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Self-denial: The Path to Christlikeness

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Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is often presented as a gateway to a life filled with blessings and fulfillment. And sadly enough, claims of earthly fulfillment and material abundance, both of which were not fully promised in the Scriptures to every believer. These things may have been preached to you at some point drawing you into this belief system only to find yourself disillusioned when challenges arise and expectations are unmet. And so, it’s natural to end up questioning whether God’s promises hold true amidst difficulties. This is why it’s very important to establish a solid foundation for our faith. So that when reality kicks in, our hearts may grow faint as human as we are, but will not give in to the invitation of the world to turn our back on our new found faith in Christ.

Contrary to some popular teachings, following Jesus isn’t a journey paved solely with ease and comfort. He Himself warned us of the sacrifices involved. As the Bible says in Matthew 16:24-25, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Jesus made it clear from the start that the path to following Him is not going to be easy. He never sugarcoated the reality of discipleship and in fact, He Himself endured unimaginable suffering. Yet in spite of it all, He perfectly exemplified unwavering obedience to God. As followers of Christ, we’re called to walk in His footsteps, expecting that trials are inevitable but that we won’t have to go through it alone. We are empowered to face life’s difficulties not just with our own strength and capacity which often fails but with the enabling grace of God through the Holy Spirit that has the working power which transcends all of life’s best abilities.

Our faith is never built on the absence of challenges but on the assurance of who Jesus is. He is our Lord and Savior, the only means by which we can stand justified before a holy and righteous God. Despite our inadequacies, Jesus offers us reconciliation and salvation and a lifetime of character-molding through life’s difficulties which banks rewards not just here and now but all the way to eternity. This is the truth that the Scriptures teach us. This is the foundational truth that will sustain us through life’s storms, reminding us that our ultimate hope lies in Him and the eternal life that is to come.

So when hardships come and doubts arise, remember that the Christian journey isn’t about avoiding difficulties, but about finding strength and purpose in Christ amid them. In Him, we discover true fulfillment and the unwavering assurance of God’s faithfulness, even in the midst of life’s trials.

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Film

Archive 81 (Netflix) — Turn It Off

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Archive 81 (Netflix) — Turn It Off
Note: This is a personal reflection written from a Christian perspective.

As a lifelong sci-fi fan, I had hopes for this one. Archive 81 begins with a fascinating premise: Dan Turner (Played by Mamoudou Athie) a video archivist, is hired by a mysterious boss offering a massive stack of cash to restore a box of damaged videotapes recovered from the Visser Building in NYC — an apartment complex that burned down in the 1990s. The footage was shot by Melody Pendras, (Played by Dina Shihabi) a young documentary film maker investigating strange sounds and hidden secrets inside the Visser before the fire.  An exciting, thought-provoking opening.

What starts as a sleek sci-fi horror experience ultimately unravels into a confrontation with spiritual darkness itself. As Dan repairs each tape, he’s drawn deeper into Melody’s world — and into contact with the demonic. By Episode 2, the series descends into scenes of witchcraft, demonic possession, occult, demon worship, and other disturbing rituals and phenomena.  Jesus Christ was spoken about as a demon.

Ok team, Its all over red rover, right there — from intense fiction to spiritual filth. The line has been crossed. Convicted by the Holy Spirit, I knew exactly what to do. ‘Yes, Lord,’ I prayed. ‘I’ll comply. I’ll do it right now.’ Power off.”

It’s a show designed to tempt and entice, leading me on with hopes that good might triumph over evil — only to end up a cesspool, dumpster-fire abomination of a series that leaves no response but the off button. What begins as “art”, yes its real art, becomes serious exposure to witchcraft and demonic spirit-world encounters, not fiction but spiritual contamination. As a Christian, I enjoy intelligent stories but refuse to surrender my peace or my purity.

It’s time to walk away. The best I can do with this experience is warn others — this is not for you. It will only defile your soul and take you places you don’t want to go.

Verdict: Turn it off. Guard your heart. Some doors should never be opened.

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Travel

Streets To Subway: The Remarkable Travels of Boji the Dog

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Boji, the dog who rides the metro, has been capturing hearts not only across Istanbul, where he is from, but also throughout the internet. Those who come across his story are often left with a renewed sense of wonder and warmth – a proof that kindness still blooms in unexpected places.

But in case you haven’t heard of him, here’s a little glimpse. Boji the dog is nothing short of remarkable. He first began to gain popularity in mid-2021 among Istanbul commuters and later became internationally known through social media. What makes him so fascinating is his ability to travel up to 30 kilometers a day across the city hopping on trains, buses, and ferries as if he were any other commuter.

