Pile of Skubala

Voddie Baucham...

2008-11-06T16:10:00.001-08:00

...speaks on President-Elect Obama.

Obama's Just Another Sinner Who Will Disappoint.

2008-11-05T12:51:00.000-08:00

As is McCain, if he won. America, enjoy your euphoria now, for it will fade soon. Next week, you will wake up realizing you're still broke, wealth hasn't been redistributed, your depression hasn't faded, your fiscal woes haven't been redeemed, the term "yes we can" has been relegated to the answer of whether or not you can afford the FunPak at Walmart, and your sins still haven't been forgiven because you've elevated two political figures to the status of godhood - two figures who are just as sinful as you and me. Anyway. All I really want to say has been summed up here.

Good Article...

2008-11-04T20:26:00.000-08:00

...on the election.

What Are You Pursuing?

2008-10-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

Matt Chandler has an excellent piece on what our Goal in life should be.

Pray...

2008-10-15T15:30:00.001-07:00

...for this couple please.

Telling Me What I Want to Hear

2008-10-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin have repeatedly refused to call the American public out on its excessive spending and abominable average household debt. I understand that their rhetoric is purely political - you don't want to piss the public off. Tell them what they want to hear; big corporations, corrupt CEOs, they're to blame! Not us. Quite similar to the state of the pulpit these days, where preachers get up to tell us "It ain't your fault! You're a good person! Here are 10 steps to your best life now," rather than call us on our sin and exhort us to repent.

I Didn't Know You Could Gain/Lose Divine Status

2008-10-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

This cute little girl has to face the next 9-10 years in relative isolation, whilst being brainwashed into self-idolatry, because she has been deemed a "goddess." It pains me just looking at her with all that ridiculous makeup on.

"I feel a bit sad, but since my child has become a living goddess I feel proud," said her father Pratap Man Shakya.

Pray for those in bondage. True free will only comes at regeneration by Christ.

Is it Now?

2008-10-04T21:33:00.000-07:00

"I'm satisfied this was a one-time error in judgment, albeit of staggering proportions."

Father to the Rescue

2008-09-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

What an excellent story.

US Financial Crisis

2008-09-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Here's a fine piece by Al Mohler on the recent US money crisis.

Ping Pong Playa

2008-09-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

When Oct4 passes, I intend on celebrating by watching this.

Books I Want to Read

2008-09-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

After I get through my academic readings (i.e., after Nov. 28), I want to read these 3 books.

Voddie Baucham

2008-09-10T20:33:00.000-07:00

Spotted this off of Challies. Great watching Voddie Baucham defend the faith, proclaiming truth in a scenario that so often sees pastors and teachers crumble to the god of appeasement.

Are You Kidding Me?

2008-08-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

Look, I love Paul Pierce (it's no coincidence that my email addresses always carry the number 34), but this is just ridiculous.

Best player in the world? Give me a break. Celtics wouldn't have won the championship if James Posey wasn't around.

Bring in the Boondock Saints Already.

2008-07-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

What the hell.

The Truth...

2008-07-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

...is indeed cutting.

A Nice Day

2008-07-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

On Monday, I watched "The Dark Knight." That same day, a good friend surprised me with a copy of "Batman: The Complete History."

It was a nice day =)

PS: If you haven't seen "The Dark Knight" yet, go now. Heath Ledger's Joker is incomparable, Bale's Batman continues to convince, and the movie itself is riddled with so many questions about human nature that I'm still going through the sequences in my head. I'm off to see it again :D

Blair Wingo

2008-07-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

Caught my eye about a year ago when going through some reformed hip hop on youtube.

She. Is. Crazy.

Strong start, weak finish

2008-07-13T18:57:00.001-07:00

Sour soothers are deceiving - they start sour, but they end sweet. I've realized I have a tendency to start things off very strong - personal/professional/academic/relational pursuits...however, I tend to end very poorly. I find I do that when I speak, as well; I talk a huge talk, but I fail to live up to commitments that I make. Starting strong+finishing weak is just laziness, really, and a desire to absolve myself of responsibility. I pray that Christ will continue to reform me, that I can both start and finish with vigour.

I Love My Awkward Gym

2008-07-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

The thing with Mix99.9 is you can never be sure what you're gonna hear. I can assure you there is nothing manlier than lifting weights with several huge Iranians and Greeks, while the gym's PA system blasts N*Sync's signature slow jam.

Basketball Jones

2008-07-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I played a full game of ball, and I really do miss it. Over the weekend, I played some one-on-one with my dad, and though he's pushing 60, he's still got it! In other news, I'm looking forward to the most intimidating frontcourt of the Eastern conference; welcome to Toronto, J.O!

Review: Good Christians, Good Husbands?

2008-07-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

The awesome thing about summers is an endless supply of time to read good books. The not-so-awesome thing is my not-so-endless supply of cash to buy good books. Recently, I bought Good Christians, Good Husbands? (written by Doreen Moore) for my brother, as he is getting married next year. GCGH? analyzes the marital lives of three of our favourite dead white guys -- John Wesley, George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards. Though the book is a short and enjoyable read, GCGH? is by no means a superficial glance at how cute Sara and Jonathan Edwards were; rather, Mrs. Moore looks at each preacher's motivation to marry, their thought-processes leading up to marriage, and the way they conducted their relationship with their given wife. Moore looks at each pastor's theology, and how his theology shaped his views on husbandship/wifeship, as well as fatherhood. Moreover, Mrs. Moore looks at how each pastor's theology shaped the balance (or lackthereof) between their family duties and ministry obligations. Mrs. Moore also looks at the responses of the wives to their husband's view on marriage, reminding us that, most of the time (though definitely not all of the time), the conduct of the wife can be an almost-accurate portrayal of the husband's leadership. GCGH? is definitely not exhaustive, and because it is not lengthy, I fear giving away much of its contents if I write anymore; however, it is a good read for those with questions on how to balance family and ministry, and how to allow proper theology to shape convictions on relationships.

Only the Called

2008-06-30T11:03:00.001-07:00

Last week, my order for Mark Driscoll's "Confessions of a Reformission Rev" finally came in -- I was so excited that I brought it to the gym to read in between workout sets (alright...I was really, really excited!) Driscoll, forever immortalized by Donald Miller as the "cussing pastor" is a preacher that I heavily enjoy listening to -- his cultural liberality combo'd with theological orthodoxy has made him enemies in both backyards of extremists, but have also pinched many a nerve (including mine); Pastor Driscoll has reached countless people with the pure, unadulterated Gospel through his sermons.

I do not see the need to write a review on "Confessions", because Challies has a great one; however, one aspect of the book I would like to highlight is the intensity of a church planter's life, seen through Driscoll's highs and lows. If there is one lesson to be learned while reading through Driscoll's personal experiences, it is that the office of the preacher is an exciting yet sobering position. It is most rewarding, yet most terrifying. Nothing Driscoll mentioned in his memoirs should be very surprising, but his stories should serve as real warnings to green, Bible-college kids eager to enter "youth ministry," thinking the pastorate is a "fun" job, and desperate to play the guitar to impressionable, nubile 14 year olds. Demonic attacks, emotional turmoil, venomous words from your supposed best friends, suffering physical health, awkward upon awkward moments, perpetual disrespect, financial crises, are all part of the pastor's welcome package. The pulpit is awfully lonely, and preaching is the most intense activity one can engage in -- there is nothing more draining to a man than the week-in-week-out exposition of God's Word to a foul generation. In my opinon, I think the greatest gift Driscoll gave to us through "Confessions" is not necessarily his tactics on how to reach the unchurched people of today (though they are excellent) -- I think his personal experiences, relayed with his trademark sarcasm, are most valuable to the current generation of young men who may or may not have a godly desire to enter the pulpit, to remind everyone that...

