On Wants and Needs

It’s difficult to have a new house. Your old things no longer look desirable.

So the lists are starting to come in.

“Ma, let’s have Wi-Tribe” (P1,000)

“Or cable?” (P600)

“I want cable!”

“Mahal, we really should replace that table.” (P2,000) “What we really need for the new house is for the boy to have his own bed” (P3,000). “I need new school shoes” (P500). “Also, hub’s health insurance” (P 1,000). “And Yana’s nanny ” (P1,000). Church’s Building Fund is due! (P1,000) “The credit chard is billing us P1,200 for the membership." (P1,200) “What do you mean our portion of the electric bill is P1,500!? (P1,500)

Sigh.

I know we are not alone here. The "I wants" are always part of the expenses. The "I needs" are part of life.

Funny enough, I am not worried.

Stressed, yes. Worried, no. Because I can always ignore the wants and just focus on the needs.

I know there will always be ways to overcome financial problems. We just came out from a very big financial responsibility, and I thought we wouldn’t be able to do it. My greatest fear is to stop the construction halfway. I was not prepared but through my family’s unconditional support and high optimism, yes we’re able to finish the house construction and live in it comfortably at the very least. By “finish” I mean the kitchen sink and toilet bowl were already in place, and with running water and tiled floor. Forget about the windows because we covered the holes with plywood.

But the debt is still a debt, right?

So we need a plan.

If we cut everything to the bone, we could pay off our loans half by next year. But that would mean no eating in restaurants, no movies, no cable, no Wi-Tribe, no additional gadgets, or major purchases all year.

Gulp.

And more importantly, giving 10% of our income, even if it looks like a stupid thing to do when you are trying to get out of debt, could be the smartest thing we could ever do. Although we were really trying our best to squeeze it in our budget, we became unfaithful these last three months. I say, we failed to handle it perfectly.

But we could do that. We will do that -- if we have to.

With debts or without debts.

He should always be part of our lives, much more our finances. Budgeting, borrowing and debt, saving, tithing and other financial topics are important, but our attitude about money is more important. Once our way of thinking about money lines up with God’s, it’s much easier to tackle the practical matters.

Need I say more?

What Are Your Favorite Gospel Songs?

I enjoy listening to gospel songs for many reasons; a few being the message, the rhythm and of course, the artists. These days, popular music is just everywhere: in the streets, on TV and radio, in cars and iPods. Why is it popular? Well, probably because texts are unsophisticated, do not make you think about their meaning, and their melody is entertaining.

However, gospel songs talk more deeply. They are the kind that moves you on the inside. As they are becoming more popular too nowadays, the choices are endless. They go from overdramatic to low key, from old fashions to christian rock music.

But so far, these are the songs that have struck me the most.

Here In My Life by Hillsong


Hossana by Kari Jobe


Grace Flows Down by Christy Nockles


Aren't they amazing? What do you think?

(Not) Boracay

You see this picture and you thought I was off to some island like the dreamy Boracay. No. I was at Wawa, Pulanglupa in Las Pinas City. It’s a place smelled like rotten fish. Really.

Wawa actually means “unfortunate”. I first saw it when our Pastor displayed few photos at the church wall. Seeing them, I think they are one of the poor people living in the city. They are separated by a floodway on one side and a dike on the other. And they need to pay one peso to cross the blackish water to go to other side. They said that dike dries up when the tide is low and becomes full again when it’s high. As a result, the soil is always wet and stench with sea water. You thought you live in a fish port. People- and dried fish- live together in this area. They have no running water and not all houses have comfort room. I couldn’t stand the smell, but they lived in it.

So, what can I—a single person—do in the face of such detestable condition? That was when our Pastor announced that we will have a feeding program there- and asked if we wanted to help. Yes, I said.



My paralysis was gone. Finally, I could do something. We went there, together with others friends. Since we cannot put kids and adults in one place, we divided them. I busied myself with 10- year olds. Hah. You thought that was easy? They are one rowdy, disruptive but happy and high-spirited kids. They are either breaking other’s ribs, pulling one’s hair, or poking another kid’s eyes. I guess our “The Boat is Sinking” game helped a lot in distracting them from killing each other.

Atty. Yu, a missionary, shared the God’s words. One can sense their need for hope and chance to live better lives. This is not the first time that such an activity was held there, and their unfailing humor and cheeriness suggest they were happy to see us.

So what have I really done? Nothing much. Except perhaps be happy that I can actually contribute, no matter how little, to a cause that that can actually change one person’s life.

Grace and Glory

If this doesn’t look fun to you, then I don’t know what does…

And if it’s not grace, then I don’t know what to call it. A couple of years ago I was asked to help with the music ministry. Though I have no formal lesson, I went for it and over the years, it has been my pleasure to sing and encourage others to worship. I gained confidence and trust because people around me make me feel that way. But until now, I feel funny to be addressed as a song leader because it wasn’t something I aspired to do; neither did I feel qualified to do.

By way of resemblance, our church, Jesus Christ Now and Forever, is no match to those that have thousands of attendees and supporters. It wouldn’t have last for 3 years without the love, mercy and grace of God. It stood its ground amidst struggles and divisions. Let’s be honest. Sometimes christians are not the easiest people to please. There are times that everyone want to do things his own way. But God, thru the Pastors and elders, made our church stays alive. Not because of best financial condition, superior church programs or solid followers but because God’s presence is here. So I speak, do not say that your church is small for God will cause people to come and help you… as God called Caleb to help Joshua… so shall the Lord bless you with people who will help in the ministry. And that He will be praised and His Glory will reveal to all.