On Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards was considered by some to be the greatest Christian philosopher American had ever produced. I must say it is rare for a puritan to be a philosopher at the same time.

It would seem that he attempted to transform George Berkeley's empiricism from "man seeking God" to "God seeking man". Other than that, his philosophy definitely immersed deeply in Berkeley's.

The course I took from Dr. Stephen Chan definitely listed all the resources I could ever get on Edwards. Though, Dr. Chan's methodology was as usual...cover anything but Edwards' biography. I am pretty sure I've learned something from his non-factual-immigration-style teaching, but I cannot remember anything now.

Nevertheless, I do have a lot of readings for homework.

Some books of note:

Books recommended by Dr. Chan on Jonathan Edwards:

The Puritan Family
by Edmund Morgan not scholar but better.

Perry Miller's books

Posted in Theologization | 1 Comment

The Invisible Church Among the Visible Churches

As a body of Christ, there is only one invisible church, while there are plentiful visible ones in this world. Therefore, it is necessary for believers to discern where the line is drawn. Because the true body of Christ is an invisible one, the only means to be part of her is through the visible ones. It stands to reason that no visible church is ever perfect, as the invisible church is.

It should already be understood that there are fake believers attending churches. There are those who don't even realise they are phonies. The best of them have loyalty, commitment, diligence, but they lack love, faithfulness and faith. These are not those who denounce Christianity, they are not those who said there is no god. They may not even be those Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses who firmly believe they are Christians but pretend they don't know every other Christians are wrong or fake. No, that would have been too easy to identify and be treated according to biblical church discipline. I am talking about those who attend church for the sake of being good. Those who sing hymns with others from service to service without any relation to God. Those who pray, if they do pray, but it is always uni-directional, so that their prayer is always requesting something from God. Those who dare to use the term "brothers and sisters in Christ" but hope to stay away from any believers they do not like. These phonies, are whom I am describing in this paragraph. Why fake? Not because they've failed as I have described above, no, not at all, for God is merciful. But fake because they make the failures above their lifestyle, their behavior, even their principle! These, are the ones who are in the visible churches but are definitely not in The Invisible Church.

Our Lord Jesus has touched on this subject many times. The comparison between goats and sheep, the parable of the tares, the parable of the sower, etc.

Though the problem of the visible churches is inevitable, we see a constant ignorance towards the warning. I find two causes: 1. The injection of false teachers, 2. The need for social connection surpasses a worship that is in truth.

Despite the development of education we have today, false teaching are still well accepted in churches today, if not more than the past. For example, the parable of the sower refers true believers as the good soil only. But it has been widely taught that

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Blushing and Weeping

The world has lost the power to blush over its vice; the Church has lost her power to weep over it. ~ Leonard Ravenhill

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Joy vs. Entertainment

The more joy you have in the Lord the less entertainment you need. ~ Leonard Ravenhill

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Franklin Graham minding others' Business

First it was about the Muslim Immigrants. Now, it's about the hack at an adultery website.

"Graham is surprised that immorality has become such a booming business"

Then, I supposed Graham ought to get out more instead of back scratching with other Christians.

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Redeemer Sunday Service Log

From now on, I shall add new Redeemer Service summary under this thread.

07-12-2015 9:30AM
W83

Reflection:
We believe that Christ is not enough...So, just to be safe, we spread our trust between the true God and various idols...It doesn't seem so bad because we haven't actually renounce Christ, but this compromised trust is equivalent to turning away from God. ~ Edward T. Welch, Motives: Why do I do the Things I do?

