My Dad

When I was 10 years old, I gave a testimony of my mother in church. I was in Hawaii on mother’s day and I was asked to share of what kind of a mother she was, her love for her children and her sacrifices. 16 years later, this is what I have to say about my father…

His name is David Ho Wing Ip. He was born to a Chinese family of 8 children. They resided in Hong Kong and they had moderate Buddhist leanings. In such a large family, you’d expect to not get full attention from your parents. My dad was very studious. He’d tell me how he went to the library every single day to study, even during the weekends when the library was closed (the head librarian entrusted him with the keys). With his earnestness, he was accepted into the Hong Kong University (a rare privilege then).

My dad became a Christian as a young adult when he attended a bible study. One of his school teachers was talking to his fellow classmate about attending a “cha geng” (canto for bible study). My dad thought they were going to “yum cha” (drink tea and having dim sum for lunch) and followed them to their church.

My dad gave his life to Jesus after seeing how these Christians were so different from the world. His family laughed at him, his own father demanded to know why my dad would worship and pray to God for the food on the table when it was he (my grandfather) who was the breadwinner of their family. Whenever my dad prayed at the dinner table, his mom would hit him on the head for being an “idiot”. The rest of his siblings would start devouring all the food leaving him with little left to eat. But my dad grew in his faith to God.

My dad met my mom not in Hong Kong, but in the Philippines. They were both on holiday and the meeting was entirely “unforeseen”. He overheard that she went to church (and therefore probably a Christian) and that was what drew him to her. They were in their early twenties.

My parents wed and had me and my brother Paul. In the year 1989 (when I was just 7 and Paul, 3) the Tiananmen incident happened. My parents did not want me and Paul to grow up in such an environment as China would retake Hong Kong in 1997. We moved to the United States of America in a few short months after that incident. For that, my dad had to give up his well-payed job, the familiarity of his birthplace and leave all his friends and family behind. Our family left Hong Kong and migrated to Hawaii, truly paradise on earth.

Money was scarce, friends even more so. But we had each other and the church we went to had many friendly and loving brothers and sisters which took us into their church family. And for a time, things went well. In 1991, the Japanese “bubble” economy exploded, dragging the US economy with it. Many lost their jobs, one of them my dad. He had just put down the down payment for an apartment for us to live in. With desperate prayers and just enough money left to buy an air ticket, my dad left for Hong Kong to find a job. He left my mom, me and my brother behind in Hawaii while he went to Hong Kong alone so as to provide for us.

My childhood in Hawaii was very memorable and full of great tales of friendship and of God’s many blessings. My dad continued to slave away in Hong Kong. His work was hard and taxing and required him to travel often. He stayed at his parent’s place while he was in Hong Kong. He often worked till late in the night and returned home to a dark house, cold food on the table and everyone in the house already in bed. Overseas call was very expensive. So my parents communicated mostly by recording their words with an audio tape and sending that over. My whole family could’ve gone back to Hong Kong to be with my dad. But the decision had been made years ago; the children will grow up away from that place. This was my father’s love.

I saw my dad during the summer holidays and during Christmas (if I was lucky). On those few occasions it was a joyous reunion with many hugs and kisses. But only after a short while, he would be gone. I still remember the farewells. I also remember one thing. Something not so good. On one of those rare trips of my dad, I did something really naughty. I can’t remember what it was but my dad became so angry that he threw and broke my model battleship. Then he started whipping me with the cane. I was crying, angry and couldn’t understand why he would do this to me. He was angry and crying too. I found that totally illogical. Wasn’t I the one being caned? His words and I still remember it to this day, “This hurts me more than it hurts you.” Only much later do I understand that it was not only that my dad was hurt that he was causing me this pain. My dad was hurting because he loved me and wanted me to grow up well and obedient.

My dad lived without his wife and children by his side for about 4 years. The little children he left behind were now teenagers. My mom, me and Paul had obtained the almighty American passport and it was decided that the family have to be together again. So with my father’s new job assignment, we moved to Singapore. There are of course many things that happened there too. At this present time, my parents are in Tianjin, I am still in Singapore and Paul is in Australia.

