Freedom...

Today is Sunday...

At church, we sang Ikaw Ang Tunay na Diyos, In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found), and In Christ Alone (I Place My Trust). It was really encouraging to know that, because of Christ, I am free! I am free from the bondage of sin, from fear of death, and even from the ways of the world. I think I should fully realize that. I believe I will, by God's amazing grace. Yes, I am free in Him indeed.

We are now studying the book of Galatians. Paul is one of the people I look up to when it comes to writing and defending his beliefs and stuff. Well, because he is an apostle of Christ, every word that comes out from his mouth is inspired by God and the Spirit. He was so blessed, isn't he?

BUT...I felt so inferior today. I.N.F.E.R.I.O.R.

I don't know why, but it has always been my struggle.

Then, the Lord reminded me again that I am FREE. That includes how other [unloving and unkind] people treat you. Come on, Ara. Don't forget that! :)

I have a necklace that has a pendant with the first four lines of In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found) written on it. This is a daily reminder that I am because of Christ alone. And for the benefit of those who don't know the song, here is the text:

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

I missed blogging.

If I just have my own laptop... Nyahaha. Fine, it's a WANT and not a NEED. Pasalamat nalang ako dahil may PC pa kami sa bahay diba? Yung iba nga wala pang kuryente e. Let's be content with what we have! :) Anyway, I got back to blogging because I've been comissioned to write again by a composition major at the UP College of Music...fine, si AJ Villanueva. Hahaha.

Parangal Para sa Natatanging Mag-aaral

First time ko pumunta dito kasi last sem lang naman ako nag-University Scholar. Laging College Scholar lang ako e. Ahahaha. Pero blessing din yun no! At least natikman ko maging U.S. sa UP. Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, malayo pa ang aking tatahakin...at matagal-tagal pa. Marami akong plano sa aking buhay. Marami akong gustong gawin at marating. Pero lahat ng ito' pinagdadasal ko pa. Aking pang binubusisi ang aking mga magiging desisyon. :D

INGAT!

This goes to Pastor Nathan Hutchison, Ate Mabel Hutchison, and their 3 kids: Luke, Noah, and Chloe. :D May the good Lord bless you and your work! We'll see you again soon. :)

____________________

20feb11

free in Christ, free indeed!

~Galatians

thank God for giving me a Church that submits to Your and Your Word's authority

-ara.janelle