Matteo Manuel

It's been over a month since the last post and so much has happened.

The wife has given birth to Matteo Manuel Ludovice Nobleza. What an experience for first time parents! And we had God all throughout to guide, lead, support, provide, comfort, deliver, save, help, enlighten, encourage, cheer us.

Feb 1 4am, Peachy already complained of having spotting. At 6am the contractions began. We knew the time was near. At 8am, the contractions was becoming more frequent at almost 5 minutes. We knew we had to go to the hospital. So off we went to St.Luke's Hospital in E. Rodriguez.

The nurses welcomed us into the Admitting Section. Check the heartbeat and blood pressure of the mother, the heartbeat of the baby. They were put on a monitor and the Tracer machine showed good contractions with 5min intervals. Finally the resident did an IE. 1cm. Whew! We were advised to go for a long long walk and come back at 6pm.

And so I had time to bring my sister Reena to the airport on her way back to Dubai. She was sorry that she was not able to see Matteo before leaving.

When we got back to the Admitting Section in the evening, same procedure. Guess what? 1-2 cm. Almost no change. So we were advised to go home. We were to watch out for the breaking of the 'bag of water' and 2-3 minute contractions. So home we went. It was a false alarm.

At 1am, Wednesday, Peach's contractions were getting stronger and timing was almost 4 minutes. I was trying to convince her to wait for 3-minute intervals before going but her cries at the highs of the contractions was more than enough to convince me we needed to go.

So at 130am, we were back at the hospital. Same procedures. 3cm. Why o why? The doctor's advice? Go for a walk. Again? So off we walked around the hospital, kneeled at the chapel in prayer. We prayed to all the saints in attendance at the chapel, Padre Pio (to whom Peachy's friends at Woodrose prayed for the baby's conception), St. Josemaria Escriva (Opus Dei founder, they run Woodrose School where Peach was a dentist), Mother of Perpetual Help, St. Raymund Nunnatus (patron saint of pregnant women and the unborn). We walked back to the parking lot.

We were able to catch some sleep at the car. Little did we know that those short minutes of rest will be God's way of giving us strength to sustain us through labor, delivery and first day with the baby. At 4:30am. Peach was crying out loud at the intensity of the contractions. So alarming it was, I drove in haste to the hospital front lobby. "Lord," we prayed, "this is it. We are no longer going anywhere after this except the delivery room."

The procedures was done. But one thing was alarming to me looking at the Tracer's printout. The baby's heartbeat runs amok at the height of the contractions. The resident doctor thought the monitor is being pushed out of position. But I knew something was wrong because she had to stimulate the baby via a vibrating machine and almost no response. The IE gave the answer. 8cm. She called our OBGYNE and rushed Peachy to the Labor Room. The only thing I was able to hand to her was the scapular rosary. I could not find the Lord of Pardon booklet she planned to bring to the Labor room.

The only thing that I could do now was wait. I went to the chapel again to praise and thank God for listening to our prayers and for guidance and wisdom for the doctors. Before I left the chapel, I lit the candle that come with the St.Raymund Nonnatus chaplet. I prayed that Jesus, the Light, the Bright Morning Star will pave the way for normal delivery, wisdom for Dr. Elsie Pascua and her team.

So wait I did.

At 630 am, somebody called for companion of Patient Nobleza and asked if I had a camera. And asked me to go into the lobby of the delivery room. There I waited and listed to cries of mothers in delivery. I thought that would be Peachy already and the sound of the baby's cries thereafter would be Matteo's, only to see the fashionista Dr. Pascua coming in, still not dressed for the procedures. She said, the baby is almost there. A sigh of relief. When she got out of the doctors' station dressed for the procedures and took the camera, that was when I started praying. The Lord led me to Psalm 91... verses 15-16

Whoever clings to me I will deliver; whoever knows my name I will set on high.
All who call upon me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; I will deliver them and give them honor.
With length of days I will satisfy them and show them my saving power.

I repeated these verses until I almost memorized them and a calm flowed through me.

The agony of waiting ended when at 7:30, Dr. Pascua came out of the delivery room with Baby Matteo, nurse and camera in tow. She handed me our baby, so cute, so beautiful.

She explained that they had to do emergency procedure of vacuum extraction. The cord was around Matteo's neck and his heartbeat was going down. She had to save the baby. and Peachy? she's doing fine. Praise be to God for wisdom!

Oh what a joy to carry one's own flesh and blood. I was trying very hard to shed a tear, but it did not come. The joy was overwhelming.

It is with pride and honor to introduce to you our dear Matteo Manuel.

Song of the Week!

How Great is our God!

