xRedeemedx's Xanga

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:42:37 GMT

The passage Luke preached out of today, during his father's funeral:

Philippians 3:8-10 ⁸Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, ⁹And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: ¹⁰That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death...

This was Paul's heart.. Pastor Rolly's heart.. Luke's heart.. the heart of the Villamater family.. and may it be the heart in all of us.. amen.

Tita Emy was sharing today about how, during the extremely difficult times in their lives, Uncle Rolly would just take hold of her hand, and say to her, "Sweetheart, I love you. God hasn't forgotten about us...." Every single time. This moved me so deeply. Encouraged me so deeply.

As some of you know, my phone got run over by a car outside of Rite Aid over a week ago. Since I had to buy a new one, I wanted my next phone to be something I would be happy with for the long run- something innovative, useful, and preferably touch-screen (I got used to it after using the Palm Trio). After doing my homework, I decided that I wanted to get the Samsung Rogue, and I honestly could not be happier with the decision: it is exactly what I had hoped for, and I am totally in love with it . It's a small joy that goes a long way with all of the difficulties and anxieties I am going through right now. It's a blessing I am thankful for:

It was great speaking with my Pastor Ed tonight- what a pleasure it was catching up .

Friday, October 23, 2009

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:24:19 GMT

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:57:37 GMT

[[Jeniel Corpuz Photography]]
Uncle Rolly,
I praise the Lord that you are now with Him in paradise.
As Tita Emy said,
You can finally walk again .
Growing up, if there was anyone who was like a second dad to us,
It was you.
Pastor,
I know that your testimony, faith, and love,
For Christ and your family, will always live on.
To the Villamater family,
I'm so sorry .
I can't say enough how much we are all with you,
In thought, prayer, and if you need anything at all...
May the Lord grace you with His comfort and peace.
As Luke would say,
Soli Deo Gloria, to God be ALL the glory,
Amen.

[[Jewel Dale Photography]]
This shot is just PERFECT.
My heart, no matter what.
Gapstow Bridge, Central Park, NYC

"Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God."
-Philippians 4:6
..thanks for the call Harry..

Friday, October 16, 2009

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:59:04 GMT

After a terrible and difficult day, this really just made up for it:

Lord, please keep my eyes focused on You, nothing else.
Grace me with perspective.
Help me to see YOU, and nothing else.
Amen.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:45:29 GMT

I'm about to sell the pride and joy of my card collection, and it's making me really sad (but you gotta do what you gotta do, right?). So I just wanted to make a post dedicated to my 07/08 UD Chronology TIMELESS MEMORIES Set: arguably the most beautiful card set ever created, and in my eyes, it is. I will miss you all :

2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories David Robinson (41/99) (131) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Kobe Bryant (11/99) (132) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Vince Carter (55/99) (133) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Kobe Bryant (93/99) (134) Auto (Back of Card)

2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Kevin Durant (88/99) (135) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Michael Jordan (93/99) (136) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Magic Johnson (21/99) (137) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Michael Jordan (51/99) (138) Auto (Back of Card)

2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Jerry West (29/99) (139) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Tom Chambers (06/99) (140) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Bill Laimbeer (78/99) (141) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Julius Erving (19/99) (142) Auto (Back of Card)

2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Spud Webb (76/99) (143) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Clyde Drexler (45/99) (144) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Dominique Wilkins (37/99) (146) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Magic Johnson (59/99) (147) Auto (Back of Card)

2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16/99) (149) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Larry Bird & Magic Johnson (03/99) (150) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Steve Kerr (99/99) (151) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Rick Barry (69/99) (152) Auto (Back of Card)

2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories James Worthy (13/99) (153) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories John Paxon (70/99) (154) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Baron Davis (68/99) (155) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Chris Paul (42/99) (156) Auto (Back of Card)

2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories LeBron James (45/99) (157) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Kobe Bryant (42/99) (158) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Kevin Durant (90/99) (159) Auto (Back of Card)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories Kevin Garnett (69/99) (160) Auto (Back of Card)

2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories (#/99) (145) Sean Elliott Redemption (Card Not Produced)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories (#/99) (148) John Wooden Redemption (Card Not Produced)

2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories (#/99) (132) Kobe Bryant Redemption (Redeemed)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories (#/99) (151) Steve Kerr Redemption (Redeemed)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories (#/99) (158) Kobe Bryant Redemption (Redeemed)
2007-08 UD Chronology Timeless Memories (#/99) (160) Kevin Garnett Redemption (Redeemed)

Monday, October 12, 2009

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:31:36 GMT

...Ain't nobody, loves me betta'...