Preparation - Rev. David Bisgrove

Hymn - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Words by Joachim Neander, 1680; from Psalm 103 (We were late so I missed this Neanderthal hymn).Music by Stralsund Gesangbuch, 1665

Words of Encouragement  - Hebrews 9:15

Hymn - My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
Words by Edward Mote, 1834
Music by Dmitri Bortinansky, 1825

Scripture Reading - 1 Kings 18:16-39

Sermon - Confrontation on Mount Carmel - Rev. Michael Keller
Second sermon is series: Faith in an Age of Unbelief: Elijah and Elisha

I do not remember much from the sermon except that Rev. Michael Keller was rather direct, contrasting other Redeemer preachers this time, regarding some hurting truth.

Distribution of the Bread
Hymn: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Words by Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091-1153
Music by Hans Leo Hassler, 1601 arr. J.S. Bach, 1729

Distribution of the Cup
Hymn: When I survey the Wondrous Cross
Words by Isaac Watts, 1707
Music by Lowell Mason, 1824

============================

07-19-2015 11:30AM
W83

Preparation - Rev. Jeff White

Hymn - O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Words by Charles Wesley, 1739
Music by Carl G. Glaser, 1784-1829

Words of Encouragement - Galatians 5:1

Hymn - In Christ there is No East or West
Words by John Oxenham
Music by Alexander Reinagle, 1836

Scripture Reading - 1 Kings 19:1-18

Sermon - "The Still, Small Voice" - Rev. Bijan Mirtolooi
Third sermon in series: Faith in an Age of Unbelief: Elijah and Elisha

Hymn - My Faith has Found a Resting Place
Words by Lidie H. Edmunds, 1891
Music by Andre Gretry, 1741-1831

Posted in Hymns and Scriptures, Theologization | 12 Comments

蒸蛋 Steam Egg

Recipe:

用料
雞蛋2個、鹽1/2茶匙、醬油少許、油3滴、溫水約280毫升、蔥花、少許

做法
1、將兩只雞蛋打入蒸碗中。
2、將雞蛋打散。
3、加入1/2茶匙鹽、少許醬油、油打發均勻。
4、加入約280毫升溫水,一邊加水一邊順時針攪拌均勻。
5、用勺子把浮在表面的泡泡舀走。
6、蒸鍋中放入適量水,燒開。水開後把蛋放入。大火蒸約10分鐘。
7、開蓋撒上少許蔥花再蓋上蓋子利用餘溫焗一焗。
8、取出,用勺子在表面淋上少許醬油。

小貼士
不同材質的不同深淺的容器傳熱程度不一,需根據所用容器的材質和深淺調整蒸蛋的時間。

 

【小豬蛋羹】

用料
雞蛋1個(約50克)、清水100克、火腿片3片、紫菜適量

做法
1、將蛋打在碗裏,用筷子打散攪勻
2、加入清水,拌勻
3、將蛋液過篩一遍
4、將裝有蛋液的碗放鍋上,碗上蓋,以防水滴落在蛋面上,大火燒開後轉小火蒸5分鐘左右即可
5、用火煺片要出如圖的小豬的耳朵和鼻子,用紫菜剪出小豬的嘴巴和眼睛和鼻孔
6、把切好形狀的火煺片和紫菜放在蒸好的雞蛋上面,可愛的小豬就出現了

小貼士
如何蒸出又滑又嫩的雞蛋羹:
1、原料要好:要蒸出鮮香的雞蛋羹,好的原料可以達到事半功倍的效果,我試過用自家雞生的蛋燉出來的蛋羹真的超贊。
2、過濾:打好的蛋液用篩網過濾一下,使蛋液更均勻。
3、蛋與水的比例:蒸蛋羹的時候在蛋液裏兌一些水,這樣蒸出來的雞蛋羹又滑又嫩,口感很好,非常適合小寶寶們食用,我一般使用蛋液與水的比例是:1:2,也可以根據自已的要求增減,1:1也可以。
4、蒸蛋要蓋蓋子:在蒸蛋的時候,最好在上面扣一個蓋子或是用微波爐專用的保鮮膜、錫紙封住,這樣可以防止蒸鍋上的水蒸氣滴入蛋液中影響外觀。
5、涼水上鍋:蒸鍋中添加涼水,蛋液緩慢受熱,不會因突然受熱而產生氣泡。
蒸蛋的時候,水量是雞蛋的兩倍,蒸出來的蛋會比較嫩,喜歡吃稠些的,可以減少水的用量。
6、蒸製的火候:大火燒開後轉小火蒸,蒸製的時間按蛋液的多少來定。

