Heaven, Hell and In-Between? (On purgatory)

Yesterday, I was talking to two colleagues about sin and faith. We're all scientists and teachers (!) so we just delve right into theology, history, and philosophy with mouths that move almost as fast as our brains. (Wow I'm so humble. :p )

What we're learning from each other is great enough. But even better is that there's an atmosphere of mutual respect and just an eagerness to understand God better to live more fully for Him. :)  Awesome. And there is an appreciation for how this same God moves in different groups and cultures to draw all people to Himself. Indeed He is real and He is simply the Greatest. ♥

So this morning the discussion continued via email, focusing on purgatory. I'm reposting my reply below because I hope it will help shed some light on what Jesus' life, death and resurrection means for us today, especially in our (Philippine) culture. 

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Hi bros!

Yes ---, it's refreshing to talk to you and --- yesterday. One God and One Spirit indeed. After our talk I was inspired to tweet and post this :)

All human institutions are prone to error. But nothing is beyond God's saving, redeeming Power, Truth and Love. #OneGod

Before anything else, I'll just take back what I said yesterday, careless words ---  about venial vs. mortal sins as determination whether one lands in purgatory or hell. I don't believe in purgatory so I just carelessly said that. Sorry, my mistake.

Starting question / Food for thought: The concept of purgatory --- when did it start being taught?


========================================


I'll comment on this point:  

"Some Fundamentalists also charge, as though it actually proved something, "The word purgatory is nowhere found in Scripture." This is true, and yet it does not disprove the existence of purgatory or the fact that belief in it has always been part of Church teaching. The words Trinity and Incarnation aren’t in Scripture either, yet those doctrines are clearly taught in it."

The concept of purgatory is not only unmentioned in the Bible, it is in conflict with what the Bible explicitly teaches. Christ says that on Judgment Day, he will separate the sheep and the goats (either you're in or you're out) (Matthew 25:31-46). He also gave the parable of a poor man named Lazarus who died and went to heaven, while a rich man died and was sent to hell. The rich man requested Abraham for some water, and Abraham said "...between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us." (Luke 16:26).

Jesus is the only one who can and already saved us from hell. Upon being saved, indeed we are now being sanctified and are growing in Christlikeness. Indeed, no follower of Christ suddenly becomes perfect like God, but isn't it great that we are improving, becoming more like Him, even in this life, before we die?

Questions: Is perfection a requirement to eternal life? How do we attain this perfection? Wouldn't this just point us back to Christ and the cross? Nobody is perfect, everybody is sinful, we all need a Savior. Even when we follow Christ we are still imperfect sinners, but what can purgatory do that Jesus has not already done? (Why not just go back and claim Jesus' forgiveness for all the sins I have done today?)


========================================


I'll also comment on this point:

"After all, if a guilty soul is merely "covered," if its sinful state still exists but is officially ignored, then it is still a guilty soul. It is still unclean."

Is this implying that Jesus' death and resurrection are not enough? Let's be careful now! 

"Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" --- John the Baptist (John 1:29,36), also according to Old Testament prophecies

Yesterday we were talking about consistency which points to authenticity. I respect the authority of the Catholic Church (!) but again, let us look into the consistency of this teaching. When I trusted Jesus as my Savior, I let Him save me by His taking the punishment for my sins. That means I am saved, covered, and yes, clean. That's my belief, based on my understanding of the Bible. I'll explain below. If there is disagreement, let's talk about it (find time! :) ).

Many times Jesus told people, "Your sins are forgiven... You are healed... Today you will be with me in paradise." Period. Jesus never said, "You need a period of purging first." It's just yes or no. Even when He charged Peter and the apostles (which I know Catholics love to quote!) --> "Everything you bind on earth will be bound in heaven... Everything you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18) It's yes or no. In or out. He never said maybe, and He never taught it.

It's true that Jesus sometimes told people to do something (ex: go wash in the pool, or show themselves to the priests), and we can argue that their healing and/or salvation is conditional. (That might be a longer discussion for another time.) But my point here is, there's no maybe. Either they were healed or not. Either Jesus assured them of heaven (like the thief beside Him on the cross), or not. Yes or no.


========================================


So, can we just view this present life as purgatory?

