ICON 2013: Obey and Witness

My 3-day kit.

The expectant SFC Dumaguete Chapter.

Another year has passed, and the Singles for Christ brothers and sisters are back together once again to experience God's ultimate love and grace through the 20th ICON or the International Conference. Singles for Christ all over the world are invited to come and join this year's ICON with the theme Obey and Witness. (Do whatever He tells you. John 2:5) held at the World Trade Center, Pasay Manila, Philippines. This is a 2 and a half day event; that has talks, workshops, and a daily Holy Eucharistic celebration. Let me share to you what I have learned personally.


Day 1: Friday evening

We started the event with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist which tells us to open our hearts and be ready for the entire conference. The Eucharist was graced by Bishop Bernard Cortez. He shows his gratitude over all the delegates who have their own priorities and walks in life came and experience Christ. He also note that the youth is the hope of the fatherland.  He also urged everyone to fast as this is the time of Lent. He as well quoted "be like that rainwater, inspired, controlled, guided so that it could bring growth to the community, to your country, and to your self."

Talk 1: The Invitation

About 8200+ SCF brothers and sister graced the conference. This is by far the largest ICON ever!

The first talk was given by missionary JQ Quimpang. "Our ultimate destination is Heaven". He says that this weekend for the ICON is an invitation to God's ultimate and constant exchange of Love. Now, responding to this one of kind invitation is through our vocation. The decision with conviction to choose Him at all times. Being in union with Christ can also be best described like marriage. Christ is married to the Church, and that we are the church. Being in union with Christ is not easy, temptation would always be there. That is why, it is important to always have that choice to always choose Christ. We ended the night with a praise and worship.

Day 2: Saturday

Talk 2: Believe, Trust, and Obedience

The second talk was held at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The second talk was graced by Most Rev. Bishop Bacani. He talked about the importance of the Nicene Creed being the symbol of the church. It is not just a mere recitation but should be a concrete profession of faith and it starts with the word "I believe." He as well logically explains that we have the option to believe, and that we know the truth about God not because of an evidence or by reasoning but because God says so.

Trust

Trust is a result of the Faith and Confidence. We are challenged to put our trust in Him. And that with conviction we can say that if we put our trust in the Lord and that we put our lives in His hands, He will not let evil cover us. I also believe that through Christ, all things are possible- that is indeed Trust!

Obedience

Obedience is the most challenging task a christian is faced with everyday. However, with the points being stated above with Faith and Trust in the Lord would bring about obedience. We are urged to not just have faith and trust only through our lips, but as an SFC we are said to do it in action, thus obedience. Obedience also shows what values you have learned and how you live your life with those acquired values.

Are you a joyless Christian?

Even tragedy is grace.

This is one of those talks that I really enjoyed listening and participating, well it's not that I don't like the other talk, Sir Edwin Lopez is funny and really fun. He shares about how we Christians are like the salt that looses it saltines. Thus, makes us a joyless Christian. It is pointed out that being a Christian is not just about joy and happiness, it also about sacrifices, temptation, and a cross. He pointed out that he who cannot sacrifice cannot love. What really struck me is how he asked everyone of us if we are still empty even if you are with the SFC community. If yes, then this community might not be the right community for you. Go find Christ and be the salt of the earth. It is also logical that the element of pain is Love, because when you come to think about it, you are feeling the pain because you care, right? Just a thought.

Empty

Emptiness is the space between God's heart and our own Heart.

The speaker Rob Escaño started the talk with the point that we all started as full when we were a little child, and that what breaks us and what makes us a broken and empty is sin. He also stated that the emptiness we feel is a consequence of choice and the choice from circumstances. Choices are based on our lifestyle, livelihood, leadership, and vocation choices. We then have this question if emptiness is a punishment. Is it? I strongly beg to disagree. The way I see it, emptiness is grace, because if we feel empty we are allowing God to pour out His grace towards our empty jars. We will have that longing for love. That ultimate love that only God has the capacity to give, because a life that is empty of God is an empty of love.

There are ways in breaking out of emptiness:

L- ong for God consciously and consistently.
O- bedience to what He's plans are for us.
V- irtue of humility.
E- nligthen your heart and mind.

