Today, my wife and I as usual in these past weeks, did online service via Redeemer's LSQ's online. Chuck Armstrong was the one preaching. I won't comment this time on Chuck's sermon as it's similar to the majority of Redeemer. I would add that I still think Joe Yu's foundation is firmer and has better message.
I've enjoyed their Q&R in these last 2 weeks, and have recorded them. Today, Jeff Yu answered a question (regarding his stands against "Jesus does not picket against the government") beautifully.
We visited Holmdel Park for the first time. About 10 min drive from home. Google Map shows that this park would look great in the Fall with the Fall color. It has a clean lake, which we walked around after a full meal of fried chicken from Walmart. It has a hiking trail which we didn't try but I intend to next time. Lots of families doing fishing by the lake. There's an interesting majority of Jews.
Recalling we've also visited Cheesequake Park a day before (Saturday), doing the Blue Trail (3rd longest = 2 miles). We did the shortest (Yellow), Red trail, and now the Blue one. Last one, Green Trail, will we attempt next time, as it's the last trail and the longest (3 miles).
Also recalling, about a week ago, we went to Gasko's Family Farm for the first time and bought some plants for outside our house. Joe our neighbor was right indeed, Gasko's the greatest in the area...the space is just like Costco, if not bigger.
Prior to that, probably on a Saturday (I think we visited Gasko on Sunday), we visited a new farm just slightly further than the one we checked out last year (Giamarese Farm & Orchards: for weighted strawberry & sugar pea picking). We visited the Von Thun's Country Farm this time. Bought the reservation online as it's claimed to be required on the website (not sure if that's true as I had the feeling not everyone reserved and paid online). $18 total ($6 each of 2 bucket that holds a bit more than 1 lb, $3 each for entrance). Flat fee, not weighted like Giamarese.
Now before I sleep, I listen to catch up with Dr. Tong's 5/31 Chinese sermon in GRII and here's some brief notes:
3 phases of change in convert's life:
- knowing Christ. Accepting Christ. Become spiritual. All Christians should experience this. Jesus is the Savior in one's heart, the authority of one's heart. (Christians)
- Change of life, love studying Bible, prayer. Having relationship with the Lord. (Growing Christians)
- Following reformed principle. Most Christians don't have this as they don't care too much about the truth. (Reformed Christians), a life that's in union with Christ.
- Filled with the Holy Spirit.
"The spirit is willing but not the flesh": Getting the calling of becoming a preacher vs. not actually doing it. A sign of not being filled by the Holy Spirit. ~ Tong.
Any one who doesn't focus his work/message on glorifying Jesus, is not filled by the Holy Spirit ~Tong.
Did the government shut the door of the Gospel? Not it's internal, Christians' fault for shutting their door from outside ~Tong.
A week before that, 5/24, Tong's Bahasa sermon mentioned Tim Keller, DA Carson in KL which he also attended (around January 2020). And that Tong objected to Keller and Carson's assessment that Christians can live without suffering today. Tong claimed that Keller and Carson, after listening to Tong's sermon criticizing this point, changed their teaching to adhere to Tong's "suffering is a necessity to a Christian life". The Mandarin service did not have this part about Keller in KL. I sure hope I could find that KL recording. Already emailed info@kl2020.com for possible recordings to purchase.