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Real Performing Assets

Written by anna cardona
Sunday, 22 May 2005

The younger gentlemen in the Fellowship animated their Sabbath messages with personal everyday life episodes today, May 21. Arnold Miguel drew from the story of Samson, how the LORD God perfected him with his weaknesses and foibles as with flawed humans like ourselves, yet still with the underlying desire to obey God. Jon Cardona took the debit/ credit, accounting concepts out of the columnar sheets and into the spiritual books of our lives ... Turns out several in the Fellowship are trained in accounting! I'm not! So this would be clearer if the speakers themselves wrote about it. However I do remember something he said about the wisdom for young people to use resources God provides to acquire skills that translate into assets in God's service, instead of on objects or pursuits that only satisfy the senses for a passing moment. With enduring faith and by the Father's eternal nurturing, the Owner's Equity He has invested in us will multiply, or gain interest in our lifetime. Before the great opening of the Books will take place. Later, during sharing, Ann Deboma, accompanied by a grinning 18-month old Stephen Matthew (sprained shoulder now back in place :), shared what turned out to be an enlightening experience. Her high school friends had paid her a surprise visit. "Naku, bakit ang losyang mo na?" ("Oh no, Why do you look so frumpy?") Small talk, catching up, comparing lives. They kept insisting she go on a night out with them. "But what about my children?" "We'll go out at night, so your children will be asleep." "But that's the only time I can sit down and rest!" "Ann, why don't you want to come?" "You know, I believe there's a time for everything. When we were young and I was single, I did those things. But now I'm a wife and mother, so it's time for that." (They must have been surprised at the totally different Ann Ocampo-Deboma, also known for being impatient with some of the young people in the church who keep asking why they should obey God. "When you already know 'this is what God says', why should you still want to fool around, look for something else?") As the conversation drifted, one of the married friends with children admitted that she only saw her 3-year old daughter once a week, since both she and her husband have jobs. One of them actually said, "You know, I envy you. I can see you are happy and content. Good for you!" Ann wondered what was so hard to believe about her situation. "Just watching my children grow and being there to teach them is so wonderful, I can't even bear to miss a minute!" And you could see she meant it! In the meantime, Michael Verango and Honeyleen Pioquinto are counting the hours before they begin to share the same last name :). Everything continues to fall into place as both of them prepare for their wedding (long story) and starting their life together (another long story). In this case, they have set a wonderful example of following God first before doing anything to pursue their relationship. Honeyleen related how she had prayed for Michael's mind to be opened even though she was surrounded by a variation of friends. Michael himself had said he wanted to be in a fellowship that truly believed in God. She talked about the Sabbath, the Feasts, and tried to share with him God's word as applied in everyday life. By nature outspoken and pilya, she did have to sacrifice some indulgences and associations. But Michael remained undistracted. She was visibly shaken when Michael was baptized in 2002. (Bakit nauna ka pa sa akin?) Michael, in turn, worked hard, and quietly. Recently, while telling of his experiences in Saudi Arabia, he said that the only thing he did when confronted by threat or danger was "manalangin sa Panginoong Diyos" (bring everything before the LORD God). When he came home in February this year, secrecy aided by Honeyleen's dearest sister Blessie, he was seized by the notion

http://www.manilafellowship.org/index2.php?option=content&task=view&id=169&pop=... 10/24/2007

Church of God Sharing Village_Philippines

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of 'how much is this whole flower shop?' (long story too). Yet when Michael reunited with Honeyleen, he defined the crucial decision by asking Honeyleen to pray together with him so that they would resolve all differences before God's throne. That sure silenced Honeyleen! For the record!
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http://www.manilafellowship.org/index2.php?option=content&task=view&id=169&pop=... 10/24/2007