Happy New Year to all!

I will not be able to update my blog from tomorrow till i get back to the office next week., i just wish everybody to have a safe new year ahead! god bless and goodluck to the coming year! :D

Three needs - Daily Bread

We have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. – 1 John 4:16

I’ve heard it said that there are three things a person needs to be happy:

1. Something to do – meaningful work or helping others.

2. Someone to love – someone to whom we can give of ourselves, such as a spouse, a child, or a friend.

3., Something to look forward to – a vacation, a visit from a loved one, improved health, the realization of dream.

Those things may bring some temporary happiness. But for lasting fulfillment, they can all be found in a relationship with Jesus, God’s Son.

Something to do. As believers, we have been given gifts from the Holy Spirit to serve our Savior by serving others in God’s family (Romans 12:1-16). We are also called to spread the gospel around the world (Matthew 28:19-20).

Someone to love. We love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). And we love others, "for love is of God" (v. 7).

Something to look forward to. One day we’ll be welcomed into God’s presence forever, where we will enjoy a perfect place prepared especially for us (John 14:2-3; Revelation 21:3-4). We’ll see Jesus and be like Him (1 John 3:2).

For lasting fulfillment, Jesus Christ truly is everything we need. – Anne Cetas

Please help me, Lord, in everything I do

That all my work may show my love for You;

And as I talk with others on the way,

I’ll tell them that You may come back today. – Hess

READ: 1 John 4:7-21

Where there’s hope, there’s happiness.

The Bible in one year:

• Zechariah 9-12

• Revelation 20

Digging for treasure - Daily Bread

The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:6

Profitable Bible study involves more than just opening to a chapter and reading what’s there. Here are seven guidelines to help you make the most of your study of the Bible.

1. Set aside a regular time. Unless you schedule it, you’ll neglect it.

2. Before you start reading, ask God for help and understanding.

3. Carefully think about what you are reading. Not all of the Bible’s treasures lie like pebbles on the surface. To mine the gold, you have to dig.

4. Seek to understand what the author was saying to the first people who read the book or letter before you decide how to apply it today.

5. Write down at least one truth or principle you can put into practice.

6. Try different translations of the Bible. If you find yourself skimming over familiar words, a new translation may focus your mind on the passage in a new way.

7. Don’t get discouraged. Some parts of the Bible are more interesting than others, and some you may not understand at all. But there’s enough that you can understand, and it will revolutionize your life if you apply it.

Now read today’s verses again with these principles in mind. Then try it again tomorrow. You will begin to discover the treasures in the Bible. – Haddon Robinson

When reading God’s Word, take special care

To find the rich treasures hidden there;

Give thought to each line, each precept clear,

Then practice it well with godly fear. – Anon.

READ: Proverbs 2:1-9

The Bible’s treasures are found by those who dig for them.

The Bible in one year:

• Zechariah 5-8

• Revelation 19

My Mini Christmas Tree

my "mini christmas tree" here in the office. located at my cube. gifts are coming in from my officemates. wanna give one? place it under the tree.. hehehe...



will be back wednesday next week.. have a long weekend and christmas!

What to give God - Daily Bread

Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. – Romans 12:1

In Romans 12:1, the apostle Paul applied the truths of what he had already written to the followers of Jesus in Rome. He said, "Present your bodies a living sacrifice." He also urged us to keep our bodies from sinning and to avoid the world’s corruption by renewing our minds (v. 2).

We are often told to give our hearts or our lives to Christ. So why did Paul call attention to our bodies?

If we are to carry out God’s will, it will be with our bodies. Every pastor has members who say, "I won’t be in the service next Sunday; we’ll be up at the lake. But I’ll be there in spirit." Unfortunately, the "spirit" will contribute nothing to the atmosphere of praise and worship.

We also offer God our bodies as a response to His love. The body is a gift worthy of God.

Consider the value of the human hand. The brilliant surgeon Dr. Paul Brand, in describing operations performed on the hand, said, "I don’t know of a single operation anyone has devised that has succeeded in improving a normal hand. It’s beautiful."

This Christmas, give God something beautiful. Offer Him not just your heart, but your hands, body, spirit, mind – your entire being! – Haddon Robinson

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a wiseman, I would do my part;

Yet what can I give Him? Give Him my heart. – Rosetti

READ: Romans 12:1-8

Jesus gave us all He had;

we must give Him all we have.

