Weeks of continuous discussions about dark ages and church fathers. Of all those topics, my mind came across an idea that not all people dare to walk the path where our church fathers had walked on. Let me introduced to you three church fathers who became the constant topic of our class for weeks, these were Clement of Rome, Eusebius and Athanasius who were reported by my classmates. The Francs also made a huge impact in our Christianity. Charles the hammer and Charlemagne played an important role in spreading of Christianity in Europe.

These people speak with conviction upon what they believed and they remained on their ground. No one can make them moved even the influential people in their time. The conviction and passion built in them was enough reason why until now their influence remains. As I look at myself and try to examine my conviction, I am greatly encouraged to figure out things that convicted me to continue. The Lord has put in each of the heart of his people that conviction about him that no matter where his people are located, they stand firm.

The absolutes of the Word of God should be the guide for people in making decisions. Yet traditions of humanity trampled the very absolute truth of God’s Word. Back again to examining the beneath part of me. Am I adhering to the absolutes or am I just staying and living in complacency? Those questions help me and remind to constantly examine myself.

Behind The Scene

Justinian almost gave up. Let me tell you who he was. He was one of the emperor in Rome way back on 500 A.D. This was one of his remarkable saying, "There are two great gifts which God, in his love for man, has granted from on high: the priesthood and the imperial dignity." He was a very influential emperor, but we have to note that there was a woman behind him who made a very huge influenced in his decision making as an emperor and that was Theodora. She was one of the most influential and powerful of the Byzantine empresses. When the time came that they were being attacked by their own people, Justinian made up his mind to run away, but then, his wife, Theodora, resolute to stay and so they were able to hold firm the empire and their influence and political power spreads farther. 
She protected the queen. She was there when he almost ran away and loses his faith. She was with him. I find it very romantic and dramatic for a woman to be the strength of a man. We know that God is our strength, but when we look at it physically, we need someone to run to. The woman, Theodora, never failed to meet his need. She was a remarkable woman of her days, no doubt she was honored as one of the most influential woman of the Roman empire. I aspire to be like her when it comes to being there for my man. I want to be with him in good times and bad. I know that he will be the one to protect me but when time comes he will need me as his strength, I will be there for him. 

Throughout Church history, I believe and trust that God is working behind the scenes. The war, plagues, death, persecution, killing name it all disasters, God was there. We may not understand it at the time it happened but later on we found out that it had to happen that way. Later on we realized that God is an amazing God who orchestrates in a very artistic way. All we have to do is to be reminded that someone is behind the scenes. We need not to worry because he is there. Don't worry, he got everything in his full control. He is never surprise nor shock. 

Know Your Doctrine

No matter what you do. No matter how hard you work, there will always be people who will go against you. This is one thing that I've learned and reflected upon our study of the church history this week. It is a weird thing that one needs to go against the teaching of the apostles and the church fathers. It made me think of what could possibly be the reason of doing such a thing. But as what I have said previously, these kinds of people are innate. They will always be present no matter what. The second thing that I've reflected so far is that the people who knew what they believe will always defend their faith. Why? Because they are not unsure of where they are standing. They knew that what they are bringing is the Word of God and the Word of God is perennial. No matter what people did to make it gone in history, all the more it spread throughout the whole wide world.

I need to examine my doctrines and my teaching. Is it in line with what the Word of God says? Or is it eering away from the truth. Becasue I am responsible and accountable for whatever comes out of my mouth whether be it good or bad. That is why also apostle Paul reminded his brothers and sisters to watch our doctrine closely because it might be the wrong doctrine we have been living on.

Knowing that heretics ares still present today, I shall keep studying the word of God, working hard to understand God's Word by the help of the Holy Spirit in me. I will not rely on my own capacity to think but I will trust and rely upon God who is the author and giver of all wisdom.

God is to good to be unkind and God is too wise to be mistaken.

------Makes Me Think :)

Total Surrender

Our forefathers made a very huge impact in our Christianity today. They gave their lives for Jesus. They are willing to surrender everything. How about us?

