Month: June 2017

(Christmas, 2015)

Hello world, this is my family. My home, my place of refuge, my source of love, and my first household. The man of the house, Mario “Ohmar” Rivera (the original Ohmar). The commander of the house, Merlita Rivera. The Korean of the house, Mier Rivera. Then there’s me. Meet the Rivera Family.

FAMILIES in the HOLY SPIRIT
RENEWING the face of the Earth.
Couples For Christ’s Mission

Having grown up in this community, quite literally, from Kids for Christ, to Youth for Christ and now recently transitioned to Singles for Christ, I can truly say that I have come to understand and further appreciate the value of family. Wherein we care for every person in a family in this community. And that can be attested to by my family.

Thinking back on the journey so far that my family has gone (obviously only ’til as far as I could recall), one thing is certain… that nothing went according to our expectations. That in saying yes to the Lord, He had taken us to the other side of the world whether or not we acknowledged it was God at work. As a result we have found the Lord in each other and ourselves and are now living in life of love and service. And so let me share with you, my family’s journey, from the desert to the rivers.

The story begins in Dubai, where I was born and where my parents first met, you’ll have to ask them about their story in person. (And shout outs to YFC UAE on their National conference!). And if there is one place that I remember the most about my faith life during the 7 years I lived in Dubai, it was the crying room. Almost every moment spent at St. Mary’s was either sleeping in a pew, or crying my head off in the crying room. We were the typical family that went to Mass on Sundays just because my parents were brought up that way and thus they would do the same for their own children. And other than grace before meals, that was the full extent of our faith. Funny enough, close to when we migrated from Dubai to Toronto, my sister asked our parents if she could join Kids for Christ, but our parents were skeptical and opted not to. However, just as the Lord is funny, He still made things work…by having our closest family friends (who moved to Canada a year before us and who were already in CFC by then) to actually sit in for my parents. So that once we arrived in 2001, they simply said, “Oh by the way, we’re gonna take you to a Christian Life Program! Don’t worry for missing 3 talks, we’ll fill you in during the car ride!” And from there my parents would complete their CLP, my sister would attend her first youth camp and I would go join Kids for Christ. Thus begins our love story with God, as one family.

The reason we moved to Canada was simply for my sister and I to get a better education. And only that. However, in reality, we were led on a journey towards Christ. As my parents began to serve more and more, my sister and I were exposed to mission since we would be dragged to my parents’ households and meetings that covered the vast lands of the Greater Toronto Area and even Windsor. Of course, at the time, young OJ did not appreciate being dragged to these places. But yet, it was in these moments of travelling with my family to serve, was what ignited that desire for mission in me even though I did not acknowledge it then. From there, my sister would go on to become a Full Time Pastoral Worker and I would apply to the Mission Volunteer program. Now don’t be mistaken, this journey was not without any sort of struggle or hardship. In fact, even until now, we face the same uncertainties of life. How can we serve if we are tired? How can I provide for my family? Or future family? Am I worthy or able to do this? The only difference now, is the great confidence we have in the Lord that He will and always will take care of us. Because He has done just that this whole time. We came for education but God gave us something greater, a purpose to love and serve Him. We came, to some extent, to lead a successful life, but God gave us something greater, a life according to His will. We came to serve ourselves, but God called us to serve Him.

And so, why did I say yes to mission? At first it was because I was inspired by the joy that the FTPW’s exuded whenever they were on mission and that I wanted to experience that. But thinking on it recently, especially with this post, I believe those 3 in the picture above are the reason. That they were the ones who brought me to mission, they were the ones who exuded joy on mission, they were the ones who said yes so that I could say yes.

The Lord took us out of the desert, our dryness in faith, and brought us to the rivers of His grace. Wherein, we came to nourish our minds, but instead we ended up nourishing our hearts and souls. This is how I am affirmed by the mission of CFC. That in being renewed by the Lord’s grace, we are able to in turn bring Christ to others. He took our yes and brought us to places far greater than we expected. And He is not yet done.

Thank you, Papa. Thank you, Mama. Thank you, Ate Mier.

Thank You, Lord. 

AMDG.

