What's Happening until Now

The America First caucus - is what many so called Far-Right, conservative, Republicans are trying to form/join. It's for upholding the white Anglo-Saxon tradition in America and putting heavy restrictions on immigrations. This reminds me of Malaysia's Hak Keistimewaan for orang Melayu. I sure am curious how this will play out should they win. But even former House Speaker John Boehner (Republican) criticized against it. I wouldn't be surprised many of the ones I have come to know in America as Christians would support it. Of course, I'm not talking about U.S. immigrants. At this point, America's diversity is strong enough to deflect this kind of idea, even though I welcome them to form it, because I'm sure they won't get much support, as long as the people are smart enough to see where it is leading. These people I'm referring to are obviously not the minority of nonchalant low IQ type who wouldn't even know when they are being criticized.

Derek Chauvin's verdict: guilty on 3 counts. I could only base my opinion from experts like Ben Shapiro. I'm not going to study this myself. It sounds to me that Chauvin's verdict is ridiculous in that at most, he's guilty only on one count: 2nd degree manslaughter. 2nd degree murder (non-premeditated intent to murder) is debatable, but 3rd degree murder (depraved-heart murder), which is not used in most states, shouldn't be on the docket as Shapiro puts it. It's the kind of charge against someone who intent to cause harm but there's no specific target. So while there's no looting, I think the BLM celebrations are still a sign of showing off of BLM or post-modernist superiority and dictatorship. They ran the street yesterday on 34th street as I was going home from work, though appear to be harmless. I love Greg Gutfeld's (of Fox News) remark: That he was happy that the trial found Chauvin guilty on all 3 charges, EVEN IF he wasn't guilty on all 3. It's witty and gutsy. I had to read the articles carefully just to be sure I was on the same page as him, because very few people would be smart and brave enough to come up with this kind of sarcasm. Most liberals would jump on "YES" at the first part of his statement, but after listening to his 2nd part, they all suddenly cringed...HaHaHa! Why? Because if they agree completely, that means they would have to admit the unspoken truth Gutfeld was delivering: That the court is a circus. The Jury may very well be intimidated by the threat of looting and therefore be responsible for the country going up in flames. The court does not look at the evidence, making rash decision like this in matter of a few weeks. Even Ben Shapiro could predict the outcome seeing such quick conclusion for the verdict.

On the side note, Derek's tax evasion and complaints of his aggressions have also been dug up. His wife filed for divorce just after the murder. Interestingly, his wife is of Asian descent, Hmong people, from Laos. My quick summary is that Kellie Chauvin's bio tells me that she's likely just looking for better life herself, if there's nothing fishy behind their divorce. However, I wouldn't dismiss possible hardship she has struggled in her life, I had hoped that she would stay in the marriage to support her husband. But then of course, I don't know the Chauvins, how's Derek's character.

The victims of racism think the result of this case gave them comfort somehow. However, I think they are greatly erred. Yes, racism exists, but this may be far from it. If they want to see justice against racism, maybe try moving to Utah or any white people populated area and see how the challenge will be. Now I better not cross a line here, for I would be committing the sin of Balaam. The fine line between love for the children of God and pleasure for wickedness must be drawn here. This is a caution, that perhaps the worst has yet to come. There may be a great civil battle coming in USA.

I noticed that the region of China along Northern India (Mainly North-Eastern along the Brahmaputra river), Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan & Tajikistan, must have some very good weather areas that are not too hot or not too cold year round. These would be around the valleys surrounding the Himalayans. Because the mountains are always super cold, but when descending to the foot, the temperature would have to drop to the tropical zone, so somewhere in between must be like paradise. Oh well, I'll leave this as a question for my future self to explore further.

What happens when children of great men cannot live up to their fathers' standards or fame? They sell their fathers' books to survive.

I noticed a lot of new generation (around my generation and younger) preachers/preacher-denier-wannabe (such as Alex) are only good at disseminating information rather than coming up with real original work of their own. Praising others rather than doing a project of their own. They would probably call it...humility or standing on the shoulders of giants.

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Vocab: Imperious

Kathy’s Word of the Week

Weekly Brain Food brought to you by our CHRO

imperious

Pronunciation:
im-peer-ee-uhs

Definition:
overbearing

As used in a sentence:
The emergency room doctor was an imperious man who got angry if his instructions were not followed immediately.

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Sermon - Stephen Tong Sunday Service 04/18/2021 Rev 2:18-29

Votum: Yohanes 10:11a, 27-28a

Hymn #1: Kristuslah Batu Penjuru (Christ is Made Sure Foundation) by Joachim Neander, Latin Hymn 9th C.

