Rejoice Pray & Give Thanks; Edicts Pondered by CFC GVA During Leaders' Assembly

In a lead-up to the Rejoice Weekend in May, servant leaders of Couples for Christ in the Greater Vancouver Area convened at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Surrey, BC. Noted as another jam-packed sector event, the leaders' conference glossed over the essence of Philippians 4:4-7, which is to rejoice, pray and give thanks.



REJOICE

How are we to rejoice amidst the barrage of trials in our daily living? We need to understand that whatever we are going through we have Jesus as our strong tower. This is sufficient reason for us to be cheerful and calmly happy through it all. We need to praise Him in the midst of whatever we are going though.

Elmer Tangco, East Cluster Head, tells that an intimate relationship with God can bring about genuine happiness.  

PRAY

Why is there a need to pray if God knows everything? It is important to realize that when we pray we are inviting God into our lives. When we pray we experience fellowship with our creator, and He allows us the joy and privilege of working in His vineyard and attending to its affairs. When we pray, we experience growth and development as we persevere and wait in patience. When we pray, we become dependent upon God.

Jimmy Arzadon, Greater Vancouver Area Head, stresses the importance of contemplative prayer - the practice of clearing one's mind of outside concerns so that God's voice, guidance and presence may be heard and felt more easily.

GIVE THANKS

Why is giving thanks necessary? Without gratefulness, we become arrogant and self-centered. Learning to be thankful acknowledges the fact that it is not through our own strength, intelligence or abilities that we have achieved what we have accomplished. God wants us to be thankful for all the gifts and graces we have received from Him. Thankfulness keeps our hearts in right relationship with our God and keeps in check the negative mindset that will rob us of the peace that God wants us to experience.

Jimmy Dimaculangan, North Cluster Head, points out that the best way of expressing thankfulness is by putting it into action.