1) Not everyone is called to the pulpit -- Driscoll mentions how the only thing that keeps him going some days is that he knows for sure that Jesus has called him. The calling is the most important thing!

2) If you're a pastor/church-planter/leader, you will be bruised.

3) So if you're called, do it. If not, flee.

4) You're not Mark Driscoll.

Leave you with a Spurgeon gem:

"Do not enter the ministry if you can help it," was the deeply sage advice of a divine to one who sought his judgment. If any student in this room could be content to be a newspaper editor, or a grocer, or a farmer or a doctor, or a lawyer, or a senator, or a king, in the name of heaven and earth let him go his way; he is not the man in whom dwells the Spirit of God in its fulness, for a man so filled with God would utterly weary of any pursuit but that for which his inmost soul pants. If on the other hand, you can say that for all the wealth of both the Indies you could not and dare not espouse any other calling so as to be put aside from preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, then, depend upon it, if other things be equally satisfactory, you have the signs of this apostleship. We must feel that woe is unto us if we preach not the gospel; the word of God must be unto us as fire in our bones, otherwise, if we undertake the ministry, we shall be unhappy in it, shall be unable to bear the self-denials incident to it, and shall be of little service to those among whom we minister. (Spurgeon: Lectures to My Students, pp. 26-27)

McGuinty's Decision

2008-06-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

Instead of axing the Lord's Prayer, McGuinty has decided to keep it -- in rotation with Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, etc prayers.

It may have been better for Scriptures to just be removed.

What Asian Christians like

2008-06-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

What Hip-Couture Asian Christians like

...making fun of other Asians
...indie rock
...emo lifestyle
...developing countries
..."bringing the Kingdom of God to earth"
...Campus for Christ
...IVCF
...anything but CCF
...being "out of the bubble"
...commenting on how they love being around "out of the bubble"
...social gospel

Self-hate is bad. Hate your sin, yes; but arrogance and bitterness towards your own kind will get us nowhere.

What Comfortable Asian Christians like

...mega church
...dimsum/pho after church
...large fellowships
...clubbing after fellowship
...that game where you pitch the ball to your own teammates
...getting passionate over that game where you pitch the ball to your own teammates
...ultimately sinning over that game where you pitch the ball to your own teammates
..."freedom in Christ"
...justifying sin

Lukewarmth is bad. He will spit us out of His mouth if we continue in our reckless, blind ways.

What you see here are two extremes on the man-made spectrum of Churchianity. I mentioned in a previous post, the self-hating Emergent Asians are a swinging rebellion from mega-church Asian Churchianity. Neither are correct, because neither have Jesus at its core. Asian Churchianity may have began with Christ, but the 2nd generation rarely own their faith. So much bad teaching has infiltrated the Toronto Church -- thus, we began poorly, and we rebelled poorly. It is time to stop looking upon the man-made spectrum...the man-made liberal(emergent)-conservative(megachurch) divide, and time to gaze upon the Spotless Lamb who makes propitiation for our sins; that is freedom! Freedom from trying to find the "right way" to be Christian, we don't need to worry about that, Jesus does that for us. The answer to our questions is not found in prayer labyrinths, candles, and dark-rimmed glasses; conversely, the answer is not found in disgusting youth games, body worship and programsprogramsprograms. The "right way" is the narrow way, the only way -- pure submission to our Lord Jesus Christ, who guides and directs us through the infallible word of God, preached to us by faithful pastors. My emergent Asian friends, channel your self-hate to not hate your own kind, but rather to hate your sin! My mega-church Asian friends, may your passion for God eclipse your current passion for that non-sport!

Enjoyment of Jesus Christ

2008-06-13T09:20:00.000-07:00

Prayer meetings are not always a time for lamentation; true, the Lord does command us to have contrite hearts whenever we sin. Let us remember, though, that the Christian life must be characterized by a real joy, or if I may, happiness! We have been saved from the torments of an everlasting furnace; we've been saved from the immense guilt that would have otherwise plagued our minds; we've been elected for the purpose of enjoying Jesus Christ now and in heaven for eternity-long! Jesus is to be enjoyed, Jesus is a reason for celebration; and when we finally meet Jesus face to face, it will be an eternity of ecstasy.

Crazy Love

2008-06-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to read Crazy Love by Francis Chan (Just Stop and Think). Crazy Love is written in a way that all can comprehend and enjoy; moreover, I appreciate Francis Chan's passion for God's people, and his desire to see us out of mediocrity. One part of the book that caught my eye was how Pastor Chan described his attitude toward God being reverent intimacy; I love that! I can identify with Pastor Chan, in that earlier times (and even now sometimes), I was more scared of God than in love with Him. Pastor Chan explains that God desires not for us to come to Him in guilt, but rather "with true love expressed through our lives." He uses the example of his little girl running out to greet him in the driveway everyday he comes home from work -- I'm sure his child respects her dad completely, but her love is unabashed. I'm learning more and more that as God has many beautiful diversities (I think CS Lewis said that), it is then not impossible to have a wide range of responses to Him, simultaneously even. We may fear Him, but we can also love Him with a reckless abandon. Please read Challies' review for further information, but I do highly recommend Crazy Love!

Learning from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

2008-06-10T13:58:00.001-07:00

(Disclaimer: Heavily paraphrased from actual episode of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)

The setting is beautiful Bel Air. Will Smith is expecting his friend, Keith, from Philadelphia.

Will: Yo what's crackin' man? Let's play some video games.

(They play)

Keith: Alright man, I gotta go prepare for the audition (Keith is a comedian).

Will: Oh, what you gotta prepare? You just stand up there and tell some jokes.

Keith: (patiently) No, Will, there's an actual craft to comedy.

Will: Brotha please! How hard could it be?

(They trade verbal jabs, and leave for the audition)

At the audition, Will makes some advances towards a female, which catches the eye of the audition judges. They find his actions hilarious, and book him for the show. Keith just shakes his head.

(Later on at the house)

Will: Uncle Phil! I want to be a comedian. I'm funny, charming, good-looking...I think I know what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Uncle Phil: I will kill you now.

(later)

Will: Whasup man?

Keith: Man, you tell me what's up.

Will: Oh what - you mad 'cause I got in the show?

Keith: Will, you know many dives I've had to play in? How many places I've gotten booed off the stage? I worked my butt off for this.

Will: Yo why you mad, man? You got in the show too.

Keith: Will, I'm asking you to show me some respect.

Will: Respect? Ha! I didn't even audition and they pulled me in, you could learn something from me!

Keith: Well, tomorrow I'll be taking notes backstage then.

