Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
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Bible Study with Nadia
Today, we studied up to Luke 6...on the Harmony of the Gospel.
It is the first time I use John Calvin's commentary directly as the teacher, instead of having studied it first, which was time consuming. But I shall be switch between these two methods back and forth.
After listening to Dr. Samuel Ling's online lesson on Calvin's institute, I rather fancy this directly quote and translate method of teaching. With preparation, it is pretty illustrious.
I read through the commentary on the two blessings we were studying today: Blessed are the merciful & Blessed are the pure in heart. With explanation.
Posted in General
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Family Radio Harold Camping's Apology
I received a letter from Family Radio today, saying they are very sorry for the May 21st prediction of Christ's return. Even admitting how the others were right quoting "no man knows the hour..."
When one asked me in my sunday school class when the news began, if May 21st rapture is going to happen, I said, I can guarantee you that it will not happen.
I was going to commend their letter but after a while, I realized their motive may not be so pure. Because the letter came with request card and envelope for offering/donation/gifts. As well as stating how their "prophesy" actually caused more people to read the Bible (despite the fact that he also pointed out that yet it is still no excuse for them and that tremble before God).
Family Radio was a big thing for me when I was in Malaysia. Their worldwide broadcast was heard from my room. Since it is the only "Christian" radio, with good hymns, I cherished it. I could say more, but this is not why I write this.
I will not give at this moment. I do not think they should be asking for money about doing their ministry at this time. Should they truly tremble, they should treat themselves as their own enemies, and repent truly. That means examine other errors such as "Don't go to church, just listen to Family Radio and stay Christian", etc.
But I will be watching, for I truly want to 'pay my debt' to them. I'm not sitting around doing nothing, so I'll be writing Mr. Camping a letter, a snail mail letter. I'll do it in the morning.
Posted in Reflection, Theologization
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The Twisted Notion of Servitude in Churches Today
I have written this before, or on somewhat similar case. I am not able to pin point it now.
I am writing as a reminder to myself, as well as making a clearer judgment.
The paradox of servitude and volunteerism must be dealt with, for they are not the same thing. When one is called by God, one's willingness to submit to God, is thus, servitude, not volunteering: It is of God's command. Servitude is not enslavement: It has no tyranny involved. Volunteerism, favored by many churches (because they do not preach), is of self. As soon as one calls it God's will, I will promote this label of volunteerism to servitude in the Lord and thus, the "volunteer" must adhere and submit to all Christian principles. For such is all workers of God. And should it be claimed, "but the state of the "volunteer" is not mature enough a Christian, even to be a Christian", then the ones who bring this "volunteer" in, is in greater offense than the "volunteer", for these have the responsibility to cause the "little one" of God to stumble.
So, my responses to the misuse or abuse of such paradox, would be as easy as "Do I have a choice?", "I have better things to do".
As for the youth Sunday school, the whole of the responsibility as well as the whole of the welfare of the youth at church, is not mine at all in any instance whatsoever, it is not possible even if I wanted it to. Because first, I did not "volunteer" for this, though I would do my best in God's grace as I have been commanded or asked of the church, secondly, the schedule given me is neither fixed nor frequent.
Since it is now called "volunteering", I have blocked any "request" of the church for any other types of committee related servitudes. Simply put, "clean up your own mess". Light can have no fellowship with darkness. I can only pray for them.
Posted in Reflection
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My Second Bible Reading
I was less impressed by it. I think I could have done better, especially now that I have resources like Patrick Stewart's "The Last Battle" reading.
Preparation time is the issue...time management.
There is one important question...when they do not have English Bible, nor was the psalm passage printed on the program, what should I do? I believe my position is limited...so I do not think I could just get them Bibles or anything other than the passage reading and some sound bite. Thus, categorized in "Questions". All I have now is "You don't have the prints? Okay, I shall read it". But what I did was...after Tante Lyna's "it's not in the bulletin"...I said, "Oh..." and kept reading the entire passage.
As for the lesson scripture in Matthew 9, I am not sure if I had over-dramatized it...but I wasn't as clear minded as before...was it because of the location (now in the main sanctuary, which is darker than the basement's florescent lightings).
But I do know I must always prepare my own notes. Collected here(refresh if corrupted), for my own reference.
