Space.com has it that R136a1 in Tarantula Nebula is discovered to be the largest star, 265 times mass of the Sun, almost double Eddington limit of 150 masses.
Move over VY Canis Majoris? Or perhaps it was another crackpot discovery?
After reading an
article, related to the famous Chinese evangelist 遠志明, of whom I have commented
before, I am once again sadden.
老子 的 道可道非常道；基督 的 道 乃道可道是常道。
若如此，老子豈能接受基督？
Of course, I am not saying Lao Zi had been
reprobated for I do not know since it is not revealed. Yet, I have no problem believing anyone outside of Abraham's line was eternally damned, despite how virtuous these Chinese sages were. For this reason, of God's sovereign predestination and not of men's moral, I dare to preach to just any non-believers and not just some virtuous "慕道友", a term I am usually reluctant to use.
These group of chinese evangelicals have been
manipulating historical facts to attract more Chinese. I have no problem
with the method of preaching using some "unclear" elements that have
already existed in the culture, as Paul did at Areopagus, however, what
Paul did, he truly knew what he was saying; As for these bunch of lazy
chinese smarty pants who should have studied theology more thoroughly
instead of preaching, how much conviction they have at what they claim?
Their
famous "船" linking to Noah's ark as the reason for the creation of that
character has obviously been proven flawed. What's next?
I do
believe all nations carry with them some knowledge of God throughout the
Earth during the Babel split. But to claim facts without thorough
study...hmmm...isn't that the Pharisees' mistake? Even the Catholics?
Consequently, one would dare decide on other's salvation over
God's gracious election:
"他[遠志明]說已故的華人牧者林道亮曾在講道大膽地說：老子孔子孟子莊子都得救
了，因爲他們都是渴慕神的，只是那時耶穌沒有來，若來他們一定認他是主。"
The approach of Gospel
towards Chinese should be a direct revelation of the righteousness in
the Bible and not some other lights from another source, which could be
close but yet so far. Hence when dealing with the possibility of
equating non-Biblical lights, one is responsibily for pointing out the
shortcomings of those "demi" lights. Because it is clear that just as
Jesus wasn't African or Chinese, God's chosen nation towards
righteousness was Abraham's. And should we examine true virtue of
ancient Chinese culture, we should examine it through the eyes of the
Abrahamic covenant. With the line of Abraham as the ONLY right ruler, we
can therefore discern the imperfection that exists in the highest
virtue of any other cultures, including the Jews, even Chinese.
On
the Chinese culture, I would agree that for some mysterious reason, the
Chinese had been seeking after true righteousness more than any other
cultures. I'm sure 遠志明 would like to bring up the term "general
revelation" in this case, which the Reformed theologians use to categorize
God's blessings into two: General and Special. But in order to smudge the
line between one's moral virtue and God's sovereign election, I'm sure
Mr. Yuan would say those terms are just "theological" mumbo jumbos.
I
will not make any further fantasies in order to attract the Chinese to the
Gospel by devaluing the necessity of "foreign" preachers. Motivating
the Chinese christians to be independent from foreign aids is
commendable, but not at the cost of Romans 10:14.
I was on chapter 3. I did it a second time due to the fact that I lost my first copying, which wasn't much either.
Today I found that Project Gutenberg has already put up a copy of it, so my job is done, there's no point having more than 1 digital copy of Williamson's "Have We No Right".
I should be ashamed abit, because I first heard of that book since 2005. I must have decided to make a digital copy avaible sometime back then. And now, in mid 2010, I just realized Gutenberg has it since 2008-02-06. Boy, I must have been oblivious for more than 2 years about this - and lazy too.
I copied the html version to my digital library, deleted my own work.
Something to do with not being prepared with life?
Too spoiled? But of couse there're also many spoiled kids who love parents calling them. Just a different kind of spoiled perhaps?
Interesting research on the kind of family these kids will grow up to have, if ever.
Solution? They need to stop denying that they are not selfish.
I need further research.
While many would feel anger towards the presence of irresponsibility, I have also often wondered of its cause.
I would for now divide it into two categories: Intentional or Unintentional.
For unintentional irresponsibility, one either learns to be less oblivious or become more "intentional responsible".
For intentional irresponsibility, one is so because he is over-conscientious of being taken advantage of. Which reminds me my OCR'ing of Mabel Williamson's "Have We No Right" over due.
According to Wikipedia, The name Gideon was chosen for this organization because:
Gideon was a man who was willing to do exactly what God wanted him to
do, regardless of his own judgment as to the plans or results. Humility,
faith, and obedience were his great elements of character. This is the
standard that The Gideons International is trying to establish in all
its members, each man to be ready to do God's will at any time, at any
place, and in any way that the Holy Spirit leads. Wikipedia
And thus the symbol of picther and torch.