EDT Christmas Party 2006

after having the company last friday night, its time for the whole team to have its own and party all night! hehee.. not really party all night cause we rented the place for only 6 hours. from 6 pm to 1 am. so on Saturday i usually wake up around noon time na, cyempre i need to rest and bawiin yung mga kulang kong tulog from Monday to Friday. so that saturday i woke up around 11 am kasi i was one of the persons na mag aayos sa venue, i remember na tinanong ako kung pede daw ako and i agreed. so yun. the night before i packed my things na, ( my sidetrip kasi, were going to pangasinan after the party). hehee.. so my dala akong travelling bag and paper bag going to the office. and then when i arrived of course, i missed my pc so i turned it on! naman! hehehe.. so after checking mails and accounts, we started cutting outs the letters and other things na dapat gawin,. and i remembered na hindi pa ko nagaalmusal or tanghalian! anong oras na? pasado alas tres na ng hapon, so we decided to order sa kfc na lang and i ordered chicken with rice and spaghetti, hayok na naman sa pagkain si edward. so yun, then after that, nung dumating na yung mga kateam mates ko, we praticed yung dance steps namin that were going to perform that night and to tell you, nakakapagod ah. hehehe.. im not a dancer kasi. so yun. then around 6 pm we went to the place na. malapit lang cya sa makati med. sa my likod lang. but the place was okay. so good. ang cute and ang ganda nya. so first thing we did was to register our names. then upo muna kasi konti pa lang tao. the party officially started around past 7 pm.

daming games na nilaro that night. merong mala game ka na ba, - atras ako, abante cya! - wahahaha... at eto ang malupit. ang larong "BRIEF or NO BRIEF". wanna know the mechanics? its easy, instead of briefcase, the prize denominations are inside the briefs and who hold the briefs? 10 girls! wahahaha... such an enjoyable one. some of them you can see that they wanna hold it, like that there is something there to be afraid of. hehehe. and the winner? how much he brought home? 50 pesos only. wrong brief! hehehe..

the food that served to us that night was okay. it taste like what is it. but of course i dont eat veggies again. the party ended around past 11 and iniwan na namin yung iba nung dance party na. cause im going with ate jo to get her things in her house. eh sa paranaque pa yun, so kinda far from makati so i went along with her na lang sa house nila and i tell you, it was my first time to go there and it was malayo nga, inabot ng 200 yung fare sa taxi. then after that nung nasa house na kami yung mama nya parang nagsesermon, of course, it was a mothers instinct nga naman. it was 12 midnight, tapos aalis yung anak nya di ba? eh it was rainy pa that day.

then while she was packing her things upstairs, yung mama nya my mga tinatanong sa kin and thanks god wala naman cguro akong nasabing masama.

eto ang part na nakakatuwa.. as in natatawa talga kami. kasi when we got there pinakilala nya ko sa parents nya sa my room nila, then nung paalis na kami, lumabas na rin yung papa nya,. nauna na si ate jo sa gate then kasunod ako, eh ako my dala ng gamit nya, tapos nung sa gate nya paglabas namin paglingon ko magkatabi mama and papa nya, then sabi ng papa nya "ingatan mo yung anak ko ah, iuwi mo ng buo", so i just smiled. pati yung mama ni ate jo nangingiti, kung knina na mejo nakakatakot ngayon eto napapangiti na. hehehe..

so yun, nakakatuwa lang kasi naman, lagi na lang akong napagkakamalang boyfriend ni ganito ganyan. kung kanino na ko natsitsismis. pero bkit sa taong gusto ko hindi? hay.. wala lang.. nasingit ko lang.. hehehe.. so yun. nakabalik na rin kami agad sa makati to meet our other officemates na kasama sa lakwatsa namin. :D

White space - Daily Bread

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. – 2 Timothy 4:7

For nearly 50 years, Ann Landers dispensed advice in a daily column carried by more than 1,200 newspapers worldwide. When she died on June 22, 2002, her daughter Margo Howard wrote a farewell column. She asked the editors to leave a blank space for the last part of the column as a memorial to her mom.

The idea came from a column written years earlier when Ann and her husband divorced after a long marriage. Ann had requested the editors to leave white space at the bottom as a memorial to a once-good marriage "that didn’t make it to the finish line."

