No Holding Back: are you curious?

Academic year 07 is starting soon; busy busy busy. Yet one thing I feel so happy about: The joy of the Lord is abundant! Somehow I can't keep that all to myself.

Therefore, no holding back! Give glory(rightful credit) to whom it deserves. I suppose there are misconceptions about Christians - Christianity, but our understanding does not shape who God is, but what we THINK God is; right? I guess most of my friends know Christians aren't stuck-up closet Christians who's part of this elite exclusive community (although there are people who perceive that misconception). Some may have encountered persistent friends, or people tracting on the streets following you around. In short, bad experience. I beg your pardon, because I'm convinced that they are not doing it out of any ill-will, but rather with less-than-desired tact. Nonetheless, consider their hearts; why do they even bother? It's the unspeakable joy, the abundant blessings, the purposeful life, the truth that sets your heart free. They want to share all that goodness with you; and someday I hope to do the same too.

Life is meaningless without God. Life may be successful for some of us, as success that is defined by man, namely, in material possessions and corporate achievements. But in all that struggle to slog and achieve something for ourselves, all that money and wealth to amass, have we forgotten, that we all live to die? At our age, I'm sure we have the maturity to understand, that all our bodies will frail with age. Have you honestly NOT thought about death? How shall we take all the earthly possessions with us when we die? For they are things that will rust and rot; earthly material possessions. Life is fleeting and short in the light of eternity. You may not believe in life after death; but nevertheless the Bible teaches us that there are two eternal destinations (I'm sure we all hear this way too much, but:) Heaven, and Hell. If you do not believe in the "afterlife", consider this: Don't you think that life is unfair if we are just made to live and die and then POOF! Our existence and memories just disappear into nothingness; you wouldn't even remember existing; you become nothing. Somehow we are all hired-wired in our souls that we think that would be unfair: life had to be more than just dying and poof!, because that is exactly what it is. There is more to life that this one on earth. Stop and think. Isn't it wise to stop for a minute to consider the possibilities - what is a minute compared to eternity: in the wrong place?

I know of people that I have talked to about religion; aside from those of a certain faith already, that fall under the category of agnosticism. It basically means that they believe in the existence of a supernatural power or being; something greater than we are, yet cannot or refuse to pinpoint which God is it, out of the many different religions. I believe that many people fall under this category, especially those that profess to be "free-thinkers". Again, our beings are hardwired to acknowledge a supreme being or power greater than ours. There are many religions, and in the rage now are new-age theology, that teaches that we ourselves are god or can become god. Or that god is some unseen force impersonal force driving the universe that all of us can be part of. It is derived from human pride. Does anyone honestly think that man can become god, ie, greater than god?

I know of a friend who claims of such a stand as an agnostic: don't want to point a finger on which god is true or which is false.He said Christians are arrogant and absurd to claim that theirs is the only true God. At that time I didn't really answer his question. But now I'd like to pose a challenge. The Bible is the final authority of what Christians say and do, and claim. Why we claim that Christ is the only God, it's because the Bible says so. The Bible is known as one of Mankind's greatest literary works(if not the greatest) of archaic times. There are far superior evidences in numbers, the manuscripts(copies) of the Bible; 5500++, the earliest completed ones dating around AD 325/AD 350: 250years from the time of composition. Seems very long, but as compared to other literary works of that time: The earliest copy of Caesar's The Gallic Wars dates 1000yrs after it was written. First complete copy of Odyssey by Homer; 2200 years after it was written. The point being; apart from the great numbers of manuscripts of literary works as compared to the other works of that time( 5500 as compared to say; 3 of Catullus - earliest being 1600 after he wrote, 8 of Herodotus- earliest copy 1300yrs); The Bible is far more reliable based on archaeological records. Yet, the other classical works people hardly ever dare question it's authenticity; why so the Bible?

Hope that didn't throw you off. Now consider the next thing. Try an experiment: bring 10 people from the same locale, having similar backgrounds, speaking the same language, same culture. Separate them, then ask them to write their opinion on just one controversial subject such as the meaning of life. The results, conclusions are more than likely different, or if some, contrary to each other. Right?
The Bible has about 40 different authors, written over 1500 years, of different background, culture, education, languages, and many hundreds of subjects not just one. Yet, the Bible is united. 66 books in ONE book. Yet the books do not contradict each other in the subject matters. This speaks volumes to me; I'm not sure about you. It necessitates a divine author; a hidden hand behind the entire book. - Taken from a book titled Answers&Reasons(Esther's). It nonetheless strikes a chord in me, and makes absolute sense, so why not?

In short, dare to try validate or disprove the Bible. I assure you, there's no going back if you try. In fact, I hoped you skipped reading the above 2 chunky paragraphs but rather decide by your own will to desire to know the truth; then listen and try to validate. Some people say religion is for the weak; on the contrary, to be a Christian takes much courage and faith to declare we are indeed unworthy and are sinners. People don't even try to refute the fact that Jesus Christ existed (and He exists) 2000years ago. It is an irrevocable historical fact that even non-believers did not try, even Islam acknowledged that Jesus existed 2000 years ago (it's in the Quran). History resounds of His existance; take a look at the calender: BC, AD.
And Jesus said:"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. Man is naturally skeptical as anyone can claim to be god. But Jesus, in all the miraculous works He did substantiated all His words by His actions.
So if today you are feeling lost, hopeless, and that life is meaningless, why don't you consider Jesus and the words He spoke?

You all know what Heaven and Hell is. If death is inevitable, so are the two places. Surely it is wise to stop and reflect; "What if this Man, Jesus, was speaking the truth?" Why don't you consider the truth? Christianity is not about foolishness, it's neither absurdly forgoing logical thinking. God wants us to rationalize with Him; which means; to believe and to have faith -not blindly- but out of understanding and out of truth. So if one fine day you feel so tired of life and have not known Christ, why don't you try drawing closer to Him to know the truth? Try Him out and you will not be disappointed. I can assure you that. Ask a friend to bring you to church; try it out for a few weeks. Ask more. I'm certain that you will come to understand the simple Truth. Yup. God shows Himself to earnestly seek Him.

Yep. That's for updates. I can't hide it, can I?

Update! Or..Not?

Well as request..UPDATE!
but this is what I updated..used the classic layout:
http://crazyblue.freehostia.com

Can't blame me right..I'm an anime freak.

Anime Listing FTW!

Alright. I have a site of my own! It's my anime listing and...(drum roll@#@#@#@#..)
http://crazyblue.freehostia.com/

Do check it out..it's in the midst of building as most of my animes are not with me. Tell me what you think! hehe.

Upcoming Baptism

Starting this year I've had the conviction that I should go back to God. My mind and soul is weary from turning away, running away - I felt undeserving of God's grace and forgiveness. Yet I did, starting with going back to church. Spending time to go for worship lessons, and making an effort to study the Word - need more discipline on this though. Anyhow, it has been a blessed year thus far, with good things coming my way. Unknowingly, this verse came so true:

Matt 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Anyhow, out of obedience and of readiness to live my life for Christ, I decided that I would get baptized this year. Also, having gone through (am going through) the new believers class in Lighthouse, I have been enlightened in certain areas, such as the Holy Spirit, QT n stuff. Even though I am not exactly a new Christian, I wanted to be as a child, to be humble to start afresh and learn vital, important things new Christians ought to know and do that I might have missed.

It will be on the 28th Jul, at Lighthouse Tamp. Not sure the time though, around afternoon I think. All's invited even if I didn't ask you. yups..details to be confirmed later.