From Glory to Glory

Philippines is rich with such a great Christian heritage. This started when the Spaniards took the country as their own. But that was also the time when there was a great oppression among the Filipino people. The Spaniards put Christianity in the front line. But still the Philippines experienced a lot of things which transformed its beauty from glory to glory. It had also been known as the Christian country, though not literally, because there are still many who needed to know what a true Christian is.
I believe that we are a product of prayer, a prayer from the heart, a prayer of concern and of true love. I was really moved knowing that an American leader prayed for us Filipinos. Though we might think that they were there to take over us, we can't deny the fact that Americans are friends to us. I'm very much grateful that God used such people to reach out to us and Christianize us. They were the ones who helped us and reveal to us the true joy of true Christianity.

Way to Go

When I think about the word protestant, what I understand was that they are the opposition (refering to it in a political context). But I realized that these are the people who aimed for a great awakening because they sensed that this is the great need of the church. We must be firm and strong in proclaiming  the truth to others, this was what the protestants must promote. This is when strong-willed preachers begun to sprung up. We owe a lot to such people, because through them we were able to realize the real need for true revival.
This time, Christian rise to proclaim to all people the Word of Truth, the salvation thaht God offers to them. Many Christians are product of such work and I know that their was such a great awakening in the hearts of many who had been asleep for such a very long time. I admire such an attitude and desire, and we enjoy this privilege right now because of such people who allowed God to cause revival in the church's history.

Hardships to Glory--- Vice Versa

As the week went by, learnings rise, and the more learnings, the more we realize that the church had gone through great downfalls in order to rise again and remain. We have learned that many groups who called themselves in different ways had gone before us. One of such are the Puritans. During their time, leaders were there to support, but there were also leaders after who persecuted them. They came with different culture, and so influenced many people as well.
I have learned that people will never be united unless they have the same core beliefs. We promote world peace, but the truth us that sometimes we are the ones causing debates. We must always be patient with people. We must never compromise, but at the same time treat others with love and respect. And so show them that the truth never hurts the other, but leads him to the true joy of pain.

Re---AGAIN

We we think of a believer, we would surely say that that person is a member of a church, or a follower of the teachings of Jesus. But as time goes by, many counterfeit beliefs existed. Many unrecognized group in the past rise and made a name. Many were able to recognize and resolved that such beliefs are true. But the worst thing is, they became radicals.
This was what the church had gone through. There were a lot of changes, too confusing that we might think that one belief is better than the other, or this one is more believable than that one, and so people become radicals. And as I learn many things about such kind of people, I see myself being radical to others as well. This makes me hate them because of what they believe, rather than loving them. But the truth is the more that people don't know, the more that we must be eager to lead them so that they would know what they must believe.

Time for a CHANGE

Reformation, the age for a big change. As we all know, the church experienced great changes as the time goes by. The changes caused a lot of commotion inside and outside the church. There were a lot of opposing beliefs. A lot of lives were affected. And as these were happening, there came people who were ready to cause change. The age of reformation were filled with personality who really made a great impact, and to which we can say still influencing the church up to now.
Many of those reformers wanted true reform in the church. Some were motivated with love, and still some were of pride and power. They have had opposing beliefs, that which did not make them able to accomplish their goals.
I can say that there is no unity among them, that is why they were not able to see tge change that they wanted to see. And so the accomplishments remained unseen until they depart.

Journey of Endurance

Anselm of Canterbury, a doctor of the church. One of the few who received such title because of his important contributions. I canalso relate to hime because the same as he did, I also left home to seek and shape my life according to the purpose of God. This was not an easy journey, and such journey would really requirw endurance, especially because of the trials that comes our way. And through such, he was able to come up with a life that is pleasing to God.
Why endurace? Simply because he experienced great trials, yet, was able tp overcome them. This includes his exiles. Ge endured a lot during these times, and I think his endurance made him do so. He is excellent though he has gone through such challenges. I believe that through his examples of endurance, we will be able to see how God works in each and every lives. I have learned a lot of things also in this life journey, and I can surely say that this life is a journey of endurance.

I Will Not Recant

Martin Luther is one of the most influential people in the history of the church. He made a great impact especially in the abolishing of giving indulgences in the church. We can't deny thw fact that there will always be corruption happening inside the church, and Luther is one of those who did stand against it. He did not compromise, He was able to fight foe what he believe is the truth.
As I reflect in his life, I realized that there are a lot of questions in his mind which kept hom from being firm in hia decisions. This would make him encounter God in a most significant and life-changing way. And I especially admire him because of his big contribution in Christianity and which expoaed the corruption happening in the church. He was able to face opposition which could also be the cause of his death, but he was firm in his belief, and was able to say, "I will not recant." His examples will always be remembered up to this time.