When somebody writes your last column, how much "blank space" will it include? When you come to life’s end, will there be important things left undone? Will that white space bear silent testimony to goals, you never reached, good habits (like consistent Bible reading) you never formed, help you never gave, kind things you thought about doing but never did? Will a sizable empty space say that you intended to develop a deeper relationship with God, but that a close intimacy remained an unfulfilled ideal? Or will others be able to say of you that you "finished the race, [and] kept the faith"? (2 Timothy 4:7).

Let’s make sure our white space is small! – Vernon Grounds

Only the truth that in life we have spoken,

Only the seed that on earth we have sown;

These shall pass onward when we are forgotten,

Fruits of the harvest and what we have done. – Bonar

READ: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

To get the most out of life, make every moment count for Christ.

The Bible in one year:

• Micah 4-5

• Revelation 12

unit testing.. busy.. HST..

thats what im doing right now, unit testing of my new map. deadline is today, COB or EOD not sure. last to do is the loop control then im ready to go. busy because of this map. gifts from team mates are coming in my way,. those i received are placed under my christmas tree here in my cube. cute eh! hehehe.. HST maps are coming my way. and its not only one. im not yet doing or starting anything about it and by tomorrow it should be implemented on staging and can test by our client. so goodluck to me?! deadline today and deadline today! wahahha.. so tahts for now. still not yet done with my gifts for the team, but for my batchmates im okay. i already wrapped it last night and im proud of it. gonna post whats that soon.

david edward signing off...

A tale of two slaves - Daily Bread

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle. – Romans 1:1

Spartacus is not just a film legend but a historical figure. Historians say that he was likely a Roman soldier who deserted, was recaptured, and then sold into slavery as a gladiator.

While at the gladiatorial school at Capua, Spartacus led a rebellion. This act of defiance attracted massive numbers of slaves, growing to an estimated 70,000. Initially, Spartacus’ slave army enjoyed spectacular victories. But they were eventually defeated, and the captured rebels were crucified along the road to Rome.

What a contrast to Spartacus is the apostle Paul. Saul of Tarsus (as Paul was also known) was born a free man and yet was destined to become a slave. Acts 9 records the fateful day when Saul came face to face with the Savior he sought to oppose. From that time on, he served Jesus wholeheartedly.

Spartacus was forced to serve a Roman taskmaster. But Paul, in response to God’s grace, voluntarily became a slave to Jesus Christ.

In the believer’s heart rages a spiritual war between sin and righteousness. We can obey the slave-master of sin, or we can say yes to the God of grace who has made us free (Romans 6:16; John 8:34). Our greatest liberty lies in serving the One who created and redeemed us. – Dennis Fisher

Christ broke the bonds of sin, that I

Might know His strong eternal tie;

This blood-bought liberty I bring

To be Your bond-slave, Master-King., – F. Hess

READ: Acts 9:1-9, 17-18

True freedom is found in serving Christ.

The Bible in one year:

• Micah 1-3

• Revelation 11

Respect - Daily Bread

Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor. – 1 Timothy 6:1

As a schoolteacher, my wife has noticed that behavior seems to be deteriorating with each successive class of students. Many children show little respect for older people.

First Timothy 6 reveals that disrespect is not unique to our generation. Paul, who ministered to a culture built on slavery, highlighted this concern. He wrote, "Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren" (v. 2). Paul knew that slaves, whose welfare depended on their master’s goodwill, were capable of being disrespectful.

We may say that people need to show themselves worthy of respect before we can respect them. But respecting another person is much more about who we are than about who the other person is.

Paul gave the main reason believers should excel in respect: "So that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed" (v. 1).

Sadly, the worst cases of disrespect are sometimes found among those who claim to follow Jesus. But when believers excel in all they do, God’s name is lifted up. All of us are to bring honor and glory to the Lord’s name.

Excelling in respect for others honors God. – Albert Lee

O help me, Lord, to show respect,
To always honor You;
And may I bring You highest praise
In everything I do. – Sper

READ: 1 Timothy 6:1-6

One who would be truly respected must first respect others.

team i love!

