HI GUYS! MOVED TO WORDPRESS. CLICK HERE.
THANK YOU :)

Travel Series #1: Siquijor Escapade

It was last year summer 2013 when me and my friends decided to go for a Siquijor adventure. Actually we were just a little frustrated since most of our classmates went home and had summer vacations while we were stuck in Dumaguete before the start of summer classes (we chose not to go home). It was what you would call a "spontaneous trip". In fact, we only had the cellphone number of the tricycle driver and Tin's cousin that she had never met before! Haha. Wala talaga kaming idea on where are we going to stay the night or the places we were supposed to go, basta, may cellphone number kami ng driver, okay na. :-)

Siquijor is an hour or two ferry ride from Dumaguete and we paid 120 Pesos only for the ticket. Good thing when we arrived at the Siquijor port, nakita namin agad yung driver. And so the adventure began! We asked "kuya driver" to help us find a nice place to stay the night and he brought us to the beach resorts in San Juan. Dito maraming beach resorts and you can easily choose the perfect one depending on your preferences. We chose to stay in Coral Cay Resort. It did not only fit our budget but it was really a nice place to chill and relax. After checking in, we went for a tour around the province. We visited the old churches, tasted Duran's banana cheese sticks, went to Cambugahay falls, Salagdoong beach and finally had dinner at Jo's inato. After the long day of adventure, we couldn't resist the pool and went out for night swimming.. and stargazing!! If there's something you shouldn't miss in Siquijor, it's stargazing!! The stars look really nice and surreal :)

For Day 2, we went for the Cantabon cave adventure. Akala namin, ilang minutes lang kami sa loob and medyo easy lang yung trail but we were proven wrong! We spent 3 hours (maybe kasi mabagal kami) inside the cave and we did everything to survive! It was kinda traumatic for first timers but it was such a great adventure! No regrets!!

Here are my favorite photos from the trip. Enjoy!!!

Travel Series: Intro

Welcome to my travel series! :) I will be posting snippets of the recent adventures that we had, from Siquijor, Ilocos, Bacolod, Davao to Pampanga. Most of my friends (including me) don't upload photos on the internet, that's why I decided to just put them here :)

This may take weeks, months, or a year, but I promise to try my best to share my favorite photos from our crazy adventures!

Give me patience

Photo Source

I would love to have some patience right now. Augh. I know very well that I am such an impatient being. I hate to wait. Who doesn't? Even just by waiting for 5-10 minutes on the line, I always find myself grumbling about the time wasted in waiting. Last week, I went to the bank, waited for a few minutes and went out just because I thought I can do other important things than wait. Thank God I was still able to accomplish what I had to do before that day ended. Still, it just shows that I hate to wait. Unfortunately, I am in a season that needs a LOT of patience. I have to wait till December to know where God would put me and use me for the next 4 years of my life (and probably the next 10-20 years, only He knows). I am excited at the same time anxious. I don't know what His plans are for me but I know they will work out for my good. Wherever He may put me, I know for sure that He will still use me for His glory. Of course, it won't be easy I guess. I will have to adjust (again) and get used to things, whether it will be in Dgte or Cebu. Waiting.. waiting.. I like these quotes from the book I read Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot about waiting. Read it almost 3 years ago and I totally loved it. It helped me realize that God does really make the best love stories, well, when you let Him write yours. You just have to WAIT. :) Oh, is that supposed to be another topic? Or maybe I also need to patience for that... hmmmm.. that's a secret I'll never tell.. XOXO. Just kidding. Yes, patience for that too, God. *wink

"I do know that waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts. Its easy to talk oneself into a decision that has no permanence- easier sometimes than to wait patiently. - Elisabeth Elliot, Passion and Purity

"I realized that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way in the end, but by His making us wait, bearing with us in love and patience until we are able to honestly pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done." - Elisabeth Elliot, Passion and Purity

THINGS TO DO: #dakilangtambaymode

Here are the things I need/love/want to do before I go to med school next year :)

1) Driving lessons. I know, I know. It's too late. Should have done this 2 or 3 years ago,but promise, I did not have the luxury of time before. So now that I got nothing to do already, maybe I could learn driving :)

2) Read books. Good christian books. Ever since I got into 3rd year college, I realized I haven't really had the time to actually read good books. I'm not a bookworm. I don't reach much of the thick novels like other people do but I love reading Christian books. I guess I'll have to go to the bookstore already! Been sluggish for weeks now, watching tons of movies and KDramas. Haha! 

