Submission & Faith

I was on the verge of reopening, rereading ang reviewing my daily devotional books and notes for the past three years when I came to this part, a page in Elizabeth George's A Woman After God's Own Heart Daily Devotional - which made me evaluate my self as a wife for the previous year 2013. 

Submit. Submission. Submissive wife. Allow me to go into the details of my marriage with Rex.

Fortunately, the heavens blessed me, good Lord, I married a man who has the same faith like mine and we are both Pastor's kids - reasons why we came to know each other. After we tied the knot, it was when we discovered we have a lot of things in common. We are both homebuddies and we can sustain long hours to days staying inside the house just lurking in bed and in the sofa, watching movies and drinking tea. We hoard books because we always find time to read and we love dogs. We like mountains, rivers and trees and we at most consume farm produce and fish. We always eat but we do not eat to be full. We are hooked with sleeping. I mean, we sleep a lot particularly on days where there's no work and the children's school declares a holiday or no class at all then we sleep and sleep and sleep. We love reading the Bible and we prefer quite times - apart! We do family devotions with the kids but we pray separately in bed. He prays for me and I too lay my hands on him head to feet.

Our roots came from the same places: Ilocos, Mountain Province and Benguet. That's why we didn't find it hard to get along with each other's families and relatives. We have almost similar home, culture and church upbringing and trainings when we were young and single that helped us big time dealing with our starting years in our God-and-man-blessed-matrimonial. But still, it wasn't that easy. 

Of all the many things we have in common, we too have numerous differences. I married a 100% choleric while I am only 50% out of it, 25% of me is sanguine and the other 25% is phlegmatic. So I have to deal with this one-word-man and he has to face 24/7 this woman hormoned by three personalities. When he talks, he talks a lot. But when he prefers to keep mum then he can do that all day. We discuss on things but he seldom talks so much about his opinions, ideas, plans and even his feelings - his emotions! There are times he'd do this, do that without my knowledge. I love details (yeah, right) and he is so generic! He is into furnitures and I dream of appliances! He gets dogs from his clients with or without breed and brings them at home and I ended up feeding them, giving them a weekly bath to cleaning their mess!  I tend to keep things at home in place and in order - clothes only, socks only, books only, mobile chargers only, keys only - but there's this one man who keeps on mixing all things and I can't just get rid of him because he owns the 50% of my house and my things and he's my husband! I married a man who's my almost 60% opposite! We're staying under one roof for more than five years now and somehow we managed to live peacefully (laugh). We wake up in the morning as a wife and a husband, as parents, as workers and we retire for the night in bed as lovers (wink). We do not sleep with heavy hearts, we talk and we pray.

Going back to the word submission. I may not be in the same situation where Sue is in (please see photo above), her partner is not a Christian and she sees it difficult to ask for his opinion about her life's direction because of that. But what did Elizabeth George told Sue? As long as her husband isn't telling her to go against the Word of God, then Sue has to submit to him because Sue is his husband's wife. And should I do it too? Of course! Not because my husband is a Christian. Not just because I am obliged and I needed to. But because it is written in the Bible and I am responsible for what will be the outcome if I will go hardheaded towards my husband. 

Fortunately again, heavens blessed me again, oh You really are a good Lord, Rex is a kind of husband who would ask me for a yes or a no when it comes to decision making that involves me, the kids and our family. I can only count using my fingers the major decisions he made without consulting me (let's even out from the major items the minor ones like bringing dogs without my consent and putting bats and snakes' meat inside my fridge!). If I tell Rex a 'no' he'd take it and that'll be a forever no to him even if I already changed my mind! No more backwards. Overall, when Rex says he can do it, he'd mean it and he would and I strongly believe he can right from the start. I am practicing the FAITH. The faith which comes from my Father to Abraham and to Moses, to David, to Jesus Christ, to my biological father and now the faith I have in God that whatever comes in our marriage, that the faith I have in my husband will be justified by the faith I anchored to my Saviour. 

Let me suggest wives to get daily devotional booklets/books from our local publishers like OMF Lit. Inc.  I always purchase a lot of them every mid year for December gift-givings. 