Will: Fine! And you better bring a big notepad!

(At the club)

Announcing: And now, our next comedian, from Philly, Will Smith!

Will: Wha-saaap...wha...sap

(Will goes on to tell a series of awful jokes, rendering him booed hard; Keith rushes to the stage, yanks the mic from Will, and essentially saving his sorry butt from further abuse)

Keith: (goes on to demonstrate his comic genius, his act ending with a huge ovation)

***

We can be like Will so often; except, sometimes, we might succeed in our first act. But only the first act.

Streams in the Desert

2008-06-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

How sweet it is to have brothers come to your aid in time of need. I am thankful for my support network, people who are always willing to lend an ear, offer counsel, and suggest some food-therapy. I am thankful for your love and concern!

I want to be...

2008-06-09T12:42:00.001-07:00

...grounded in truth like a Reformed preacher
...zealously in love with God like a Charismatic
...expectant of His promises like a prosperity-theologian
...compassionate towards others like an Emergent
...orderly like a Catholic
...engaging like an Arminian
...calm like a Calvinist

Learning from John Calvin

2008-06-06T22:08:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Centre for Mentorship and Theological Reflection's "Learning from John Calvin" night (apparently the CMTR's event is annual). The keynote speakers included Dr. Timothy George (senior editor of Christianity Today), Dr. Victor Shepherd, and Dr. Dennis Ngien. I was also pleasantly surprised to see some friends from Queen's at the event, as well as some old high school friends whom I haven't bumped into in ages.

Dr. George spoke about how Calvin's time, geography, and personal life shaped his theology. Dr. George mentioned Calvin was living in a "frontier" world -- he lived in a time that was in constant flux, with earth-shattering movements like the Reformation and the French Revolution occuring (kind of like how we are in the midst of changing times as well). Dr. George spoke on how the high value of the world was stabilitas, but Calvin's theology was characterized by mobilitas -- a theology for trekkers, not settlers. Dr. George spent some time talking about Calvin's reluctance to become a theologian, that he may bring up the topic of "calling vs. profession". Calvin was first a lawyer, to satisfy his father's wishes, but was compelled later to become a theologian because he feared God's wrath (wow!). Dr. George then mentioned Calvin's "definition" of the pastor, which included 1) Shepherd, 2) Standard-bearer, and 3) Father.

Dr. George is an eloquent speaker and ever so winsome. I had the great privilege of catching him unattended for a short period after the night ended. I introduced myself, and, if I can just be a little informal right now...man, he is one nice guy! Instantly I could tell he had a pastor's heart. I wanted to ask him a question that I was not able to get in immediately after his message. Dr. George, in passing, defined himself as a "Catholic-friendly, Reformed-Calvinist." I asked if he could clarify what he meant by that. Dr. George responded very graciously and patiently; he began by informing me on Calvin's original intention of moving the Protestant Church towards a Catholic-type hierarchy (I did not know this...I'm guessing he was referring to Calvin's experiment with Geneva); moreover, Dr. George stated he believed there were believers and unbelievers among the Catholic church, just like how there are believers and unbelievers among Baptists. He then went on to say that there were many secondary issues that were not worth fighting over (he was possibly referring to such standards as priestly chastity), and that it was important for Evangelicals and Catholics to dialogue together and pray together. However, he did make it a point to tell me he believed such things as transubstantiation were heretical, and that he is as reformed and Calvinist as they get -- but that we cannot write of Catholicism completely. (I shall now speak informally) The older I get, the more I start realizing how little I know...for instance, I used to deride Catholicism as the Great Whore (haha...that's so bad); but now, I must admit, I have come to appreciate some aspects of Catholicism. For example, Catholicism brought about a pious culture (a reverence for authority, a respect for the Church and her leaders), as well as order. There were clear-cut offices, and I think Luther threw out the baby with the bath water with the Protestant Reformation...I mean, we are not all theologians or priests, for goodness' sake! There are offices outlined in Ephesians 4, and I think to a certain degree, a hierarchy. I am not going to issue out my official doctrinal position on Catholicism (transubstantiation, prayers to saints and the nonviriginal-after-Jesus Mary, purgatory, etc are all still heresy to me), but like I said (and Dr. George did say this too)...the older I get, the more I realize how much I don't know (take it easy, I'm not falling into postmodernism, I'm just saying I need to learn more). As Dr. George said, it's kind of hard to be 100% correct...all the time.

Dr. Shepherd's message was titled "My Ministry is Dearer to me than Life," a quote from Calvin himself. He began with a list of Calvin's ailments, including kidney stones, tuberculosis, calcium deposits in his joints (there were many more, and he went into gruesome detail). Dr. Shepherd's mesage centred around the difficulty of the pastoral ministry, and the qualities a pastor should have. I'm not sure why he would take upon such a topic, but my personal guess is (don't quote me on this) that he may have been trying to discourage any young, hotshot (Bible) college students from jumping right into ministry before discerning a true calling. "If we really knew what it meant to be a pastor, we wouldn't be able to endure it!" he cried out several times in his exhortation (I fully agree with him; that's why I'm not a pastor). Dr. Shepherd demanded that a pastor should have courage, as well as courtesy and restriant. He said that pastors must "win people with kindliness...the pastor should plead rather than pummel." Dr. Shepherd also mentioned that "those who want to be counted true pastors...must have a higher regard for the church than their own life." Dr. Shepherd talked of some of the many awful problems that pastors go through: "We see daily how pastors are treated with hostility for trivial reasons, or not reason at all!" (I agree! It's ridiculous) I thought it was hilarious when he talked about the M.Div being the degree for men to enter the ministry, and the Doctorate being the degree for pastors to get out of it (lol). He ended his message by reminding us that the pastorship was the most difficult and dangerous position on earth, but also the greatest privilege, the most cherished, by those grateful.

Dr. Shepherd was a clear (not to mention very funny!) communicator, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him. I did not get a chance to talk to him afterwards, but I would like to ask him about his quote on the pastor valuing his ministry more than life itself. I would ask Dr. Shepherd what exactly he meant by that, and if that meant every sector of his (the hypothetical pastor) life, including his wife and kids, etc. If he meant that the church ministry should be dearer to a pastor over such as the above, I would disagree; however, he could also mean that something like wife and kids would be part of his ministry, to which then I would see where he's coming from.

It was a good night, and I did learn quite a bit. I hope for more opportunities to learn from these (and other) men of faith.

"Sik dau dee la!!!"

2008-05-31T09:29:00.000-07:00

Gluttony must be the one sin that is scarcely mentioned in North America; and no wonder, considering our stomachs are our gods here! We build shrines to our food gods -- a Mandarin Buffet here, a Wendy's joint there. We offer our time, energy and resources to make sure our tastebuds are titillated, and our intestines filled with glorious crap. Why do we stuff ourselves whenever we go to a sushi buffet? "I want to get my money's worth." Oh please, I want to be carnal! Truth be told, I never thought of gluttony when I was a teenager stacking up bowls of rice at the local Korean firepit. Nor did it cross my mind whenever I indulged in a la carte restaurants. It just felt natural, ordering more food than I can handle. But I'm starting to feel the guilt, as it is impossible to justify such sinful behaviour. Gluttony is sin, it is pure lust after food; the sinful desire to gratify my senses by indulging in more than I need.

