August 24, 2012

WHEN MY SOUL WAS LONGING


IMAGE SOURCE










t has been twenty six years now since I first stepped into this Church.  Its set-up was so new and so strange to me.  I think it was the bare simplicity of the layout which has struck me as unusual, being used to the church I was born into.

I was a single mom who came in for the first time with my 9 year old boy.  My son was in third grade while I went back to college to finish my curtailed BS Accountancy.  We were renting a room for ourselves while other occupants rented bed spaces.  We preferred to have our own small room rather than share a big room with others.  One of the tenants was a teacher in a private Chinese school nearby.  

There was something about her serene countenance that attracted me.  By this time, I was in a Bible correspondence course, which sends through mail, my lessons and I would return the questionnaire I have filled out back to them.  The realization of the difference between religion and relationship with Jesus was slowly creeping in my heart.

It was timely that I was in the same residence with this teacher.  I will never forget that Saturday night we were doing laundry together.  While hanging out our washings, I began a conversation with her and then I told her that I would like to visit the church where she goes.  She was so happy to take me the next day.

My second impression of the church was the happy faces of the people, wanting to enfold me and the different kind of worship.  Joy leaped in my heart as I realized the beauty of worshipping in a bare sanctuary with only a bare cross at the center of an elevated platform occupied mostly by a set of drums and a keyboard.  I was brought into  the knowledge that it is not the grandness of the sanctuary that made worship ring out to heaven, but it was the richness of hearts joined together in utmost praise.

It was the first day of my twenty six years in this church and counting.  To join a multitude of worshipers in the Body of Christ was the best choice I ever made.  Or was it Jesus' choice?  Here I began to learn and live out what I was studying in correspondence.   

I am happily joined together in the body.  I learned the true meaning of being in relationship with my Maker and how it is to be saved.

To the teacher whose life shone out for the glory of God, I give my thanks.  Nenita, I will never forget the day that I wanted to join you in your church because I saw something different in you.  It answered all my questions then and fulfilled my search to belong.

A CHURCH IN JOY'S HOME


And lastly, one thing is for sure.  To be in the Body, or in any group, you have to JOIN first.  It is a conscious choice and should be put to action.  Come and join us believers of Christ.  Happy to welcome you!

 1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

I am joining  Lisa-Jo Baker, for the first time, with her 5 Minute Friday Community, writing about the word prompt JOIN.
This is a community who writes candidly, baring soul for 5 minutes and welcomes everyone to share a bit of her or his life journey with the Savior.


And with Ms. Kelly Martin @ Kelly's Stories.

with Shelly Miller @ Redemption's Beauty


also with
 Nikki at SimplyStriving.
 





23 comments:

  1. a beautiful story, and a wonderful testimony to God's beauty and grace and leading in your life, Lolita! You bless me. Another glimpse into your life and who He is making you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Pam. There is so much to tell. It is one thing how to tell about them, so that I can be transparent and honest, as well us how much to tell so that others can be blessed while those that comes with the story will not be offended but edified by it.

      Thank you, Pam.

      Delete
    2. I know what you mean, Lolita. I always contemplate those same things as I write on my blog... and why I don't always get as specific as I might. God can direct us how much to say...

      Delete
  2. Welcome to the Five Minute Friday community! I'm thrilled to meet you via Lisa-Jo's!

    And what a testimony you have. Enjoyed learning a bit of your heart today. Happy Friday to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot for the peek, Ms. Nicole.

      I am so happy to find the courage to JOIN for the first time.

      Delete
  3. I was teary eyed after reading your post today. It is an isnpiration and my heart leaped when I saw that you use a picture from my post as an example of a church. I was overjoyed. I wish I am there with you coz here we don't have a church like yours. I am feeding msyelf from soul from listening preaching from internet from Joyce Meyer and Charles Stanley and his son Andy. And self study the Bible and reading blogspost like yours.

    Together with my brother-in-law and my sister we share God's words to the eldely as much as possible every 14 days. And we have a prayer meeting, a small group of mainly 4-5 people every meeting. I miss the big fellowship there in the Philippines.
    Anyway you are really a blessing for all those who read your post. Happy week end sis. Lolita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much sis Joy. It is good to seek God wherever He has planted us. Continue the meetings and the sharings you are doing because God is using you and your brother-in-law. You have a ministry. We will pray for a Church to grow where you are. One that teaches what the scriptures say.

