The Month for Morcon

This is apprentiship by the book! He he he ... Trina is learning from Mama. As early as November this year - they were already preparing for the Morcon Home Industry. Trix would rise up very early in the morning to buy and stock raw materials needed for their Morcon project (for Christmas). You see Trina washing the "consensar". I don't know if I spelled that right. Then nagaintra man si Trin peeling the eggs and doing the stuff. As of this writing they had already more than 100 BASTONS of Morcons made! Wow!

According to the principle of HARDWORK ... they will surely prosper as they put their hands and mind doing these with joy and blessing the people with this delicious recipie :-)

A Christmas Message from Trix and Me

People Around the Christmas Story
By Joebert and Trixie Ramos

The first Christmas story contains valuable life-changing lessons that we can learn from its casts of characters. Their examples of submission, commitment, wisdom and humility are worth remembering.

MARY—A Character of Submission
Although the Blessed Mary got afraid when the Angel Gabriel appeared to her on that one fateful day of her life, and even though she became perplexed at the thought of becoming pregnant without a husband yet, she entrusted herself to God and His plan. Out of a willing and trusting heart, she told the angel “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!”
God has always been in the business of changing the ordinary to extra ordinary. He did this in the life of Mary. She was known for a heart of submission to God and because of this, He was able to use her significantly. God can do this to anyone of us. He wants to change us for His glory and purposes. What it takes is a submissive heart.

JOSEPH—A Character of Commitment
For Joseph, it was tough to make the decision to marry a woman who was already pregnant, and tougher still to father a child not his own. But after the Lord appeared to him in a dream and revealed His purpose for the child who was to be the Savior of the world, Joseph surrendered with no more hesitation.
Joseph was an example of commitment to God and His purposes. He paid the cost of such commitment, no matter how high it was. How many of us can follow the example of such an obedient, righteous, responsible, caring, loyal, and a morally protective man as Joseph? We can, if we just let Him do it in us.

The SHEPHERDS—Characters of Gratitude
The Shepherds, after hearing the choral from heaven, knew how to respond properly to Good News! They did so by rejoicing as well as thanking and praising the Lord. Let us not forget that the day Jesus came to earth was the day that changed the world. Christmas time then ought to be celebrated joyfully and meaningfully. Of more significant matter now is - has Jesus come to your heart already? If He has, thank Him, praise Him, rejoice for no matter what circumstances you are facing in your life right now, having Him in your heart is all that really matters.

The MAGI—Characters of Wisdom
We believe that God gives enough men enough light that they may search for more. This happened to the Magi. Others think that the only place God can speak to people is in “church”. It was quite different for these Wise Men. God works through the many circumstances of our lives to direct our attention to him. In the case to the Magi, they were led to the Savior through the study of the stars. They then traveled up to 1000 miles on trek as that 1st star appeared - - it took them almost 2 years to locate where the Savior was. As they entered the house where Jesus and his mother Mary were, they were led to fall down before him and worshiped him. They excitedly opened their treasure chests and gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. He is their King, God and Savior.
The Wise Men’s greatest act was Worship – and it is still the highest form of human expression. Worship is devotion to something bigger than you, something that is eternal, powerful and trustworthy. Worship is something that belongs to God and God alone.
God does not have your treasure, time, talents although He was the one who gave them to you … He does not have them to use in this world UNLESS you give them back to Him. As we give everything back to God — Worship begins. Like the Magi, let us be wise by giving ourselves to God in worship and acknowledging that the source of our every blessing is Him.

JESUS—The Character of Humility
Our Christmas Story will not be complete unless we point you to the most important character of Christmas. No, it is not Joseph nor Mary, although both of them played significant roles. It’s not the angels, nor the shepherds, nor the Magi, though their part in the greatest love story ever told taught us lessons of value. It’s not even Santa Claus, he was not even there in the Christmas scene. Let us now point you to the center of our Celebration — our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” (The Prophet ISAIAH)

Jesus was God, mighty and powerful, and yet He chose to become a baby who needed to be nursed. He was reigning in heaven and yet he chose to suffer on earth. All this is because of you and me. His was a perfect example of humility. Will you follow His example? It takes humility to admit that you are a sinner. It takes humility to admit that your cannot save yourself. It takes humility to admit that you need Jesus to be your Savior. If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus, now is your opportunity to do so. You can receive Him into your life by praying the following sincerely from your heart:
“Dear Jesus, I surrender my life to you. Forgive me for my sins. Let me be the person that you meant me to be. With you in my heart, I will obey your will and purpose for my life. Thank you, thank you for coming to save me. In your name I pray, Amen.”
“We often hear it said, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” True, but of equal truth is the realization that in his perspective, WE ARE HIS REASON for bringing this Season.”

