really like how they’re teaching “series.” And having a change of style of hearing… looking at some things in a different perspective is totally refreshing.

So without further ado… I’ll share you some of my thoughts and I hope as you read along, your eyes will be opened as well.

Biblical Person no. 1 - Joseph (Beginning Genesis 30)
Before when people speak breakthroughs, I always think of Joshua and Caleb and how they conquer the promise land. But as I was reading Joseph’s life… God pointed it out that Joseph was the person really experieced breakthrough in his life. To be able to experience breakthrough… your life will be shaken. If you are a Christian who doesn’t accept Shakening in your life then you will not experience Breakthrough.

Biblical Persons no. 2 - The difference of Queen Esther and the Widow in Jesus’ Story. (Esther 7 and Luke 18)
I was always encourage everytime I hear the story of the Widow in Jesus’ Story. The widow kept knocking at the door of the judge and kept knocking and knocking and the Judge gave the justice. Jesus pointed out ‘perseverance in asking’ But the thing is… you don’t have to become like the widow, you can be Queen Esther. (this is a teaching from VCF) hehehe… We Christians are not just children, but we are also called, the Bride of Jesus. I know I’ve been hearing we are “Bride” but I never take it seriously.. not until I heard that message. It feels good to be the “BRIDE”. You have all the favor you can get. And reading the Book of esther… Esther did something before She became the “Beloved” of the king. She used wisdom (how she treated the king and prepare herself to meet the king); and thus because of this… the King loved her so much… so much that Queen Esther adversary became the king’s adversary.

Biblical Person no. 3 - Rahab (Joshua 2)
Two things that God revealed to me in the life of Rahab.

1. Rahab is an alien prostitute who was saved because she protected the spies
2. Even there was an order from the higher authority, still Rahab chose to submit to God.

If you read the whole chapter 2 of Joshua, the City of Jericho was marked out for death. But God in His mercy, permitted Rehab to live. Not only that! Did you know that RAHAB became a part of the nation of Israel? She married Salmon and gave birth to Boaz (who is the ancestor of King David and Jesus!) Imagine… a Prostitute becoming a part of the ancestry of Jesus Christ. See what Faith can do?? She’s one of the great women of faith in the Bible.

And She is what you can call… “I will submit to the authority if the authority is right. If not, then I won’t.” kind of woman. Rahab is telling us that ‘we can submit to the ones who has authority, but use wisdom”

I remember one time… when my dad was still here in the Philippines.. he told me once. “Submit to the authority. Submit to the elders, submit to the leaders, but once the leaders are not in the right, then you have the right to disagree with it. If your leader say, ‘Go kill yourself.’ Will you follow him? You will know if its God’s thing or not. This is different to Abraham submission. Use your brain.”

I think he said that because he knew that my weakness before (and up until last august :P) that I easily trust people and eventually people will abuse my trust and it will lead to pain.

lastly…

Biblical Persons no. 4: Jesus and James
Very common name But the Holy Spirit revealed something to me as I was reading his story. Jesus ministry started from the age of 30 and He died at the age of 33. His ministry time, is only for 3 years. So what did He do for the remaining 29 years? He served His earthly family. That is why his earthly brother “James” who wrote the Book of James (Nope the writer of the Book of James in the new testament is not the Apostle but rather the ‘earthly brother’ of Jesus, he is another son of mary. =D ) So because of Jesus’ testimony… James wrote the book of James and encouraged many of Christians (in the past and up until present) how a Christian should live, and His role model is his earthly brother: Jesus ^^

Hope these things enlightened you as much as it enlightened me ^^

God bless everyone!
God bless VCF FAMILY!
God bless ANGELES City ^^

PROMOTING: http://jilac.wordpress.com/

(Edit: Good they took it down. But we have a Screenshot,  God told us to do that. If you want the screenshot, we have it. and  Emily and Euri has it too.)

——-

They even put our names ^^ I am honored ^^ Its also the first POST in the blog! ^^ Dapat matuwa kayo coz I am giving you a lot of “Visitors”

Slander is a spoken defamation. Defamation or “defamation of character” is spoken or written words that falsely and negatively reflect on a living person’s reputation.
If this is a Real Church… why do they slander? What are they trying to prove? that they are right? Anyway, it doesn’t matter. God knows who is lying or not.

Anyway, you go there and see for yourself. As you can see, all their posts are about us. Bombarding us with negative words with OUR NAMES in it (and they can be sued) while as for me, I never put their names ^^ but you go there and see how this church operates and talk. It’s like they are trying to PROVE something.

But you know what’s funny? look at the banner, I made that.
look at their tshirts (Joshua Generation), it was inspired by the Holy Spirit drawn by Philip, some of my wallpapers are being used by the KKBs… and then they are calling us traitors, devils, rebelling against them.. etc. They should stop “using” those tshirts if we were from satan! lol

Why do they have to do this? I don’t know.
God’s wrath? what do they know?

Here we are starting back to O (zero) living peacefully and attending VCF, peacefully (not asking for any position) and yet they kept saying this?

The reason why I put that post is because I only want to clarify myself and posting that post WITHOUT their names.

You know who is guilty ne?

Is this still the church and family… we were once a part of it? Is this the Church I devoted my Life into for 6 years? Is this the church that I defended to my family?

Expelled from the leadership because of rebellion? -_- no… WE LEFT because of INJUSTICES, We left because we don’t trust JIL ANGELES ANYMORE.
——

I say: if only they let us leave in peace… I won’t even bother to post this *shakes head*

What is the difference of Gossip in the unbeliever and believer world?
Taken from Pastor hehehe…

Dati… nung di ka pa christian

“Oi! Bestpren! may secreto ako pero huwag mung pagsasabi ha? kasi ganito… hingi lang ako nang tulong ganito kasi”

Tapos yung bestfriend mo, sasabihin nya sa bestfriend nya “Oi best pren… my secret si ganito… nasabi nya sa akin pero sbhin ko sa iyo kasi best pren kita!”

at mabibigla ka na lang… alam na nang buong opisina ang secreto mo. hehehe. Kasi magbe-bestpren lahat.

—-

At Ngayon na nakakilala ka na… Naggo-gossip ka pa b? Aminin… bigyan kita nang example nang gossip nang mga Christian.

“Sister… may problem ako… pagpray mo ako… ganito kasi sya…”

Tapos yung sister na hiningan mo nang prayer. Pupunta sa ibang sister at sasabihin “Sister… Concern ako kay ganito, ganito kasi ang problem nya. Pag pray natin siya.”

at magugulat ka na lang na alam na nang buong church ang problem mo.

We have learned that even we are Christians, we should set boundaries. We should draw a line. Hindi na dapat makialam pa sa private things nang ka-sister mo, or brother mo.

Ikaw Christian… ganito ka ba? ^^

We learned in our new church the best way to avoid gossip is:

1. When you are not a part of the problem, don’t involve yourself
2. When you are not part of the solution, don’t involve yourself.

Note: Not everyone is a part of the Solution
hehehe

L.I.F.E!