Last month, due to very unfortunate circumstances, I missed out on a Paul Wilbur concert that I had been looking forward to for weeks. Everything about the situation just left me feeling incredibly hurt and bummed out. So about two weeks ago, Lana tells me to mark my calender and make sure I am free on October 11th for a SURPRISE (!!). I tried, of course, to guess this surprise, but only in vain. So when I found out last night that her surprise was a PAUL WILBUR CONCERT, you can imagine how crazy surprised I was! Unfortunately, the concert was canceled (weird), but in all honesty, the thought means infinitely more to me. I would never have guessed! And it means a lot to me that she would consider something I am really into and try to plan a surprise for me around it (say it with me: Spurs game next time! LOL, j/k hunni). I have the best fiancee ever .

...Makes me happy, makes me feel this way..

Lana, I hope you never get tired of me telling you how much I adore you. I seem to fall deeper and deeper in love with you each day, and that's how I want it to be for the rest of our lives. Everything about you just draws me to you, even the weird things you do! Just kidding, I am a lot weirder I know. Remember how I said that I love the sound of a baby's laughter? Well, I love the sound of your laughter too. I have so much fun with you, and nobody can lift up my spirits like you can. You are also too cute for your own good . People often long for a best friend- someone they can come to for anything, someone who they know will not judge them as they pour their heart out. God gave me the bestest friend I could ask for. Truly.

A few pics:

Deserted parking lot, but beautiful sunset.

I miss you already.

This is the ILLEST Spurs gear ever created:

I LOVE it. This one is mine :

My breathing problems are getting better. I'm not near 100% yet, but I am doing noticeably better. Thank You Lord, and thank you all who have been praying for me. It means so much.

A message on/relating to John chapter 9 two days in a row? Definitely worth a look:

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

¹As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ²His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

³"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. ⁴As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

⁶Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. ⁷"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

⁸His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" ⁹Some claimed that he was.
Others said, "No, he only looks like him."
But he himself insisted, "I am the man."

¹⁰"How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.

¹¹He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."

¹²"Where is this man?" they asked him.
"I don't know," he said.

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing

¹³They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. ¹⁴Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. ¹⁵Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see."

¹⁶Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath."
But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided.

¹⁷Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened."
The man replied, "He is a prophet."

¹⁸The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents. ¹⁹"Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"

²⁰"We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind. ²¹But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself." ²²His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. ²³That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."

²⁴A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."

²⁵He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

²⁶Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"

²⁷He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"

²⁸Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! ²⁹We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."

³⁰The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. ³¹We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. ³²Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. ³³If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."

³⁴To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.

Spiritual Blindness

³⁵Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"

³⁶"Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."

³⁷Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."

³⁸Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

³⁹Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."

⁴⁰Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?"

⁴¹Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:52:18 GMT

I can't wait to walk into a spotless clean bathroom in my own place,
Feel the plush carpet massage my feet and my toes bright lights in my face.
While smelling the deliciousness of the dinner Lana is preparing,
Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath while I'm hearin'
The low hum of classic Christmas music coming from the livingroom,
Inside feeling super comfortably warm, outside a full moon.
Just dwelling in the favor of the Lord, aware of His presence no doubt,
Ahhhh....... yes, these are the things I fantasize about.

Wrote the following piece for a contest (50 word limit):

This Filipino boy writing,

And his African/Indian princess.
Will never stop fighting.
Seven year reflection:
Faith overcoming sin,
Family rejection,
Two years in separate countries….
So I gave my closest friend
The proposal she deserved:

Swimming with dolphins-
Her lifelong dream.
Another chapter in our story’s theme:

RECONCILIATION.

A few thoughts:

I wish I had money... a lot of money.

My asthma has been acting up REAL bad. I cannot breathe. Haven't been able to study, sleep, or exercise.
Doctor says it might be anxiety because my lungs sound good. I am taking Proventil and Alvesco.

I've officially gained 25 lbs since January. Feels gross.

