"'You've got to bring the bible into modern times.' That's exactly the opposite of what you should do. You never want to bring the Bible into modern times. You want to bring people back into ancient times. When you teach the Word of God, you want to recreate the setting so the person is there, so the Bible comes through with its divine message in its original context. Anything less is robbing Scriptures, snatching verses here and there to make it mean whatever they want" (John MacArthur).
Do you teach the Bible in a way that does not rob the Scriptures, but instead returns glory to God?
Challenged,
Brendon
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Spurgeon on Visions & the Church
"Visions and such things belong to the infancy of the church. Nobody thinks of putting a post to support an apple tree which has been there for the last fifty years. In fact, it could hold the stake rather than borrow support from it. When a ship leaves the docks and passes down the river, you will see it towed out till it reaches the sea. But that same vessel will soon spread all her sails, and with a heavenly breeze to bear her along, she will need no tug to tow her to the desired haven. The church of God today is a tree that needs no support of miracle or vision, a vessel that has braved two thousand years the battle and the breeze, and will still, till Christ comes, outride every storm. You have the Word of God, which is better than visions."
C.H. Spurgeon
I couldn't agree more.
Is the Word of God ALONE the greatest truth in your life?
C.H. Spurgeon
I couldn't agree more.
Is the Word of God ALONE the greatest truth in your life?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Summer Lessons
Some of the greatest lessons I learned from the summer:
-Suffering for God is a privilege and gift from Him.
"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake" (Phil. 1:29)
Every bit of suffering only helps you develop endurance which develops character which develops HOPE.
-Man needs a helper.
Stop doing things alone and thinking that you don't need other people's help. Do everything with a partner. Whether it be Christ or a friend, man's not meant to be an island.
-There is a very real spiritual battle going on and we need to be armed with God's Word.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).
"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4).
-"Take the good, drop the bad."
Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 14:6a). Honestly, there is no absolute truth in this world except the one spoken by God. Every Christian or theological book I've read carries some flaw in it. So, it's important to have discernment by the Spirit in order to separate the truth from the lies.
-It's only when you have nothing that you realize you have Everything.
You can't live for God without making sacrifices.
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:24-25).
"You must die in order to live."
"You must give up everything in order to keep everything."
"You must become a servant in order to become great."
^All of that sounds so backwards, right? It certainly seems so but when you understand the Truth of God and have faith in it, it all starts to make a great deal of sense.
Faith transformed into action... crucial, dude.
-If you honestly want to achieve dunking a basketball within a summer, don't snap your ankle so early in the game!!!
Hahahaha.
How does all this impact me?
As the school year begins, I hope to share all these lessons with others. I hope God will use me to encourage the body of Christ, boldly and genuinely share my faith with the unbelieving, and continue to point people in the direction of the saving cross.
"Hey... I wanted to know... why do you continue to praise God everyday no matter what happens on any given day?"
***Points to the beautiful cross***
-Suffering for God is a privilege and gift from Him.
"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake" (Phil. 1:29)
Every bit of suffering only helps you develop endurance which develops character which develops HOPE.
-Man needs a helper.
Stop doing things alone and thinking that you don't need other people's help. Do everything with a partner. Whether it be Christ or a friend, man's not meant to be an island.
-There is a very real spiritual battle going on and we need to be armed with God's Word.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).
"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4).
-"Take the good, drop the bad."
Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 14:6a). Honestly, there is no absolute truth in this world except the one spoken by God. Every Christian or theological book I've read carries some flaw in it. So, it's important to have discernment by the Spirit in order to separate the truth from the lies.
-It's only when you have nothing that you realize you have Everything.
You can't live for God without making sacrifices.
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:24-25).
"You must die in order to live."
"You must give up everything in order to keep everything."
"You must become a servant in order to become great."
^All of that sounds so backwards, right? It certainly seems so but when you understand the Truth of God and have faith in it, it all starts to make a great deal of sense.
Faith transformed into action... crucial, dude.
-If you honestly want to achieve dunking a basketball within a summer, don't snap your ankle so early in the game!!!
Hahahaha.
How does all this impact me?
As the school year begins, I hope to share all these lessons with others. I hope God will use me to encourage the body of Christ, boldly and genuinely share my faith with the unbelieving, and continue to point people in the direction of the saving cross.
"Hey... I wanted to know... why do you continue to praise God everyday no matter what happens on any given day?"
***Points to the beautiful cross***
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Monkey See Monkey Do
My blogged problem tonight is Insomnia. This confession's long overdue and I hope this entry's nothing like the confession I make to God. You are my only Savior from all my small giants.
Monkeys Suck
My body sees my mind sickly drawn to all the worries of my future and my body decides to do whatever it sees. If my mind decides not to sleep, my body follows suit.
Sometimes, I wish I had a remote control for body... sometimes it's like an inoperable television set that won't obey me at my every convenience.
If "sleep is for the weak," then why am I not sleeping?
I haven't slept very well during the past 8 months of my life and I have a hint as to why.
It's because this bible verse is missing in my life- "casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
Lying awake at 3am on your bed staring down the ceiling and counting the sheep that have tried to jump over the fence but died trying is not the best way to live.
Do not be fooled, Reader. My anxieties have not gone away and it's not because God hasn't cared for me. So, the verse's absence in my life is in no way God's fault.
