My Journal

Last night's Bible study on John 7:40-49.

It is not the first time I see this kind of error in judgment from Elder Lyna. First, it was Mel Gibson. She had to discredit Gibson's Passion of Christ on the account of his future misdemeanor. That is not to say that she was impartial with everyone in this matter. It would appear that those whom she already "supports" will get all sorts of passes by her standard. Now, on the passage of John, because nobody stood by Christ on the cross, Lyna discredited everyone's view on Christ prior to the passion. v.40 - 49. Including the ones who hinted Jesus to be the Prophet or Christ. This kind of discredit is due to the misunderstanding of the dwelling of the Holy Spirit between the Old and New Testament (temporal vs. eternal). For the Holy Spirit is Promised to the Apostles and the believers thereafter, dwelling with them forever. Also, the misunderstanding is caused by jealousy and pride (If I am not perfect, then nobody can be perfect! Hmph! NOBODY WILL BE BETTER THAN I, IN BOTH GOOD AND EVIL!) - To which my response may simply be: You crazy! What are you talking about?

Reflection: Jonathan Edwards' quote from last Sunday.

Prelude - String Quartet in B-flat Major, K. 458 - W. A. Mozart
III. Adagio

Preparation: Rev. Abraham Cho

Praise Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy, words by Reginald Heber, 1783-1826, music by John B. Dykes, 1861

Call to Worship - from Psalm 98

Prayer of Adoration (Concluded by the Lord's Prayer)

Doxology, Silent Praise and Thanksgiving, Renewal: Prayer of Confession, Private Confession

Confessional Response: Be Merciful to Me, words from Psalm 57, music by Tom Jennings

Words of Encouragement - Isaiah 55:6-7

Commitment: Infant Baptisms (9:30 a.m. service only - So I did not witness this)

Hymn: I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord, words by Timothy Dwight (like the name of the OSNY member), 1800, music by Aaron Williams, 1763

Announcements

Scripture Reading - Mark 1:1-13

Sermon - Baptism in the River - Rev. David Bisgrove
Second sermon in series: Light in the Darkness: The Glory of Jesus in Mark

Notes: Off topic as usual. Bisgrove mentioned that Genesis 1:2 was interpreted by the Targum that the Spirit was like a dove. I couldn't find any evidence of such except that the word רחף means the brooding of a bird. So the "moving over" the surface of the waters is not seen as wind, but as a brooding bird. According to John Gill, and Keil & Delitzsch who also taunted the idea of gap theory.

Offertory - String Quartet in B-flat Major, K. 458 - W. A. Mozart
II. Menuetto and Trio. Moderato

Hymn: Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart, music by George Croly, 1854, words by Frederick C. Atkinson, 1870

Benediction, Dismissal, Postlude: String Quartet in B-flat Major, K. 458 - W. A. Mozart
IV. Allegro assai

Not long ago, I heard a reverend spoke of a very depressed woman due to her abortion.

This reverend's counseling to her was: Don't feel bad, that is Satan's lie.

Two serious errors I in this type of counseling:

1. Don't feel bad? Sinning is something to not feel bad about? So admitting this as a sin was just a lie than.

2. Satan's lie...What if it was the conviction of the Holy Spirit? Wouldn't that be calling the Holy Spirit Satan and making Him a liar?

This shows the serious flaw in psychiatric counseling today, even within the Christian community as this reverend has claimed mastery in this field.

This problem stems from the fact that one cannot tell "ignorance" and "moving on" from the sin apart. And then, put the blame on someone else - the most accurate target would be Satan.

The best answer to give, I believe is this:

Jesus died on the cross for the sin of abortion too!