Flying Home from Cebu - Cagayan AT THE AIRPORT

Joshua at the MACTAN Airport, Cebu. Coming home from CAGAYAN de ORO and a side trip to MARAWI and ILIGAN. We had an overnight stay at Cebu City as well. We visited his cousins both from Trixie's family and mine. He enjoyed his cousins as well as the big Metro Cebu -- although we were there for only a few hours. I'm sure we will be back through these same routes in the future. We definitely will go back to Cagayan and Mindanao and Cebu :-) He is being trained as a missionary!

Class 101

Class 101 - The Purpose of His Life was held at the Bob's Brick Pit Restaurant last month. You see here the Small Groups in action. You also see here the restaurant's excellent ambience and service. More than 35 people came to attend this FREE Seminar given to all our friends and contacts at HLM. Organized well by Sister Gigi Diosana (she is new to the Staff at HLM), we had a successful day at this Class 101. The uniqueness of this Seminar was that, more and more sharers were taking turns to explain and discuss HLM's values, philosophy, doctrine, history and etc. It was a great afternoon. Class 101's are given usually every 3 months. In the coming year 2006, we might give it as often as monthly. Why not?

Josh and Trina Attends Birthday Party of JUD

Jud, the son of our brother Ranty and sister Faith turned 1 year old. It was also his Dedication Day to the Lord Jesus. Attended by family and friends, we all had a great time celebrating and fellowshipping with one another. These pictures were taken at the 2nd Floor of the newly renovated McDonalds at 6th Street Bacolod City. For your information this McDo branch is the 1st to have a McCafe shop outside Metro Manila.

His Life - Cagayan De Oro ABLAZED

Pastor Dante and Sister Pearls shared these pictures to me this week. His Life Cagayan is growing powerfully in their Sunday Celebrations through relationship building in Small Groups. They have 5 SMALL Groups formed in just 4 WEEKS! Isn't that amazing. Whenever you are at CAGAYAN ... just go to KFC, Divisoria Branch, Sundays 530 pm to see the group in ACTION. I believe in you guys! -- pastor jr here

Getting READY for THANKS ALLOT!

Here's a READING to begin with ... I borrowed this from "Our Daily Bread" Daily Reading Devotional Guide.

Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. —Hebrews 13:15

Throughout history, many cultures have set aside a time for expressing their thankfulness. In the United States, Thanksgiving Day originated with the pilgrims.

In the midst of extreme hardship, loss of loved ones, and meager supplies, they still believed they were blessed. They chose to celebrate God's blessings by sharing a meal with Native Americans who had helped them survive.

We know we've lost the spirit of that original celebration when we catch ourselves complaining that our Thanksgiving Day has been "spoiled" by bad weather, disappointing food, or a bad cold. It's we who are spoiled—spoiled by the very blessings that should make every day a day of thanksgiving, whatever our circumstances.
Billy Graham wrote, "Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or stealing or immorality or any other sin condemned by the Bible." He then quoted Romans 1:21, one of the Bible's indictments against rebellious humanity. Then Dr. Graham added, "Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness."
Which condition describes you? — contributed by Joanie Yoder

A grumbling mood of discontent, Gives way to thankfulness, When we consider all God's gifts, And all that we possess. —Sper

Remembering MAMA "Nonoy" Remy Together

The following pictures were taken last November 1 at the Bacolod Memorial Park. Hundreds of people were there remembering their departed loved ones. For us -- it was Mama Nonoy. We not only had a meaningful reunion ... we also had food, fun with the kids, chats with each other and picture taking. PRAISE the LORD for the Hope we have in Christ Jesus -- our loved ones are in His side and a GREAT Reunion of Saints will happen in the future.

A collection of photos of the 1st Missonary Trip of Joshua to Mindanao! He visited Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City and Marawi City (an Islamic City) in the South of the Philippines. He enjoyed the trip ... he helped started our HLM Church Plant in the great, beautiful island of Mindanao.

JOSHUA's Cousins

After CAGAYAN ... we went to CEBU City! These pictures were taken at the house of Nong Charles and Manang Mera. Look how the kids have grown. Another set of pictures will be posted soon .... this time it will be Joshua's cousins -- the Larrazabals :-)

57 Cents Story - AN INSPIRATION

I was looking for this STORY I read years back ... praise the LORD for Pastor Jun Cordova who forwarded this to me lately. There is power in GIVING. There is power in INSPIRATION. There is power in INFLUENCE and LEADERSHIP ... even little people can do it!

READ on ...

57 CENTS

A little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was "too crowded." "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus. Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements. As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School. "For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. But the story does not end there... A newspaper learned of the story and published It. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents. Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends. When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit Temple University, where thousands of students are educated. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time. In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds". This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.
==== Read this story to your Cell Group this coming ThanksGIVING month ... and see what God can do :-)

NOTE: please see link, CLICK HERE >> http://www.library.temple.edu/collections/special_collections/hattie.htm

This Young MAN is going for A MISSION!