It has to do with me- "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you" (1 Peter 5:6).
My realization: I don't trust God enough to know that my future is securely set in His graces.
Appalling revelations are scary.
This one is nothing short of just that.
Has gone off to pray,
Brendon
Friday, August 15, 2008
In the bible: What's important to you?
"Nothing shall induce me to attempt to interpret the prophecies. By God's grace I will be content to expound the gospel. I believe it to be one of the most fatal devices of Satan to turn aside useful gospel ministers from their proper work into idle speculations on the number of the beast and the meaning of the little horn. The prophecies will interpret themselves by their fulfillment, but no expositor has yet arisen who has been able to do it" (Spurgeon).
The gospel matters much to me. It matters so much that I do not dwell on other things anywhere as much as I dwell on the gospel. We must be utterly satisfied by the gospel for that is where the message of salvation lies.
Reminder to self,
Brendon
The gospel matters much to me. It matters so much that I do not dwell on other things anywhere as much as I dwell on the gospel. We must be utterly satisfied by the gospel for that is where the message of salvation lies.
Reminder to self,
Brendon
Sunday, August 10, 2008
My love/hate marriage with two great wives (Part 1/2: Infidelity)
My confession is that one of the greatest sins I deal with is infidelity. Or, at least, my heart will go through many moments of unfaithful desires.
Let me explain...
My explanation
I wake up every morning feeling a little trapped in my life and I've figured out why over time. It's not that I don't love Christ (He's the love o' my life) or I don't love church (it's my favorite place to be).
It's the fact that I look to my left and there is Korean Campus Ministry (KCM), the xtian fellowship I'm passionately involved with at school.
And, I look to my right and there is the Church of Philippi, the church I've been attending and falling in love with.
But, I have to wonder how I ended up with not one but two wives and why do I feel like the 40-year old husband who's being choked to death by marriage in his life? All I want is a little breathing space from "churchy stuff" and it's making me sick inside and I hate that I sometimes sinfully think like this.
My friend in Houston, TX right now (God bless her heart) is selling books door-to-door. She called me earlier this evening and we had the most honest and fun conversation ever.
One of the things we talked about was motivation. All her book-selling co-workers are these religiously dedicated hearts would walk on burning coals and cross deserts if that meant achieving their life goals.
That's how dedicated they are to doing something.
They have this desire to not be ordinary in life.
I think I've lost that motivation in my life right now. My life has been officially CHURCHed. Everything I do is "churchy" and the only place I know life is at church, on the way to church, back to church, or at school doing church stuff. I love KCM. I love Philippi. If you know me, you know just how much I love those two places.
But, when did I start feeling trapped in a "Christian dungeon" and is it okay to feel trapped and want a little break from "churchy stuff"?
My Savior
To my relief, and my friend's too, I believe it is.
I see Jesus Christ working in my life to remind me that He exists outside of "churchy" things and it's OK to take a break. Thanks for lovingly teaching me this, God. Why are we (humans) so blind sometimes?
Refreshing Realization
What I finally said to my good friend in Houston about our Christian bubble:
"I think people find themselves in a bad place when the only Jesus they experience and see is at church and with Christian-related things. When we stop finding Jesus in the world outside of church, it makes us sick because we love Jesus that much. We want Him everywhere (not only in church). This knot we're in is really bad because it cuts us off from relating to the world in a lot of ways and also relaying Jesus' message to where people need to hear about Him."
Her kindred spirited reply:
"I totally get you. Don't ditch KCM or Philippi, but you need something outside of this.
God is everywhere. He's not just at KCM or Philippi."
I have not heard sweeter words than this during the past several months. I LOVE kcm and philippi, but I need to venture more outside of this small bubble.
God is everywhere in everything~~~
Before my friend headed to Houston, she stopped in Nashville, Tennessee for a book-selling training session. In Nashville, she talked with other people about how God has to do with the most random things.
How does God have to do with someone's nursing occupation?
How does God have to do with dancing?
How does God have to do with Iraq?
God is relevant everywhere you go. Not just at church. He has to do with everything one way or another. It's brilliantly amazing.
On one hand, I'm finally understanding the root of all my immature hatred for KCM and Philippi. On the other hand, I'm even more encouraged to love all the people I meet in my life, at KCM and Philippi first, and then anywhere else after that.
The apostle Paul first started loving people and sharing Christ with the Jews at synagogues, and then he deepened his ministry by extending himself to non-Jews in the city areas.
Apology to You/you.
World, I'm sorry for not having reached out to you in deep and genuine ways outside of church.
Church, I'm sorry for loving you and hating you all at once and feeling tempted to ditch you and spend time solely with the world.
God, I need You to help me balance loving members in the church and extending this love to others in this world.
Reader, I'm sorry you had to hear me ramble about this for so long but I needed this.
God genuinely loves you,
Brendon
Singing 2 Blocks Down the Road
All of my life is to sing the new song I've been given, Jesus Christ.
I may sing it in a major or minor key.
The tempo may be allegro or larghetto (fast or slow).
I may play various instruments like the clarinet or guitar.
There may be no one watching or a world watching.
But, my new song is always Him.
I desire to sing this new song in a new area.
