Dreaming

The following is an email exchange between me and two of my friends. Read about a dream and tell me what you think.

FROM ME to Z:
hi z! a former classmate in UP who recently became a Christian and got hold of my book emailed me. below is an excerpt. just want to share it with you. let me know what you think.

Hey, Grace...how are you doing? This Christian women's magazine will truly be a God-sent to modern Filipinas. Please pray about this and let God give you the wisdom and discernment to come up with the best concept for this publication. I realize that with your background in broadcom, you will explore new heights as a writer and Christian leader! To God be the glory! Sige na, I'd love to share some things that may help you get started. Like what it could be like or whatever. I have yet to see a quality Christian mag that can parallel or surpass the popularity of Cosmo! Honestly, I used to read this mag when I was unsaved yet, but now, whenever I read it, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Never has the woman been taken away from God's promise in her life that this worldly mag that glorifies sex as a lifestyle for the modern Filipina. Hello?! It grieves me that Filipinas down here crave it like crazy. Nakaka-demean. The decadent lifestyle promoted by this mag has destroyed God's promise for Filipinas that it makes me ill. Talaga po. I will bring a sample mag that you may want to browse and get some ideas from. Or...is there already an existing popular Christian women's mag here? This is an ambitious endeavor, but with God, nothing is impossible! I am just sharing with you what I'd love to see in the Philippines. Buti nga at may mga Pinay pa na katulad mo. I've been so wrapped up with my little family church up in Washington that going back to the "world" literally struck me like a bolt of lightning. Mahirap pero go pa rin in Jesus' name!

Smiling but not pressured
grace

FROM Z to ME:
There was Aglow in the early 90s which followed the format of parlor magazines (Woman's Today, Woman's Home Companion, etc.) but it folded soon afterwards for unknown reasons. I would guess it's money. Magazines are hard work and to make it "Christian" would make it such a losing proposition since the market will be miniscule. Given that not all Christian women will buy, the market might be infinitisimal or however that is spelled. Can't even pronounce it.My suggestion would be is not to make it outright Christian so as not to "alienate" non-believers but to make it wholesome and practical. In short, the exact opposite of Cosmo. It can then be read by any woman who appreciates decency as well as stands everything against what Cosmo and all other magazines stand for.

Z

FROM ME to Z cc'ed to F (my classmate):
That's right. To make it too Christian would really limit the audience. I totally agree to a non-alienating piece of work that can cut across the board and make an impact regardless of who's reading it. Anyway, it's good to dream. Perhaps someday the dream will come true.

FROM MY U.P. CLASSMATE:
I appreciate your reply to my suggestion. This is a confirmation that our country is not yet ready for an ambitious mag like this. Let's just consider it as a dream and a germ of an idea that takes a century or half in the making (not a thousand years, hope not! hehehe). We can always do God's way, PRAY for the Pinays who are currently shackled to strongholds of Satan's deceit. I am going back to Negros and help a church down there. They are holding a youth camp in December. It's a pretty big church. Maybe I can use your materials for training down there, I'm not sure yet because I need to talk with the youth pastor down there. But I'm definitely bringing your book! It's a radical and moving book about God-written romances. Every young girl who hopes to meet her true Prince someday should read this. Well, being single, I already met my Prince. Jesus. Hahaha. Seriously, I am considering the choice of a mate, too. But I leave it all for God to decide. His choice of guy for me is not yeat clear in this matter.

Thanks,
F

So, what do you think?

True Love Weds: A Review

Someone I know (Kuya Kevin) from the True Love Waits movement gave this review of my book True Love Weds in his blog. I'm posting it below (with some of my comments) but you can also check out his blog http://kuyakevin.blogspot.com (sorry, I still haven't figured out how to create links :-( ...yikes, I really need to learn to be more techy...):


It’s my pleasure to write another book review for you guys—another book about love. I just finished reading True Love Weds by Grace Gaston-Dousel. Perhaps this review is coming a little bit late—I’ve already recommended this book to hundreds of students (it is on my recommended reading list when I present True Love Waits). I’ve also linked Grace’s website to this blog (True Love Weds).

I’ve never taken the time to read it myself because I’ve heard Grace speak in person and already knew of her heart for the Lord (in other words, no need to check up on her material to make sure it is solid). So do I still recommend it now that I've read it? Absolutely!! Now that I've read it I will be able to give an even stronger and more descriptive recommendation to my students.

Let me give you a few of my observations about the book:

First, this book is a great love story. Some of you may have a hard time believing that I would make this comment. For me, a perfect movie starts with something exploding then ends with a bloody swordfight. Remember the scene in The Notebook where the girl pulls her car over, reads the long lost love letters and weeps? I laughed during that scene. “I cannot believe someone talked me into watching this,” I said to myself. Here's my point: if I can enjoy this love story, I’m sure you will enjoy it immensely (especially if you are woman). Grace has a wonderful way of telling the story of God’s goodness in her life and her love life.