Born in us - Daily Bread

Bethlehem Ephrathah,… out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel. – Micah 5:2

During a visit to England’s picturesque Stratford-upon-Avon, I was struck by how a town’s identity and future can be affected just because someone was born there. Every year, half a million people come to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare, whom some consider the most influential playwright in the English language.

And what about Bethlehem? With the birth of Jesus, Micah’s prophecy of significance was fulfilled: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). Bethlehem is defined by Jesus’ birth.

Isn’t the same true for us? When Christ comes to live in us, we are changed. No longer just ordinary human beings, we become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Our identity and destiny are marked by Him, just as surely as a town becomes known for the significant person who was born there.

Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate the presence of Christ in us, and the change He brings to all who invite Him in. – David McCasland

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray,
Cast out our sin and enter in –
Be born in us today. – Brooks

READ: Micah 5:1-5

God came to live with us so we could live with Him.

The Bible in one year:

• Obadiah
• Revelation 9

batchmates..

Secret security - Daily Bread

He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. – Psalm 91:11

Feeling secure is a high priority in this unsafe, volatile world. A private investigation agency in Florida promises to "work diligently to restore the sense of security and safety that you and your family deserve."

The psalmist found a "secret place," where he felt safe (Psalm 91:1). And we can rest secure in that same place. He described it with these phrases.

Under the shadow of the Almighty (v. 1). Shadows provide protection from the direct heat of the sun. If the heat is severe, the shade reduces what we actually feel. When we’re under God’s shadow, we do not face the full heat of our difficulties.

A refuge and a fortress (v. 2). God is the strongest protector we could ever have, and we can run to Him for help. Nothing can penetrate Him to get us unless it’s part of His loving plan for our ultimate good.

Under His wings (v. 4). God is soft and tender like a caring mother bird. When troubles rage, He draws us close. We don’t need to fear that He will cast us out – we are His.

A dwelling place (v. 9). Our Father will be our home, our abiding place – now and forever.

True security can be found only in our Lord, who promises to save us and be near us (vv. 15-16). – Anne Cetas

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry touch the Spirit there. – Havergal

READ: Psalm 91

Not one is more secure than those who are in God’s hands.

The Bible in one year:

• Joel

• Revelation 5

Company Christmas Party 2006

the christmas party was held last December 8, 2006 at the New World Hotel in Makati City. This year team is the dance era. Our Team ( EDI Development Team ) was assigned to dance to the tune of the 70's music. we had a lot of practice, (for the dancers and lot of time consumed in preparing the props, if i just knew how hard it is, i just joined in dance.) for us to make it perfect and a good presentation. 4 pm pa lang, most of the team are not working na, they are doing their hairs, their make ups and their dress but to the guys, we were just watching them and having a pictures! ( hindi naman mawawala sa MAP DEV yung eh ).. we were the last one who left the office cause ate goldie need to install the WeRoam service in her laptop so that she can connect to the internet and work while enjoying the party at the same time. nah! so when we got there at the place, the program already started. and then when the food was served, i can say na okay naman yung food., its just that i dont really eat veggies. :) so yun,. around 8:30 we had a meeting (whole team meeting, we prayed to God for the performance and congratulated each one of us who made it that night on the christmas party. and then after that, PROPS people also had a meeting on how we can move the big cloth without seeing the people holding it ( but of course if you just knew how curious we were in seeing the presentation, we cant help it but also have a glimpse of it on the side, hehehe ). so when its our turn, we just enjoyed the presentation and the sounds, and we are proud that all of the team members participated ( from Sir Bong - our director - who have a part in the YMCA, to our Managers, to our Team Leaders down to developers, reqs and QAs. and i can say that after that performance, we did a good job,. everybody enjoyed especially our audience. hehehe...s0 after that, i dont have a decent dinner, why? excitement, emotions, pictures, and everything that happened that night. it was like attending an awards night and all of us wearing 1950s inspired clothes. so we just took the opportunity in doing it. and i do have a lot of pictures but dont know who are the owners of that cameras and till now im still looking for other pictures. wahahaha... and when the time to present the winners and the 3rd and 2nd place was called and the name of our team was never announced, we were all so happy that we knew we won at that moment, and yung moment na tinawag yung name ng team namin, lahat kami nagtatalunan, all the hardwork that we gave in preparing all that was paid off. sulit talga. and being the champion, 15000k is coming our way. hahaha... for a team composed of 100 members. hehehe.. CONGRATULATIONS to the WHOLE MAPPING TEAM.

so we left the place after some sayawan, ingayan sa loob, around 12 mn. we were all fulfilled and happy. kahit nakakapagod masaya naman kaming lahat., other team mates went back to the office and stayed overnight there.

btw, sa mga raffles na ginawa, ni hindi man natawag pangalan ko ni minsan, even last year. its not yet time. whaahaha..

so the next day, it was EDT Christmas Party.