Yesterday on Father’s Day, the speaker at church spoke of how many fathers do not spend time with their children and do not have a healthy relationship with their own spouse. He encouraged the father’s to aspire to be better fathers. My thoughts were that my father was already great! My dad has worked as an executive, as a director, as a VP, etc.. but he has always tried to make time to be with his family. He would often ask his children to go for a family trip. We turned him down usually..

My dad was also highly active in church service. He loves music and has dedicated much time into church worship services and in choir. He was also in the church council. My mom would assist him with the song arrangements and his many other activities. Truly a husband-wife team dedicated to the Lord. Even in Tianjin, they continue in their work. Despite being past their prime, they serve even more in the church. My dad told me on my recent trip there, “These days, too many people tell you to do what they say and not what they do. But this was not the way. According to 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul urges the Corinthian church to ‘follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.’” There have been much debate over the 1 Timothy passages concerning the requirements of an overseer and of deacons. The much discussed being “above reproach”. It is possible to be so. Or maybe very near it as I see my father approaching it day by day.

My dad is of course by no means, perfect. He has his faults like all humans do. But he is from my view, a role model father. All that he is was of course not my doing. His son can only speak fondly of him and not be able to take credit for the father’s love upon him. I cannot but wonder how, coming from such a background as his, my dad can be who he is. I will be sure to ask him after I have finished writing this. Although it must surely be the grace of God!

Thinking of what my father has done for me has also reminded me of the One who gave me this father, God. And while thinking of how much my earthly human father has done for me was great, I can’t but help ponder how much more my heavenly Father has done for me. How much He has cared, nurtured and loved me. How my human father is only a pale comparison to what God the Father really is.

My dad has been a great influence in my life. He was not physically with me for a large part of my life. But what he has done for me, Hhs love for his spouse, his many sacrifices, and his very absence a testimony of his love is the best example to me of how to lead my future family. The speaker (from yesterday) also spoke to dads to not neglect their children, to not be hypocritical as their children would grow up to be just like these dads. But I want to say that my dad loves his family truly in word and deed, and I want to be just like you dad. Happy Father’s Day. I love you daddy.

Deciphering my maze of thoughts

Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. Matt 13:18-23

It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Heb 12:7-8

The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it? "I, the Lord, search the heart , I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds. Jer 17:9-10

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him... But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death... James 1

Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.' Matt 7:22-23

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries... For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb 10

Do not love the world nor the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. Children, it is the last hour... They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:15-19

"I go away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come." John 8:21

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Rom 8:5-8

It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on that day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed... Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Luke 17:28-33

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Heb 13:17

Love is patient... it does not seek its own. 1 Cor 13

My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns from the error of his ways will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

Then the Lord said to me, "Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, My heart would not be with this people; send them away from my presence and let them go!" Jer 15:1

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Rom 8:26-27

On the next day Moses said to the people, You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the Lord, perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." Then Moses returned to the Lord, and said, "Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. But now, if You will, forgive their sin- and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written! Ex 32:30-32

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16

So the Lord said to me, "Do not pray for the welfare of this people. When they fast, I am not going to listen to their cry; and when they offer burnt offerings and grain offering, I am not going to accept them. Rather I am going to make an end of them by the sword, famine and pestilence." Jer 14:11-12

I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For if I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen... Rom 9:1-3

"Or if I should bring a sword on that country and say, 'Let the sword pass through the country and cut off man and beast from it.' Even though these three men [Noah, Daniel and Job] were in its midst, as I live," declares the Lord God, "they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves." Ezek 14:17-18

The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the LORD; and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace. Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived. Gen 19:23-29

Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. Jude 7

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above... James 1:17

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Phil 2:12

You

You, dear and highly adored
A comforter, A listener
A smile that dazzles and warms the loneliness of the night
Giving flavor to the mundaneness of now

You, precious and highly treasured
As delicate as a butterfly, Of royal rank
Cautiously and fearfully revealing your countenance
Treading, yearning for relief

Deficient, Moronic, Imperceptive, Insensitive
He who was dull and spoke ludicrous words
Breaking hearts, destroying intimacy was his forte
Stabbed and wounded, the butterfly fled, seeking refuge elsewhere

