I found God!

I believe everything that happened to me yesterday was planned by God. There were crazy things happened to me as my day progressed. The jeep I rode was almost hit by a school bus, I almost didn’t fetch the kids on school and most of all, I didn’t feel anything great coming my way. As the baptism was nearing, I thought of my dad and lolo, reminiscing the past. I said wow, If only you are here I said pertaining to my lolo. I remembered when I was a kid, He was my companion all day. Everywhere I go he is there. I will never forget him.

I came on pathways with my uncle and Anti Anna. We came a little late but I didn’t miss anything. The start of that session was typical. But, only the start. Far more came unexpected. When Kuya Bob was called to give guidance and directions, I got goosebumps. As a matter of fact, I got 3 or 4 goosebumps on that session. On regular session I didn’t even have. Kuya Bob made some icebreakers to reduce the tension and to relax the audience. He told a lot of tales and some experiences when he was being baptist in Ligaya. He got the crowd to it and so am I.

When it was time to pray for me, I was asked by kuya John to stand up and come with him. I was prayed over by him and I felt relaxed and my heart is open. I could feel God entering me and cleaning my sins and accepts me for a new start. I prayed for my family specially my father who is celebrating his birthday today and my Lolo who died at September 5 last year. The total feeling was unsurmountable force I can’t explain.

I really really felt free and welcomed by God. I had a glimpse of light and I felt God touching me deep inside. I felt his Holy aura. I felt his divine grace. I felt his heart. I have repent my sins to him and this is a start of new life again. I feel resurrected and was given great power. A power of new life and to do what is God’s will. I feel passionate and feel being kind to others. Yes, it was all about how you feel. How you feel to God and how you respond to God’s feelings. I will never forget this day on forever. I will never regret that I said Yes to God and live by his will. A new experience for me again. A thing I can call success for me.

After the Baptism, All that were Baptist was welcomed by the whole family, The Ligaya ng Panginoon family. Kuya Bob was the first one to congratulate me. An instance that made me glad, feel welcomed. The family welcomed like a lost sheep and hug me here and there. My Shepherd was there looking on me nailed on the cross. sigh. I thank him for giving me the chance to come back to him and I will never, ever live his side again. I found God again. That’s why I am happy.

A night I wont forget…

It was a typical day yet I feel something special coming up my way. I am eager to see my group mates whom I have not seen for quite a while. I want to mingle with them and have chat with them. The topic for that day was “how do I go back to God”. Wow, I said this is interesting. We sat down on the back of the chapel. The speaker was a chubby guy, maybe 40 years of age, wears eyeglasses, has a lot of humor, and a God-centered man. His way of speaking grabs the attention of most of us. He gets the crowd on their ears and touches them with some funny things along on his topic. I will never forget the life story of this guy. He was a well educated man, starting his own life, when suddenly he became addicted to drugs, as soon as he said that I said “is this true? Is he joking? is that what he really is before? at first I didn’t believe him (until now I couldn’t believe) but little by little he convinced me that he is like that(some doubts still). One by one he’s family was turning away from him. He was returned to his mother and went rehabilitation. He was frustrated he said ( I feel the sincerity that time) “I want my family back”

One day he was invited to a seminar about God. Suddenly he thought on an idea to retrieve what he lose. The idea that he was gonna attend the seminar so that he will be adored by his family and wife and kids. But his main agenda that he wants to taste the sensation of drugs again. Guess what happens next? CORRECT! he got what he wants! nah, I’m just joking. Little by little he got closer to God during the seminar and that led to his New Life again and now he is a God-fearing man and in his life circulates God’s love.

Wow, I feel good for him. He manage to go out from HELL. That how he describe it. Fascinating isn’t it? AND WE WENT HOME! not.

I thought it was the gonna be the sharing part but suddenly the emcee called a man to share about his life. I have seen this man a couple of times at my uncle’s district on LNP(Ligaya ng Panginoon). This guys has the same fate too. Except his is kinda harsh more. When he was in the womb of his mother, They want to abort him. I kinda felt bad for him. Because it hurts a lot when you know that you’re parents want to abort you when you were still in your mother’s stomach. It’s like, they just made a mistake. They really didn’t like you to live. He grew up with his brothers and sisters watching as their father hurt their mother. As a result of this, He grew up wanting to take revenge. He wants to buy a gun so that he can shoot his father. Anger and misdeeds filled his heart. He starts to rebel against life. he drunk stink to death, sniffing marijuana, leading the “inuman” singing like a monkey (hehehehe). He insert funny tones of voice on some instances. He knows how to tickle the crowd while telling a not good fate he has when he was a child. But he said, all in all, I wont exchange my fate with anything else, ” hindi ako nagsisisi na naranasan ko yun” he utters. One night he went home drunk, He was awaited by his mother. He was surprised. His mother asks, why do you do this son? he answers crying “I too, don’t know the answer”. maybe at some point God is the only one who understands what we are going through. Because he is the one who gave us that fate. He uses that as a chance for us to ask for his guidance and we want to go back to him. I think that what he prayed for. Like the previous one he was also invited to a seminar and like the first one his life change, his parents became God fearing too. There’s nothing he could ask for. He also realized how bad they sang and what they are singing when they were drinking with his friends. He also said that its hard to part ways to his habits specially when he is the one promoting it.

Its hard to accept that you did something wrong when your heart is solid as a rock. Pride too can be a factor of accepting you made a mistake. Repentance is the key so that your heart will be free.

First Time

It was my first time in Pathways. I had no idea what are we going to do there. I sat beside an unknown fellow to my right and a newly found friend to my left. We three sat on the back but the view was amazing. You can see the man speaking clearly and lines of the song on the screen. By the way, Pathways is a seminar about making choices. For the mean time, that is how I think of it. From the title “Pathways”, you choose the path you are about to tackle. A choice that only you can choose where you want to go, where you want to be.

When the program started, a well-known man to many, came up the stage, grabbed the mic, and gave a little background about Pathways. If I am not mistaken, it started 3yrs ago, The founder was the first speaker, Bob.  Don’t know his last name.(Quijano?)

When he started, he grabbed my attention quickly. Not because he is not a good speaker(he said) and that he is handsome(he said) but because of his aura. He knows how to get the attention of the people. I too not know the reason. A jolly, unexpected man. Didn’t expect that on his young age like that, he is the founder of Pathways.  When his introduction ended, he starts to talk about our misunderstandings about God. A harsh judge, a distant father, and a spoiling one. Each topic is well said and I’ve learned a lot on them. I made some realization on how I view God. After the heart-pounding, faith-uplifting speech. People around were energized. We all learned so well on his experiences and from his own heart. I am sure of that.

The next thing we did was we must go to our respective groups and share what blessings we received. My group was all boys. All were different from each other. Perspectives, life, accomplishments, almost all. The sharing was great! All were willing and gave insights of their lives. Of course, me too.

When the group collapsed, It was— what you think? Of course! Eating time! We went out and had a litlle chat. After the snack we went separate ways but soon we shall meet again! Can’t wait for that…