The Reflection of Life

What Is The Right Way Of Worship?

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:51:11 PDT

I was brought up in a solemn way of worship in our province. I was thought to worship God with an organ or piano instruments only in the church. My belief was on that principle only. I never had an opportunity to go to other church with a different way of worship until I went to Manila. I thought to have other instruments except organ and piano during worship service is not right.

My perspective change when I went to other churches. My mind was opened to other way of worship. I already accept any kind of worship as long as it gives glory and honor to God. I don't care what instruments churches used. Either they have remo drum at Guitar Center or other instruments I won't mind. The right way of worship is when our worship is being offered to our God Almighty...

Decoupage On The Making

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:39:43 PDT

My wife was so interested on the decoupage right now. She always watches and get some technique how to make a decoupage. Her desire is to challenge the villagers to be engage in livelihood programs and this decoupage is one of our target to be implemented in the community. I am pretty sure the people in the community will like it too. Decoupage is very suitable for people who loved to make decors. Like le cadeaux melamine dinnerware decoupage is best for interior decorations too.

This is the sample my wife made after so many try outs. Practice makes perfect.

Not Adjusted Anymore

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:17:55 PDT

Yes, Philippines is my home country... I was born and raised here... This is the country I'd love to visit more often but this time it's like another story comes. I am not adjusted to the weather anymore. During my first week of our vacation here comes the sneezing, runny nose and lastly I got a dry cough with a little fever.

Am I paying the price now? For 6 years of our stay in Thailand, I remember that I got sick during my first month and we did consult the doctor. The findings was, the change of weather. I am not adjusted with the climate in Thailand.

This time, after my severe cough and it's like I got asthma ( assuming because I have a difficulty in breathing), we did check up. At first we did home medication. First time in my life that I used Nebulizer. I need to used this to have a regular breathing. But it doesn't work so, we go for check up. They gave me medication and the doctor said, I am not adjusted to the weather or environment here in the Philippines. After a few days of medications no improvement happen so they advised for an X-ray. Finding.... Pneomonia... I got Pneomonia... and they ask for another X-ray... The first X-ray was chest and the second one is the Lordotic view. I will know the result of the second X-ray tomorrow. Hope I will be better before we go back to Thailand.

I am Protected

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:31:02 PDT

Since we bought our computer, we did secure it an anti-virus protection. It is indeed necessary to protect our computer from viruses that will harm it. I believe those who have computer has anti-virus protection too? Have you ever tried avira premium security suite for your computer? Ever since we used this anti-virus for our computer's protection. As far as my experience with this program, our computer was secured. We never changed this program. How about you? What anti-virus protection program you are using for your computer? better try this one too.

A Thirst For God

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:20:38 PDT

I believe our vacation here in the Philippines is such a timely blessing from God. It was three years ago when I had my last vacation before and God gave us an opportunity to have a vacation once again. Personally and emotionally I am exhausted... burnout and a time to be refreshed. I admit we are physically tired but we feel the refreshing time of God. I hear the message of God very clear. I felt so thirsty and hungry of the Word of God. Yes, I teach the word of God... I lead the bible study but the fact is, I need feeding too.

During our vacation here ( we still have 3 more weeks) I believe, this is the time I will seek more of God. This is the time I can have more soaking time with God. I enjoy the moment in our vacation. My prayer that God will continue to speak in me... I pray that I can hear the message of God more in my life. I need to be recharged before we go back to the field. Thank you Lord for the vacation you granted to us.

Locker Rooms In KL Central

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 02:41:40 PDT

During our trip to Malaysia and we stayed near KL Central. This place is the center in Malaysia where train stations going to Thailand, Singapore is located. A lot of establishment around KL Central Station. In KL Central there is a locker rooms provided. lockers are all secured where you can leave you things for a while. This is very convenient to some travelers which sometimes want to leave their bags secure in one place. I believe this locker rooms they provide are very important travelers and they really appreciate the idea of the management in KL Central Station.

No Songkran This Year

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 02:10:51 PDT

Last Monday April 8, 2013 we leave Hatyai for a month visit to Philippines. During our vacation in the Philippines, we will missed the yearly celebration in Thailand called "Songkran". Songkran is the most enjoyable celebration Thailand has. People goes out the street to through water to people passing by. But we ask our friends if they enjoyed the Songkran last Saturday eventually that day our place experienced rainfall so some people don't enjoy that much.