I've been singing Him on the same street corner for how long?
Everyday, it's the same people walking by me, the same stores behind me, and the same scene for me.
Well, I'm moving 2 blocks down the road and I'll be singing Christ there.
I need a new scene and it's something to keep me sane and make me remember that
Jesus... Well, you are frankly everywhere to me.
"Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the end of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it,
the coastlands and their inhabitants"
(Isaiah 42:10 esv).
Let me explain...
My explanation
I wake up every morning feeling a little trapped in my life and I've figured out why over time. It's not that I don't love Christ (He's the love o' my life) or I don't love church (it's my favorite place to be).
It's the fact that I look to my left and there is Korean Campus Ministry (KCM), the xtian fellowship I'm passionately involved with at school.
And, I look to my right and there is the Church of Philippi, the church I've been attending and falling in love with.
But, I have to wonder how I ended up with not one but two wives and why do I feel like the 40-year old husband who's being choked to death by marriage in his life? All I want is a little breathing space from "churchy stuff" and it's making me sick inside and I hate that I sometimes sinfully think like this.
My friend in Houston, TX right now (God bless her heart) is selling books door-to-door. She called me earlier this evening and we had the most honest and fun conversation ever.
One of the things we talked about was motivation. All her book-selling co-workers are these religiously dedicated hearts would walk on burning coals and cross deserts if that meant achieving their life goals.
That's how dedicated they are to doing something.
They have this desire to not be ordinary in life.
I think I've lost that motivation in my life right now. My life has been officially CHURCHed. Everything I do is "churchy" and the only place I know life is at church, on the way to church, back to church, or at school doing church stuff. I love KCM. I love Philippi. If you know me, you know just how much I love those two places.
But, when did I start feeling trapped in a "Christian dungeon" and is it okay to feel trapped and want a little break from "churchy stuff"?
My Savior
To my relief, and my friend's too, I believe it is.
I see Jesus Christ working in my life to remind me that He exists outside of "churchy" things and it's OK to take a break. Thanks for lovingly teaching me this, God. Why are we (humans) so blind sometimes?
Refreshing Realization
What I finally said to my good friend in Houston about our Christian bubble:
"I think people find themselves in a bad place when the only Jesus they experience and see is at church and with Christian-related things. When we stop finding Jesus in the world outside of church, it makes us sick because we love Jesus that much. We want Him everywhere (not only in church). This knot we're in is really bad because it cuts us off from relating to the world in a lot of ways and also relaying Jesus' message to where people need to hear about Him."
Her kindred spirited reply:
"I totally get you. Don't ditch KCM or Philippi, but you need something outside of this.
God is everywhere. He's not just at KCM or Philippi."
I have not heard sweeter words than this during the past several months. I LOVE kcm and philippi, but I need to venture more outside of this small bubble.
God is everywhere in everything~~~
Before my friend headed to Houston, she stopped in Nashville, Tennessee for a book-selling training session. In Nashville, she talked with other people about how God has to do with the most random things.
How does God have to do with someone's nursing occupation?
How does God have to do with dancing?
How does God have to do with Iraq?
God is relevant everywhere you go. Not just at church. He has to do with everything one way or another. It's brilliantly amazing.
On one hand, I'm finally understanding the root of all my immature hatred for KCM and Philippi. On the other hand, I'm even more encouraged to love all the people I meet in my life, at KCM and Philippi first, and then anywhere else after that.
The apostle Paul first started loving people and sharing Christ with the Jews at synagogues, and then he deepened his ministry by extending himself to non-Jews in the city areas.
Apology to You/you.
World, I'm sorry for not having reached out to you in deep and genuine ways outside of church.
Church, I'm sorry for loving you and hating you all at once and feeling tempted to ditch you and spend time solely with the world.
God, I need You to help me balance loving members in the church and extending this love to others in this world.
Reader, I'm sorry you had to hear me ramble about this for so long but I needed this.
God genuinely loves you,
Brendon
Singing 2 Blocks Down the Road
All of my life is to sing the new song I've been given, Jesus Christ.
I may sing it in a major or minor key.
The tempo may be allegro or larghetto (fast or slow).
I may play various instruments like the clarinet or guitar.
There may be no one watching or a world watching.
But, my new song is always Him.
I desire to sing this new song in a new area.
I've been singing Him on the same street corner for how long?
Everyday, it's the same people walking by me, the same stores behind me, and the same scene for me.
Well, I'm moving 2 blocks down the road and I'll be singing Christ there.
I need a new scene and it's something to keep me sane and make me remember that
Jesus... Well, you are frankly everywhere to me.
"Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the end of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it,
the coastlands and their inhabitants"
(Isaiah 42:10 esv).
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Basketball & Christianity (Quiet Time)
I love Jesus Christ.
I love basketball.
Jesus Christ + basketball = ?????
Connecting the two only makes sense to me... so by what I write, I hope you understand what it means to live for Jesus and not sit around watching other Christians worship without ever getting to know who Jesus Christ is.
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only..."
(James 1:22a).
- Quiet time [kwahy-it tahym] noun.
This is a regular (usually daily) one-on-one experience between a Christian and God. The time is usually spent in a quiet place of uninterrupted solitude.
Activities include praying (talking and listening to God), reading the Bible, and appreciating God's presence.
