I see lots of Christians, very enthusiastic, very caring. But how should we learn so that we serve and care for those who are in need of it. How can we be truthful enough to see it? So that we are sensitive enough to serve those who do not appear to be in need; and sensitive enough to guide and rebuke those who appear to be in need towards the right path.
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Sometimes new hard drives connected to USB enclosure won't show up in window explorer even after it's been detected. This is because it has not been initialized and formated right.
To do that: Right click My Computer -> Manager -> Disk Management -> (in lower right corner) look for the new drive, be certain, and right click on it to initialize/format. Wait until the formating is done.
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I recently learned of a new Chinese Input System called Sogou， 搜狗输入法.
I was chatting with someone from China and asked him what input method he was using because I was going crazy using the slow Microsoft PinYin Method. It's is especially for those who knew only PinYin. Very fast, very convenient.
It's phrase recognition is especially impressive.
Not only that, I can have a free SOGOU account online so that new phrases I created are stored virtually on any computer I have SOGOU on.
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When we stood on the pulpit and Preach a Sermon. We Preach so that it profits the congregation's lives in response to God; not to show off what speakers we are.[@more@]
Last Sunday, I took the liberty of a nice early morning to visit a huguenot church on Staten Island, Reformed Church of Huguenot Park, It was a disappointment. They are looking for a pastor, so they had to invite guest speakers. One of the lady there, Carol, who's supposedly to know more about the church history than others, doesn't seem to grasp the real essence of Reformed church.
When I asked her about the history of the huguenot community on Staten Island, she told me she doesn't know much except that there are carvings on the walls in the sanctuary honoring the memories of some of the huguenots who came to this island. And when I inquired about how that church was influenced by the huguenots, or whether there's any other shred of huguenots evidence in the church, she assumed I understood that all reformers are huguenots and presuming that I did not know enough about the reformed movement by asking me to check out the history RCA website. She mistook the fact that I wasn't asking about reformed history, nor huguenot history, but merely the huguenot influences in where she has been worshiping every Sunday. A place where not just a park, but even a town and a street were named after huguenots.
Not only so, her understanding of huguenot history was erred. I had to give a brief couple sentences on the history of the reformed movement to correct her misunderstanding of the reformed history. She thought the reformed movement happened independently with some amazingly coincidental timing in different countries and that not all Huguenots are Reformers. She also thought that the Walloons (ethnic group in Belgium) means Huguenots. I do not know what her definition of huguenots are. Moreover, her understanding of the reformed movement was erred too. Something similar I have seen in another american reformed church. Where the elder ladies seem to treasure catholic tradition more than God's words. Which was why the pastor of the other church left. I realized there could be a common misconception of their doctrine after listening to her. The term "catholic" of "Holy Catholic Church" in the Apostles' Creed does not mean the Roman Catholic church. In fact it has nothing to do with the Roman Catholic church at all. The word "Catholic" comes from Greek, meaning "Universal". For all churches are the same body of Christ, in spite of the different denominations we see.
Another common thing they had was racism. She told me there used to be a Taiwanese Reformed church renting their space, but when the church grew, it moved out for a new place. She commented that they were "newly converts", because the gospel was preached to the Chinese later than the Europeans. I wished to reply:" Newly converts? Like your daughter-in-law?" who is a Filipino. But I realized it would only waste my time. I was reminded by a seminary lecture I once attended:"The western christians love to send missionaries out to other countries, they are still dreaming, we should start sending missionaries back to this fallen, full of immorality and unethical nation."
Overall, I was disappointed to see how the town having the huguenots name yet found little or not of its reformed influence in the community today.
I loved the architecture however. It was built in a way to remember the secret hideouts of the Huguenots for meeting in France during the persecution. Perhaps the only thing I should be grateful for this lady for sharing this to me. And I also loved the service, the hymnals sung. Unlike many Chinese Reformed churches I've seen here that have thrown away the good old classic hymnals and replacing them with Hong Kong Taiwanese pop style garbage musics.
