Have you ever been in a desert? Have you ever wondered what it would be like living in utter desolation, devoid of life except your own... no joy... and no hope. One doesn't have to be in a literal "desert", with its sand dunes and extreme weather, to experience the nothingness of a life usually associated with such a place. Each one of us probably had encountered a certain "desert" in our lives - during those times when we have no one.. no love... no joy... no hope.... nothing, nada, nil, zero.
This could apply to any aspect of our lives: in work, at school, in our family, in our circle of friends, and in our relationship with the Lord, our Master Builder. The only question here is - what have become of us after passing through this "desert".
Due to certain unavoidable circumstances in my life, I ended up working in Saudi Arabia for over three years... straight. This was one of those "deserts" in my life but in this case it was a literal desert. It was supposed to be a two-year stay only, as stipulated in my contract, but because of the difficulty in finding a replacement for me after I finished my contract (the owners were urging me to renew), I was forced to extend my stay here, to the ire of my wife and family. Further delays in my homecoming were caused by the difficulty of obtaining my exit papers from the Saudi Immigration office.
During that time, the officials were extra-strict in processing documents, due to the onslaught of terrorist acts, most of which have never even reached the news. This was also compounded by the fact that it was the Hajj season at that time, and things were slowly grinding to a halt as the Muslim people prepare for the upcoming Eid Al Adaha Holidays. This is their equivalent of the New Year season, and the Saudi government agencies, typical of such offices, were at less than 50% efficiency level - if you know what I mean. It was a good thing that my employers had an uncle who was a high ranking official in the Jawasat, equivalent to our deportation office. He took the matters into his hands and forced Immigration to release my passport and exit papers. Sa wakas!(At last!)
At this point, I can't but help reminisce the days of my sojourn in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : from the moment I got there and having to spend overnight at the airport ala-Tom Hanks in his movie "Terminal" (yes, it happened to me, but it was only for one night); to the very confusing early periods of my stay; until the Lord revealed to me my Sacred Duty. In a land where Christianity is forbidden, I experienced a spiritual reawakening, and it was at this time when I began the series of "Letters From My Sojourn" which I regularly send to friends and family. For three years I stayed there, up to my extended length of stay, and with it the emotional struggle that me and my family had to go through. And finally it came... the long awaited time of my return home.
Through all those moments of ups and downs, I have felt the loving touch of the Master Builder. During those moments of hardships and trials there, I have learned to lean on Him for support - and what a support He gave me!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV
Just before I left Saudi Arabia, I have sent the last installment to these "Letters from My Sojourn" series.... but I knew for a fact that the Lord wold not want me to end this work when I get back home... but to continue sending these words of encouragement to my friends, family and others as well. I will continue to give glory to His Name through my writings... as well as perform the other tasks that I knew He had already lined up for me when I get back home.
" Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess His Name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Hebrews 13: 15-16 NIV
And as for you, my brothers and sisters, to those whose lives have been touched by the Lord in one way or another, I urge you to be steadfast in your faith and heed the words spoken in Proverbs 3: 5-6. As the song goes, He has taken us out of the dark and led us into the light... He has removed us from the crooked path that we were taking, and built for us a straight and beautiful highway.
Don't let yourselves be dragged by the world back into the darkness... and don't let yourselves be blinded and fooled by the fake glitter and glamour that lies within the crooked path. It's all up to us, my brothers and sisters, if we want to continue with what the Lord have started in our lives. It's up to us if we'll turn our backs to Him... or press on towards His direction. And know this for a fact, my friends - only we ourselves can turn our own backs to Him... for He will never turn His back to us... and He will never forsake us.
" I Thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion, until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1: 3-6 NIV
He is the Master Builder. He will continue to work on us, never abandoning what He started, until the time comes when He sees His own image in us... like a master craftsman refining silver. He will continue to mold us into perfection... until His work in us is complete. We are like vessels that He is shaping... but it would be up to us as to what material we will put inside these vessels, our own beings :
" In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."
2 Timothy 2: 20-21 NIV
Be VESSELS OF GOLD my dear friends... be an instrument for noble and honorable purposes... and not for the opposite, which is ignoble, shameful, without honor... which would be a shame and waste to the beautiful vessels that He has intended us to be.
If you remember the words of the song "Once No People", you must realize that He has taken you out of the darkness and are being built into His spiritual house as a royal priesthood. For we were once nothing, not a people... but we are now the Children of the Light.... God's People.... intended to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
" But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."
1 Peter 2 : 9 NIV
My sojourn into that spiritual and physical desert I described earlier is now at an end, my dear friends, but my journey has not -- it has started onto another phase. And I am confident that the Lord, the Master Builder, will continue to mold me into what He intends me to be.
And the same goes for all of you.
I pray that the Lord continue to provide us all with wisdom and guidance, so we might trek the right paths together! I pray that He continue to shower us with His blessings without measure so that we may all be satisfied and may be able to offer Him our spiritual sacrifices of praise and good works. Now I know, and felt secure, that the Master Builder, who began a good work in each and everyone of us, will be faithful to complete His work.... in Jesus' Name!
"Letters From My Sojourn"
© 2008
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An Introduction to Letters From My Sojourn
" I write to you, dear children, because your sins have
been forgiven on account of His Name.
I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him
Who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you have
overcome the evil one.
I write to you, dear children, because you
have known the Father.
I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him
Who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong,
and the Word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one."
1 John 2: 12-14
On May 0f 2002 , I went to work as an expatriate in the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia. Circumstances at that time forced me to take on this job, even though it would mean being half-a-world away from my family and loved ones – and from my Ministry in Singles for Christ in Muntinlupa.
