CbJCB:
"What's in a name? Have you ever wondered just what it is?"
I borrowed and changed a line from the old song from the 80's generation,by Gilbert O'Sullivan "What's in a kiss?" or in this case, "What's in a name?" Let me tell you that it makes a world of a difference to be known by your name, it gives some personal worth to the person. I will link this story to my previous post where I shared that I was born again in 1983 and, since then I never had the proper growth in Christ due church-hopping or changing churches every year or two. Why ? Because, coming from a poor background, I was deprived of self-worth even by my own family. I personified what JESUS loved, the last, the least and the lost all rolled in one. This list is first in the heart of JESUS, and for this reason HE came.

As a baby Christian, I began attending a Southern Baptist fundamentalist church, where I seemed to be invisible, nobody knew me,let alone, my name. Later on, I realized it was partly my fault because I was being sensitive,or I expected much from people or, I didn't come regularly to church, back then, I wasn't yet fully aware  .  . .  I kept on changing churches until GOD planted me in Icfrome here in Italy. The growth took so long and so much,but it was worth it. Actually it's not ICfrome per se,that made the difference.It's the fact that Christ is my personal coach, that I wasn't aware of before. That HE literally trained me to open up more,everytime. It is the first time in my church experience that I have been called and known by my name, our Pastors, associate Pastors, ministry leaders,ministry teams, know me by my name.The LORD,also opened up opportunities for me to serve in the hosting/welcome team, and recently I got enlisted also in the kids ministry.Thankfully. In the same token,I've known these wonderful ministry leaders in icfrome,their smiles bright as they are, couldn't do justice to the wisdom of CHRIST that emanates from them ,and their passion in serving,in humility. They are actually the first church people that called me by my name,along with our lead pastors.I thank GOD for them.

First time, since 1983 that the Word of The LORD in Psalms 92:13 manifested in my personal relationship with my Lord JESUS. To flourish,to grow.

"Those who are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish in the courts of our God."

Let it be clear, it's all HIS work in me or, in us, and only all of JESUS.Even,the strength,the will to do HIS will in our lives,everything is about and from HIM.

So what's in a name. It's the person that CHRIST loved very much,that HE died for and accepts into HIS family. For this reason, in the gospels, JESUS personally knows people and personally calls them by name;

 'Martha, MArtha you are troubled about many things..' (Luke 10:41),

Lazarus come forth! (John 11:43), '

Zaccheus come down,I must stay at your house today.' (Luke 19:5),

Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?  (Acts 9:4)

The Lord called Samuel and he answered here I am (1 Sam. 3:4)

 Tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus is going ahead of you..' (Mark 16:7)

Jesus teaches us the importance of knowing and calling people by their name. It is our name that carries our identity,our person.
And I have learned and still learning,to know and call people specially, the newcomers and visitors in our church, by their name.More than that,I smile and try to reach out to people because I understand how it feels to be ignored and rejected. (I used to be an ultra-shy person, having suffered from inferiority complex)

I'm really in awe about this GOD Who is All in All, and rightfully so, HE is the Great I AM.There is absolutely no way to explain and describe this GOD; Holy yet humble, All-Powerful yet loving, Sovereign yet merciful, All-knowing yet faithful  . . .and that HE is madly in-love with the last, the least and the lost.

WORD of Wisdom:
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,you did for me.
(Matthew 25:40)
Prayer of Salvation here.

I would start by greeting everyone a very blessed Christmas! I really pray that GOD pours out overflowing blessings to fill every need in your life because HE, our GOD is not only that good but infinitely rich and,above all HE loves you incredibly much.



And HE really loves you, for the sake of those who don't know yet, this love has been demonstrated by JESUS' birth , suffering, death and resurrection. HE is mighty proud of you just like this human father, when somebody complimented a boy performing as a beatboxer in a world renown choir from Lee University  Voices of Lee. Can you see how proud HE is? For me it reflects the joy of our Heavenly FATHER over you, over each of us. In the same manner we see in Job 1:8 GOD is mighty proud of HIS servant Job, in a divine sense. HE really loves you as if you are HIS only son or daughter. I believe this and I feel this. I know that HIS love is inexhaustible and so vast that HE can love everyone so much. HE is every ion (if HE per chance, ever consists of one) hydrogen-bomb explosion of love. Actually there is no way to express HIM,as Love. But maybe we can multiply this fleshly father's love for his beatboxing son, a thrillion, a zillion times and it won't even come close to GOD's one ion of love. HE loves you so much. HE's waiting to hear your voice in prayer.

