When It's Faith on the Line

by Ann Lim
Devotional Bible

Dealing with standards predicated by time and a Catholic family, converting into another faith remains to be very challenging. Another complexity lies in a deep personal orientation that is utterly different. A course developed over the years of Christian education.

I finished more than 6 years of primary education in a Christian school; where tuition fee is way cheaper than other private institutions. My parents then realized our disparity of faith and religious conviction. This prompted them to transfer me to a Catholic school and I was easily estranged. I begged off to continue in that same school and opted to join in a public school; a school where a different faith is not set to criticism on a regular basis.

Past ten years, I saw myself in the look for of a rock-solid spiritual direction and conversion. However, breaking the conservative traditions of my family posed a bigger challenge before me. Just picture my whole life turning upside down: having to choose between intangible but character-molding faith and blood. I have no allies within my clan. The only weapon I have is God's word. Prayers are my shelter from sadness. I went on to attend a church where I found tranquility and love. I devoted a fraction of my everyday to study the Bible. This has been my oasis of strength.

I grew tired battling over my mother's set of beliefs. Every Sunday, I have to reason why I chose the other way of Christianity. I never expected mom to understand my choices in life in a trouble-free behavior. She attended an all-girls Catholic school from nursery school until college. These and with innumerable barriers, I turned into being just an believer to a believer-doer with a mission; a task to lead my loved ones to reading the Bible and experience again God's love. What the Bible revealed to me has been healing and liberating. I still can bring to mind that single passage the Holy Spirit led me to that depressing day: I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

One fine afternoon, after series of deadlines in the workplace, I passed by a nearby bookstore and bought a Devotional Bible from the gift certificates awarded to me for being the top employee of the month. It is mostly helpful for those who just started seeking God's wisdom. Words are simpler and easier to absorb; without demeaning the original text. It is from experience that I got the same years back. This is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship. I left it next to the computer where my parents and brother would usually expend the entire day. I knew from dusts that they didn't touch the Bible since I placed it there a month ago. I then draw for more strength and will from the Lord. Unexpectedly, after some months, the Bible disappeared from where it used to inhabit. I got really concerned as to who took it from there. Then one night, one of my prayers has been answered: my mom's reading it, finally. She asked me if she could keep it. I know it would be a long process before we could even settle our differences. But I have this massive faith and excitement that one day; we would be whole yet again. We have taken the first bold step The next would be determined in His time.

Know more about http://blog. newlivingtranslation.com/blog/ devotional-bible devotional bible from New Living Translation site.

Article submitted Monday, January 11, 2010 & read 66 times.

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» left by Nenita Wells (2 years 28 days ago.)

Welcome to Searchwarp Ann! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Best regards to you and your family.~Nenita~
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» left by Roger Williams (2 years 28 days ago.)

Good on you Ann. My background is Roman Catholicism too. But thank the Lord for His written word and for the Holy Spirit who teaches us from its pages - 2 Corinthians 3:17.
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» left by Jonny (2 years 27 days ago.)

Thanks for that. I wonder if we will ever get an update on the Bible from the source??
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» left by Jenn Weesies (2 years 25 days ago.)

Thank you for the article.
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