3) Play the Piano - Learn and master atleast 2 new piano pieces. I finally have no reason to actually not play the piano now. Tamad talaga ako when it comes to reading notes and playing the piano. I'm sorry but nakakaplay lang ako only when there's nothing to do na (usually kapag walang electricity hehe). I'd always choose to do other things first. But now, I will try my best to learn something new and unleash my musical ability HAHAHA! 

4) Learn how to bake and cook. Alam naman nating dishwasher lang ako when my sisters bake or cook something. Hahaha. Napag-iwanan na talaga ako! Maybe it's because I was not able to spend much time here at home when both of them were learning how to bake. Huhu. So ngayon, I think it's my time to actually learn these things. #housewifetraining

5) Clean the house. Of course, I love to clean the house! Kidding. But I think I'll have to do it when I'm desperate of something to do.

6) Study. Before I forget, yes I have to study for an exam. Some people don't have to study for this but I need to. Honestly, nakalimutan ko na lahat ng basics (Science, Chem and Physics). Soooo yeahh. Study na naman! 

7) Blog. There are so many things that I want to blog about. Our recent Pampanga Trip, last summer's Bacolod and Davao adventure, 2013's Siquijor escapade.. what else? Some thoughts and realizations? Haha! I don't know. I just feel like sharing all of these to you guys. And para naman din may magawa ako :))

8) Eat clean and workout. I have to lose some pounds. Not so much but atleast go back to my old weight before 'Board Exam' happened. 

9) Make a Scrapbook. 

10) Travel. Anywhere. :)

Hello there

After the longest time, I had my first devo outside the comfort zone of my room! Yayyy! I actually want to congratulate myself for finally having the urge to step out of the house and have some 'me-time' on a completely new place. And yes, while reading this book that I'm currently using for my devo, I realized I have so many things to learn and relearn. Ang dami kong natutunan and hopefully, I'll be able to share them to you soon. Well, I don't know when will that soon be but sana nga I can give you some excerpts of the book that got me into so much pondering! Goodbye for now!

Here's a half-face selfie bec chubby. Hahaha. 

It's been a while..

Chillin' with HS buddies :)

Happy 21st, BFF!

Warning: This post will be in Davao-Tagalog-English. So bare with it.

Remember the time when you were graduating from high school and you were all mushy and medyo dramatic na because you and your best friend will have to go on different colleges the next school year? That means, di na kayo magkasama during CR breaks, class breaks, lunch breaks at kung ano ano pang breaks! Well, I can vaguely remember mine (since it's almost 5 years ago hahaha) but one thing I'm sure of is that we promised each other to keep in touch and remain Best Friends Forever. BFF in short. I know it sounds cliche to hear people call each other 'BFFs', pero that's just it. I guess, we're one of them.

Faye's my long time best friend since highschool and I'm grateful for the 8 long years of friendship that we have since then. Back in highschool we used to hang out A LOT (parang 'you and me' against the world ang peg), go to different places that I think we were the only ones who'd enjoy, eat at karenderias, spend overnights at each other's places, and just talk about the things we go through as love-crazy teenage young girls (love crazy talaga huh? haha. how embarassing pero yun ang totoo! hahaha).  When one of us gets lonely, sad or heartbroken, all we need to do is just be with each other. Tapos okay na! Hay those memories hahaha nakakahiya! We went through a lot too. May times (sophomore and junior year) na we did not talk to each other for a week just because.. I forgot. Petty reasons? Haha. And we were brought into the guidance counselor's room, left there for an hour until one of us talk. Of course, I was not the one. Ma pride eh! Yayks. :)) I get a lot of questions on HOW did we ever become best friends kasi complete opposite daw talaga kami. She is very articulate, she writes and draws well, while ako.. nevermind. I can't even draw a straight line. Hahaha. She's so mahinhin and quite, on the contrary, I am loud and medyo careless. So HOW? Well, I don't really know! I guess we're just meant to be friends! :)

If I were to write everything that we've been through before, then I think you'll just get tired reading all of it! Kasi sobrang dami. So to give a you glimpse, here's few of our throwback photos together.

