Him:
So are you a staunch Christian?
Me:
Hahaha... that's a very good question... well, everyday I strive to be one... =P
Him:
I see... I hardly go to church now...
Me:
How come? If you dun mind my asking...
Him:
Well, I've reached a point of asking what is real and what is not. Why is the church so fake? Can you tell me?
Me:
Ah... I know exactly whatcha talking about... cuz I had wondered the same thing before. And I have many friends who left the church cuz they couldn't find an answer to that question. But you see, Christians are humans too. We ain't perfect... nobody is... so you can't judge a church based on some bad apples. How about the good ones?
Him:
Good ones? I hardly find any...
Me:
We being part of the church have to play our parts too. One person can make a difference, ya know...
Him:
You seem very optimistic...
Me:
My church is having the same prob and trust me, I thought of leaving as well... go to a more spirit-filled church or something. When I was at Church Of Praise a few weeks ago, I prayed about it. I never stopped praying for my church since then. I dun wanna leave my church cuz I believe I can make a difference. Just last Sunday, the preacher preached about honoring the less honorable parts of the body of Christ (the church). Each church member is a body part. Some are leaders, some are followers, some play bigger roles than the others... but nevertheless, we should honor the smaller parts of the body as well, esp. the younger generation: the children and the youth. They are a blessing, NOT a burden. What the adults sow now is what the children and the youth are gonna reap! Hence every single part of the body IS significant. Some leaders in church think too highly of themselves and they often look at things from their level; they hardly ever look down to the lower level. As a result, those who play smaller roles in church feel unimportant. We should really focus on our commonalities, not our differences. We should build on our strengths! You know what I mean?
Him:
I know, I've been there. You know what the sucky thing is?
Me:
What?
Him:
My father is a church leader...
Me:
Uh huh...
Him:
So everything I do was under close scrutiny. The expectations were overwhelming so I chose to leave the church.
Me:
My former best friend is a pastor's daughter so I totally understand, ya know...
Him:
Damn... are you a church leader or something?
Me:
Nah... =P At the end of the day, you have to understand that Christianity is NOT merely a religion nor merely a ritual... it's a relationship between you and God.
Him:
Does God really exist???
Me:
Of coz He does. But no point telling you that if you never experienced Him personally. Like I said before, Christianity is a RELATIONSHIP. He's our Father and we are His children. Until and unless we draw near to Him and have a close relationship with Him, we can never be sure of His existence.
Him:
Hey Mich, do you really believe that God 100% exists?
Me:
Of coz...
Him:
100%???
Me:
110%
Him:
*speechless*
Me:
Actually every Christian would come to a point in their lives where they start to question the very existence of our Creator. You ain't the only one, ya know. And He ALLOWS crappy stuff to happen to us sometimes to give us a jolt... to make us realize certain stuff. After all, adversities do build character. We learn from mistakes, dun we all?
Him:
True...
Me:
My journey of healing, forgiveness and recovery started after my abduction ordeal... it was a slow process... but after everything has sorta settled down, I thought about everything that happened and I didn't blame God for what happened cuz I know everything does happen for a reason... good or bad... as corny as it may sound la... but it's true. The incident brought my family closer together... friends who turned their backs on me changed... and healing and forgiveness took place. My testimony had touched other souls as well... many fellow bloggers who didn't know me posted about me when I went missing. So when I posted my testimony on my blog, they were encouraged. I received many e-mails from well-wishers, and they admired my strength and all but I told them I was never a strong person.
The strength came from God. When I submitted my life to Him all over again, He turned my weaknesses into strengths and opportunities! It's easier to live our lives when we know we have someone to depend on. Well, yeah, some of us depend on our bf/gf, our friends, our family... those ppl are important, of coz... but they are only humans and they disappoint us in one way or another sometimes BUT God is the only One who will NEVER disappoint us. Who can be more reliable than God? Why should we depend on ourselves and pretend we'll find something greater when we know we can look at the bright side and find the Creator? =D I was one wild child but now I'm tired of all the temporary high. I need to do stuff in my life that will last for a lifetime... like touching lives... helping others... I need to start thinking about those in need instead of focusing on myself. What we do on earth counts after death, okie. Most ppl think death is the end but actually, the good news for those who believe in Him is that it's only the beginning; the beginning of eternal life in heaven with our Father. And we'll be united with our loved ones who have passed on before us. Isn't that wonderful???