Affliction descended on he
He who irrevocably understood
Grasping the consequence of his foolishness
The silence, the painful silence that ensured

You, irreplaceable and highly cherished
Beautiful, Yet bruised
Well-made, Yet crushed
Cries silently, Yet heard and felt distinctly by he

You, like no other, highly cared for
Sweeter than honey, More costly than diamonds
His remorse for losing the all-important
So undertaking all things
So endowing all things
So surrendering all things
His hoping, his praying, his awaiting.... You

Sacrifice

by Bob Fitts

Oh this must be the hardest hill I've ever climbed
For I must sacrifice you, promised son of mine
And so I go to worship with you by my side
And trust the sacrifice, He will provide

And though I cherish you
I must now offer you
To Him who is the giver of all good things
And though I cherish you
I will now offer you
For surely He could raise you up again

Here on this altar Father I lay all my dreams
And offer back to you this child You've given me
O son you must believe He's called us to obey
And by His love He'll make a better way

And though I cherish you
I must now offer you
To Him who is the giver of all good things
And though I cherish you
I will now offer you
For surely He will raise you up again

O Abraham! Oh Abraham!
Now that I know you fear My name
Withhold your hand
O Abraham! O faithful man!
Your only son, he's not the one
Behold the ram
Behold the Lamb!

It must've been the hardest thing He'd ever done
When God the Father sacrificed His only Son
Though One He most cherished gave His life away
And by His love He made a better way

And so I cherish You
And so I honor You
For truly You are the giver of all good things
And so I cherish You
And so I honor You
Your sacrifice is now the King of Kings

Jehovah Jireh
He has provided
The sacrifice of love no man could ever pay
And what He requires of you and me
Even the hardest things
Your blood of Christ
Your sacrifice gives me strength to obey

Wow, I have not posted in a very long time. But considering all that has happened in my life since my last real post (more than a year ago?).. well, let's see what there is to share with you (the reader, if there are anymore of you).

To celebrate the resurrection of my blog, I'd like to thank the people who have been there for me during this trying time. That period of my life, has (hopefully) ended. All 3 of you (you know who you are). I've really not been myself lately, but thank the Lord for this song. Though the circumstances are not the same, I feel it is the Lord's message directed at my heart.

You 3, are indeed highly treasured. 1 for trying to distract me with activities, 1 for "scolding" me and sharing your life with me and 1.. the most unexpected of them all, for listening to all my ramblings and all that time you've sacrificed for me.. thank you. It will be remembered.

Thank you Bob Fitts for this song.

But mostly, thank Him, the giver of all good things. Thank you for your greatest sacrifice and that it is because of Your love, that we have a better way... Will blog about the song another time.

And one last thing... Abraham, you're truly the father of faith!

p.s. I will post again soon "promise"

Saved By Faith Alone

Thought it was interesting reading

Tom Flannery

Monday 30 October 2006, by Alain

One of the arguments that skeptics often use against religious faith is that there are so many religions in the world it’s impossible to know which one to believe. But this is simply not true. There are really only two faiths in the world, bliblical Christianity (true Christianity) and works-based salvation systems of various kinds.

Biblical Christianity teaches that we are sinners both by nature and by practice who can never be good enough to earn or merit salvation. The Bible tells us that "the best of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6). It reveals of mankind that "there is none who does good, no not even one" (Ps. 14:1-3). It declares that no flesh shall ever glory in God’s presence (I Cor. 1:29). It makes clear that we have nothing to boast of concerning salvation except about what Jesus did for us on the cross (Gal. 6:14). It says we have all gone astray and turned, every one, to his own way (Isa. 53:6). It declares that we have "all turned aside and together become unprofitable" (Rom. 3:12).

Thus, in and of ourselves, we have nothing whatsoever with which to commend ourselves to God, to merit his favor, or to work ourselves into His good graces. Like it or not (and human pride recoils at the thought), the Bible teaches the total depravity of man and our complete hopelessness apart from Christ of ever being saved or doing any good works whatsoever.