 HE is everything you will ever need in your life. HE is your Loving FATHER Who is in heaven, but HE isn't satisfied to stay up there, HE indwells each of HIS children. HE wants to be in you, never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Do you need healing in any area? Be it financial, physical or relationships? HE is your healer. (Exodus 15:26) or Help in anything ? GOD loves you. This is the foremost reason of this life.
Merry Christmas and GOD BLESS you Tremendously!

This morning is the first of a 5-day English Summer School Program offered freely by my home-church, International Christian Fellowship;whereas the same program costs as much as Eur 150 per week, per child in a regular school. I wanted to enroll my daughter in a regular catholic-sponsored summer school in our area so she wouldn't get bored but she had been looking forward to ICF 's English school because she had bonded (so) well with many kids. So, this morning it had been easy to make her get-up, she was even singing inside the shower, (she tie-coiled her hair on both sides like the star-wars lady and slept on them the night prior) and she did her hair on her own. When we got to the church,I observed how excited she was as she sang and jumped up and down to the gospel songs which she was already familiar with. At home she was ecstatic as she related their activities and was even jealous that somebody drew better than her.

The main point is that,she was always the one demanding that we go to church otherwise I would get blamed.This is the second year our daughter is attending the ICF summer school program.

Now, flashback to October 13, 1983 the day I was born again,my spiritual birthday. I signed my personal covenant with GOD  in a southern baptist or fundamentalist church in Manila's (Philippine capital) university belt area. I learned so much about GOD and the greatest hymns, and supporting my faith through good works.my first steps in my Christian walk. But then it wasn't long before I left the church due to indifference among the members which is comprised of mainly young students, even though I enjoyed the Pastor's style of preaching.Then I learned that there had been a break-away group and the Pastor that I liked started a full-gospel church which I eventually joined. Then I found my first job which afforded me an independent 'single' life and mixing with happy go-lucky people that,meant backsliding for me. In short, since my spiritual birth, I jumped from one church to the next, hampering my growth and relationship with my Lord JESUS for many years. Then GOD led me Italy where I started from scratch, with no job, no money,nobody for a friend, no means to almost anything. But I/we met a family-clan of fellow-Filipinos who hosted us,fed us and helped us for many months until we were able to stand on our own.Year 2002 I found International Christian Fellowship,about the same time that I met an Italian man who eventually became my husband.ICF became our homechurch up until we had our first and only child,who on her third month of life 'played' the baby JESUS in ICF's 2006 Christmas Nativity scene. Since then, yes there had been a few minor and negligible problems such as bickering,indifference,pride and other forms of immaturity,in this church which challenged me to change church yet again.

Now GOD made me realize that, every church is made up of imperfect people like me, trying to live out the mind of CHRIST. GOD showed me that  the church I'm looking for ,will only begin to exist as soon as we change this corruptible bodies to an incorruptible one. I believe it is GOD Who has planted me and our family,here in this church.

The first time that I stayed so long with one church, not necessarily of my own choice. Personally,I find some church-mates who are not exactly 'like-feathers' with me or vice-versa, but I know in spite of our differences,that GOD understands where each of us is coming from,especially me.In the same token, there are also many members here who make ICF church worth attending. Each of us is different and the best thing we can do is not look to each other but Only to JESUS.
 I remember when Peter was curious and wondered (or made a comparison?  about John, in John 21:21) JESUS told Peter 'What is that to you? You follow me.'  As if emphasizing, not to bother about others' business, but our 'business' is exclusively with CHRIST only.

We know that the church is the House of The Father, where HE meets us HIS children. Where HE mainly houses HIS corporate blessings.Where our children are taught GOD's ways and blessed above all.Needless to say, our Heavenly Father loves each of us, and likewise as HIS church, unconditionally.

So having 'said' all, I conclude that; we will have to either (with)stand or celebrate each other's differences until JESUS returns, and praise GOD that HE made each of us unique in HIS Own image.GOD BLESS us all Tremendously in JESUS Name Amen!