Called and Chosen - the Song

A few days before the camp meeting last April 2016, amid the flurry of preparations, God gave me the words that would become the lyrics to our theme song. The camp meeting's theme was FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS, with a special focus on the call to labor for the Lord in these last days. This song talks about God's faithfulness and wisdom shown since the Plan of Redemption was set in motion, and how today we have not just a special appointment but also a special provision. Indeed, all His biddings are enablings.

A sister in the church is also especially endowed with the gift of music, and she made the music for this song in one night. Since the camp meeting, I have made a couple of changes to the lyrics to make the grammar a little better and the message clearer. The lyrics below are the final version. I have included an MP4 recording of the song while we were learning it in its first version for the first time. The kids at church very quickly learned the music and lyrics and had a grand time singing it. Hoping to post a polished version soon. Meanwhile, may you be blessed by the message of this song.

CALLED AND CHOSEN

Your eyes pierce the future;

From the start You see the end.

The scrolls are unrav’lling,

In history I trace Your hand.

Your arm raised up workers

Just according to Your plan.

For a time such as this,

You call me and here I am.

You have called, I will answer.

I’ve been chosen; I will go

Wherever You lead me

So that others, too, might know

That my Jesus – He is coming

To take His children home.

I’ve been called, I’ve been chosen,

By Your Spirit I will go.

Everywhere You’ve brought me

I have seen Your faithfulness.

I trust provision has been made for me

For such as time as this.

Your arm raised up workers

Just according to Your plan.

For a time such as this,

You call me and here I am.

You have called, I will answer.

I’ve been chosen; I will go

Wherever You lead me

So that others, too, might know

That my Jesus – He is coming

To take His children home.

I’ve been called, I’ve been chosen,

By Your Spirit I will go.

You have called, I will answer.

I’ve been chosen; I will go,

Walk the path of the faithful,

Die to self, and live for You.

For my Jesus – He is coming

To take me home to You.

I’ve been called, I’ve been chosen,

By Your Spirit I will go.

I’ve been called, I’ve been chosen,

By Your Spirit I will go.

God be praised.

Hold Fast

(We were asked to write poems for our upcoming Camp Meeting with the theme, "Hold Fast Till I Come")

Inspiration: Sister White's vision of the narrow way

"We have hold from above!" "God holds the cord! God holds the cord!"

The path that you are travelling
to the end soon will come.
See all the signs fulfilling,
But the battle has just begun.

You will be tried and tested;
But in Me, there is no fear.
To the narrow way I have opened,
Walk in; hold fast. I AM HERE.

Hold fast My hand outstretched to save;
Hold fast the white robe that I gave;
Hold fast the faith that works by love;
Hold fast the truth, Oh, sell it not.
Till I come - Yes, I will come -
Child, I am holding you,
Won't you hold fast too?
Hold fast till I come.

Set your love on things above;
There's nothing here you can keep.
Watch and pray; trust, obey;
Go forth in tears, and in joy reap.

Now take your cross and follow Me
Into the secret place of the Most High.
When the night seems at its darkest,
Look up, redemption draweth nigh.

what i've been up to

we've been so busy this past summer that i almost can't believe it's just been two months.

early April we had our first ever Bible Boot Camp for the youth at church, and was it fun! it seems that the boot camp opened so many doors to learning that we never knew existed. we saw a glimpse of just how much we want to study and learn and teach the kids. we had classes on cooking, arts, prophecy, gardening, church history, health, and music. and the kids bonded so well and just had so much fun.

of course, it wasn't all fun for us teachers. but it was a boot camp we wouldn't mind having again next year. in fact, we'll make sure to have it again next year. i'm already starting on my lesson plan. :D

just a week after boot camp, we had our camp meeting - the most interesting part being the presence of Pastor Patrick and Dr. Diane Herbert. having them is always a huge, huge blessing to us. theme was "No Time to Lose: Be Ye Holy" which brought so much needed reminders to everyone who attended. for the young people, there was a presentation about a God-approved boy-girl relationship. there were also hydrotherapy lectures and lots of singing.

on Sabbath, we had baptism and child dedication. and the ordination of our new church pastor.

two weeks after camp meeting, we had to be ready for Vacation Bible School. the kids from the community were all excited and eager to learn. some of them come to the church grounds so early their older brothers would come fetch them so they'd get to bathe first. lol

so that was boot camp, camp meeting, and VBS - each a week-long activity. and we did it all in six weeks. God is so wonderful.

the sad parts were that one of our older members passed away just before camp meeting started. but we rest in the hope of the resurrection of our brother through our Lord Jesus. also, one of our members had a stroke during the camp meeting. he's now recovering in his home and we all continue to pray for him.

so yes, it has been a wonderfully stressful two months. and we needed to have a good break afterwards. so we retreated toward our highland campsite. more on that and the details of the summer events in the next posts. ciao for now!

The Princes and I

Vacation Bible School 2012

Revelations of Bible Prophecy Seminar

Amazing Facts is in Davao! A friend and I went out to attend last night, and it was wonderful. Last night was actually the ninth in the prophecy seminar series, but we weren't able to attend the earlier meetings due to schedule conflicts.

It's nice how the seminar makes the prophecies of Revelation simple and easy to grasp, especially for those who are hearing the prophecies for the first time. These prophecies are the warnings everyone needs to hear these last days.

They lend you a Bible for the night, but if you keep coming, you get to make that Bible all yours! Plus a free DVD that includes so many wonderful freebies. How wonderful is that. :)

If you're not able to come to the meetings, you can watch the live streaming, which is what I intend to do for the nights I can't attend. There's a meeting every night except on Mondays and Thursdays, starting with a health lecture at 6:00, followed by the prophecy seminar at 6:30 until 8:00.

More than anything, what really inspired me about the seminar was the number of volunteers working in the seminar team and the effort they put into putting the series together. It reminds me of the story of Elijah and God's assurance that amidst the apostasy of his day, there were still soooo many who have remained loyal to God.

We may sometimes feel alone in our day-to-day struggles, like no one else is going through the experience. But allow God to open your eyes and you will see the many people who, like you, are receiving His graces daily and working with Him to accomplish His will.

With this brand new inspiration, let us continue shining as the lights God wants us to be... you in your small corner and I in mine. :)