NENE + YAGIT DAYS

NOT SO YAGIT DAYS HAHA

RANDOM HANGOUTS

PHOTOSHOOTS "DAW"

You Don't Have to Be Friends with Everybody

"We live in an age where we feel guilt whenever we have to cut someone off but the reality is that some relationships do need to die, some people do need to be unfollowed and defriended. We aren't meant to be this tethered to the people in our past. The Internet mandates that we don't burn bridges and keep everyone around like relics but those expectations are unrealistic and unhealthy. Simply put, we don't need to know what everyone else is up to. We're allowed to be choosy about who we surround ourselves with online and in real life, even if it might hurt people's feelings."

-Ryan O' Connell, You Don't Have To Be Friends with Everybody

Goodbye Mnl

A few hours from now, I'll be home na! Yayy. Thank you Mnl. Thank you for giving me a totally different experience. I learned so many things! Thank You Lord for just being with me and for letting me enjoy this season :) Excited for what's ahead.

Not my will but Yours be done

Hi! It's 3 am in the morning and as usual, I cannot sleep. Maybe it's because I slept kanina. Hmf. So I thought of giving a quick update. Finally, after the grueling months of studying, board exam's over. By God's grace, we survived the most awaited 2 days of our lives! I'll blog about it in detail soon, basta the night before our first day of exam, I literally had 0% sleep! I don't know how I got through that day, but thank God for sustaining me. The second day was not about being sleepless but about the difficulty of the exam! Graaaaabe! Ang hiraaaaap. Pero kahit ganoon, I'm amazed by the peace God has given each of us. Knowing that He holds our future, that His plans are always for our good - it's just overwhelming! Whatever the result may be, His plans are always pleasing and perfect. And all we have to do is T R U S T Him.

" This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

1 John 5:15

4 more days

Photo source

Good morning!

See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us - even eternal life.

1 John 2:24-25

Desperate moments

There were countless times when me and Avee watched a movie before,  tapos  after 45 mins nakatulog na ako! Yayks. I'm sorry, but some movies are just sleep-inducing. Or is it just me? Sometimes I have the hardest time keeping my eyes open while watching them. Hehe.

So last night, Avee offered to watch a movie with me just to put me to sleep. Haha! Desperate moments. It's beeen how many days since I last slept early (no matter how hard I try). The night before, I tried taking anti-histamine. Unfortunately, wala paring effect. And last night, I tried drinking milk. Yeah, I was drowsy but still, my mind's too active for me to sleep. I gave up and decided to watch a movie with Avee. Truly, after an hour or so, she found me sleeping already! Thank God! Yay!! Movie lang pala kelangan ko. It wasn't that early though, but at least!

Here's a photo of us, siksikan inside my bedcave :-)

Happy Founders Week SU!

Guess what? It's already Founder's Week! Hashtag sad face. As much as we'd like to be in our dear old Silliman to spend Founder's week, we can't. Oh well. Next time. Next time. Parang kelan lang we were part of Parada Sillamaniana, practicing our butts off for a day, for that last parade we (seniors) decided to take part. One year ago na pala yun? Again and again, ang bilis ng oras. Oh, the joy FOUNDERS WEEK brings. No class for a week, so you get to wake up as late as you can. Plus all the events and activities at the Hibalag (booth) area! Nostalgia. Good times good times.

So for those who are still in SU right now, enjoy every bit of Founders Week! You'll never know how much you're going to miss it. :-)

Here are my Founders Week throwback photos!

2013

Haggard face update

So here's my haggard face update. 

Hahay. This week's pretty tough. Got sick for two days jussssst because of banana chhhipppps. Ugh! Blame my weak tonsils. I literally slept for one whole day (and night).  NO STUDY talaga. Huhu. Missed my mama bear though. Diba, iba talaga pag nandyan si mama when you're sick?! But thank God I feel better now! Alive and still kickin'. :) 

Anyhow, 22 days till the big day, so gotta go! Bye. 

Focus. Focus. Plus more focus please. 

For my anxious heart

"I Am Not Alone"

When I walk through deep waters

I know that You will be with me

When I'm standing in the fire

I will not be overcome

Through the valley of the shadow

I will not fear

I am not alone

I am not alone

You will go before me

You will never leave me

In the midst of deep sorrow

I see Your light is breaking through

The dark of night will not overtake me

I am pressing into You

Lord, You fight my every battle

And I will not fear

Weddings like this.. Whew

Purity

Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte

"No religious ritual will ever make your heart pure, No religious ceremony will ever make your heart pure, No outward reformation will ever make your heart pure. Purity is an inside job by the power of the Holy Spirit. Only God can give a pure heart." Steve Lawson

Update

Hi guys! It's already thursday, fourth day of the week, and 30 days till the board exam. Oh wow. Sobrang bilis ng time. It seems like we just started the week, and now it's almost sunday na naman! Whewww.

