It is a common thing in America, where Christians organize short mission trips to poor countries helping out in areas of medical or comforting needs.
For the sake of Gospel, I will always approve; Anything else, if it is of American, is not worth any value even in hell. (Anything else such as "psychological comfort-more damaging than otherwise", "financial/medical support-or rather pay back of the sins of America", etc.)
華人教會的一個大弱點就是愛推人事奉。用種種方式，把教會或任職人員弄成可憐兮兮的樣子，或以人情買同工，或以催動勉強式，等等都不符合聖經教導。
若不敬畏上帝，豈能事奉神。
若敬畏上帝，豈需被動？
這也是爲什麽這些教會常常在基本事奉上碰到問題。若不是教會信仰破產，就是好像非走靈恩派或人情派之路不可。
Those who do not wish to hear the truth, need not be taught of it.
A preacher's greatest temptation is perhaps the persecution of the unrighteous.
A Teacher's greatest temptation is perhaps the praises of men.
The Jews today, or the Talmudic Jews, basically use these scriptural references to support the Matrilineal authenticity of Jewish identity: If the mother is a Jew, then the children will be Jews.
Deuteronomy 7:1-5, is used to infer such: "your child would be turned away by "HE-the gentile" is assumed as the child's Jewish state in trouble.
Leviticus 24:10, The son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian man was among the community of Israel-a Jew.
Ezra 10:2-3, Putting away strange wives and their children.
(Source: http://www.jewfaq.org/whoisjew.htm)
Obviously, the dispensationalists are easily bought into this error as well.
And making matters more complicated than God's intended, ie. grandchildren identification, etc.
2 Corinthians 3:6 warns us how not to misinterprete God's words. On top of Romans 9-11 regarding Israel's identity. (Such as some would think I support the matrilineal claim even if they have read this entry because I did not specifically state that a child born of a Jewish mother may not be Jewish.)
Jesus said: For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:50)
The world has changed. Academic Courses can be obtained for free or a very very small fee. It is the diplomas and certificates and degrees that are the costly ones.
There is a true structure, which is God made, and a false structure, which is man made. The true structure comes from love, from the desire to learn the truth. The false structure comes from greed, ulterior motives and hypocrisy.
Q: Tim, I can find support for your seminary study...go go! Don't waste your time!
A: What makes you think I'm not studying now? Why don't you use that support for your own study?
Q: How are you studying?
A: This is a new kind of world now. Courses are offered free online, one can look up syllabus and follow the references, books are everywhere in library. Your notion of "Must have a teacher", "Must end up with a degree" is laughable.
Q: But going to seminary is still different...
A: I know what you're going to say...yes, having a teacher, even full time study, in class discussion, etc. there are differences. No doubt, one who does not go to an institute physically would miss out on this. But then again, tell me, which institute are diligently seeking such advancements on top of a Soli Deo Gloria focus? Or are you just jealous, because you went through all these and now the younger ones are getting if not more than what you've been through in a cheaper and less time consuming fashion? Don't worry, when the time and place is right, I shall enroll.
The principle of seek and ye shall find defeats those who make God's truth a mystery for others. In the end, it is those who fear God and diligently wish to grow in Him who gets the taste of His reward, while the others grind their teeth outside of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Why do not ye yourself? If you did, why do ye this and not profit others with what ye yourself have learned?
I should say: "If I am to be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume thee." But I will say: "Forgive them, Father, for they knew not what they speak."
Some time ago, I observed how people love to be match makers and
even match preventers. And I have wondered of the validity of such,
before the eyes of God.
Objections and refusals are often seen as "shyness" by match makers, hence their persistence.
The
Western culture has this practice of boyfriend girlfriend, as opposed
to arranged marriage. Freedom, open-mindedness, are the mottos of the
former. I believe, the concept of girlfriend boyfriend held by the West
is more of an excuse for adultery. A "virtual" temptation before the
actual temptation, thereby assuming the "virtual sin" to be irrelevant
before God. Consequently, breakups are normal, divorces are a habit.
I am obliged to make such judgment when match makers are pressing upon me where match preventers had thought they succeeded.
In the context of Christianity, a married life and a celibate life are both precious before God.
This
is not so for many "Christian" match makers. They are able to speak
otherwise, but perhaps the culture here in the West has swayed their
hearts to another belief.
Here are their assumptions and reasons and my reactions:
1. "Emotional people should get married".
Reason: (1Corinthians 7:9), such men are very in touch with their feminine sides, etc.
Reply:
That is to say that there are such group as "non"-emotional people:
"eunuchs" Matthew 19:12, who are "qualified" to lead a celibate life.
But becareful, for one is in danger of despising one of God's most
beautiful creations - the sanctity of emotions. A celibate life is a
giving up, just as the Son gave up His life for the Church. Just as
Paul gave up having a wife (1 Corinthians 9:5) for the urgency of the
Gospel. Giving up is not the same as "born without such
desire/desireless" which is a blasphemy despite how one wishes to prove
it medically because the same emotion applies and is required to the
relationship with God (1 Corinthians 7:32-33). Those who think they are
"emotionless" when it comes to that which is between man and woman are
covering their pride with a hypocritical mask of false piety.
2. "You are old enough to have girlfriend, to get married".
Reason: Time to have a family, have children, a house and a car, perfect achievement in life.
Reply: Girlfriends are for lonely people. For those who have no God, even if they think they do. What have I to do with you?
3. "Getting married is more normal, this girl? that girl? how about her?".
Reason: Boldly live out your desires.
Reply:
(From a Pauline preacher standpoint, I believe this rebuke can even and
SHOULD be directed to pastors-Had the man of God replied such to the old prophet in 1Kings 13, I believe he would have found favors in God's eyes instead of a lion) Satan! Get thee behind me! (Spoken firmly, calmly, soberly)
Since
some of the despicable assumptions above can be relativistic, one must
therefore be certain of one's devotion to Christ. Not choosing between
that which is better, but that which is given. For the glory of God, of
Christ, my Lord and Savior.
Amen.
1. It is my assumption that many leaders love to make assumptions.
2. I have come to realize quite a number of American Chinese pastors' assumptions are often erred. Especially in matters of psychology.
3. Nonetheless, as pastors, it is normal that those assumptions are thought to have spiritual connotations. Which, can be dangerous when the assumptions are inaccurate. But because of the spiritual connotations, it appears harder for pastors, or spiritual leaders to admit fault, instead, the favorite solution is always to twist the truth or find something/someone to "nicely" blame on.
4. But then, is it better to make no assumptions at all? For assumption is a the only practical solution to a case based on any kind of faith.
5. Therefore, it is the level of sensitivity prepared in the responsibility of making the assumption that is critical.
Hence, on issue of Celibacy, as follow in next entry above...
Suddenly a glow through my translucent window attracted my attention. It's just like a full moon.
The Moon was about 34 degree from the Southern horizon.
I would say it's around 1:30AM, the moon is edging to the West, so I would say at good time to start observing is around 2 hours earlier from my window.
Observed two light patches where Crater Manilius and Crater Menelaus resides (Between Mare Vaporum and Mare Serenitatis).
Binoculars used: 20x70 NcStar.
