Business Conference with Peter Irvine

(A rare opportunity to meet the man behind Gloria Jeans Coffee. Peter Irvine).

Way back after college, I was so eager to earn extra that I ended up selling imported perfumes and fashion clothes, so I got into buy and sell Victoria secret body mist and bath and body works cologne. I have no idea about business then and still pursuing it because at that time that was my heart's desire, another thing I love fashion and trendy clothing for my self. As a matter of fact I am very challenge that a friend of mine is now a successful online seller for imported goods and clothing from USA.

The funny thing is that, because of little knowledge or no knowledge at all I always ended up paying the unpaid dues of my customers. Online market is not as popular those days so most of my client were relatives, colleagues, and friends. It explains why I ended up paying for them. Anyhow, I also engaged myself into networking business (I was a member of Royale in the Philippines) and still didn't get customers because of my poor salesmanship (or in tagalog hindi ako marunong mambola). Actually I got one client and she was consistent because of Glutathione's demand in the market (Thanks and credit to Kathy, I must say, di pa rin ako kulelat, lol!).

Currently while I am here in UAE, my business interest stirred up once more and even got myself into trouble when I invested the money I borrowed from the bank and just lost it. Same story with the condo unit I started paying on the first quarter of 2014 but end up discontinuing it because I can't afford anymore the monthly equity though I was hoping it could be a way for a passive business income in the future.

Again, I am inspired to pursue my dream in this risky adventure of business and even saved money for it even though I still have this feeling of ambivalence or uncertainties.

As of this writing, I realised that I have failed always on business ventures I involved my self in. I mostly and always ended up losing it. I was even thinking that this kind of journey is not meant for me or maybe not the will of the Lord. However, even within those qualms I have questioned my self that if it is not for me why it is in my hearts desire ever since. However, there is no doubt that when I started desiring about business, I'm not a believer yet so I totally have no idea of the authority that God has given to us His Children when He raised Jesus from the dead. In the book of Proverbs, it says that, "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps ". All our ways might seem pure in our own eyes, but the Lord knows our motives and weighs our hearts. My intention  perhaps is not in line of what God's purpose in me during those times. It reminds me of His word that in everything we do we have to do it for the Glory of God, even for business ventures. I believe now that whatever thing we involved ourselves it should always and must something that can benefit the Kingdom of God and not of our own nor my own worldly interest. I admit, I still struggle with my worldly interest at times. I am not a perfect vessel yet but He is working that out for me coz He is the author and finisher of my faith.

In this first business conference we attended, We had a rare opportunity to hear from Peter Irvine himself, the co-founder of Gloria Jeans Coffee. I have learned few points that the enemy would try to do to discourage us. First, the enemy make us believe that what we are doing is not God's will. Yes, it came to a point that whenever I think of business it is not God's will for me base on the mentioned unfortunate events happened on my past and present ventures. Second, the enemy will make us believe that we are wasting time and so we tend to give up and lose hope. and lastly, the enemy will make us believe our motives are wrong. Yes, our motives. That is why we have to check our motives because where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.  It should be something for God's Glory and honour.


I would like to end this with a verse from Psalm 37:4 " Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart". 


 Enjoy God's presence in our lives and put your heart to His service because this is what Glorifies Him. Remember, we are His children and we already inherited the promise.




May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill your plans!- Psalm 20:4

You are Loved

You are loved no matter what circumstances you were in. It's not all about the material things you have acquired in such a short period of time or the number of friends you knew and have encountered. Whether you are known as the kind, smart person everyone loved to be with or unknown to everyone. Whether You are perfect or have terribly, worst past experiences in life. What does really matter is, You know who You are in the eyes of the living God. And in the eyes of Him who is seated on the throne of heaven....,

You are loved because:

Psalm

139 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall[a] on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;[b]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
20 For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.[c]
21 Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

Rejoice in our Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.- Philippians 4:4

The 30/30 Challenge

I am taking the 30/30 challenge motivated by no other, one of my favorite authors to date, Joyce Meyer. First word I receive for the day from the book of Psalm chapter 119 verse 105, Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path. As I was meditating on the said scripture, one thing that comes into my mind. LIGHT, ILLUMINATION, LAMP that illuminates. Have you ever tried to be in the dark for quite some time that you have longed for at least a piece of light to lighten the place where you were?Maybe your parents forgot to pay the electricity bill, they will eventually.But how about a dark situation in your life where there is no more light you could see?

I believe all of us have faced a darkest life situation because everyone of us have fallen short of the Glory of one true God. Perhaps, mine has a little bit of light that slowly diminishing. Yours, could have been worst . However, I found the greatest energy supply that can fill my lamp of the strongest light, even more that forever I will no longer ran out of it. Through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the light of the world as He said in His word and whoever wants to follow Him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of Life (John 8:12). It is amazing that King David, who wrote the book of Psalms years before the messiah was born already knew the WORD of GOD who is to be the lamp for everyone's feet. JESUS CHRIST is the WORD of GOD (John 1:1).