Update update. We just had our mini grocery. ;) I guess that's something that we look forward to every single day. Just an excuse to escape from the four corners of our room. I don't why but we always have something to buy from the supermarket. Or are we just bored? Hay either way, it kinda explains the gain of weight. No exercise + Food + more food. Huhu. It's okayyyy. We have to feed our grumbling tummies right? Excuseeeees! 

Anyway, last tuesday we were able to meet up with wanpamily (Victory Dumaguete Family) and it just made me realize how much I miss them! Our ates and kuyas. Hahay. Can't wait to go back! Oh and yesterday, had mini bonding with sister and papa. Yayy. So happy to spend time with my lovies this week. 

Thank You Lord for all the blessings! 

Dear diary

Today's our rest day! Yay. Will it hurt not to study for one day? Naaa, It won't. Oh well. Sometimes kelangan din mag relax! And tomorrow will be another study day. Till forever. Okay. It's slowly sinking in! Malapit na talaga. Pero kaya to!

So how did we spend our day?

1) Woke up late. 

2) Checked our papers. Medyo sad, but okay lang. Hahaha. Still secured!

3) Made our study schedule. Praying for God's grace to help us really stick to it. And ofcourse, the strength to push through. 

4) Went to RobMag for some R&R. :-) Nyaha. Here's our dinner: 

Clubhouse sandwich

By Him and for Him

Preboard's done and finally, one night of rest. Just one night. But before I go to sleep, here's a little reminder. Goodnight!! :) 

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Colossians 1:11

What I think You wanna hear

There are times when I need to be reminded of every little thing God has done for me. When doubts and worries start to creep in, I have to wake myself up and remember the goodness God has been in my life. And everytime I do that, it always flashbacks the life I had before I truly knew Jesus.

I grew up in a typical christian family and just like any other, I cannot exactly remember how many times I received Christ as my Lord and Savior. I heard His story countless times (that He loves us so much and He died for us) that I thought "I know! I know! Ughh I get it!!!". So I went on thinking I figured things out already. Basta feeling ko, as long as I don't do drugs or do crazy things, okay na! I lived life for myself just like the usual teenage girls you see in tv. I was OKAY. I thought I was okay. But I'm not. I had insecurities. And my security was not hinged on my creator but on someone else. So when God took that away, I thought it was the end of me. I was wrong. It was then that I had a full grasp of His love and finally understood the Cross. I started to experience God in a more personal way and slowly, He began to change my stubborn heart, gave me security and let me experience His love. He filled me with so much joy and peace that I cannot find anywhere else but in Him. Looking back, I can say that He has done amazing things for me since then. He is not done with me yet. He continues to change and mold me. And I continue to tap on His grace.

'Father, thank you saving me. Thank you for letting me experience this life that I don't even deserve. Thank you for your unfailing love. Thank you for your grace that is new every morning. Thank you for reminding me to trust your perfect plans. Thank you because I can do all things through you who gives me strength. Thank You for everything. Thank You!'

You guys should listen to this song by Mikeschair :)

Ang sarap mag-aral no?!

This happens when you get bored from studying and you can't post this thing on insta. Tsk tsk tsk. I'm so sorry guys. Ang sarap kasi talagang mag-aral!  Whooooo. 

The only exception

I'm not really  a big fan of Sisigs but this is by far the BEST sisig I ever tasted! Just, look at that!! Nyahahahahaha. And  for only 80 pesos?!  Yummmmynesss overload! 

He promised

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:23

Home

I'm home! You heard me right. I'm home! This is for 'something' important (or miss lang kami ni mama) but anyhow, will be back in Mnl by Tuesday night din agad. Went straight from class (yes, may pasok kami on a Sunday) to my sister's place in Malate (phew, that was stressful), rested for awhile then to the airport. And here I am, watching TV and making this blog post. I should be studying right now (exam's on wednesday), but ughhhhh nevermind, LATER nalang please! 

Sunset

Unsure

I don't know exactly what to feel. 