Once a street dog, Boji was adopted in 2022 by a local business. Yet he still enjoys riding public transportation and exploring Istanbul, his home. He knows where to enter, where to get off, and even where to find food and water. To keep him safe, city officials fitted him with a microchip – another small act of care that reminds us the world is still full of gentle hands and open hearts. In a world that often feels cold and hurried, Boji’s story is a warm reminder of the compassion God placed within us, waiting to be shared.

Boji’s days are simple yet beautiful. He is often seen curling up quietly on the metro beside strangers, trotting onto a ferry as the sea breeze brushes his fur, or waiting patiently at a tram stop with the calm assurance of one who trusts the goodness around him. It’s almost as if he embodies the peace that comes from resting in the care of his Creator, living out the truth that “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17).

Yet even Boji, like all of us, has faced unfair moments. Once, he was falsely blamed for misbehavior on a tram, though security footage later proved his innocence. His story of vindication gently reminds us that God sees what man overlooks and that justice and grace always find their way, even for a humble dog. As Scripture says, “The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed” (Psalm 103:6).

Boji the dog stands as a living reminder that goodness still dwells among us woven through the actions of kind people, the patience of strangers, and the watchful care of God Himself. He shows us that small acts of love offering food, protection, or even a smile can make the world a gentler place.

So if you ever come across a dog like Boji, take it as a chance to show care to another of God’s creatures. For in showing kindness to the least of these, we reflect the heart of our Maker. After all, the world becomes a friendlier, brighter place when we choose to love, to care, and to believe in the quiet goodness that still walks among us sometimes on four paws, and sometimes, in the company of angels unaware.

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Travel

Two Strangers, One Extraordinary Friendship: The Story of Song and Hans.

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Friendship is truly one of God’s greatest gifts to us. From the very beginning, He designed people to live in connection and community. As the saying goes, “No man is an island.” And while friendships often grow through face-to-face encounters, sometimes the strongest bonds form between people who seem worlds apart. That’s exactly what happened between Song Yang and Hans Hodel – two strangers who became lifelong friends, proving that kindness knows no borders.

It was 1999 in London when Song Yang, a 19-year-old student from China, met Hans, an elderly retiree. Song was studying business management at Thames Valley University and, like many students far from home, often felt lost in the bustle of a new city. One day, Hans approached him, asking if he could help fix his watch. Song took a look, made a small adjustment, and smiled as the second hand began to tick again. Hans thanked him warmly and somehow, that small moment turned into the beginning of a friendship.

They started meeting often. Song would visit Hans to help tidy up, cook simple meals, and run errands. Hans, in return, would pay him for his work. There was nothing grand about their friendship. They were just two people sharing time, laughter, and the comfort of company. When Song’s friends from China came to visit, Hans opened his home to them too. Before long, he invited Song to live with him rent-free while he studied. For six years, they lived like family sharing companionship and trust.

In many ways, their story mirrors the parable of the Good Samaritan: a tale Jesus told about a man who helped a wounded stranger when others passed him by. Like that Samaritan, Song and Hans reached across differences of age, culture, and language. Their kindness was not measured or planned. It simply came from seeing another person’s needs and responding with love.

Then came a dark moment. Hans was robbed and beaten one evening. When Song found out, he promised to look after his friend and never leave him unprotected. Their friendship only deepened after that. Even when Song returned to China in 2007, they kept in touch by phone, never letting distance weaken their bond.

A few years later, Hans’s health began to fail. He suffered from femoral head necrosis and struggled to get treatment in London. When Song heard, he didn’t hesitate to urge Hans to come to China where he and his wife would care for him. And so, in 2008, Hans flew across the world to the home of the young man he once helped. Song and his wife welcomed him like family, cooking his favorite meals, making sure he had everything he needed. In return, Hans began teaching English in their neighborhood which also helped keep him busy and contributed to his well-being. It was his small way to give back, and perhaps his way of saying thank you.

Song cared for Hans until his passing in 2013. Their story quietly spread, touching hearts everywhere. It wasn’t about charity or duty but just love in action, lived out through simple, everyday kindness.

Like the Good Samaritan, they remind us that love isn’t bound by who we are or where we come from. It lives in the moments when we choose to see each other’s needs and step forward with open hearts. Two people, once strangers, shared their lives in a way that showed what friendship can be gentle, steadfast, and full of grace.

Two people, once strangers, shared their lives in a way that showed what friendship can be: gentle, steadfast, and full of grace. And in the end, their story leaves a quiet reminder that goodness still finds its way between people, no matter how far apart they begin.

 

 

 

 

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