【柳橙蒸蛋】

用料
橙子、雞蛋、白糖

做法
1、雞蛋打散,加一小勺白糖攪勻
2、把橙子洗幹凈放在案板上揉個三五分鐘
3、橙子對切兩半,用手和勺子在橙子裏擠呀攪呀,把橙汁兒和橙肉都擠到裝有蛋液的碗裏(其實也不用真的擠太幹凈,反正蛋液一會兒也得再倒進橙子皮裏,所以用勺子掏橙肉的時候不要太過用力把橙皮兒弄破了)
4、把加了橙汁兒攪拌均勻的蛋液倒進兩個橙碗裏,不用倒得太滿,留個1厘米邊邊比較好(我倒的有點兒滿,所以蒸好後有點兒漫出來)
5、把橙碗上蓋上一層保鮮膜(這樣比較不容易有小洞洞)放在蒸鍋裏大火燒開水後就轉小火,一共10分鐘就好啦~~~

【蛤蜊蒸蛋】

用料
蛤蜊、雞蛋、薑兩片、少許蔥、香油、海鮮醬油

做法
1、買來新鮮的蛤蜊,花蛤、毛蛤、文蛤都可以。最好買肉肉多的。用鹽加香油水浸泡兩小時以上,讓它們把沙子吐幹凈。
2、將吐沙幹凈的蛤蜊洗凈,放鍋裏,配兩片薑和蔥,大火煮熟,蛤蜊一張嘴就撈出,時間稍微長一點肉就老了。(不是等所有的蛤蜊張嘴才撈,那樣就晚了,可以一起撈出來,掰開它。)謹記:湯不要倒掉。
3、雞蛋打散,加入煮蛤蜊的水(一定要等其冷卻後),比例是1:1,一起打顫。
4、取個盤子,將盤子刷一層油(據說好洗盤子,但是我沒刷也沒覺得難洗。依據個人喜好來吧)。將蛤蜊擺好在盤子裏,將蛋液過篩倒入碗中,蛋液不用過多,沒過蛤蜊一半即可。(可以直接將蛤蜊帶殼煮,或者刨出來。帶殼就是樣子美。)
5、外面覆一層保鮮膜(保鮮膜可以防止蒸出蜂窩蛋羹,做出的蛋羹平滑),涼水入蒸鍋,大火燒開轉中火十分鐘,蒸熟即可。

【鮮蝦蒸蛋羹】

用料
雞蛋、鮮蝦、香蔥、蒸魚豉油、香油

做法
1、將雞蛋打入容器,鮮蝦挑去蝦線
2、雞蛋打散加入一杯溫水(30度左右),或者是雞湯,把溫水加入到蛋液中,水和雞蛋的比例約為2比1。然後朝一個方向攪拌均勻,把上面的泡沫也清理幹凈鮮蝦
3、在蒸之前,先在容器的內壁上薄薄地抹上一層香油,這樣吃完蛋羹的碗不會粘滿了雞蛋不易清洗鮮蝦
4、最後把蛋液倒入到容器裏,倒入8分滿就可以了
5、蒸的時候一定要水開以後,水冒熱氣以後,倒進一點涼水迅速把蛋液放入蒸鍋隔水蒸
6、蓋上蓋先大火開鍋後再轉小火,大概1、2分鐘後就可以轉小火了
7、如果掌握不好可用牙簽插一下,判斷裏面的蛋液是不是已經熟了)
8、中間到7、8分熟時可加入蝦進去一起蒸
9、蒸好後取出一定要趁熱加調料
10、加入蔥花、滴入香油、蒸魚豉油就可以吃了