Him:
*speechless*
Me:
It's okie, dude. I know what I just said is too much to digest in one night... hehehe... it takes time... I'll be praying for a breakthru in your life. Eventually, you'll see the Light. All of us have been in the dark tunnel before. With the right guidance, we'll eventually find the Light. Listen, I had prefered to do things MY way. What I didn't understand was that His ways are ALWAYS higher than ours. We shouldn't limit what He can do. But in our own narrow minds, we always think that, "Oh, I should control my own destiny, not leave it to God." That's just dumb, man...
Him:
Thank you so much... I'm really touched...
Me:
To be honest, I dun think you had "just so happened" to stumble upon my testimony at the Youth Alive forum. It was all in God's perfect plan. He's using me to share my story with you and I'm truly honored to be part of His plan for you... =) Dun be too hard on yourself, dude... take it easy... God is understanding and forgiving... He knows exactly whatcha going thru... including your inner conflictions... so put your trust in Him. Sometimes God doesn't give us what we desire cuz He knows we can't handle them. For instance, I dun understand why this thing between Dan and I haven't come to a conclusion yet but since I'm leaving it in God's hands and He told me to be patient, I'm sure He has His reasons. Who am I to question why? All I gotta do is put my trust in Him cuz He only wants the very best for me. When God tells me to jump, I shouldn't ask WHY but HOW HIGH. Obedience is better than sacrifice... and it takes a man/woman of faith to do great things for God!
So are you a staunch Christian?
Me:
Hahaha... that's a very good question... well, everyday I strive to be one... =P
Him:
I see... I hardly go to church now...
Me:
How come? If you dun mind my asking...
Him:
Well, I've reached a point of asking what is real and what is not. Why is the church so fake? Can you tell me?
Me:
Ah... I know exactly whatcha talking about... cuz I had wondered the same thing before. And I have many friends who left the church cuz they couldn't find an answer to that question. But you see, Christians are humans too. We ain't perfect... nobody is... so you can't judge a church based on some bad apples. How about the good ones?
Him:
Good ones? I hardly find any...
Me:
We being part of the church have to play our parts too. One person can make a difference, ya know...
Him:
You seem very optimistic...
Me:
My church is having the same prob and trust me, I thought of leaving as well... go to a more spirit-filled church or something. When I was at Church Of Praise a few weeks ago, I prayed about it. I never stopped praying for my church since then. I dun wanna leave my church cuz I believe I can make a difference. Just last Sunday, the preacher preached about honoring the less honorable parts of the body of Christ (the church). Each church member is a body part. Some are leaders, some are followers, some play bigger roles than the others... but nevertheless, we should honor the smaller parts of the body as well, esp. the younger generation: the children and the youth. They are a blessing, NOT a burden. What the adults sow now is what the children and the youth are gonna reap! Hence every single part of the body IS significant. Some leaders in church think too highly of themselves and they often look at things from their level; they hardly ever look down to the lower level. As a result, those who play smaller roles in church feel unimportant. We should really focus on our commonalities, not our differences. We should build on our strengths! You know what I mean?
Him:
I know, I've been there. You know what the sucky thing is?
Me:
What?
Him:
My father is a church leader...
Me:
Uh huh...
Him:
So everything I do was under close scrutiny. The expectations were overwhelming so I chose to leave the church.
Me:
My former best friend is a pastor's daughter so I totally understand, ya know...
Him:
Damn... are you a church leader or something?
Me:
Nah... =P At the end of the day, you have to understand that Christianity is NOT merely a religion nor merely a ritual... it's a relationship between you and God.
Him:
Does God really exist???
Me:
Of coz He does. But no point telling you that if you never experienced Him personally. Like I said before, Christianity is a RELATIONSHIP. He's our Father and we are His children. Until and unless we draw near to Him and have a close relationship with Him, we can never be sure of His existence.