Hymn #2: 'Ku Bertemu Yesus Sobatku (Saved! Saved!) by Jack P. Scholfield

Pembacaan Alkitab: Yohanes 10:11-16

Hymn #3: Pakailah Waktumu (Take Time to Be Holy) by William D. Longstaff, George C. Stebbins

4th Church, Thyatira, the longest message. Of 7 churches, 5 received warning: Repent.

Unlike today's church leaders/servants, who compromise with today's politics, Elijah did not.

Like Elijah running away from Jezebel, many pastors after achieving success, fall.

Many churches in America are closing due to false teaching, chasing after liberalism.

Liberal churches never really bear any fruits. Like harlots who become barren due to too many sexual malpractices.

American Presbyterian churches in this past 100 years, have lost 2 million members due to the church's pursuit of liberalism.

Hymn #4: Tuntun Aku, Tuhan Allah (Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah) by William Williams, John Huges.

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Vocab: Allodoxaphobia

Fear of other people's opinions

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What's Happening So far

Reflecting on Legalism - Most Christians commit legalism without even realizing or in denial. When you fall into legalism, you are actually declaring that you are worshipping a limited God.

Gardening: From MiddlesexCountyNJ.Gov, listened to composting lecture today, but I stupidly hit "Abort" instead of "Stop" when it's done, thereby losing 1:30 hour worth of video. There should be recordings of all their videos here: https://tinyurl.com/rcevids

On Captain America: They had done it with Superman, the supposedly American Hero, but they worshipped and trampled on their own god, not by Kryptonite, but by Lois Lane, in various versions - from Lex Luther's involvement to her death. For now, they are leaving Steve Rogers alone, in the new series of The Falcon and the Winter Soldiers by Disney, who bought MARVEL in 2009 for $4 billions, Rogers' replaced by John Walker, a soldier trying to do the right thing, the only difference, no, not the lack of Rogers' supernatural strength, but the struggling of self identity, self dignity. Rogers didn't came from a comfortable background either, so there's not much use blaming in Walker's upbringing, if there's any hardship. They had to use the Afghanistan war as an excuse of Walker's mishap. Abraham Cho of Redeemer loved the contrast, but what he failed:

John Walker: "I don't care what anyone says, I know I'm right. I am Captain America after all. I will not allow any government to tell me what I can or cannot to do because they cannot be trusted. Only I can be trusted. I will not submit to accountability because they are wrong. Instead I will do whatever it takes to be true to my best friend.
"Us: "Ugh, he's the worst!"
Steve Rogers: "I don't care what anyone says, I know I'm right. I am Captain America after all. I will not allow any government to tell me what I can or cannot to do because they cannot be trusted. Only I can be trusted. I will not submit to accountability because they are wrong. Instead I will do whatever it takes to be true to my best friend.
"Us: "Yay, he's the best!" ~ Abraham Cho Facebook Friday, 4/16/2021 7:56pm

was that Rogers possessed a very selfless goal in everything he does, minus the part where he hooked up with his love Peggy Carter, in which case, he's out of the game, once he put himself in the picture, thereby, avoiding all collateral damages deep enough for him to care about. Walker wanted to follow the same heroic path, but his dignity was overwhelmed by failures and he gave up. Rogers did not have any role model to follow, there's no destroying his dignity as he's given it up for others. Thus, such selfless act is precious, you cannot tarnish it. Now my question would be, if everyone's a Steve Rogers, then who do we help? Each other? Then it is ultimately who we serve. Rogers serves something unknown, you may call it God, America, the people, as long as he avoids involving his pride and dignity in it, he'll probably be fine, but it's heading towards vanity. It's there, the Buddhist denied it, the one Whom we all serve.

Posted in Botany, Faults, Theologization | Leave a comment

What's Happening so far

How to remove grass for garden bed? Sod-Cutter:

I've doing it the hard way...using a farmer's fork. Very tiresome. I may not be able to afford this Sod-cutter but there are other tools like a sod knife, etc. Principle's the same, cut the perimeter of the lawn to be removed to certain depth and removal should be easy.

Too Good to Go: So there's this new app I've been using for a couple of weeks now. But actually, just 3 times among 2 restaurants so far. It's a good idea, I think I may have thought of it before. Restaurants, food shops, especially in America, love to throw away their left overs, and they are a lot, fresh too. So the goal of the app is to help them make some $ out of it at cheap price. I tried first Delmonico Gourmet Food, at 375 Lexington Ave., not bad, for $6, the staff picked the buffet meal for me, I think I could insist on my choices, but I was easy. The second restaurant was New Open Kitchen, which I loved it at first...went a second time, but the third...bad. The first two times, I was allowed to go pick the buffet myself. Food's not bad as well. But on the third time, they prepacked the food for us, I would rate it lower than even Delmonico. But I think they were cheaping out on my...all of them, both restaurants. Because it's supposed to be of $18 value. Time to look for another restaurant, or delete this app.