#ONRouteToHeaven

For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. … -Titus 1 : 7-14

They said being leader can either be functional or relational. Before I really don’t see the difference between the two but I know I am more of a functional leader. And being more of a functional leader I focus more of how to do my roles by the book. Later did I realize that being such kind of a person started to lose my connection with my fellow leaders. Focusing more on my role rather than building a relationship with my counterpart in leadership. My pride and ego has taken over me on how I relate to my other counterpart and started to build a wall in front of me,

 

Last weekend I attended the Christian Personal Relationship Weekend Retreat. This retreat was God’s answer to my prayer. This weekend was a healing process for me. Realizing what has been missing in my role as a Unit Head. It started and ended with honoring one another which I believe what we should be doing instead of finding fault with one another. Honestly my struggles with my sister counterpart was getting to a point that I don’t want to talk to them because in my mind we won’t be agreeing anymore and it will open more wound than stitching it back together. But God is great He knows how to heal things and give us a renewed heart. He knew what we need and He will give to you generously. Last Saturday after listening to all the talk and praying for the healing that I need I decided to open up and talk to my sister counterpart. We started by emptying our selves and asking for forgiveness with one another. Taking away all the pride and ego and focusing on what we are anointed for. I was worried first but God’s hand was working in our heart that time. It always gets us back what God has instructed us: Loving God and loving your neighbors, with that I don’t need to question anymore. My weekend was a blessed and victorious one with all the healing that we received. We decided to start a new chapter a new beginning.  And for that may God be praised.

 

Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace;
HERE THE LOVE OF CHRIST SHALL END DIVISIONS.
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place

A few years ago I met this girl who annoyed me by merely her existence. She rubbed me the wrong way because well, I wasn’t fond of her personality.

Little did I know that this situation would teach me how to pray for someone I clearly disliked. I have never prayed this much for someone I didn’t even want to be friends with. My negative feelings and thoughts toward her weighed me down. I didn’t like myself when she’s around. One day, I asked the Lord for a chance to get to know her better. He answered swiftly. I was at the front row when she was sharing at a gathering not knowing that she’d be one of the sharers.

I cried after her sharing because I felt the Lord is telling me, “You want to be better so here’s your chance. Listen well”. Though she didn’t do anything different to change how I feel towards her, I was beginning to understand her more. So I continued to find ways to get to know her more and more and more. Little by little I discovered her humanity, her strengths and weaknesses, and what made her the way she is. Now I know. With God’s loving grace, I found myself accepting her for everything she is, even the ones I disliked in the first place. I appreciated her kind heart.

Now, whenever I see her, I thank God for teaching me the virtue of forbearance but most especially, for an unlikely friend who taught me how to pray for people I had difficulty understanding and loving. Sometimes, we reject and dislike what we do not quite know but we must work to courageously love first before we decide to throw anything or anyone away.

Considered a blessing that it is a continuous cycle and bout of attempt and victory as it truly is a beautiful opportunity to be more like Jesus Christ, the ultimate manifestation of love. 

Lord, may I never forget to be more like You and may You continue to give my heart and mind the courage to look for the good, the best in a person before zooming in on the bad. Amen.

Trying,
Alodia

I woke up from a nap one day to a text from my counterpart asking if i wanted to go to the gym. My initial thought was NO WAY! I haven’t been to a gym in years so I knew this was out of my comfort zone. But, I also knew how much this would mean to him. Half an hour later, there I was in a gym holding my admission card while breathing sweaty gym air and my counterpart with a big smile saying ‘this is monumental.’

I remember being on the elliptical for a long and tiring 30 minutes, counting down every minute. I thought ‘why am i doing this? I didn’t want to do this, but yet I am here.’ But despite the tiredness or uncomfortability, I was simply reminded of how much Christ loved others through His actions. Whether it be physically going to visit a sick person or by carrying the cross during His passion, Jesus knew that the fruit of His actions would be love.

Loving others goes beyond our words. It is shown greatly through our actions. I am reminded of a quote from No Greater Love by Mother Teresa:

“True love is love that causes us pain, that hurts, and yet brings us joy.”

Lord, give me the grace to love others as extravagantly as you did.

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Mt 6:7-8

Today’s gospel is a quiet reminder that our relationship with God can be simple. There’s no need to over-complicate something that we can understand with a simple truth: God looks at you and He loves you. You who might fail at times. You who might doubt; who might bear resentment. You who may at times be impatient and worrisome. When the world around you becomes complicated and your circumstances slip past your own control, remember His faithfulness. Because He knows what you need before you ask him. He who calls you by a name that only He knows. God who is great sees you as an individual and promises that He will take care of you. So, if the world fails you, and even when you fail yourself, keep your prayer simple. Speak with a childlike simplicity and pray “Abba, father me.”

 

JMJ

His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti
He’s nervous, on the surface he looks calm and ready
To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgettin
– Eminem (Lose Yourself)

I have grown up with a perpetual need to have a hand in every situation. Whether that be knowing what to do, or simply knowing what’s going on. In other words, I wanted everything under my control, ESPECIALLY (most especially) if it remotely concerned me or the people I knew. I needed to know where everything is and where they are going.

