anydaynowgraff

A Special Worship Bulletin

Just sharing a special Family Edition Worship Bulletin. See the inside folds of this programme at http://ebctaytay.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1099&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2 in our church site.

Thanks.

If I Could Invent Anything…

Crystal Pendant

Well, I definitely would invent a device that discerns the sincerity of the words of everyone who speaks. Thus, there will be no more trouble of deciphering which is true and which is not; which is a half lie and which is half truth. That way, people will be forced to be truthful each time they utter their words.

I would design it as a crystal pendant that sparkles at every sincerest intentions and words it hears. Conversely, the crystal would turn bloody red whenever somebody within hearing distance speaks lies.

When a person speaks half lies, the crystal would turn lime green, indicating that the words are nice to hear but is sour to the “taste.”

A person speaks half truths and this crystal turns blue, indicating that the person’s words could be a lot better, if only he would not mince words.

So, a person who speaks truth would upon gazing at the crystal might exclaim, “Wow, what a beautiful piece of treasure!” And it would be so good to say that the vision is caused by his pure heart.

A person who speaks half truths upon noticing the changes in it would need your tactful explanation of what was being signified.

And the poisonous lie of a person would reward him with a frightening vision of his own heart.

And by the way, the visions would also apply to the wearer’s words.

I'm taking this with me

Grand Piano

I would take with me a baby grand piano so I could keep learning and mastering the instrument. The piano is one instrument that has captivated me from my early years to the present. It is one of the coolest inventions of mankind. It is a God-inspired invention.

By the way, I could play all day and all night and never lose the inspiration.

The World Would Be a Better Place If…

we give every person we meet the benefit of the doubt. And that we do not jump into conclusions too soon. Every person’s experience is unique and every person has the capability to tell the truth and do the right thing. Never ever judge a person you hardly know. If you do, you are giving yourself away. It is you you are seeing and not this person you are yet to know.

My First Road Trip This Year

Well, what do you know? The first quarter has come and gone so fast, I might as well be dreaming And summer’s here. Without a doubt, this will be my summer of summers. Haha. What with the gimmicks and road trips lined up for us at EBC, our home church.

Summer seemed to have officially begun for me when we embarked on a road trip to Real Quezon via our motorbikes. And as if to make it really big, a bunch of church folks and friends decided to join us. So there we go, all nine motorbikes (with yet another one who traveled alone a few hours later) and two vehicles all  warming up on the church yard on a Maundy Thursday morning.  Kuya Nelson Badar prayed for the safety of everyone and we’re off to Real Quezon! On the way, we were joined by Pastor Roi and his family in their car, and another van in yet another point with about ten more people on board.

This is the first time for me to embark on a long land travel atop my newly-acquired Honda X1R, a pre-loved bike by a good friend who gave it to me at a fair price. I was so exhilarated when we finally reached the “chicken guts” road on the mountainous Antipolo, Rizal and Laguna provinces. Although this is officially my third road trip in these parts, this one is special because I am riding a powerful bike.

There were two instances that we get to really hit it fast; for there are two lengths of perfectly straight roads en route the Laguna province. I love the feel of smooth speed this bike gives. Ah I can do this again and again.

But this trip was not without any glitch. One of our biker friend who joined us for the first time figured in an accident. He escaped with a minor bruise on the arm and some spasm on the lower midsection. Good thing that he was “fully armored” with safety jacket and other paraphernalia. His bike fork was disfigured as it slid halfway under the hood of the oncoming van he collided with. He let go of the bike so it left him behind and he escaped further danger. There was a lengthy talk with the van owner; and as soon as things were settled, we decided to continue our tour.

We were accompanied by several vehicles: two cars and an three vans. The damaged bike had to be lifted and loaded to the FB van after it sustained major wreck. But all’s well that ends well. Our friend Archie was safe and sound after the incident.

Yes, we pursued the trip. We arrived on the beach in about one hour or two. It was a very exciting day I tell you and the waves seemed to have agreed with us. We were entertained to the max by the powerful waves that made everyone’s day. Yes, even Archie’s day, he was screaming at the top of his lungs playfully challenging the waves. I guess it was his way of letting off steam.

By midday we were all blushing from the sun exposure. We had a delayed but oh-so-worth-it lunch. Oops, I think we forgot to capture them on cam before gobbling them up, sorry We had Prawns Sinigang, and broiled large yellow fin tunas among others. It was really worth the wait.

The amenities were not five-star but the beach compensated for want of first class accommodations. By about three PM, we were back on the road. The afternoon sun faded fast on our way back and we reached our home church at about seven in the evening; sunburned and exhausted but so delighted.

Many of us would proceed to the yearly Tracts Distribution scheduled that night. Hundreds of thousands of Alay-Lakad pilgrims would be traversing our main highway and our Youth Group A.N.T.S. always manages to gather and give away tracts to people all night long, year after year. But I needed to go ahead. If only not only for these, we could have stayed and chattered about our day.

Every good thing does come to an end. But it doesn’t mean there are no more coming. )

So, see you on the next road trip! I thank God for this wonderful day!

Btw, our group are booked for a Palawan trip come the 21st of April, and I will be on a ten-day stay there Brag about it later.

Hibernation?

