I’ve been receiving text messages from my friend, Kathy every weekday at around 8:30-8:45AM. She sends me bible verses/quotes. I believe she’s a truly spiritual person and she’s influencing her friends to believe in God as well and be saved.
I honestly don’t know where I’m at when it comes to religion. Most of my friends are Christians. Some are Buddhists & Catholics. But majority are Christians.
I think I’m more of an Agnostic person now. I do believe in God (sometimes I don’t when I’m angry hehe). I tried a few years back (2004-2005) to open my heart to Christianity when I was really down and almost gave up on life. I joined bible studies, attended church service… but… it didn’t turn out well. I was not really myself then coz I was down, angry, miserable and yet the ones that I met during those trying times are judgemental & mean.
I did meet a lot of great people too (and I treasure their friendship a lot).. It’s just that the pain that I endured was just too much that time. I think my mistake was I tried to get over my misery by trying to believe in God and I placed my belief on the people who are passionate about that God. I ended up disappointed.
I’ve moved on and I’m happy now. But when the topic of religion comes up, it just reminds me of that experience and I will just walk away and try to be the same person who doesn’t really have a spiritual journey.. I’m scared on that aspect.. I may have wanted to know God more and start really believing in our Lord but.. the experience before was just too traumatic.
Kathy’s messages makes me think that it’s time to give it a chance again.. maybe this time that I don’t have any hatred in my heart.. maybe this time I can truly open my heart and understand who God is… Another friend also invited me to their church next week, a different one from the church I tried to attend before. I think I’ll try it… Let’s see.. Wish me Luck! 
Here are just some of the messages I got from Kathy (Kathy, thanks so much for this. I really appreciate the time that you put on by typing all these and sending this to all your friends for inspiration):
Philip 3:9
Not having a righteousness of my own derived from the law but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on basis of faith.
Proverbs 2:6
the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge & understanding. (the closer we walk with God , the clearer we see His guidance).
Isaiah 18:19
the Lord though our sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. If you consent & obey.
Matthew 6:25-26
Don’t be worried about your life as to what you will eat or what you will drink nor for your body as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow nor reap nor gather in barns & yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
Isaiah 54:10
“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake. but my loving kindness will not be removed from you. And my covenant of peace will not be shaken.” says the Lord who has compassion on you.
John 12:46-47
I have come as light into the world so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness… I did not come to judge the world but to save it.
This is a pretentious thread, just because it’s holy week doesn’t mean you should post something about spirituality and religious convictions. If one wants to discover the essence of spirituality, then it should begin with that person per se, and not with some friend who bugs you with bible verses every morning.
elo, roch! thanks for the inspiring messages, great in time of Lent!btw, sushal… nagcocomment si chip tsao sa blog mo! hehehe!have a meaningful holy week!
interesting. how is it to be agnostic? 🙂
Like everything else, it will not be an easy road. Especially if you have been hurt before; regardless if whether you are in the right condition or not. So, you might find what you are looking for or not. But nevertheless, I am happy that you are willing to give it a shot once more. 🙂
Hi Chip Tsao,I believe we are all entitled to voice our opinions but to declare in a directive manner-that the entry is a pretentious one seems to be beyond your right.Although I resonate that spirituality is a personal thing; however, there are things that you do not see yourself unless someone tells you or prods you on about it. That’s why we have all the ads constantly reminding us of their products, their services and what not. Of course, I do not want to create a direct analogy between religion/spirituality and ads.Anyway, I appreciate your thoughts but it is also nice to take into consideration the context of the post.
I don’t think this post was pretentious in any way 🙂 ANYWAY… hehehe nag-rhyme.Roch. A few months back, I went from borderline agnostic to practicing Christianity, then back to the point where I started. point here is, this isn’t really about me trying to choose what I want to believe in. Rather, this was due to circumstances that made me think twice about religions. I’m no hypocrite so I won’t tell you that Christianity is the way to heaven.Because if that’s the case, I’ll be seeing more Glorias, Eraps, and *insert corrupt “Christian” politicians here* (kulang pala ang space) in Heaven. hahaha happy trip 🙂 Enjoy Pangasinan. segway. I think I should also write regularly 🙂 I find it somewhat gratifying 😛
Hi Roch, I think it’s brave of you to post your own personal experience and thoughts on matter such as religion and whatever comments people post, at the end of the day you can only judge yourself and religion should be a personal choice and not based on circumstances or what people say but based on your personal experience on what is beyond reality. (e.g. life can be full of crap or it can bring us a lot of pain but once you experience drawing strength from a higher being or something greater than human power to survive and be a better person after such experience, then that can be a kick-off experience with religion.. i think :P)and to others who posted things that seems like “naghahanap ng gulo kasi assume ng assume or judge ng judge or puro gago-han lang ang sinasabi”… i’ll still pray for u.. whoever u r 🙂
Chip Tsao:The more you troll around Roch’s blog, the more you’re making it obvious that you’re an overweight loser, who’s most likely 30 years old and still a virgin. Get a life man. Nobody’s interested in your debates, which is probably why you hide behind the name of another loser, Cheap Chow. Coward.Roch, I suggest you add a security filter in your comments. – Mark
You should trust God no matter what, whether you’re up or down with your life. Life is not perfect. All of us have same experiences that sometimes we are on the darkest side of our life but it still depends on how we deal with our problems. Remember that everything that happens in our life has a reason and there’s always something better waiting for us after every trials. God knows what’s best for us and all you have to do is trust Him.
Spirituality and religiosity are two very different things. I believe that any person can actually be a very spiritual person with a very rich relationship with their personal God without the need for the rituals and niceties of religion.
I absolutely agree with Jon Limjap. Religious rituals and rules are man-made. What makes Religion A better than Religion B? Is Religion C wrong and Religion D correct? When the fans of Basketball Team H pray for a victory, and the fans of Basketball Team J pray for a win as well, whose prayers will God respond to?If Religious Person M goes to mass every single week, prays every night, and donates 20% of his income to his church, but treats his maid like a slave, cheats/bribes the BIR every tax season, and juggles 3 mistresses, will he still go to heaven?
http://www.exchristian.netjust to let others know, there is another choice