Indeed, nobody attains perfection when they get baptized, pray a particular prayer, do this or that. Nobody becomes a Christian and suddenly achieves perfection. Essentially, every moment we are being called to be more Christlike --- so I think non-Catholic Christians just (implicitly) see this present life as purgatory... only in the sense that one is walking with Christ and becoming "more" like Christ (thereby being "better and implicitly "more" perfect...?)

But non-Catholic Christians (I'll call NCC?) don't really perceive perfection as a goal, because it implies "I want to be like God" which is both impossible and dangerously idolatrous (like Satan tempting Eve). And NCC don't view death as the moment when you achieved perfection such that you may already "graduate". So that's where the analogy of this life and purgatory ends. (Well, it's not really an issue for NCC, but I'm just trying to apply the concept of sanctification here...)


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To summarize: Humans are imperfect and sinful and all deserve eternal punishment for our sins, which means hell. We cannot save ourselves because no one (human) is good enough. Only Jesus, fully God and fully man, can take our place and receive our punishment such that we can also receive His righteousness. For all my sins (past present and future), I can receive my just punishment (hell or eternal existence away from God), or I can let God save me (receive Jesus as my Savior, that He died in my place so I can receive His righteousness). 

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:23-26)

As you quoted "nothing unclean shall enter heaven", in the same way that "no one can see God's face and live " (Exodus 33:20). And people who become Christian are still imperfect and prone to sin. But these all just point back to Christ as the solution: not just for our salvation but also for our redemption and sanctification: 

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he'd made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (Ephesians 1:7-10)

So Christians are not perfect, only cleansed, forgiven, and *continuously* being sanctified to be more like Christ. We can call this sanctification a "purging", but the formal Catholic definition of purgatory (a state of purification before entering Heaven) is not what the Bible teaches (each person has an eternal destiny, either with God in Heaven or away from God in Hell; with no middle way or in-between state).


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Thank you guys for hearing me out! :) Thank God I was able to read this message (--- sends a lot, I just couldn't get to read them!). And thank you for listening.

God bless, and see you next week ^_^

Your sis in Christ,

Teci :)

His work is finished.

It's Holy Week. The perfect time to remember what God has done... and the perfect time to remember that it is already done!

Photo: http://www.123greety.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/jesus-quotes-cross-wallpaper.jpg; Text: mine

Nothing we can do (or not do) can make us more saved.

May we honor God in truth and in the right way. ♥

So everyone can know Your name. ♥

"What we are is God's gift to us,
what we become is our gift to God."
- Eleanor Powell


It's good to live for yourself, but better to live for others, right?

So will we live for the people who are gonna hate us no matter what,
Or will we live for the One Who already loves us no matter what?

I simply love The Script, and this song seems like a call to be the best *you* that you can be. For yourself, sure, but how about for the ones (and ultimately, The One) you owe your life to?

May they know your name so they can know His name. ♥







Hall of Fame
The Script ft. Will.I.Am

You could be the greatest
You can be the best
You can be the king kong banging on your chest

You could beat the world
You could beat the war
You could talk to God, go banging on His door

You can throw your hands up
You can be the clock
You can move a mountain
You can break rocks
You can be a master
Don't wait for luck
Dedicate yourself and you can find yourself

Standing in the hall of fame
And the world's gonna know your name
Cause you burn with the brightest flame
And the world's gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

You could go the distance
You could run the mile
You could walk straight through hell with a smile

You could be the hero
You could get the gold
Breaking all the records they thought never could be broke

Do it for your people
Do it for your pride
Never gonna know if you never even try

Do it for your country
Do it for your name
Cause there's gonna be a day

When you're standing in the hall of fame
And the world's gonna know your name
'Cause you burn with the brightest flame
And the world's gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

Be a champion

On the walls of the hall of fame

Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers

Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions
Be truth seekers

Standing in the hall of fame
And the world's gonna know your name
Cause you burn with the brightest flame
And the world's gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

Standing in the hall of fame



Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
--- Hebrews 12

Shiny.