Hm, there come times when quite a number of singers do not feel the passion that have once seized them as they joined the choir. People show up late, or they forget (how could they forget??) the routine rehearsals.

Experience-wise, I know these are momentary loss of inspiration. I just hope singers would bounce back soonest. With or without an upcoming event, we should be proactive enough to “make time” for practices.

Time will always elude us, especially in busy days at work but I quote one Pastor I know, “If you want things done, look for (and delegate to) a busy person.”

I thought that was very meaningful. A busy person is an expert on prioritizing/scheduling/planning etc so therefore he will surely find time to squeeze in one more thing. I also guess he says if you entrust a project to a person who is used to doing nothing you might end up frustrated finding him sitting on the task.

But a busy person, once you get his nod, will most likely be able to deliver. Lesson: We are a busy generation. Never fret that you are too busy; because everyone is indeed busy.

If we desire to help out a certain project, or join a group (of singers, for instance), any group, be fair to everyone. If you must miss some sessions, okay, miss some. But remember, people are counting on you and you need to eventually show up. Don’t wait for an opportune time, Make Time!

When You Pray…

Public Prayer

When asked to pray, remember to focus on your conversation with God.

See more at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1677101/when_you_pray_.html

MY PALAWAN WEEK-Day 2-Medical Mission

Our second day in Palawan was the Free Clinic Day for the Quezon children.

 

Alethea Ruth and Marc Earnest

 

 

 Read it here. 

And for the complete set of pictures,

please click here.

Advantages of Singing in the Choir

It is a given, we are not singing in the choir for material gain. In fact, once too many, we find people and eventually ourselves too, shelling out some cash for this ministry. We sweat it out, we defer going home to attend the Saturday rehearsal, thus we go home very late afterwards; and what do we get?  We get famished. We get so tired out. Get subjected to tantrums of the choir director perhaps. Seriously now, ”What’s in there for me?” one might ask. Well, read on.    

 

1. We develop healthier lungs (elevate our stress coping meter).

Learning to negotiate very long passages in one breath can be very good for the lungs. We learn to inhale deeper, thus filling every nook and cranny of our breathing apparatus.  It is very important to really pump up the lungs, so the experts say. Personally I notice singers breathe remarkably slower than the non-singers. I really did some watching and realized that the breathing exercises can really enhance the way one uses the organ. In fact, it is encouraged to breathe deeply and slowly. It can be learned actually and become an acquired habit. It is indeed good for you.

 

2. We get in better shape (exude a vision of confidence and health).

As choristers, we find it very vital to sit and stand properly. For sure, your choir conductor had encouraged you to acquire the habit. And if you are one to most likely heed his advice, you can be observed to stand more impressively, sit without slouching, and walk elegantly-all images of health and confidence. If only for these things, choir is worth all the trouble.

 

3. We elevate our singing prowess (learn many things and benefit from them).

As days and months pass, we notice development in our singing proficiency. Non-singers tend to tire up easily as they sing. Notice also that they frequently “trip over” the fast songs, they occasionally cough here and there, or altogether stop in the middle of singing. The singers, having been exposed to varying speeds of songs, reading music and lyrics at the same time, build up stamina and cope up more easily than the average individual. On top of that, did you notice that singers have a more commanding voice and a more polished vocabulary?

 

4. We get a “de-stresser” (release after a week of hard work).

Once in a while, one needs to express himself and “de-stress”, especially after spending a week in front of a monitor, or of scanning heaps of prescribed school reading, or simply for sitting through hours of traffic on the way to school or work. We need to “let off steam,” but of course, in a positive way. Singing out loud in the vocalization routines is good enough. And songs, having “peaks of emotion” at one or two places will bring the singer to an elevated sphere where he somehow finds release from the gathering burnout.

 

5. We get to cultivate an intimate circle of friends or “family”  (positive emotional involvement).

As we huddle, and labor, and perform together, asking and giving each other support and know-how, we get attached to each other on a deeper level. Thus, meaningful relationships (no pun intended, really) result. It is very much anticipated that everyone eventually opens up to one another, thus, breaking the walls of animosity and self-consciousness.

 

6. We go through the week with a new song in our hearts (people with music in their hearts tend to work more efficiently and productively).

I remembered an officemate way, way back. She sings and hums all day long as she breezes through her work.  She is a Christian after all, and a part-time singer at her church choir. She brings the sunshine in the otherwise drab office we happened to work in. There is an innate smile to her countenance, bless her.

 

7. We feel better spiritually (seeing we have served the Lord).

Ask any choir member what makes him/her remain in the singing ministry. Most likely, many of them will cite the spiritual benefits they gain. “It’s a great thing to serve the Lord, walking in the light of God.” So goes one famous praise and worship song. It is a booster actually. Knowing in your heart that somehow, you have given back to the Lord something out of His many blessings to us.

 

If you will notice, singing blesses the choristers (and all regular singers as well) threefold. Our first four advantages address the physical; fourth and fifth attend to our emotional well-being; and finally the spiritual blessings as told in the final two.

 

Finally, being able to perform in front of people develops stage presence which can be very useful in one’s performance in school or workplace. Personally, I have observed that young people who are active in church ministries like the choir perform better in academics.