If Christianity is like basketball, then a Christian needs to be a basketball player. You can go to basketball games, watch professionals play basketball, and root for them and say you're on their team. In this way, you know how others play basketball.
But, can you play basketball? If you've never picked up a basketball and trying dribbling it, shooting, and passing it, can you call yourself a basketball player?
In the same way, if we never have quiet time, never read the bible, never pray, and never experience God on our own time, can we call ourselves Christians?
Most Christians are simply "basketball fans." They appreciate the sport, they go to church because it's fun to watch a praise team or hear a great sermon, and they like to feel good about themselves. But, God calls us to be basketball players, not just fans. This is why it's so important to have quiet time. We need to become basketball players who are involved in the game. We need to become Christians who are involved in the world.
Take my word for it. You don't understand the true joy of playing basketball until you've played it yourself. It's an entirely enjoyable experience. The feel of the rubber ball in your hands, the funky beat of the basketball against a cement floor, the challenge of putting an orange in a circle so it falls through something called a "hoop" so it makes a sound that goes "swish," and the firsthand appreciation of a sport that has brought joy to millions of people.
If basketball's brought momentary joy to millions of people, and Jesus Christ brings eternal joy to anyone who will accept him, then...
I think you're thinking what I'm thinking now.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Cold Feet: My mid-college crisis
I feel the need to get out of these following places in my life:
College Park, Maryland
The Korean American Christian bubble (all my friends are either KA or xtian)
A narrow-minded second generational view of how the world works.
Satisfying myself with whatever I can eat, mind-draining teleprograms, and daydreaming.
Prideful sense of self-righteousness by which I cannot explain... why?
Desensitization to human suffering.
A life-ruining addiction that is as pleasurable as it is disgusting to me.
AMERICA as I know it...
A lot has changed since high school. I know I'm being pessimistic right now and these are the types of entries you look back on and wonder what was I thinking? I didn't know I could sound so retired...
But, honestly... Life's kind of scary.
And, the other half is a serious prayer request that I have for you if you read this...
What am I doing with my life and where do I draw the line between being satisfied with where I am and taking a risk by starting a new adventure in an entirely new place?
Maybe it's cold feet,
Brendon
P.S.- Jesus... if it wasn't for You living in me (Gal. 2:20), I'd be a goner by now. Thank You.
P.P.S.- Maybe this is what happens when you take one of my greatest joys (running) away from me for 6 weeks. I go BALLISTIC and SCREAM for deliverance. Hahaha. I laugh in the face of fear.
College Park, Maryland
The Korean American Christian bubble (all my friends are either KA or xtian)
A narrow-minded second generational view of how the world works.
Satisfying myself with whatever I can eat, mind-draining teleprograms, and daydreaming.
Prideful sense of self-righteousness by which I cannot explain... why?
Desensitization to human suffering.
A life-ruining addiction that is as pleasurable as it is disgusting to me.
AMERICA as I know it...
A lot has changed since high school. I know I'm being pessimistic right now and these are the types of entries you look back on and wonder what was I thinking? I didn't know I could sound so retired...
But, honestly... Life's kind of scary.
- Do I feel cut out for being my school campus ministry's VP? Not at all.
- I feel like an alien at church sometimes. The only times I "feel" I fit in are when I'm serving. Shouldn't I feel comfortable at church without "having to serve"?
- Losing touch with my non-xtian friends in my life is miserable. If I lose them all, then this Christian bubble will have turned into a Christian dungeon. What have I done?
- I have more bible knowledge than I know what to do with it! What can I do with it to help society?
- My college education?! Sociology? Government & politics? Secondary education? Go to seminary? But when? Where can I get a grip on things and figure out what to do?
And, the other half is a serious prayer request that I have for you if you read this...
What am I doing with my life and where do I draw the line between being satisfied with where I am and taking a risk by starting a new adventure in an entirely new place?
Maybe it's cold feet,
Brendon
P.S.- Jesus... if it wasn't for You living in me (Gal. 2:20), I'd be a goner by now. Thank You.
P.P.S.- Maybe this is what happens when you take one of my greatest joys (running) away from me for 6 weeks. I go BALLISTIC and SCREAM for deliverance. Hahaha. I laugh in the face of fear.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Grace: Its remedy abused... its design forgotten...
So, a pastoral friend of mine blogs and I found this on his site. He found it from a book so I figure that if I rip it from his blog when he ripped it from a book, then I should be okay in doing so. =D
I find the message of this quote to be highly profound and also appropriate for our times.
Consider how many of us desire to "feel forgiven" and not want to give anything in return. Don't get me wrong- the very idea of grace is to accept God's forgiveness as a free gift. But, what type of gratitude do we show God when we aimlessly live our lives as if nothing happened and as if salvation was only a meal ticket, not an opportunity to live for a beautiful and perfect God?