Secret security - Daily Bread

He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. – Psalm 91:11

Feeling secure is a high priority in this unsafe, volatile world. A private investigation agency in Florida promises to "work diligently to restore the sense of security and safety that you and your family deserve."

The psalmist found a "secret place," where he felt safe (Psalm 91:1). And we can rest secure in that same place. He described it with these phrases.

Under the shadow of the Almighty (v. 1). Shadows provide protection from the direct heat of the sun. If the heat is severe, the shade reduces what we actually feel. When we’re under God’s shadow, we do not face the full heat of our difficulties.

A refuge and a fortress (v. 2). God is the strongest protector we could ever have, and we can run to Him for help. Nothing can penetrate Him to get us unless it’s part of His loving plan for our ultimate good.

Under His wings (v. 4). God is soft and tender like a caring mother bird. When troubles rage, He draws us close. We don’t need to fear that He will cast us out – we are His.

A dwelling place (v. 9). Our Father will be our home, our abiding place – now and forever.

True security can be found only in our Lord, who promises to save us and be near us (vv. 15-16). – Anne Cetas

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry touch the Spirit there. – Havergal

READ: Psalm 91

Not one is more secure than those who are in God’s hands.

The Bible in one year:

• Joel

• Revelation 5

Two Bethlehems - Daily Bread

The power of the Highest will overshadow you. – Luke 1:35

The birth of Jesus Christ was unlike any other. Mary’s was an "other world" conception. The angel told her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35). The child conceived in her was from outside our world. And it had to be so, because the boy born to Mary was Immanuel, "God with us" (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).

The baby born in Bethlehem was of heavenly origin. God had entered the earth in the form and nature of Mary’s little son. He came into the world from above, and His incarnation made possible our redemption.

Now think about it. Our own new birth – our regeneration – comes from outside the world. Jesus said that we are born again "of the Spirit" (John 3:3, 7-8). Our salvation is not from an earthly source, but from God Himself through Jesus by means of His Spirit. In a sense, then, our heart becomes a "Bethlehem stable," a place where Jesus comes into the world. We open the door to Him by faith, and He is born in us by the blessed Holy Spirit.

We make Him known to others by His power in us. He affects every aspect of our lives. We are a "Bethlehem," His place of entrance into today’s world. – Dave Egner

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. – Crosby

READ: Luke 1:26-35


Christ was born here below that we might be born from above.

The Bible in one year:

• Hosea 12-14

• Revelation 4

need a rest...

here at the office, doing jobs that are assigned to me by my superior. but i am not feeling well, i have a sore throat and i "think" that im feeling hot inside. sigh. i really need a rest. the past few weeks was really stressful. thanks God that we won that dance competition, God knows how much hardwork we gave on that one. ( i did not dance, im just on the props side ). i wish that im going to have a good sleep tonight so that i can start the LOST episodes i borrowed from Conch.

bout the happenings the past weeks, im not in the mood to have it written here and tell you what had happened, but i will do it once i regain my strength and im on the mood again.

i need a coffee to keep me awake., im such a spender again,. thanks god its payday tomorrow...:)

david edward signing off...

But God . . . - Daily Bread

[Joseph] left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. – Genesis 39:12

What if Joseph had succumbed to the advances of Potiphar’s wife? (Genesis 39). Imagine how he could have justified his sin. "But God, You don’t want me to be unhappy, and you know how lonely it is here. Besides, I think I really love her."

What if Abram had disobeyed when God told him to leave Ur and head for parts unknown? (Genesis 12). What if he had said, "But God, I’m established here. I can’t afford to risk everything on an uncertain future. I’ve got to watch out for Sarai. I’m staying."

Praise God that Joseph and Abram did the right thing. Abram left Ur, he journeyed in obedience.