The Lord has graciously provided me (read: us) with more than I (read: we) need; but we have become rich like Laodicea, and if we're not careful, things as neutral (nothing's neutral) as food can easily cause Jesus Christ to vomit us out of His mouth. I don't think any of us need that in our life.

Why We're Not Emergent

2008-05-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

If you look at the media these days, you'll see there has been a shift in culture; modern to postmodern, linear to scattered, certainty to uncertainty. In fact, such thought has entered the church, undisguised yet undetectable. Emergent theology has been the hottest thing among rich suburbanite kids who have grown up in church all their life, become disenchanted with the mega-church/Republican/(or in the Toronto context, their parents' large and hypocritical Churchianity) lifestyle, and have started a rebellion characterized by drinking lots of cappuccinos, pastors with soul patches, bad art, and generally Stuff White People Like. This movement is absolutely fascinating, having found supporters in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and even some large mega churches. Though I find it difficult sympathizing with Emergents because of their faulty theology, I do understand their frustration when they see a world full of injustice and have no idea what to do about it. Like Jars of Clay once sang, "I want to love the world, but I don't know how." Unfortunately, communal living in an urban setting and singing secular songs during communion for the sake of "relevancy" isn't going to lead anyone to heaven.

But really, what is the emergent movement essentially? Can I identify its roots? Does it have any strengths? Why have so many flocked to it? What are its pitfalls?

I just finished reading "Why We're Not Emergent" by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. WWNE not only answers all those questions I had, it went above and beyond my expectations. It is well-written: the prose is clear, engaging and deliciously clever. DeYoung's arguments are theologically/historically sound and compelling -- moreover (and perhaps more importantly in certain contexts), he makes his points with grace and humility. Kluck's wit will have you in stitches, as I laughed out loud at his many "from-the-pew-average-Joe" observations of the Emergent Church. I have no desire to write an evaluation, as many have already done a better job than I will ever: check out Team Pyro and Challies for further review. I highly recommend this book.

Beautiful Exposition

2008-05-15T11:28:00.001-07:00

Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity of finishing up my expository preaching course under the tutelage of Dr. J. Kent Edwards of Talbot School of Theology, and pastor of Woodland Hills Church. I was very blessed to be in his class, because this man can preach! If it was any other person teaching, I probably would have slept through the entire course. The course was fantastic; my only regret was not being able to talk to Dr. Edwards more, one-on-one. The times that I did, I was totally floored by his insight. Definitely one of the best preachers/communicators I've ever experienced.

From Spurgeon's "Feather for Arrows"

2008-04-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

PROVIDENCE -- Rightly Places us.

Suppose the mole should cry, "How I could have honored the Creator had I been allowed to fly!" it would be very foolish, for a mole flying would be a most ridiculous object; while a mole fashioning its tunnels and casting up its castles, is viewed with admiring wonder by the naturalist, who perceives it remarkable suitability to its sphere. The fish of the sea might say, "How could I display the wisdom of God if I could sing, or mount a tree, like a bird;" but a dolphin in a tree would be a very grotesque affair, and there would be no wisdom of God to admire in trouts singing in the groves; but when the fish cuts the wave with agile fin, all who have observed it say how wonderfully it is adapted to its habitat, how exactly its every bone is fitted for its mode of life. Brother, it is just so with you. If you begin to say, "I cannot glorify God where I am, and as I am," I answer, neither could you anywhere if not where you are. Providence, which arranged your surroundings, appointed them so that, all things being considered, you are in the position in which you can best display the wisdom and the grace of God.

From Spurgeon's Biographies Vol. 2

2008-04-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

"It is a mercy that our lives are not left for us to plan, but that our Father chooses for us; else might we sometimes turn away from our best blessings, and put from us the choicest and loveliest gifts of His providence." -- Susannah Spurgeon (wife)

From Spurgeon's Biographies Vol. I

2008-04-22T18:18:00.000-07:00

"It is said by some that children cannot understand the great mysteries of religion. We even know some Sunday-school teachers who cautiously avoid mentioning the great doctrines of the gospel, because they think the children are not prepared to receive them. Alas! The same mistake has crept into the pulpit; for it is currently believed, among a certain class of preachers, that many of the doctrines of the Word of God, although true, are not fit to be taught to the people, since they would pervert them to their own destruction. Away with such priestcraft! Whatever God has revealed ought to be preached. Whatever He has revealed, if I am not capable of understanding it, I will still believe and preach it. I do hold that there is no doctrine of the Word of God which a child, if he be capable of salvation, is not capable of receiving. I would have children tuaght all the great doctrines of truth without a solitary exception, that they may in their after days hold fast by them."

I Love French Canadians

2008-04-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

AWESOME fight. Hey, we knew all along that Canadians are tougher than Americans ;)

Yet I Will Praise

2008-04-14T19:59:00.001-07:00

Trust without tribulation can never be proven, and a faith that depends on circumstance is ultimately futile.

"Do you remember...?" Part 1

2008-04-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

Do you remember this? It all feels like a blur, doesn't it. Do you remember when we sang "Salvation is Near"? Or "O Happy Day"? Do you remember our charismatic friends doing the double, triple, quadruple clap? It was so encouraging to me...I mean, I am a charismatic Calvinist on Ritalin after all.

Do you remember the references to John Wesley? Or the various topics that would always segue into our brethren in China?

It all feels like a blur, doesn't it. Do you remember the shattered glass on Easter weekend? The guitars and monitors being stolen, and the youthful toughs trying to jack our reverend's car? Do you remember us talking about the potato guns and camping out overnight for some sweet payback? Haha...and do you remember us feeling quite ashamed of our words directly after? Now that I look back, I praise the Lord for using that experience for our sanctification =)

As I stand in the pews and watch the new generation of leaders rise up, I am moved by their passion and so thankful for God's continued providence. I do pray you guys experience His provision in this ministry, and continue to grow in His grace! That God will use His word and His direct hand in your life to mold you, refine you...and not to mention bring you memories that will last a lifetime. That you will not waste your precious time in Kingston, but use it for His glory. That one day, you will have the chance to look back and ask your fellow siblings in Christ...

"Do you remember...?"

The Will of God

2008-04-01T17:14:00.000-07:00

Trust

2008-03-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

True strength is not justified until it prevails against a force formidable in might; in the same sense, a faith in the Lord Jesus Christ proves itself when thrust against life's merciless storms and its abominable hurts. But how good it is to place one's faith in our risen King. How delightful it is to know that, though the Lord never promises smooth passage, Jesus guarantees strength and deliverance in times of trial and more importantly, eternal rest. "'Tis So Sweet" has got be my favourite hymn...nothing comforts me more than remembering that the everlasting presence of Christ is with me. Indeed, nothing comforts me more than remembering the temporal nature of this life, and the eternity of Christ. Remembering His promises lifts my fears, refreshes my soul and suits me up for the next battle. There is no sweeter assurance than the presence of the Shepherd. 'Tis sweet to trust in our Lord!