This young man is going for a Mission! He will be with me this Thursday (October 26) at Cagayan. He will be helping me in our KICK-OFF Program at the Dynasty Hotel in the heart of Cagayan de Oro City. Our Bacolod Team is composed of the following: Pastor Jonas Cubing (MUSIC), Brother Nero Dedel (PROMO and MEDIA), Myself (SHARER) and Joshua (INSPIRATION) for the MEN. The ladies with us are Sisters Linnie Sitiota (SECRETARY-TREASURER), Karen Silva (PRAYER and PROGRAM) and Melissa Valenzuela (BONDING -- ha ha ha).

We will be there for the His Life Ministries Kick-Off in the island of Mindanao. Cagayan will be the first in our prayer. This will be followed by more Christ-Centered and Loving Church Homes in Iligan, Davao, Bukidnon and other nearby places.

After the Kick-Off ... we will be in Marawi City the following day. We will visit friends there and will have a city-tour the whole morning. We will be back by 3 pm of the same day.

Joshua and I will then proceed to Cebu City to visit his cousins and relatives. It is rewarding to Cross Borders for the Lord's Honor and purposes. PRAY for us :-)

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Note: The 1st His Life Ministries CAGAYAN Sunday Worship Celebration will be on October 30 at the Dynasty Hotel (9:30 am). This will be launched by Pastor Dante and Pearlie and their TEAM. November 3 will be the date to START off the Small Group Courses on PDL "What On Earth Am I Here For".

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CLICK here > http://www.bobdelamar.com/1more.wmv TO SEE MOVIE CLIP on HLM Missions

HIS LIFE Cagayan -- OPENING!

Another EXCITING Event will happen to His Life Ministries!
It is the BIRTHING of a NEW Congregation in the heart of Cagayan de Oro City. This is also our 1st Congregation outside the Visayas area. Pray and Join us in loving people into the Kingdom and introducing them to the One that can change their lives and secure them in Eternity -- The Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Bacolod Team will arrive Cagayan de Oro October 27 in the morning. Kick-Off of His Life Ministries-Cagayan will happen in the Evening of the same day at the Dynasty Hotel. All Sundays beginning October 30 will be opened to the public for praise, worship, fellowship, ministry and mission -- establishing the Purposes of God in their lives. Praise the Lord for Pastors Dante and Pearlie for shepherding this flock. Wednesdays will be devoted to Small Group Meetings in a nearby Rest-o.
I will be giving a Basic Discipleship Course on the Friday of the 28th TO THE TEAM of Pastor Dantz. We will be seeing our Sister Jeddah in CDO on the 27th as well. Hallelujah! Marawi will be also visited by us in the Morning of Friday ... we will be back after Lunch of the same day.
WANT to COME? WANT to JOIN ... you may through prayer, giving, blessing and / or being with us. We are leaving Wednesday, October 26 via SUPERFERRY :-)

MISSIONS from City Harvest Church (Singapore)

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave a charge to all His disciples to take the gospel to the ends of the earth until He would return the second time. With those words, He left the earth and entrusted the work of spreading the gospel to His disciples and to all who would obey Him.

The work of missions started early in the life of City Harvest Church (CHC), with short-term mission trips being planned each year. However, only a small part of the church was involved and it was mostly the Bible school students who were being exposed to mission work. But God had bigger plans for this church.
In early 2000, City Harvest Church received a mandate to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations of Asia and beyond. This call required everyone in the church to take a step of faith into the unknown with an eight-month mission project that would eventually result in thousands of souls being added into the kingdom. With this word, the church rallied together in a united effort through much prayer, fasting, personal involvement as part of the mission team, and preparation for God’s miracles to take place.
This project materialized between October 2003 and May 2004 and City Harvest Church rejoiced at the fruit of their labor. Altogether, CHC sent out a total of 1,663 members into the mission field and touched more than 280,002 lives. In addition, a total of 103,683 souls were added into the kingdom of God in just seven months and one week! Today, CHC is sending out more and more teams to various parts of Asia to minister the Word of God to people everywhere with healing, signs and wonders following.
One way that the work of God is being extended is through the nine branch churches that CHC has planted across Malaysia, Indonesia, India and Singapore. Most of the senior pastors in these churches have been trained and equipped in City Harvest Bible Training Center. Upon their graduation, they returned to their country and helped to pioneer a great work that, till today, is still seeing many results. These growing congregations also embrace the same commitment and vision in preaching the gospel to all mankind and reaping the end-time harvest of souls that was promised to those who would obey.
In City Harvest Church, we firmly believe that every member in our congregation can be spiritually prepared and ready to serve as a co-laborer for God in these last days for missions. Just as our Lord Jesus has given the Great Commission for us to follow, we will continue to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”