We want this:

 http://www.diamondinfowebsite.com/ancient-history.html

but not really this:

http://isanow.blogspot.com/2010/07/ontario-diamonds-compete-on-world.html

We want this:

 http://www.nesteamclean.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Marble-Foyer.jpg

but we don't really want this:

 

 http://www.affordabledecor.biz/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Clean-Floor-Tile.jpg

SHINE means:
     1. To emit light.
     2. To reflect light; glint or glisten.
     3. To distinguish oneself in an activity or a field; excel.
     4. To be immediately apparent
(from The Free Dictionary)

To shine means to be bright... at the cost of being bruised all over or burned from the inside.

Am I willing to pay the cost to achieve the rewards?

My family name is Pulido: Spanish for polished. Like elegant floors or sparkling gems that don't just happen. There's a lot of work, pain and sacrifice involved.

Jesus says that if anyone is tired in and of this world, come to Him. HE will carry the burden, HIS power accomplishes the work. I'm still in the process of trusting Him while getting off my bum... still learning how to balance being at peace while making sure I accomplish my tasks... still trying to understand how He can work "through" me. Many questions remain: Which part is Him and which is me? Would it matter as much as long as I get my work done? What if I don't get my work done --- is this still His will?

The Bible also talks of being pruned to be fruitful and of everything being shaken to the core. That's happening to me right now --- every matter being challenged and refined. These past weeks have been craaaaazy. People might know a thing or two but only God knows how much SHAKING I'm going through right now.

But I do want to shine. Don't you?

Then let the polishing, the pruning, and the shaking continue.

Burn, baby, burn... Shine for God, by God. :)

No fear, only love :)

http://mormonsoprano.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/greg-olson_love-evident.jpg

Since yesterday, I've had this urge to get a Venti (largest) Starbucks frappucino. My favorite is Dark Mocha, but they're featuring a new flavor, Cookie Crumble.

I'm not rich: I work for every centavo I get. Neither am I brand-conscious: I'm just as happy with a four-peso Nescafe instant coffee sachet.

My Starbucks cravings would appear to be an extravagant luxury, and that's actually the point: This is my date with God.

Disclaimer 1: Every now and then I check my heart if I'm just using God as an excuse.
Disclaimer 2: Of course, God can speak to us at any time and any place.
Disclaimer 3: The Bible reminds us that obedience (a flexible heart) is more important than sacrifice (an inflexible ritual).

Having said those, there are moments when I feel that He has something to say, and that I better be all eyes-ears-and-heart-ready. Like yesterday. I was thinking, Lord, You can talk to me here and I don't have to go to a coffee shop, right? But again, that's part of the point. Not that Starbucks is a holier place than the metro train or our living room, but it's probably because I have to be really out of my comfort zone, doing nothing but listening to Him.

http://www.alighthouse.com/godslove1.jpg

This morning, around noon, I finally got up, ordered the new Cookie Crumble frap (venti please!), and sat down.

And listened.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzRpRo3rhpbKqZibTVFjZJLpD6-nguwyVrnKc7i6jNQ7_OTLSFj_q4lNNy-ZygaktUxWHDgnbz5mAxMiI-zqz7h1DVGLkWSD2-VbNxQldx4K4qgw4mzSbC3hlvDKQczeMcbdZ/s1600/God+Loves+You.jpg

Perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18)


Love extravagantly. Live generously. (1 Corinthians) 


Love  <--->  Eternal Life
Hate  <--->  Murder
(1 John 3:14-15) 


My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. 
     Shut down debilitating self-criticism (even if there's some truth to it)
God is greater than our worried hearts
     and knows more about us than we do ourselves
We're no longer accusing or condemning ourselves
     We're bold and free before God!

We're able to stretch our hands out
     and receive what we asked for
     because we're doing what He said,
     doing what pleases Him
          ==> Believe in Jesus Christ
          ==> Love each other
As we keep His commands,
     we live deeply and surely in Him
     and He lives in us.
And this is how we experience His deep and abiding presence in us:
     by the Spirit He gave us.
(1 John 3:18-24)


My dear friends,
     don't believe everything you hear.
Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you
     Not everyone who talks about God comes from God
     There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.
(1 John 4:1)


Let us continue to love each other
      since love comes from God
Everyone who loves
      is born of God
     and experiences a relationship with God.
(1 John 4:7-8)