“You must understand this: the flesh weakens conviction by separating the remedy of grace from the design of grace. The Scriptures teach nothing more clearly than that God’s design in showing mercy is to make us holy people (Titus 2:11-12). But God also provides a remedy for our lapses: his loving pardon gives us peace, so that we know that if we do sin, ‘we also have one who speaks to the Father in our defense’. The flesh works to make you forget the design (that you are saved to be holy) and think only of the remedy (if you sin, you’ll be forgiven). It preaches a half gospel (a twisted gospel) to us: ‘Go ahead and indulge - it’s already paid for’. Those who fall prey to such deception are evidently many, since the Scripture go to such lengths to condemn it (Romans 3:3-8; 6:1-4; Jude 4)”
The truth arrests me in my moment of sin and then sets me free in a life of grace,
Brendon
I find the message of this quote to be highly profound and also appropriate for our times.
Consider how many of us desire to "feel forgiven" and not want to give anything in return. Don't get me wrong- the very idea of grace is to accept God's forgiveness as a free gift. But, what type of gratitude do we show God when we aimlessly live our lives as if nothing happened and as if salvation was only a meal ticket, not an opportunity to live for a beautiful and perfect God?
“You must understand this: the flesh weakens conviction by separating the remedy of grace from the design of grace. The Scriptures teach nothing more clearly than that God’s design in showing mercy is to make us holy people (Titus 2:11-12). But God also provides a remedy for our lapses: his loving pardon gives us peace, so that we know that if we do sin, ‘we also have one who speaks to the Father in our defense’. The flesh works to make you forget the design (that you are saved to be holy) and think only of the remedy (if you sin, you’ll be forgiven). It preaches a half gospel (a twisted gospel) to us: ‘Go ahead and indulge - it’s already paid for’. Those who fall prey to such deception are evidently many, since the Scripture go to such lengths to condemn it (Romans 3:3-8; 6:1-4; Jude 4)”
The truth arrests me in my moment of sin and then sets me free in a life of grace,
Brendon
Monday, July 21, 2008
Food for Thought: Missing Sunday morning worship
When we miss (literally) church, do we miss (emotionally) church?????
How important is your Sunday morning worship to you?
How important is your Sunday morning worship to you?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
One of my biggest sins...
Most people think I'm a humble man. But, one of my deepest weaknesses and sins is pride. It is only by God's grace that He is even able to use me despite how tremendous my pride can be sometimes.
Spurgeon speaks beautifully about the pitfalls of pride.
"Pride is most likely to meet with destruction, because it is too tall to walk upright. It is most likely to tumble down, because it is always looking upward in its ambition, and never looks to its feet. There only needs to be a pitfall in the way, or even a stone, and down it goes."
I can't express how true this quote is for my own pride.
Can you relate to this type of pitfall for any of your sins in your life?
Spurgeon speaks beautifully about the pitfalls of pride.
"Pride is most likely to meet with destruction, because it is too tall to walk upright. It is most likely to tumble down, because it is always looking upward in its ambition, and never looks to its feet. There only needs to be a pitfall in the way, or even a stone, and down it goes."
I can't express how true this quote is for my own pride.
Can you relate to this type of pitfall for any of your sins in your life?
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
God teaching me a lesson with Green Traffic Lights
(Image from concept.blogspot.com)
As I was driving down Route 1 to Chipotle, light-after-light-after-light was green. I couldn't believe my stupendous luck. This had never happened to me on this road... not like this. As I was speeding down the road, I thanked God for these cool, easy-breezy green lights. During that moment, my conscience spoke to me and reminded me to not speed as I was going 55mph on a 35mph road. I prayed to God and asked Him to remind me to not speed and abuse the green lights.
Then and there, a police car was at the intersection of yet another green light. In that second, I gasped as my heart choked with realization at what was happening. I had sped past the cop at 55mph but he didn't stop me. I was dumbfounded.
After regaining my wits, I could not express my thankfulness to the Lord at that moment for not pulling me over. I deserved no less than a ticket, a fine, a rebuke from my parents, shame in my heart, and God's severe discipline.
Why didn't the cop pull me over?
Because God was undoubtedly merciful in that moment.
And, also maybe because He knew I had learned a meaningful lesson.
I didn't deserve either mercy or lesson.
Was it really my conscience speaking to me?
More than that, it was the Holy Spirit kindly reminding me of right and wrong.
"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God" (1 Corinthians 2:12).
How often have I gone through my life abusing all sorts of gifts God has given me?
He's given me gifts to appreciate Him, the Giver, more than the gifts.
He's given me gifts in hope that I would use them for good, not for bad, not for selfish reasons.
He's given me gifts that I may know I deserve none of them let alone any part of Him.
God, You are so much more than I know or deserve. What can I say? Teach me how to be a good son of yours.
When have you ever been given a gift from God or anyone and just plainly, flat-out used them for your own selfish purpose?
(I know I have... plenty of times.)
Curious to learn more about God and more about you,
Brendon
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Injustice: Exxon
In 1989, an Exxon oil tanker spilled 10.8 million gallons of oil in Alaska. The result was the destruction of marine wildlife and all fishing opportunities in the area.
Exxon's profit for the year = 40 billion dollars
They were asked to pay = 2.5 billion dollars
They ended up paying = 500 million dollars.
What does this mean?
It means that every fisherman was reimbursed $15,000. This is ALL they have to support themselves and their families for the rest of their lives. Their source of income, fishing, was decimated. Since 1989, 20% of the claimants (fishermen) have died.
Instead of finding fish in this previous sea of plenty, they now find oil on their hands. How can they feed their families like this?