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

Grace

2008-03-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

It is Jesus' acts of death and resurrection that gives me any hope at all. It is His finished, accomplished work on the cross that motivates me everyday. It is only through this great sacrifice that I can even wake up each day; that Jesus would turn the wrath of God from my direction towards Himself astounds me to no end...why, oh why would He do it, wretched sinner that I am!

Some say "grace" is defined as you receiving something you are undeserving of. A lot of Christians love parading around that they are "undeserving." No, that is not grace -- we are not "undeserving"... we are ill-deserving! We do deserve something, and that is the furious, righteous wrath of a holy God. But because of the Person and work of Jesus Christ, none of those things we rightfully deserve are thrust our way...because they have already been borne on His shoulders. We deserve pain, but we receive healing. We deserve slavery, but we receive freedom. We deserve death, but receive life. That is grace -- getting the opposite of what you deserve.

Can't Kill That Spider

2008-03-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

This was an okay fight. Silva is such a beast. I want to see Rampage drop a few pounds and fight him...that would be crazy.

TULIP - Unconditional Election

2008-02-28T19:23:00.000-08:00

Nothing on our part can cause God to look more favourably upon us. Not our deeds, not our accomplishments, not our reputation, not our ethnic heritage, not our socio-economic status; indeed, God is no respecter of man! Rather, the Lord reaches out to whoever He chooses solely out of His own will and grace (not the tv show, people). Understanding unconditional election brings me to revere our Lord, for truly a sinner like me being snatched away from darkness by the very hand of God is nothing short of pure, unconditional grace!

TULIP - Total Depravity

2008-02-26T17:48:00.000-08:00

Reading history and watching reality TV provide us with one thing -- shock value. Man's history is infested by evil -- events such as the colonization of Africa, the Nanking massacre and the Holocaust stories continue to cause us to squirm to this day. We seem to love this shock value, though, because reality TV does just that today. I was watching Celebrity Apprentice the other day, and viewing Piers Morgan and Omarosa go at it was frightening. I believe the reason evil events in history and drama-filled reality TV are so popular is because they show off human nature as it is without Jesus Christ. The shock value comes from the fact that those events and shows are accurate reflections of who we really are. As I reflect on history stories and reality TV, it is easy for me to say "Those people are SO evil; I would never be like that." However, upon further consideration, I come to the horrific conclusion that were I placed in similar predicaments/situations...my unrepentant self would most likely act in an even more vile manner. In fact, some scientific studies have shown such behaviour can arise out of mere environment.

WHY?

As unrepentant people, we are evil incarnate. Without regeneration, without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are morally bankrupt! Jeremiah 17:9 details what the Lord says about man's heart:"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" The great Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards says it the best; when talking of unrepentant children, he stated they were “young vipers and infinitely more hateful than vipers.” The only reason that God would look at us is because of our great High Priest Jesus Christ -- when the Father looks at us, He doesn't see us anymore, He sees Jesus and His blood. Nothing can change us, other than Jesus. We can try all we want to stop sinning, we can try anything to make ourselves "moral", but in the end, our heart remains wicked and evil...because it hasn't been changed by Jesus Christ. Without Him, we're depraved...and deserving of the wrath that comes with such territory.

Totally depraved without Christ. Understanding this doctrine brings me great comfort, because I realize it's not up to me to become "good"...but that Jesus does that for me.

Lord's Prayer Reviewed?

2008-02-13T14:23:00.000-08:00

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has proposed to do away with the Lord's Prayer in the legislature. Read about it here.

My opinion is this: I agree with our premier, but sadly. McGuinty wants the province to better reflect the diverse environment that Ontarians find themselves in. Reciting the Lord's prayer, he says, does not represent those of other faiths, including Jews, Sikhs, Muslims and agnostics. On one hand, I must agree with his decision -- it is hypocritical for a secular-humanistic society to cover its activities in a veil of Christianese for motions' sake. A government that routinely ignores God and obviously does not take Him into account when formulating and implementing public policies should not pretend to acknowledge Him. Correspondingly, I am saddened, because such a move reflects that very fact -- we live in a society that increasingly desires to divorce itself from the Creator of the universe, and the Saviour of mankind. Moreover, I am frightened -- for if our country continually refuse to recognize Jesus Christ, we subsequently incur the wrath of God.

What should the Christian's response be? We are familiar with the fact that sin has ravaged this world, and it continues to blind and destroy those with no knowledge of Jesus Christ. Our response as believers should be to increase our vigilance in spreading the Gospel. Whether that is to our neighbours or coworkers, we must remember that lives can only be changes by the gospel, through day-to-day evangelism. Instead of trying to force the Lord's Prayer down people's throat, we must remember that behavioural changes are useless -- it is only the transforming power of Jesus Christ that can truly change someone. We should not respond in anger or outcry at Dalton McGuinty's desire to eliminate the Lord's Prayer from the legislature -- instead we should see more clearly how fallen our surroundings are, and be greatly motivated to keep spreading that Gospel (which I admit, I don't do enough). Let's do this together!

Superbowl? No thanks. Let's get our fight-club on!

2008-02-02T22:46:00.000-08:00

What a great fight. I love watching technique take over strength. Congrats Frank Mir!

Is This What Sin Looks Like?

2008-01-30T18:45:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago (Thursday), I came down with a bad fever/cold. By God's grace, the coming Sunday, I was still able to preach at KCAC (it was recorded too, hopefully I'll be able to get the mp3 soon). I preached from 1 Sam 15:1-33, on Saul's 4 wrong reactions towards sin and Samuel's correct response. The night before (Saturday), I slept about 4 hours (my coughing kept me up; and when I drank water to soothe the throat, I had to pee! It was an awful cycle). However, those 4 hours provided me with enough REM, not to mention I experienced a pretty cool dream that I'd like to share on this blog.

(Now, if you know me, you'll know I'm the last guy who'd go around stating that God physically spoke to me [in Hebrew or Greek, you choose], and that overspiritualizing that which could be completely mundane is something that never sits well with me. I am not trying to spiritualize the following, nor am I saying it was a taste of divine revelation -- it was only cool and somewhat Biblical, which is why I choose to relay it. Whoo. How's that for a disclaimer?)

As I was preaching on sin the next day, I figured my brain formulated an illustration of what sin looks like. I hope it gives you a vivid description.

***

The Elevator

Stauffer Library smelled of wood chips and excrement. There I stood, waiting for the elevator because I was too lazy to take the stairs. I looked at my watch and tapped my feet. The elevator arrived, and in I walked with a lady behind me. The elevator doors closed with a thud, and I pressed "4" and the lady pressed "3." We started elevating, and I noticed we were taking an awfully long time getting to the third floor. The floor display suddenly started accelerating rapidly -- 5...6....789010111213! Where in the world were we going?! Stauffer only has four floors! At that moment, the lady and I start pushing all the new buttons that suddenly appeared on the joint plate. But the more we pushed, the faster the elevator went -- what was going on?

Suddenly...

The lady disappeared.

