My love for this church grows more and more.
Other than the minor surprises here and there, which made me wonder why I didn't come to this church sooner.
I believe even those of different churches should know enough churches so that they can recommend others to churches that are more convenient, suitable for different individuals. Instead of keeping people in their own church. When we pray for other churches, do we truly put our hearts in them?
I've seen quite a bit, including Pastors and those who are selected to lead a group, fellowship, Bible Study, when they lead, they lead with a hidden attitude of "Leaders are better, therefore I must be humble".
This kind of error in logic is the beginning of virtually untraceable problems to come.
Instead, if become leader, one must first know himself already if he's really called for this post by the Lord and not by people around him in the first place. So that he is sure of what gifts God requires of him.
As for humility, that is the ever learning process for everyone, in every area. There is no causality between these two.
At a small tennis field called Memorial Fields, the best place I am aware of in Queens to do star gazing.
Just a few hours ago, I went and got a better concept of the Ecliptic line, Equatorial and Azimuthal grides.
I realized that at the poles, besides having the Sun for 6 alternative months, one would see the Sun go round and round in circles in the sky every day. As it nears the end of the 6th month, the Sun's "aerial orbit" will expand closer and closer to the horizon until the orbit finally sets under the horizon, and darkness roams for 6 months.
I have been annoyed by the constant precipitation after sunset and before sunrise. Could this be caused by the sea around my area? Do I only have to be a night owl all the time to do this?
I shall keep detailed periodic reports under here from now on.
Those Christians, preachers alike, who love to tolerate, refusing to
judge which is sinful, deeply believe that they are as loving and as
accepting as Jesus Christ.
So let's see:
When Jesus accept sinners, they turn good and want to be holy before God.
When these accept sinners, they continue sinning even more and want to party before God.
(Hmmm...Doesn't this sound like Matthew 23:15?)
Need I say more?
By keeping a simple prayer list about people I know with names on a paper, in the order of importance, I realize that I have to frequently update the names, remove some, add some, swap some.
It appears that this has been practised in hospitals but for certain organs, such as kidneys, there are statistical concerns.
A Christian should seek after authority. Not in greed. But in obedience to God.
Therefore, this authority is distinctly different in every individual.
For some, the authority to be a good husband, and some, good wives, good masters, good servants, good manager of homes, of environment, of organizations, good teachers, good parenthood, good leaders, etc.
And when we have obtained such authority, we must remind ourselves that this is not the authority for us, it is the authority given us to honor our Creator, ultimately pointing to the authority of Christ our Lord. One which we will be held accountable for.
On Non-Denomination:
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Regarding the use of "non-denominational" title, I believe at least they would have the opportunity to think twice when cults start make use of such terminology.
Prayer on Time Management:
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Oh Lord, the more I study your word, I realize the more time I will need. And lately, I haven't been making wise use of my time. A disciplinary problem. One which I believe there is no further calling necessary from you. Lord, let it be your word that I seek, let me also be wise enough to manage my time for what you have written in nature as well. Let me seek after your countenance instead of acts of servitude. But for your name's sake, please make me your good vessel, your holy sacrifice, to follow the path of righteousness. In the name of my merciful Lord, my Savior, Amen.
Job 1:21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."
Job 1:21 说：「我赤身出於母胎，也必赤身归回；赏赐的是耶和华，收取的也是耶和华。耶和华的名是应当称颂的。」
Those that God has promised, we know God is faithful.
However, we know all are created by God, therefore, He has sovereignty over all.
We know we are not perfect and it is only in Christ that we know the way to perfection. And through Christ, we are perfected.
With this basis, I believe one can discern those who love to commend or compliment people.
There are two kinds:
1. Those who do it for they truly saw God's glory.
2. Those who do it for the purpose of being hypocrites.
One should know the worth of oneself. However, when receiving positives or negatives from outside, it may be hard to discern the intention of others.
Perhaps this rule of thumb could be helpful:
A true compliment is proportional to a true criticism
Therefore, one must be careful of those who only love to compliment and never criticize. For these are very slick at using people.
And secondly, be watchful of those who love to compliment but always make false criticism.
And thirdly, of those who love to make false compliment but true criticism.
Beware of them, for the second and third groups are the jealous types.
Last but not least, be watchful of those who make false compliment and false criticism all the time, for they have no respect for themselves in the first place and therefore the respect they speak of is vain.