小貼士
雞蛋羹蒸出來很香,我點上蒸魚豉油,吃到嘴裏軟嫩多汁,鮮蝦的湯汁讓雞蛋羹更為鮮香。

【三色蒸蛋】

用料
皮蛋1個、生鹹蛋黃2個、鮮雞蛋2個、生薑1小塊、鹽1克

做法
1、取出鹹蛋黃切成粒;皮蛋剝去蛋殼切成小塊;雞蛋將蛋清與蛋黃分離,分別加入少許鹽和薑汁攪勻備用;
2、取容器1個,內壁抹上油或墊上1張保鮮膜;將鹹蛋和皮蛋粒混合鋪在容器裏,倒入蛋清並均勻滲透;
3、鍋中水燒開,放入容器蒸至蛋白凝結;再倒入蛋黃蒸至凝結即可出鍋;冷卻後改刀裝盤。

小貼士
原本以為,這蛋蛋組合好看不一定好吃;沒想到真心不錯吃,鹹蛋黃沙沙的,皮蛋QQ的;口感上綜合了各種蛋的香味和質感;沒有添加香油,味道很本色。

【南瓜蒸蛋】

用料
南瓜、雞蛋、涼開水、糖

做法
1、南瓜兩個洗凈擦幹,在南瓜1/3處切開備用
2、用小勺子掏出南瓜子,然後繼續用勺子刮一些南瓜壁上的茸茸備用(可以把南瓜皮刮的稍薄一些這樣好蒸熟)
3、蒸鍋裏燒開水,然後把南瓜做的小碗碗放進去蒸15分鐘左右取出放涼備用
4、雞蛋兩個攪打成蛋液,為了口感細膩可以用小篩子過篩一下,再加入和蛋液等量1:1的涼開水攪拌均勻)
5、在雞蛋液中繼續加入小勺的糖混合,再把南瓜茸茸一起倒進去攪拌均勻
6、把混合好的蛋液倒入南瓜小碗中,封上保鮮膜,再次入蒸鍋蒸15分鐘取出即可

【彩蔬蒸蛋】

用料
雞蛋、彩蔬(胡蘿蔔粒、香菇粒、玉米粒、碗豆粒)

做法
1、鍋中燒開水,加入適量的油和鹽,將香菇粒、胡蘿蔔粒、豌豆、玉米粒煮熟,撈出瀝幹水
2、雞蛋打散,加點鹽後繼續用筷子攪打均勻,加入溫水攪勻,比例是雞蛋液:溫水=1:2
3、隔著濾勺,將混合好的蛋液倒入蒸蛋容器中,蓋上保鮮膜或蓋子
4、鍋中的水燒開後,放入蒸蛋碗,轉中火,8分鐘左右蛋液凝固後,鋪上彩蔬,繼續蒸2分鐘左右,即可

小貼士
【水蒸蛋攻略】
1、溫水:加冷水會讓蛋和鹽在蒸的過程中沈澱,加開水會影響水和蛋液的融合,所以要應該加溫水
2、比例:雞蛋液:溫水=1:2
要加蛋液兩倍量的溫水,這樣比例蒸出來的蛋羹比較水滑
3、過篩:攪拌好的蛋液,表面會有很多小氣泡,把蛋液過篩後,就解決蒸好後蛋液表面不平滑的問題了
4、蓋子:蒸的時候加個蓋子(保鮮膜),避免鍋蓋上的水蒸氣滴落到蛋液上
5、中火:水開後再放蛋液進去蒸,全程用中火。就不會讓蒸蛋內部產生蜂窩狀了