Sing with me how great is our God

And all will see how great!

How Great is our God!

An Invitation

Christmas is fast approaching. In 23 days we will celebrate God's love and God's goodness to us by the birth of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son.

We will receive a lot of invitation to parties, get-togethers, reunions, etc. Getting an invitation makes you feel important and valued. Your presence is appreciated. The number of invitations swell at this time of the year. And one finds conflicts and even makes hard decisions on which invitations to accept.

Some invitations though are hard to resist especially if the host is one important person.

I remember the first time I was invited to our Mancom parties in the office. I could not believe it, I had to confirm with the Boss' secretary if she did not make a mistake of sending me an invite. Indeed I was invited. And so I went and even bagged the biggest prize that night, that is my first iPod. It was not the raffle that made me come but the feeling of belonging to a group of people who are valued for being part of the management team of the company. The prize was just a bonus.

Some invitations though need some thinking. When you don't know who are the guests, or when you don't know what to expect, or when you don't really know the host, or when you feel you don't have the right dress, or when you think you don't have the right gift, or some other reason. You may RSVP with outright regrets, or maybe next time.

In July 1999, I received this kind of invitation. The invitation was unclear, just a seminar, she said. But when she said, Lord's Flock, I knew it was something religious and I knew I wasn't ready. I was living sinfully with booze, barkada, smoking, and even had a crush on one guy. I said I wasn't ready to go 180 degrees. But the invitation was persistent in coming -- monthly. And there was something unique with this invitation because something was blocking my attendance. In early August, my Lolo died, I had to go home to the province. Come September, a strong storm came we could not get out of the building. October, Sis Yolly forgot to remind me, though I remembered the seminar was always the 2nd weekend. But came November, Sis Yolly reminded me the first week. And it was time to go. The excitement was so strong, I made the jeepney I was riding to stop a block away from the corner where I was supposed to go down. I came early enough, my ID was #001.

That party was the turning point in my life. The Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminar or CLSS of the Lord's Flock, let me know the host of the party, our God, though I did not see him right away. There was an orientation on why I was invited, and even taught us how to sing and dance at the party. They told us there would be more preparatory parties after that and even promised the ultimate party wherein we will be clothed with white garments and come to face to face with the host.

And later I learned, that the ticket to these parties were paid with a great price: the blood of the host's Son, by the name of Jesus Christ. He died for us on the cross that all who believed in His Death and Resurrection may die and rise with Him.

And know what, I even received a gift. The Holy Spirit. He promised "you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you," (Acts 1:8 NAB). This gift He planted in my heart to start the work of salvation and transformation until I am made perfect for the ultimate party. The community also taught us to read the love letter of the host, a thick book called the Bible where all the instructions and promises of God are written that while here on earth and even before we are called to the ultimate party we may enjoy the benefits of being invitees to this great party.

Life was never the same again. Booze, barkada, smoking were all gone. Admiration for cute guys was still there like a thorn on the side like St.Paul's. But I knew my identity which was, that God made me male and so for a female. I embraced this and eight years after, the Lord gave me my partner, a beautiful sister dentist by the name of Peachy. And now we are awaiting our first child. I am proposing to my wife to call him Emmanuel, for truly God is with us.

I am extending you now the same invitation. Come join the Spirit Empowerment Seminar (formely Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminar) at the Lords Flock Catholic Charismatic Community's Heritage Worship and Spiritual Formation Center, 5 Catanduanes St., (near corner Del Monte and West Ave), Quezon City. Dec 11 and 12, Saturday and Sunday, 1pm-9pm. Come as you are. Sinners welcome. Free Admission, your ticket has been paid.

Worship Song of the Day

The heavens declare

The glory of God
And all of the world
Will join the praise
His wonders proclaim

The oceans and skies
Lift up their voice
And all all He has made
Will rise to bless
The King of all kings.

Let us adore Him
Let us adore Him
Jeus Christ is the Lord

Come and behold Him
Bow down before Him
Jesus Christ is the Lord

Eternity's King
Is coming again
Though all of the earth
Will fade away
His truth will remain

(Let us Adore Him - Hillsong United)

Praise Leading Tonight

Tonight, I am assigned to lead the joyful singing and opening prayer for our Growth Series.

I think it was in 2002 when I was first assigned to lead joyful singing in the Equipping the Saints Seminar. And it was a surprise assignment, 5 minutes before the start of the seminar. I did not know what to do so I turned to the word of God, James 1:5 for wisdom and to the mighty Spirit to lead me for I knew not what to say. The same perfect resignation to the leading of the Spirit is still the best way for me to lead worship until now. That is why when I am asked to lead worship, anytime, I am confident that I can always turn to the Spirit to lead me.