If we love one another, God dwells deeply within us
     and His love becomes complete in us --- perfect love!
(1 John 4:12)

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ku6xCHVqAGI/TDCo0-n7lnI/AAAAAAAAAHA/_gktbjc8dHU/s1600/forgiven%5B1%5D.jpg

To love, to be loved (1 John 4:17-21)
God is love.
When we take up permanent residence in a life of love,
     we live in God and God lives in us.
This way, love has the run of the house,
     becomes at home and mature in us,
      so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day ---
      our standing in the world is identical with Christ's.
There is no room in love for fear.
     Well-formed love banishes fear.
     Since fear is crippling, a fearful life
     --- fear of death, fear of judgment ---
     is one not yet fully formed in love.
We, though, are going to love --- love and be loved.
     First we were loved, now we love.
     He loved us first.
If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating..., he is a liar.
The command we have from Christ is blunt:
     Loving God includes loving people.
     You've got to love both. 

 

http://tearsinabottle.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/gods-love.jpg 

Got Hunger?

Was at tonight's last screening of "Hunger Games", with my parents and brother. ♥

Saw "Battle Royale" with some friends too, a few weeks back.

http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/2011/11/hunger-games-poster.jpg

Still looking for a reasonable reason to send kids to their death, with one victor as the authorities' act of mercy and forgiveness. (My bro was shaking his head at the government documentary explaining all this.)

Are we overanalyzing and taking this movie too seriously? Maybe. But gladiatorial (anything but) games with favors from on high are not only seen in Greek mythology and pop culture. The Romans did it 2000 years ago, and today we still have government-sanctioned violent entertainment.

Yes there's the violent loss of life, but the Capitol's supposed act of mercy is what disturbed me more. (Yes, I know, it's just a story, but there must be convincing reasons for audience's suspension of disbelief. Or maybe I just feel like a panel member reviewing *someone's* thesis.)

To atone for their rebellion, they must give:

a sacrifice.

of blood.

of life.

yearly.


Act of mercy and forgiveness? The people are supposed to be grateful for the ritual murders in their lands?


The documentary in the movie also talks about the peace they attained at the cost of blood. Now that the land already has peace, the government still demands blood sacrifice.




Do we still do that?

Yes.

 

http://shotnroll.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/IMG_9345.jpg

But Jesus said, "It is done."

He said, "It is finished."


Today is the start of Holy Week.

Hopefully we remember not just Jesus' death but His victory over death.

Hope we remember His sacrifice, not to add to it (like we can!),
but to give thanks.


In the movie, Katniss promises to be back for her sister. Kat gives all the reasurrance that she can, but she herself is not sure about what tomorrow will bring.


"Come to Me," Jesus says, "And I will give you rest."

 "Blessed are those who hunger, for they shall be filled."


"Whoever is thirsty, let him come to Me...
Whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty again."

No empty promises, no mere good intentions.


With Jesus, we can truly be full.

"Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus"

The most-watched video on Youtube: 




Excerpts:

"[The Church] is not a museum for good people,
it's a hospital for the broken.
Which means I don't have to hide my failure,
I don't have to hide my sin
'Cause it doesn't depend on me,
It depends on Him. 

"Religion says "Do", Jesus says "Done."
Religion says "Slave", Jesus says "Son."
Religion puts you in bondage while Jesus sets you free
Religion makes you blind but Jesus makes you see

"And that's why religion and Jesus are two different clans
Religion is man searching for God
Christianity is God searching for man

"Which is why salvation is freely mine
And forgiveness is my own
Not based on my merits
but Jesus' obedience alone

"So for religion, no I hate it
In fact I literally resent it
Because when Jesus said "It is finished,"
I believe He meant it."

This 2012, first things first.

Tomorrow our local church will hold its annual prayer and fasting. Each of us is encouraged to list down our "faith goals" - what are we believing God for?

Best time as any to remind ourselves: 

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well."


I did list faith goals: most now have a check beside them, the rest are on their way. It truly was a miraculous year --- in terms of what I asked for, and better yet, in what I didn't! :) Truly He is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine."


"I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance...
But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love!"


Last year I was so caught up in "following God" that I forgot the "loving God" part. (Remember!)


This 2012, first things first.


(Quotes from here, here and here.)