【肉餅蒸蛋】

用料
豬肉碎一碗(要肥瘦均勻的)、雞蛋一個、蝦米一小撮、料酒、醬油、味精一丁點、蔥花一小撮

做法
1、豬肉碎加料酒、醬油、一點點味精,攪拌均勻
2、把調好味的豬肉碎放在碗裏,中間稍微挖一個坑,打一個雞蛋進去
3、再撒一點蝦米
4、上鍋蒸
5、十五至二十分鐘後,出鍋,撒蔥花,開吃

小貼士
蒸完了會出很多汁,如果不怕油膩的話,可以把這個汁倒出來拌飯,超級香~!
豬肉餡要肥瘦均勻的,如果全部是純瘦肉,會幹柴,口感不好。

【花椰菜蒸蛋】

用料
雞蛋 3個、花椰菜50克、胡蘿蔔20克

做法
1、花椰菜粉小朵,洗凈,放入滾水中焯燙至熟,撈出,瀝幹水分,拌上少許生粉,裝入容器中
2、雞蛋攪打均勻,加入150ML水拌勻,撇去表面的小泡沫
3、將蛋液倒入放有花椰菜的碗中,入鍋蒸約15分鐘,取出
4、胡蘿蔔去皮擦絲,放入滾水中汆燙,撈出瀝幹水分。將生抽、蠔油、香油拌勻製成調味汁,淋在蒸好的雞蛋上,搭配上胡蘿蔔絲即可

 

Posted in Culinary | Leave a comment

Worship is not about how hip the music is

The Charismatics have bragged about their pop musical creativity. Now, after listening to this:

and I find that the Muslims have now adapted the pop media, to a point better than the Charismatics. In my own opinion. This is not something unexpected for me, of course.

Once this becomes the norm, perhaps the Christians who love to follow the fads of the world which they even dare to call it "God's plan/will", will realize their fault and humbly accept correction.

I have my eye on Hafiz Hamidun. From him, I learn of a good Al-Quran reciter: Mostafa Atef.

Posted in Hymns and Scriptures, Theologization | Leave a comment

Missing Recycle Bin in Windows 7 Explorer

Solution:

Right click an empty area in the left panel column of Window Explorer, select "Show All Folders".

Done.

Posted in Technical | Leave a comment

Redeemer Sunday Service Log

2015-06-28
W83 11:30AM Service
Reflection Quotes:

There is no voice which has ever been heard, either in heaven or in earth, more sublime than the prayer offered up by the Son of God himself. - Philip Melancthon

What life have you, if you have not life together?
There is no life that is not in community,
And no community not lived in praise of God. - T.S. Eliot.

Preparation - Rev. Jeff White

Words of Encouragement - Hebrews 9:27-28

Hymn: Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Words by Charles Wesley, 1740
Music by Joseph Parry, 1879

Scripture Reading - John 17:13-23

Sermon - For Mission - Rev. Bijan Mirtolooi
Second sermon in series: The Lord Praying

I do not remember much about the sermon.

Hymn: Lead On, O King Eternal
Words by Ernest Shurtleff, 1888
Music by Henry Smart, 1836

================

2015-07-05
East Side 10:30AM

Preparation: Rev. Edward Sirya

Hymn: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven
Words by Henry F. Lyte, 1834
Music by John Goss, 1869

Scripture Reading - 1 John 1:5-10

Words of Encouragement: 1 John 2:1-2

Song of Renewal: Jesus is Our King
by Sherrell Prebble, Howard Clark

Hymn: O Savior, Precious Savior
Words by Frances R. Havergal, 1870
Music: Welsh hymn melody

Scripture Reading - 1 Kings 17:7-24

Sermon - Raising the Widow's Son - Rev. Aaron Bjerke
First sermon in Series: Faith in an Age of Unbelief: Elijah and Elisha

Same as always, I did not get the point of Rev. Bjerke.

Hymn: My Faith Has Found a Resting Place
Words by Lidie H. Edmunds, 1891
Music by Andre Gretry, 1741-1831

Posted in Hymns and Scriptures, Theologization | Leave a comment