Many love this: Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary. (by Mahatma Gandhi)
But this is one I have not heard of until today: It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence. (by same guy)
From this point of view, I see Gandhi's greatness.
As I have commented the negative of other churches. It is only fair for me to comment upon the one I'm attending.
Why
I attend CCCNY? The one humble reason is: The use of hymnals as the only
music media in worship. One can note that it is hard to find a chinese
church of this sort. It would appear that this is a suicide style in
today's churches.
Although many english traditional churches still
make use of classical hymnals, they either divide their services into a
"classical hymns" for old people group and a "hip music" for the younger generation (This only shows that their leaders should spend more time on
studying music and its theory, what music is.) or become self-confined
worshippers who could only admire the beauty of hymnals themselves and
not be able to share it (Someone needs to remind them that they are
wrong in thinking that the commission of Jesus Christ is not for them).
Now, back to the central topic. After I have mentioned the good part, here comes the bad ones.
I am not comparing this church to any other. But my discernment is based on what is expected of the church and its leaders.
First
off, this is a reformed church, and one whose many leaders and elders
are well acquainted with Dr. Tong's ministry as well as Dr. Tong
himself in person.
What I can see is, as much as these have
listened to Dr. Tong's lectures, seminar, sermons, etc. they are more of admirers and "high class" friendship seekers than true students of
the word of God. Yes, I do see some effect, for Dr. Stephen Tong is
truly God's servant and therefore his sermons have some "side" (in a
good way) effects on these people. I used "side effect" even though I
put it in a positive sense because I do not think this is what these
people are aftering themselves. Just like if I keep repeating "for God
so love the world..." in my class, all my students would be able to
quote John 3:16 by heart but they may not be aware of it or its meaning.
Sometimes it is the teacher who is the problem, but not in this case.
What's the obstacle then? It's their pride for thinking that their
relationship with Dr. Tong is special enough to not care about seeking
after the Kingdom of God.
Therefore problems exist. For example,
Pastor Laura Lin consistently has issues with elder Lyna Lim in some
very general things. As for Lyna, frequently tempted by the realm of the
pentecostal excitement.
Thus this will be in my prayer.
Secondly,
is the incompetence of organization. Doing a lot of useless things just
because "Oh I'm afraid it would be too much work for you" kind of
notion. Pastor Laura Lin once (well more than once) asked me if I needed
some help when I was assigned a certain task which I have agreed to
weeks ago and awaiting for her confirmation to proceed to certain stage,
my more direct response was: There’s no such thing as too much work
or too little work in God’s kingdom. Only willing and wise servants and
the rest as principled from Gideon’s 300 soldiers.
Why did I
respond this way? Because she uses not biblical teachings in choosing
co-workers. This is something even non-christians knew. It's as if when
one becomes a Christian, one becomes dumber. When we pick people to work
with us, we do not pick them just because they are "part of" our
membership. We pick them because we know they have the willingness for this and we see the right qualification in them for certain tasks and we pick them for that particular tasks.
Unfortunately, Laura is either ignorant of such fact and expects God to
"fix it all" Himself or she really just haven't advanced to this part of
life lesson yet. It is pathetic to think those who are single should
serve more and those who have married and have children should serve
less. Never have I read such kind of verse in scripture. Perhaps she did
it this way to make families comfortable enough to want to stay and not
leave while the "singles" are disposable unless they have "higher
class" friendship status.
The other major issue is regarding
music books for the choir for STEMI rally. I voiced that it is important
that every members should buy their own music (after all it's only
around $12-$15 dollars and we're not living in Siberia) instead of "free
will offering" or sponsorship by STEMI. Something pastor Lin realized
too late, while Lyna pretended she agreed with me in the beginning. Why
would they not listen? My only guess is that they are holding onto the
fundamental failure of Ameristians: See I am so nice to you so you must
be nice back to me otherwise God will praise me anyway for the unpaid
niceness (A misunderstanding of Luke 6:31 while ignoring 1Peter 2:20).
I
wouldn't be surprised if Laura or Lyna praise Uzzah for what he did and
condemn David or the others for not "helping out" Uzzah or warning him
about not to touch the Ark. It is always amazing how those who interpret
the word this way always "forget" to blame God Himself for striking the
"wrong" guy. Perhaps they would like to assume that Uzzah somehow has a
dirtier heart than they themselves to begin with which is just way off
the topic of the passage.
Thirdly, is the incompetence of
education. This is my most struggle. It is so obvious that they lack so
much in this area that they'd rather find some scapegoat like me than
polishing and improving themselves. They have the blessings and benefit
of this country while Uncle Sam is abusing and manipulating material
resources for selfish gain, they have attended Stephen Tong's seminaries more than I (which I wonder what they had been doing all those times), yet they still need to rely on outsiders.
This shows laziness, unwilllingness to seek after God, and hypocrisy if
they deny the above. Thus a new form of Pharisees who obviously need the
kind of rebuking my Lord has given 2,000 years ago. If God calls not me
for such task, I pray for him whom God calls.