Second, Grace is quite candid about her own struggles and experiences. One of the most appealing qualities of this book is its intensely personal nature. Graces shares about everything from heartbreaks, journal excerpts, painful childhood experiences, her own struggles to please God, and even reflections on her wedding night. She was willing to be quite vulnerable and transparent with us, and I think you will appreciate this. Some of the book’s content might not be appropriate for young children, but everything is written prudently with good discretion.

Third, this book is culturally relevant to the Filipino/Filipina. When the Filipino version of True Love Waits first came out, the statistics were mostly from a ’94 study. Grace uses more recent data from a 2002 study on Filipino youth culture (I used this same source to update my TLW presentation). I appreciated this extra effort to make the book more relevant. She also writes about her extraordinary efforts to earn her parents’ approval on her decision to marry Mang (her husband). This also reflects a uniquely Filipina perspective on family which will resonate with other Filipinos.

Fourth (last but definitely not least) this book gives us a great testimony and defense of sexual purity. Grace’s testimony is a story of purity. Through this book, she tells us of her decision to wait until she was married to experience sexual intimacy. She also gives a great Biblical defense of sexual purity. One of her friends, for example, protested against the idea that virginity was one of the most valuable things you could give your husband. “Though there are other things a woman can give her husband,” Grace wrote, “her virginity still tops the list.” Amen to that! I can personally attest that a man who has waited does not want to hear that his potential wife has not waited. “Cheated” would not even begin to describe the feeling. (Grace’s comment: Let’s not be double standard in our view of virginity. As a woman, I can say that it gives women a great sense of comfort and honor to know that their potential husbands waited for the wedding night and that they are their husbands’ first sex partner.)

Grace also shares stories of heartbreak, hope and redemption from those who have made poor choices but turned to God for a second chance.Other thoughts:A reader would be very wise to apply Grace's advice and follow her example of patience and purity. Just keep in mind that some parts of her story are unique to her. I would refer you to one of Grace’s own quotes when you read this book: “Each romance is unique. There is no formula.” This is very important to understand when reading her story. In other words, don’t read her story and think that your love story has to be exactly the same as hers. I’ll give you two examples.

First, Grace reached a point in her life where she “decided to simply trust God by not lifting a finger, and letting him prepare and bring His choice to me.” I believe this is something God led Grace to do at that point in her life. She was 20 and recovering from a broken heart. For those of us past our mid-20’s, however, it is easy to get into a “rut” in which you meet fewer and fewer quality, eligible, Christian singles. I think the vast majority of singles would agree with me on this. I believe in waiting for God’s choice, but I also think sometimes we singles need to evaluate our social life (or lack thereof). If you are not meeting any singles, get out there and mingle! (Sorry for the cheesy rhyme) If “waiting” means sitting on the couch and expecting Mr/Ms right to jump out of the TV, please think again. I'm not advocating going out and playing the typical "dating game." I'm just saying its good to put yourself in a position to meet new people.

A second example is Grace’s efforts to win her family’s approval before proceeding with her wedding plans. I commend her for doing this, but keep in mind that she came from a godly, wise, and reasonable family. There were also some clear reasons for her family's reservations. Eventually her family accepted Mang because of their wise, loving attitude. Let me give you guys an observation as an outsider—many Filipino families reject their childrens' choice of a spouse without a good reason (much less a Biblical reason). Somehow it seems all too common here. I've heard of families objecting because the potential spouse is not rich or has the "wrong" astrological sign. I have seen Filipinos break their finances’ hearts by postponing/canceling a wedding due to mommy’s disapproval. If you are of age, fiancially stable, believe you have found God’s choice, have patiently done all you can to win your family’s approval; and they still have not given you a reasonable objection, its time to stand your ground! Genesis tells us that a man will “leave is Father and Mother” (Genesis 2:24). Unless you want mommy to be the only woman in your life, be careful about how much control you give her.I do not see this as a "problem" with the book. The book, after all, is "Grace Gaston-Dousel's love story." It is a story that we can all learn from!

Thanks for a great book, Grace!! I'm proud to be your brother in Christ!!

Kuya Kevin

Walking On Real Time

I am constantly amazed by God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His purpose in my life, especially in the area of arts and writing. We ended the Taytayan Youth Art Exhibit yesterday and took down the panels and lights this morning. However, the “sales” continue as long as the online gallery at http://tubaobrigade.blogspot.com is still up. So, for those of you who have yet to choose which painting to hang on your walls, visit the blog and start ordering! Already, Dadai Joaquin and I are talking about possible exhibits next year.

This month, two books of which I am one of the writers will be launched under Church Strengthening Ministry. These were projects that were in the works when we left for Davao last year. A friend gave me the unexpected gift of a plane ticket giving me the opportunity to fly to Manila so I can partake of these two wonderful events. God is good!

REAL TIME is a youth devotional which will be launched at the Mega Trade Hall at the Mega Mall on October 13 at 7 pm. WALKING ON: THE BEST OF WOMEN ON THE JOURNEY will be launched the following evening (October 14, 5:30 pm) at the Podium Activity Center.