I looked around my enclosing, which suddenly took on an ominous gray feel (if an elevator could feel even grayer). The elevator was not stopping. My fear turned to anger. It was the woman's fault! She must have somehow been responsible for my predicament. Curse her! She's behind all this! If she were a man, and still in my presence, I would punch her! This isn't my fault. I pressed the emergency button (the one button I somehow missed amidst my panic), but only reached a hotline that put me on hold for a good 15 minutes before transferring me to another machine. I pressed the button again. And again. And again. I guess recordings can't change. My anger turned to self-pity. Why was this happening to me? I only wanted to go to the 4th floor to write my paper on Quebec nationalism and its threat to Canadian federalism! I'm innocent! I didn't ask for this! I don't deserve this!

Suddenly...

The elevator stopped.

And there I hung.

Oh, I pounded on the doors, trust me, I did! At that moment, my hair covered in cold sweat, I charged at the steel doors, desperate for even a dent. To no avail. I slumped into the corner, exhausted, frightened, and hopeless. I guess it's at these desperate times when a man realizes his desperate need.

I called Him. Called to Jesus.

The elevator began to move again.

I rose steadily and watched the display; the numbers were seemingly haphazard, moving from 21 to 83 to 55, oh, it seemed like it would never end! But it did. It stopped at 7.

The elevator stopped. And the doors swung open, and the sight of the interior of an architecturally modern office building never looked so sweet. As I moved to escape my claustrophobic nightmare, I was stopped cold. An aggressive beast, with the body of a dog, and a mouth like a lion stood between the elevator door and this office building...it stood there growling and snarling, rabid saliva foaming around its mouth. I hesitated...should I just...just, like...stay here? I mean, there's a freaking beast straight outta Revelation in front of me!

I hesitated. But I knew I couldn't stay in that elevator, Jesus freed me from that pit! I slowly inched towards the beast and as I peered around the corner, I was elated to find it chained tightly to the stairwell. Well! That solves everything. I leap out into this office building. It is modernly ugly. Like, really, pragmatic. No beauty to it. Yellow all over, the floors patterned like an old physician's clinic. In front of me are a set of stairs, and a glass door. Not a revolving door, just a door. The stairs are high.

I do not hesitate.

Running, running. I can't even feel the floor; I fly towards the stairs, and prepare my descent.

"Where are you going?"

I stop dead in my tracks. I turn around to see a female janitor. She's blonde, maybe about 40 years old; she's holding a broom and staring right at me. She looks tough. Huge forearms.

"Well, I'm...I'm leaving." I manage out.

"Then go." I hesitate.

"Actually I...I really need to use the bathroom. Can I use it here? I mean, you haven't locked up, have you?" She stares at me.

"There's nothing here for you. You need to leave."

"I just really need to---"

"Kid, you can pee outside." She won't budge. I understand.

"Get outta here."

I fly down the stairs. I don't look back. The glass door is right in front of me. It is not a revolving door. I grasp the cold steel handle in my calloused hands and push it open. A shot of brisk, fresh air greets me as I emerge into the streets. It feels like spring; a comfortable 15 degrees. My t-shirt and jeans are just right. I look down at my watch...Jan. 1. New Year's Day. Ahead of me was the subway station. I ran towards it.

The air was brisk and fresh.

***

How would you interpret this? Extra points if you can point to the sovereignty of God in the midst of it all and use verses to back up your interpretation. Or whatever, you can just have some fun with it and tell me what you think. Hope you enjoyed this lil attempt at apocalyptic imagery !

MerryChristmasHappyNewYearManThisIsisLate

2008-01-28T19:42:00.000-08:00

Apologies for not posting lately! As late as I am, I want to wish you and yours a Merry (Orthodox) Christmas and a Happy Belated New Year. May this year be one of continuous remembrance of God's sovereign grace in all our lives. Be blessed friends, and I look forward to some more blogging in my last year of college.

Grace&Peace

JL

The Path to Destruction

2007-12-16T20:18:00.000-08:00

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel -- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" (Galatians 1:6-9, emphasis added)

In the past few years, I've shared with my brothers and sisters about the danger that the Canadian (Chinese) Church has been facing -- that danger being apostasy, the falling away from the faith. Instead of truth being preached on the pulpit, and true worship in the halls of our churches, we have opted instead for an entertainment-based, man-centered "service" on Sundays. Please view the following clip from a church in the States:

Unfortunately, our Canadian brethren are following the same path. Please understand that I do not desire to condemn or judge; those involved in these videos can very well be my brothers and sisters in Christ. The reason I post the following video is not to embarrass anyone (the video is willingly public), but to inform my brothers and sisters of the travesty occurring in the Church, and the need to turn in repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ. The Linkin Park songs were just a part of a disastrous night at a youth event devoid of the power of the Gospel -- it being replaced by entertainment and shallow pleasantries to draw a crowd.

Fact, the church is in disrepair. Fact, there are demonic doctrines being taught in the name of "love" in the church. Fact, the amount of discernment in the average church-goer is severely lacking. What I see occurring in the post-modern generation (i.e. the videos above) is a backlash against traditional fundamentalist churches that have also fallen away from true Christianity.

Let me explain. Traditional, "religious," pharisaical churches have promoted a "religion" based on good morals and good behaviour, good attitudes, and essentially, fakeness. This "Churchianity" ignores real events that real people go through - pain, sufferring, divorce, failure, etc. Churchianity does not focus on the transforming power of Christ, but concentrates on legalistic activities (such as a focus on behaviour and manners) that are not even found in the Bible. Churchianity has ignored God's love. What has happened, is that a large number of young people today -- the post-modern generation -- has become so fed up with Churchianity's hypocrisy (and I believe the frustration is legitimate), that they've swung in the complete opposite direction. However, in their efforts, they have fallen completely away from the faith, denying timeless Biblical truths in the name of tolerance and love, as their emasculated "pastors" go up every Sunday to tell a story devoid of sin, repentance, reconciliation to a just and holy God. Postmodernism has ignored God's correction.

My friends, we are the collective culprit here! Every time we forget one of the aspects of Jesus being Prophet (the Bold Corrector), Priest (the Loving Servant), and King (the Just Ruler), we end up with an incomplete and inaccurate understanding of Christianity, and as a result, are misled to a faith that resembles Christianity superficially, but is inherently a doctrine of demons. And that is the trend, my friends, of the (Chinese) Christian Church! On one hand, we have the hypocritical church devoid of God's love, and hell-bent on judgment; on the other hand, we have the hyperliberal church that takes "non-conventional" to an extreme where basic truths of the Bible are thrown completely out the window in favour of "less harsh" ways to bring people to church. What both camps have in common is a man-centered view of Christianity that has forgotten who Jesus Christ is. My friends, turn back to the Christ-centered gospel that was preached by God Himself, Jesus Christ! As Mark Driscoll once said, some of us must repent of our sin, and others must repent of our religion. Literally, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ who was crushed on the cross for our sins and iniquities, who rose from the dead after 3 days, and who is alive and well today and continues to reconcile us to God out of His great compassion and love for us, my brothers and sisters -- turn back to the faith!

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Gal. 1:10)

The Battle for Truth

2007-12-14T16:17:00.000-08:00

Tell 'em, J-Mac!

