About this website

This blog is at least 15 years in the making. Many different things pulled me away from putting this together, from my perfectionism and procrastination, to my impostor syndromes, to failing prioritizing it, and the list goes on and on.

No more excuses, here I go!

...

I was born to a nominal Catholic family, and at the age of 9 my mom registered me to the Roman Catholic Church Initiation course, but it was weird, shallow, and ministered by some inexperienced teenagers that couldn't answer some of my (dumb) questions and all they did was read the catechism book to us. About the same time my family moved to a different street in the same area, and I befriended with the kids on that street that were going to this "church of the Japanese", a Free Methodist Church – they said it was fun, and we would play soccer in the afternoon. What little boy does not like to play soccer in Brazil?

Japanese Popcorn

Sunday school was much more fun at this church, and finally someone could very well and with simple words — on a flannel board (so you can tell my age now) — explain who Jesus is and what his death on the cross really meant. After the service with lots of kids' hymns (that we cheerfully call "corinhos"), we used to have snacks like popcorn (seasoned with MSG¹), chips, and futomaki² sushi on special occasions, and later played soccer, tag, hide-and-seek, and some other games.

I like to say that God caught me by the stomach 😅. Now seriously, the love this community shared with me and all those kids made all the difference in my formation as a Christian. However, out of respect to my parents, (although not the wisest decision) I did not get baptized until I was 18 (the majority age in Brazil).

He already had a plan

My life with Jesus — my Savior and King — is full of ups and downs, and I am far from being perfect. I am a sinner.

And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

— Jeremiah 18:4-6

But like clay in the hands of the potter, I'm being perfected every day, by a loving God that never gives up on me. To Him, I am grateful and surrender my life every day, and put my hope in Him.

If you don't know Him personally and want to understand who God is and what Jesus did for me and you, so you also can have the hope of eternal life, please drop me a note, and I'll be more than happy to tell everything He did for me.

Every one of you, Christians and non-Christians, are welcome to join me in this journey of learning and being perfected by God, through His Holy Spirit.

 

Now, just one word of caution: every word on this blog is my own (except when explicitly cited from the Scriptures or other authors), based on my interpretation and learnings from the Bible, seasoned with my understanding of various teachings from my mentors, D-group leaders, pastors, and how I perceive their influence in my life. And finally on top of all that my own life experience, as a Christ follower, husband, father, son, friend, neighbor, co-worker, employee, taxpayer, immigrant.

In no shape or form, any of the texts shared in this website are to be used as rule for anyone's lives - the Bible is. By reading my texts you should come up with your own conclusions and hopefuly learn from them though, just like I do with everything I read, listen and experience from others.
 
Thanks, and in Christ I love you.