In life, we face both of these kinds of choices. Sometimes temptation rises up in front of us. When it does, we can either run and reap God’s rewards – or we can give in, reap the sad consequences, and then make sorry excuses. Sometimes we sense that God is leading us in a particular direction. We can choose either to follow Him and trust His omniscience – or we can offer flimsy excuses and live a life of disobedience.

The abundant life of godliness is far better than a life of excuses and despair. Let’s live so that we won’t give in to the desire to say, "But God . . . "

– Dave Branon

Let the road be rough and dreary

And its end far out of sight,

Foot it bravely, strong or weary –

Trust in God and do the right.

– Macleod

READ: Genesis 39

God does not demand success – just obedience.

pagod puyat,.

sa pagkakataong ito, magtatagalog muna ako, or kahit taglish. bahala na.

kadarating lang namin kaninang umaga from our baguio trip. from hotel diretso na sa opisina. dito na rin kami naligo. 4 am kami umalis ng pangasinan kung san kami nakahanap ng hotel na pagtutulugan.

pagod at puyat. lunch break tinulog ko lang. 1:30 na ko nagising di pa ko naglulunch. amoy sauce na ng beef misono d2 sa cube ko., dahil dun kmi bumili ng lunch., at ang venti size na kape sa starbucks ay hindi kaya ang antok sa katawan ko.

mainit ang loob ng katawan ko., parang kailangan ko talga ng pahinga., di muna ako maglalaro ng badmitnon bukas. pass muna si edward.

ang kabuuang detalye, sa susunod.

quick post.

this would be a quick post. a short detail what happened last night at the company christmas party held at New World Hotel in Makati City.

6 pm started the program.
7 pm we arrived at the place (we're late for some reason)
- props are on the place before we came there.
- we just had a light dinner because we're preparing for our presentation.
- change to black clothes, from 70's attire to black top.
- rehearsal of the background cloth.
- preparing the stage for the dance party.
9 pm showdown time for the EDI Map Dev! Time to shine.
- while execution everybody is enjoying the music and the beat and the performance.
- all of members participated.
- crowds cheering
10:30 pm announcement of winners for the dance competition.
- EDI Map Dev Team bagged the Championship! wohhooo!
- Congrats to the whole team for the job well done.

Today: 2:00 pm - at the office.
going to the venue of the christmas party of the EDI Map Team.
will start around 6 pm
right after the party we will go to Pangasinan and will be back on Manila on Monday. directly reporting in the office.

pictures to come. censored pictures not allowed! whahaha..

AGAIN, CONGRATS TO THE WHOLE MAP DEV TEAM. P15,000.00 coming in our way! wohoo!

Forgotten in the gifts - Daily Bread

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16

In Western culture, the Christmas season is a time for a revelry of gift-giving. A world-famous department store annually issues a catalog of gifts of value beyond extravagance. One of them was a $10 million zeppelin – a 230-foot-long, 50-foot-wide airship capable of flying for 24 hours without refueling.

A gift like that seems unbelievably ostentatious – especially when we compare it to the lowly manger where God sent the gift of His Son. All too often, in the midst of our exchange of presents, God’s gift is forgotten.

We can avoid this negligence by remembering to give from our heart. We can be inspired by love and gratitude not only for our loved ones but especially for the Supreme Giver of all good gifts – our heavenly Father.

Even the smallest, least expensive gifts can take our memories back to Bethlehem, where God gave to the world His love-gift of infinite value. His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). With each present we give and receive, we can say from our heart, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15). – Vernon Grounds

As they offered gifts most rare

At that manger rude and bare,

So may we with holy joy,

Pure and free from sin’s alloy,

All our costly treasures bring

Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King. – Dix

READ: John 3:13-21

The most important part of Christmas is the first six letters.

The Bible in one year:

• Daniel 5-7

• 2 John

Choose your alliances carefully - Daily Bread

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. – 2 Corinthians 6:14

The Star Alliance is an affiliation of airlines that seeks to maximize passenger benefits. If you’re traveling on a member airline, you can accumulate frequent-flyer miles after transferring flights and enjoy faster check-in. The Alliance’s Web site calls it "a more civilized way to fly the world."

But not all alliances are mutually beneficial. In 2 Chronicles, we read that Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, formed an alliance with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, when they joined armies against Syria. Why did Jehoshaphat establish this foolish bond with Ahab?

