An event .. four years in the making
I had already experienced the LSS last year, given by The Shepherd's Flock. And as the APY ExeCom planned "The Hunger Games" Team building and recollection, I knew that Raymart would incorporate the teachings of the Holy Spirit into the program. But I did not expect the things that happened today.
We started with the Team Building activities. There were 12 stations that Ces and I prepared. Each was connected to the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The stations tested both the mental and physical aspects of our members. I felt that this was a success. We all had fun and we were able to bond with each other. It gave me an opportunity to see who had leadership potential in the group. And it allowed us to translate the 12 Promises to the members, in a language they could understand
When we moved back into Hall 1 of Layforce, people were tired and sleepy from the morning activities. I had to elbow my seat mates to wake them up during the talks. But the discussions by Pope and Raymart on God's love, On Forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and Faith, were topics which I had heard of before. These may seem so simple, even repetitive (subjects we discussed back in Grade School and even in College Theology) but they took on a new meaning for me today.
I was amazed about how they wove the story of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus into God's love and onto the discussion of the Holy Spirit. The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a God who gives His heart (to the last drop of blood and water) and the God that accepts us all no matter what, just allowed me to deepen my understanding of God's abounding love for me.
I was also amazed to see how they explained the Holy Spirit's role in the Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit is not separate from God the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit is a result of the love of God the Father for God the Son and God the Son's love for the Father. And in relation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Holy Spirit is the blood and water which flowed from the side of Jesus when His heart was pierced with a lance.
I realized that there is no conflict between our devotion and of believing in the Holy Spirit. In the Age of the Holy Spirit, this is the time for renewal. The Paraclete gives strength to our wavering faith and gives life to our ministry. It does not matter if we are a Charismatic group or a Sacramental organization. All that mattered was that we "told the world of His love" and that we allowed our Hearts to become like His.
We started with the Team Building activities. There were 12 stations that Ces and I prepared. Each was connected to the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The stations tested both the mental and physical aspects of our members. I felt that this was a success. We all had fun and we were able to bond with each other. It gave me an opportunity to see who had leadership potential in the group. And it allowed us to translate the 12 Promises to the members, in a language they could understand
When we moved back into Hall 1 of Layforce, people were tired and sleepy from the morning activities. I had to elbow my seat mates to wake them up during the talks. But the discussions by Pope and Raymart on God's love, On Forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and Faith, were topics which I had heard of before. These may seem so simple, even repetitive (subjects we discussed back in Grade School and even in College Theology) but they took on a new meaning for me today.
I was amazed about how they wove the story of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus into God's love and onto the discussion of the Holy Spirit. The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a God who gives His heart (to the last drop of blood and water) and the God that accepts us all no matter what, just allowed me to deepen my understanding of God's abounding love for me.
I was also amazed to see how they explained the Holy Spirit's role in the Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit is not separate from God the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit is a result of the love of God the Father for God the Son and God the Son's love for the Father. And in relation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Holy Spirit is the blood and water which flowed from the side of Jesus when His heart was pierced with a lance.
I realized that there is no conflict between our devotion and of believing in the Holy Spirit. In the Age of the Holy Spirit, this is the time for renewal. The Paraclete gives strength to our wavering faith and gives life to our ministry. It does not matter if we are a Charismatic group or a Sacramental organization. All that mattered was that we "told the world of His love" and that we allowed our Hearts to become like His.
Teamwork and creative thinking
I prayed that the Holy Spirit would give me the gifts of Counsel, Wisdom, Understanding, Courage, Miracles, Discernment, speaking in wisdom, and growth in my gift of tongues. All these I prayed for, so that I could be a more effective leader and minister.
As we prepared for our Encounter, I continued to pray intercessory prayers for the people assigned to me and for the APY. I prayed that God would bless us today, that He would be in our midst and that We would open our hearts to Him. As Raymart anointed me, that was what I whispered to God.
I was slain almost instantaneously. This time, I felt the lightness of just being able to let go and let God.
I began praying in tongues, even before Raymart signaled the group to do so. I was used to this... I had already prayed in tongues in Praise and Worship sessions before. But this time, something changed. I suddenly began speaking in a different language... Chinese to be more specific. I felt like I was talking to God. And I did not know what the exact words that came from my mouth meant. But I felt compelled to say them.
Our Treasurer/Secretary is also not a very emotional person. She has full-control about her feelings and is never one to show weakness, but it amazed about how she openly expressed her emotions today.
Members who I did not think could be so vocal about their faith or who could worship with such abandon, opened their hearts to Him.
