Month: March 2015

I don’t know why but I think I have come to a point where social media posts doesn’t appeal to me anymore. I mean everything I see in my newsfeed now are all the same. Even the articles I see are all tiring to read. Perhaps I really should start detoxyfying myself from the noise of the virtual community.

If there’s one thing that I really hate to talk about, it’s religion. I hate it when people ask me what my religion is because I don’t want to be defined by the stigma that comes with the name of the group I belong to. I want to be defined by my relationship with Jesus, not by my religious affiliation.

So when people ask me what my religion is, I always say that I am a Christian. And by being a Christian, it means that I am a follower and a disciple of Jesus Christ. And by being a disciple of Christ, I mean that I want to live my life the way Jesus’ did, NOT by my own strength and wisdom but by the grace and power of God living in me. Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life.

But then last month, we met a new friend from India in a training and he ask us about our religion. I have no choice but to answer him and I told him that I am a Christian but a Protestant Christian. He asked me what’s the difference from other sects so I shared to him what we believe in.  A few days later, he asked me again if I am a protestant. I answered, ‘yes but I preferred to be called a born-again Christian.’

I don’t know why but for some reasons, I am not comfortable calling myself a Protestant. But I am sure that I am a born-again Christian. And by being born-again, I consider myself a new creation, saved by God’s grace and transformed by the power of Christ. I am a sinner who was changed by God and is still being transformed to be conformed into the likeness of Jesus, in terms of character and ministry. I live in the truth which God has declared in the Bible that ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. (2 Cor 5:17)’

So I guess that’s what being born-again means. It means being born of water and the Spirit as what Jesus said in John 3:5. And as what Jesus has declared, being born again (of God) is a first requirement for anyone who wishes to see the kingdom of God.

Yes, after 4 years of 1 chapter a day meditation on my Bible, I’m done reading and studying it from cover to cover.

I am writing this not to brag but to encourage everyone to read it at least once in your life, if you really want to know God and to know how to live a life pleasing to God. The Bible is the Truth. And the truth will set you free. So if you want to know the truth, read it for yourself.

I was talking to a friend the other day and she said that the reason why people nowadays have subjective views about God is because of different interpretation of the Bible. While I agree with her that interpretation matters, I don’t believe that the Bible is meant to be interpreted. It is the Word of God so we don’t need to interpret it. We are meant to UNDERSTAND and BELIEVE it, and if there’s a clear command, OBEY it. The Bible interprets itself so it is plain and simple to those who read it for the purpose of knowing who God really is and for the purpose of knowing the TRUTH.

As for me, the Bible is not a book but a legit life manual because it is the LIVING WORD of God.

Praise the Lord for this wonderful treasure!

And here comes my most dreaded question, haha! I’m actually quite hesitant to answer this but since I accepted this challenge, I guess I don’t have a choice.

I’ve mentioned the five qualities I’ve set as my standard for my ideal guy in my previous book review post. That was the standard I’ve set when I was younger. I don’t think it’s still the same today because I’ve added some more on my list lately. 😀

Kidding aside, these qualities I’ve set before are superficial to me now. I can still get attracted to guys with any of these qualities but if he doesn’t meet my non-negotiables, I usually tend to cross him out from my list of prospective husband.  So here’s the checklist for my ideal husband:

1. He loves God more than He loves me. I often tell this to my office friends because as an nbsb, I always end up being the object of their playing-cupid game. They always tend to pair me up with anyone who also happens to be single and available, as if I’m looking for a boyfriend. And because godly men are rare species these days, my officemates often end up speechless whenever I mention my requirement to them. I believe that if my man truly loves God, I am assured that he can’t also afford to hurt me because He knows that he is accountable to God for his actions toward me.

2. A heart after God like David. This is somewhat related to number 1. God looks after our heart so it is really important that my future husband will be someone whose heart really beats only for God.

3. Passion for excellence like Daniel. If I were to choose an ideal man  from the Bible, it’s Daniel. The Bible said that Daniel so distinguished himself among all the satraps and administrators that those who are envious of him had to use his devotion to God to accuse him of disobeying the King. They can’t find any fault in him so they have to persuade the king issue an order that they are sure Daniel will disobey. So I want my man to have same passion to excel for God.

4. Integrity like Job. Job is one of the men of the Bible who was found righteous before God. Satan has to petition to God to allow him to test Job because God said that Job is still a righteous servant. To Satan’s disappointment, Job has passed his test and thus proven himself righteous before the Lord. I want my future man to be like Job who’s walk with God is already consistent.

5.He’s a leader. I want someone who is really committed to lead more men to Christ. And I also want someone who will lead me closer to God.

I know these standards are quite foolish to some. I should know because some have even accused me of being idealistic or being someone who is hard to please because of my standards. I know that men with these qualities are rare these days but I am sure that they exist because my Jesus is alive and He is able to transform lives of men and mold them to become more like Him in character. I have also met actual men who truly love God and know how to respect women. So I am sure if God really wills it for me to have a lifetime partner, He will send someone who perfectly fits with my standard. As what the famous actress in our country, Maricar Reyes, said, ‘Set your standards high and trust God that He will meet that standard.’
Jesus said, ‘according to your faith, it will be done you.’ So by faith, I’m claiming that nothing is impossible with God. 😀

And just like that, we’re now in March and the first quarter of the year is almost over. Though short, the month of February has been somewhat action-packed for me. I’ve learned a lot of things about myself once again, I’ve met a lot of new friends, been reconnected with an old friend, and seen an untimely death of an office colleague.

If there’s one thing that I want to be reminded of about my February, it’s ‘Life is Short’. With all the tensions happening in this country and in some other parts of the world, I am fully convinced that we are in the last days. I am now fully aware of the urgency of the Gospel and the importance of the work that Jesus has entrusted to His followers. I don’t want to sound pessimistic but I am convinced that this world is not going any better because God has meant to destroy it. Since I know now that the time is near, I now realized that my selfish desires and ambitions are nothing compared to the big task that is coming ahead so I have to be on guard and remain faithful. We know that no one knows the time and day of Jesus’ second coming but we must be ready because He will come in the most unexpected time and hour. So it would be better if Jesus will find me busy for His kingdom when He comes rather than sorry if He will find me idle. Or better yet, I should be ready and prepared to welcome Him with joy and excitement in my heart.