I love 2724!

Disclaimer: Though I have another blog for my Friday Night Out I prefer to write all my JAG events happening on a Friday under "JAGship".

It's another Friday. August 8, 2008. While the world's eye was on the Beijing Olympics, my JAG and I were celebrating Maureen's 24th birthday @ 2724 (that's my apartment number).

Everyone agreed to call a double celebration because Sasah got promoted in KPMG as Assistant Manager. Congratulations chum! Fly higher!

I have to be honest, I was having a tough week and I really didn't know what to do with the many things going on in my life. Arrows, swords and even bullets kept coming toward me and the loads were becoming heavier and heavier. If only I could just disappear for a while or tell the ground to open and swallow me. But no matter how we try to avoid those circumstances, we have to endure, fight back and take hold of the victories that belong to us in Christ. Despite of all odds I still wanted to become a blessing...and besides it's Mau's birthday!

On my way home I dropped by the mall, bought a gift for Mau--yeah pink blouse, and I grabbed some pink balloons though Jfer was supposed to do that for me but I knew she couldn't so I did it anyway (I needed to decorate my place with anything pink.) I also bought some bite-size cookies and chips for our "session". When I got to my place, Mau and Tin were there already and the food too. So how would you decorate the place if the birthday girl came earlier than the host. We were all laughing. Mau decided to go down and bought some beverages. That gave me enough time to do her Pinky-Happy-Birthday-Poster. Klaire, Pia and Jai came after Mau left. And so did Gail and finally Sasah.

How can a JAG celebration be possible with out some photo op. After Mau and the girls had a number of shots, we decided to eat. So Jai led the prayer for her bestfriend and Tin gave thanks for Sasah's promotion. And I prayed for the food. We had a bunch of pizza and pasta, cake and ice cream, and orange juice and soda. Sarap! We all understood Jfer's commentary, " I love 2724!"


The JAG session started after everyone was full. While I had to isolate myself in the room to prepare for my sharing in the CparforJESUS event the following day, I was listening to my precious JAG unloading their burdens and revealing their hearts to one another. Hearing them, I became more confident that they can actually manage without me. Praise the Lord!

But as the shepherd couldn't resist the sheep, I couldn't help it...so I went out and listened. And rather than as an exception, it's a rule that the AGL (accountability group leader), that's me, has to share her heart. And so the floodgates were opened. I shared how my week started out and what went on after that. I told them what the Lord was allowing me to go through and how He continues to make His grace abound in my life. And the more that I get deeper in my relationship with Him the challenges are becoming even more difficult. I was breaking inside but I found comfort being with my dear girls. They gave their encouragements and Mau just preached on me. The birthday girl was in the Spirit. And she was literally crying. We were all silenced by what she was telling me. Those words where from the Lord. She told me that God has carried that cross for me and I am already set free and the enemy just so wants to kill, steal and destroy me. She reminded me of what I once told her, "the enemy will always hit you at your weakest point". And I exclaimed, "come on you girls, tell me what I've been telling you. It's time to return the favor."

After our time of prayer (and it was already August 9), we hugged each other and we felt assured. Sah didn't say much, but she held me and hugged me for a long time...and I felt better. I once again saw in them the glory of my King.

I was so glad that we always get more from what we usually expect from JAG. And God has been faithful in doing that. Our relationship becomes sweeter and sweeter. We remembered all the JAG in the world. We continue to uphold them in our prayers and we are certain that they also keep us in theirs.

I know that in my most trying times, my JAG will be there for me. You know why I'm so confident of this, because they know that I will always be there for them.

JAGship-May 30 @ 2724

I am always looking forward to Friday Night. Yeah, I am a member of the TGIF club. But this time, it's not eat out and movie time but a night with my JAGship.

Roll call. First to arrive was MAUREEN! Then, SASAH... yes, Sasah! You can't believe she's there?! Yeah, she was there (thank you Lord). Then Tin...and Jai (with a bit of tantrums). Followed by the prayer partners, Miste and Lai. Of course, our housemate, Len was there too.

We were supposed to eat out, our usual JAG detox session...but everyone decided to just stay in our apartment. And so, the AGL had to buy, at the same time, cook our meal. Specialty of the house: Bas-uy and Bangus. (Better than any food I could ever think of.)

I missed JAG...and so did everyone else.

It's been a while since our last heart-to-heart session. I can't even recall the last time we had one. The closest was the Friday before that, when some JAGmates wanted to watch a movie. But we never had a pure-heart-issue talk except that moment in the car as we were discussing Lai's worklife. Of course, the AGL always tries to talk to each one... update, update but hardly as a group... like we used to.

And so the night began with an interesting conversation by Mau and Jai...on the Hello Kitty instant noodles. Our living room became Mau and Jai's ZONE. Everyone was listening to their strife with fun and excitement. It was like watching a pingpong game. It was breath-taking! We had a good laugh... detox! It was a "fair fighting" that Mau was able to lead the prayer for the food. Ha!

After dinner, Sasah suggested that we start off with the classic "What gives you joy?" ... The last time I asked that question was year 2006. It was seconded by Miste. Two of my most trusted ones asking for that???!!! Something must be really going on inside, huh?

Jai, with much courage, volunteered to take the ball first as she shared her heart out regarding her struggles and victories in relationship with God. Followed by Sah on her faith-journey and where she's at in her walk with God. Then Miste with her relationship-realizations. Lai shared how God is molding and shaping her, as she continues to trust in the Lord. Mau was so intense in sharing her worklife realizations and her american-dream being put on hold. Tin encouraged us by her bible study ministry at work. And I shared my heart's desire and prayer for all those God has placed in my life.