Him:
Hey Mich, do you really believe that God 100% exists?
Me:
Of coz...
Him:
100%???
Me:
110%
Him:
*speechless*
Me:
Actually every Christian would come to a point in their lives where they start to question the very existence of our Creator. You ain't the only one, ya know. And He ALLOWS crappy stuff to happen to us sometimes to give us a jolt... to make us realize certain stuff. After all, adversities do build character. We learn from mistakes, dun we all?
Him:
True...
Me:
My journey of healing, forgiveness and recovery started after my abduction ordeal... it was a slow process... but after everything has sorta settled down, I thought about everything that happened and I didn't blame God for what happened cuz I know everything does happen for a reason... good or bad... as corny as it may sound la... but it's true. The incident brought my family closer together... friends who turned their backs on me changed... and healing and forgiveness took place. My testimony had touched other souls as well... many fellow bloggers who didn't know me posted about me when I went missing. So when I posted my testimony on my blog, they were encouraged. I received many e-mails from well-wishers, and they admired my strength and all but I told them I was never a strong person.
The strength came from God. When I submitted my life to Him all over again, He turned my weaknesses into strengths and opportunities! It's easier to live our lives when we know we have someone to depend on. Well, yeah, some of us depend on our bf/gf, our friends, our family... those ppl are important, of coz... but they are only humans and they disappoint us in one way or another sometimes BUT God is the only One who will NEVER disappoint us. Who can be more reliable than God? Why should we depend on ourselves and pretend we'll find something greater when we know we can look at the bright side and find the Creator? =D I was one wild child but now I'm tired of all the temporary high. I need to do stuff in my life that will last for a lifetime... like touching lives... helping others... I need to start thinking about those in need instead of focusing on myself. What we do on earth counts after death, okie. Most ppl think death is the end but actually, the good news for those who believe in Him is that it's only the beginning; the beginning of eternal life in heaven with our Father. And we'll be united with our loved ones who have passed on before us. Isn't that wonderful???
Him:
*speechless*
Me:
It's okie, dude. I know what I just said is too much to digest in one night... hehehe... it takes time... I'll be praying for a breakthru in your life. Eventually, you'll see the Light. All of us have been in the dark tunnel before. With the right guidance, we'll eventually find the Light. Listen, I had prefered to do things MY way. What I didn't understand was that His ways are ALWAYS higher than ours. We shouldn't limit what He can do. But in our own narrow minds, we always think that, "Oh, I should control my own destiny, not leave it to God." That's just dumb, man...
Him:
Thank you so much... I'm really touched...
Me:
To be honest, I dun think you had "just so happened" to stumble upon my testimony at the Youth Alive forum. It was all in God's perfect plan. He's using me to share my story with you and I'm truly honored to be part of His plan for you... =) Dun be too hard on yourself, dude... take it easy... God is understanding and forgiving... He knows exactly whatcha going thru... including your inner conflictions... so put your trust in Him. Sometimes God doesn't give us what we desire cuz He knows we can't handle them. For instance, I dun understand why this thing between Dan and I haven't come to a conclusion yet but since I'm leaving it in God's hands and He told me to be patient, I'm sure He has His reasons. Who am I to question why? All I gotta do is put my trust in Him cuz He only wants the very best for me. When God tells me to jump, I shouldn't ask WHY but HOW HIGH. Obedience is better than sacrifice... and it takes a man/woman of faith to do great things for God!
Him:
Thank you... you've been very informative. I'll go do some "soul-searching".
Me:
No need to thank me... I should thank you...
Him:
Huh? *puzzled*
Me:
...for giving me an opportunity to share His goodness with you... ;D
4 comments:
this reminds me of the story (forwarded email) about the conversation between a student and a professor about the the existence of God.
have you read it before?
oh yeah... i have... =) that was a good one... i wanna read it again, man...
nice entry, was blessed after reading it, thanks!
glad u were blessed by the entry... =) btw, nobody loves us more than God does... ;P
cheers!
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