Faith or selfie?
President Duterte has a new challenge for everyone. His new challenge, prove God's existence by taking a selfie. If anyone can do that, he will immediately resign. This is his latest challenge to all who believe in God. I actually believe this is his way of mocking God and every Christian out there. He adds that he just needs one, among the billions of people who have gone up to heaven, to come down and show him the selfie. I wonder what the Bible-verse uttering Senator Manny Pacquiao has to say about this?
It is a different story from Gary Valenciano, "Mr. Pure Energy" himself. Gary believes that it was no less than God's hand that moved to help him recover from two serious illnesses and surgeries. One was to fix blocked coronary vessels in his heart, and the other to remove a malignant tumor from his kidney. The discovery of his heart problems began with a tightening of his chest while performing his jaw-dropping moves on stage. Upon consultation and a coronary angiogram, it was revealed that the artery known as the "widowmaker" was 95 percent blocked. According to the doctor, one more jump and that would have been it. A cardiac arrest would have happened and he would not have made it to the nearest hospital. Gary had to immediately undergo a coronary bypass surgery, to correct the circulation problems of his heart. It was a success, and he was eventually sent home.
After that, he experienced pain in his back. After many scans of his body, it was discovered he had a large tumor in his kidney, and a malignant one at that. Gary could not believe what was happening to him, but he did not lose faith in God, even for a second. He underwent another major surgery to remove the malignant growth and part of his kidney. His heart is now fine, and he was declared cancer-free. The doctors even said he did not need chemo or radiotherapy. They could not explain Gary's rapid recovery from two life-threatening conditions. Giving thanks to God, even in the face of such hardships, was Gary's conviction. He drew strength from Psalm 23, believing God would not abandon him "even as he faced the jaws of death".
A "ceasefire" is now in place between Duterte and the Catholic Church. Duterte will not say anything against the church, for now, with church leaders also vowing to refrain from saying anything related to government issues. As to how long this ceasefire will last is anyone's guess. With a president who already called God "stupid" and asking for proof of his existence, the country continues to be divided not just along political lines, but spiritual as well. Unwavering faith, or a selfie?
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