He also added that we can't obey Christ if we still have the stain of guilt in our hearts. We need to know that we are forgiven. I totally agree!

Talk 3: Transformation

There is a mini play before the start of the talk. They have wonderful voices

The best example of transformation is the turning of water into wine.  Just when Mary says "Do whatever He tells you." John 2:5

Transformation of our lives takes a whole lot of humility, patience, and obedience. Faith driven by obedience precedes transformation and miracles. Like Christ as the model of obedience by accepting the cup of sorrow and died on the cross for us- He is the only wine that can fill our jar of emptiness. Therefore, has the only key for transformation. Now, I also believe that the Lord uses people as instruments of our transformation. There are 3 sharers on how Christ has fill their emptiness and transform them into a witness of Christ.

Sis Nathalie Antonio born rich but empty. Has achieved and acquired too much in life feeling the emptiness. Upon searching she found out Christ is the only one who filled her up.

Bryan Funcion being ruled by lust was transformed because Jesus called Him, and took him out of that world that he has been living.

We ended the day with an anticipated mass celebrated by no other than His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, D,D. I must tell you that this for me is one of those memorable masses I have came to celebrate. No matter how sleepy I am, I tried my best to listen and feel Christ in the Eucharist. He has this undeniable humor and charisma that would really get you hooked in his homily.

His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, D,D

Day 3: Talk 4: Witness

Do whatever He tells you (John 2:5)

The last session of the conference is titled as Witness by Shok Ariola- a missionary and an international coordinator. Witness is something that would change someone else life. This starts with the invitation. This would require you to open your eyes with faith and a heart with love for you to be able to respond, because somehow you need to respond to the call either with a yes, no, or even just don't say nothing and be just quite is a respond. Where, the effect brings joy. Being a witness of the Lord will bring about glory, and you will be blessed 100 folds. We need to be reminded that we are immensely loved by God. The challenge for us is how to recognize His voice. We need to be in union with Christ all the time to be able to hear His voice each time. Witnesses therefore are the agents of change. We are to transformed lives because we are the living witnesses. People are experiencing God through you. Say yes to the Lord!

There has been witnesses or sharers in this last talk but we only got one photo.

This is a missionary who has been robbed. The culprit put them on a sack thinking they are already dead. An old man came to the garbage fill to look for something valuable, saw 2 sacks being disposed. He came closer and see what's inside the sacks, and when he opened it, there are 2 young women in each of the sack half dead. She has a lot of fructures and her face is 80% titanium. She is a witness of God's love.

 I must confess that I am half-heartened joining the conference. I don't know, I was so lazy to pack my things, and I slept the whole day; doing nothing so to say. Something is pulling me down that day, and I prayed that Jesus would be graceful towards my mood and lift me up. Ultimately, Jesus was there. He was always there that I always ended up bursting in tears during praise and worship. I feel so blessed and loved by the Father.

 
I would like to thank you my fellow bloggers for hearing my life out. I feel like this is the only avenue for me to share my faith and what I am passionate about. This post is too long, and I always wish I can say more, but I need to contain it as I will have the series of post about my Manila trip. Once again, with a grateful heart I'd like to say thank you...xoxo!


P.S. So the question is where to next?...Cagayan de Oro!!! See you there next year!

The chase!

After watching the documentary movie The Cove, I was thinking why would they do such a thing to a defenseless and wonderful creature. I also though they might all be captured, and that I need to at least see one, silly me!!! So as I check into the packages, my first choice is the Danao Extreme Adventure, but as I browse through the packages, I saw the Dolphin Watching, the movie flashed back and I knew my heart belonged to it. Since we are in Bohol for the ICON, might as well grab the opportunity to see them first hand.....:]

Waking up at 4:00 AM is not such a bad idea after seeing this uh-mazing amazing sunrise from Alona Beach Resort!!!.

mwah!

The same crew going for a dolphin watching!...We are so break of dawn-ers...hehehe

And so we sail..and sail....and sail...

