Friday, October 30, 2009

Week in Review 10/30/09

What Did Your Pastor Do This Week?
This week, I had the nice pleasure of sleeping Friday morning. I usually have to get up by 5:50-6:00 in the morning everyday, so it was a nice a little rest. However, he is still behind in his Hebrew class so please pray for him. Last weekend, I had the privilege of joining some leaders of SFC to discuss their winter conference. It seems like it will be a very edifying time. Please consider going! We are also going broomballing tonight with SJKPC. Looking forward to it!

I also received my laptop stand this week. I think it was a great investment. If you use a laptop regularly at home or in the office, consider getting one!

Interesting Happenings
Nothing really this week! Sorry!

Check These Links Out
Benny Hinn Interview - Interesting.
Why Was Zedekiah Roasted in the Fire? - John Piper on physical suffering in this world.
The Problem of Evil (Yes it IS a Problem) - Something to chew on by Phil Johnson.
Isn't Evolution Wonderful - Funny thoughts on evolution by Dan Phillips.
Emotivist Ethics - Phil Ryken quotes an article about the troublesome ethics of many people today.
How Willingly Do People Go to Hell? - John Piper again with some great insight.


The Ever-growing Wish List
Pilgrim's Progress - Edited by C.J. Lovik Illustrated by Matt Wimmer

Monday, October 26, 2009

Were Not Our Hearts Burning?

Luke 24:32

"They said to one another, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?"'

What can make a down heart burn with excitement and joy? The exposition of God's Word. I pray it is the experience you have every time you hear the preaching of God's Word. Let not our hearts grow so calloused that we no longer feel the awe and wonder of God's truths.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Week in Review 10/23/09

What Did Your Pastor Do This Week?
This week went by quite fast! Since my friend has been filling in for me in the pulpit, I was able to catch up with a lot of work that had been piling up. I also started playing the McDonald's monopoly game which is actually quite fun. You get to eat a lot of McDonald's as well. I didn't spend a lot of money this week which is a relief! I'm glad the outflow will stay low for awhile. So many things are coming up that I feel a bit overwhelmed. Please continue to pray that I'll be diligent and get work done. A few things coming up: SFC conference in December, Youth Gospel Trust meeting on November 2nd, exegesis project and final on first week of December, planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas events.

Interesting Happenings
One of the first graders looked at my Greek New Testament and said, "Ew, it's ugly. It's like poo." My Greek New Testament is a brown leather.

Check These Links Out
Biblos.com - A very cool Bible resource!
12 Bacon Products - I love bacon, but this seems a bit too much. The baconnaise sounds good though.
Perspectives - Video by Peacemaker Ministries. Really good. You should definitely watch it.
Stott the Prophet - Justin Taylor quotes a remark by John Stott that impresses upon you the importance of the local church in a ever growing digital culture.

The Ever-growing Wish List
If God Is Good - Randy Alcorn's book on suffering.
Counterfeit Gods - Tim Keller of Idolatry
Light All Around - Music by The Master's Chorale

Monday, October 19, 2009

By Preaching

Titus 1:1-3

"Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior"

How has the knowledge of the truth been manifested at the proper time? By the kerugmati. Or in English, "preaching" or as in the NASB "proclamation." Paul saw God's revelation as primarily being revealed through his preaching, not miracles, healings, wonders, etc. He was entrusted with the message of the Gospel. He saw his preaching ministry as a direct commission from the Lord. He was responsible for making known the mystery to the world (Ephesians 3:8-12). Do you want to know the mysteries of God, the history of redemption, the glories of heaven? Listen to preaching. It is the divinely ordained means through which men might come to a knowledge of the turth. It is no wonder why Paul would charge Timothy so solemnly to "Preach the Word" (2 Timothy 4:2).

Friday, October 16, 2009

Week in Review 10/16/09

What Did Your Pastor Do This Week?
This week was quite a lovely yet trying week. Last weekend, I had the privilege of reading the Scriptures at my friend's wedding in Burbank, Ca, and since I was down south for the wedding, I also got to spend some time with my parents who termendously encouraged and edified me. I came back and spent the Lord's day with my church and on the way back home to Berkeley, I stopped by my friends' place and watched a Japanese drama. It was an enjoyable weekend.

But the week was quite trying. I found myself behind in schoolwork, and I did not have the will to stay up and get it done. On Wednesday, I visited my brother to have dinner, and we had a long conversation about life, money, and ministry. I realized that there's so much to pray for and so much to pay for as well. I was thankful that the Lord constantly places me in a position where I have to contemplate my trust in Him.

I have a lot to look forward to this weekend. I have plans to watch the Phantom of the Opera on Blu-Ray with my friends, and another friend will be coming to preach in my stead this Sunday. It'll be a great way to end this week!

Interesting Happenings
I spent 3+ hours watching a Japanese dramas on Sunday night with friends. Wow.