Puffy puffy

It's 4am in the morning and I'm wondering, is it normal to get fat during review?!? We just noticed that our faces get puffier and rounder each day! Huhuhu. Okay, so Kharyl's the only exception because God has blessed her with an edgy kind of face. But me and Avee? Round and cheeky, oh and now that obviously we have gained weight, PUFFY! Who can blame us? When you get bored from studying, you eat. Then you study again. After a while, your brain gets tired and then you eat ulit. See, it's a cycle! Is there something wrong with that? Now I'm hungry. Not kidding, my tummy's really grumbling! Whooo what's wrong with me. Or maybe there's nothing wrong with me. Should I sleep? Yes, I need to sleep. Gutom na talaga ako ulit! But before  I sleep, I want to show you our failed attempt kanina to conceal our chubbier look! We decided to smile without showing our teeth believing that  it will make our faces look less fat. Haha. You judge!

                                     

I'll wait for you

So here's Moriah's new song, 'I'll wait for you'. :> Whoever you are, Yes, I'll wait for you!! No matter how long it will be. Nyaha. I know God's grace will be sufficient but please do come before I turn 30 (or maybe 25, pwede na rin 24 or 23).  In God's time. Goodnight!

Reminder of the day

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknessess, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12: 8-10

The perfect reminder for me today. Thank You Jesus.

Pinky promise

Summer 2013 

      Last night was a memorable one. Shameful secrets were revealed, broken hearts healed and friendship strengthened. God has blessed me so much  with the kind of friendship that I enjoy with Kharyl and Avee. It's not perfect. Not at all!  We had our share of 'dramatic iyak-iyak moments' and confrontations but each of them has molded our characters and brought us into the bond that we have now. I think these circumstances just show that the friendship we have is not that shallow where everything's okay and happy-happy always. Sometimes kelangan din ng drama diba? We love each other too much that we're willing to swallow our prides, sit and talk, even if it means going to a war - unfortunately it's that scary! Every 'drama' always has something to be learned from and of course has made us into someone better. When Christ is the center of the friendship, it's totally different. And this is what I'm truly grateful to have.

What's up coconut

        Hi! Tonight's the first time (after how many weeks) that we got to spend the entire evening not on reading books and studying notes but instead on doing anything that we want. Relax muna kahit tonight lang! Soooooo I chose to write something and update you with what I've been up to for the past month. I'm currently in Manila reviewing for the MedTech licensure exam this September. Yes, it's nerve-wracking, makes us feel nervous every time we think about it, but thank God for His peace that always reminds us that we can do it - and that is only by His grace. 

       As what you've noticed, it's been 2 weeks (almost 3) since I last posted something on social media and honestly, im getting used to it! It was hard, at first, but it's bearable! And less distractions! :-) Anyway, for the past weeks, the only thing that can divert our attention and stop us from studying is when we talk about LOVE. Big word. Back in college years (kakagraduate lang po namin), we rarely talk about that. Maybe because we have that mindset that we really should be focused on studying, waiting for God's best and must not trigger anything or talk about that crazy little thing called Love.We don't talk about how eager we are to finally meet our prince, our dream proposals, weddings and honeymoons or how lonely we feel sometimes when we see couples holding hands and sobrang in love with each other, NGAYON LANG! Promise, ngayon lang talaga! I tell you, we could spend all night just talking about those things (paulit ulit), excited and hopeful, wondering how God would orchestrate and make each of our love stories always with our kilig faces on. The waiting part will not be easy, but in His perfect timing, it will all be worth it. ;-)

        I stumbled upon this blog today with these cutie love comics a guy made for his wife and I was like daydreaming (again), thinking about that perfect love story God is writing for me. Nyaaaayyy. #feelingexcited

Meanwhile, while waiting for that to happen, I should focus first on studying for the board exam. License muna, okay? 

Here are my favorite comics from the site. Enjoy :)

This is funny

Wait for Emma's second song. :))))

Study sesh

It was another sunday study sesh, but this time we tried to study at Cafe Kivhan. The place looks really nice and comfy, we ended up staying there for almost 8 hours! Whoaa.  They don't just have that  perfect ambiance for studying, they also offer good food plus their "chill" music playlist.  Here are some of the photos  we took.

While ordering.. (stolen shot by Kharyl)

Garlic cheese bread + Tuna sandwich
Photo by M. Requita

Kharyl's Blueberry Granita

Yep, that's my choco lava :-)

Chicken sandwich

Photo breaks

P.S. If you're wondering where Cafe Kivhan is, it's just infront of P. Noval gate of UST. :)

SuperPapa

To the most generous and loving person I know, Happy Fathers Day Papa Bear! Thank you for inspiring us grow more in the Lord and really seek to do His will. For every sacrifice that you did and is doing for us, we are truly grateful. And if mom is our supermom, then you're our superpapa! Don't work too hard cause you're not a real superhero okay? Hahaha! We love youuuu always!!