I love how God's WORD illuminates my christian walk. In every difficulties I have encountered, only the WORD of GOD give me the wisdom on how to handle every details of it. The same as it has become a lamp to my feet, when everything is so vague like my current trials. I don't know if it is right to just step in without finding out from the very word of God if the decision I am going to make is from Him or my own accord. My christian friends kept on reminding me to pray in everything including His will.

The Great Commission step 1

Sabbath Shalom!

I thank the Lord, Jesus Christ for by His grace I was able to meet and have fellowship again with my fellow brethren from Christ Living Stone Fellowship (CLSF-DUBAI). They came here in Dibba not minding the long-drive hours just to fulfill God's will and purpose. To WIN SOULS. I am so happy and grateful to God because He is so faithful, answering my prayers. I remember months ago, I enlisted on my prayer request this kind of task and mission and that, God would send someone who can help me fulfill this great commission. 

To be frank, I am reluctant to share the gospel of salvation. I am afraid people might refuse me if I'll talk to them about Christ and I also don't know how I would start. Though, I know some useful verses to set the ball rolling but the enemy (Satan) would often distract me and would instill spirit of doubt and hesitation in my heart.Like what happened at the park when our team came. We saw some group of Filipino people unwinding at the distance so we nestled next to them. Since I am the only one who’s from Dibba, I have to come and approach their group and invite them to join us. Though they didn't refuse, they came there as well for the same purpose and that they are already belong to a different Christian denomination. Again, my heart turned weary. I feel so much pressure because I don’t want our group’s effort to come meaningless. They came here all the way from Dubai. I don’t like the feeling and I know it is something that needs to be addressed.

Thanks be to God, the point of the message that was delivered by Ate Janet was really meant for me. In doing the great commission that God has given to us, we don’t have to be afraid and doubtful if we can do the task. Jesus promise that He will be with us always until the very end. He will surely be with us and He will guide us in what to speak (speak the truth). He will never leave nor forsake us. (Matthew 28:16-20, The Great Commission).

I feel comforted. I have to admit, I need someone who is a mature Christian that can constantly remind me of His word. God in His faithfulness always make a way to deliver His comforting messages to me by means of my fellow brethren. I don’t know what my future holds now, the path is vague and I cannot clearly visualize my future like what I used to do. Whatever it is, Thy will be done. God will equip those He called and qualifies them. May the Lord equip me with the right wisdom I needed if Evangelism is what He calls me to do.

Lastly, I am really so amazed how the dedication of ate Janet and Kuya Joel has for evangelism. Truly, their labor in the Lord is not in vain and their time is not wasted at all. Despite the fact that they already knew that the other group who were next to us is already part of some other Christian denomination, Ate Janet and Kuya Joel still went on their way to share the Gospel of salvation and have fellowship with them while we, served as a prayer warrior interceding for them. At the end, they all prayed the prayer of acceptance. I strongly believe that, the two groups have the same spirit. The Spirit of God. We ended our fellowship with a Sabbath Dinner. What a great way to cease the day.

Seek ye first

Shalom! is the word to describe how I feel at the moment. Funny because most of the time, I would get easily depressed after hearing bad news particularly if it involves my family members and just this afternoon when I received a phone call from my sister whose in Al Ain tackling about her daughter, our Mom and our finances back home. What surprises me is that I didn't feel so much burden after listening to her story which I normally does. Instead, the yoke is easy and light and I was at my very calm and peaceful manner. I even manage to sing, dance, make some jokes in between work and laugh. Though I cried but it was only for 5 minutes and the tears rolling down my cheeks are tears of unexpected joy.... and there comes a revelation: My conversation with Pastor Elmer yesterday (March 12,2014) and how God used him as a mouth piece to relay God's message concerning the predicament I was in.

Truly amazing because the message served as a preamble, a warning words before it would actually happen. A prophecy towards what is going to happen. At first, my understanding of Pastor Elmer's message is limited and I was kinda resistant to what does it imply. I thought that I was right when all I have dreamed of is to give my family anything they wanted and needed to the extent of sacrificing my own happiness. I even said to myself I would never be happy and contented until I can save my whole family from the lowest pit it has now departed. I know and always believe God will help me with constant prayer and petitions. Is this really what God want me to do?Or Am I overtaking God's own plan for them?and making my own decisions to what is good and better for their welfare?Am I trying to be God of my own providing for my family even if I cannot?Honestly, I do not know.All I have desired is for them to know God, live their remaining days before God, offer their life to God, obey the Lord, follow Him and Be saved. I guess, this is what all true Christ follower hoped for. Our family to be saved by God's Grace. (Acts 16:31)

