Am I Smart?

Posted on May 9, 2008 by timlyg

No, I am not smart. But it's just that there are many who are dumber.

Remarkable indeed. Because Paul taught us to be "in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself" (Philippians 2:3). The more I wish others to be better, the worse they appear. The worse I see in them, the more the temptation to look down on them. A great lesson indeed. But this I know, if one can truly and constantly count others better than himself, long suffering awaits him. And the more he counts other better, the more he understood God's grace.

The degree of wisdom is proportional to those who earnestly seek after the truth which is in our Lord and Savior.

There are many who are lazy and therefore giving up seeking with the excuse of humility. True, there are those who are truly humble as being the least, but many aren't. Many fear embarrassment, failure and shame so they use such humble excuse. These are those who usually display attitude problems. Because on hand, they are expected to be wise, on the other hand, they do not wish to take the hard road to be wise, rather, they took the easy road to "God's approval": "Humility". One main problem is people often misuse terminologies and refuse to be corrected. To clear the confusion, Jesus said: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21), and Jesus would reply: I never knew you.

When we make mistakes, or when we are laughed at, criticized at, mocked, scorned, first, we check ourselves. If we are truly at fault, why the need to deny the ability to perfect ourselves? Does not the Holy Spirit work in all His Saints?

A wise man once said, A holy person is not one without sin; A holy person is one who has high sensitivity to the littlest of iniquity. 

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Prophecy

Posted on May 7, 2008 by timlyg

I'm not claiming to be a prophet, but this is what I believe will happen, based on evidence seen here and there.

Churches on Earth in the future will look not like churches at all. In fact, it would be like the day of Babel. Where people united in peace, believing that they have achieved unity. The focus on God would be gradually diminished.

These things happen, so that God's true children will be identified in a seemingly all peaceful world, from the seemingly faithful children of God.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field;
The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls. (Matthew 13)

Who is worthy of God's grace? But those whom God has truly cleansed.

Be merciful upon my soul, Father. Do not leave me until you have bestowed eternal grace upon me, until you have blessed me. Teach me, Rebuke me, Instruct me.  You are my salvation, your blood is my new life, my sacrifice. Bless the preachers, bless the pastors, bless Your churches in the world. Amen.
 

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Enigma Between Rev. （陈锋卿) David Chen and Rev. Stephen Tong Resolved

Posted on May 7, 2008 by timlyg

After a year, this unseemly mystery has been resolved.

I had not known Rev. David Chen's departure from STEMI (Stephen Tong Evangelistic Ministries International) was due to his disagreement with the rules of the ministry.

I have gotten hints here and there, which led me to often wonder, had I given too much trust to David Chen, simply because he's a pastor, or that he was once co-worker STEMI or since pastors like Rev. Su and Serena Lin have recommended him.

Rev. David Chen initially claimed that his departure was due to his health, when interviewed for CCGC pastoral position. However, it was obvious that health wasn't his main issue for resigning from STEMI, because he loved to travel here and there, even to Taiwan, for his own ministries. Moreover, he loved eating junk foods against doctor's order.

Soon, if one were to listen attentively to his sermon, one could tell his current family condition as he had grumbled about his wife more than once on the pulpit. This is the second pastor after Rev. Chen Chi, I've personally witnessed using the pulpit of God to complain about his personal issues, abusing such authority for his own satisfaction. One time, he complained that his wife didn't wish him to interrupt her devotional time and prayer.

Despite one's adulterous past, Rev. David Chen had seemed to have given up, attending only to the superficial matters of his family and marriage. I sometimes wonder what is my role here? What should I say to a pastor who pretends to be humble on the surface while expect others to treat him with respect underneath. Who counseled him before? Who were his so called spiritual friends? Are they truly his friends? I am most pessimistic with christian psychology in the west.

After comparing notes from both direct opposite sources, I have concluded Rev. David Chen is at fault. Not STEMI. Their main difference is that Rev. Chen believe that his "support" in advertising STEMI should be respected to some degree, this "support", Rev. Tong never approved. I am sure, Rev. Chen was dead sure that his "support" is faultless. I have always wondered where these people are...Uzzah, Peter right before he was rebuked by our Lord, and perhaps even Judah who's probably hoping for a win win situation when he betrayed Jesus.

These supporters are lovers of money and fame and crowds that love them. The more they pretend not having these trade, just shows that the more reformed seminary courses they have taken. It doesn't necessary mean that's their true face. Jesus had prophesied them as those who would call, Lord, Lord...and He would respond, I do not know you.

To them, as long as there's support of any form, it is good before God. How should I put it...it is like a supply soldier who doesn't know the difference of front line and went serving hot chocolate milk to the armies fighting in the front line (either he's really stupid or he's trying to be cute). This kind of soldier should be struck to the graveyard before the battle even begins, lest the whole state of the army be in chaos.

We listen to God first, then we serve. It is not the other way around.

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Adultery

Posted on May 7, 2008 by timlyg

It is my opinion that all Western/American culture influenced civilizations have high rate of adultery.

Therefore, it is also my opinion that Taiwanese males have high tendency of committing adultery than most other asian cultures.

Personally, I believe it is their misuse of the concept of girlfriend, boyfriend. In a way, they have treated such as an excuse from marriage. In THEIR christianity, as long as boyfriend girlfriend don't share the same house before marriage, and of course, no sex, everything else is accepted.

To correct such, I would say, one's motive must be towards marriage, no matter how you treat your boyfriend girlfriend relationship. And be honest, so that you won't fool around. All these are Biblical stated, and I'm sure many of those "adulterer" christians would concur. Unfortunately, they only know the talk, but they can't do the walk.

Am I really being too critical? Do I judge too harshly? Nay, the news everywhere speak for itself. I'm just reporting the facts.