Photo Diary: Last Days in Dumzville

It's been a while since I left Dumaguete, the place I learned to call home for 4 years, and I'd like to share how I spent my last days in the city through this photo diary.

SU CHURCH

Seminar Class: After we finished our internship last February 28, we had to take 1 week of seminar class. Look how we managed to survive that 8 am to 6 pm of lectures! 

Dates and Eat outs

Monday Youth Service: The last Youth Service I attended as a college student. 

A different kind of sunset

"One of the most poisonous of all Satan's whispers is simply, "Things will never change." That lie kills expectation, trapping our heart forever in the present. To keep desire alive flourishing, we must renew our vision for what lies ahead. Things will not always be like this. Jesus has promised to "make all things new." Eye has not seen, ear has not heard all that God has in store for his lovers, which does not mean "we have no clue so don't even try to imagine," but rather, you cannot outdream God. Desire is kept alive by imagination, the antidote to resignation. We will need imagination, which is to say, we will need hope."

-John Eldredge, The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God

Supermom

If super heroes were real, then superwoman would be my mama! 

The beauty

Enchanted River, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

There are times when you just need to stop, look around and see the beauty in everything.

032014

At the end of the day, it will always be because of Him and what He has done on the cross.

Almost goodbye

Silliman Hall. (Took this photo during my freshmen year in college)

Last duty

The whole internship experience is unforgettable.It is where I got to see what real life looks like and appreciate even the simplest things. I will miss PSH. I will miss everything about it.

"But as you know, once you have lived so long in a certain spot, no matter how odd, you come to think of it as home." John Eldredge

February 23: Freedom

John 8:31–59
“Even though I know it’s wrong, I sometimes think, ‘If I hadn’t accepted Christ, I would have so much more freedom.’ And then I venture down that road and realize just how terrible it is. It takes me to a very dark place.”

This deep, heart-wrenching statement by a friend made me realize there are countless people who probably feel this way about Jesus. And what if, unlike my friend, they hadn’t figured out the latter part of this statement? They were probably walking a road closer to legalism than the road Christ envisions for our lives. Or they could be so far from actually experiencing grace and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that they have yet to see how incredible a life lived for Jesus can be.
Jesus promises freedom: “Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed him, ‘If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free’ ” (John 8:31–32). What we often gloss over in this passage, though, is that Jesus is speaking to believers. If you haven’t begun to fully trust in Jesus, the thought that He gives us freedom is difficult to understand. Someone could ask, “Isn’t He creating a system that forces us to live a certain way?” The answer is no: Jesus is setting up what will be a natural response to His grace.

The context of this verse also makes me wonder if someone who hasn’t yet truly sacrificed for Jesus, beyond just a simple tithe, would fathom what freedom with Him looks like. The Jews Jesus is addressing would have already been experiencing some sort of social ostracism for their belief in Him—they would have understood that sacrifice brings spiritual freedom.
This concept isn’t easy to grasp, but in the simplest terms possible, Jesus frees us from religious systems and gives us the Spirit to empower us to do His work. This Spirit guides us and asks us to make sacrifices for Him, but those sacrifices are minimal compared to the eternal life He gave us through the sacrifice of His life. These sacrifices don’t become a system with Christ, but something we strive to do because we want to. That’s the freedom of the Spirit.

Have you experienced freedom in Christ? How can you seek the Spirit’s presence so you can experience more freedom?

John D. Barry

Source: FaithLife Study Bible App

Love is in the air

Love is in the air and on the chairs, literally. :)

Foreword

Before I write random things in this online journal, I'd like to introduce myself. Hi, I'm Karen Grace, my friends call me 'Ken', others call me 'Kenny' and some call me 'Kennybear'. I'm studying in Silliman University, Fourth year in Medical Technology, and currently in Cebu having my internship.

A week ago, me and my best friend in high school decided to meet up after almost a month of not seeing each other. Reminiscing our teenage years and seeing how much we have grown made us realize that it's been a long time (almost 4 years) since high school. Wow, ang bilis talaga ng time!

This is Faye, my bestest friend back in high school. P.S. Thanks for insipiring me to finally make this blog.