The leadership at this church sees no authority in God as teacher (though I see a few members in the congregation are not so).
Fourthly, now I'm being commanded to be the youth's counsellor in the summer retreat. I should do all my best as my Lord has told me in Matthew 23. But I must watch out for these foxes. I have put much entries on this subject, so I should here only repeat one of my statements: American Christians are expert at wasting people's time and money and energy. Why couldn't they plan (they were given the opportunity for at least a year) and train and prepare those who are willing and capable to attend their stupid retreat so that it will be "not so stupid"? Instead of asking me? Are they really that impotent? Not only will I do my best and rely totally on God's grace and away from their hypocritical praises, I should not take their ride (Good thing there's a train to that place - otherwise I'd rather take a $200 taxi) lest I owe them anything. There can be no packs between men and dogs. May God grant me this scepter.
Last but not least, is the celibacy of Lyna as well as Laura. Which I really do not think has anything to do with God's calling to celibacy. For Lyna perhaps it's similar to a Suzanne of Flushing Faith Bible church's situation, where she's too full of herself no men want to touch her. As for Laura, I do not know, it would seem like she was either born impotent or abused or suffered other similar family problem when she was younger, but apparently God's grace has covered her thus far, for the better of this church in this pathetic nation. Whatever it is, unless it was the case of "born an eunuch", it is unlikely God's call to a celibate life for it seems to have to do with selfish preferences than a sacrificial mean for the Kingdom of Heaven.
In
order to show them the path and teach them with whatever authorithy I
have now, I have to make sure I do not mix up with them, despite all the
tasks they want me to obey.
So help me God, that in my abiding
by their and pastor Laura Lin (林美雲)'s authority and praying for them, I
am guided solely by Thee and I do not follow them, their ways, for
blessed is he who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners.
As much as I have to learn to get used to buckling up in the back, I wonder how would bus/train/etc. passengers respond to something like this? When the law has been generalized all over the States.
But it is interesting to note the States that require backseat belt buckling for adults. I would never have known if not for this diagram. I supposed New Yorkers are very "cautious" drivers.
Strong oppositions, lax and liberal politicians, all playing the role of judges in this part of the town when some, whom I believe to be pious in their own faith, try to acheive what they believe to be goodness in their own conviction.
Unlike most, I would wonder why stop these, if we, Christians, have slacked in our duty to impress upon the world?
As I have noted ealier, that the presence of Islam is the prove of the failure of christians. So, the way I see it, most oppositions to this plan, particularly from Christians, is really not about their loyalty to God, but the denial of their faults.
Reading this, all I see is:
Muslims - Hardworking. Christians - Lazy.
Muslims say to Christians: We give you money.
Christians say to Muslims: Thank you.
I noticed the network (NYGC computer room) on one switch could not do www (port 80) when I block more than port range 4000-65535;
and the same network (NYGC public PCs) on another switch couldn't do www when I block more than port range 4000-45000.
The port ranges given above are rounded to 1000, since I didn't test every ports - that's crazy.
This is a mystery to me. I would like to think it's a bug in the router system - DD-WRT.
Some wiz proven it. PDF paper included at the site. Proof was done with the help of supercomputer. Perhaps there should be an even lower limit.
A very resourceful site for identifying which internet port is for what purpose/program in general.
With all the fuss about distinctions between classical and pop music, tradition and modern, perhaps in order to avoid confusion and misunderstanding, I would use terms between: disciplined music and selfish music.
traditional hymns, classical music generally fall under the music with discipline category; while many modern, pop music fall under the selfish category.
Disciplined music requires hard work, careful composition, thoughtful talent, etc.
selfish/non-disciplined music is usually very easy to pick up and its success generally relies how high it makes one feel, like the effect of drug or erotic pleasure.
Disciplined music shows the beautiful art of soul and mind; while non-disciplined music shows only the unruly outburst of emotion whether it be loud or soft.
All hell broke lose again after a judge overturned the ban on gay marriage in California.
After noting a "baptist" minster's comment, who, unfortunately, actually advocated the ruling, said of the ruling:
"important distinctions between civil
marriage and religious marriage."...
"was sensitive to the
concerns of people of faith who oppose same-gender marriage on religious
grounds but that he recognized, as do we, that their religious freedom
will not be impacted by the legalization of same-gender marriage."
I began to analyze him with what I could gather.
My conclusion was that he is either very liberal or a coward. The key being the fact that he supported the distinction of a world with God in it and a world without God in it. Thus, an obvious denial of responsibility to be the light and salt of the world, as commanded by Christ.
On the other hand, I have been wondering, of the proponents of the ban, especially Christians, about what they have been doing about being the salt and the light of the world in respect of TRUE marriage, after the risky 52% victory on Proposition 8.
There is only one TRUE marriage. There is no such thing as a "religious marriage" and that of other kinds. What then? if there were other kinds and those "family" become Christians? What would these liberal advocates pronounce then? Divorce? Ignore their previous stand on such distinction?