Check These Links Out
Simply Unprecedented - Albert Mohler talks of the shifting morals signaled by President Obama's endorsement of the LGBT community.
Did People in the Medieval Age Believe the World Was Flat? - Thomas E. Woods dispels the myth that they did!
Deuteronomy 29:29 - An insightful take on this verse by Dan Phillips.
How Piper Became a Pastor - Celebrating Piper's 30th year of ministry at Bethlehem. You can even see a picture of him from 30 years ago!
Parents, Obey Your Children - Mohler once again with great insight on the times.

The Ever-growing Wish List
The Intolerance of Tolerance - D.A. Carson
David Brainerd, A Flame for God - Vance Christie
Shepherd's Conference '10 Registration

Monday, October 12, 2009

Love One Another

John 13:34

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love on another."

The first thought that comes into my mind when I read this verse is that this new commandment is not meant for individuals. The command is to a congregation, a brotherhood. The reciprocal and the plural audience inherent to the command requires the mutual love of two or more individuals. Therefore, this command cannot be obeyed as Christ intended for the Church without a local congregation, the daily and constant interaction between believers. That being said, please commit to your body and love them as Christ loves them. Christ gave His life for His Church humbling Himself and taking on the form of a slave. If our Master has done so much for His Church, should not we, who are His disciples, do the same? Let us humbly and sacrificially love our local bodies.

Friday, October 9, 2009

What Did Your Pastor Do This Week?
I had a wonderful week spending time with some precious brothers and sisters in the Lord. Started off with a nice dinner with a couple whom I cherish. The dinner prepared before me was absolutely satisfying, but what was more delightful was news concerning the Gospel in a certain country in Southeast Asia that my friend related to me. He was there teaching on the book of Acts. How thrilling! The next day, I had steak with old friends and reflected on God's goodness in the past years. We had an exciting conversations touching on computers to Genesis.

This was a very full week and there is yet more to come. Looking forward to seeing my good friends make their vows before the Lord as they are brought together as one flesh. What a great picture of the Gospel!

Interesting Happenings
Today, one of the 1st graders was telling her classmate, "Hurry up, hurry up!" The classmate in reply, "I'm hurry-uping!" So cute!

Check These Links Out
What David Letterman Can Teach Us about the Gospel - Dr. Moore reminds us of the Gospel in light of David Letterman's recent comments about being blackmailed.
Homesick for Heaven - Another clip by D.A. Carson with some sobering thoughts on the Kingdom of Heaven.
How to Train Your People to Laugh at Everything - Some sobering thoughts on how we view speakers. Make sure you hear the audio and think upon it seriously.
7 Reasons I Love Youth Ministry - Austin Duncan from Grace Community Church lists his reason. As a fellow youth minister, I found it quiteencouraging.
Glee Grieves the Spirit - A biblical review on the new hit TV show Glee. Well worth your contemplation.
Meet Ardi - Answers in Genesis answers some questions people might have over the hype in the media concerning a supposed new find for evolutionary thought.
Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize? - Even commentator Michael Binyon on Times Magazine thinks it is absurd.

The Ever-growing Wish List
Cedar Shoe Trees by Allen Edmonds
The Swans Are Not Silent by John Piper (All five books in the volume)
Looking for Calvin and Hobbes by Nevin Martell

Monday, October 5, 2009

One Thing

Psalm 27:4

"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His temple."

In our Middle School Small Group, one of my students pointed out that there's actually three things that the psalmist is desiring. He missed the whole point. The one thing that the psalmist sought was to be with the LORD. Our union and fellowship with God is the most prized object we seek. We must ask ourselves a very critical question: If I could ask God for only one thing, what would it be? As you meditate upon that, I pray you come to the conclusion that God is the highest good that we can ever have. Desire Him and Him alone.

"He loves Thee too little who loves together with Thee anything else and not for Thy sake." Augustine

Friday, October 2, 2009

Week in Review 10/02/09

What Did Your Pastor Do This Week?
This week started off with a bunch of car problems. I had to visit the shop 3 times this week to fix my door handle, horn, and a few electrical problems. Thankfully, they are having Parent Teacher Conferences at school, so I have a four day weekend. That has been a much needed break. I was able to read, memorize scripture in Greek, and work on some vocab. I don't know if that sounds exciting to you, but it is to me!

Yesterday night, I was able to talk with my parents. It's always such a blessing to hear how they are growing in the Lord and managing to"survive" as my dad puts it. Excited to see them next weekend.

Really looking forward to college group starting this Saturday!

Interesting Happenings
I was driving back from seminary when suddenly my car started beeping and the seat warmer turned on by itself! Weird...

Check These Links Out
Insightful Thoughts on Rob Bell - Article by Phil Johnson about Rob Bell's recent statements at the Boston Globe.
O to Say O- Short post by missionary Matt Hauck on a very powerful little word.
Ligonier Conference Sermons- Some time in the future, I would like to listen to all these sermons.
Panel Discussion at Desiring God National Conference - Some very insightful thoughts are in panel discussions. I never want to miss those at a conference.

The Ever-growing Wish List
Gourmet Butter by Gourmet Butters