168: Baptist Chronicles EB

As a new member of the Baptist Chronicles Texter's Clan,
I tried my best to attend the Eye Ball at Mega Mall.

I thought I'd be late for an hour, but heck, I was the first one to arrive!

Then Knight and Paolo came. Geez! The three of us from the same church. Haller! We are suppose to be meeting other Baptists from other churches.

While we wait for the others, we first went to Toy Kingdom. Cool! Cool! Cool! It's been a long time since I went there. Well not really, everytime I go to Mega Mall, I always drop by at Toy Kingdom. The three of us walked for a while.

Then finally, two more clanmates came. Ate Laarni and Kirk. Now there's the five of us.

Yey! Finally! Atleast it is not in vain... (and.. chiki chiki chiki!)

Our first stop is at the FoodCourt, where we ordered and ate Pizza! Yum!!! (SSP SSP SSP)

And then, we intoduced each other to everbody. I forgot what we talked about, but mostly it is about AMANG Partylist. I don't know what came into Knight's mind that he made us pose as shown on the picture promoting Amang Party List. It was fun anyway.

And, ahm... we took a walk around Mega Mall. Visited the cinema, and then they are also able to see my exhibit at Mega Mall. (and.. chiki chiki chiki!)

And yeah, we played a game.

Later, we finally bid goodbye to Ate Laarni and Kirk, from I forgot what church.

Knight, Pao and I ate again at the Food Court. I was hungry that time because I haven't eaten lunch yet.

Then we had a mini-discussion regarding other Baptist Churches and their preferences. Preferences in music, on their church rules and the likes.

Knight said, each church has their own policy. As long as it does not contradict the Bible, they can have their own rules implemented.

Some churches find watching at a dark place like the Cinema, is a sin.
It's their preference.


There are three C'c in this policy making thingy: (whatever they call it)

1.) Command - the Bible had directly commanded rules. Such as attending
church.

2.) Conviction - The Bible may not have been directly commanding something, but a certain verse can be obeyed based on your conviction. One example is the verse that says, "Your body is the tenple of the Holy Spirit..." It doesn't directly says that any vices (such as drinking alcohols) are not allowed. But if the body is for the Holy Spirit, it should be taken care. So anything that would weaken the body is a NO.

3.) Choice - this is what we call the Preference of the church. If the Head
of the church gave out a certain policy (that does not contradic the Bible), it is okay. The church members also have their choice if they want to follow the given rules or not. Disobedience may also mean willing dismissal from one church.

These are the major things that I have learned.

Aside from the minor ones like, ladies should ALWAYS wear dresses. One, because it is very Baptist (hehehe), and then to avoid offending other Baptists. As noted earlier, each church has their own preferences.

I saw on this event, that not all churches have the same opinions. And we should be sensitive about this to avoid conflicts.

I am glad I belong to a group of Baptists in the 'mid-range'. Not too liberal, not too conservative.

As long as we don't oppose the Bible, it's okay.

And yeah, here's a picture of the five of us together.

(Black Polo Guy - White Shirt Dude: Knight, Paolo, Kirk, Laarni and JM)

GM.ni.Art.About.Baptist.Chronicles.EB

166: My Baptism Day

Finally! I am officially baptized!!!

The moment I have been waiting for, finally came.

Mark this date Art so you won't forget!

MARCH 17, 2007

Here are the pictures...

hmm!

Wait!!!

(ang tagal naman email ni Knight)

hmf!

eniweis...

mas masaya mgkwento pag may pichurs...

abangan na lng.

It's cool actually,

three months after I did my first official service

through the Kid's Musicalle

(December 17, 2007)

I got baptized.

Hahahah!

Cool!

Good thing I never gave up when two days

before my Baptism quite shocking events happened.

Oh Well!

Har! Har! Har!

Sacred Agent ART

Prepare for battle!

165: Days Before Baptism

It is true, that the Devil will make a way for you to withdraw your desire to obey the lord.

Days before baptism, I am having depression. And I almost cry every night, which honestly, I want to just shut my world and leave the Christian world for a while. This is such a heavy feeling.

