New songs

In the past few days, I've been creating lower and higher harmonies for some of the worship songs of the Greenhills church for which I work. Days like these make me miss people like Archie Castillo and Teri Sambajon; music-minded individuals who work with you full-time can be such a blessing. Here, it's pretty much just me, which I don't mind. I just miss 'em.

Listening to: Brandon Heath Your Love

Good word

God gave me a special word today, preparing me for something that I need to do. I brought myself to this place; now God's going to help me out. Thank You, Lord.

Listening to Hillsong United Search My Heart

I want the Lifan 320

The other week, I passed by Lifan Motors Philippines along West Avenue in Quezon City. The line of Philippine Lifan 320s caught my eye because they were arranged so neatly in a row, like a row of Mini-Coopers. That actually was the reason these China-made cars caught my attention.

"Look at that, honey," I said to my wife, "Mini-Coopers!"

"Those aren't Mini-Coopers," she replied.

I took a second look and realized she was right. But they looked so similar, so I told her I wanted to stop the car and go down; she gave in and allowed me to, so I walked into the Quezon City Lifan dealership to inquire about the Lifan 320, which is their Mini-Cooper doppelganger.

I was surprised by how similar the Lifan 320 looked to the Mini-Cooper. Of course, getting a Chinese car that looks precisely like the Mini-Cooper but is not the Mini-Cooper is kinda like buying a fake Rolex and expecting people to believe that it's a genuine Rolex. Several comments in this Philippine car forum make a lot of sense, methinks, noting that Chinese cars have yet to prove their mettle for long-term durability and reliability.

Having said this, though, I have to admit I wasn't taken aback by the Lifan 320; if anything, I was rather impressed. Comparing the car to my Getz, it had smaller leg room in the driver's area, and slightly smaller trunk space. It also had a rather comical looking dashboard that I think has probably earned the car more jeers than cheers. I mean, come on, look at that dashboard! Two round airconditioning vents, a red hazard light, and a radio display in the shape of a semi-circle? It looks like the 1930s Mickey Mouse!

On the plus side, its 1.3 engine means it has more power than my 1.1 Getz does. The Philippine Lifan 320 has ABS, which my Hyundai Getz does not, and four speakers compared to my Hyundai Getz's two. Its engine looked very impressive - of course, I wouldn't know the first thing about engines! There really should be a class! - and, well, let's face it, even if the Lifan 320 is a rip-off of the Mini-Cooper, it still is remarkably cute!

The 1.3 model begins to retail for Php498,000, which was the same price we paid for our 1.1 Hyundai Getz three years ago. I honestly would like to test-drive it, but we're not in the financial place for a second car, so I want to avoid that temptation. (If I do, you'll bet I'll write about it.)

However, I gotta admit, I am believing God for a second car, and my God is a God of miracles, so who knows? Maybe the Lord will pave the way for me to somehow, someday, own a Lifan 320. (Heads up: my dream car is the Volkswagen New Beetle in classic yellow or beautiful bold red. I like small cars.

Lifan 320 Dashboard photo lifted off BigBigCar.com; no copyright infringement intended.

Listening to: Aaron Gillespie We Were Made For You

Blessing!

I'm starting 2011 with a lot of hope. Cathy and I have one relatively lucrative sideline each, and we're believing this is the year when we can finally lift ourselves and start that nest egg that our family deserves to have. I'm so encouraged! Thank You Lord!

Listening to Brandon Heath Your Love

Gearing up for Prayer and Fasting

At the start of every year, Victory Greenhills, a church in Greenhills, joins the rest of the Victory family across the Philippines, in consecrating itself and its congregants in a seven-day prayer and fasting activity. I've been participating in this for several years now, but this year I am particularly determined to get the fullest, richest experience of my participation thus far. I have witnessed for myself the incredible power of God these past three months, and I'm waiting in joyful anticipation of what God is going to do this year.

If God gives me particularly rich revelation, I expect to share it on this blog. Luckily, no one visits, so I'm not too worried about turning the world upside down. LOL

Listening to: Francesca Battistelli This is the Stuff