Jn. 8: 31-32 NASB Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."
Would you die for truth? Hundreds of thousands do daily. Actually, they die from false beliefs about important things. Some simple examples: People die from drunk driving, people die from walking in front of a car--die for the truth of mass , inertia. They die from truth of drug overdose.
Truth then is often a matter of life and death. This applies to eternal as well as temporal life. If Jesus is right -- by not following him there is so much to LOOSE.
What about those who say that yes there are objective truth, but who are we to say that what we believe is right?
I like to hear what your views are on that.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
One man's floor is another man's ceiling-- Part 1
All things are relative. You can't tell me what is right or wrong. You cant push your morality on me. Just because it is wrong for you does not mean it is wrong for me or for my friend or someone else. As Christians we encounter those kind of arguments with our sons, daughters, acquaintances, friends, foes and the hardest in my experience are other well meaning "Christians."
I like to share a brief paragraph from C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity:
Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a Real Right or Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later. He may break his promise to you, but if you ty breaking one to him he will be complaining-- it's not fair, before you can say Jack Robinson. It seems we are forced to believe in a Right and Wrong. People may sometimes be mistaken about them, just as people sometimes get their sums wrong; but they are not a matter of mere taste and opinion and more than the multiplication table.
Romans 2:15 NIV since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
Again C.S. Lewis:
this Law or Rule about Right and Wrong used to be called the Law of Nature...because people thought that every one knew it by nature and did not need to be taught it.
What are your thoughts to the above? Are there any example or examples in the Old Testament or New Testament that deals with the Relativity Myth? Try those for your workout for the week?
God Bless
I like to share a brief paragraph from C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity:
Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a Real Right or Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later. He may break his promise to you, but if you ty breaking one to him he will be complaining-- it's not fair, before you can say Jack Robinson. It seems we are forced to believe in a Right and Wrong. People may sometimes be mistaken about them, just as people sometimes get their sums wrong; but they are not a matter of mere taste and opinion and more than the multiplication table.
Romans 2:15 NIV since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
Again C.S. Lewis:
this Law or Rule about Right and Wrong used to be called the Law of Nature...because people thought that every one knew it by nature and did not need to be taught it.
What are your thoughts to the above? Are there any example or examples in the Old Testament or New Testament that deals with the Relativity Myth? Try those for your workout for the week?
God Bless
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year and what it means to you --- 2008
Hi Everyone,
Angie, Benji, Lianne, and myself trust your year ended well. We especially COUNT our blessings as Angie is still with us, granted that she is appearing more like me in terms of hair count. We again want to THANK YOU for your PRAYER AND SUPPORT in our family. It was wonderful to be with you again during Christmas, and some who could not make it we did indeed miss you.
We especially thank Jang family for hosting and feeding us those delicious food that nourishes our physical bodies. Dont forget too that Allen has something for the " spiritual food," in that there is Bible class on Wed. and if you cant make it you may want to check with him to post it on the blog.
Latest news on Angie progress:
She had her CT chest and abdomen. Her tumor that spread to the left side of chest has completely gone and there is remarkably reduction in size of her current tumor. We attribute that to God's grace and mercy for he heard yours and our prayer. There current plan of treatment is to finish this last four chemo. and change to another chemo and we will check with onco.rad. to see if she can rad. the remaining cells.
We continue seek your prayer and thank you for being so consistant in your support for us.
Yes, indeed we are counting our blessings for this year.
God Bless
Queks
Angie, Benji, Lianne, and myself trust your year ended well. We especially COUNT our blessings as Angie is still with us, granted that she is appearing more like me in terms of hair count. We again want to THANK YOU for your PRAYER AND SUPPORT in our family. It was wonderful to be with you again during Christmas, and some who could not make it we did indeed miss you.
We especially thank Jang family for hosting and feeding us those delicious food that nourishes our physical bodies. Dont forget too that Allen has something for the " spiritual food," in that there is Bible class on Wed. and if you cant make it you may want to check with him to post it on the blog.
Latest news on Angie progress:
She had her CT chest and abdomen. Her tumor that spread to the left side of chest has completely gone and there is remarkably reduction in size of her current tumor. We attribute that to God's grace and mercy for he heard yours and our prayer. There current plan of treatment is to finish this last four chemo. and change to another chemo and we will check with onco.rad. to see if she can rad. the remaining cells.