Until now I feel this heaviness in heart. And situations at home just trigger my weakest points. Last night, I just have this really heavy feeling and I prayed that, please Lord, take this pain away.

Anyways… I promised that nothing is going to prevent or stop me from doing the will of God. It’s just sometimes, I feel so down. Hmm… I remember what Pastor Mhan told us (the baptism candidates). The Bible says, (I forgot the verse), that God is above our heart, so no matter what our heart tells us, just stay believing.

Here’s what Pastor Mhan taught us regarding Baptism.

First, he told us about Eternal Security, or that Salvation cannot be taken away from us. Once we received Jesus Christ as our Saviour, it will always be there, forever. Ate Fely, (my teacher in the Discipleship class), taught us from the Bible that the as a child of God, we can never be taken away from His hands.

BUT, sometimes as human, we FEEL that we are not SAVED.

And this is what pastor Mhan shared to us. (oh Gosh! I should learn to remember those Bible verses! At least, I was able to remember the outline.)

We sometimes feel that we are not saved due to the following reasons.
1.) Sin
(Remember that God has forgiven our past, present and future sin)
2.) Our heart sometimes tells us that we are not.
(Remember that God is above our hearts)

Second, Pastor Mahn taught us what Baptism is all about.

IN BAPTISM:

1.) RIGHT CANDIDATES – believer, the people who received Jesus Christ

Pastor Mhan sited a story (found in Acts I think). The story is about Philemon (? Im not sure), and a Eunoch. Philemon baptized ONLY the Eunoch after the gospel was shared to the Eunoch. They saw a body of water along the way, and that is where the Eunoch is baptized.

(Art alert! Though I am not sure, I think Pastor Garry dela Torre is the one who shared to me the Doctrine of Salvation, circa January 13, year I cannot remember.. yet. Cool huh… I just thought that, why in the world would I remember January 13 for no reason? Why that date rings important to my mind? And every time I remember this date, there’s a blur image of Pastor Garry. Why? Why? I cannot think of any important date aside from my birthdate. Anyway, next …)

2.) RIGHT MOTIVE - Love towards God

One of the last commandment of Jesus Christ before he ascended was to spread the Gospel and Baptizing them. It is found at the last chapter of Matthew.

Jesus also said, If ye love me keep my commanments. Jn 14:15

Direct to the point.
One must be baptized because not of any reason like the church requires it or the pastor asked someone to. It’s a personal decision.. And if you would do something for the Lord, it is because YOU LOVE THE LORD. In short, obey because of love.

3.) RIGHT METHOD - Immersion

Unlike the Catholic’s version of their so-called ‘baptism’ (if I remember it right it is called “Rhamtizo which means partially wet), Biblical Baptism means immersion. It came from the word ‘baptizo’ which means FULLY WET. Not just a part of the body, but the whole body to be submerged fully under water.

Baptism is a symbolism of the Gospel – the DEATH, BURIAL and RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died for man, and so by accepting Jesus Christ, our sins DIED as well and BURRIED, so as we ARISE with this new life we are new and clean in the sight of God.

4.) RIGHT AUTHORITY – the Church

Just as there is a Right Candidate for baptism, there is also the Right Authority. Who are the authorized people who can perform this act? According to the Bible (in the verse which I could not remember), the one who is qualified to the baptism are the ones who are ordained. Most likely, the head pastor of a church is the one authorized to do the baptism.

After the baptism, technically speaking, you became a member of the church. (I remember the Bible story when 3,000 people was baptized. That’s the passage I forgot).

There, you became a member of the church where you can serve God through a ministry.

At the end of the meeting with Pastor Mhan, he told us that we should really pray that nothing unusal would happen because the Devil will be making a way to stop this act of obedience towards God.

And that what started this entry.
There is a struggle in my heart, because Art is still wounded because of recent events.

But hey, remember that God is above everything, including our emotions.

There's no space for BrainfadeSPY right now...

164: Releasing Pain

The week end had been a painful one. Well, as far as I expected I should be baptized by last Sunday, but Pastor Man cancelled it to be resumed this Saturday. Anyway, I am not hurt because of the cancelled baptism, although it would be ideal if I’ll be baptized on a Sunday instead of a Saturday.