Though we missed the songkran celebration in Thailand yet we enjoyed being with our family back here in the Philippines. This is the moment we can have bonding with them. We missed our family as well though. Anyway, maybe next year we can experience the songkran again. There's still a lot of opportunity to enjoy songkran.

Started English Class In The Community

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:16:56 PDT

Last Saturday before leaving Thailand, we started an English class in the community. Their community leader were so excited to have this kind of program in their village. His enthusiasm about that program shows when he prepared their meeting hall clean, bought a whiteboard, chairs since this is informal school activities he prefer not to buy a student desks for school. But the interest he showed was being appreciated in their community for their kids benefit. It is also an opportunity for us to show the love of God in their community. Our prayer that God will open the door in that community to hear the gospel. They need Jesus too. They need to hear the love of Jesus.

My First Train Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:04:11 PDT

Yesterday around 4 pm we leave Hatyai Thailand and traveled by train coming here in Malaysia. It was a tiring trip though...lol.. We haven't avail a promo fare from airlines so we have no option but to travel by train. Actually, we have two option... we will travel by bus or train but since I haven't tried traveling by train, I choose to take this one. The train is quite fast because as what the we heard from Hatyai Train station we will be arriving here in Malaysia around 7 am but we arrived here this morning around 5 am. My first train experience is quite good. I think I would prefer to travel by bus next time.. lol...

Summer Camp In The Church

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 07:41:22 PDT

Lord willing we can attend some summer camps in the Philippines. Usually in the Philippines every summer churches here and there prepared their youth for a summer camp. there is even a family camp held outside the church. I am looking forward to attend camping even once while we are in the Philippines. Then we can prepare things, like looking for a family camping tents for sale before we fly to Philippines. I think tents here are cheaper than in the Philippines.For now, I haven't heard anything from our churches if they are going to a church camp. But I am positive that they will and we will absolutely go with them. I missed church camps, especially Filipino Christian Fellowship. Filipino has a very unique fellowship within our brothers and sisters. I longed to have it when we will be in the Philippines.

Looking Forward For A Busy Week

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 07:29:51 PDT

Actually, we've been busy this few days ago since we had a lot of activities being attended and I think this is the final busy week we will have before leaving Hatyai for a short visit in the Philippines. We are now settling few responsibilities for some people that will take charge in the ministry while we were gone. We will pass all the necessary things that needs to be done while we were away.

Next week will be the busy a week for us. We need to renew our visa before leaving Thailand. But we are still waiting for a piece of paper that comes from the Provincial office. It's bee a week now since I submitted all the required papers they are looking for. Hope it will be released within this week. Then Monday morning we can apply for renewal of visa. I need to finish my term paper too. hu hu hu... I had a hard time finishing my term paper. I need more focus. Next week we need to packed in all the things we are bringing home in the Philippines. And The following Monday we will be traveling to Malaysia. Oh, before I forgot, maybe that Monday we will attend our friend's weeding in the morning and leave by train in the afternoon. Just praying that we will not be exhausted when we arrive Philippines on April 10. I am now excited to see my friends and family back in the Philippines.

Refreshed Through Worship Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 09:27:25 PDT

Our conference was ended early this morning. I was so blessed and refreshed singing worship songs during our worship time. I felt renewed of God's presence. I seldom experience this event in our ministry. And I really need this. Singing worship to God gives comfort to me. When a wonderful and gifted musicians playing their different instruments add the essence of worship. Was it on their best pa system? Or were they professionals in their individual giftings God has given them? Whatever it was, the most important thing in me is the songs we sung that give glory and honor to God. I am very refreshed with the songs we sung during the conference.

One Week Deadline

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 09:16:04 PDT

I must discipline myself that within this week I will finish my second term paper. I don't want to be crumpled on last minute issues. Because when I am pressured I can't think correctly. I would gotten to be messed up. Then, I'd rather make myself a bit straighten towards my goal. I will be busy the following week preparing a lot of things and making it in place before we leave for a vacation to Philippines. We haven't buy some "pasalubong" for our friends in relatives in the Philippines. We have to renew our visa before leaving Thailand.

