CFC Leyte's spirit-filled evangelization rally

Feb 6, 2016 VSU gym Baybay, Leyte- At 7:45am , we left Ormoc for the evangelization rally of CFC Leyte. NGO-family is complete in attendance wearing the official Ablaze's tshirt for this year's CFC's theme - REJOICE PRAY AND GIVE THANKS- except for Jhaye as kids' size ran out of stock.

It is eye-catching on stage the rotating CFC logo which is improvised by my husband Joel. He really spent sleepless nights just to perfect it. He felt delighted that in his own little way, he was able to share his skills to serve CFC community through his business, Ormoc Printshoppe.

The rally started with a mass then followed by Brother Ben Cabahug- CFC Leyte Provincial Area Director- who led the praise and worship. He shared that doctors called him bionic man as his heart has battery installed it it yet it didn't stop him to serve the LORD. He is as strong as a horse as seen in the way he jumps when he sings praise songs. Brod. Raymund Bucu, outgoing provincial area head in Leyte talked about " Rejoice". He said God wants all in his heaven (Philippians 4:4-7). We should find joy in our families, our brothers and sisters in our community. We should also find joy in everything we do. Like St. Paul how is it possible in the face of a death sentence who execution is now imminent to REJOICE? To live in joy is to abide God who is love.

Joy is a virtue and a gift of the holy spirit. It all depends on one's intimate relationship with God. It is not dependent on any external condition. To rejoice is not an option, it is a command. It is our duty as well as in our own best interest to have a rejoicing attitude. Ask ourselves: why are we not rejoicing in serving the Lord. We are not to rejoice: 1. Unrighteousness 2. The flesh of ancestry 3. Our own accomplishments 4. Wordly wisdom It is perpetual command "Rejoice in the Lord always..." Our life is like a garden. We water our garden with prayer and spiritual virtues like faith and kindness .

REJOICE IS:
1. Not a mood that comes and go, but it should be constant 2. Easy when things are going well but in tough times we should also rejoice 3. In trials as well as triumphs we must rejoice 4. Should manifest itself in acts of kindness Brod. Raymund called Brod. Mike Mendoza,CFC Palo chapter head CFC North Sector to share about his CFC journey as leader. At a very young age ( 14 years old), he experienced a lot of hardship in life as working student. He was then active Singles for Christ and later on became ANCOP steward. He got married to a SFC member. They were blessed with 5 children. He believed that when you ask, you will receive. As a trader, he invested on motorcycle. The God gave him multicab then later truck. To survive, he borrowed capital from loan sharks with 10 percent per month interest. He prayed to God for a more capital to grow his business then God answered his prayed when he met his old friend and lend him money for his small business with a minimal capital.
Go forth and proclaim! The joy of the Gospel is something to be experienced , something to be known and lived only through giving it away thru giving ourselves away. Another sharer is Bro. Tony Sabino, Chapter head, Merida chapter, CFC West Sector. He said that as parent, we have to teach our children to be closer to God. Despite his sickness ( kidney failure, spends 884 a day for the medication), he still serves the CFC community. Next talk is about "PRAYER" delivered by Brod.Willie Pedida, Incoming Provincial Area Director of Leyte. He shared about the power of having a prayer warrior. There was a prayer broadcast that happened in the CFC community globally for the success of his daughter operation on uterus- stage 4 cancer. It worked miraculously as it happened two years ago and his daughter is now cancer-free.
He said that prayer is our communication with God. Old testament models: Abraham- walked in the presence of God, Moses from burning bush lingered in conversation, David the kings after God's own heart was the shephered who prayed for his people and Jesus our model of prayer. - most important events were accompanied by prayer. All his life was in constant communion of love with the Father. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God. Canticle of Mary- luke 1:46-47 her prayer was characterized by generous faith and offering of her whole being. Levels of prayer include 1) Vocal - associate the body with the interior prayer of the heart 2) Meditation- a prayer reflection that begins with the Word of God-step toward the union of love with Christ 3) Contemplation a simple gaze upon God in silence and love. Prayer is not simply an activity but a relationship. The call is a transforming union with God. Talk to God like a friend. Important points to remember 1. The Love of God 2. The wisdom of God 3. The Power of God
We were not able to finish the rally due to my daughter's ballet practice.

It was a very meaningful event.