Living Sacrifice: Burnin'!

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,
by the mercies of God,
to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern
what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Romans 12:1-2


The same God who has told me in various seasons
to be still and to let go,
to keep silent and then to speak,
to rest, and then to work,
... is now telling me to BURN, SHINE, and LIVE!

Let Your will be done in my life. Amen  :)

Give to receive: Teacher learns something new

Today I was pleasantly surprised to learn a new study "trick". Especially since I realized it in the middle of teaching someone else. (Thank You Holy Spirit.)

I'm reminded about why maintaining this blog is a delight and never a chore. It goes beyond the urge for self-expression. Sharing about God blesses not just the hearers but the messenger too. 


A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. 
     - Proverbs 11:25 

By this kind of hard work we must help the weak,
remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said:
"It is more blessed to give than to receive."
     - Acts 20:35 


Indeed, ultimately:

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it,
but whoever loses their life for Me and for the gospel will save it.
     - Jesus (Mark 8:35)


Makes me excited about the new things I'll be learning in the next days. :)

A Child-Like Faith

A Child-like Faith

by Lee Strobel 

Excerpts:

Jack would always sit near the front. When the service was over, he would amble over to the pastor who had taught that day and begin talking in a low mumble. His brown hair would be tousled, his clothes disheveled, his tie askew. His face would have stubble and his thick glasses would be smudged.

I don't know the diagnosis of Jack's condition, but for the most part his thinking is unfocused and much of the time his speech is a string of disconnected thoughts. Although he's an adult, talking with him is similar to communicating with a child.

Then one Sunday, when Jack came over to me after the service, I saw that his right arm was in a cast and sling. I pointed to the injury. "Did that hurt?" I asked.

Jack glanced at his arm and then at me. He replied in his halting voice: "I come here...and hear...about Jesus...and I think about...all the pain...he went through...for me...and I think...this was nothing!"

That's when I knew that he understood. "Jack," I said as I reached out to hug him, "that's the most profound thing anyone has said to me for a long time."

(Read the rest of the article here.)

Flooded with blessings (and a healthy reminder)

(Blessings are now pouring down like today's rains. Thank You.)


"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,
that there may be food in My house.
Test Me in this,”
says the LORD Almighty,
“and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven
and pour out so much blessing
that there will not be room enough to store it."
 -  Malachi 3:10


Beware lest you say in your heart,
"My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth."
You shall remember the LORD your God,
for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,
that He may confirm his covenant that He swore to your fathers,
as it is this day.
- Deuteronomy 8:17-18

Empty to Full: Sister Teci

I find it ironic --- but in a funny way, not-cynical-but-more-of-tongue-in-cheek
that I'm more of a nun now that I'm not a Catholic.

Nuns take vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience.
And my complete name is Maria Teresa = Mother Teresa ;p

Haha.
And yes, in my past life of godlessness, I never planned on becoming what I am now.
Truly it is His plans and purposes that prevail.

"Throw off everything that hinders..."
In my weak state, I cannot handle romance, money, and my own will (yet)
(But I'm learning!)
And God literally knows what I need to let go of
so I can hang on to Him more
Empty-handed, so I can be full(er)

I'm seeing the value once again of some practices
even those of the Catholic faith, which I left
But in the same way,
again I ask my Catholic brothers and sisters
(and everyone else)
to let go of whatever hinders

Empty hands
Full life :)


Postscript:
All good things come from Him,
and He redeems all things
If there is something hindering you from following God,
set it free and cling to Him
But if obeying Him means standing firm or pursuing something,
then go...  and be filled with more of Himself :)

The Reward is in the Choice

God is perfectly able to do anything and everything.

It's up to us if we want to join
     and how much of Him we want
     and how much of ourselves we give

Indeed, we can choose
     how much of the rewards (or punishment) we like
     although life without Him is punishment in itself
     and life with Him is its own reward

Love given freely leads to freedom

"We celebrate these two occasions today, The Solemnity of the Most Blessed Trinity and the 150th Birth Anniversary of Jose P. Rizal. May we remember how these transformed a world because of the conscious choices out of love that were made that gave us our freedom in this world and in eternity."