But As for me and my house, We will serve the Lord- Joshua 24:15

In Matthew 11: 28-30, Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light". When Pastor Elmer gave me the exact verse. The very first thought that sunk in to my foolish mind is this, I know and I did. There's a bit pride in my heart that I know the verse and I already come to Him. I may be knew the verse and memorize it but not really heartily understanding it and believing what it says. A very good promise of Jesus to those who believe in Him. Anyone, who will come and trust Him completely not relying on his/her own self will simply have rest. I need to rest, rest on thinking what will happen to me and to my family tomorrow. Rest on over thinking how I can be able to apply for my american dream, rest on planning for my future actions like purchasing house and lot, learning to drive and get driving license, travelling to different places, and so much more. Finally, rest on thinking about the guy who once invaded my dream in the beautiful kish Island and for a year now, I have never forgotten (Sigh).

Why not take rest with Jesus and let Him do the work?He has greater plans than I do or we do. Admittedly and I humbly proclaim, I need you Lord Jesus to take over my plans and do the rest of work for me. Apart from you , I can do nothing Lord and By your grace, you will fulfill your promises to me in your perfect time. I know your timing is always right and just.

In all these, I learn the importance of Seek ye first in every situation. Always seek His approval and submit to Him everything cause our God is Omniscient God (All knowing), before you think, it is already known to Him.

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our Heavenly Father, for by His grace, I am saved and called upon to become His child through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. In Him, I am justified and made righteous through His finished work on the cross of Calvary. Indeed,  He is God who never fails to answer our prayers, A God who is our ever present help in trouble. Our refuge and strength (Psalms 43). Thank you Lord for always sending me an angelic message by means of Pastor Elmer, every time I got seriously in trouble and cried out to you, He is always there to be your mouth piece. I don't know what's the significance of all these, but one thing for sure, it is not a co incidence rather a prophetic message. And to my fellow Brothers and Sisters in kish fellowship: Ate Melanie, Kuya Marasigan, Kuya Arman, and Ate Cathy. Thank you from the bottom of my feeble heart. I love you all with the love of the Lord. My day starting March 12, 2014 would never be the same again. As a christian, we continuously walk in never ending lesson learning. We may stumble due to our poor judgement and decision making but God disciplines us for our good. Oftentimes, we misinterpreted His discipline, have discouraged. Dare not, the Lord disciplines the one He loves. (Hebrew 12:-6). He loves us.

Pastor Elmer

WOMAN OF FAITH: Single lady

This Valentines day, I feel loved as never before. This year is completely different from my previous hearts day moment. In all honesty, I've never tried romantic dinner dates on the exact February 14th, even to receive bouquet of flowers and chocolates as many couple does. Probably because my ex's aren't that romantic or something like romance-phobic?whichever, I believe God is preparing for me a suitable man that make me shudder in delight and can perfectly give me once in a lifetime experience better than a fancy dinner and stuff. 

Moreover, I believe that it was the transforming work of God in my life that I delight myself now being single. Before I knew the Lord and accept Him in my life, I always thought that happiness and contentment can only be achieved if you find your right partner. I still believe though, but more than that, it was in God's presence that gives me much joy and happiness and I submit to Him. God also taught me how to love unconditionally. How can I love if I am hostile and distant?How can I care for the one I love if only I want is to be loved?I remember, my ex would always complain to me that I didn't care for his feelings, for his needs and his love for me. The truth is, I do care. It's just that, I don't know how to show my affection unto him and at that point of our relationship, I was realizing that something was missing in the puzzle. Sadly, we ended our relationship and settled as friends. 

The peace and calmness I have now is a gift from God that I freely received. By His grace, He changed my perception about love and relationship. He put an emphasis on me the importance of  love first and foremost, to Him who undoubtedly love me more than I can imagine. To my family, who is my inspiration to have a better and strong family of my own in the future; to my fellow believer in the body of Christ, who strengthen me and to everyone for this is what God commands us to do. To love one another (John 13:34-35).

God is love and because I love God and I abide in His promises. I am waiting for  His perfect time to reveal His plans to me. As what my Pastor often told me when I was still in kish, "Hingin mo kay Lord" phrase will always include in my prayers. There's a certain dream that I had in Kish Island. I saw a guy wearing white polo and I was walking towards Him. He call my name but I don't know his. In my dream I was puzzled and clearly saw His face (a filipino) only, when I woke up, I forgot what he looks like except for his smile. He has the most beautiful smile. (Thinking on that dream now and how it made me smile).

Love is patient and the one who is impatient is not really in love. 

MIEL