I personally treasure the lesson of Gideon as the method of finding co-workers in the Lord.
At least seen in the Chinese American communities.
When singing tough musics, the notion of "it's the responsibility" of those who could sing better to "take care" or "guide" the others is utterly WRONG. This promote multiple leaderships, chaos - although, this side-effect is not usually obvious which is why many love to do it.
However it is important for those who have trouble singing to find a way to keep up. And if the whole focus is on this, I'm sure their will definitely be "taken care of". And the responsible leader would do his/her job about it.
As for conductors, it is not the conductors' job to train those who could not sing. So how? Wise planning is required. That is why many choirs have sectional training.
Promoting discipline, hard work, etc. are good. But it shouldn't be done using others' example which would eventually result in "sharing" burden.
Everyone's calling is independent. As for working together, it is about witness, not burden sharing. Though it may carry some psychological effect in that department, this temptation should be closely watched.
When President Obama passed the stimulus Bill, he has shown what the previous administrations had been trying to hide and cover up, though it has always been very clear how much debt America is in.
Now recalling Matthew chapter 18:
Creating money out of thin air = The King's pardon.
Deporting immigrants whom they consider deportable = The servant's unmerciful act.
(I use the term "deportable" due to complication of terms like
"undocumented", "illegal', "without papers", etc)
Outcome? I dare not watch.
Tim: Gentlemen, we are here to discuss my choices on my recent church
servitude. I have been asked by the pastor to serve as youth leader in
the coming retreat since their main leader cannot make it due to work. I
have accepted it based on the fact that they couldn't find any other.
However, I am contemplating on pulling out my services for 1. leading
Friday Bible Fellowship, 2. participation of Wednesday stay at home
prayer meeting. For all things in the universe, there is a balance.
Mr.
Q: Why can't you participate in all three?
Tim: To teach them a
lesson, if they ever learn.
Jello: Who do you think you are,
teaching them a lesson. What lesson?
Tim: I am just a concerned Christian looking at the failing
churches in America. Everyone just kept praying and praying for God to
help but they don't do what is right...
Jello: And you think
you're doing what is right? You lazy bum!
Tim: As far as I understand, so help me God. I'm not lazy or
rejecting any responsibility. All services I provided from teaching to
cleaning I do it to my fullest zeal and best ability. But, like you
said, who am I? I am nobody, comparing to most of them, I have no status
in the academics as well as society while many of them have both. Thus,
with much benefits, why are they giving less? Busy with families &
babies? So this is their equation? This is their principle? No wonder
America is falling and everyone thinks it's not their fault. There was a
very good pianist who was in a similar position as I in terms of social
status, this church didn't do anything for him and his wife other than
just asking him to serve as a pianist. I would admire him more if he
stayed strong and stayed longer. I wouldn't be angry if he didn't
request for any help as I, but when someone falling victim to a popular
controversial injustice in this country and asks for help for both
himself and his wife, you try your best to help him nonetheless. Instead
of just saying: Oh, we will pray for you. But serve the Lord as a
pianist here, while we enjoy our social security benefits and
citizenship priviledges and feel sorry for you.
Mr. Q: Maybe the
pastor just couldn't come up with a solution. What, do you think just
because there's no solution, he shouldn't be asked to serve?
Tim: I
do not think so. There is always a solution with the right heart and a
Christian should always be available to serve. However, based on what do
we ask people to serve? Lack people? Then again this church lacks no
people. But as Matthew 23 puts it, obey those on Moses' seat, just don't
do what
they do.
CalmBoy: Maybe those other people are just less willing
to serve like you. So it is better to get a more willing servant.
Tim:
Oh, as much as I'm willing to serve, I just cannot turn a blind eye to
what I've just said. The pastor had even once asked me not to tell
people of my status, but I thought to myself, if she's afraid for me or
herself. Most likely the former. But why the need for this secrecy and
yet pushing/promoting me to serve this and that? To help me gain some
kind of "publicity" since I've "helped" so much in order to perhaps
someday, have an easy route to American Citizenship or whatever
recognition that's going to make my life "better"? Whenever people ask,
which is unavoidable when serving this much, I just tell them the truth
instead of "not telling them" as she had told me. I believe I am
following "not doing what they do" in Matthew 23:3. Because how can you
ask someone not to tell the truth and assume him to be a willing
servant?
CalmBoy: I'm sure the pastor saw you a highly treasured
from God.
Tim: That is very possible in this case. But with those
principles, she'll never see my faults and adjust the situations
accordingly. This is a common problem with many this type of Chinese
churches, they love to admire admire admire, but don't push themselves
to match the people they admire as if that's not their business. This no
doubt produces jealousy in others which I blame it on them.
CalmBoy: This meeting is adjourned...
