Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain - Antipolo

An answer from God. Prayer should have a degree of being desperate; meaning, you must believe that only God and no one else can answer your prayer. Hebrews 11:6 teaches us that "...it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Sabel and I were so excited in having a special date with the Lord before she goes to Thailand. We would visit Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain in Antipolo to be refreshed and ask God for guidance, personal breakthrough and provision. We have never been to the place. According to my research, we have to take an FX from LRT Santolan Station going to Cogeo Gate 2, and then ride a jeepney going to Paenaan.

Touch of glory Prayer Mountain is a protestant evangelical Christian retreat center operated by bread of life ministries, located in Sitio Calumpang, Antipolo City. It is the first prayer mountain facility in Southeast Asia. Inspired by the prayer mountains of south Korea that brought about the spread of Christianity in that country, bread of life's senior pastor Butch Conde and the leadership of bread of life set out to build the prayer mountain to provide a place of solitude for Filipino evangelicals of different denominations (Wikipilipinas, 2012)

After 10-12 km drive, we arrived at the Prayer Mountain site. We walked from the highway to the site, the road was dark... no street lights but we’re totally excited.  After registering, the guard led us to our dorm site (attic). Entrance fee is only P50.00, for an overnight stay, P100 for the deck and P200 for the dorm. You can also ask for reservation specially if you're coming in a group. I took the 1st bed near the door. There was only one guy in the boy’s room who fasted for about 7 days, we talked for a while about our faith and encourage each other.

Dorm Beddings

We decided to eat dinner in the highway area; we eat Beef bulalo and went back to the site. We have fruitful sharing time together. Sabel shared a lot about her experiences as a teacher and I also shared mine. We also talked about our faith and our future.  After talking and sharing for a couple of hours, we decided to rest at 11:30pm.

Prayer Cell

Dormitories

Mini Park

Activity Course

Rock Bench

In terms of facilities, the Prayer Mountain is suitable for large groups; there is a big chapel where services and fellowships can be done. This center also has prayer cells - these are small rooms with a table inside where you can rest your elbows while you are praying on your knees. A pillow, light and a fan are also provided. These cells are perfect for self-reflection and personal encounter with God. For those who want to stay overnight, there are also dorms and rooms available.

Veranda

Stairway to Prayer Huts

Early in the morning, we attended the sunrise service (5am ever Saturday) and then have our breakfast (my favorite dried fish, rice and egg - available in the Cafeteria). We proceeded directly to prayer huts and park, roamed around and took some pictures, shared some stories and then we devoted our 30 minutes in prayer rooms. It is a perfect place for prayer and reflection. When I entered my prayer cell, I know I’ll be talking to Him personally. cried my heart out to God. Wrote to my journal, read the Bible. Pray even more.

Painted Lolo and Lola's day.

     It’s been a long time since I first planned this but we finally got our lolo and lola’s house painted.  It looks amazing!  I changed the ambiance, color scheme and I love it. Unfortunately due limited time we only had about 2 color schemes done, inside and outside.  I’m happy with it.

    I picked a separate color scheme inside and outside the house which looks very nice.  The trim was cracking and had faded to a weird orange color.  The house looks ok now!  I hope our grandparents like it.

I had my cousins, Jon and Sam working with me. These guys did a much better job than the builders did when they painted it.  Getting the house painted also fixed another annoying thing about the house. 

The House before it was painted

Inside the house

Before

Mixing the paint with Bitoy

Alvin John doing his job

The Wall after

Painting the facade

Aftermath

Finishing touches of Ptr. Sam

\my cousins with Lolo Tanking and Lola Lesing

Quezon Bridge: Rediscovering Manila

One of the bridges crossing the Pasig River, connecting Quiapo to Ermita. This photo was taken inside the Arroceros Forest Park.

Spanning the mighty Rio del Pasig, the Quezon bridge, built in the 1930’s replaced the aging Colgante Foot Bridge. Designed in the prevailing Art Deco style, the bridge echoed the Sydney Harbor Bridge which no doubt was its inspiration.  It is interesting to note that this bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who is famous for designing the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Sunset Vew from my Window

 I love sunset and sunrise, when the sky puts on an amazing display of colors not often seen in daytime. Every afternoon  I am excited to go home from work just to witness the sunset from my room window. But it depends on how was the weather that day.

