Finally, a supernova of my time.
My own take (coordinates 20h 23m 19.8s/+20°50'26.0" [J2000]):
Nova Delphini 2013
Just a few days ago (+- Aug 12) there was Perseid Meteor shower. An event I did not witness.
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Nova Delphini 2013 & Perseid Meteor Shower
Posted in Astronomy
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Organized Rally without direct invitation is now proven wrong
Until I saw this news by Janet on Facebook, I had always felt uncomfortable at the way CCCNY, if not others, do their gospel rally ministry. I couldn't pinpoint the problem, now it is clear, in this "hack" that Franklin Graham's Iceland rally tickets are being reserved by liberals who plan not to attend.
[I've always known something's wrong with this kind of organized rally, now I know what it is. Many great evangelists require no "reservation tickets". Simply making an announcement and expecting a certain number of people to show up may help, but it is in no way replacing every Christian's need to evangelize. It would have been a cowardly move. Stop blaming only the liberals.] - My response to the FB post.
Posted in Theologization
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Evolution Vs. God
My simple review of the short film "Evolution Vs. God" by Ray Comfort.
It's more of a series of interviews of various atheists on evolution. Atheists from agnostic professors to young biology students.
Watching the film reminds me of several characters such as Ken Ham, Kirk Cameron, Sean Ho. No doubt Phil Johnson would also endorse it.
It's good to note Neil deGrasse Tyson does not want to be grouped with the atheists. Further resources maybe found I'm sure.
Another point of interest is this tactic of asking one to spell "SHOP", and then immediately asking one "what do you do when you come to a green light?", most would answer "STOP".
The interviews ended with the Gospel message to each of them. This, may be lauded or abhorred by Christians. As an evangelical, I laud the action. However, if the interview was done in a way most evangelicals do today by treating all their subjects as inferior, which I hope is not the case here (I cannot conclude from some of the interviews with students), then it is shameful, in spite of of all those clever questions.
Another relevant films I shall review are "180" & "Genius" by the same guy.
Posted in Reviews, Theologization
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If there is a need to start a church
One may think it is extreme when one hears Rev. Stephen Tong calling the young believers to start their own churches.
At times I may be stunned by his tone on the issue.
Nevertheless, what's becoming of the world today cannot be ignored anymore. There's another, Thom Rainer, on Janet Mefferd's 8/13/2013 show (@16:40min), who said that if one really cannot find a church of orthodox value, which is a stretch (hmm...perhaps not especially in New York City), then find a few believers and form a group/church.
In the past, it was always about attending the church your parents go. Then, it becomes attending the church that you find relevant to your lifestyle, now it's all kinds of things. I recall Tong's old answer to question regarding whether believers have to attend a church. That was a different case. That has to do with just simply looking for the "Best" church or not attending church. This, however, has to do with committing to a church, building a church. They are very different issues.
If I were to start a group/church, I must be aware of one tricky danger, that is the influence of those of the unorthodox churches. Whether it be financial support or even manual assistance. It may come to a point that these must be rejected, unless they are used without any affiliation to the contributing party, like one accepting the help of a Muslim or Mormon to carry one's luggage to the airport.
Posted in Theologization
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The Bible: 10 Episode Miniseries on the History Channel by Roma Downey in 2013
I uploaded on youtube, got blocked. So I use DailyMotion.
This scene shows the one I had thought of before, introduction to Genesis through the eye of Christ as he was crucified. This scene is not shown on the DVD version.
Other than this, the rest of the show are pretty much nothing special compared to the general bunch of "Bible" films available.
Posted in Reviews
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Lemonade Stand Kids
$1 a cup. I love them kids.
Unfortunately, NYPD has been known to give these poor kids tickets for selling food without permit (which is obtained from the Department of Health-DOH).
I think the city is taking this permit thing too far. First it was marine fishing permit, now this.
This is American individualism gone wrong. It has no value of family and community.
Now, I'm thirsty just thinking of those lemonades.
Posted in News
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Dreaming of a New Kind of Job and Life
I cannot remember full well. But last night's dream had to do with having a new huge apartment for me and my wife, if not more. The new company I work for gives me incredible flexibility in terms of schedule and perhaps something else.
I remember while getting to my apartment, I've forgotten which floor and # I should go in the elevator. That's about the time I woke up.
Posted in Dreams
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The Tradition of Bring Gifts to the Host
We brought 2 ice-creams to a neighbor's party last night. The girls seem to enjoyed them.
My brother-in-law brought beers. Obviously, nobody took it and the man of the house even asked me to take them back (assuming I was the one who brought it?). I told him who had actually brought them. I cannot be sure of the beers' fate, even now.
I recall this tradition was even taught in my primary school years, in Pendidikan Moral. That we should bring things like fruits, drinks, when invited to be guests of the house.
Somethings that are understood within a culture maybe treated with opposite reaction in different culture. Hence, it is called culture shock. When culture shock is ignored, then it could be time for war, mostly cold wars, in this liberal era.
I, of course, would never support this Chinese tradition, unless the host requested something to be brought. Nevertheless, I cannot completely deny its value, because those who enjoyed the ice-creams obviously would prove me wrong.
If it were my own party and I have no need of any gifts or fruits or drinks (meaning that I follow the Western way of always being well prepared), I find it necessary to state that clear to all guests. Then, ignorance can be placed in the hidden corner of some room or straight to the garbage can. Wisdom would call for the former option first, to give exception to something like the ice-cream case.
As conclusion, it is about promoting clear direct communication and not inconspicuous cultural value which may be disregard or opposed by other cultures, not to mention an ignorance to the integrity of clear communication. Is it sinful otherwise, I would say yes. It would be the same as giving a birthday gift that's not even favored by the birthday person, if good judgment fails. But with the craze of merchant returns in America, I think any further question qualifies for another topic.
Posted in Reflection
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Tough climb
Watching the construction workers climbing to the tip of the high tower makes me want to give them each a parachute.
Posted in General
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