"A Time for Everything" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

"A Time for Everything:

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace."

A couple of weeks ago, struggles came in and frustration drifted down the river of life and came on my path to check on me. Its one of those moments for about a week where I don't even know what to do and want to give up. But really! Give up? I don't think so. In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon saw something that out of his mouth came out words of wisdom. "A time for everything!" He summarizes about how life is when he looks at it. There's a time for things and the opposite of it. What else is there that doesn't sound so "wisdomized?" There is a time for struggle and a time for peace. A time for hardship and a time for "softship???" You put the words that best describe the opposite of hardship. Yesterday, while I was at Church I had this passage on my heart, thinking of what God is doing in my life. I thought of how things are happening and where am I standing. I thought to myself, "are there really different times for everything? If there are, then when will I wait? Is it going to take long to wait?"
How should we react to these things when they come to us out of no where? I believe God is just amazing as He works throughout every believers life. Think about it. When I was young, I would always laugh so hard that my mom would scold me and tell me, "watch it, because now you're laughing so hard, and pretty soon, you'll be crying!" My mom was too wise. I was laughing and enjoying my time with my brothers and soon we got into arguments and fights and someone would be crying. Guess who was that! But I took what my mom told me. I remembered how she was saying things and I believe her. Eventually, it became my phrase. I realize that things work that way. There will be time when we have so many goods and wants, and there will be times where we will need some things that are valuable. There will be times that we will be prosperous and there will be time where we will need things. SO WHAT? Does that mean LIFE will be the same as it is?
I had struggles in my past weeks and I'm expecting them everyday. We all have struggles everyday, small things to big things. However, we have hope! Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." That is amazing. The Bible has so many wise words that are so "wise" that can tell you so many things and even comfort you! God is amazing.

Glorieta

Two days have passed in New Mexico! Glorieta has been a wonderful ministry to me and the people who are here. I've enjoyed so many things that have happened. Worship, community group, seminars and so many more. God placed me in a place that I had no idea that it will have an effect on my life. So many things to do here. The last two days I was I've met great people of God who loves God so much and they have been here for so many years because they want to help those who are in need and lost. Not many people who are here are saved but God is working in these people's lives.

I've been touched with the songs and the message of a preacher who incredibly deliver a great sermon. I've seen so many things that have happened here and that God is just at work. Last night we had a great service, people were going to the altar to recommit their lives to Christ, and even some people gave their lives to Christ for the first time. It is so amazing and God is just powerful. These past two days have been exciting for me and I am glad that I am here.

"Independent but depending on God"

So far I am in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I must say it has been a terrific trip for me. Although sitting in one sit in the air for more that 15 hours is killing in the rear. But safely, I am in the destination that I am in and I owe it all to God. He wanted me to come here and He provided safety and protection. Even guidance. On my way here, I met this guy from Maui, named Alan and he seem to be pretty cool. He got the info for where we are going and I am so excited. God has so many things for me here and I can't believe I am in the States again. Two in a row? God has some amazing things in my life. I love it!

Decisions, Decisions, Decision!

We all live by our decisions that we make everyday. As soon as we open our eyes in the morning our minds make the decision that will determine who we are each day. We wake up and we make so many decisions-either good or bad. We choose to do the right thing or we choose not to do the right thing. We make sure we look good for others that watch us, and we make sure they speak good about us. But some decisions can be difficult to pick. Some are dangerous and some are just plain simple.

Everyday I wake up with a decision to try and make a difference. Either I make a decision to contact my friends or family, or just go with what the day has for me. But really? Does the day have something for me or am I just being silly? Should I choose not to do anything and be bored? Am I choosing to be bored or is it just the day that is boring? I've realized that there are many things to do in this world and they would never run out. I just have to make the right decision and stand and do those things. HMMMM!?!?!? So what are you gonna do? Make that decision now!

"Standing in Someone's Shoes"

Yesterday a group of student and I went to Venice Beach in LA. We had a tour on the beach looking at unusual stuff and people that have never been seen in a place where I lived. Well, here is the story: We were walking around and as I look, there were a lot of people who were poor, homeless, and "freaks." Made me think how are they doing in their lives. I mean, I saw how they were just doing weird things. My friends and I were watching weird people who did weird things. We kind of giggle and laughed so much because it seemed to be funny and ridiculous. I had weird feelings just starring at them. However, deep inside my heart and mind, I thought, "How does it feel to be in these people's shoe? What are their feelings? How do they leave everyday like this?" I felt so sad. I saw a man just sitting near his small market, and he had a water bottle and he was just sitting and waiting. Waiting for someone to help or give something. I thought about my life and this man's life. I live in a well and comforted island where I may starve, well just because I may skip a meal, but that doesn't count. This man had not eaten for days or weeks. I was not able to take a picture so you would see what I am talking about, but if you could only imagine how hard it is for some people who are actually leaving in a place like that and just suffering.

I took that very special moment and I saw and I imagined how much the person is suffering. Not only him but there quite a few that I saw. And that's not it. There may be one that you saw somewhere else. And there are a lot everywhere.

Yesterday was a moment of fun for my friends and me yet I keep thinking about how that person who was sitting and waiting could wait any longer. How long will he wait until he has his next meal?

"Frustration makes you frown, Salvation makes you smile!"

