Freedom in Christ

In the past month I've visited a friend whose mom passed away and then another grandpa of a friend and also heard it from a friend that another friend's dad passed away.

I don't know if you're familiar some of chinese tradition/rituals: but after visiting the funeral home:
- you must go somewhere else first before going back to your house (the argument is that "the dead" could follow you home)
- you must wash your hand/feet/face before entering the house, sometimes change clothing (I forgot what's the argument about this one, but it kinda make sense to me since the relatives/family are barefooted in the funeral home)
- If the one that passed away is your parent and so happen you and your significant other are planning to get married, you have to get married within a 100 days otherwise you have to postponed for another year or 3 years. (my 2 friends have different years that they practice, but luckily they are in the safe 100 days zone, however it's sad to see that they're less than 3 months away from their wedding day and one of the parent cannot make it there)
- my first time going to a Buddhist funeral and they have this rituals when all the family members gather and they are led by someone (from the temple, i'm guessing) they're praying/chanting so that "the dead" can go into heaven peacefully. The family members then would burn paper money, houses, etc so then "the dead" can have a comfortable "life."

After experiencing all that:
- I'm so grateful for Jesus Christ: when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed! we're not bounded by these rituals because it has no effect on us. I didn't go elsewhere before I go home. I went straight home because it's late and it's work night hahahaa but I know the one that following me is goodness and love all the days of my life :p
- My God is beyond awesome! He takes care of me before I was born, in my lifetime and after life.

John 14:2-3

New International Version (NIV)

2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

He is preparing a place for me, I don't need no paper money or house to be burned. I don't need no chants to clear my way because my God will come and take me with Him. Amen!

Ending this with one of my favorite song:

"One True God" by Mark Harris:

"I don't have a God I can put on a stand

Or a God I hold in the palm of my hand

I have a God that's holding me."

*blushed