      Blessings.

      Delete
  4. By the way sis, pano ba gumawa ng button badge?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will show you and I will email it. Sobrang bagal ng connection ngayon.

      Delete
    2. I got you emails, pero di ko makareply, ayaw gumana sa email ko. Anyway, I saw what you made. the picture. Thank you so much When it comes to computer I am zero. You ask me to grab my badge,I need the procedure kung pano ko gagawin. pano ba mga grab? hi hi

      Delete
    3. Joy, wait lang after ko magawa ang payroll namin, I will show you how to do it, ok. Nasa dashboard lang yan.

      Nabasa ko ang sagot mo. I was hesitant kasi ang email nyo pala sa Norway ay iba. I thought yahoo or gmail ang host nyo.

      Delete
  5. Lolita,
    I am so glad to read this story. Twenty six years ago, you were a single mom with a 9 year old boy, renting a room, continuing with your university degree... and Jesus found you and brought you to Himself, through a God sent vessel named Nenita... what a glorious story this is to me.

    Wherever we are, indeed if our hearts long for Him, if we seek Him, He will cause our spiritual eyes to open and see the truth.

    Thank you for sharing...

    Much love
    Lidia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Sis Lidj,

      I am gonna visit your blog today. I was not around computers during the weekend. And another holiday has just passed us by.

      Anyway, thanks for reading my redemption story. Yes, He wants us to seek Him. Even if He has to let us go through painful experiences if that is the only way we would notice His call.

      Delete
  6. Lolita! How wonderful to read your story of finding a relationship with Jesus, and of the difference he showed in Nenita's face, drawing you to him! It sounds like you have joined a caring family of believers to grow, learn and serve in too.

    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jen.

      I was thinking of how you wanted to hear or read about my testimony. This is one part of it.

      Delete
  7. by the way sister, nagaral ka ba ng computer course? since you know a lot? me kasi, natuto na lang ng kappindot, pero don't know much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sis Joy, ako kasi masyadong matinker. When I was in Multiply.com, I made blog themes. Kaya marunong din ako ng CSS or yong codes para sa layout ng page. Tapos nag-aral ako on-line ng mga HTML with the help of some Filipino on-line friends. I am sad kasi mag-koclose ang Multiply to social network at maiwan na lang ang online sellers. Kami lahat ay lumipat sa Harmony. New CSS codes, mag-aaral ulit. He he he... Techie Lola ako pero not all tungkol sa web.

      Accountant ako, at ang work namin ay nagiging madali because of the computers. Ang worksheet ay sa PC na ginagaw. It is a good thing-this side of the computer generation.

      Delete
  8. Wow, kaya pala marunong ka ss. Maybe i have to take computer course, pero di ko alam kung sam ko kukunin oras. Hi hi. Thanks for your effort in helping me. Bless you sister:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OK LANG YAN, FRIEND. Ikaw naman ay magaling sa crafts at nakita ko sa mga cards, stuffed toys at maybe needle works mo.

      Delete
  9. Thank you so much sis Lolita for the detailed instruction. I did it. thanks to you. now I have it in my web page. Bless you sister for the effort and the time you spent doing this for me. I appreaciate it very much. God bless you more sister:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't mention it, Joy. I will gladly help you if I have the knowledge and capacity to do it. After all, are we not to share what we have because our Father gifted us with those?

      I love you in the love of our Lord, dear Sis Joy.

      Delete
  10. Lolita-
    Your precious words simply match the Glowing Beauty of that church.

    God knew exactly where to lead you~~~ now HE is guiding you toward other "writing" experiences. What a way for you to grow and share.

    People are in for a very special TREAT--its called LOLITA!!

    sorry I have been absent from your blog---had some really tough Pain days and Matt has been hurting with his back too.

    Today we took our FIRST trip out of the house in a long time!!

    We drove around, looking at churches.... I know-go figure!! But there is such a calming feeling to step inside a church that is silent and empty of people--its just you and the Lord.

    love you, martha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Martha. When I was in my teens. I love the sanctuary of an empty church. I kneel down and talk to God with only the chirps of birds flitting around the stained glass windows.

      I am so happy to know that you have the outing. I missed to go to your blog too. I can't have a hand on on holidays and off days.

      GBU!

      Delete

Thanks for your company. I am glad you are here. Your encouraging word is appreciated. It brings joy like a cool breeze on a hot day. GBU!