Perhaps this is why so many Taiwanese girls find their Taiwanese males unworthy. So they indulge their curiosity somewhere else...Hollywood perhaps...hence, the westerners. Oh, don't get me wrong, I love mix relationship. After all, isn't our great ancestor, Noah, the source of all races? Nonetheless, how many failed marriages you see from these? American culture? Taiwanese culture? Really... Give me a break.

I am not claiming other cultures are better. I'm simply showing how far worse these western influenced cultures are.

As for the rest, they are no better, if Christian value is considered. For they put family before God while hypocritically praising God. Why would I say so? If one examined their Christian life from youth, actively serving, to adulthood, the expected rising enthusiasm seemed to have dropped. But I supposed it is good that this is so. For less is given, less should be expected. Had they continued to be actively serving as they were before, they may have destroyed their own family.

When one follow the reformed institute, it is a resources for one's conscience, to return to the path of our Lord. The western Christianity may seem like a giant today, but it cannot do any better but harm. 

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The Importance of Apologetics

Posted on May 6, 2008 by timlyg

I recently had a phone conversation with Rev. Serena Lin. I brought up the news where one of our church brother joined another church called United Church of Christ, UCC. She immediately accused that church to be cult. When I asked her why, she could only say that...oh...they like to brainwash people, she seems to be at lost if I interrogate any further.

I feel her apologetics is rather weak. So is many other Taiwanese American pastors. Personally I think this is due to the influence of Pentecostal movement, a little bit of new age, etc. The only conservative part that's left is their title, or their church name.

Apologetics is the defense of Christian doctrine against all kinds of misleading interpretation of the Bible. Simply saying "they are brainwashing people" is not apologetics, it's pathetic. 

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Finding Keys to CCGC's Cure

Posted on May 5, 2008 by timlyg

Of many problems, I believe the main problem in CCGC is psychology. I do not care who, which pastor or scholar holds a degree in psychology, or even if it's Ph.D. How many prisoners have the so called Ph.Ds cured? How many drug addicts have the federal centers set free? Is it not only by the power of God? And that all glory His?

When someone's emotionally hurt or seems to be so, everyone else automatically become psychologist. All these little Uzzahs, thinking that they are giving God's stumbling Ark of Covenant a hand. Hence, the authority of a church, a truly called representative of God, such as the pastor, has no simple task in this matter.

The so called Christian Psychology today I've seen and experienced, especially in the West, is that of the kind that replaces Happy Pills.

"As long as they are happy", "as long as they don't cry", ....PRAISE GOD! It works!

This kind of principle is Absolutely contrary to Biblical teaching.

If this error is to continue, perhaps it is better for the patients to take the pills. Because pills don't have to face God's judgment.

I remember a saying by Rev. Dr. Stephen Tong: "Academic study is the slave of conviction." Just because the field of psychology is in every colleges and universities, doesn't mean we should be so naive towards its credibility. Psychology is practically founded by people who do not believe men sin by nature since the fall. So today, a psychiatrist can prescribe all kinds of medicine to anyone with mood problems, emotional disorientation, etc.

So if asked, could human problems actually be SIN and therefore making sinners be accountable to God? Many so called experts would say, "No, we just haven't found a better solution/treatment for this and that, don't worry, that's why we have researches for...", "Oh...this is called Bipolar, it has nothing to do with sin", etc.

If Christian Psychologists today can easily be duped by spreadsheets of data and laboratory experiments on human behavior, failing to differentiate between mental illness and spiritual illness, then it is better they don't call themselves Christians. 

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Not Every Offering is Accepted

Posted on May 4, 2008 by timlyg

Today many find it strange or angry or jealous or regrettable if their offerings of sort are denied, rejected, refused.

For example, when they wished to sponsor someone financially for seminary, they were refused. Or when they tried to buy a church for a pastor, they were denied their offering, etc.

There is of course, not a rule set for which materials are acceptable. Nonetheless, many offered in the wrong motive. Some offered to satisfy their pride and power, some offered to fit in, some offered in order to receive praises while some others offered to show compassion.

Offering is not just acknowledging what's not ours, but the progression of our right relationship with God.

If there needs any Biblical claim to support the above, it is Cain's offering. 

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The Psychology of the Relativity of Time

Posted on May 4, 2008 by timlyg

The more things you do, the faster you feel time flies.

Thus, the sense of the speed of time is directly proportional to the number of activities in one's life. 

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Wolves Among the Sheep

Posted on May 4, 2008 by timlyg

It is the practice of today's churches, to invite wolves into their midst unaware.

A person who wishes to emphasis on human emotions, making wrong right, such as promoting jealousy within the church, should be asked...no...should be instructed to leave, if the church still has authority of Christ. Because if that is the case, Christ love that church, and therefore the congregation not be corrupted by evil.

Those who wish to be holy and those who wish to pervert are very very different categories of people.

It is unfortunate that even Seminary graduates wish to separate theology from the church. Too boring? Too headache? 

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metadatalabs.com Banned from My Site

Posted on May 3, 2008 by timlyg

After detecting this site's robot stealing valuable resources (Dr. Tong's Seminary Lectures) from my site, I have created a ban script in /usr/bin using iptables to ban Metadata Labs from my server.

My resources are free, but those that are password protected are for those who are interested in the pertaining subjects, not for you to leech and build your own database.

But this is not the point of course, there are plenty of methods to steal data. However, it is a motivation for me to start banning IPs from my server, for security reasons such as hackers, crackers, etc. There had been IPs  which I wished to ban stealing my audio files, but it was too minor for me to be eager enough to pursue this subject. I failed to realize the importance of having an easy way to ban an IP until now.

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