Today, we talked about a christian emperor, actually the first christian emperor in Rome, she is the headquarter of the Roman catholic church. Her city is known for pagan practices and worship. Sounds ironic to think that a christian emperor will reign in Rome, but that is just how God works, mysteriously.

Constantine, argued by different people if he is indeed a christian or not, was the first christian emperor in Rome. He declared that there is only one Rome, one emperor and one God. It came into my mind upon hearing and absorbing the life of Constantine that the Lord can use anybody for His glory and for His people. He can use normal people. Prominent people. Anyone. The thing that we should keep in mind is whether you are used by God for good or for bad. Pharaoh was built up to be destroyed. Esau He hated and Jacob He loved. Judas was meant to betray Jesus. Can we question God's sovereignty? Of course not! He is God. He can do whatever He wills. We might not understand it but one thing is sure, He has a grander plan for all things that had happen and are happening.

The Christians, upon declaring that ought must have been relieved because of years of persecution and death for standing for the Lord. It must have been very hard for them to live on life when death is chasing them, for what? Standing for the Lord and not recanting their faith for they know that God is worth it, that He is able to save them but if He wills not, then they will continue to love Him until the end.

Unfolding of Mysteries

Why would I unfold to you everything? I am not going to spoil you. I am not a spoiler. I will unfold things in the right time, at the right places and on the right people. I guess you know who is talking here and who is he talking to. God is not a spoiler. He knows his plans and he knows that those are too wonderful for his people to comprehend and so he did not choose to uncover it all, but bit by bit, he uncovered mysteries. We know that God is working in the most amazing way. The most amazing ways, as we all know are not the usual things that happens, amazing could be the annihilation of a generation, the untimely death of a very significant person, the suffering of people. These are amazing when God unfolds the reason behind these illogical events, as may seem, and see the grander picture of God's plan.

For two weeks of attending classes and hearing from my professor and fellow about church history, I can't help but be amazed on how God laid the foundation of His church, his body. There are three significant learning I've gathered from this class, first is, God is in control more than what we can conceive or imagine. We may accused God of allowing such horrible things to happen in the life of his people but in the long run, we know that we can never pinpoint God because He knows everything and we don't. We can only guess, and sometimes our guesses are the exact opposite of what God intended to happen.

Second is often, God's people fail. It's a hard fall but the Lord already prepared a foam so that when we fall we will not break apart. I remembered one of my favorite quote way back when I was in high school. It says, “when you come to the end of your rope, let go and let God. Because either God will catch you when you fall or he teach you how to fly.” This is such a wonderful reminder for me that he is watching, he is ever-present and he will never leave his children. He doesn't want us to break apart. He wants us to grow to be more like him and most of the time, we are stubborn, and so we learn the hard way, God will refine us like pure gold. But when we continue to be pigheaded he breaks us but not crushed us, he let us fail to stand up again. God is such a loving God. We read it in his Word how he forgave and brought his people back to him. It is as if God is telling his people that no matter how far you run, you are not that far, I will always be with you. No matter how far you go, my hands will always be open and ready to receive you. My arms are ready to cuddle you, just come back to me.

Last, it's costly when we venture to another place for the sake of the gospel. It takes courage. As I look back to the apostles and church fathers, I know that bloods had been shed for the sake of the gospel. Lives had been cut short so that the Word of God will be proclaimed to many people. It is indeed costly, but compared to what Jesus had done on the cross, well, we can never compare it. We can never grasp how costly it was to came here on earth, became human, lived, ministered, suffered, died, and rose again.

The foundation has been laid on, will you be willing to continue?

Solid Foundation: Safe within and without

Today, i realized that God indeed is a God of surprises! He is full of surprises that He never runs out. Whenever He unfolds another mystery, i can't help but utter that three letter word "Wow!"
Wow because no words can explain and express how amazing God is in my life.
Today, He once more unfolded another surprise and the usual word that i utter, "Wow!" God thank you!

First day of class

I never would have made it this far without the Solid foundation of God's Word. It strengthens me each single day so that i am able to continue no matter how rough the sailing went through last semester.