What will these thousands of fishermen do now?...........
Why blog on this?
Because you should be outraged and reminded of the injustice that occurs on every part of the world map.
What're you doing about the injustice in this world with your life?
That's something only you can personally answer.
Brother from another mother,
B-Wunit
References:
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/66647/
NY Times section on the issue
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7473968.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/24/newsid_4231000/4231971.stm
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Laconic: A Challenge in Itself
Today's dictionary.com's "word of the day" is...
~~~~~~~~~~
Why does this word pose a challenge to me? Because I'm a verbose man in far too many things. I love to ramble and ramble is what I do as a job sometimes. It's bad not because people don't get what I'm saying or because wasting energy, but because the way I communicate could be better. In life, when you see a way to do something that is better, you take on this challenge.
My wish is to communicate more messages with clarity, conciseness, and creativity. It's not about the quantity of words one uses, but the quality of words. It's not about the display, but about the punch.
How good is your punch?
Brendon
laconic \luh-KON-ik\, adjective:
Using or marked by the use of a minimum of words; brief and pithy; brusque.
- Readers' reports range from the laconic to the verbose.
-- Bernard Stamler, "A Brooklyncentric View of Life", New York Times, February 28, 1999 - In the laconic language of the sheriff department's report,there was "no visible sign of life."
-- David Wise, Cassidy's Run - There was one tiny photograph of him at a YMCA camp plus a few laconic and uninformative entries in a soldier's log from the war year, 1917-18.
-- Edward W. Said, Out of Place: A Memoir
Laconic comes, via Latin, from Greek Lakonikos, "of or relating to a Laconian or Spartan," hence "terse," in the manner of the Laconians.
~~~~~~~~~~
Why does this word pose a challenge to me? Because I'm a verbose man in far too many things. I love to ramble and ramble is what I do as a job sometimes. It's bad not because people don't get what I'm saying or because wasting energy, but because the way I communicate could be better. In life, when you see a way to do something that is better, you take on this challenge.
My wish is to communicate more messages with clarity, conciseness, and creativity. It's not about the quantity of words one uses, but the quality of words. It's not about the display, but about the punch.
How good is your punch?
Brendon
Friday, June 13, 2008
Philippians 2:21
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 2:21).
What does "to live is Christ" mean to you?
What does "to live is Christ" mean to you?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Obama can't lose... another article explains why.
Who will win and why? 
I've read several strategies and plans for how Obama could lose to McCain in the November election. And, the reason the phrasing is put as "how Obama could lose to McCain" is because Obama (let's face it) is the popular candidate to win it all.
But, I enjoy the Barna Update's article the most on how Obama can't lose to McCain because Barna stresses the important role of the faith community.
Obviously, there are more factors that play into how Obama will fare... but this article sure is interesting if you want an easy-read and don't have all day to read up on these things (like me).
Read here:
"November Election's is Obama's to Lose"
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Bible
Q: Do you know what made my day?
A: To have heard from my friend and others that they have read the bible with more urgency, more purpose, and more love having seen how much the bible impacts my own personal life.
His Bible is something not to be taken granted.
We're growing up as the generation in the world's wealthiest nation that wastes the most bibles. Bibles aren't something meant to be bought and kept to the side like collectibles.
Do you know "Christians" in your life that own a bible but...
a) never read it
b) glance at it once a week
c) read it three times a week just because they happen to (once for church service, once for group bible study, and once because they wanted to find a verse to put on their aim profile)
d) do not see it as one of the most precious possessions they have
How many people can you identify in your life who would instead of reading the bible rather... pursue a boyfriend/girlfriend? go to the gym and work out? have more urgent things to do like watch a movie or catch the basketball game on tv?
"They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?'" (Luke 24:32).
The Bible contains a message that will far exceed the value of anything else you ever come across. It is a saving, life-altering, divine message directly from a saving, life-altering, divine God. If you forget this about the bible, you will forget that God is Saviour, Sovereign, and everything else about him.
"... man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD" (Deut. 8:3).
If you're a Christian, haven't read the bible in ages, and come across this entry, do not feel discouraged with yourself. Instead, please be encouraged or challenged to read the bible more.
May you personally be blessed by God and shown why you are living every time you open the bible and read His words. Your life is no accident so do not squander it by ignoring His words.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Matt. 24:35).
His Word is honey to my mouth,
Brendon
A: To have heard from my friend and others that they have read the bible with more urgency, more purpose, and more love having seen how much the bible impacts my own personal life.
His Bible is something not to be taken granted.
We're growing up as the generation in the world's wealthiest nation that wastes the most bibles. Bibles aren't something meant to be bought and kept to the side like collectibles.
Do you know "Christians" in your life that own a bible but...
a) never read it
b) glance at it once a week
c) read it three times a week just because they happen to (once for church service, once for group bible study, and once because they wanted to find a verse to put on their aim profile)
d) do not see it as one of the most precious possessions they have
How many people can you identify in your life who would instead of reading the bible rather... pursue a boyfriend/girlfriend? go to the gym and work out? have more urgent things to do like watch a movie or catch the basketball game on tv?
"They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?'" (Luke 24:32).