We continue seek your prayer and thank you for being so consistant in your support for us.
Yes, indeed we are counting our blessings for this year.
God Bless
Queks
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Angels!
At House Worship at Allen/Loan's house for our "Free Day" (i.e., choice to visit a congregation or have a House Worship) we were honored to have Cindy Nam and her friends Tu and Gloria attend with Chen, Mai, May, Larry, Julie, Loan, and Allen!
Prayers were offered for Danie Tai & Family while visiting Singapore and for Cindy Nam while she's preparing for her overseas studies in Singapore.
SERMON: A PowerPoint Presentation about Angels was shown.
1. In a Christmas favorite, Clarence the angel helped George Bailey realize that truly "It's a Wonderful Life!"
2. A Christian family emailed that they will welcome receiving Cindy in Singapore if needed, stating that we must always be prepared to show hospitality to strangers for some by doing have entertained angels unaware (from Hebrews 13:2)!
3. Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet that "in action how [man is] like an angel", but B.F. Skinner (founder of Behavioral Psychology) argued in his 1971 best-seller, "Beyond Freedom & Dignity", that man is nothing more than an advanced rat (living only for food, sex & survival) and there is no such thing as free-will. His book made the 1999 Intercollegiates Studies Institute (50,000 college students and professors) list of the 50 worst books of the 20th century for its wide influence although it was based on wrong information.
4. So who's correct? Are we like angels, or more like rats?
5. In a videotape interview, (A) a scientist and his wife in England reported witnessing (with a group of people) a driverless out-of- control tractor (the driver didn't set the brakes properly) rolling down hill towards (B) a crowd of picnickers. Suddenly, a person ("angel"?) was seen by (A) to steer and crash the tractor away from the crowd. After the tractor crashed, (A) couldn't find the body of the "angel", but (B) claimed all they saw was a driverless tractor.
6. "Angels" are "messengers" (e.g., the announcement of the birth of Jesus, Luke 2), and "ministering spirits" (Hebrews 1:14).
7. The message they bring is a need for change. People are reluctant to change, but nothing ventured will likely yield nothing gained (e.g., women's right to vote, automobiles in place of horses, etc.). As we face the New Year, we must keep in mind that true renewal of the heart comes from God.
8. Baptism is a step forward towards spiritual renewal, when a person makes a decision to turn to God.
9. Matthew 18:10 says that the angels of the children are always in the presence of God (i.e., holds a special, dear place).
10. Therefore, let us be kind to one another, don't forget to show hospitality, and work for spiritual growth! Happy New Years to all!
Prayers were offered for Danie Tai & Family while visiting Singapore and for Cindy Nam while she's preparing for her overseas studies in Singapore.
SERMON: A PowerPoint Presentation about Angels was shown.
1. In a Christmas favorite, Clarence the angel helped George Bailey realize that truly "It's a Wonderful Life!"
2. A Christian family emailed that they will welcome receiving Cindy in Singapore if needed, stating that we must always be prepared to show hospitality to strangers for some by doing have entertained angels unaware (from Hebrews 13:2)!
3. Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet that "in action how [man is] like an angel", but B.F. Skinner (founder of Behavioral Psychology) argued in his 1971 best-seller, "Beyond Freedom & Dignity", that man is nothing more than an advanced rat (living only for food, sex & survival) and there is no such thing as free-will. His book made the 1999 Intercollegiates Studies Institute (50,000 college students and professors) list of the 50 worst books of the 20th century for its wide influence although it was based on wrong information.
4. So who's correct? Are we like angels, or more like rats?
5. In a videotape interview, (A) a scientist and his wife in England reported witnessing (with a group of people) a driverless out-of- control tractor (the driver didn't set the brakes properly) rolling down hill towards (B) a crowd of picnickers. Suddenly, a person ("angel"?) was seen by (A) to steer and crash the tractor away from the crowd. After the tractor crashed, (A) couldn't find the body of the "angel", but (B) claimed all they saw was a driverless tractor.
6. "Angels" are "messengers" (e.g., the announcement of the birth of Jesus, Luke 2), and "ministering spirits" (Hebrews 1:14).
7. The message they bring is a need for change. People are reluctant to change, but nothing ventured will likely yield nothing gained (e.g., women's right to vote, automobiles in place of horses, etc.). As we face the New Year, we must keep in mind that true renewal of the heart comes from God.
