This was my Sunday as a visiting body part. Usually I’m able to catch up with services of my home church, CCF (Pasig) via livestream when I am away from Manila but on this particular day, I wanted to see my teacher and dear friend, Heidi, so I went to her home church, CCF Vancouver.
A warm welcome team was setting up. A kind gentleman also greeted me and it was only after he gave the Sunday message that I realized he was the pastor, Pastor Benjie Lopez.
The worship team with the addition of a young man playing violin really touched my heart and the lyrics of the worship songs spoke mighty encouragement there, reminding me that Jesus who is my Savior is above all. He gives strength to us when we are weak or discouraged and will see us through any storm that comes our way… and He isn’t about to stop anytime soon. He breaks all the power of darkness. I sing for all that He’s done for me, the greatest of which is when He lay down His life so (you and) I would be set free.
We can praise You Lord, even if at times we have storms or are waiting for Your gracious response.
This worship song has since been on my playlist since the CCF Vancouver music team sang it:
Pastor Benjie’s message was packed with encouragement and exhortation.
At the end of his talk, Pastor Benjie shared some reflection questions on what we can apply to our walk. This, after he shared about his own weakness when he lost his patience after his son dropped his power bank accidentally. One of the things I appreciate from CCF pastors is that they model the apostle Paul’s admission that he is not perfect but a work-in-progress but he keeps on earnestly seeking to follow Christ [really the authentic journey of every Christian]. Pastor Benjie confessed that he was wrong and humbled himself to apologize to his son.
Phil 3:12-14 (NIV) 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press ontoward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
I got to meet the other families who came to worship this day and found they were all warm and kind. I also met my friend Florence’s son Billy!
What a lovely morning it was! Heidi and the kids and I proceeded to Empire Restaurant in Richmond where we had the yummiest Har Gao and Siomai I’ve had in a long time!!! What a sweet time of fellowship and catching up!
So blessed that the Lord satisfied my stomach, heart, and soul today.
Thank you so much Heidi and kids!!! And thank You, Lord, for giving us Sundays!
BUTTERFLY IN THE SPRING 