Ablaze

a·blaze  [uh-bleyz]

1.  burning; on fire: They set the logs ablaze.

2.  gleaming with bright lights, bold colors, etc.

3.  excited; eager; zealous; ardent.

Truly the fire of God's love continuously burned last Friday, 23 November 2012, as the Couples for Christ United Arab Emirates celebrated its' 20th anniversary.  With the theme Ablaze, the whole CFC-UAE community was on fire - not only because of the heat of the sun :) but really the fire of brotherhood and sisterhood were burning.   

 

 The celebration started with a mass celebrated by the secretary of Bishop Paul Hinder of the vicariate of Arabia, Fr. Gandolf.  After the mass, the top leaders from Manila, gave short messages for the anniversary.  

Fr. Gandolf

What struck me most was when one of the top leaders from Manila said "remain faithful despite the storms shaking the community".  I have had dry moments in almost seven years of service in the community of Couples for Christ - Handmaids of the Lord.  I also had my "doubting Thomas moments"  especially when things in the community are not going the way it was planned.   But then again, i asked myself, "Who do I serve?"  Indeed, Time Spent with God..is Time well Invested!

Sis Nina and Roquel Ponti

Sis Nini and Melo Villaroman

  After the mass in St. Mary's Church, Al Ain, U.A.E.  All the brethren wen to U.A.E. University in Al Ain.  This is about 10-minute drive from the church.  There were presentations from different family ministries of CFC, parade, relays, photo booths, flea market, food stalls and games.

CFC Handmaids of The Lord Dubai dancers

Despite the strong heat of the sun, we all enjoyed feeling the warmth of God's love during this event.

Happy 20th Anniversary CFC United Arab Emirates.

Moves like Jagger

Maroon 5 has a song entitled “Moves like Jagger”, which goes something like this.

Maybe it's hard
When you feel like you're broken and scarred
Nothing feels right
But when you're with me
I make you believe
That I've got the key

I’ve got the moves like Jagger

This song talks about a guy who wants to impress a girl who had been through brokenness and felt nothing is going on right in her life.  He is making the girl believes that with his moves, he is like Mic Jagger, the knight of rock and roll.  The guy here imitates Jagger so that the girl will trust and believe that he is the one for her.

Jesus never give empty promises but He truly is the key.  He heals the brokenness in us and takes away the scar. 

Since I joined the CFC-Handmaids of the Lord in Dubai six years ago, I chose to follow Jesus.    It was never easy.  Turning back from  my old self and forgetting the hurts, the pains and the struggles I had gone through was really tough.  I have been broken hearted, scalded and scarred several times but Jesus made me whole again and again. 

With the overflowing peace in my heart that I gained from following my knight, my bridesgroom, Jesus, I never stop sharing and proclaiming His greatness to others through the way I live my life.  As I follow Jesus, I have the same values He has, same ways, same love to my neighbor and can truly say that “I’ve got the moves like Jesus!”

@ the dubai creek park with my sisters in the CFC Handmaids of the Lord

Untie the knots

Dear God,

Please untie the 'knots' that are in my mind, my heart and my life.

Remove the have-nots, the can-nots and the do-nots that I have in my mind.

Erase the will-nots, may-nots and might-nots that may find a home in my heart.

Release me from the could-nots, would-nots and should-nots that obstruct my life.

And most of all, dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life all of the am-nots that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought that I am not good enough.

Loving and Letting Go By Jason J. Boys

      There is dignity in not giving up on someone you truly love. But there is

      more dignity in letting them go so they can experience better love. That

      shows your true love because you then become unselfish And through

      putting others first, unconditional love grows. 

      There is respect in fighting gallantly to win someone's heart another time

      But an even greater respect comes from fighting hard and knowing when

      to stop. Even though you would give anything to have the past back, That

      person has touched your life in a way That will make your future so much

      brighter. 

      Accept that, and hold your head high Knowing you have captured their

      heart as well. 

      There is courage in allowing your heart to hurt and grieve But there is

      greater courage in knowing it will be scarred But stronger as time goes

      on. For whoever caused those scars has made your life better in some

      way And it will make you a better person when you marry Because of

      what the scars taught you. 

      Losing the person who meant the most in your life is a humbling

      experience, Yet it is even more humbling if you allow it to run your life

      And forsake all you have been blessed with When you feel like you have

      lost your world. 

      Remember how many people depend on you and who you are the world

      to. There is fortitude in holding on for another chance Although an even

      greater fortitude comes from extending your hand And heart in friendship,

      realising you will still share things with that person No one else ever will. 

      You will always have the looks and jokes and memories. Don't ever

      discount how special those things are in your heart and theirs. True love

      hurts when it is lost But an even greater love grows inside you through

      realisation That something better is in the world for both of you. 

      And that there are still things to share with that person, Even though some

      feelings may have changed. Take their hand and help them achieve their

      hopes and dreams Because in that there is dignity, respect, courage,

      humility, fortitude, And the unconditional love that will continue to grow in

      both of your hearts.