8. Baptism is a step forward towards spiritual renewal, when a person makes a decision to turn to God.
9. Matthew 18:10 says that the angels of the children are always in the presence of God (i.e., holds a special, dear place).
10. Therefore, let us be kind to one another, don't forget to show hospitality, and work for spiritual growth! Happy New Years to all!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Christmas House Worship, 12/22
We had 26 in attendance last night for worship & fellowship: Eric/Angie/Lianne/Benji/Paula (Benji's friend)/Kathy (Angie's sister from Canada), Daniel/Sue-Ann/James, Qi/Su/Jeremy, Peony/Man-Yu, Loan/Julie/Allen, Larry, Katina, May, Ivan, Chen, Mai V, Dr. Gary Lin, Mai H/Thanh.
(1) We showed the Advent Calendar DVD (the Advent Calendar was started in 19th century Germany and has become a popular way to celebrate and learn about the various traditions during the Christmas season).
(2) We had a DVD quiz and learned that the following were based on tradition and NOT the Bible: enroute to Bethlehem Mary rode on a donkey while Joseph walked (they may have both rode on a donkey, camel, or on a cart); Angels sang when they appeared to the shepherds (they spoke and praised); there were 3 Magi (older traditions said there were 5); the Magi visited the Baby Jesus in a stable or cave (they visited the child in a house, probably many months later); and Jesus was born and placed in an animal food trough for bedding (which is true). Ivan WON, getting 4 out of 5 correct!
(3) Chen also pointed out that Jesus most likely was not born on Christmas Day.
(4) Allen's lesson added that a study of Old Testament prophecies and New Testament fulfillment showed the miracle that 450-500 years before Jesus was born that His birth was foretold that He would be born of a Virgin (Isaiah 7:14) in a small town known as Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) of David's lineage (Isaiah 9:6, 7) and that this was something unique/new in the world (Isaiah 42:1-9)! And it all CAME TRUE as proof that God IS working out His plan for saving mankind!
Prayer request: Angie's cancer, Thanh's health, Daniel/Sue-Ann/Tiffany/James visit to Singapore next week, Cindy's leave for Singapore to study.
Upcoming Events: Pepper Spray training class (possibly Monday, 12/24, or next week) at Qi/Su's house (will confirm tonight); Shroud Center Museum on Sat., 12/29, open from 1-4 p.m. & Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not-Museum afterwards.
(1) We showed the Advent Calendar DVD (the Advent Calendar was started in 19th century Germany and has become a popular way to celebrate and learn about the various traditions during the Christmas season).
(2) We had a DVD quiz and learned that the following were based on tradition and NOT the Bible: enroute to Bethlehem Mary rode on a donkey while Joseph walked (they may have both rode on a donkey, camel, or on a cart); Angels sang when they appeared to the shepherds (they spoke and praised); there were 3 Magi (older traditions said there were 5); the Magi visited the Baby Jesus in a stable or cave (they visited the child in a house, probably many months later); and Jesus was born and placed in an animal food trough for bedding (which is true). Ivan WON, getting 4 out of 5 correct!
(3) Chen also pointed out that Jesus most likely was not born on Christmas Day.
(4) Allen's lesson added that a study of Old Testament prophecies and New Testament fulfillment showed the miracle that 450-500 years before Jesus was born that His birth was foretold that He would be born of a Virgin (Isaiah 7:14) in a small town known as Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) of David's lineage (Isaiah 9:6, 7) and that this was something unique/new in the world (Isaiah 42:1-9)! And it all CAME TRUE as proof that God IS working out His plan for saving mankind!
Prayer request: Angie's cancer, Thanh's health, Daniel/Sue-Ann/Tiffany/James visit to Singapore next week, Cindy's leave for Singapore to study.
Upcoming Events: Pepper Spray training class (possibly Monday, 12/24, or next week) at Qi/Su's house (will confirm tonight); Shroud Center Museum on Sat., 12/29, open from 1-4 p.m. & Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not-Museum afterwards.
A Warm Welcome & Surprise Study at Pasadena COC!
On Sunday, 12/15/07, the Asian COC visited the Pasadena (Kinneloa) church of Christ. We were pleasantly surprised to hear Bro. Mark Hopkins (Prof. Fuller Theo. Seminary) give a lesson on Buddhism, contrasting it with Christianity! There was a visiting scientist from India (Hindu) who gave some added insights from the Hindu faith. Bro. Allen was invited to give the communion thought and Chen & May were asked to assist with the distribution of the unleavened bread and fruit-of-the-vine. Visiting this very friendly church were Allen & Loan, Daniel & James, Chen & May.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
"The Lord is Building Something!"