The Discriminatory Nature of Salvation

2007-12-13T21:07:00.001-08:00

This past summer, I worked as a camp counselor. One morning, around 8:00 am, I stumbled into the gym half awake to play some ball with the kids who arrived early. After a couple of shots, I feigned old-man-tiredness (to my chagrin, I needed the morning time to prepare my daily lesson) and retreated to the sitting area and pulled out my worn-out NKJV that could really use a replacement of the English Standard variety hint hint cough cough, and started planning out the devotion. One kid, I think he was about 6 or 7, bounded over to where I was sitting. He's quite the energetic one, so let's call him the Hyperactive Ranger.

Hyperactive Ranger: Whad ya duen.

Me: Hey buddy. Reading the Bible.

Hyperactive Ranger (henceforth HR): I lak the songs (referring to the songs we sing at camp). I lak: "One way! Jesus!"

(I join in..."You're the only One that I could live for!")

HR: Yaa! I lak.

Me: Yeah. I'm a fan too.

HR: But I finking...mm....wha can't I sing.."Two Ways! Jesus..."

***

In the world that we live in today, we're constantly bombarded with messages from the media, from "experts," that are trying to tell us what salvation and eternal life look like, and how to get there. Unfortunately, many of those who profess to be Christians also deny the discriminatory nature of salvation. Society has taken on an increasingly global pantheistic view -- in that all religions are equally valid, all faiths are essentially the same, your god should play poker with my god sometime, etc. Jesus explicitly says in John 14:6:"I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." It is disturbing that this timeless truth is lost among so many people today. Salvation is discriminatory, in that eternal life is contingent upon you understanding, believing, and trusting in the Person and work of Jesus Christ...and nothing else! A "sinner's prayer" uttered at an emotional conference is not a ticket to heaven; attending church on a weekly basis does not usher you into the Kingdom of Heaven; a white-knuckled abstinence from alcohol, cussing and cigarettes does not make you a disciple of Christ. And not to leave anything out, trusting in a false religion or a mystical set of principles from yore is not a path to eternal life either. A faith in something that is outside of Jesus Christ will make you religious...but it won't make you a Christian. What/who are you trusting in?

When Winning Feels Like Losing

2007-11-21T17:56:00.001-08:00

"We fail to recognize that the experience of losing is a vital component of God's program to prepare us to win in the long run...that in fact God educates us in a curriculum of affliction so that in commencement, we will serve a greater, deeper, far more pronounced purpose...God uses (evil) as a means for grace." -- Dr. Azurdia

"Re-engineering" My Life

2007-11-19T15:06:00.001-08:00

I would like to use this post to apologize; originally I had planned to preach again this Sunday (Nov. 25th) at KCAC. I am not anymore. The topic would have been on Christmas. Please allow me to explain myself.

Today my family sent me an e-mail, wondering if I was coming home for Dad's birthday. Yes, I had planned for that. But when the opportunity to preach the Word arose, I felt heavily inclined to "do ministry." At the same time I wanted to do ministry, I was heavily missing my family and friends in Toronto, as well as my church.

Needless to say, I have to book it home. In our busyness and passions to serve the Lord and His ministry, we sometimes turn it into an idol (or if you're married...a mistress) that consumes our attention, and can easily lead us to become hypocrites -- godly in ministry, ungodly in your family, circle of friends, schooling, work, etc.

I am not trying to justify my action of changing plans -- I understand I may have misled people, and I apologize for my hasty tongue; please forgive me. This does not mean the semon will not happening -- rather, there is a strong chance (I'm going to be careful with guarantees from now on...haha) the message may be delivered in a few weeks to come (before everyone leaves for home). =)

Grace&Peace,

JL

Dangers of Introspection

2007-11-16T22:22:00.000-08:00

Reflection is not a new phenomenon; we do it all the time. Every time we stop and think about what we did in the past few days, hours, or minutes, we're reflecting. We're introspecting.

The problem with introspection is this -- it is a focus upon the self. A large amount of devotion towards one's own actions, thoughts etc has its pitfalls; it can cause us to be either so consumed with ourselves that we fall to pride, or so engrossed in our sin that we become trapped in despair. I am not saying personal-reflection is wrong, by no means. However, excessive introspection can cause our eyes to fall on ourselves, when our eyes should clearly be upon Christ. There was this quote I was looking all over for, and providentially, Pastor Justin Buzzard of New Attitude pasted it in his newest post: "For one look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ." (Robert Murray M'Cheyne) Pastor Buzzard also has a great post focusing on the Cross of Christ (which, I must confess, propels my desire for a cross-tattoo even more...haha).

Friends, this is so important! We are living in an age where everyone seems to think that Christianity is either an abstract set of principles and morals devoid of any relevance, or else a self-help philosophy peddled by used-car salesmen-types. Nay, Christianity is the direction towards the Person and work of Jesus Christ -- the Person crucified upon the cross demands our attention, the work accomplished on the cross requires our commitment. Let our eyes never fall away from the cross!

Girls gone...godly?

2007-11-13T18:57:00.001-08:00

The past few years have seen a resurgence of material examining godly manhood. I rejoice over that, because I (as well as many of my brothers in Christ) have greatly benefited from this vast amount of resources that tackle male issues within the Body of Christ. All things being equal, however, I am disturbed over the lack of attention given to our sisters. It is not just men that are fallen and evil and need a Saviour -- women are equally sinful, and have their own responsibility to pursue godliness (as much as men do). The last thing the Church needs is a group of obstinate women chattering away about how men are failures, and at the same time, being totally oblivious of their own spiritual bankruptcy. Granted, men deserve a greater blame because of their leadership responsibilities, but we cannot allow male-issues to become our scapegoat of "everything that's wrong with Christianity today". All of us have sinned, all of us need redemption, all of us need Jesus.

What does being a godly woman entail? Er, I am probably not the best source for this. More unfortunately, popular Christian literature these days has become so plagued with Jesus-less, self-help philosophies that our ladies are left with garbage written by Paula White or Staci Eldredge. This does not mean there is no hope for solid Christian literature on biblical womanhood -- it just means we have to snap out of the Mitchell's Bookstore paradigm and look for resources grounded upon sound theology (from milk to solid foods as the Apostle Paul would put it). The Resurgence blog has recently posted a few articles that tackle women's issues from a theologically-sound position: find them here and here. As well, The Credenda Agenda's issues always have a section on Biblical femininity.

Grace/Peace

JL

Despair

2007-11-11T16:53:00.001-08:00

Every day, the Lord has been breaking down cliches and providing me with His truth. An example is despair. A sense of hopelessness. What do you tell people when they despair? What do you tell yourself when you despair? I had no answer to these questions, and I was running out of catchphrases; I was totally overusing Jeremiah 29:11...butchering Romans 8:28.

Despair is very real; I am not going to try and pretend it does not exist. I am not talking about "emo-ness," but real, overwhelming senses of loss, confusion, and despondency. The Prince of Preachers, C.H. Spurgeon, battled bouts of depression throughout his years of ministry. It is real. It hurts. And...forgive me, as I rant for a few sentences, but...I always cringe whenever I hear people tell others (or me; or themselves), "Don't worry. God's got a plan." Or, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." How about this one: "I'm more than a conqueror." Oh I love this: "Find your identity in Christ."

