Today, EJ had a great performance (sorry I'm spoiling it for you Eej!) and I couldn't be more happy with the work that he put into his art. He shared with me his joys and struggles and we prayed together over the phone before he went onstage. God is the most creative Creator who created creativity and instilled that in a young new actor at Walnut High School. PTL. -Julian

That the Spirit blew into my heart not of my accord. I don't have control of life, God does, That is a comfort.PTL- E.J.

Today, I had quite the test of patience. I had an audition at noon in the Lower East Side, before which I set to complete some errands nearby. I planned my itinerary down to the minute, taking down directions from each destination to the next. I was way ahead of schedule when I started to go to my audition, which I try to be at 30 in advance. However I got so lost I walked in the wrong direction for 35 minutes, had to a take the subway back in the other direction, and arrived at my audition 5 minutes before my appointment. God was testing my patience today and I definitely failed, repenting a couple times throughout the wandering. I thought to myself "why does God need to test my patience so many times a week?!" Well it wasn't too long after I realized the answer: "...because you still need to get better at it." The audition ended up going very well, and I rejoiced -- not just because of that, but because I was reminded that no matter how much I try to plan and prepare, I still can't control my future. It's not that I lost control, it's that I never had the control to begin with! PTL. - Julian

"False gods cannot forgive you for your sins, they can only punish you for your sins." Tim Keller PTL. - Julian

"Now if we are made for heaven, the desire for our proper place will be already in us, but not yet attached to the true object, and will appear as the rival of that object. And this, I think, is just what we find" C.S. Lewis. PTL. -Alex

What a nice morning. The sun is out, the chickens are laying, people are happy, all is OK with the world.

I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit this morning when I still half asleep. Can't describe it other than to say that it's like a ray of sunshine to my soul. God is so awesome. Lately I've been praying for the Lord to give me a divine appointment, an opportunity to speak into one's life from the Holy Spirit. He has been faithful & given me those appointments. God is good!

Today was a tiring day. By noon as I sat having lunch with my mom, I told her I was ready to go home & go back to bed. I was just worn out.

I contemplated skipping my practice at church, but decided against it. Each week our Praise & Worship team gets together to practice & just hang out for a couple of hours, and when I finally got there, I was glad I didn't bail. As soon as I walked in the church I saw several familiar friendly faces, and I felt, as I always do, right at home, and refreshed from my tiring day.

Our church experiences a unity in the Spirit I've not experienced in other relationships in the time I've walked with Jesus. It's incredible. There's a real maturity, and peace, in the friendships that have formed there. Not that we don't know how to have fun - we do. We have several resident clows & comedians that love to keep things off balance, which is great, because the last thing anyone there wants is religiousity. But we also take care of each other & aren't afraid to ask tough questions if something seems amiss in someones life. It's literally like a healthy, whole family. Sure, there's issues, but we deal with them & then celebrate our closeness once again. I love my church family - they are a vital part of my life & bring completion & happiness to me in many ways. God bless them all.

On Sunday, a woman (Rhonda) was passing by CFBC to use the restroom when she initiated conversation with me and Pastor Ed. She shared that she was also Christian and unexpectedly opened up about her struggles with her family. After we prayed for her, she thanked us and left. Soon after, she returned with another woman (Rosa) who she had just met. Rosa had noticed that Rhonda had been crying and asked Rhonda if she could take her back to CFBC so she could also receive prayer. Pastor Ed and Pastor Bong led us in prayer for Rosa and the hardships with her family. PTL for the God of all comfort who comforts us so that we may comfort others. -Melody

Today, is my husband's birthday. I praise God for him and how he continuously rebukes and encourages me. He's a great father and a great husband and a great leader. PTL. - Geneyem

God is teaching me to not be afraid of mistakes because at the end of the day these mistakes will only benefit me if I truly take the time to think them through and learn from them. PTL for mistakes and how God uses them to shape me for His glory. PTL. - Richeezy

Today, God answered my prayer for humbling me and the decision to go to Costa Rica. Thank you Lord for friends who pray and rebuke me. PTL.
-cleofayepeniel