Date Taken: 2/22/2012

The sunset was painted in Manila. Oh so beautiful! Wish someone special was sitting with me watching this beautiful sunset and enjoying the cool breeze, so they could go get me a tea.

Date Taken: 4/24/2012

Date Taken: 4/30/2012

Life is like a sun, when you rise you are full of life, the day is so bright, use your light to to inspire other people.

Date Taken: 4/18/2012

Date Taken: 4/30/2012

Date Taken: 4/30/2012

Miriam Quiambao, LGBT and Jesus

(Disclaimer: This blog is written by Dennis Sia-Sy, http://www.dennissy.com)

Miriam Quiambao

       I think, in my humble opinion, saying your stand on the LGBT, or asking your guest to say his/her stand on national TV is a lose-lose situation.         Every time the issue of homosexuality and Christianity comes up, expect nothing but heated arguments and more controversies. I think Miriam Quiambao now knows this and is experiencing that right now.

      As a Christian, what Miriam said was not her opinion but God’s. I think Boy Abunda knew her stand even before he asked her since she already made a statement on the transgender issue of the Ms. Universe pageant the previous weeks.

What I’m saying is this:

      You see Miriam is coming from a biblical worldview that dictates her moral stand on issues while Boy Abunda is also coming from a worldview that dictates his moral standard on that issue.

     What is interesting is how the LGBT community and some people reacted to Miriam’s statement accusing her of slandering the LGBT and how she is so self-righteous. The attitude they felt that        Miriam exhibited is the same attitude that they are exhibiting to express their worldview.

     Another thing that I find quite disturbing is how we assume that just because I don’t agree with you and you don’t agree with me, then it means that I hate you and that you hate me, which should follow that we can’t co-exist. I have friends who are homosexuals and some are in church – they still attend church and we are still friends. And I genuinely love them just the same. Why? Because the grace of God is present and the same way God’s grace is working in me to help me with the sins I am struggling with – He also does with my homosexual friend.

    I am thankful that I have vegetarian friends who still hang out with me though we don’t have the same beliefs when it comes to food. I don’t receive hate because we differ in our convictions. We just have different world views when it comes to food. It doesn't mean we can’t co-exist and live harmoniously. I think God’s grace is more powerful than any sin that is present. So to people who would say he who has no sin cast the first stone – make sure not to throw some stones at people who don’t agree with your worldview.

     As a Christian, at the end of the day – it is not what I think that matters, but what God thinks. If you have a problem with God’s moral standard, you really do have to take it up with God. And this is not limited to homosexuality but every other sin known to mankind.

      I love how Mark Driscoll answered the question: Is homosexuality a sin? Hope this video helps.

Courtesy: Ptr. Dennis Sy of Victory-Greenhills

Experience Logbon, Romblon, Philippines

     Our Romblon trip this year was amazing and full of unforgettable experience. First, we traveled the seas of Mindoro, Simara and Sibuyan to get there. It was an awful travel because of the sun's skin-burning UV rays yet we have fun courtesy of the great sceneries and views along the way. From the odd shaped islands to white beaches to magnanimous rock formations and huge waves. Our banca can only only accommodate 12 persons.The nervousness and anxiety we feel added thrill and excitement to the trip. It was indeed  a #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines experience!

Logbon is a barangay of the Philippine municipality Romblon in the province Romblon in MIMAROPA which is part of the Luzon group of islands. The municipality Romblon with a population of about 37,544 and its 31 barangays belongs to the rural areas in the Philippines. Logbon had 761 residents by the end of 2007.

 

 

       I had another week of doing nothing before going back to work after a month’s vacation. When the invitation came to be a groomsmen to my friend's wedding, I jumped at the chance, wanting to make the most out of my vacation before I plunge back into the grind. Besides, how can I say no to a weekend at this beautiful island bay?