Xsyclyn Faith Bello Lumbatan BS Psychology 1

March 9, 2012 RS 15 YD

I.

SUMMARY ON YAHWEHS JOURNEY WITH HIS PEOPLE (Significant events and people)

For many, the Old Testament of the Bible is a historically accurate record and a reliable guide to people, places, and events in the past. For most scholars, the Bible records events from the past but through the filters of religious, political, and social agendas - filters thick enough to make it difficult to disentangle fact from fiction. Many people and groups described in the Old Testament existed, but not always in the way that the Bible suggests. The first part of the Hebrew Bible, the Torah, which is also called the five books of Moses: this designation is to be understood not in the sense that Moses wrote them but rather in the sense that he is the central figure or hero. The five books narrate sacred history, beginning with the creation of the world and of man, and coming to a close with the account of Moses death, and they contain a vast and diversified corpus of material that covers Israels eventful history from the age of Abraham to that of the Babylon Exile and the repatriation thereafter. There are ten (10) key events of the Old Testament 1.The Creation 2. The Sin 3. The Flood 4. The Calling On Abraham 5. The Twelve Tribes 6. The Exodus 7. The Ten Commandments 8. Joshua Leads The People 9. Kingship of David & Solomon 10. God Saves; Men In Fire/Daniel From Lions These leading events sum up the whole Old Testament where the journey of Yahweh with His people: the Prophets He sent, the people He called and the Nation He had chosen with the corresponding conflicting events that showed the mercy and love of God is forever greater than the consequences of the sinfulness of men. People may sin 100 times yet God judge only once and best thing is, he forgives a thousand fold. The Old Testament tries to illustrate and describe the real God who is continually faithful to His people and promises despite the latter had been so unfaithful and disobedient to Him.

II.

REFLECTION ON: A. YAHWEHS JOURNEY WITH HIS PEOPLE

Yahweh is indeed a loving God. Hes love is more than a sacred cycle we sin, He forgives after we repent when even most of the time, we fail to ask for forgiveness, yet He still forgives, He blesses us, we became thankful, we sin again, and the cycle starts once more. He may punish us, but His mercy is too great for Him not to make a way for us to be saved from those judgments. He is always the one who takes the initiative on things. Back then, from the creation in Genesis, we have seen how our first parents, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God and all its consequences, on how the Israel turned their backs on Him and praised baal instead. Yet on those said situations, the books written with the same concepts of story never did end with a hanging conclusion; everything is clearly stated and clarified that God forgave everyone, restored the relationship He had with them and did not keep even a bit of record about it. B. YAHWEHS JOURNEY WITH YOU ( Learning, realizations, struggles) Ive always been so grateful and blessed in life for having this gift FAITH in Him, I really love the fact that Im aware of His existence and love, Im aware of the truth and that Hes the everything each must believe. God never fails to amaze me by His unconditional love. Aside from Him, Im the only person here on Earth who knows me really well, thats why every second of my life, shame and gratitude always rule my emotions and soul. Shame because I know what I am; a great sinner and an abuser of His unfading mercy, gratitude because I realized who He is; the God who gives me more than the consideration and blessings that I actually deserve. He never leaves me, He doesnt take some rest, He doesnt wait for the Valentines Day just to express how much He loves me, He never did fail to strengthen me through sending weakening challenges. I always tell Him Lord, try me instead of questioning His will by a Lord, why me? complain. Every time problems come in my way, I always feel flattered by God because I know that He wants me to know how much He trusts me; that I can overcome anything He gives me and that I can handle them somehow. So in return, I must not fail Him for believing in the strength that I have, I must win, anyways, I always can, for He promised me well do everything together.

III.

How can I better know and love God as I continue my journey here at Xavier University?

Stepping one level higher high school to college is one of the most crucial things that I ever encountered; a change I must accept and learn to bear with forcibly, leaving me no choice but to go along with it. A lot of adjustments must be done and that the pressure and demands doubled up that I even imagined myself being visited in a mental hospital. Yet the Lord is so good ever since and obviously till forever that He sent hope and light to me, and the biggest bonus? He sent Himself to be with me. Im still on the process of striving to not just know ABOUT him, but I want to know Him completely. God deserves not just the littlest time of our every day which we would willingly spend in understanding His existence and Hid words; He even have no time to stop supplying us air to breath take note, its a lifetime process, and in return we cant even make time for Him? To love God was never a struggle for me, it did not become so hard for me to learn, and now that Ive already learned to, it voluntarily became the reason and purpose of my living. Being in Xavier University is one of His plans for me and being here would definitely help me inside out. It is a very great opportunity which others even sacrifice almost of their everything just to be here or send their children here. I know Im not lucky; Im more than that because Im blessed. Im here for His plans, Im here to fulfill those and Im here for His greater glory. Ill be more than a better person my parents and others always hope to see because living my life according to His will would make me the person he planned and designed me to be.