Posted in Questions
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Bach Birthday
So two days ago, I was playing in the subway station for the first time.
Dale Henderson organized the whole thing. He's the cellist who played in subways all the time and one, if not the only one I know to not accept any donation/offering to him as he plays. His facebook page "Bach in the Subway" is well-known by many straphangers of the city.
So for the past March 21st, we played in different subway stations. First time for me, 2nd time for some others. I had cards mailed to me by Dale to distribute for a charity concert on Sunday, which I would unlikely attend due to other engagement.
I chose the spot in the Bronx, partly because it is also the target of my other ministry, and because many others have chosen Manhattan as their spots. Too bad Dale didn't respond to my request for having a "chamber" together. Well, I'm not professionals like them, that's for sure.
As expected by Dale, WSJ (Wall Street Journal) reporter came...and it would appear that they were waiting for me, unless we arrived at the same time coincidentally. I somewhat expected them because I was very positive about it when Dale asked to let him know if anyone didn't want the reporter to bother them as Dale has contact with Bruce the reporter. He had a camera-woman, Danielle, who took pictures, audio recording and possibly videos of me playing...I was there from about 8:30-9:30am. And they stayed with me the whole time. I asked...to confirm if it would go to the news...Bruce assured me that it will appear on the Online(too bad no photos of me posted-as any good journalism habit: always take as much photos and recordings, edit them out later, even if it has to be all of them) news on Friday. I also found out yesterday that it would be on the prints as well. I shall buy it just to satisfy my curiosity.
I played cycles of Jesu Joy of Men's Desire, Bourree from Cello Suite no.3 and Largo from double violin concerto in D minor (2nd movement). Nadia said I played doing God's work...I could imagine how with the Jesu piece, but as for the others, they are a bit too abstract for me to relate that, though Bach always ended his composition with S.D.G. (Soli deo Gloria - Glory be only to God), I remarked to my dear.
I made quite a few blunders, I should have practiced more.
Some stopped, one gave $1. Of course, I don't expect much since I did put a sign saying "No Donation please" ..."Just take a card". A black youth guy was clapping with much appreciation on his face. A woman shared with me how it reminded of her violin skilled father.
I'd been looking for a chance like this, but I supposed I had been coward and lazy, which made me feel a little guilty everytime when Christmas approaches. I had wanted to do the same kind of thing as Dale, playing without accepting donation. To me, it would be an approach of the Gospel. This is, I supposed, a beginning spark.
Update: Video available now
(My violin teacher would kill me with that kind of intonation)
Posted in Music
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The American Understanding of Apology: The Robert Bales case
I relate this to the corruption of Ameristians.
First, it was those "homeless" who DEMAND charity from the public, now the talkative wife of the soldier who allegedly killed 17 Afghan villagers.
It is fair to take security measure for Bales' family, I do not dispute that. But she should really shut up if she couldn't do anything else other than trying to justify her and her husband side of the story and let the authorities do their job...and the attempt to deny murder charge based on mental instability? the Ameristian version of grievance, repentance. Even Zaccheaus would shake his head.
Posted in General
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E-Sword 10 suddenly does not show some bible modules
NASB, which I purchased and NIV were gone from the tabs but the files are present.
I updated NASB with my old key info. Which works.
As for NIV, it was an old conversion I obtained from the web. So, it took me a while to hack it. The solution lies in the software SQLitebrowser. Thanks to this link, I was able to solve it. All I have to do is to change the abbreviation of the module under Browsedata (from niv to something else). I do not know the need to do this since there is no conflicting abbreviation in my collection with "niv". So, I could only guess that it is a copyright measure? or perhaps conflicting with the real version in the download listing.
Much time has been spent solving this, now I have to rush my other errands.
Posted in Technical
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The Neutrality of Knowledge even the knowledge of Reformed Theology
Reformed theology is the highest form in history. It began not with Martin Luther but in Genesis. There is no other opposing theology I would follow.
However, I must also recognize, that the higher the knowledge, it does not mean the better the seekers of it. Since it is neutral, in the hands of the wicked, the disguise of the wicked is greater. So ultimately, one must be able to judge the motives of others, this is not something we leave to God alone - as many evildoers would love to convince others of.
Posted in General
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