It was really a night of revelation and realization as we ended up with a prayer by Lai. (Woohoooo!) It was also a night of promise--promise not to be "pasaway" and to walk rightly with Christ.

God is indeed a God of relationships.. and He continues to bring people in our lives to draw us closer and closer to Him.

I thank the Lord for JAGship...and I'm looking forward to our next session.

JAGship Christmas 2006

JAGship

Pronunciation: ‘jag-“ship

Function: noun

Etymology: modern English word that originated in THY Marketplace, Philippines for a girl-group that meets on Tuesdays

It means, “ I will continue to believe in God’s dream for you and I am going to spend my life with you pursuing God and leading others to follow His will.”

For more info, please refer to Journal Entries #6, Series 2006.

MY BELOVED,

With all my heart, I thank you, girls, for the JAGship. Your lives have been my inspiration in discovering God’s desires and purpose in and through my very life.

Thank you for teaching how to love more and to be patient in everything… Thank you for being patient with me too.

Thank you for training my heart to be stronger for others.

Thank you for teaching me how to pray some more…and for being part of my answered prayers.

Thank you for the opportunity of sharing with you God’s life-changing words, His unfailing character and immeasurable love.

Thank you for teaching me to think more of others highly than myself.

Thank you for helping me give more of myself and my God-given resources.

Thank you for believing in me and in the dreams and visions of God.

Thank you for making me see my King’s glory in your lives.

Thank you for letting me prepare you everytime you sing for the Lord.

Thank you for the delight of seeing you perform for the Lord.

Thank you for sharing with me your life-stories and life-secrets and for the freedom of sharing mine.

Thank you for the songs, the games, the smiles, the giggles, the laughters, and the tears.

Thank you for not being ashamed to cry. You all look dainty and precious but so strong in character and faith.

Thank you for watching movies with me…and for drinking coffee after the movie.

Thank you for staying up late and working overtime with me –for the Lord.

Thank you for pushing me to dance – for the Lord.

Thank you for adding graphics and tunes to my adventurous life.

Thank you for sharing the same passion in photography… “picture! picture!”

Thank you for answering all my Questions (Qs)… I know they were tough and are getting tougher and tougher.

Thank you for you unknowingly became my source of strength, encouragement and joy in so many ways.

Thank you for being my “hukbong sandatahan.”

Thank you for reading my recommended books… but I doubt if you get to finish them all.

Thank you for always making yourselves available for the King and His kingdom.

Thank you for being responsible with the tasks I have entrusted you with.

Thank you for the joy of seeing you desiring more of God.

Thank you for giving yourselves first to Jesus and wanting more of Him first in your lives.

Thank you for being my lifelong companions... and I am forever grateful for having you around and for eternity.

Thank you for accepting me, for understanding me, for trusting me, for loving me, for protecting me, for praying with me, for dining with me, for investing time with me, for believing with me, for dreaming with me, for working with me, for bearing the burden with me, for persevering with me, for being one in hearts and spirits… for holding my hand, for just being there and for everything else. My cup runneth over because of you.

Thank you for directing me closer and closer to Christ and for helping me become more and more like Him as I continue to ask for His wisdom and grace on how to take care of you…and thank you for allowing me to lead you into the path of righteousness and to the throne of grace.

Thank you for making me realized that loving God’s people is not easy and very complicated yet one of the most fulfilling and rewarding role I have been called to do.

Thank you for the friendship and for being a familiy.

Thank you for the giving me the privilege of being your spiritual coach.

Thank you for sticking closer than sisters.

Thank you for celebrating life with me.

Now, more than ever, I thank the Author of JAGship, Jesus Christ, for bring you all into my life. Thank You, Lord, for a fun-filled and a faith-filled 2006. We have left an eternal mark in the lives of others this year and I thank You, Lord, for the many lives that You will bring into our JAGship in the coming years.

JAG, words will never be able to contain how deep my love for you is but I pray that, in the likeness of Jesus, it is evident by the way I live and the way I care for all of you. If only you could see your lives right through me eyes…but more than that, I earnestly pray that you will greatly see your lives in the eyes of the One Who created us – God Almighty.

Pursue God…and live through the joy of walking according to His plans and purposes. You have me in this faith-journey and I pray that God will allow me to watch you rise to your full potential. I really pray that you will hear and live the call of God and will dream of multitudes acknowledging and accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior as you let Him use you for the expansion and extension of His kingdom.

I am looking forward, with all hope and faith, for the day when I get to see Christ honoring you and crowning you with many crowns.

May we all reflect the Lord’s love, not only today but all the days of our lives.

With much love and deep prayers because of Jesus,

Jaja,20:24

Christmas 2006

I was counting my blessings. I named you one by one.

Thank you Lord for the year 2006 with JAG.

Fighting for you

The Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God Himself will fight for you. Deutoronmy 3:21

Reflecting on.. in our fiercest battles, let us find strength, hope, assurance and confidence that the Lord our God will do the fighting of us.. and He sends people in our lives to fight with and for us..too..

I am honored and grateful to stand in the battlefield with you... knowing that you will be there for me...and the God will continue to supply me with grace and strength to be there for you..

Let's fight the good fight.. and finish the race.. let us keep the faith!

and may the Holy Spirit bring conviction into our hearts that we may learn how to truly pray for one another..

Know that whatever happens, I love you so much with the love of the Lord.