This Saturday woke me up with very not nice things, things that would blow my temper off. I couldn’t face this fact, that I hurriedly took a bath and went to FBC. I had no other place to run to, so FBC was the first choice to go to, hoping that the stillness of the place would calm my mood.

When I got there, I saw ate Mylin and she invited me to attend the Jabez prayer meeting. Well, okay, since I have nothing better to do. It was kind a weird, I don’t know what to expect really. I just sat there.

The March Ka-birth has a special focus of that day’s gathering and they have the privilege to speak up their personal prayer requests and say a little testimonial.
Perhaps, they thought that I’m part of the March ka-birth, ate Violy asked for my prayer request.

Deep inside I was telling myself, “Oh my gosh, get a hold of yourself. Don’t burst out.” I got myself collected in a matter of seconds; I didn’t know what to say.

I just slowly said, “I am praying for a new job. Also, for my family that someday they will eventually attend the church. It’s been eight years, and there’s a complicated situation behind that.” I also said, “I am thankful to the Lord that He has given me the courage to attend the church... and soon to be baptized."

That’s it. I got teary eyes, good thing I’m wearing my lightly tinted eye glasses. I wish I could tell them that I’m having a heavy burden right now that’s why I’m early here.
Attending Jabez is great actually; I felt my burden was lessened somehow.

After that, I went ‘mall touring’ and ‘road tripping’ with the Pinpin family. I was somehow able to tell my dilemma with mam Amor. She did advise me indirectly some things, but still I tend to not to abide some. I know if I ever decide to leave my place, I will still never be happy about the situation. I don’t want to live a peaceful life while my family does not.
At least, my time spent with the Pinpin family even help me to aspire more for a better family. Hope is such a strengthening thing.

I went home late; actually I dropped by to the near Internet rental shop first. Just to let my mind off to the problem that’s been scarring me. I wrote the poem, “Sometimes I Want to Give Up”, because that’s what I really feel that time.
In a way, I was able to speak my mind about what I want to do – give up. If I don’t have a God to entrust my life with, most probably I did give up a long time ago.

Moments later that, Knight asked me something about the Anime IPPO. Somehow, that question reminded me of a strong and good character exhibited by Ippo Makuonouchi. And it did somehow brought another little spec of self-encouragement that this problem is just another round in the boxing ring.

The next morning is Sunday; I tend not to exhibit any sadness in my heart to anyone. I’d like to keep it to myself. It was a fine day, though once in a while I get to remember my tight spot. I thought once again, it would be best if my family would turn themselves to the Lord. Maybe this burden won’t be happening. Again, I just believe that God has a purpose for this. What is it, I don’t know yet.

That night, I got a video CD. Its title is “In the Beginning”. It is a Bible movie; I haven’t finished watching it yet. I thanked the giver about the CD which started a conversation. At first it was a light and fun conversation, but when the topic shifted about the baptism and my family, the mood changed. I guess, the pain in my heart was awakened by the sudden question regarding it. And unconsciously, I blurted out my real problem to Watcher. Maybe I trust that Watcher won’t tell a soul about my problem. I really have no intention to tell it to him, but hey, it just happened. I felt like I just backstabbed my family.

The next day, I also had a fun chat with Knight. And he told me that in a sense I never really backstabbed my mother; it’s a good thing to release those pain, ‘lason sa heart’ as he said it. Actually, I never get the term ‘lason sa heart’ in its truest essence. I just have to be careful to whom I should release those pains, and I should also be aware about myself.

Little by little, my pain is soothing. I was able to write the poem "My Battleground" last night.

But still, the pain is still here... it’s still quite heavy.

Honestly, right now, while I’m writing this narration, I just realized what I haven’t done yet - - - it’s having a serious talk with my Father. Yes, I do pray about it everyday. But this time, I think this call for a real heart to heart talk.

I haven’t TOTALLY released it to HIM.

So I think, I’d be having a busy night this evening; a meeting with BOSS ALMIGHTY.