The Bible contains a message that will far exceed the value of anything else you ever come across. It is a saving, life-altering, divine message directly from a saving, life-altering, divine God. If you forget this about the bible, you will forget that God is Saviour, Sovereign, and everything else about him.
"... man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD" (Deut. 8:3).
If you're a Christian, haven't read the bible in ages, and come across this entry, do not feel discouraged with yourself. Instead, please be encouraged or challenged to read the bible more.
May you personally be blessed by God and shown why you are living every time you open the bible and read His words. Your life is no accident so do not squander it by ignoring His words.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Matt. 24:35).
His Word is honey to my mouth,
Brendon
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Never Been Camping
I've never been camping before. At least, I've never done it in a tent overnight. Today, I will. I don't know what to expect.
What should I expect?
Hunt your food... make friends with bears... re-find the meaning of life... light a fire and dance around it... find your future wife... and say some prayers so you don't die.
Maybe that's what will happen. But, honestly and seriously, I'm going with 10 great people from school. And for what it's worth, I hope we grow closer and have a fun time in God's great outdoors.
Creation's a stink if you don't appreciate it,
Brendon
Thank You Lord... I will post more about Your works and wonders later this week. Please provide for all my friends and family as the days go on by.
What should I expect?
Hunt your food... make friends with bears... re-find the meaning of life... light a fire and dance around it... find your future wife... and say some prayers so you don't die.
Maybe that's what will happen. But, honestly and seriously, I'm going with 10 great people from school. And for what it's worth, I hope we grow closer and have a fun time in God's great outdoors.
Creation's a stink if you don't appreciate it,
Brendon
Thank You Lord... I will post more about Your works and wonders later this week. Please provide for all my friends and family as the days go on by.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sidewalk
Brendon Wu
Life on the Side
I step outside and I never have to wonder where it’s going to be. It’s always there “twenty-four seven,” so I can depend on it for sure footing. On sunny days, its face is warm and my feet glow beside it. On rainy days, it casts a great and beautiful gloomy reflection as the ethereal puddles take formation on its cheeks. No other part of my hometown is more practical and useful. No matter what, I have always loved my neighborhood sidewalk and I am sure the relationship is mutual.
I first fell in love with my sidewalk at age five. My babysitter, Feng Wei, and I went outside to play on the grass because my mother was taking a rest and wanted quiet in the house. The rainbow shot across the blue definitively from one end of the sky until it broke off into various smidgens on the other side. Even at such a young age, I appreciated the beauty of the day. Hating the damp grass that often wetted and grazed the butt of my shorts when I sat down, I ran around on the dry, soapstone driveway until one day a gigantic rush of metal and wheels threatened my premature existence. In what I always considered as a miracle of God, Feng Wei quickly pushed me out of the way and saved me from a deadly collision with my father’s car. Young and naïve, I wasn’t even aware of the death that barely missed me. Instead, I was infatuated with the peach, pink, and tangerine chain of squares that Feng Wei had pushed me onto. The coarse and undefined texture of each individual square fascinated my virgin fingers. Ignoring my bloody knuckles and scraped knees, I followed the long procession of equal squares around my neighborhood ahead of my father and Feng Wei, who were only too happy that I was unscathed.
My sidewalk is my sidekick, my amigo, my companion of sorts. For such a practical device, the sidewalk’s taken for granted by most people. Imagine a world without sidewalks. Pedestrians beware! In both the urban or rural environment, dangerous cars would wait behind curved roads waiting mercilessly, so they could recklessly run over innocent bystanders. At age five, my sidewalk never cared if my shirt was never properly tucked in. At age eight, it never cared if I took a massive whiz next to Mr. Parady’s tree in the middle of the day. Today, it doesn’t care if I go running and haven’t showered for days.
It didn’t even care that one time I ran away from home. It was a dark, twisted night… one of those nights where the skies were populated with clouds and the humidity clenched onto your skin like suction cups. My mother never ended her pointless tirades about how I needed more “discipline” and better “time management” in my life. She never realized that I was a seventeen year old boy on the verge of manhood. I followed the serpentine path of my neighborhood and scampered through the many loops and cul de sacs. On the parts of the sidewalk that held the dirty, ginger remainders of last week’s blizzard, I ran through them without a second thought. The sidewalk didn’t care where I went or how worried my parents would be. It only cared about helping me sort out my depressive thoughts until I could follow the sidewalk and return home.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I wrote that as a creative piece for what feels like a LONG time ago. The incident with my father's car is absolutely untrue. A similar occurrence happened but it didn't happen like it did in "Life on the Side." Everything else is true.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5 Exposition
The text (esv)...
Verse 1
Love is what all should seek first. Everything else comes after. If anything comes before loves, then it's meaningless.
All should earnestly desire spiritual gifts particularly prophesy for there is nothing greater than interpreting the scripture with accuracy. The imparting of Word benefits all more than any other gift.
Verse 2
"For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God"--- Corinth was an international checkpoint for merchants coming from Asia, Africa, and Europe. Tongues was beneficial to men when used properly with the intention of speaking a foreign language to edify someone who spoke that language. This beneficial purpose was contrary to the Corinthians' misuse of the gift where they spoke it for ostentatious display.
"for no one understands him"--- They used the gift of tongues improperly when it was not needed causing much confusion.