No reasons are given, but we know why Ahab encouraged Jehoshaphat establish this foolish bond with Ahab?

No reasons are given, but we know why Ahab encouraged Jehoshaphat to put on his kingly robes while Ahab disguised himself for the battle. He knew the Syrians would try to kill the king. The opposing army surrounded Jehoshaphat. He cried to the Lord for help and God diverted the troops. Despite Ahab’s treacherous scheme to save his own skin, he was killed by a stray arrow.

Although Jehoshaphat escaped, Jehu the prophet confronted him, saying: "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?" (2 Chronicles 19:2).

Helping people in need is godly. But making unwise alliances with those who hate God may prove disastrous.

Be sure to choose your alliances carefully. – Albert Lee

It is good to join hands with the righteous,

Helping others you meet on your path;

But to make an alliance with evil

Will incur God’s displeasure and wrath. – Hess

READ: 2 Chron. 18:28-19.3

Right and wrong can never be partners.

The Bible in one year:

• Daniel 3-4

• 1 John 5

hey hey..

how are you guys? im doing fine but still sleepy and need to recharge the strength that i lost last week. need more time to finish all the dvds that i borrowed from ate jaja and now here comes another dvd from conch - lost. i dont know what to expect here but according to people who already watched it, its a good one. and im quite excited about it. so i really need more time. This weekend might not be that one. why? FRIDAY night will be the company christmas party at New World. SATURDAY night will be our team christmas party ( need to practice the dance ) wahahaha.. Ate Jaja will help us to do the moves and i hope that i can do it. it will be my first time to dance here. wahahhaa.. and im not a dancer though sometimes i wishi have the right moves. okay, then after the christmas party on Saturday night we will go directly to pangasinan for the escapade with some officemates. nah, i will miss them once i leave the company. its not like work for me. it is like going to school everyday. sigh.

i dont have any plan to have a leave this december. so im gonna stay at the office during office hours. my ear btw is okay now, thanks to the meds and i bought it last week when im still no money. thanks god my card works. and i need to pay it now. whahaha.. they are hunting me now. hehehe..

what else do i expect to come? hmm.. i have gifts to ate, to my tita, to dra and i need to find gifts to my officemates. am i fully loaded? not really i hope.

this morning we played badminton again. so im gonna go home around 9 i think. and we need to finish the props cause tomorrow is the final rehearsal.

still not busy cause my map have query and im waiting for the answers. hope to finish it by tomorrow. feels like i dont wanna work and its a bad idea. hehehe...

david edward signing off...

A glimpse of glory - Daily Bread

Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16

Age has its troubles – failing hearing and eyesight, forgetfulness, aching backs, arthritic hands. These are intimations that we are wasting away. Yet, Paul insisted, inwardly we are "being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:16-17). How so?

The way I see it, aging and weakness focus our thoughts on God. We learn to fix our eyes on Him and on unseen realities; we learn to distinguish between the permanent and what is passing away. We are drawn by God’s love to set our affection on things above and not on things of earth.

And so we keep our eyes on "the things which are not seen" (v. 18). We must look beyond our present frailty to what we will someday be – glorious creatures, bursting with radiant beauty and boundless energy!

So "we do not lose heart" (v. 16). We can partner with our pain and go on serving, praying, loving, caring to the end of our days. We can know strength of character despite our frail humanity; we can show patient endurance and love for others in the midst of our discomfort. Despite our momentary troubles, we can press on, for we have glimpsed the glory that far outweighs them all. – David Roper

The future is seen in the Bible –
This knowledge with us God has shared;
By faith we can see the invisible,
The glory that He has prepared. – Hess

READ: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

With nothing between us and God, our faces can reflect His glory.

kamusta?

its been a while since my last post, aside from the Daily Bread. so what happened to me? just busy with work and with other things., life must go on anyway. so what really happened? work.

last week, full of work loads to do. so i just have free time starting last Friday. what a long weekend. so what happened from Friday to Sunday?