My goal for my term paper is to finish this before we leave. I need to be in a hurry knowing that I have only a couple of weeks left before our flight. With other things needs to be done, I don't want to ignore my term paper. I have to prioritize this first. I love my schooling and I enjoyed studying. Hopefully i will be on time with my deadline. Lord, please help me and give me more wisdom in finishing my paper work. Thank you Lord.

My Wife Started To Play Guitar Again

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:08:50 PST

Since my wife's guitar was broken, she was not able to play guitar at home during her idle time. She can't enhance more her guitar ability. But good thing, one of our friend left her guitar at home before she went back to America for a few months. Now, my wife stated to play guitar again and even last time during our team gathering she was assigned to lead the praise and worship time. We brought the guitar to our center and we got a problem carrying the guitar because it has no coffin case. I think we will suggest to our friend to look for a case so that wherever she goes, she can bring her guitar easily.

Kuala Lumpur-Hatyai Flight Was Booked

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:07:11 PST

Our God is really an Awesome God. He makes all things possible in His perfect way. Last week I did booked our return flight from Kuala Lumpur - Hatyai with a cheap rate. I got the Zero fare from airasia and we just paid for the fuel surcharge and other taxes applied together with our baggage. I am just thankful to God for this kind of airlines suited for us. We can visit our family with a less expenses especially airfare. We need one more booking needs to be done before we left Hatyai. our flight going to Kuala Lumpur. Just praying that God will grant us to have a cheap fare on the said route we need. We still have more than a month to wait. Hope we can get it on time.. lol..

General Cleaning At The Rock

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:52:42 PST

One of my plans this summer is to have a general cleaning at the Rock center. It will be timely to asks a helping hand from the kinds in the community since its already close term from their school. I believe our kids will greatly enjoy this moment. Maybe I can schedule it before we left to Philippines on April.

I need to prepare some cleaning tools and other stuffs for cleaning. If we got some cutters maybe we need some box cutter most likely similar to box cutter at MartorUSA.com. I think it is necessary to have that at the center to let our tools kept in proper place and for the safety of the kids too. I have to make a checklists for some tools needed so that during that day we can work smoothly.

First Term Paper: Almost Done

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:36:27 PST

Thank God for the wisdom He bestowed upon me all this time especially on my term paper. I am almost done with my first Term paper. I need to finish this in order for me to start the other paper I needed to accomplish. It is only by God's grace that abounds to help me go through of all this things. Which i enjoy though. Reading books is my passion but sometimes I felt boring too when books with a serious talks. I love reading books when it is biography or some interesting testimony of their lives. Since this time my books are all Theology readings, I find it a bit boring.. lol... But I have to make it. I am learning too...! Hopefully This weekend I am done and will start for another one next week. Help me more Lord. I need your wisdom to finished all these papers. Thank you..! Thank you Lord...!

Our Friends Need A Bed

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 07:44:55 PST

Since our friends moved to the Rock, they are looking for a cheaper beds to purchase. They were just late a couple of weeks when our office did a garage sale which most of the items being sold were beds. Since their budget is not much, they had a hard time looking for the right bed for them. They are not much particular what kind of mattresses it would be. Whether it is a like foam pad or whatever unless they can sleep on it.Hoping soon they can have one since their parents are coming. Maybe I will try to extend my helping for them to look for a cheaper beds. Anyone from Hatyai knows a cheap store for beds? Please let us know.

My Experienced With Zalora

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 07:30:58 PST

This was our first time to purchased items through online from Zalora. I thought we will enjoy shopping online but with our experienced in this online shopping store it seems we don't have any interest to do it. Just hoping that this experience will not be the same as other online shopping store has if we will try to shop with them.

Our experienced in Zalora was very frustrating. First encounter we have, was late delivery. In their policy is, 5-7 days delivery but we received the items two or three days after seventh day. I contacted their customer service but it was frustrated too. Their customer service were not helpful at all. They are not polite to their customers. The second encounter we had was, we purchase a shoes and after an hour of use, their items was broken. We sent it back but they said they can't refund because it was used already. I understand their policy but my point is.. if they have a quality item why would we return it? why was broken right away. It's like we just waste our money for nothing. They give an apology voucher though but you can claim it it you will shop with them again and the purchase limit is a thousand baht. They are very clever huh... Again my encounter with the customer service was not nice they don't know how to solve any circumstances/ problems occur with their customer. I just hope they will have a nice policy with a professional customer service. But I am not sure if we will shop with them again.