We can only be saved by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ and we can only do good works when God begins working in and through us for His glory after we’re saved. Our "good works" apart from Christ are all corrupted in one way or another (tainted by impure motives, done for our own advancement or glory, carried out in the service of false religion, etc.).

Ephesians 2:8-9 assures believers: "For by grace have you been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast."

This verse is a five-fold declaration of the gospel. It tells us that 1) we can only be saved by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ’s completed work on the cross; 2) salvation is not of ourselves in any way or to any degree; 3) salvation is a free gift from God; 4) salvation is not of works; and 5) because salvation is freely given to us by God’s grace and works are not involved whatsoever, we have nothing to boast of concerning our salvation.

Salvation is all Christ’s doing, which is why He is identified in Hebrews 12:2 as "the author and finisher of our faith" (He alone is responsible for the work of salvation, beginning to end). Titus 3:5-7 explains that "it is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us...that having been justified [made just in God’s sight] by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Scripture assures believers that we have been "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," and therefore the apostle writes "we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3:24, 28). And Romans 5:1: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

And Rom. 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death [eternal separation from God] but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Salvation is a free pardon purchased for each one of us by Christ on the cross, where He paid our sin debt in full, suffering "once for all" (Rom. 6:10, Heb. 7:27, Heb. 9:28, Heb. 10:10), "the just [dying] for the unjust" (I Pet. 3:18). As such, salvation cannot be earned or merited or even deserved; it can only be accepted or rejected. It is a free gift (Rom. 5:15-21).

All of the world’s religions teach that salvation is based, either in whole or in part, upon man doing enough good works to be allowed into heaven.

This is the message of religion, but biblical Christianity is not a religion. It’s a personal relationship with God through faith in Christ. That’s why many at the Great White Throne Judgment will hail Jesus as "Lord, Lord" and talk about all the religious works they’ve done in His service trying to merit salvation, and He will reply to each one of them: "Depart from Me, you worker of iniquity, I never knew you" (Matt. 7:22-23).

We simply cannot be saved, in any way or to any degree, by works. That’s the reason God gave the law in the Old Testament, a set of 613 perfect and holy deeds that men could use to earn their salvation — if that were even possible. If any works could save us, it would be the works of the law (God’s standard for goodness), but man has shown throughout human history incapable of keeping the law.

For one thing, since God is perfectly holy and cannot have fellowship with anyone tainted by the slightest stain of sin, the law must be kept perfectly at all times and in all ways. This is God’s standard for any works-based system — absolute perfection. Therefore, James 2:10 tells us that if we fall short in any minor point of keeping those 613 laws perfectly at all times, we are guilty of violating the law in its entirety!

Jesus took it even a step further when confronting religious leaders who foolishly believed that they could be saved through their works. Jesus pointed out that they must not only keep the law perfectly in their deeds, but in their thoughts also (Matt. 5). So if we hate someone in our hearts or minds, we are guilty of a form of murder in God’s eyes, and so on.

The law was given as a mirror so we could see how helplessly lost we are apart from Christ — it’s "a tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Gal. 3:24). In short, to show us we can only be saved by God’s glorious grace, by believing in Christ (trusting in Him alone to save us through His completed work on the cross).

When people asked Jesus what works they had to do in order to be saved, Jesus replied: "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent [Christ Himself]" (John 6:28-29).

Just as "Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness" (Gal. 3:6), and just as all of the other Old Testament saints believed God (trusted in Him alone) and were saved through Christ’s substitutional sacrifice (as foreshadowed in the substitutional animal sacrifices God instituted under the Old Testament system), so too are we saved by believing. And by "believing," the Bible does not mean merely mental assent, but placing one’s complete trust in Christ for salvation and entrusting yourself eternally — soul, body, being — to Him.

Thus, we keep seeing the same truth repeated throughout Scripture, in verses such as these....

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:36: "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

In John 5:24, Jesus declares: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."

In Jn. 11:25-26, He states: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."

