Choosing Friends

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

-Proverbs 27:17

There is nothing more comforting in times of trouble than to be assured that there will always be a friend by your side on whom you can count on. You know you gather more hope and courage whenever you hear someone cheering you up with encouraging words. In fact, sometimes the mere presence of a friend is all you really need.

We need not debate over the fact that Jesus is the best example of a friend. He is everybody's best friend. Everyone who accepts Him as their personal Savior can be confident that He will never leave him nor forsake him. In spite of the fact that we cannot literally see him, we know he's there because we feel him. What's even more amazing is that He does not only listen. He even answers prayers!

I remember these past few days when I felt so depressed, I thought I was hopeless, he surprisingly talked to me in all the preaching and messages we had. It's not that I do not have faith, but isn't it weird that all bible messages you have read points out to you? Isn't it weird that just when everyone is expecting for a 'hard preaching', the preacher suddenly gives a different topic: encouragement. Weird because we do not exactly have totally depressing problems in the  church.

Last Sunday, I was not the assigned teacher, but the teacher got sick and I had to turn over. To my surprise, the topic was again about encouragement and exactly what I was feeling! Amazing, right? You know God is so powerful. He knows what's best for you. He already has a plan.

Not only that He's an ever faithful friend to us, He even sends for more 'angels' to comfort us and edify us. Friends, as we call them. They are the ones who help us grow and become more like Jesus. The problem, however, is that not all 'friends' possess those characteristics. Good friends help us become a better person. Bad friends oft times make us become worse.

This issue has been occupying my thoughts recently. So much as I treasure my friends as precious jewels, I realize that at times I do not feel good being around some of them. I enjoy myself and even have a good laugh when talking with them, but it always seems like there's something missing. Eventually, God has slowly given answers to these questions. 

No matter how the company may be good, it's still not the kind of friendship God planned for me. God compared friends to irons who sharpen each other, but if the friendship does not help you grow closer to God, or makes you stay away from His will, then probably it's not the kind of friendship God would be blessed with.

As I reread a very old post by Johanna & Bethany, Reflections of Grace, (if you're wondering, I'm really fond of reading other people's blogs. I hope they won't mind me mentioning them. :)) ) I vividly realized what kind of friends God wants us to have and most especially to be. I realized that if there's something I should be really close with, it should be my fellow Christian friends. Someone whom I can confidently talk about Jesus, someone who will carefully listen and give wise advice. Not someone who gossips, curses, etc. 

Most of all, someone who shares the same convictions with me as I Christian woman. (And this not only applies to them, it also applies to us, for before we gain good godly friends, we need first be good friends to others.)

True, you have to choose your friends wisely and though I never wanted to break the bond that my friends and I formed, I know I should do something to fulfill it. Should I leave them or keep them? for they have been a great part of my life.

I hope to find the courage and make wise decisions regarding this issue.

Five Months Away From PNU

It's finally the start of summer!

As I sit back and reminisce the precious memories I had together with my classmates and friends, I am slowly starting to miss them. 

They had been so sweet and kind to me. And throughout those stressful and depressing days, they were there to tell me, "God is always there. He will never leave you nor forsake you."

Whenever I look at the smiles on their lips and the glow in their eyes, I know they are a blessing to me.

I know that within these five months, a lot of things will change. And I hope it will be more on the positive side. :D

Friendship: It really is from above. :)

Welcome SUMMER!!!

Today, I was able to pass the last requirement I need to accomplish for the second semester. I felt so relieved now that I can finally say, "It's done." and get myself ready for a fresh new start this summer. 

It's time up to focus on working for the Lord's ministry. I'm really excited to attend Bible studies and soul winning activities I was not able to attend during school days. I long for visiting the children, singing spiritual songs and having wonderful fellowship with my sisters and brothers in Christ. I want to increase bonding time with my family and loved ones.

Hopefully, I would be able to work on improving myself in housekeeping, music, and other things I want to learn. I would be able to prepare myself in practice teaching by working on my weaknesses.

Ahh...there's just a lot of things to do that I guess, if listed, would fill in the entire summer vacation. Anyway, I'm excited. To have more time with God...to be close to Him, I long for it.

I know all of us do, right?

Blog Update

Hello! I'm back. :)

Finally, I changed the design of my blog! I realized it looks much neater having only two columns and adjusting the width. hehe

I wanted to post more about my schooling and most especially our Missions Conference and Church Anniversary, but the computer's not working really good today. So maybe I'll try to post some more later.

Have a nice day!

Raquel

The Torch Is Ours

My third year in college will soon be over. After our summer vacation will be the last school year. On March 16,  our campus held a torch ceremony-- a program where we would be entrusted by the seniors to take hold of their position as they leave our alma mater. It was our version of Junior-Senior Prom.

For the first time in my college life, I was able to wear a 'not really' Filipiniana costume. It was a too expensive though compared with the market price.

a picture with my best friend

We had to stand up all throughout the program. During our practice, it was tiresome but it had become easier on the actual program since we got used to it.

The climax of the ceremony was the lighting of the biggest torch and displaying of fireworks. I was able to meet my senior partner, who was a General Science major. She lighted her torch and passed it to me while I gave her my bouquet of flowers in return.

the torch

fireworks display

my senior partner

At last! The top view of our torch ceremony. :)

Finally, after the program we had a class picture taking. I was able to take pictures with my friends, too.

Now I wonder what will happen next year...

Christian Music Lyrics: A World We Never Touch

Sometimes Christians tend to focus too much on ''spiritual rules and regulations'. People tend to argue even about smallest doctrinal issues, splitting up with those who don't have the same belief about a certain matter. We tend to emphasize separation and create our own 'Christian world'. Yes, we reach out to others, leading them to the church, teaching them the Bible and what God wants them to do. But sometimes we forget the very essence of reaching the lost. 


God's first commandment is to love him with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind. The second is to love thy neighbor as thyself. Yet we, striving diligently on working for the ministry, forget the basic commandments God really wants us to follow. And that is to love. Love God and show others the love that we receive from Him. 


How can we show them the way if we'll see them as sinners and not as ones who are lost and helpless, needing the salvation and love coming from our Savior Jesus Christ? I believe this phrase in the second verse, "Sometimes the Word of God can pass through just a simple touch", is very true. This song is about reaching the lost and truly caring for their souls. 

First Verse

He walked along the shores of Galilee

From clay He formed the healing balm

That caused the blind to see

When stones of wrath lay heavy in their hands

He knelt to write His mercy in the sand

Jesus came to set the captives free

Showed us by the way He lived

The way we need to be

Oh love is more than words could ever say

We must touch them with compassion

To help them find their way

Chorus

How can we reach a world we never touch?

How can we show them Christ

If we never show them love?

Just to say we care will never be enough

How can we reach a world we never touch?

Second Verse

Could we be so busy being saved

Trying to impress a world that's long since lost its way

We pride ourselves in being set apart

Yet we don't have time to touch a broken heart

Even if we found the time to care

Would we take the risk involved in always being there

Oh we hold the very thing they need so much

Sometimes the Word of life can pass

Through just a simple touch

Bridge

We hide behind these walls

And the security of friends

While beyond the stained glass windows

The world is lost in sin

I don't know what will happen tomorrow. Surely, I will face another life's challenges in different areas of my life as usual. Maybe tomorrow will be more difficult than ordinary days. I may experience sadness and pain. But I know there's a God who will never leave. He holds tomorrow. He molds my life. He has already weaved my story beforehand. So whatever happens, I know it's part of His plan. God never makes mistakes. He never does anything without a purpose. If I hurt, it's His will. But one thing I will always remember: God will never leave me nor forsake me.