My Birthdays for the past Two Years

Remembering the past two years of my birthday.

My birthday with THEM and with HIM

Five days to go before the day. This time, as I tried to think of something I could write.

THOSE BIRTHDAYS SURPRISE WITH COLLEGE FRIENDS AND DABARKADS

While thinking of something to write, I had an opportunity to talk to one of my long time college friend and dabarkads (he's also a Christian) through twitter, Mr. John Mojica. It's a nice conversation as we tried to know what's happening to each of us through our career and our life as a whole. It's already a year or more since we are able to see each other and what a gladness I have to be able to communicate with him again. I remember a particular date, December 16, 2005, it is my 19th birthday and It is also our campus (URSB) christmas party. On that date, I have to travel from kapitolyo to our school to attend the party (I'm a student office that time, we are the organizer of the party so we're required to attend). I don't even know what is happening, but all of them is making me on a rush to come to the party without telling me the real reason, they just want me to come and it makes me irritated somehow. With much of my surprise, as i come to the school, then here they are prohibiting me from entering our office and telling me to stay outside, I was a little mad since I am already tired that night. They let me stay for about 30 minutes and after that they call me to enter the office and then, "Surprise, Happy birthday".. they made that day one of the memorable birthdays that I have. They know that I am tired, and them as well but they made a special night just for my birthday, they even forgot the party outside the office just to made time for me to celebrate and greet me. I will always remember that day and the "master planners" of that is Jocolyn, David and John (Mojica).

In December 16, 2008, my last birthday in the institution (URSB), another memorable birthday that I have. All of them (my barkada) assemble in the library with a participation with Mam Mallari (URSB Head Librarian). After my 2pm class, they texted me to go to the Library which we usually does. I go to the library without hesitation thinking that they will just try tease me to made a blow-out since it is my birthday. Much of a surprise, they are not there and I tried to ask the assistant librian and told me that they didn't know where they are. So with that, I intend to go back to my room and wait for my next class then suddenly all of them appeared in my back, with foods (pansit and others). i don't expect it but they'd made there voluntary contribution just to come up with it and to celebrate my birthday. What a wonderful birthday that I have. I am very thankful to the LORD that he had given me friends like them.

In December 16, 2011, although only few of them come, I was able to celebrate my birthday with them again. It's a one of a memorable one, that even all of us are busy, all of us specially them are able to give time to celebrate. I thank God for it.

MY BIRTHDAYS WITH MY BEST FRIENDS

December 16, 2006, It's the time of the year when all of us are busy specially in the Worship Ministry since we usually have a concert during this month. If there is something that makes my birthday memorable, that is those times when I, Manuel and Iking used to eat at william's (sa baba ng palangoy) to eat fried chicken being finance by none other iking. Those are the times when we are still young and we cherish every moment that we are together. We also have our yearly tradition that we buy a set of polo, with the same design but different color and sizes specially done to commemorate our friendship. Right now we are busy with our careers and in the ministry, being scattered with the 3 churches of kapasan but still, our friendship grows stronger and deeper even though we don't have regular time of being with each others.

MY BIRTHDAY WITH THE ETWF

December 16, 2009 & 2010, It's the years where in I open our home for the ETWF worship team and youth to celebrate my birthday in our house. It's the first time in 2009 that I did it and it brings a lot of gladness to see those people to be in our house to celebrate my birthday. One of the memorable things that i receive on that day, is a simple but very precious and valuable gift that they had given to be. a BIG Birthday Card with message and pictures of them greeting me a happy and blessed birthday. I was to touch that I keep that Card until now. In December 18, 2012, a post celebration of my birthday is also made with them.

MY BIRTHDAY WITH MY OFFICEMATE

December 15, 2011, that day I was still at Caliraya in laguna. It's my last day of duty there, as I was going to prepare to travel back home, My boss, Sir Ariel learned that it's my birthday. Without hesitation, knowing that it is my birthday, he give me money to buy Ice Cream and treat people at the back office of Caliraya Resort. My boss is not an expressive guy, that through that, He made a lasting message of greeting for my Birthday. I also remember Sir Lito, my manager in my 2nd work. He treat us in a restaurant when he learned that it is my birthday, how could I forget that. It is during December 15, 2008 that Sir Lito treat us for my birthday.

MY BIRTHDAY WITH MY FAMILY

If there are people who is always present that makes my birthday special even without the treat, even without the luxurious food and even without the gifts, it is my family that is always complete and present during my birthday. From my childhood until now, they are on of the reason why my birthday is special and memorable. My nanay, tatay, kuya mike and jepoy. My Family that I love and who love me. My family who is not perfect but given by God as a gift and as a blessing in my life.

