My Journal

Some think having greencard without citizenship is not "American", some think as long as they are born outside of USA regardless of their country of citizenship, they are not "American", etc.

Personally, I see American as someone who could easily go in and out of U.S.A. without any hassle, just as any U.S. citizen.

Obviously, my criticisms on Americans do not cover every single individuals.

In Bible studies, especially the Evangelical ones, many love the principle of "Speak out your opinion, nobody is wrong".

I am not so. I would point: This one is wrong, that is right, this person is right, wrong, etc.

I wouldn't even consider covering someone's erroneous statements. One must be responsible for one's speech.

Bible study is teaching when there's a teacher present. Not discussion and certainly not a place to bring false principles and false doctrines.

Questions and doubts are always welcome, but one shouldn't be defensive when one's false doctrine is judged. Who can judge? All servants of God, followers of Christ.

As STEMI 2010 September rally approaches, I am part of the music team that will handle chorister registration. I noted a couple objections during yesterday's meeting.

1. The simple 簡譜 musical notation is often used by Chinese congregations as well as many Chinese traditional musicians. I objected its use this time (I was instructed to add the notations for our own church's choir - which I do since I find no alternative). The purpose of such additional notation is meant for those who can't read regular musical notations but can, however, read the simple notation. Therefore, to make the excuse of "for beginners" is absurd. If need be, at least we shouldn't announce that we have numbered notations in Messiah, Elijah, Creation, etc. until the very last second when needed or else it is an obvious vain zeal. I then suggested the use of the website cyberbass.com, also used by OSNY members, which I also donated $20 to yesterday. Using the stupid notation only makes things worse, it prevents people from actually learning from the regular notations. Cyberbass.com uses midi files to train each voice parts in various popular classical pieces.

2.  It was suggested that we buy 140 originals and also make copies so that the choristers are only given the copies and not the originals yet (lest they should lose them) until the week of the rally. I would say this is due to "showing how gracious we can be". Perhaps it was due to my experience with the Oratorio Society I joined, I believe all members of the choir should buy (or pay a partial amount of) their own musics, even if they are volunteering. This would confirm their seriousness, true Christian servitude (evangelically), and responsibility. Not to mention a huge save on papers as well as confusion of switching from copies to originals.

How these objection will turn out, I don't know.

After being told each apartment should have a fuse box inside (I'd always thought fuse box could be outside and I never paid enough attention to notice it indoor) by a building supervisor from a work place, I finally found the time last night around 6-7pm, to take off the 4 old style round screw fuses inconspicuously hidden on the wall next to the bathroom.

Replaced two single pole light switches with dimmers I bought from HomeDepot. With wallplates, and two round knobs for two other broken switches, costing me almost $45. Boy should I get compensation from the landlord, would have been easier if he hadn't "abandoned" here.

My worry was the new light switches. Good thing the 3-way is compatible with the single pole and came with clear instructions. But they work very well after I put the fuses back. A little troubling though, since I couldn't find a wire to connect the ground from the switch to, as instructed by the manual. Well, I supposed we'll have to wait until the fuses blow then.

At least now I get to walk into a bright corridor coming in from outside at night.

Next: I need to fix the paint/cement corroded walls.

In any of my ministry, the American Christians will only have the opportunity to either admit and repent of their "way" or be jealously grinding their teeth. I will not allow them the luxury of thinking that they are my partners.

One of those Short Sales companies. Delayed payment for more than 3 months. Bounced and post dated checks.

It is amazing how he could keep a range of staffs.

Well, seems that the check for Jan-March $1450 has been cleared a day after the Friday deposit, unusually fast-for weekends, I hope there's not going to be any reversal.

Either way, I did stated that I'm not giving any more service until check clears, I've even told him that he could keep the money. Personally, I'd rather not have to deal with Hezi anymore even if the check clears. But, c'est la vie. Perhaps it's that I provide cheap tech support or I could really do a fine job...I'm more inclined to believe the former. Which, with all these busy schedules lately, I need to start considering my fees.

I'll give it a few days before I do anything with that money.

My only regret now would be that I didn't take that opportunity to convert this Israeli to Christianity. Would have been interesting:

Me: Tell you what, Hezi, you pay me and convert to Christianity, then I'll continue my service.
Hezi: Are you serious?! You know how offensive that is?
Me: Look man, your Jewish rabbis who pay religious visits to your company every Friday obviously aren't doing much prayer for you. Whatever you believe in obviously isn't keeping you straight with people. Maybe it's a sign from God.

Anyway, there are other worse clients I've had, like Wendy Diamond the obsessive puppy lover.

I do believe that treating Hezi and his assitant differently is important. There's no reason of her own to withhold my payment, she's not the boss.

In the church I'm in, I've learned quite a few. Perhaps more confirmations than the new.

I did wonder, how certain people, with their attitude, could still be Dr. Tong's "best" friends.

My only explanation is that they do not actually "serve" with Rev. Stephen Tong...only occasionally. These are mostly immigrants who have befriended with Rev. Tong in Indonesia and moved away long ago, in my opinion, cowarded away for a better life in other countries. The only times they meet with Dr. Tong, would be mostly "support" and greetings other than responsibility-or rather, a more great commision centered responsibility like that of Rev. Tong.

I once discussed with a church member a problem Dr. Tong faced in America...which may perhaps caused him to stop his seminary teaching here, despite his old age. I stated, the main problem is there are only admirers of him, instead of those who are taking actions matching or even outdoing Dr. Tong's works. These actions, of course, would require the Holy Spirit. But no one seeks it. Other "third world" countries can have many excuses in such...even though many of them don't need to. But America? America is so well equiped that it shouldn't have any excuse at all.

True, there are many faithful ones here, but I believe that they are not doing enough, that they have kept their given pounds laid up in a napkin and said to the Lord "thou takest up that thou layest not down, and reapest that thou did not sow". Faithful indeed, for they purchased a high quality napkin with beatiful decor, washed it every day and kissing it every night before they go to bed, they are good at this routine until they grow old and said: what a hard and wonderful life I've had.

Nevertheless, for all God's plan is fulfilling, I need not trouble myself too much with these cowards who mask themselves behind great men of God. I just need to be able to discern their masks.