Today was truly a day of miracles. I felt the whole group praising and worshipping God. It was unexpected for me to hear people singing new songs (tehillah) and worshipping in tongues. We were dancing and jumping, crying and shouting with joy.
When Raymart ended the session and spoke to us about growth, I felt so excited. I knew God would always be with the APY. I had a new batch of servant ministers who would help me build His kingdom here.
What was truly surprising for me was when our President gave a testimony. He really isn't the most "spiritual" person amongst us. He is never vocal about how he feels about his faith, since he is a logical, rational person. But this time, the Holy Spirit gave Him the gift of courage and faith to speak out in front of us all, about His encounter with God. As Pierre said, "To see is not to believe, to believe is to see."
But most importantly, it was Marce's encounter that touched me. I have been praying for this day for the longest time. I knew that she would be God's warrior, if only she was empowered by the Holy Spirit. she told us after everything that she had received the gift of interpreting tongues. She actually understood what I was saying in Chinese. Moreover, she allowed the Lord to open her third Eye and surrendered herself to God.
Today, the faith I received from my parents and the faith I read about and studied, in my head, has grown into faith in my heart. The super powers I received from LSS has grown and multiplied. I am amazed about how God continues to pour out His blessings and gifts to me, beyond what I expected. he fills me even if I think I am already filled to the brim.
This day... This recollection took 4 years before it happened. I had been proposing this Recollection ever since I became a Worship Committee Head. It was rejected again due to lack of funds or due to the fact that it was never a priority of the organization. And finally, in God's time, He blessed our organization with the right people, the resources, the right leaders and contacts, to make it happen. Everything, from the attendees to the program flow.. Made sense. I thank God for allowing me to be a part of this process of growth and renewal for our organization.
And as I continue to hunger for God, I pray that He continues to use me to bring more young people closer to His heart.
(Photos of the event were taken by Nico Balagtas)
As we prepared for our Encounter, I continued to pray intercessory prayers for the people assigned to me and for the APY. I prayed that God would bless us today, that He would be in our midst and that We would open our hearts to Him. As Raymart anointed me, that was what I whispered to God.
I was slain almost instantaneously. This time, I felt the lightness of just being able to let go and let God.
I began praying in tongues, even before Raymart signaled the group to do so. I was used to this... I had already prayed in tongues in Praise and Worship sessions before. But this time, something changed. I suddenly began speaking in a different language... Chinese to be more specific. I felt like I was talking to God. And I did not know what the exact words that came from my mouth meant. But I felt compelled to say them.
Our Treasurer/Secretary is also not a very emotional person. She has full-control about her feelings and is never one to show weakness, but it amazed about how she openly expressed her emotions today.
Members who I did not think could be so vocal about their faith or who could worship with such abandon, opened their hearts to Him.
Today was truly a day of miracles. I felt the whole group praising and worshipping God. It was unexpected for me to hear people singing new songs (tehillah) and worshipping in tongues. We were dancing and jumping, crying and shouting with joy.
When Raymart ended the session and spoke to us about growth, I felt so excited. I knew God would always be with the APY. I had a new batch of servant ministers who would help me build His kingdom here.
What was truly surprising for me was when our President gave a testimony. He really isn't the most "spiritual" person amongst us. He is never vocal about how he feels about his faith, since he is a logical, rational person. But this time, the Holy Spirit gave Him the gift of courage and faith to speak out in front of us all, about His encounter with God. As Pierre said, "To see is not to believe, to believe is to see."
But most importantly, it was Marce's encounter that touched me. I have been praying for this day for the longest time. I knew that she would be God's warrior, if only she was empowered by the Holy Spirit. she told us after everything that she had received the gift of interpreting tongues. She actually understood what I was saying in Chinese. Moreover, she allowed the Lord to open her third Eye and surrendered herself to God.
Today, the faith I received from my parents and the faith I read about and studied, in my head, has grown into faith in my heart. The super powers I received from LSS has grown and multiplied. I am amazed about how God continues to pour out His blessings and gifts to me, beyond what I expected. he fills me even if I think I am already filled to the brim.
This day... This recollection took 4 years before it happened. I had been proposing this Recollection ever since I became a Worship Committee Head. It was rejected again due to lack of funds or due to the fact that it was never a priority of the organization. And finally, in God's time, He blessed our organization with the right people, the resources, the right leaders and contacts, to make it happen. Everything, from the attendees to the program flow.. Made sense. I thank God for allowing me to be a part of this process of growth and renewal for our organization.
And as I continue to hunger for God, I pray that He continues to use me to bring more young people closer to His heart.
(Photos of the event were taken by Nico Balagtas)
Happy people after the Recollection
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