Stressed

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 06:06:14 PST

I must admit the fact that taking a seminar course entails stressful days. Aside from two term papers needed to be done before the deadline, I got a bunch of reading assignments. You have to count my daily ministry in our area. I need to get hurry to finish my required assignments before we leave to Philippines. Good thing we have a short vacation on April. So far for now, I need to discipline my self not to engaged on things that are not helpful but will add stressed.

By the way, how do you deal with your stress? I know some people want to ease stressed in their lives by having a good time with their friends through drinking. Is that really helpful? Some are somewhat addicted to smoking. They said it comforts them. When you smoke, do you prefer brand? Have you tried honey cigars? Sorry, I don't smoke so better not to ask me about cigarettes. I prefer to be with my family when I feel stress besides I am clear to what I believe that cigarettes are not healthy body intake. We need only proper or balance things in our lives.. I think this is the only secret to lessen our stressful time.

Started My Reading Assignments

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 04:54:31 PST

Now, since my two seminar class was done, I have so much to do within three months. I have some term papers to be accomplished and reading assignments. I already started my reading assignments. You know how many books do I need to read? Guess how many? One, two, three? No, I have to read at least 6 book except my four textbooks. I am also a bit worried for my resources. I have look for some books needed for my term papers. How can I make it, I am not yet sure. But I just only pray that God will be with me and help me until I will finish my term papers. That He will give me extra wisdom to accomplished my required assignments. I have to discipline myself to use my idle time into a purposeful time through reading. I need to spend more time on this matter. Lord help me please... Thank you Lord for this great privilege.

Magic Sing

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 02:20:06 PST

I remember, early year of 2000, there is a common microphone in the Philippines that every family or home wants to have this kind of microphone. They called it "Magic Sing". Since Filipinos love to sing so most of the time members of the family gather together at night for a sing along moment. Every Department Stores or Malls have a place for jamming or sing along cubicle. Friends can go jamming together during their free time. We are fond to music and singing. I am wondering if during that time there is already a shure sm58 at music123 available to use. I am pretty sure if people knew it avail it to.

No Time Roam Around Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 02:04:53 PST

To some people if they go to other places, one of their goals is to roam around the area but it was opposite on my side. I want to roam around but I have no time to do it. All my routine for two weeks were just on my place where I stayed and the place where our seminar held. I got to hurry every time to go to class and needs to be home as soon as possible because I have some assignments need to be done. I had a lot of reading assignments every now and then.

Actually, my purpose to be in Bangkok is not to see places, so I don't mind if I haven't been to some popular places in Bangkok. I believe I still have more opportunity to visit Bangkok and I want if i will go around the city in Bangkok, I am with my family. I don't want to go alone. I want to enjoy every single moment with my family. I don't know when I will be back to Bangkok but my greatest desire is to go together with my wife and son.

Styles Of Worship

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 01:51:58 PST

During my stay here in Thailand, I learned a lot especially styles of worship. The only way of worship I knew and learned from the Philippines was the Baptist way. The only instruments used in the churches are piano or organ. We are used to have a solemn way of worshiping God. But coming here in a cross-culture ministry, I learned to adopt other way of worship. Most of the churches in our place used to have a complete set of instruments. They have keyboard, guitar, drums and others. It's like a complete dj equipment being used every Sunday. Now, I love to worship God the way others do. I don't mind what kind of styles in worshiping God they used as long as they offer it to God.

Refreshed and Refined

noreply@blogger.com (Irvin Cg) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 01:38:47 PST

Our two week seminar course in Bangkok offered me a brand new refinement in the knowledge of Theology. I am a bit behind and coping many things trying to remember some of the vocabularies I learned from my Theology class last ten years ago. For a couple of days struggle I came to recover back some of it.

I could say that I am refreshed and refined perhaps thankful to God for this wonderful blessing granted to me this year. Actually I started my class last 2009 but I was not able to attend regular seminar every year due to financial difficulty. I am also thankful to God for friends and relatives who help materialized this. All the Glory belongs to God. I know that I can't pay back all the favor God has given me but my prayer that this things will be used for the Glory of His Name. I pray that God will bless abundantly those who help me financially.