The so-called "works verses" which false religions use to try to claim works are a part of salvation, such as Phil. 2:12 and in James 2, make perfect sense in light of the true gospel since we are saved not by works but for works (Eph. 2:10), and those works will always follow true salvation. Conversely, if these or any other verses truly taught that works were needed for salvation, there is no way to reconcile them with such verses as Eph. 2:8-9 and the many other verses which confirm plainly in clear, unambiguous language that salvation is by faith alone and works are not involved at all. This would necessarily mean that the Bible contradicts itself time and again, so such a position is ultimately unsustainable (unless you discount the Bible’s claim of being the infallible, authoritative Word of the living God).

So where do you stand? Salvation by faith alone, or by works of some kind also? Those are the only two faith systems the world has ever known, and the one you choose to accept will determine where you spend eternity.

____________________________________________________________

P.S.

Mr. Flannery writes a weekly political column entitled "The Good Fight" and a continuing religious column called "Why Believe the Bible?" for a hometown newspaper in Pennsylvania. His opinion pieces have appeared in publications such as Newsday, the Los Angeles Times, MovieGuide, Christian Networks Journal, and on WorldNetDaily. He is a past recipient of the Eric Breindel Award for Excellence in Opinion Journalism from News Corp/The New York Post and has won six Amy Awards from the Amy Foundation for his work.

The Purpose Driven Life (mini error reference)

Unable to provide a full critique as XZ still has my copy of the book.

Problems

1. Weird and baseless Bible Translations used
2. Scripture taken out of context
3. Makes people "feel good" angle
4. Incomplete Gospel presented
5. Quotes from dubious sources ie. Mother Teresa, Brother Lawrence, Henri Nouwen, etc.

Select Quotes (red is mine)

p9 - "This is more than a book; it is a guide to a 40-day spiritual journey that will enable you to discover the answer to life's most important question: What on earth am I here for?"
- Most important question that YOU need to answer is, "Has the God of this universe forgiven me?" Acts2:37c

p9 - "Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for his purposes, he took 40 days."
- Statement meant to give 40 days a "spiritual significance". Not forgetting... The Israelites who wandered in the desert for 40 years. Paul took 3 years to prepare for his mission work. And when other examples are given that are not 40 days (p222), it is to "develop character".

p17 - "It's not about you"
p20 - "It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall process he is working in everything and everyone." Eph1:11 [compare that to the NASB]
p177 - "Much confusion in the Christian life comes from ignoring the simple truth that God is far more interested in building your character than anything else."
- So who is this really about again?

p82 - "Stop quarreling with God! If you agree with him. you will have peace at last." Job22:21
- Statement made by Eliphaz to Job. He [Eliphaz] was later rebuked by God for his statements.

p163 - "God warns us over and over not to criticize, compare or judge each other. When you
criticize what another believer is doing in faith and from sincere conviction, you are interfering in God's business"
- So I can murder as long as I'm doing so in faith and from sincere conviction? If we are not to judge nor criticize, then what's the function of the Law?

p174 - "Obedience unlocks God's power. God waits for you to act first."
- John 6:44. If God ever waits for us to act first, we would never have been saved in the first place.

p231 - "The last thing many believers need today is to go to another Bible study. They already
know far more than they are putting into practice. What they need are serving experiences in which they can exercise their spiritual muscles."
- Crisis in America
p306 - "The best way to internalize the principles in this book is to discuss them with others in a small-group setting."
p307 - "I strongly urge you to gather a small group of friends and form a Purpose-Driven Life
Reading Group to review these chapters on a weekly basis."
- So we are to abandon the study of the Word for his book?

And saving the best for last, the Gospel according to Rick Warren from p58.

Quick Summary

• The true gospel is a call to self-denial, not self-fufillment. The gospels are a message about redemption, not about life's purpose
• The gospel according to Scripture deals with God's Law, His grace, human depravity, redemption from sin, justification, sanctification, holiness, the nature of saving faith, and the lordship of Christ.
• And the true gospel's most essential features are the cross of Christ and the truth of the resurrection. None of these subjects are dealt with adequately or biblically in this book
  

Relational-Lag >> think jet-lag

Back from Hong Kong.

Ate lots. Gained lots. Met people. Saw things.

Mood: Unstable

Will update when I'm more myself.

p.s. For those wondering, I only managed to eat 42 out of the 56 food items listed. So sue me.