My Journal

For over confident in blaming everything bad on the Devil, they cannot answer this correctly: Can Satan fake God's blessing?

Consequence:

1. Irresponsibility: e.g. As long as I see myself blessed and not see other people being hurt, God is good!

2. Pride: e.g. I must tell others how God has blessed me, because I know others don't have the same experience.

3. Selfishness: e.g. I don't know nor care how God has blessed others, but I will make it clear to everyone how God has blessed me.

And the list goes on...

'Twas raining. Though about 10 minutes late, we had the short empty pew on the balcony directly above the furthest entrance stairs for the first time. I could certainly pay more attention and it was definitely more comforting.

Dr. Keller reminded me of the sole requirement to be with God - The Good News. Full commitment to Christ my Lord. Especially in mind.

Reflection:
Polly's heart jumped in her body when she heard it. She felt sure that it was a call, and that anyone who heart that call would want to obey it and (what's more) would be able to obey it, however many worlds and ages lay between. ~ C. S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew

Prelude - The Very Thought of You - Ray Noble

Preparation - Rev. Bijan Mirtolooi

Song of Praise: For the Beauty of the Earth, words by Folliott Pierpoint, 1864, Music by Conrad Kocher, 1838

Walk with Me, by spiritual/alt. Jeff White
Seriously - this song is seriously erroneous in doctrine - "won't you walk with me...I want Jesus to walk me"....I should be the one wanting to walk with Jesus, not the other way around.

God, All Nature sings Thy Glory, words by David Clowney, 1960, music by Ludwig van Beethoven, 1824

I take it the Jazz service is more songs.

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

Scripture Reading - Psalm 73:1-3,23-28

Prayer of Confession, Private Confession, Confessional Response: Give Me Jesus, by African-American spiritual

Words of Encouragement - Galatians 5:1

Testimony: Some lady went visit an African orphanage.

Song of Praise: Beauty for Ashes, words: Matthew 11, Isaiah 61, music by Tom Jennings

Scripture Reading - Mark 1:14-34, Sermon - Called to the Kingdom - Dr. Timothy Keller
Third sermon in series: Light in the Darkness: The Glory of Jesus in Mark

Notes: Jesus' Amen Amen (Verily, verily), is what inspired some churches' (particularly the charismatics) love for announcing Amen frequently. But when Jesus said it, according to Keller, it was to establish authority - Amen, I am right, you must listen to me! Following Jesus demands one to take Jesus higher than family "...they left their father Zebedee in the boat...followed him".

Offertory - O Love That Will Not Let Me Go - A. Peace/Arr.  J. Cowherd
Lyrics were printed, music were played, but nobody's singing...I wonder.

Final Song: All for Jesus, words by Mary James, 1889, music by John Stainer, 1887

Benediction, Postlude - El Gaucho - Wayne Shorter

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