如何知道我不是唐迷。。。就是因為如果有一些誤會而產生唐崇榮牧師對我不好，我還可以為他禱告，一樣愛他。
同時我也願意與他繼續談不同意見的神學問題。而不是隱藏不同意的地方，把這方面的真理不當一回事地輕看，再以藉口維護自義自傲。
Since there are vain praisers. Should I deal with them or just ignore them and take their money.
If I pick the latter...it is irresponsible. Even if I were to argue..."but how would one know if this offerer is oferring with a vain heart or a godly heart?" The issue is still connected to responsibility: Should one always be skeptical of the motive of others (This I believe is an excuse for the irresponsible already), or should one ignore any signs of vainity until the vain glorifier purposely, verbally declares his/her heresy (would the heresy in this case be treated as heresy, or a personal attack?).
So if I were to be responsible, I must know the motive of the giver to my best wisdom. Without skepticism that is without cause, of course.
But how could I without skepticism? If I'm not careful I could risk giving into pride.
It is possible to judge the validity of their motive by examining and even testing them.
This is for only when dealing with outside givers. Not those whom I have preached and regenerated in the Spirit through my labor.
To examine, is to take care of their reaction to my preaching, my ministry, what differences do they see that caused them so "moved". Which must usually follow with the test of humility: That my achievement is not my own, but that I have inherited from other great men of God...Paul Washer...Stephen Tong...etc. all of which I've not affiliated with, who are still alive and having their own ministries. They must know this, so that I shall see, if they would give credit to those. From an extreme view "If you don't give offering to Heart Cry ministry, don't bother giving to me - And if you give to Heart Cry and suddenly don't want to give to me just because of all this testing of motive, then don't even tell me about it, just scram quietly, I don't need that kind of serving attitude".
What about convenience? My ministry is closer to home, and STEMI is so far and so hard to reach. "I can and will help you send them those money", but they would have to do it on their own. I should not send it for them. So they do not add the confusion between laziness and convenience to their already twisted motive.
Sometimes when I attempt to medidate on Glory for God, to be closer to God, it is frigthening to be reminded that I'm closer to the devil as well. Because I do not see the devil as any ordinary enemy of God. Its mystery is one that's like John Milton's Satan and yet maybe not.
To know the devil well, is to know God well. It is to discover the hidden pride in me, the hidden self-righteousness.
Basketball super star of today. Everyone in the world, especially the chinese community is talking about him. 林書豪, American born Taiwanese, rose to fame in a very short time, not due to his height, like Yao-Ming, but his true quality.
As a Chinese, he not only pioneered the profession in NBA, but he topped among top global players, if not superceded them in history. Some had described his skills almost supernatural.
Two other unique quality: A Harvard graduate (though with 3.1 GPA, but everyone cares only the name "Harvard"), and last but not least, a devout Christian. Yes, I've heard hints of charismatic here and that, but I could see his enthusiasm nonetheless. Perhaps he should join Redeemer Presbyterian Church, since Tim Keller and John Piper has lots in common, theological wise.
Since then, many news articles proclaim how Jeremy Lin removed the stereotype on Chinese in the West, how many Chinese could now be brave enough to have athlete as their ambition. I think this high praise is not necessary, just like how Obama's presidency created a very short lived fad about how a black man could become president. One needs to just work hard and strive to be the best, like Jeremy Lin, who definitely led the example. Too bad I do not have any worldly achievement that permits me standing next to Jeremy Lin, so that it would be "Linsanity and Lawsome!"
Some such as myself, are at times too trusting. We are easily convinced of the status of a particular, especially given all the criteria as well as recommendation.
I have learned to discern the validity of recommendation, even the recommenders. However, it is tricky when dealing with those who claim a status themselves.
There are those holding PhDs and loving reformed, yet they do not represent that which they support. The illusion which they have at times even successfully fooled themselves, could even tempt us to behold the opposite extereme: The be skeptical of everyone.
Thus, this is definitely a great homework. The goal is to discern the comfort of Psalm 5 & 37, when the identity of these wicked is revealed, not as a comfort in vengeance nor false accusation in the heart, but of truth in the love of the Lord and courage against the transgressors.
Finally recovered my passwords from lifebook-P1510 to P1620.
Solution: (It's always wise to backup present password files and then...) Copy password files from old computer's firefox: C:/users(documents&settings)/username/AppData(Application Data)/Roaming/Mozilla/Firefox/Profiles/xyz.default/ -> key3.db, signons*.* to new computer.
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:10 所以弟兄們，應當更加殷勤，使你們所蒙的恩召和揀選堅定不移。你們若行這幾樣，就永不失腳。
2Pe 1:11 這樣，必叫你們豐豐富富的得以進入我們主救主耶穌基督永遠的國。
WHY CONVERSION AND REVIVAL ARE BIBLICAL
Reading this I am assured of Dr. Keller's proper reformed stand. He's not one of those who would 'consider' social gospel as the PC(USA) would. "...[they], have, I believe, taken a wrong turning in pitting corporate Body Life against revival and conversion".
It can be argued that Keller's disinterest of confrontational debate in public is due to his goal in evangelism. Which often times brought question as to if it was just a matter of cowardice.
In order to encourage readers, perhaps the nominal christians in particular, to seek revival, Keller defeats the social gospelians with key verses on circumcision of the heart (Jeremiah 4:4; cf. Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6; Joel 2:13, and Acts 8:13, 21-23).
It would appear that he also desired to bend verses in Ephesians 2:22 and Colosians 2:9-10 to his point. "This must mean that while these things are objectively true of Christians, the Spirit can make these truths so spiritually real...". Contrasting Calvin's commentary on Eph 2:22 "...to remind them that all human exertions are of no avail without the operation of the Spirit...", one finds that Keller's emphasis on "all Christians already have Christ..." smudges on the definition of the elects.
Having an non-offensive approach may be persuasive to the crowd towards conversion, yet the lack of discipline could easily dilute the gospel and obscure the fear of God.
So instead of describing 2 Peter 1:9 as referring to those who are "near-sighted" Christians, I believe it is better to stick to the point of that verse, that it's addressing those who need this warning, to wake up, realizing what they ought as Christians. So true Christians, will make their election sure, diligently, and not be as the blind and forgetful.
Yes, we have KKK, but I was unaware that there are legal communist parties in America. The biggest one, the Communist Party USA (CPUSA - not PCUSA though might as well) is headquartered here where I work...235 W. 23rd Street, New York 10011.
I supposed the extremes sometimes canceled each other's effort out. ie. KKK's racism vs. CPUSA's anti-racism.
It should be noted, the difference between right criticism and wrong criticism lies in the fact that the former comes from an aching heart, while the latter is of pride, jealousy and strife.
And it is one thing to verbally acknowledge this truth, it is another to truly mean it without saying it. It is better to have it meditated than to publicly acknowledged.