This is kind of awkward but I learn in the ministry that I am in, frustration always arises in practices. Struggles, hard decisions are being made, cooperation are kind of optional, and the very reason for the ministry becomes less and less important. We tend to lose focus on the very reason why we do things in ministry. We get irritated and think of negative things. In the Bible (in my own perspectives) the foolish will always make the wrong decisions. They will think that they are the reason for the ministry. They will think that maybe giving up is not an option but a must. I had my own experience of wanting to get off from the team I am with. I try to think of negative ways that will make me more angry and want to kick myself off the team. One thing I forgot was the commitment and responsibilities that I was committed to. All the things that I was thinking of in a good way for the ministry. Especially, how God choose me for the team. Not me choosing the team or the group for the team but God. The same God that you and I worship everyday. I think of the reason why I am here, in LA and for that very same reason I got in Guam is still the same reason I should have in ministry. Why am I being part of the group God had assemble? Why am I here when I can be somewhere else doing something? Because God wants me to do what He wants me to do. He wants me to do the work that He has prepared. He wants to use me. I am glad for my Salvation in Christ. Because it is in Him, it is Him that I live for. Paul speak this in Philippians that it is no longer him that lives in himself but Christ. "For to me is to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Amazing how Paul speaks of how we can put aside all our anxieties, all our frustrations, all our giving up and giving in, and just look toward Jesus. I experience these things on special occasions and things such as rehearsal for a ministry. Often people will want to give up and stop for many, many reason.

How about you? What have you been challenged today? Which side will you take?

Hint: Always Smile for Jesus!

Let your: "Yes be Yes" and "No be No!"

In my island, making decisions comes after you have responded to a person. It is easy to say yes to a person just get rid of but its hard to say no. Although sometimes the truth is, we all forget what we said. However, it all depends on the situation, who you are talking to, what will happen, and if you are in a hurry, then it happens.

For example, one of your classmate from high school back in the days found you in a store somewhere in the island. This person notices you but you didn't really recognized him/her. This person had a party coming up this week. The person thought of inviting you so she/he approached you and told you about it. At that point, you are very nervous but you don't want to hurt his/her feelings. Finally, he/she starts to talk about the party and the person wanted to invite you. Now this is where the situation happens. You feel like you don't want to hurt the person's feelings, you don't want to let the person feel rejected, so you just say yes. Although that was not your final decision, it was just an answer either to make the person feel better or to get rid of him/her. In a way its bad or good. But it all depends on how you deal with it. But that's not the end. In the long run after your response you start to think about it. You think of things your doing on that day, or other things that comes to your mind. You know you said yes to your classmate, but this is where you get to make the real decision. The real choice of whether to go or not.

I grew up doing the same thing. Sometimes I say "yes" to people just to make them feel accepted. Sometimes I say "yes" to people just to get rid of them because I have something to do or just because I'm nervous. Sometimes I say "yes" because I really mean it and I want to spend time with the person. Usually it's hard for me to say "no" to things. What do you think?

Speechless!

John 15:7 "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." These were the very words of Jesus when He was here in this world, explaining how we can live a life that we can desire when we abide in God and God alone.

It was a night of nervousness and scariness. I wanted to go to this trip so much and I can't think of anyone who will support me and help me with my ticket going to the "STATES." Although I had faith in God and I know that He will provide, the night was still silent and inside of me, was quietness. I slightly went to my bed, covered my feet with my blanket and then faced down I prayed, "Lord, if it is really and truly, your will for me to go on this trip, you know that I have a ticket that is needed to be paid. You know all things, and you know what do I need in order for me to do the things you want me to do. Father, if it is truly your will for me to go, then give me a sign telling me that I will go. Pay my ticket, Father God. I will give myself to you, and for you to use me in any way you want me. I desire to serve you and for you to use me as a tool." Then I went to sleep. The very next day, I was hanging out with my friend, Jen, under a mango tree on our campus. We were discussing some issues and for some reason Steve, one of our Staff member from school, came to where we were hanging out and was telling us something (I couldn't remember) and then the discussion went on until we ended up talking about how my ticket was going to be paid. Jen, who is my best friend, told him about some people who were going to drop some money for my ticket that afternoon. I had a certain amount of money that was needed to be met in order to pay my ticket. My friend, Jen, told us that some people were going to pay almost or maybe half of the payment. Yet, still I needed more. Well, the excitement starts here. When Jen was done, Steve told us that there were some people who will pay half of the payment and someone saw the post that was made on "FACEBOOK" and wanted to donate some money for my ticket. And that my ticket is paid. Its finished. Its done. In that very moment, the moment when I looked back to my prayer that night, the moment that I was so struck as if I was hit by something, the moment where I couldn't say anything, I was just overwhelmed. Not only that God had provided but He hears me. He never turn aside, He never complain. He does what He does. I was just sitting there under the mango tree, overwhelmed, and speechless. Jen looked at me and was amazed. We were all excited and was just praising God.

Many times we think God does not listen to us. Many times we think God does not know what we want. Most of the time we speak to God and talk to Him but we don't listen. Yet, He still listen to what we say and what we do. Many times our ears our closed but our mouths are open telling Him what to do and not to do. How have you been with God lately? Are you asking and listening? Or are you just asking? Give God your ears today.

Newbie

Hello! My name is Leeman Sebastian. I am a Palauan. I live in Guam right now. I don't know what to say next. I'm just trying to be a normal person but soon I'll be abnormal. But Hey! Life is Good. With Christ I'm happy.