After that, I visited Great Kills Park. View wasn't that great. Very dull beach, nothing else to see. Perhaps a good, relatively open and remote place for stargazing at night.
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I remember a friend of mine once mentioned that avocados are bad for health for it is high in cholesterol. I also remember I once heard that Japanese researchers have took the advantage of avocados to refine oil with lower cholesterol compare to olives. As to whether this is attributed to the Japanese, I do not know.
One must know that cholesterol and fat are two different thing.
According to recent report, seen in many sites such as: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/avocado-advantage
In fact the monounsaturated fat found in avocados lowers cholesterol level in our bodies.
Unlike Saturated Fats, monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are not harmful to our health.
Avocados have zero cholesterol.
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Two days ago, I went to this fellowship. There were plenty of discussions. Very talkative people. I basically stayed silent the whole time. If people like to talk, I like to listen.
Nonetheless, there were a few subjects brought up that I should have voiced. I could pray for God's mercy so that I could diligently cling to His words and grow in grace and knowledge.
On the interpretation of 1Corinthians 6:7, a sister used it to show that among Christians, we should be willing to take the wrong instead of quarreling. I didn't have much objection on her interpretation until another guy objected saying that sometimes when we are to stand for truth, we cannot use this verse. I am not against his argument on standing for the truth, but his latter phrase.
If there is a condition that cause us not to follow a certain word of God, then that shows that God's words are fallible. Nay, there is only one possibility, that God's words have been misinterpreted.
First of all, the verse refers to Christians among Christians, Secondly, the verse has implied that there is at least one at fault, why can't one admit his fault instead of finding faults in others to justify his own. And why can't Christians testify for the authority of Christ instead of giving such authority to pagan courts.
Then there's someone mentioning Billy Graham's comment on the 9/11/2001 incident, that it was God's punishment. To my knowledge, if Billy Graham had said this 50 years ago, I would have believed it. It was Anne Graham who said such thing. She wasn't to first to have such concern, President Abraham Lincoln had made similar statement and commanded the whole nation to fast on April 30th, 1863.
Overall, the atmosphere was very lovely, friendly faces of children of God. By merely listening, I could do more than by talking. If I have some more serious criticism, it would be the same criticism I have been sorrowed by many fellowships: That the church should have at least someone who's theologically trained to lead the group, if not the pastor. Instead of people taking turns, discussion serious matters that were already solved in Christian history.
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In 25th November 1544, John Calvin wrote to Bullinger, despite their disagreement with Martin Luther:
"I often say that even if he should call me a devil, I should still pay him the honor of acknowledging him as an illustrious servant of God, who yet as he is rich in virtues, so also labors under serious faults..." pg. 33
This is from a book, "Old Protestantism and the New" by Brian Gerrish I have recently came across on google books as I was researching on Calvin's relationship with Luther. This quote is something I have heard from Dr. Tong's lecture but was uncertain of its authenticity until now.
I would like to add that here, no doubt, Calvin expressed his respect for Martin Luther in the utmost sincerity. Not too long ago, I heard arguments from a lady at church regarding her definition of "respect". An erroneous philosophy I have longed been aware of. As I observed her practice of respect in public towards Pastor Chen with smile and hypocritical statement, even though she actually hated him due to certain dissatisfaction, I learned that sometimes, we can actually tell if a person is truly respecting or not by listening to their vocal tone, I could hear herself shivering as she tried to show respect to the pastor. Nonetheless, she understood enough to acknowledge we must act in sincerity. Despite her counselor telling me that she has a psychological condition called Bipolar, I find that she has great jealousy issue which she never wish to let go. Pastors and Christian Counselors these days are so taken by modern western psychology that their only solution to pertaining problems is prescribing certain dosage of medicine and try to provide her with only plenty of happy thoughts. They are like a dummy blind folded by the devil, stumbling around with a smile on the face, playing hide and seek. "Oh you feel depressed? Take medicine! Come back tomorrow, we will talk", "Oh you want to commit suicide? Did you take your medicine?". All shepherds of God must be well learned enough to know the difference between real medical problem and our human rebellious nature, for they have already been given such authority.
