Me in His Tree

It was me by His Tree

Taking refuge, whilst being free

Shielded from the glare

Unfazed by the wind

Splashing in the water

Satisfied from within

Now, it’s me in His Tree

Taking in others, setting them free

Shielding from the glare

Barring the wind

Keeping in the water

Bidding, “Come, jump in.”

This was the unofficial "carrier poem" of CYAF's involvement in Bradford's Ministry Fair 2010, in November of last year.

The title, which was the drive of CYAF is a play of words: MINISTRY ---> ME IN HIS TREE

It tells of our growth, or aspiration to grow, from being blessed to becoming blessings to others.

(Almost) cover story

This was supposed to be the cover story of UCCP Bradford's "Acts 16:9" Sunday Bulletin on CYAF Sunday 2010.

Tipping the First Tile

The Bradford Christian Young Adults’ Fellowship (CYAF) believes that care, if done right, will have a “domino effect" in the community.

Domino effect does not work on one tile only, not even with a few tiles. It works best if there are several tiles. In the same way, care is best seen at work in the community.

However, the beauty and wonder we see in the successive knocking over of several tiles starts with one push. Even after all the hard work involved in setting up the tiles, it still needs that one push to make it all happen. That one push is often something we find so hard to do for others. The fear or reluctance of doing that one push often makes us give up on caring for others.

And we are all called to care for others.

Let us all, by God’s grace, be bold enough to make that one push and start the domino effect of love and care in the community.

One might argue that he/she is not fit or built for caring and point to someone else to do it. It is valuable to note that arranging domino tiles in order to achieve the “domino effect” is not in any way connected to the game for which the tiles where made. “Domino effect” is a product of resourcefulness and of thinking out of the box. Caring for others should not be so different at all.

giving...

Monday, 27th of September.

I was in a meeting with young-adult leaders of our church. It was in a pastry shop. The idea of buying some pastries for the attendees of the meeting got hold of me. The feeling of joy in giving to others has never been this strong in me.

I bought them something which may not be the most expensive ones in the selves. But it felt really good nonetheless.

If you ask my old friends, I was never the one to buy food (or other stuffs) for others.

Thank you Lord for reminding me that it is a whole lot better to give than to receive.

As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. ~ Matthew 10:7 & 8

tale of the white cap

A couple of months ago, I, together with the Bradford CYAF, went to an acquaintance activity in some beach in the City of Naga. The overnight activity included team building exercises, which is a series of team games.

In the final game, each group was to extract seawater and "carry" it to a bottle. My teammates held in place the "gutters" through which the water must be channeled to the bottle. It was my job to extract water with everything that I have with me (this means, my clothes and body parts only, or those of my teammates).

One of my teammates was wearing a white cap. I figured it would make my job easier and in turn would put our team on top of the others. So I asked her I could use her cap for "carrying" water. She vehemently refused to my request so I ended up using my white shirt instead.

After the game, we gave insights and reflections on our experiences in the games. Here is what I shared with the group on my friend's white cap.

When my friend refused to lend me her cap, I realized that we make sacrifices for the group to a certain degree. But it is futile to assume that others would make the same sacrifices.

first gig

September 5th, Friday, was the day “Kape ug Kanta” was revived. It was also the day of Two Copper Coins' first gig.

I really do not know how to look back to that day. So many things happened around and within me.

I could look at it as a disaster. I was the (unofficial) organizer of the event and I totally forgot to prepare the sound system. People were asking me where were the speakers and other equipment. It was scheduled to start at half past seven in the evening and it started some minutes after nine. For almost two hours, people were asking me, “What time will we start?”

So few people came. My girlfriend was pissed with me the whole stretch of the “show.” My good friend Koren was there to watch us perform but instead ended up watching my irresponsible persona fail and falter.

I could also look at it as a selfish act. The idea of me and the other guys of Two Copper Coins performing has taken the better part of me. The major reason I forgot about preparing for the event was that I was so excited and so busy practicing for our performance. Until now I continue to ask myself if I exerted a considerable amount of effort to revive “Kape ug Kanta” to bring back into existence a good venue for young Christians to hang out, or to provide a venue for me to perform.

It was supposed to be all for the glory of God. The event. Two Copper Coins. All these came into being to praise and glorify the Almighty. I failed to look past myself and look up to Him.

But of course, I could look at it another one of God's intricate plans. Despite my failures and questionable motive, it all worked out in the end.

Lord, I'm sorry for my selfishness. May you be glorified in everything that I do.

We hope to make “Kape ug Kanta” a regular activity of the young. And we strive to cling on to the purpose of honor Him, and Him alone.

the shutterbug in me

A couple of weeks ago, the Bradford CYAF (Christian Young Adults' Fellowship) went to Ocean Bay Resort in Dalaguete, south of Cebu City. It was supposed to be an official retreat and planning activity. But due to some technical problems which I would not discuss here, it turned out to be a rather expensive outing for the group.

Well, I took the chance to practice a few skills on photography. Using a borrowed digital camera, I made a subject out of my girlfriend. She herself wants to pose, so we have a mutual bond somehow. This is one of the pictures I took of her. I call it "Morning Perch."

bumps and waves

It's been quite a while since I've posted something sensible. And I don't have the time right now to write one. So I'm posting another poem of mine. I wrote this one with high hopes of reading it in the first "Kape ug Kanta" of the Bradford CYAF and CYF in front of people. The activity by the way is all about music, jamming, appreciating the presence of friends, praising God and, of course, coffee!!! Well I never had the guts to "volunteer" my poem. So I ended up reading a really cool (and weird at the same time) poem.

Here is the one I wrote:

Through Bumps and Waves

By: Paulster

070712

My life has been a bumpy ride

And I have taken all the wrong turns

From dead ends to pit holes and cliff sides

I'm going slow yet the rubbers burn

When the roads get slippery and wet

And my eyes cannot see through the haze

Friends are those who keep me on track

Those who cheer me on to finish the race

And tell me to trust in God’s amazing grace

At times, my life is a rough cruise

A vessel sailing on a storm-tossed sea

With a broken mast and no paddles to use

I’ve been adrift and floating aimlessly

As the waves grow higher and stronger

And the wind leaves me shivering to the core

Friends are those who wrap their arms around me

Saying: “Together we can reach for the shore

Because God’s love is mightier even more”

it is finally out!

Our magazine footprints is finally out!

footprinted

It is finally in the printing press!!!

I am both relieved and pretty much happy that the footprints is now being printed and will be out soon. footprints is a quarterly publication of Bradford UCCI Christian Young Adults' Fellowship (Bradford CYAF). The responsibility and management was passed to us middle of last year. Unfortunately, due to some circumstances, we are now more than half a year delayed.

With this issue, with the help and blessing of God, we plan to make the magazine stable. We have even started conceptualizing for the next issue (hopefully it won't take forever for us to put it together... And I badly need a computer!!!) so watch out for it.

Agnes or Agatai is the EIC. She is one cool dudette (except for the fact that due to her work schedule, she exists in a different timezone... this is why she, most often than not, comes late in appointments... hehehe... peace out ags!)

Supports from you guys are very much welcome. You may extend help financially or by handing in your articles and essays (strictly Christian-themed) or just by simply giving us words of advice to make our publication better.

This is all for the greater glory of God!!!