My Journal

Chinese Version:

Tong shared when he was a young preacher, he was kicked out from a Roman Catholic hospital, out from atheistic school, etc.

What is Jesus' new name? Tong thought long time until the night before at 2am. His new name is in Rev. 19:16 - 万王之王，万主之主。

Indonesian Version:

Only two churches without the "repent" order: Smyrna & Philadelphia.

v. 7 Pertaining to David: One who knows God's own heart.

on keeping an open door - The church that is very accessible to anyone, like GRII, via streaming. I am reminded of Merf, the church though reformed in focus, but yet I've gotten kicked out from their forums twice, possibly for not being member, if not something worse. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now, since Pastor Murphy once had a meeting on evangelizing the neighborhood, I just don't know how far they took this crucial mission.

Where is the oldest church building in Indonesia? In Jakarta, I got this one, the Emmanuel Church.

A few weeks Isaiah 52:7 mentioned, regarding how beautiful are the feet of preachers.

v.9 On distinguishing the truth. 500 years ago, Europeans tricked the Africans for their diamonds with colored glass trading. Those who strive for God in truth vs. the rest, who would eventually bow down, conquered by the ones loved by God.

My note: the importance of seeking God's love. This does not show that God unfairly plays favoritism, but to show that who truly not care of seeking God.

v. 11 reminds me of the man of God vs. the lying prophet in 1 Kings 13. The importance of our self stand before God, not relying on others. Lest they seize my crown. Rev. Laura Lin loves to say "God will remember your work, etc.", it is not her place to speak such blasphemy, one must beware not to fall for it. For it is God who judges, we are but unworthy servant, we have only done what was our duty (Luke 17:10), and with joy and pleasure, definitely, contrary to Laura Lin's serving with burden and sorrow as a principle.

Criticism on Tim Keller: Not taking opportunity to seize land for church/God's ministries. I wish I could tell Tong, "Do you know, the American/Western Ecclesiology has mutated to a point they think they are evolved if they add a new role to church minister, the pastoral trainer, a role that is the next promotion of a pastor. This role only cares about counselling young pastors and nothing else."

v. 12 What is Christ's new name.

Made Moroccan Boneless Leg of Lamb today (5/31) Sunday, Gordon Ramsay style. It's ok for me. Learned to make gravy (brown sauce) bought from Walmart (but not part of Gordon's recipe). Supposed to be made for Easter. Learned to make the vinaigrette lemon sauce. Apparently, Gordon's crazy about using olive oil in this one. I had only Avocado oil on my hand. I mistook the oven heat to be 400 degree, but realized it was supposed to be 300 degree after 10 minutes in. So the meat is medium well to well done. Sort of. I prefer medium rare.

https://bistro164.blogspot.com/2017/01/gordon-ramsays-moroccan-spiced-boneless.html

Exploding weed seeds: Secret = Slap Bracelets! I need to find time in the backyard looking for these. Not even aware of such weeds, but I think I've seen these everywhere, just not aware of their "exploding" ability.

When I thought that I could handle piloting in a jet, I could be wrong, as I would not be aware of the imbalance between the sight and what my internal biological instruments are sensing at such altitude as well as speed.

Not perpetual motion, but the idea of maximizing the source of energy to a point even Physics professors won't believe it, hence "magic". Here's how not to use wind as sail to the propellers, but to turn the propellers into a fan from the wheels to generate push.

Stephen Tong's "support" in U.S.A. seems to be rather small or none in existence anymore. Before it was Jahja Ling, but what happened? Don't know. David Tong was leading the Boston or Pennsylvania group, I think, now, don't know. It looks like their sojourns have all ended in U.S.A. when they achieved their ultimate goal of a good life or at least to get the Citizenship/Greencard benefit, and now they instead of conquering for God in this country, they all cabut back to Indonesia, or at least spend most of their time and energy there, where they call home. So when these names came up, I shouldn't think of them as Christians who serve in U.S.A. despite what they are doing here in U.S.A., if they do. I just simply think of the symbol "?".

When you (usually Western reformed theologians) talk too much about theories, formulations from your thinking, without examples, things get very confusion. Then it's better to just be a mathematician...a theoretical one. I noticed that many Pentecostal preachers were able to get their points across to the crowd, be it good or bad points, because they give very clear examples and illustrations. The reformed preachers, fearing that their examples would be generalized or misinterpreted or absolutized or abused, forbid themselves to share much examples, but then they are absolutizing their words, their definitions, their language.

If one cannot love the closer things of God (i.e. Scripture, theology, etc.) more than the further things (i.e. vacation destinations, self-indulgences), then one does not mean it, when one says "I love God".

Hari Pentacosta

Indonesian Version:

Pembacaan Alkitab: Yohanes 14:15-19

It appeared that Tong was referring to Ravi Zacharias, about not following problem preachers, but the name is not mentioned.

To the thief on the cross, Christ said not that day, but TODAY, not remember, but to SAVE. Luke 23:43

Test the Spirit of truth 1 John 4:1

Chinese Version:

Hiatus on the 7 churches of Revelation.
五旬节，即基督教的圣灵降临日

Tong focused on the conversion of the crucifix thief. How great his faith is. The first to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Why Jesus said "do not touch me" because he has yet gone to the Father? Because it shows that we can no longer hold him, delay him. John 20:17

Thus, Parakletos comes. Anyone else better? Greater comforter? Greater helper? Greater leader?

How the Holy Spirit lead us? The Spirit of Truth, by God's word, by the truth.

Post sermon, Tong shared of their plan to drive to Semarang for the open ceremony of the church there, also, briefly mentioned the success of other branches in Solo, etc.

Alex Tseng vs. David Tong: Theologically and character-wise, David's on the conservative side; Alex is not, though he may try pretend to be. Evangelically, Alex is more open than David in engaging the culture; while David maybe more evangelical than Alex, but he does not make enough external contacts himself to be effective, perhaps due to fear and a protected upbringing, so he substitutes this with hard labor (i.e. driving here and there tirelessly to serve), which I consider maybe of the influence of the Uzzah's ministry employed by Rev. Laura Lin who probably got it from Bill Gothard.

Got a clip of David Tong's speech on Marriage on Facebook, where he mentioned about needing to host marriage ceremony in the church. I agree. Although, we may differ in the reason for it. For David, he focused on the attendees who would be the congregants, the fellowship of brothers and sisters; I however, focus on the covenant with God, the importance of the House of God, which inevitably connects to the fellowship of believers. In David's reasoning, if you marry in Bali, then you are more into inviting your friends and family rather than your church members. Therefore, his reasoning is flawed. Of course, David and I probably both agree on disagreeing with Alex, who married in Bali and even attempted to defend it by saying that the likes of us would be practicing Roman Catholicism, making marriage a sacrament. I can respond to this very easily, if it's a sacrament, then lots of married couples who converted would need to redo their ceremonies, therefore we don't treat marriage as a sacrament. But as a covenant that is serious before God in time and place and people.