When we respect people, or commend anyone, we must do it in truth. I realized a few preachers and Christians alike, love to admit the truth first before they proceed with sinful statements, as if by admitting that they understood what is sinful, their proceeding actions would not have to be judged. For example, "I am not judging you, but you must...bla bla", "We are not saying that other religions are wrong, but...bla bla bla", "Gambling is wrong, but you will be forgiven if you give 10 percent of your winnings". And as for this lady, as well as many other young women I've noticed, when defining attitude towards "respect", it is rather hypocritical for they tolerated "white lies, telling a lie for the benefit of others", of course, there are many male politicians and businessman practicing this as well. The anthropocentric principle of "respecting each other" is not biblical. If we don't have respect for a person, we do not need to squeeze out this hypocrisy, not all of us are Hollywood actors. These people love their hypocrisy because they do not believe that others were able to judge their honesty. She often like to ask:"How do you know if I were so and so...". Even the Pharisees never dare tested Jesus this way, for they were convicted by their conscience. She even dares to go as bold as to saying, "if God does not forgive, why should we repent?", so she loves to see everyone saying sorry to each other all the time. It is nonetheless, wise and bold of Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that he told Timothy to stop the women from exercising this kind of erroneous authoritative teaching in public.
Personally, I do not believe she has the so called "Bipolar", but I believe that her counselors have undermined their given authority and tolerated her rebellious behavior and jealousy, that she has gotten worse. It wasn't easy, but I believe I have done my best to illustrate the Lordship and Sovereignty of our Lord whenever I could during Sunday School, other chats. I have also advised her counselors that they must not spoil her by undermining God's sovereignty, for if they are not careful, they will give Satan the opportunity to destroy all the hard works they have labored for this lady.
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As I begin my getting to know churches in the city, where I live, many have commented that I am "church hopping" or "church shopping", but it is not so. I believe that I already have a good old home church in mind, it is a Reformed church very near where I stay. Or that my leave from CCGC was because I dislike CCGC, nay, every church has their dissensions and problems, but I have never encouraged anyone to leave a church nor have I ever leave a church because of such. I have longed treasured something Rev. Stephen Chan (陈佐人牧师）'s message during one of his Reformed seminary: "I have more respect on those who stayed in the church and aggressively but patiently and diligently fight for the Truth."
We must never damage the reputation of a church behind its back especially when we leave that church. It is very unethical. I only display the truth, but I have never condemned CCGC to hell, sure there's agony and sadness and tears, it is never possible for any physical church of God to be perfect on this Earth, for that day has yet to come. And I say "church of God" because there are indeed so called "churches" that aren't of God...such as the cult: Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons/Latter Day Saints, etc. I have always view CCGC as a church of God despite its history, for true doctrine has been established nonetheless. My pray and sorrow came from great hope that it does not part from God's Word. If it is insisted that I must compare to other churches, CCGC is a Chinese student ministry based church, as a church, its pastor has double burden (church and students) with low pay if compared to other churches. This is never easy. God has different visions for different churches and pastors. If other churches were to take upon the task of CCGC, base on what I see, I doubt they would be any better than CCGC unless it is God's will. CCGC is like a maternity ward, many children of God seen in Chinese churches in the city were actually born in CCGC, these churches have nothing to be proud of by having these as their congregation.
My leave comes from my good use of the time God has given me. It is that simple. There are those in CCGC who cannot accept this, nonetheless, I believe I have dealt with this issue fairly, I have given enough notice, more than two weeks notice, more than three months, more than even a year, for their hearts to be prepared. When it has come to the level where the need of my presence in a church is greater than the need of Christ, it is God's job, not mine. For my time to pastor a church has yet to come, and I have never confirmed that this is God's calling for me. I must not put my hand on God's Ark of the Covenant, even if it seems to be falling apart or seems to be needing human support.
I have never ever looked down on a church of God, even as a reformer. For even John Wesley has said:
I look on all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty, to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.
Journal (11 June 1739)
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