From the House Worship at Daniel/Sue-Ann Tai's House, Lord's Day evening, 12/8/07:
In the desert wilderness high atop Mt. Sinai God gave Moses instructions for the people. He gave them (1) the 10 Commandments, (2) judgments and ordinances or the law, and (3) the pattern for building the Tabernacle.
God gave birth to the Tabernacle as its spiritual Father. Israel was the willing parent (Ex. 25:1, 2, 8), married wife (Isaiah 54:1; Jer. 3:1, 14, 20), conceiving (Ex. 19:1) and giving birth (Ex. 40:17) to the Tabernacle in 9 months.
The biblical types (like a typewriter, reproducing the thoughts of the typist) or patterns issuing forth from the Tabernacle prefigured the body of Christ.
The Tabernacle sanctuary (later, Temple sanctuary) is a type of the heavenly sanctuary (Ex. 40:2, 24); Heb. 8:2, 5; 9:1-12). The Bride is a type of the body of Christ, the church (Rev. 21:2, 9; 22:17). Baptism is a type of the saving of Noah and his family, of the salvation through the gospel (I Pet. 3:20, 21).
Denominational churches often use the word "sanctuary" (a holy place) in a non-biblical fashion to apply to their meeting halls. The biblical sanctuaries were those at Shiloh, Samaria, and later moved/transferred to Jerusalem. These were the holy places referred to when the Psalmist wrote that they brought out musical instruments (in synagogue worship, instrumental music was never used until the late 19th century in America among some of the liberal synagogues). Church meeting halls are NOT holy places. There are no holy places where we must worship today (John 4:21-24).
Just as in the Tabernacle, the New Testament says there is ONLY one entrance or way to enter (Jn. 10:1); there must be washing before one may proceed (Jn 3:3, 5), there was the bread to be eaten one day each week (I Cor. 11L24-25).
There are no longer a dividing curtain (or "holy place" as in the Tabernacle) separating us from His presence or requiring the intervention of a priest since Christ did away with this separation by the act of His crucifixion (Mt. 27:50-51) and resurrection.
Our true place of worship is in the heart and in the homes.
In the desert wilderness high atop Mt. Sinai God gave Moses instructions for the people. He gave them (1) the 10 Commandments, (2) judgments and ordinances or the law, and (3) the pattern for building the Tabernacle.
God gave birth to the Tabernacle as its spiritual Father. Israel was the willing parent (Ex. 25:1, 2, 8), married wife (Isaiah 54:1; Jer. 3:1, 14, 20), conceiving (Ex. 19:1) and giving birth (Ex. 40:17) to the Tabernacle in 9 months.
The biblical types (like a typewriter, reproducing the thoughts of the typist) or patterns issuing forth from the Tabernacle prefigured the body of Christ.
The Tabernacle sanctuary (later, Temple sanctuary) is a type of the heavenly sanctuary (Ex. 40:2, 24); Heb. 8:2, 5; 9:1-12). The Bride is a type of the body of Christ, the church (Rev. 21:2, 9; 22:17). Baptism is a type of the saving of Noah and his family, of the salvation through the gospel (I Pet. 3:20, 21).
Denominational churches often use the word "sanctuary" (a holy place) in a non-biblical fashion to apply to their meeting halls. The biblical sanctuaries were those at Shiloh, Samaria, and later moved/transferred to Jerusalem. These were the holy places referred to when the Psalmist wrote that they brought out musical instruments (in synagogue worship, instrumental music was never used until the late 19th century in America among some of the liberal synagogues). Church meeting halls are NOT holy places. There are no holy places where we must worship today (John 4:21-24).
Just as in the Tabernacle, the New Testament says there is ONLY one entrance or way to enter (Jn. 10:1); there must be washing before one may proceed (Jn 3:3, 5), there was the bread to be eaten one day each week (I Cor. 11L24-25).
There are no longer a dividing curtain (or "holy place" as in the Tabernacle) separating us from His presence or requiring the intervention of a priest since Christ did away with this separation by the act of His crucifixion (Mt. 27:50-51) and resurrection.
Our true place of worship is in the heart and in the homes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)