Page 90 of 365: Easter Reflection

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The EKstreme Tower Ride

I was invited again to Enchanted Kingdom to cover the Easter events there. While waiting for the events to take place, my blog squad was given a chance to try some of the rides. Being the daredevil that I am, I tried the EKstreme Tower Ride. I hopped on, saw the ride being elevated up above so high that I can see the entirety of the Laguna Lake and... BOOM! The sudden drop! I survived that ride, and I can't help but scream to express my reaction afterward. I'm not that of an acrophobic, but I wanted to jump out of the ride and say, "I quit!" After the ride, I even wanted to cuss! Being a Christian, I kept my poise.

One thing I realized after surviving the ride was, "I don't wanna jump from that high!" I also felt the feeling of committing suicide (or at least an accidental fall). I'm pretty sure it's so hard for someone to take his life. OK! This is not a late "I condemn Kristel Tejada" post. I am actually disappointed with the harsh comments she got like "She's a loser." But if I was a good friend of Kristel, I would have told her to keep her faith. Paul reminded Timothy in his second epistle to him that he should not get troubled by all the trials. Like Timothy, God has given us the Spirit that does "not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)."

A living proof of that was Jesus Christ. He declared in John 16:33 that He has already overcome the world. He proved that by returning to life in the third day after He was crucified. He brought along on the cross our sins and problems. This Easter, let's celebrate our victory through Him. You may experience downfalls that could drop you faster than gravity. But just like how the EK staff controlled the ride before we hit the ground, Jesus is here to keep us safe and provide for us. Don't give up! Let go and let God!

Read 2 Timothy 1:1-18 and 1 Kings 19:9-18

Page 88 of 365: Different Means, Same Gospel

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Remember His suffering not just during a Good Friday, but everyday.
Show your love to Him the same way He showed His love to us.

After covering an event at Enchanted Kingdom, I heard a strange sound from outside the multi-purpose hall. The curious that I am, I went outside, and from just below Anchors Away, the ship-themed ride at EK, yeba! There were theater actors, dancers, and a choral ensemble giving the theme park visitors a treat. But I was curious with one of the actors. He dressed up like Jesus. "But hold it! Why are they wearing modern-day clothes and some are kinda punks?" Then a group of actors "forcefully" brought the lead actor to the Brooklyn area to be "judged" by a guy in a cool purple suit named "King Herod". I watched the place-to-place theater show too long enough that I didn't notice my friend leaving me behind already.

Since I lost her for good (Nope! I didn't get friendzoned. She just invited me to cover the event.), I just decided to finish watching the play before leaving. That's Cenakulo Rock, the Lenten month presentation of Enchanted Kingdom. Although it is patterned after the 1973 flick "Jesus Christ Superstar", I found the punky concept kinda awkward. But still, I found the presentation a coming of age, because it was a present-age portrayal of the Lord's sacrifice for us.

Times change, and so do the ways to remember the Gospel. Now, we hear the then solemn "Pasyon" or "Pabasa" with a mix of hit songs like Gangnam Style. Then from the usual dramatic approach of the re-enactment of Christ's crucifixion in provinces comes Cenakulo Rock. But still, the same Gospel is being told. They remind us of how Jesus, being sinless, became "sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)." The injuries the theater actors have during the presentation and the pain we get every time we get hurt are no match to the sufferings of Jesus. He was mocked, tortured, crowned with thorns, spitted upon, and died in the most humiliating way just to save us from our sins. Being God, He kept His promise of coming back from the dead, and that's what happened on the third day. Now, we can have a direct relationship with God through His only begotten Son. Because of Him, we can now receive the gift of eternal life.

Yes, Cenakulo Rock or any means of telling the Gospel might bring you to tears, but if you don't take the Word of God to your heart, it will not make sense. Remember, "We all stumble in many ways (James 3:2a)." But because of Jesus Christ, we can stand up again and live to the fullest. This Lenten holidays, let's thank the Lord for His love that was showed to us through the cross. Remember His suffering not just during a Good Friday, but everyday. Show your love to Him the same way He showed His love to us.

Read James 3:2-18 and Proverbs 10:27-32.