Think Again

           Hearing the group “Anabaptist” was not my first time. Back when I was in my high school years, I already learned the name of the group. I thought that the groups are Christians like us and the founder is Ana. This idea comes up in my mind because most of name of the group is name after their founder. But this was changed when I studied here in BTC. This week’s lesson made it clear what “Anabaptist” is and other reformers. I just learned that during the reformation, all non-Catholics were considered Anabaptists which is radicals. Of course this is not true because “All Anabaptist were radicals, but not all radicals were Anabaptist”. In addition, there were five kinds of radicals that I’ve learned.

            One good change that I will carry out in my life is to seek for truth before making any comments. Sometimes, it’s very tempting to make a comment from a thing without making any search yet. I think I get it from my past environment and carry it out. I find it not good to give comments so I think making analysis to what a thing is would be best. From the lesson, I judge the group by its name without making any adequate information. I generalize them without making any search.

            I think this change is attainable. This just requires me to stop, think, and search. As I hear information, details, description, and anything else, I will stop and hold my mouth to say anything.  Maybe nodding my head or smile would be an appropriate way to do this. Then I will think. I will ask questions from my head. I will recall any information that I knew. Then after that I will search for it. Maybe I can do this after a conversation with someone. I will try to seek information from someone, book, or internet. Maybe this guide will help me to make a better and fair comment in the future.

Reliable fortress

           While listening to the music, I remember my favorite classical musical movie “The phantom of Opera”. This has nothing to do with the reflection but when I started reading the hymn, I slowly understand why this song affects the reformation.

            I just know that this song is a song for those people who put God as their mighty fortress. As I understand the song, it declares that God is indeed our mighty fortress that we people can rely. It also encourages people not to fear for the reason that God is our mighty fortress. Lastly, the song is a call for awakening to the heart of people that they should stand for God.

            If I am not wrong this song encourages the reformist to pursue reformation in the Roman Catholic Church. Since the song talks about God which is our fortress, reformist should not fear to fight for what is the truth from the scripture. They should fear for what may come into their lives since God is with them. It does not only address to the reformist or a call for reformation to the reformist, but also to all believers that they should stand for the truth. The people should not be afraid to the enemy but be encourage by the security that God will provide.

            Personally, when I listened to the song, I could not think of any reformation activity. What I am thinking when I hear this is the straight to the security when we are in God. I just realized while reading the song that there should be nothing to be afraid of when we stand in God’s side. There is nothing to be worried about when we stand in the truth. There is nothing to be anxious about when we fight against our enemy. So personally, when we are being attacked by our enemy including our faith in God, there is nothing to be afraid of.  We should defend our faith and show to them that we are standing in the truth.

Remarkable Visit

Before writing this reflection, I read information about the visit of Pope Francis in this site http://papalvisit.ph/the-papal-visit-itinerary/. I just learn that the Pope will visit here in the on January 15-19, 2015. I though he will visit here prior to that date. I thought he will visit before Sinulog. Anyways, it doesn’t matter because he didn’t come for that event. Based on the program of his visitation, he will visit at least 11 venues in the province of Leyte and Metro Manila.

He will also visit the victim of the typhoon Yolanda in Palo Leyte and offer a mass there. He will even dine with the people there during lunch time. He will also have a motorcade and offer a mass in different venues in Metro Manila.

            This visit of Pope Francis will not just impact the lives of the Roman Catholic believers but will also challenge Evangelicals to pray harder about this visit. At first, I really feel mad about this visit because my unbelieving family is really proud about this visit. They really are boasting about this. But as I read through the program, I just figured out that his purpose on visiting is not to add fame and glory. His aim was to help and encourage those who are in need. Though this is his purpose, my mind can’t help to think that this is just hypocrisy. It’s just another show to let the people show that Popes bring hope and compassion. I hope this thinking of mine is wrong.

            For now, the best thing that I can do since I can’t stop his visitation in the Philippines is to pray harder. Pray that people may not worship the Pope but to trust God. It is also my prayer that as the Pope visit, he may lead the people into the right worship to God. He may direct the worship of the people not to him but to Jesus Christ alone. I hope that would happen as he visit here. If not, then it’s ok. It’s understandable.

Selfish Intention

            I really felt sorry for this week’s lesson. I never thought that Christian Crusade was just used by the Papa to increase their power. I thought crusade’s operation was just to restore and bring Jerusalem back.  I just learned that it was one of the causes of revival of Papal power. I just learned also that they were killing, raping, stealing, and other evil deeds in the name and for the sake of Christ. It really shocks and trembles me. The Papa was that eager to take back his power. He was willing to sacrifice the lives of others for his own gain.

            Thinking about my life in the past and present, I couldn’t remember any incident in my life that I sacrifice other’s interest, life, or any other things for my own selfish decision. As far as I know, it’s better to sacrifice your idea than to make trouble. Maybe there are instances in my life that I made circumstance that will abide to my plan or decision. And I think God was teaching me this past month not to trust on my own. I have a lot of plans and I fail to consider His plans. Maybe next time, whenever I will make a plan, I will consider his plan to avoid disappointments in life.

            In order to avoid making selfish decisions or plan just like what the Papa in Rome who wanted to revive his power, my plan should be first present to God through prayer. I will make a plan or a decision then after that I will pray about it. After that I will seek his will through reading the Bible. I will see to it from the scripture if my plan or decision is based on what God wanted me to do or He will. After praying and seeking his will, talk to those people whom I consider spiritually mature Christian and ask for their suggestion or advice. God may use them to guide me. After that, weigh everything. If your prayers have been answered, the scriptures affirm your plan, and your spiritually mature brother or sister agrees then do it. If not then don’t pursue.

Grateful Weakness

            For this week’s lesson, I never thought that Roman church has its weakness. I thought they were powerful as to the power that an emperor holds. I thought the church in Rome was the most powerful church during their time. That was just my thought. I learned from this week’s lesson that God is in control of the church when it comes to the power that the church should have. I kind of like the way God works during this time because He didn’t allow the Church in Rome to be the most powerful authority that any other church would like to have.  I think God allowed this weakness to their claim. If it were not also for the spread of Islam, the world would have to put the Roman Church to be most powerful church during Roman Empire.

            From this knowledge, I just remember the time that God stopped me from doing something. He didn’t allow me to have a particular thing because He knows for sure that it would cause trouble to me. God was very right when He intervened in that situation. I thank Him for that because if He did not, I would have been gone from BTC by now. I would be sent home if I pursued my desire. For now, I think I would continue to thank God because He continues to warn me and guide me through using people to help me with my struggles. I think I should change the attitude of making complains easily when God intervenes.

            To stop the attitude of complaining easily when God intervenes, I think one step to do this is to pause for a while and pray to God. Thank Him for intervening in my life. And then, instead of complaining, ask Him for help. Then talk to those people whom you trust and whom you considered spiritually mature, ask also for their help. If they give advice, weigh them. If they help, let them be. Lastly, ask the question “what is the point of complaining”?