We waited for them to show up like for two hours! We are feeling very sleepy. Others might have actually slept through the ride...:P

It took patience before seeing these:

I couldn't stop from saying WOW!!!. I'm being a kid again....hehe

Having said that, the sacrifice paid off. They are wonderful. It's just that, it was not a dolphin watching, it was  a dolphin chasing!! so go figure how we got this shot. We need to actually be silent on some moments of the trip so that they will show up. Chase them again so that we can take a closer look, and then they are gone again. Wait and then chase again. It was exhausting but at the same time exciting. They are actually wild dolphins, they do not recognize the fishermen who take tourist for the watch. They just pass by every morning anywhere on that part of the sea, and so as to enjoy the ride, we need to be taken off for a chase, which made the trip challenging and exciting. Not the way I expected, but I must say, those under water creatures took my heart away...:]

Happy campers we are!...hehe

This chase taught me a lot of things, perseverance, patience, and love- for the wild life that is. I also though I was not there merely for the chase, I was there for a purpose. I was there to see them so that I can help protect them in my own simple ways. They should be protected, and that we humans have all the means to do so. I mean, they have the right to live and enjoy their home- we should protect the sea! We can do it!...There is a campaign to help protect them on this website (here). I'm thinking, we should be aware, right?..xoxo!

Next stop..guess where?..hehe
Photos by: Bill Ablong.

ICON 2012: Great God

For 19 years now, SFC or the Singles for Christ all over the world gathers for the International conference or ICON. This year's ICON was held and hosted by Tagbilaran, Bohol, with the theme; Great God (Luke 1:46). This event is created for the purpose of renewing the faith, strengthening the bonds of every single brothers and sisters in Christ, to realize how great our God is, and last one is also to enjoy being in the community...hehe

"I am destined for greatness!!!".

Meet the campers. SFC Dumaguete delegates. Some of them are not yet there when we took this photo..sorry guys...hehe

We started the conference with a mass.
"Don't settle for a quality life, aim for a life live to the fullest".

We have talks and sharing of God's greatness when the evening comes.
"Be a channel of blessing for others. Blessed to bless."

"I am great because I have a great God".

"I live because I am loved".
"Allow Jesus to heal your wounds".

These lanterns symbolizes our sins that we need to let go.
"Don't look back at your faults, let it fly".

Evening worship and talks are emotional for me. It feels good to have that moment with your God. The experiences of God's greatness that has been shared by my fellow brothers and sisters are beyond inspiring. I myself is moved...:)

Run for Jesus.

The early morning praise and worship is one of my favorites. Cool wind blowing, sun rise afterwards, then fat burning for the fun-run...uh-mazing feeling!!..hehe

We have different workshops on the second day as part of the conference. I picked "Keep the fire burning." I seriously don't know what that workshop is all about.- I have not read the description...hehe my bad...hehe Anyway, I just thought about spiritual dryness. I am happy I did not raise my hand when Kuya Taffy- the speaker asked what our expectations are....hehe I was so surprised that it was all about sex and relationship.  The workshop would help you with your own struggles- sexuality in specific. This is for me the most sensitive topic of all, since most of us has already forgotten the reason why man and woman was created for in the context of God's teaching. Every single man and woman is being challenge by worldly pleasures.

"A person who knocks on a brothel is actually looking for God".

"I am worth the wait."

Interesting points, right?...:)

The workshop is not to totally answer your questions about your own sexual struggles but to at least figure out the reason for such. You need to go back to know the answer....:)

With conviction and with all our strength...praising and worshiping God for His goodness.

Under the blazing sun, everyone is but victorious. See how we forgot our own comfort  to just praise God. Never minding the heat and the sweat running through our faces. For the Lord, there is nothing we cannot do.

We have live online streaming via http://www.sfcicon.com/. We are a total of 6,500 delegates and 2,000 views online, for a total of 8,500!..cool, eh (wink)?

As we end this year's ICON, we all got to go back to our own respective homes with a renewed faith. The ICON has indeed reminded each one of us of the greatness of our God. We somehow need to respond to the call He has for us. I must tell you though that I am new to this community, and I am so blessed to be part of it. First time ICONer is an extreme honor for me. This is far from being great. It is greatness!! I now understand the true meaning of the promise the community has: SFC community is an opening to a life that is invisible to the world....xoxo!