Friday - December 1, 2006
No Work today! - Official Holiday. Instead of Thursday, Bonifacio Day is celebrated on the 1st, so no work on that day. Plan on that day - go to Bambang and look for 70's clothes taht we will be using for the company's christmas party this coming Friday - December 8. Since i slept late on tHursday night (that was morning actually) and the reason was i watched DVDs. hehehe.. then before i sleep i text ate jaja that ill be at the meeting place around 11 am. so i woke up 10 minutes before 11 and from Mandaluyong to Bambang only took 30 mins of my time and i saw them at Bambang. we didnt see any outfit for us guys for 70s attire, so after Bambang, we decided to go to Divisoria. we ate lunch at Chowking then around 2 pm we started to roam at the place. i bought bags that im going to give on Christmas. then i bought things for myself also. we left the place around past 6 pm and my feet are tired. hahha..

i left the house only with wallet and shades with me but i returned with body bag and plastics full of things i forgot whats in it.

then a slept around 2 am coz i watched again DVDs i borrowed from Ate Jaja.


Saturday - December 2, 2006 - Props at Work
went here at the office to do the remaining props work. we need to finished it since there will be only days before the christmas presentation. we need to furnish all the things that needs to be furnish. im here around 10 am. then had lunch at McDonalds since there is a long line at the counter in KFC. then goes back to work and finished around 5 pm. me and vic went to carriedo, quiapo to buy uniform for aikido and me to buy 2 tubes of shuttlecocks. then after we searched every street, we found nothing aikido uniform. but i bought 2 tubes of shuttlecock. then right after quiapo, i went directly to Megamall and bought other things taht we need in props. went home around 9 pm.

Sunday - December 3, 2006 - Bambang Part 2 /Divisoria Part 2
went to Bambang again but this time with Val and Ate Goldie. at the place 9 am., then we went to Mr. Retro to find the clothes were looking for, i bough a polo and a loose pants. im thinking how will i look like on a friday night wearing those dress. hmm...then after bambang, Me and Val went to Divisoria just to stroll but unfortunately i found something that attracted my attention and i bought it. and i spend another 1k for that day. since im so tired, and my feet are complaining, we decided to go home but ate first at jollibee, and i even have a nap inside the jeep cause of fatigue. then first thing i did when i get home was to lay on my bed,. and locked the door so that anyone could bother me. i need to recharge my strength. then around 4 pm i woke up and took a bath, and went to Ate Grace house cause its her birthday! Happy Happy Birthday!.. Bong was there ( ate grace bf and also our officemate). he was the first visitor. then im the second,. hahaha... then our officemates came in. have a dinner with them and then went out of the house and took a look on different houses in policarpio. we separated ways around 10 pm. and me? being so tired, after i took a bath, went directly on my bed and sleep.

Monday - December 4, 2006
At the office. still sleepy. attending info sharing session.

Happy Birthday Anna Karenina!

Happy Birthday to Ms. Anna Karenina Arispe! wohoo!

we celebrated her birthday last tuesday at Krocodile Grill, Greenbelt. Present on the lunch out: Karen A. (the birthday girl), Kharen P., Val, Karleen, Aron, Me, Cecil and Dennis. thanks for the treat..wahahah..Happy Birthday Batchmate! :)

Touched at Christmas - Daily Bread

Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me." – Matthew 19:14

In the past I’ve been annoyed by crowded church services during the Christmas season. I disliked the jampacked pews and the hard-to-find parking places. I’ve even grumbled after being shunted to an overflow room when the sanctuary had filled long before the service began. Why don’t these people who come once a year just stay home? I thought.

My attitude seemed to mirror that of the disciples, who scolded those who brought children to Jesus for His blessing (Matthew 19:13). Whatever the reasons, the disciples must have thought they had no right to be there. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (v. 14).

I finally realize that it’s a good thing whenever a person is drawn to a gathering that celebrates Jesus’ birth. Whether it’s a children’s program, a candlelight service, or a concert by the choir, we never know when someone will encounter Christ the Lord. Broadcast journalist Harry Reasoner once said: "So if a Christian is touched only once a year, the touching is still worth it, and maybe on some given Christmas, some quiet morning, the touch will take."

Christmas seems to bring out the child in all of us. And every child is welcomed by Jesus. – David McCasland

Give me a heart sympathetic and tender,
Jesus, like Thine, Jesus, like Thine.
Touched by the needs that are surging around me,
And filled with compassion divine. – Anon.

READ: Matthew 18:1-7; 19:13-15

Nothing moves us like a touch from Jesus.

The Bible in one year:

•Ezekiel 47-48
• 1 John 3