Over the years of leading worship, I have learned a few more things that makes one more effective.

One is sanctification. Days before the assignment, I keep myself sanctified, being faithful in prayers, reading scriptures, aware of temptations and sin.

Second is preparation. Spiritual preparation takes many forms. Prayers, private worship, Eucharist, visit to the blessed sacrament. The key is to have been where you want to bring the congregation later on. Technical preparation is identifying the songs to use. I get the theme from the Lord during my prayer time or when a scripture or devotional strikes a chord in my heart. Then I get the proper songs for them. Physical preparation is simply proper grooming and hygiene.

Third is readiness to surrender to the Spirit. Just as how I have always likened worship to a visit to the river. You must jump into the river and let it bring you to places unimagined. You cannot be a spectator.

Tonight, I pray the Spirit will again do wonders in the hearts of the congregation, centering mind, body and soul on Jesus and preparing them for the teaching.


Worship Song of the Day

I will stand and worship You
for everything You are to me
I will lift my voice in praise
for all the wonders You display
I will stand,
I will stand and worship You


(I Will Stand - New Life Worship)

Worship at All Times

People have had the notion that worship is limited to religious services that allows them to verbally or non-verbally express their worship of God.

In an earlier post, I said, worship is an expression of our love for God. So whether we sit or stand, work or play if it is an act of love for God or for His people, it is worship. Worship is not about how you are feeling right now, because God as an object of your worship does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Whether you are happy or sad, grumpy or jovial, in mourning or dancing, you can worship because God will welcome your offering. Whether early in the morning, at noon or in the evening wherever you find yourself, worship the Lord.

It is this desire for the uninterrupted presence of the Lord that all worshipers must aspire for. For the Lord says in John 15:9ff: “Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” (NAB)

When we continuously worship God, the enemy has no space to intrude and to cause us to sin. We will be in complete obedience of the Father’s will. Our righteousness will shine like the noonday sun. Our joy will be complete.

Worship Song of the Day…

Lord of righteousness you come in glory
Bright and morning star
All my days, I’ll worship and adore you
Healer of my heart.

Every prayer, every cry
You alone satisfy
We will lift your praise again and again
-High and Lifted Up (New Life Worship)

Worship Concert

The past several weeks have been extremely busy preparing for a big event in the community. We are holding the 2nd worship conference in the Heritage.

"God mounts the throne, amidst shouts of Joy" (Psalms 47:6).

Everyone is excited about it. Sis. Mikmik Rodriguez-Flores has arrived together with the family including the new baby Zechariah. She, together with our Elder, Sis. Techie are giving the plenary topics while some of us worship leaders and music ministry stewards are giving break-out topic sessions for instrumentalists, vocalists, dancers and ministry leaders.

Yesterday was hectic. We rehearsed all the songs and Sis. Mik already gave the final line up of songs. It will be a glorious worship concert that will culminate the conference. God is faithful, He will allow us to once again experience His throneroom, His immense glory.

Come join us. July 25, 2010, 9am to 7pm at The Lord's Flock Heritage Worship and Spiritual Formation Center, 5 Catanduanes St., (near cor Del Monte and West Ave) Quezon City. Conference fee with break-out sessions are at P1000 (with free lunch) and for general worship topics P500. See you all there!

Worship song of the day:

More than a nice melody

More than the sweetest of words

This is the love I have found

And in this love I am found.

I just want you, Jesus

I just want you, my Lord

I just want you, Jesus

I just want you.

- I Just Want You (Planet Shakers)

What is Worship

Worship is our expression of our love for something.

We can just worship anything. We may worship our parents, our spouses, our partners, our job, our babies, our wealth, our favorite celebrities, or even nature.

As I have learned and have experienced, no worship is more beneficial for me, than worshiping God. After all, where did all those I listed above come from, but God. He is my Maker, He is their Maker.

So I have reserved worship for God and Him alone. Thus, He takes priority, well not even top priority, my Elder says, He is beyond our priorities. He is Supreme.

And the benefits? The word of God says, and this is my favorite verse: "But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides." (Matthew 6:33). ALL THESE THINGS. This assurance has taken away all worries in my life. (Though sometimes, I take back a few, just for some excitement, :)

To Him, be all glory and honor and praise.

Worship song of the day:

You inhabit the praises of your people.
You delight in the glory of your Son
In the love of the Father we will worship
In the kingdom of God we'll find our home ...

Sing out to God, sing Hallelujah
With all we are we will worship You
Holy is your Name, holy is your Name, Oh God

- The Wonder of Your Love (Hillsong)