The Legacy Standard Bible, from John MacArthur's group. It is supposed to be very literally translated from the original text: i.e. YHWH will not be translated as LORD, all doulos will be translated as slave. There are discussions on PuritanBoard, 2, 3. Some said it's unnecessary, etc. To me, it's just a quick reference, especially for those who don't want to take the time to study/refer to Hebrew/Greek text. I would add it to my E-Sword if there's a module.

Listened to the latest William Lane Craig's Podcast, again with the Middle Knowledge. The methods not the means to believe, but are decorative backgrounds for believe as means to His glory. So God does not need to setup a situation for a person of His "elect" whereby he will come to faith on his on volition. Let's say there are two identical situations where by two people are given the same upbringing, mindset and environmental background, WLC's Middle Knowledge is going to cast the same result for both of them. Not true, God could just elect and and not the other, because it's not about fairness, it's not about options, but the act of the Spirit upon the dead soul.

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Comparison Chart of the 7 Churches in Revelation

Seven churches of Asia - Wikipedia
Source: Wikipedia

ESV:

Rev 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
Rev 2:2 "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
Rev 2:3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary
.
Rev 2:4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Rev 2:6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

Rev 2:8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
Rev 2:9 "'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Rev 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Rev 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'

Rev 2:12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
Rev 2:13 "'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
Rev 2:15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Rev 2:16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
Rev 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'

Rev 2:18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
Rev 2:19 "'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
Rev 2:20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
Rev 2:21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality
.
Rev 2:22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,
Rev 2:23
and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
Rev 2:24
But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.
Rev 2:25 Only hold fast what you have until I come.
Rev 2:26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end,
to him I will give authority over the nations,
Rev 2:27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.
Rev 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.

Rev 2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

Rev 3:1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
Rev 3:2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.
Rev 3:3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
Rev 3:4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
Rev 3:5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
Rev 3:6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

Rev 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
Rev 3:8 "'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.
Rev 3:10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
Rev 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
Rev 3:12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
Rev 3:13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

Rev 3:14 "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
Rev 3:15 "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Rev 3:17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
Rev 3:19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Rev 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

Resources:
https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/revelation/seven-churches-of-revelation/pergamos/

Posted in Geography, Projects, Theologization | 1 Comment

Sermon - Stephen Tong Sunday Service 04/11/2021 Rev 2:12-17

Votum

1 Petrus 1:3

Hymn #1: Puji Hu! (Thanks to God) by Charles

Hymn #2: Ku Giranglah, Jesus Cinta 'Ku (Jesus Loves Even Me) by Philip P. Bliss

Pembacaan Alkitab: Yohanes 20:19-29

Hymn #3: 'Ku Datang Tuhan (I Hear Thy Welcome Voice) by Lewis Hartsough

I shall start a chart on the 7 churches, which are evidence also today.

Tong: Beware of preachers who do not look after the poor.

Why God allowed Israelites to fail to Balaam's trick. The sin is from self. Musuh di geraja di dalam gereja.

Don't count on your ancestry for God's blessings.

Don't be like Thomas, who failed to come to church.

Those who believe without miracles, greatest blessing (First class Christians). Those who believe via miracles = secondary blessing (Second class Christians).

v. 17: new names on the white stone: Jacob becomes Israel, Simon becomes Peter.

"I only know I am Stephen Tong today, one day, God will himself tell me what my name is. I await that day." We are in the process of the journey.

Hymn #4: Siapa Ikut Tuhan (Who is on the Lord's Side) by Frances Havergal

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Microsoft Word Add-in keeps referring to a network drive: Old Letterhead Wizard case

So we don't use that anymore at SPG. I upgraded the Letterhead Wizard to use the new javascript add-in instead of the old VB script done by someone predates even Al, I think. However, those lingering with the 32bit VB script in their Word would get disrupted every time they open Word with the pop up saying the Letterhead Wizard add-on shortcut cannot be found.

I tried removing the Normal Template from: AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates, but that won't do. Not even going into Word > Options > Add-in > remove all letterhead related matters.

The solution is to delete this shortcut in:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP

delete the shortcut file Letterheadwizard.lnk and voila!

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Church Terms: Steeples, Manse

Church steeples are fashioned after military watchtowers starting AD 600. It appears that lots of OPC churches are structured with a steeple. Steeples are usually enclosure (belfry) for bells, a fashion adapted by Islam's minarets. A steeple could contain a lantern section between the spire and belfry.

Some churches have little or big cross on the spire (sharp pointy top part) of the steeple. The Mormons usually place a stature of their angel Moroni on it.

It's mainly a symbolic display of heaven pointing significance after the tradition of European and mainly British church architecture custom.

The OPC churches call what others refer to clergy house as manse. More commonly known as rectory elsewhere.

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