#040: Choosing how to believe
Moses, God's will, Japan trip, and more tiny yet precious life moments
Hey, there! OK to BE is a Sunday newsletter about my adventures in reading, writing stories, creating art, collaborating, and being human. If you want more information, visit my page (and download some freebies here—yes, freebies!). You may also view my newsletter archive, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and support me on Patreon. Thanks for reading! ^_^
Have you seen that new docuseries about Moses? I thought it was perfect to watch during the Holy Week, so I did. It reminded me of how Moses was easily one of my favorite Bible characters when I was a kid, thanks to Sunday school and "The Prince of Egypt."
Over the years, I've learned more about the Book of Exodus and the Bible and some things that would make an average young believer, be that in actual age or growing faith, go, "Wait, what?" IYKYK!
Early blooms in Hiroshima! So pretty.
(Sidenote: The Scripture is difficult to read and comprehend. So as God has continuously done for me, I will always give myself a bit of grace. Reading the Bible takes a lot of spiritual strength and guidance, and I admit I don't always have it. And even if I did, I don't think I or anyone could ever truly comprehend everything, including all those so-called hidden books and secrets, etc.)
Regardless of the many Bible characters I've "met" (and tbh, forgotten. Woops), Moses remains a fave. What probably makes him so relatable to me is his feeling of unworthiness of being chosen or called.
In Chapter 3 of Exodus, Moses told God, "Who am I, I don't have the ability..." He had a point—he was a former prince of Egypt and a murderer, among other things. But God calls whoever He wants, and as biblical history would have it, Moses delivered.
Such is one of the reasons my belief in "When God wills it, then it will be" is steadfast. In other words, and as my friend Drei would say, "At the end of the day, God has the final say." No Pharaoh, no Red Sea can stop it!
Happy Resurrection Sunday to all.
Related reads, especially when it comes to the topic of faith and beliefs:
Results of last issue’s poll
Topic requests!
Love and relationships - 70%
Career - 10%
Health - 10%
Creative work - 10%
Others - nil
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I will try discussing love and relationships in the next issues, but this newsletter will always be about my creative work as a reader, creator, and editor. If there’s something else you’d like me to talk about, let me know and I’ll cover it in the future.
📚 Reading
“Why Filipinos Should Read: ‘Infidel: My Life’ by Ayaan Hirsi Ali” (HAPPY WOMEN’S MONTH!)
“Visiting the ‘If Trees Could Talk’ International Art Biennale 2024”
These books are now available in print and digital. Let’s read our local authors!
Full disclosure: I worked on these books. I appreciate your support! Hire me as editor.
A Quiet Unfolding by Dawn Lanuza, Layla S. Tanjutco, KB Meniado (yours truly!), Allonah Gacutan, Dominique Gonzaga-Sulatra, Kring Talladen, LAKAN TULA, and Romy Peña Cruz
Who is Aramina Villaroel and Other Life’s Deep Reflections from A Father and A Husband by Francis Evan L. Manayan
🎨 Creating
OK to BE zine is returning this April 2024 with its first quarterly issue. Please look forward to it! For more updates, join my Patreon.
🎒 Travelling
Japan is not only one of my favorite countries to visit but also a country that means a lot to me. Even more so now that my brother lives there. That said, my family and I took a holiday to visit him, and to travel, of course. It was our second time in Fukuoka, and our first time exploring more of Kyushu (Kumamoto, Kagoshima). We did take a detour (and quite a detour) to Hiroshima, so I’m sharing that trip first (see the second video below; more to come). Enjoy! To watch more, subscribe to my YouTube.
That’s all for now! I hope you picked up something fun or useful. See you in the next one!
☀️ KB
Huge thanks to this newsletter’s readers, my patrons, and the OK to BE Discord community! If you enjoyed this, you can help me keep the newsletter going by buying me a coffee. :)