Read the entire article here:

Love–not a feeling, but a conscious choice
By: Fr. Tito Caluag
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Sunday, June 19th, 2011

All for God is merely reasonable

Giving God your all is not radical. It is merely reasonable.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters,

in view of God’s mercy,

to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,

holy and pleasing to God —

this is your true and proper worship.

- Romans 12:1

(Thanks to Ptr. Dan for sharing :) )

Thank God it's (Good) Friday

We don't have to do anything, or sacrifice anything,
because Jesus already did.

Well, we do have to do one thing
--- accept Him, receive Him, let Him save us

and we do have to sacrifice one thing
--- ourselves, yielding our whole lives
since we belong to Him anyway.


Thank God for Good Friday. :)

Life gives back to Life

I live my life
I do what I do
to give back
to the One who died
so I can be free

I was actually thinking of the people who lived in older times... Those who did not have the liberties I now have. I can choose to take their sacrifice for granted.. Or I can choose to make the most of it.

I choose to honor the dead
(including the One who rose again),
by living...
by living to the full.

In love, the benefits outweigh the costs :)

"Nothing is more costly than loving, except not loving."

      - on the cover of one of my old notebooks :)

Time and again I've seen this to be true, whether the relationship is romantic or not. 

To love means to value someone, and to let that person know it... 

And true love means doing so, even if the love is not returned.

To love is to invite rejection, ridicule, and disappointment.

To love is to be vulnerable to anxiety and pain.

Costly indeed.

To not love, on the other hand, is to go from one day to the next living the same old life.

To not love is to live with no one but yourself --- alone, isolated, nothing given, nothing received.

But how much of what we learn came from other people, from relating and living with them?

None of us was born perfect; we grow from our experiences, and much of that comes from interacting with others.

And if we interact with others, do we add joy or grief to their lives? 

Do we speak blessing or cursing? Life or death?
Do we add to the good or to the evil?

Do we love?

"We love because He first loved us."
      - Apostle John, 1 John 4:19

We can only give what we ourselves have:
what we have experienced for ourselves, what we have seen is possible.
In the context of love, we can only give true, unconditional love once we have received it ourselves... the kind of love that can only come from God Himself.

May we all realize (or remember)
how unlovable we are (or were)
and that God the All-Perfect still chooses to love us

Even if we can't give back love that perfect
May we all desire to try
To love Him by our faithfulness
And to let His love flow in how we relate to others

"To love another person is to see the face of God."

      - Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

Live a life of true, godly love this February, and every day of our lives!

(Or why I had to leave Facebook.)

"Throw away whatever gets in the way..."


What is "evil"? What is "sin"? What is "bad" or "wrong"?

Anything that gets in the way of me worshipping God, following Him, and living for Him.

In the past, I had to burn my dearest comic books. Emotionally, financially, psychologically, they were dearest to my heart. And that is why they had to go --- I needed to discard my childhood heroes so I can finally give my heart to the Almighty One.

Comic books are not in themselves evil, are they? In my case, it came to that point --- they were "pulling" me away from Him, and I had to make a choice.

Four years later, I am completely rehabilitated from comics. I can enjoy them disinterestedly; they can even inspire me to the point that I am reminded of God Himself. As far as I can tell, I am no longer in danger of an unhealthy addiction to comic books.

But it is no surprise that other false gods beckon. Is it part of the enemy's schemes? My weakness? A test from Him?

Do the reasons really matter as much as my making sure that He's No. 1?

Today I deactivated my Facebook account. It's not that much of a deal for me, since all my files and information are preserved and I can reactivate my account any time I choose. But on the other hand, it is a big deal; I mingle with my FB friends on a near-daily basis, and even when I log out I am updated of their actions. The two-way silence will take some getting used to.

Facebook is not evil in itself, is it? Yesterday in particular, I found that I am increasingly being affected by the increasingly mundane. Drowning in a sea of people's voices, should I even wonder why I don't hear Him as often?

Plus, even if I share about God via Facebook, ultimately I would be dishonoring Him if I don't do what He is specifically calling me to do.

So, goodbye Facebook, and goodbye Facebook friends. I'll be back... but first things first: His presence, His voice, His will. Amen.

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Footnote: Ei, I'm back on FB. The story continues here. :)