"but he utters mysteries in the Spirit"--- who but God can understand him? See 1 Cor. 14:14 for the emphasis on understanding.
Verse 3
"upbuilding and encouragement and consolation"--- Encouragement and consolation are both types of upbuilding (edification). Encouragement stirs people to pursue the right things and abstain from laziness or defeat. Consolation provides comfort for those bogged down by sadness, worry, distress, etc. Both are much approved in the worship place.
Verse 4
"The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself"--- All speakers ought to benefit from the sermon or message they preach. When the speaker is most edified by what he himself speaks then he is in great shape to speak to others of God's goodness. However, when he speaks in a language that only he and God can understand, then all others fail to reap any of the benefits. He alone feels moved by God while those around him are secluded from his revelation. He makes all others a fool because of his self-involvement.
"but the one who prophesies builds up the church"--- But he who speaks in a manner which all can understand brings great worship to God and clarity to the people.
Verse 5
"Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy"--- Paul stresses the importance of tongues so that it may lead to the benefit of prophesy. The ability to speak languages brings ripe opportunity for people to use the greater gift, prophesy the interpretation of scripture.
"The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up"--- He who speaks tongues for his own recommendation is useless. Usefulness is found in one who can share the found glory of God and build up the body. No part of Christ's body serves to build up only himself.
Verses 2-5... Prophecy is clearly a superior gift compared to tongues.
Verses 3-5 emphasize that all gifts ought to build up the church, not just the individual.
May we know Him better by the days,
Brendon
1 Corinthians 14:33 "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace."
14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
Verse 1
Love is what all should seek first. Everything else comes after. If anything comes before loves, then it's meaningless.
All should earnestly desire spiritual gifts particularly prophesy for there is nothing greater than interpreting the scripture with accuracy. The imparting of Word benefits all more than any other gift.
Verse 2
"For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God"--- Corinth was an international checkpoint for merchants coming from Asia, Africa, and Europe. Tongues was beneficial to men when used properly with the intention of speaking a foreign language to edify someone who spoke that language. This beneficial purpose was contrary to the Corinthians' misuse of the gift where they spoke it for ostentatious display.
"for no one understands him"--- They used the gift of tongues improperly when it was not needed causing much confusion.
"but he utters mysteries in the Spirit"--- who but God can understand him? See 1 Cor. 14:14 for the emphasis on understanding.
Verse 3
"upbuilding and encouragement and consolation"--- Encouragement and consolation are both types of upbuilding (edification). Encouragement stirs people to pursue the right things and abstain from laziness or defeat. Consolation provides comfort for those bogged down by sadness, worry, distress, etc. Both are much approved in the worship place.
Verse 4
"The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself"--- All speakers ought to benefit from the sermon or message they preach. When the speaker is most edified by what he himself speaks then he is in great shape to speak to others of God's goodness. However, when he speaks in a language that only he and God can understand, then all others fail to reap any of the benefits. He alone feels moved by God while those around him are secluded from his revelation. He makes all others a fool because of his self-involvement.
"but the one who prophesies builds up the church"--- But he who speaks in a manner which all can understand brings great worship to God and clarity to the people.
Verse 5
"Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy"--- Paul stresses the importance of tongues so that it may lead to the benefit of prophesy. The ability to speak languages brings ripe opportunity for people to use the greater gift, prophesy the interpretation of scripture.
"The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up"--- He who speaks tongues for his own recommendation is useless. Usefulness is found in one who can share the found glory of God and build up the body. No part of Christ's body serves to build up only himself.
Verses 2-5... Prophecy is clearly a superior gift compared to tongues.
Verses 3-5 emphasize that all gifts ought to build up the church, not just the individual.
May we know Him better by the days,
Brendon
1 Corinthians 14:33 "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace."
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Small beginnings
What could I tell you about a god who is so beautiful? Someone who came from a place called heaven to the plane of existence that we know as earth. This god took the form of a man so he could show how much he loved others through his sufferings and beatings and eventually a death on a cross. This someone died for you and me and everyone. What could I say to help you believe in someone so perfect, so self-sacrificing, and so loving?
This god didn’t have to step down from his awesome throne in heaven to come down to a world that’s so full of destruction, despair, and disaster. This king didn’t have to humble himself to the point of humiliation. Today, in this day and age, a world of people laughs, curses, and hates the one who died for you and me. Honestly, you and I deserve to burn in hell because of how sinful we are. We’re so far from perfection. But, Jesus shed His blood for us and took the punishment so we would know God and how much He loves us.
I guess I’m ridiculously and impossibly in love with this Jesus Christ that I’m still getting to know better each day. I know He took the punishment of my sins, which was death, on Himself when He didn’t have to. And, I know that He was resurrected three days after His death on the cross. Because He lives, I live too and do not face judgment on that fateful Day that will come. Every day that I have now until the end of this age will hopefully be lived for Him and His name…
This is what my blog is about.These are just some pictures that really remind me of Jesus Christ incarnate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consider this passage. What does it mean to you today?
Christ’s Example of Humility (Phil. 2:1-11)
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I want this to live like this. I want to know that this is more than just another part of the Bible. I have faith that the Spirit of God will make this passage a part of my life for Him.
How great are You oh God,
Brendon
*Pictures are courtesy of picturesofjesus4you.com.
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