Blessed to have a brother who will fix my car so it runs smoothly without weird noises!!! PTL!!! - Marloooo

Today, a friend of Melody & me, with the guidance of Melody & the Spirit, gave her life to Christ! The heavens rejoice over another soul saved, and I'm in awe of God's grace! PTL!!!!! - Julian

Today, EJ wrote this and I was so blessed by his maturity and faith in Christ:

"So as you know I got my appendix removed and to keep it short and to the point. It was a great experience. I think through it I have seen that much more of God's providence and my fragility. I got to experience the merciful side of God in a way only few can experience. Being close to death wasn't as nerve racking as I thought only because of one reason. Christ. His death reminded me of how little my pain is compared to his. My burden is nothing. I literally shouldn't worry because Christ did it. I wasn't afraid because to live is Christ and to die is gain. Whether I'm alive or not I am the Lord's. I am Christ's property. So I really was not all that scared. I am not trying to brag in my own bravery because it was only given by the Holy Spirit through Christ's finished work on the cross. So thankfully I'm alive and I feel his grace."

Where most his age would lament, he's able to give praise. PTL. - Julian

I didn't die of toxins killing my intestines due to the rupture of an organ that is the size of my thumb. PTL - E.J.

A day older than yesterday. A year older than last. I am alive in Christ. PTL. -Jacquie

Tonight, one of my residents told me she wanted to commit her life to honoring God with Jesus as her Lord and Savior. My heart is overflowing with joy and praise for the work that the Holy Spirit is doing in her life! Praise the Lord indeed!!! -Melody

I can give my burdens to a God who laid the foundations of the world. Who set boundaries for the oceans when they burst out of the womb. Who controls the universe by the word of his power. Who simply was. This is amazing. PTL- edward

Today, I took the afternoon easy and after cleaning my room spent some time in prayer. As I did, I began to look around me and became in awe of the space. The money, time, effort and circumstances to bring this little room together are all possible because they were first willed by the Father. PTL. - Julian

Today, 23 years ago, Melron Farol Cruz was born. PTL. - Julian

Surf City (Half) Marathon is this Sunday, and I have been preparing for almost a year. I haven't ran in a little over a month and a half. Tuesday, I ran a mile and a half. It took me almost an hour. Today, I ran almost three miles in under an hour. I know I'll be sore for the next few days, but I am so grateful for having legs to run. PTL. -Jacquie

This weekend, I experienced the work of our God of all comforts (2 Corinthians 1:3-11) through the comfort of a sister and brothers-in-Christ. PTL. -Melody

Last night, my car battery died when I stopped at Tutti Frutti about a mile and a half away from my house. My parents were in Torrance, my Kuya JP wasn't home, my Kuya Joem wasn't answering his phone, and my Kuya Jino was out with his family. I called E and he was actually home and his battery died shortly after I called him. PTL for His perfect timing. E didn't have jumper cables and neither did I, so we called Tita Yoly and she was about to leave her house, but she had jumper cables! PTL for His perfect timing. E was able to jump start my battery and I was able to go home! PTL. -Krissa

Yesterday, my car overheated in west covina so i had to bring it to pepboys therefore pushing back all of my afternoon plans. They told me that i had a hole in my radiator and that it needed to be replaced which was running at: $600. (YIKES!) But PTL for God's providence through Uncle Tony and Tito Dodo, who quickly came to my rescue, gave me advice, took my car and are in the process of fixing it for a substantially cheaper cost. Also, PTL that my grandparents were so willing to pick up my sibs AND take me to work where we closed early and a friend of mine was able to bring me home in time to finish ALL of my homework. Overall, PTL for a God who brings us to situations that just seem to be a pile of trash, but then reveals that He's got a trashbag in His pocket and will help us clean up the mess. All the time He is just too good to me and I praise Him for His mercy! -Aarika

Today I was able to celebrate my birthday with my hubby only!! PTL. - Geneyem

Jesus Christ atones for us. The Holy Spirit transforms us. God loves us. And they all want us to kill sin. they All will never forsake us. PTL - E.J.