MY BIRTHDAY WITH THE LORD

Every year, if I have a memorable birthday, it is not just because of the people that I am with. But most importantly, It is because of GOD is with me all the time. In every seconds, every minute, every hour and every days of my life, The LORD is there to cheer me up and strengthens me when I'm weak, to give me wisdom when I don't know what to do, to encourage me in my time of disappointment and to rescue me in times of my troubles. I will not have a meaningful birthday without HIM in my life. He made my life Blessed.

This is a short summary of how YAHWEH make my life blessed specially in every birthday that I have

To YAHWEH be the glory, honor and praise.

Six Days to go before the day...

Psalms 118:24  This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Six days to go, and it will be my day. I’m going to celebrate not just because it’s the day when I made it on earth but because God had made wonderful things in my life for the past years. As that day comes, it’s neither about me nor the people around but it is about HIM who made my life joyful, happy and blessed. As I start to reminisce the past years, all that I can see is I who had a lot of shortcomings and a lot of weakness, but I’m thankful and grateful for there is the people by whom God had use to guide me, teach me and protect. People who had been there with a lot of patience and tolerance on my attitude and character, who is there to encourage and to help, who is there to help me adjust with the changes and cope up with the people that I’m with for the second or for the first time. But most importantly, I’m grateful and thankful for YAHWEH is always there to sustain, strengthen, equip, enable and empower me to do HIS will and plan.

This year is more of an adjustment year, as God move me from another place into a more familiar but different one to serve HIM and fulfill HIS mission and vision not just in my life but for HIS people, the CHURCH. Sometimes, I could see myself as a person who is not fitted for service of HIM but as Satan tries to discourage me, God’s truth is there to comfort and encourage. It’s not about whom I am that I was here and serving HIM but it’s about YAHWEH who was always there to show that HE can use people regardless of who they are or what they can do.

This year is a year where I have to cry because of personal pains brought by personal experiences and a “pleading” for YAHWEH to change and correct my heart to follow HIS will. It’s a year where in I have to cry for the people that by whom had been I had been attach and learned to love for the past years of ministry. It’s a year where I miss a lot of people whom I regularly see every week and for some who had to go to follow God’s calling.  Whether it is at work (secular) or at ministry, there are a lot of new things that I’ve learned and develop.

This is a year that God had made a lot of things in my life and a blessed year that comes from HIM. I am not perfect, I am such a defective one that could be considered useless but I have a “perfect God” who could repair all “defective things” and make it “effective” to do HIS will and a “God of Worth” who could give “value” to useless thing for HIS glory.

Thank You YAHWEH for loving me, caring for me and saving me. Six days from now, it will be my day or it could be better to say that it’s “the day that YAHWEH had made another wonderful creation” (that’s me). It’s not about the created one but it’s about the “Creator”.

To YAHWEH be the glory, honor and praise.

"GOD ANSWERS" a song composition inspired by Psalms 34

Upon reading some chapter in the book of psalm, during my bible reading, chapter 34 just caught-up my attention and the scripture on this particular portion struck me. The LORD reveal and taught me of lot of things about HIM and He started helping me create a poem thru the words on the said chapter and afterwards some melody came to my mind. Then, suddenly the poem had been arranged in such a way that it becomes a song of worship for the LORD. As Psalms 34, in David's testimony he proclaim that YAHWEH is the Provider and Deliverer who always listen to us whenever we call and always answer our deepest needs. The song entitled "God Answers" is dedicated to YAHWEH who is the reason why I keep singing and writing songs. All the Glory and Honor to YOU oh YAHWEH.

GOD’S ANSWERS
Words and Music by "Marc Ross"

I.
I will bless the LORD forever,
I will praise You now and ever,
My soul will boast in the LORD
The humble will hear it and rejoice

II.
For the LORD is good and faithful
He’s our rescue in times of trouble
He’s our refuge and stronghold
Come and find HIM now

Refrain:
O magnify the LORD my soul
And Fear the LORD with all my heart
How blessed it is to be with HIM
With Him

Chorus:
I called to Him, and He answered
And delivered me from all my fears
And this poor man cried,
The LORD will hear,
Saved him from all troubles,
The LORD redeems and provides,
And you will never be condemn,
The righteous will cry,
The LORD will hear,
He will be our comfort.

III.
Looked to Him and see His glory,
That shines to bring us hope,
To restore and heal our broken hearts,
The LORD will make us whole again



***Marc Ross is a pen name of Dennis Ross Roda.

Someday, I will have a beautiful daughter and princess like her

This is trixie (pong-gay) as they call her. I just met this cute, charming and beautiful girl on the night of her auntie's wedding (shine and albert's wedding). Someday, I will also have a beautiful, cute and charming daughter and princess just like her.