a different church
today was one of the few times i dared to venture out of my own church..
i guess being brought up in my church has taught me to be wary of what they teach elsewhere. now this is not to criticize anyone, any type of teaching, but just to chronicle my experience (and for all those not so interested, i shall not go too much into all the religious stuff)
stepping into the place was weird..loud band music blaring; the drums, keyboardist etc, looked like a karaoke session going on. the sounds wasnt so bad, but to see people with their hands in the air, so openly indulging spiritually was kinda awkward. but i'm here to learn and experience, although reserved, i observe with an open mind.
bibles used were different. the NIV sort of translates the verses into some modern version, easier to understand, but somehow, i think it lost its meaning along the way. 'fornication' was now 'prostitution', and that is a whole lotta of difference. (pls go figure this one out, it's too much to explain)
the one thing that got the alarm bells ringing in my mind was when he said that as christians, we are 'free' i.e we have the freedom to do what we want, as long as it doesnt hurt ourself, others, GOD. smoking is not a question or 'can or cannot', but 'should or should not'.why can we eat unhealthy food, but cannot smoke? he says that's cause we get addicted to smoking, not fried chicken. sounds funny to you? logical? maybe to you, but not to me. so i asked, 'does this mean i can smoke as long as i dont get addicted?' friends out there who know me, know that i smoked, and i was never addicted. does this mean i can continue being a 'social smoker'?
it's hard to stay off what i've been doing. but i believe it when i hear that 'our body is the temple of GOD'. i am trying not to do anything that harms this body that GOD has given me. that includes piercing, tattooing, smoking (even 2nd hand smoke, which i am trying to avoid), drinking (plain water pls!). call it a conscience attack, call it an awakening of some sort, call it GOD's guidance.
my church has always been a serene and peaceful one. no need to shout your devotion whatsoever. all those who've been there, i believe, found it really calming. i like that i grow in my own way (which is really slowly), and i dont try to be what i'm not. if i cant afford not to drink/smoke/swear, i do my best. but when i stop, it stops for good.
to be baptised means alot. it signifies that you're a changed person. wholesome in His eyes. i know i'm not. i cannot carry the purity in me. i'm not ready, but i'm working on it.
'Fear the Lord'