(Excuse me while I *bleeechhhhh*)

What do you do in those instances that Oswald Chambers refers to as the "drudgery of everyday life"? Or what happens when something so cataclysmic shakes you to your very soul? What happens when you...despair? How can we reconcile despair and Christianity -- the faith of joy? How can I, one week proclaiming the Gospel, the next week falling into depression, reconcile these two seemingly contradictory states of being?

Today I listened to another Azurdia sermon, on the topic of Joseph. Dr. Azurdia made a very profound statement -- that the reason Joseph was able to take heart, to remain joyful, to remain grounded in our Father was simply because he recognized those who have wronged him (his brothers, Potiphar's wife), wronged him even to slavery(!) were merely secondary agents used by the Hand of God. It was the continual remembrance of God's surrounding, subtle sovereignty that sustained our Joseph. And yet at the same time he was boldly presenting God's power to the cupbearer (Gen 40:12-13), he was desperately looking for a human means of escape of his pain (Gen 40:14).

"It's where the Christian life is lived, beloved! In the ambiguity; not in the black and white category of Evangelical adolescence that resembles a Disney movie -- but in the unknowning, in the mystery grays of God's ordained realities."

Is that "contradictory state of being" not a way of the Lord showing us that we are still human? A way of Him reminding us that we are but flesh composed of dirt? Indeed...But why else does the Lord do this to us?

Dr. Azurdia's conclusion..."He permits what He hates to achieve what He loves." The Lord retracts His mercy in certain areas in order to achieve a purpose far nobler than we can imagine. Please be encouraged by this; that should adversity rise against you, one after another - that your pain is not purposeless, but rather a process of fire that must be endured for the accomplishment Christ desires to work in your life -- to make you a servant-leader, His servant -- for the purpose of Kingdom-work.

That's all I got. I'm still trying to understand this.

Grace&Peace

JL

Flippin' through Philippians

2007-11-05T22:08:00.001-08:00

My blog, "Pile of Skubala" is based out of Philippians 3:8: "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." (ESV) Whilst listening to one of his sermons, I was struck by a line uttered by Dr. Arturo Azurdia: "If you don't live for Christ, you won't die for Him." Made me wonder, because this theme of "to live is Christ, to die is gain" has been on my heart for a long time. Am I really living for Christ? Is every aspect of my life under submission to Him? Is He a Prophet, Priest, and King to me? So this month, I'm going to study the Book of Philippians, and I'm gonna pray that God will reveal to me just what it means to live in Christ, and to welcome death. Providentially, Mark Driscoll is doing a series on Philippians, and that has been a total blessing. Above, I've posted a song I came across while browsing through some holy hip hop. It's Trip Lee's joint, "To Live is Christ," where he spits a whole slew of bars straight from Philippians! Give it a listen, it's off the chain.

Grace&Peace,

JL

Curse my scatalogical ways!

2007-11-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me, you know that I have a tendency to make like a sailor whenever I speak. Suffice to say, I like to cuss and swear. My favourite words in the English language are constituted of 4 letters, and I "drop them like they're hot" whenever the occasion calls for it (or just whenever I so desire). When I got to know Jesus Christ, I sought to put such words behind me -- however, I could not understand why I should quit my cussing. For all I knew, the negative social stigma of the F-Bomb was only a remnant of Victorian morality, not of Biblical Christianity. Paul used the word skubala (which is the unkind word for 'crap') when comparing all the world offers to the beauty of knowing Christ. Jesus called the Pharisees a "brood of vipers," which is not so different from calling someone an S.O.B. these days. So what gives?

My recent lack of control over my tongue has been bothering me though -- if swearing is okay, then how come the Holy Hip Hoppers don't cuss in their songs? How come Piper had to apologize after saying "Sometimes God has to kick our ass" in his sermon?

Eph 5:4 states that "neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting" should come from the lips of a man of God. What the Bible says is true, but does cussing fall under this category of "filthiness"? After some research, I found that the "filthiness" refers to evil, blasphemous words rather than overall crass. How about foolish talk? That seems to refer to silly disputes and mindless arguments (usually from the morons who always bring up free will/predestination in a Bible Study). Moreover, though it can, I don't think cussing can exclusively fall under "coarse jesting." Furthermore, my conscience is not particularly seared by cussing. It is when I fall into sin -- however, cussing does not cause shame in me, nor stir up a need to repent.

I must admit, I still don't have an answer. What I've concluded for now, though, is that (like most things) cussing is a heart issue. You can cuss out of frustration, or you can cuss out of malice and murderous rage -- either way, the intention behind the cussing is what matters to God, not so much the word itself. Most of the time, it seems as if cussing is a product of intense hate, and a lack of self-control, neither of which are fitting for God's servants. If I cuss out of rage, then I am in sin -- not because I've cussed, but because I have (as Jesus would say) murdered someone in my heart. I personally am not offended when people cuss around me (as long as "Jesus" isn't used as a cuss word), but I guess it could be rude. My second conclusion is that cussing opens up a door for sin -- and like the age-old argument, I should not seek to see how close I can get to sin, but rather how far I can get away from it. But this conclusion is a little shaky, because what sins does cussing lead to? I really can't think of any. Perhaps it exacerbates anger, but that explanation is weak (I would be the first to admit that anger is more so the independent variable). My third conclusion is that I should not swear, for the sake of young Christians (Rom 14:21). This conclusion makes the most sense to me -- if I grieve my brother or sister because of my mouth, then I am no longer walking in love; it is then that my swearing would offend the Lord.

Understanding the times, and knowing what to do in them is an important lesson to learn (1 Chron 12:32). I understand that what emerges from my mouth can have effects that are unpleasing to our King, so thus, with His help, I will limit my choice of words.

"Shut the f...ront door!"

2007-11-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

Update on what's going on:

It's past the halfway point of the first semester of my 4th year, and the Lord has been revealing to me, day by day, what His desire for me is, and I praise Him in that.

This past Sunday, I had the wonderful privilege of preaching at KCAC. I exposited from Matt 16:13-16, preaching on Jesus' 3 offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, sourcing heavily from my dad, John Calvin, Mark Driscoll among others. If you were blessed by the message, praise God; but please note that I had great assistance from much wiser men in developing the sermon. The combined efforts of all these manly theologians and prophets, plus the power of the Holy Spirit, allowed me to deliver the truths that the Lord revealed to me, through His Word, and through the widom of His servants. Praise God for such men. The work of the Lord needs men!

My senior year at Queen's has been decent thus far, though tiring. Academically, work just doesn't seem to be ending, and though I'd rather not thank God for that, I know that this "academic-sufferring" is for the sake of the sharpening my mind for what's ahead of me. Socially, during September, I "hermitted" more often than I should have, but as October rolled along, I began enjoying more interaction..."No man is an island." I plan on going to CCF consistently now (previous engagements prevented me from such a commitment), and I'm looking forward to getting to know the people in the cell group.

I have found out my exam schedule, and I will be ending my first semester on December 15. I'm looking forward to the 3 weeks of rest and relaxation that will be offered to me during the Christmas break. Moreover, I look forward to recommencing Sunday School, and finishing off the Book of Ruth.

Here's a pic of CEACT Highschoolers during our Thanksgiving dinner:

That's it for now; I look forward to updating this a bit more frequently, as long as interesting news can afford me something to write about ;)

Peace in the Middle East

JL