However, upon saying yes to the Lord to the MV program and to many other things pertaining to my life and what lies ahead (i.e. service, vocation, family situations etc.), these moments of “Yes, Lord” was met with great troubles, doubts and hardships. Great troubles that I did not think would happen nor want to happen. Even though, at the time of these troubles, I felt lost and had moments of yearning to just run away; at the end of the day, every successive “yes” always built towards something. Because one thing was for sure, these opportunities and moments of “Yes, Lord” will always happen…no matter what.

The struggle in this certainty of “Yes, Lord” moments was the fact that I had no idea where the Lord would be taking me. Like a ship without a captain, a business with no management or CEO or traveller with no map (or GPS for us today). The only difference with mine is that I was never alone (although at times I instinctively thought I was…and God is not instinctual but intentional) and it was just a constant revisiting of my conviction to this call and realizing that all that I need is to trust. And this is something that I’ve slowly and gradually have realized. Prayers of “Lord where are you taking me? Why do I have to be assigned here? Why can’t I just be at the destination already?”…have now become “Lord, lead me to where You are. Jesus, King of Mercy, I trust in You”. Thirteen months ago, I would have never said yes if I was told of the things I would have had to endure upon entering the MV program, then again, I would have never realized how great and providential God is (like actually…God is so good, thank You Lord).

And so, we look to the start of this blog post. What does any of this have to do with the song? To be honest, I don’t really know LOL. The song just came up as I was writing this reflection and it seemed like it fit. Actually, it does. Yes, it does, let me share haha. Like in the movie or music video, the call we say yes to is an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime, for Marshall it was to be on that stage, while for us it is to be with God. And when we say yes and live out the aftermath of our yes, we will face moments of forgetfulness. Forgetting why we said yes, forgetting what we said yes to, and forgetting who we said yes to. In order to remember again though, we must literally lose ourselves to the will of God, realizing that all of this and more is God’s to begin with. So don’t miss the opportunity to say “yes” to the Lord, and in the words of Eminem…

You better lose yourself in the…  love of the Lord.

AMDG.

Jesus saw many people. He went up on the mountain and sat down. His followers came to Him.He began to teach them, saying,” Those who know there is nothing good in themselves are happy, because the holy nation of heaven is theirs. Those have sorrow are happy, because they will be comforted. Those who have no pride in their pride in their heart, because the earth will be given to them.Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy,because they will be filled.Those who show loving-kindness are happy, because they will have loving kindness shown to them.- Matthew 5:1-7

Jesus loves to preach and pray on the mountain. Some story in the bible happens in the mountain. Last week I went hiking with my SFC brothers, my first hike this year. I was trouble this past few weeks, lots of challenges on my journey, so for sure hiking will help me to divert my attention. On my way to the mountain I didn’t realized that some of the question on my mind will be answered. Sometimes I am so impatient,frustrated for things that I want to happen. We start the hike with only water and Banana on our bag, climbing a mountain is hard,challenging and we need to use lots of energy.

It’s only 1/4 of the trail I think when I say “I gave up”, Im tired, I will wait for you guys here just continue your hike,the my SFC brother said No we can do it, nobody will left behind. Upon hearing those word I realized that life is like hiking,climbing a mountain. In our life its either personal or spiritual journey we have our own Mountains, that sometimes on our way we easily give up even though we just started. Challenges, feeling of being tired, disappointment, destructions, and sometimes laziness. We can encounter those things while climbing the mountain, and we entertain them thats why we fail sometimes and we cannot reach the Peak, the place we can see the reward , the beauty of his creation. In life we also encounter those things, but its part of our journey thats what makes us more strong and effective. If were going to stop in the middle because we are tired or because were disappointed or just lazy, we lost the chance of the greater reward on the finish line. If tired and disappointed He promise to give us rest.

“Come to me all of you who are tired and burdened, and I will give you rest.”-Matthew 11:28 

No one left behind, in this community we journey together, we help each other. during those times that I wanna give up my brothers are there to remind me that I have people around me whose gonna help me and never leave me alone. Like Jesus he is always there to help us and pick us up so literally were not alone on this journey.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”- Deuteronomy 31:6

When I reached the Peak of the mountain the first word on my mind is Praise God, what a wonderful creation. Theres obstacle or challenges along the way but the reward is always on the finish line. While looking on the mountain that I hiked I realized that in life we focus on the whole picture or the whole view but the truth is theres a lot of stories and learning within this whole mountain.

Never give up, always aim to reach the Peak, the rewards after your struggle and hardship.We are not alone in this journey, just call on His name because He is always at our side whatever journey or mountain we want to climb. And to have this Mountain Top Experience.

Have you ever had a mountain-top experience with God? Are you ready to climb your own mountain?