By 6:30 am every weekday morning I am at the Seton Hall library. I hope I can keep this up.

I bought a Mitchell and Ness Spurs Hoody that I am super psyched about receiving by hopefully Monday.

I love my Spurs and Adrian Peterson card collection.

Praying that the Lord will give me a Word for the R.E.S.E.T. reunion.

Contrary to what others might think, I truly can't wait to start planning for my wedding (after I pass STEP 1).

I can't wait for Sunday.

God bless.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:33:35 GMT

This gave me chills:

..truth..

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:32:36 GMT

"If you're not that bad, then He didn't do that much. He who has been forgiven much, is LOVED much."

He carried the sins of the world [Isaiah 53:4]

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:28:15 GMT

My Weekend

FRIDAY

The Comp

I just wanted to publicly thank God for the grace that He continues to shower on my life, even though I don't deserve it at all. On Friday, the Comp scores came out, and He knew just what I needed to pass, and gave it to me. I realize that the Comp is peanuts in terms of importance as compared with STEP 1, but if I had failed I would have been kicked out of Ross. So in that sense it is of huge importance, and even more important to me was that somehow, my passing was able to encourage myself and others, to remind us of His utter faithfulness.

I want to also thank Sarah for never failing to "check up on me" and send me encouragements all summer long. Sister, you have no idea how much I appreciate you. I want to thank those specific people who reached out to me during this time and totally looked out for me and had my back- you know who you are so I don't have to mention you by name, just know that man, I appreciate it so much. I wanna thank every single person who prayed for me (and fasted and shed tears for me)- again you surely know who you are and there are just way to many people to list, and even more that I don't even know about. My heart goes out to you: thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Truth is, I am worried about the STEP now, but Alana reminded me that if I just looked back on what God has brought me through (ie. the face of impossibility), I must be able to draw comfort, strength, and faith from that. I don't want to make this long and drawn out, but this goes out to all of you because I could not make it to this next step without you, and it would be a crime not to thank you all. I love you in Christ.

Rosh Hashanah

The service at our congregation was standing room only, and my goodness, was it a blessing. Mitch Glaser gave an amazing message, and I mean just amazing. It would have been a blessing to you if you had been there, whether you are Jew or Gentile, and you would have definitely seen Christ at the heart of this holiday. Wow. I am so mad I did not have the foresight to record it.

SATURDAY

Engagement Photo Shoot

Oh man, Saturday was such a perfect day to be in Central Park, and we made good time too (schedule-wise, starting early in the morning)! On behalf of Alana and myself, we just want to thank Jewel and Joey soooo much for spending almost the entire day with us. Jewel had offered to do our engagement shoot, and for the past two months or so, we had all been so excited for the day to finally come! Jewel did such a great job- I was definitely impressed!! Very knowledgeable, very accommodating, and just as important, we were very comfortable! I know she must have faced a ton of challenges snapping photos that I would have no idea about, so please know that we appreciate your time and energy, especially with the little one on the way . Joey boy I gotta thank you too for being there. It was great hangin' out with you again, and we seriously could not have gotten the shots we did without you! You are a good kid, don't change man. Guys, despite how tiring it was for all of us, Lana and I had so much fun!! We can't wait to see the final products . For everyone else, here is the teaser pic for now:

Rosh Hashanah Day 2

I thank the Lord that I made it back home just in time, as my family was about to head out to NY again. I actually fell a little sick that night, and it wasn't a picnic, but in any case, I tried to brave out the night. Rabbi Steve gave a great and encouraging sermon (that I listened to outside in the hall 'coz I felt so bad), and the worship was once again amazing. Got home that night and passed out! Felt perfectly fine the day after.

SUNDAY

Prayer in the Square

Prayer in the Square was an AMAZING experience and a POWERFUL blessing. To see people of every nation, tribe, and tongue gathered in UNITY in what could be considered the worlds center of culture and society itself, PRAYING to JESUS CHRIST for New York City and the WORLD, was truly unbelievable. SURREAL. And the PRAISE that was lifted up to our Father was like a taste of Heaven to me, and I would look up and marvel at the God Who HURTS for us to know that we are SO PRECIOUS to Him, each and every one of us. I could say so much more, but words just wouldnt be enough, so Ill let the video do that talking. This is our experience at Prayer in the Square 2009- enjoy and God bless!!