Visting OMF Lit Bookshops, NATIONWIDE!

yours truly standing outside OMF Lit Bookshop at Robinsons Place, Cagayan de Oro City 

I AM SO INTO BOOKS! That's me. A part of myself that was nurtured and sparked by my devoted Mother since I learned to grasp things. Thank you, Mama for the inspiration. She was a high school teacher then but gave up her profession when she married a Minister of God. And so, her teaching skills were applied to her children in the long run and now towards her grandchildren, my kids. He he he.

I've been reading English pocketbooks during my high school years and was an addict of fairy tales & story books before. Comic series of Archie & a lot more were also my fave way back then. My reading blues changed when I became a wife and a mom. I turned to home magazines and just last year started my collection of Christian & leadership books, children books, Bibles & a whole lot of arrays! 

So much about my stuff, my source of Christian Literature is the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) Literature Inc. They have their shops located in the Philippines from Luzon to Mindanao and blessed me I have one here in General Santos City where I can run to when I need to find a refuge for my book cravings. 

Just last month I aimed to visit each OMF Lit Bookshops around the Philippines and to take a pose for my HALL of OMF Lit Wall. I want to pay tribute to this group of people for being a channel of blessing in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus and promoting spiritual growth primarily among Filipinos through a publishing business.

I still have a long way to go! Of the OMF Lit's ten (10) bookshops, I visited only two (2). Eight (8) more to go! Pray for me! Pictures coming soon! Hurray! 

Music, Books and Be Merry

November 20, 2011, Sunday in the afternoon, I with my husband, two of my church friends and a classmate in Mindanao Regional Bible College (formerly AGBIM) volunteered to participate in OMF GenSan’s Pre-Christmas Sale Caroling. After church service, we eagerly prepared ourselves for the three-hour experience.

My husband & I

Robinsons Place was packed with people doing their shopping and dining with  friends and families. The mall held Jollibee's Jollitown activity so kids were seen everywhere in their fairy tales and cartoon character outfits. The movie house was fully booked due to the first Sunday of the much awaited Breaking Dawn Part I of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga. And, in trend for the Sunday’s happy commotion, the well-fired up staffs and volunteers of OMF Lit GenSan also have their own event inside the bookshop. When we arrived, book lovers already conveyed their own stations inside, scanning and reading the front, back and few first pages of what they have in hand then proceeding to the cashier for the final buy. We were served personally by Ms. Nenet Daguro, OMF Lit GenSan's Bookshop Team Leader with coffee and cookies. We also have  company from the UCCP City Church where one of them served as our program master who looks much alike of our famous young female singer Charice Pempengco. Customers gave her minute-long-stare because of her ‘borrowed’ famous face, even her voice and her tone resembles to Charice’s. Hehehehe.

    

Our host started by giving a welcome address, few lines of introduction and acknowledgements. A brief praise & worship (I and my husband tandem) followed, singing the famous old songs “We’re Together Again” and “Great Is the Lord (We Want To Lift Your Name on High)”. While a pair was singing, others were rummaging through the bookshelves. It was the last day of the 20-30% day sale and customers were buying in heaps. Books were sold at 75 Php from 225 Php! Even my husband got an 86% off on the book he eyed for almost four hours, the Surviving Financial Meltdown was priced at 575 Php but he just paid 75 Php for it! And, FYI, that same night, he finished the book.

Coffee, I mean for free were also offered to OMF Lit customers. Almost all of them meant to stay inside the bookshop for an hour while listening to the songs we played and sang, mostly from Hillsong and lyrics and songs composed by a friend. People inside (even not knowing each other personally) made conversations with each other regarding comments and information of the books they intend to read. I had observed that people who believe in God even if belonging to different religious groups and doctrines still unite when it comes to Christian music and Christian Literature. And I am one of those who are very grateful to OMF Lit for being an instrument to bridge the gap and help diminish divisiveness we have in the Christian community today – through its ministry.