But during this Sojourn in this desert country, where lifestyles, even religious freedom, are restricted by society and the governing body, I came to realize that God has sent me to go through this “desert” in my life. It became known to me that He wanted me to go through this filtration process…. so I can let go of things that hinder my ministry to Him – thus revealing the Sacred Duty that He wants me to accomplish.
And part of this Sacred Duty is to write a series of “LETTERS” to my brothers and sisters in SFC. So, in
these simple messages of mine, greatly inspired by the Lord, I could give whatever encouragement there is to my friends, not only in SFC Muntinlupa, but to other readers as well…. even while I’m away.
Shalom,
Brod. Pete
Have you ever been in a desert? Have you ever wondered what it would be like living in utter desolation, devoid of life except your own... no joy... and no hope. One doesn't have to be in a literal "desert", with its sand dunes and extreme weather, to experience the nothingness of a life usually associated with such a place. Each one of us probably had encountered a certain "desert" in our lives - during those times when we have no one.. no love... no joy... no hope.... nothing, nada, nil, zero.
This could apply to any aspect of our lives: in work, at school, in our family, in our circle of friends, and in our relationship with the Lord, our Master Builder. The only question here is - what have become of us after passing through this "desert".
Due to certain unavoidable circumstances in my life, I ended up working in Saudi Arabia for over three years... straight. This was one of those "deserts" in my life but in this case it was a literal desert. It was supposed to be a two-year stay only, as stipulated in my contract, but because of the difficulty in finding a replacement for me after I finished my contract (the owners were urging me to renew), I was forced to extend my stay here, to the ire of my wife and family. Further delays in my homecoming were caused by the difficulty of obtaining my exit papers from the Saudi Immigration office.
During that time, the officials were extra-strict in processing documents, due to the onslaught of terrorist acts, most of which have never even reached the news. This was also compounded by the fact that it was the Hajj season at that time, and things were slowly grinding to a halt as the Muslim people prepare for the upcoming Eid Al Adaha Holidays. This is their equivalent of the New Year season, and the Saudi government agencies, typical of such offices, were at less than 50% efficiency level - if you know what I mean. It was a good thing that my employers had an uncle who was a high ranking official in the Jawasat, equivalent to our deportation office. He took the matters into his hands and forced Immigration to release my passport and exit papers. Sa wakas!(At last!)
At this point, I can't but help reminisce the days of my sojourn in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : from the moment I got there and having to spend overnight at the airport ala-Tom Hanks in his movie "Terminal" (yes, it happened to me, but it was only for one night); to the very confusing early periods of my stay; until the Lord revealed to me my Sacred Duty. In a land where Christianity is forbidden, I experienced a spiritual reawakening, and it was at this time when I began the series of "Letters From My Sojourn" which I regularly send to friends and family. For three years I stayed there, up to my extended length of stay, and with it the emotional struggle that me and my family had to go through. And finally it came... the long awaited time of my return home.
Through all those moments of ups and downs, I have felt the loving touch of the Master Builder. During those moments of hardships and trials there, I have learned to lean on Him for support - and what a support He gave me!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV
Just before I left Saudi Arabia, I have sent the last installment to these "Letters from My Sojourn" series.... but I knew for a fact that the Lord wold not want me to end this work when I get back home... but to continue sending these words of encouragement to my friends, family and others as well. I will continue to give glory to His Name through my writings... as well as perform the other tasks that I knew He had already lined up for me when I get back home.
" Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess His Name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Hebrews 13: 15-16 NIV
And as for you, my brothers and sisters, to those whose lives have been touched by the Lord in one way or another, I urge you to be steadfast in your faith and heed the words spoken in Proverbs 3: 5-6. As the song goes, He has taken us out of the dark and led us into the light... He has removed us from the crooked path that we were taking, and built for us a straight and beautiful highway.
Don't let yourselves be dragged by the world back into the darkness... and don't let yourselves be blinded and fooled by the fake glitter and glamour that lies within the crooked path. It's all up to us, my brothers and sisters, if we want to continue with what the Lord have started in our lives. It's up to us if we'll turn our backs to Him... or press on towards His direction. And know this for a fact, my friends - only we ourselves can turn our own backs to Him... for He will never turn His back to us... and He will never forsake us.
" I Thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion, until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1: 3-6 NIV
He is the Master Builder. He will continue to work on us, never abandoning what He started, until the time comes when He sees His own image in us... like a master craftsman refining silver. He will continue to mold us into perfection... until His work in us is complete. We are like vessels that He is shaping... but it would be up to us as to what material we will put inside these vessels, our own beings :
" In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."
2 Timothy 2: 20-21 NIV
Be VESSELS OF GOLD my dear friends... be an instrument for noble and honorable purposes... and not for the opposite, which is ignoble, shameful, without honor... which would be a shame and waste to the beautiful vessels that He has intended us to be.
If you remember the words of the song "Once No People", you must realize that He has taken you out of the darkness and are being built into His spiritual house as a royal priesthood. For we were once nothing, not a people... but we are now the Children of the Light.... God's People.... intended to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
" But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."
1 Peter 2 : 9 NIV
My sojourn into that spiritual and physical desert I described earlier is now at an end, my dear friends, but my journey has not -- it has started onto another phase. And I am confident that the Lord, the Master Builder, will continue to mold me into what He intends me to be.
And the same goes for all of you.
I pray that the Lord continue to provide us all with wisdom and guidance, so we might trek the right paths together! I pray that He continue to shower us with His blessings without measure so that we may all be satisfied and may be able to offer Him our spiritual sacrifices of praise and good works. Now I know, and felt secure, that the Master Builder, who began a good work in each and everyone of us, will be faithful to complete His work.... in Jesus' Name!
"Letters From My Sojourn"
© 2008
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