There was this loyal customer (according to Ms. Nenet) of OMF Lit named Ms. Ellen who purchased thousands worth of books that afternoon. God bless her more. I believe this so, when you buy any books from OMF Lit, you are helping missionary works. And you are helping yourself too with the books you read. OMF Lit Special Sale events are great privileges to everybody especially since Christmas time is here. Books are great gifts. Some of my friends who had read my post in Facebook about the OMF Lit GenSan’s Sale also came to visit the bookshop. We, the volunteers even the staffs felt overwhelmed seeing people engrossed in reading. That’s why we were groomed that afternoon wearing the I READ shirts. Thanks, OMF! Not just that, before we prepared to go home, we were given the much anticipated freebie-time of being a volunteer – BOOKS! It took my friends almost an hour to choose from the different OMF Lit published titles. Words of gratitude were exchanged thereafter promising to inform our friends that when it comes to Christian Literature in GenSan, South Cotabato, Sarangani and even for those who are visiting, we will have OMF Lit GenSan in our directory.

GOD Bless, OMF Lit and long live! We are still waiting for more of your books, fun-filled events and a lot more of your sale and freebies! ^^,

I READ in GenSan

Almost seven months ago, I still can picture myself with my husband, three kids ages 5 (twins) and 2 and a helper making our new nest in South Cotabato a place to live comfortably and to have it as a starting hive for my partner in life in his profession. Looking for new friends, adapting to the new place, in good faith to find a good church (actually we are Assemblies of God and they have two in town so it was a decision to make), seeking information about the good schools around, checking grocery stores and the local market, enrolling myself in Mindanao Regional Bible College (AGBIM) and window shopping in malls in the nearby city, General Santos, 25 minutes away from where we stay. I first went to Robinsons Place in Lagao. My instinct was not mistaken; I’ve seen books neatly arranged in shelves stuck on walls and on the center space inside one of its store. I am a book lover and a book shopper. I always read but suddenly changed when I needed to work years ago.

Here now is OMF GenSan. I was overwhelmed during my first stop inside. The ladies who were there accommodated me nicely as well as with my inquiries. They treat people who come by not just as customers or clients but as friends. Also a plus, the colors of the walls and floor blend to the hues and sizes of what are on display making the whole setting of the bookshop relaxing and one of the nicest stores hosted by Robinsons. My first purchase at OMF GenSan was on my first visit and that first purchase made me the first or ‘grand’ winner of their R.O.B. Us 2011!

I prayed for this! This is now my daily Bible. A very help in my theological studies.

After a few weeks, I became a member of their Pastors’ Exclusives Program. Books are really great for me especially when I get discounts! (Lol) This is a privilege since my husband and I are very fond of reading. We always read. My father and my father in-law are both ministers and my mother and mother in law are both teachers, we are grateful to our parents for our early knowledge through the Bible and Christian Literature. Inspirational, theology, for leaders, church growth, love, children and marriage – books – they are a must for our family. And books are priceless possessions we can hand down to our kids, to our grandkids and to their grandkids. Books are still the best form of learning in hardcopy, moreover if they enhance and nurture us spiritually in accordance to our textbook in life – the Bible.  

Priceless! ^^,

Once or twice a month I visit OMF GenSan to buy Christian books, check on some new titles and to make chit chats with the staffs. I like the books of Gary Chapman, Max Lucado, John Maxwell, Stormie O'Martian, Philip Yancey and the Tomo series. My kids would gather around me every night as I read to them the Hiyas Series.  There will be times, I can be spotted in the bookshop once every week or if I happen to be in Robinsons Place – OMF Lit will either be number one, two or three on my list to go to along with Mandarin and the mall’s supermarket. If I’m in GenSan and my husband will text or call me to ask my location, it’ll be either school or Robinsons. And when my answer is the latter, he will then know where to look for me. I also give credit to Robinsons Place for having a roomy area for mall lovers to roam around. And the mall was also given compliments for having hygienic and clean comfort rooms and facilities. If you are planning to visit General Santos the Tuna Capital of the Philippines or if you are now in the area, get the chance to visit OMF Lit. GenSan and grab some copies of what’s hot for our souls!

my Yancey books

Waiting for Tomo 8, 9, 10 .....

I took photos inside the bookshop during one of my visits: