What is liberal theology?

According to Dr. Al Mohler, he quotes Richard Niebuhr, "A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a cross" (H. Richard Niebuhr, The Kingdom of God in America; New York: Harper and Row, 1959; page 193). A Christless Christianity that is void of God's wrath, man's sin and a Jesus who never went to the cross (because it's just too violent and grotesque to think about as civilized, rational beings).

I had a theology professor who once quipped, "if a rat falls into a cookie jar, does it make it a cookie?" Nope.

If a tree fell in the forest . . .

. . . would you hear it? This was too sweet to pass up.

Ekklesia & The Missional Church

Something which has been stewing on my mind as of late is the whole idea of "ekklesia" being this "source of wisdom and good counsel for the wider society in which it is embedded" (ala Frost & Hirsch). I did lousy with 2 semester of Greek, but I do remember that along with the typical usage of "assembly" or "gathering of town folk," the biblical meaning could be taken literally. "Ek" - out from and to; "kaleo" - to call. Not only would this imply an organized [called] gathering, but in addition the implication that the assembly is composed of those who are "called out" and in a Christian sense "separate." Biblically, this would suggest that this particular assembly would be composed of those who are called by God, regenerated by the Spirit, justified by grace and now disciples of Jesus Christ. Having said that, "F & H" have more recently been using the quote "if [the church] were taken away from its neightborhood, would the whole community grieve its loss?" Nowadays, with this evangelical pendulum swing towards the social gospel, we are witnessing an evangelical Costco-sizec purchase of all things moralistic and community-oriented. Does the church of Jesus Christ serve the community for the sake of the community? OR does the church of Jesus Christ serve the community for the sake of Jesus? The missional concept - in some circles - is quite solid, however in other circles might we remember the impact of the "ekklesia" as recorded in Acts by Paul? For example, the "city within a city" called the church of Ephesus? Have we forgotten the riot that resulted with the presence of the gospel of Jesus Christ in that place? Or for that matter, Jesus' own teaching of faith as absolute surrender and loyalty to Him, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be my disciple" (Lk 14.26). Why does "missional" in some circles seem to forget that the church is the locus of missions (ala Leslie Newbigen) - it is the place where the redemptive power of Jesus Christ is declared and displayed (proclamation & demonstration of the gospel)? "Missional" is not just about turning the church into my highschool service club, it's got to be about Jesus and find its root/source in Him. Otherwise, close down your church and start a service club . . . becuase that's all you really are. Next we'll be counter-cultural, commune-living hippies . . . wait, that's already happened.

For the record, the Ephesians grieved the presence of the Christians in their city ~ especially the Ephesian temple-related business and artisans . . . they would've celebrated their departure. Talk about counter-cultural.

God's Sovereignty Over Disasters

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50.20 ESV).

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8.28 ESV).

The NIV translates Genesis 50.20 as "God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" . . . perhaps the most difficult thing for a fallen and sinful humanity to imagine is simply "what is good?" Is the present suffering, hardship, tragedy, death, disease that I am enduring good? "Finitum non capax infinitum" as John Calvin posited, "the finite cannot grasp the infinite," As a sinful humanity evaluates the good of a situation with the limitations and temporalness of the finite, will they ever grasp the eternal, infinite holy goodness of the sovereignty God?

Preaching is Important

How does one "be the gospel" without words and preaching? According to Scripture, "being the gospel" requires first the preaching and declaration of the gospel.

"For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm" (Psalms 33.9 ESV). Both the Father and the Son share this one thing in common - proclamation that precedes demonstration. J.I. Packer reminds us that the first act of public ministry performed by Jesus was to preach the gospel, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4.17 ESV & cf. v.23). Such is the importance of such a ministry that a Mighty God would use "speaking" as the primary means of "creating" . . . how important and significant it is for us to always remember "to preach the word."

Divine Wisdom

"It is not good to have zeal without knowledge . . ." (Proverbs 19.2a)

"When I Don't Desire God" ~ Piper's Teaching on Prayer

An excerpt from Dr. John Piper's "When I Don't Desire God" (pages 151 - 152) . . .

"Here’s the way I pray over the Word in my fight for joy . . . IOUS"

I—(Incline!) The first thing my soul needs is an inclination toward God and his Word. Without that, nothing else will happen of any value in my life. I must want to know God and read his Word and draw near to him. Where does that “want to” come from? It comes from God. So Psalm 119:36 teaches us to pray, “Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!” Very simply we ask God to take our hearts, which are more inclined to breakfast and the newspaper, and change that inclination. We are asking that God create desires that are not there.

O—(Open!) Next I need to have the eyes of my heart opened so that when my inclination leads me to the Word, I see what is really there, and not just my own ideas. Who opens the eyes of the heart? God does. So Psalm 119:18 teaches us to pray, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” So many times we read the Bible and see nothing wonderful. Its reading does not produce joy. So what can we do? We can cry to God: “Open the eyes of my heart, O Lord, to see what it says about you as wonderful.”

U—(Unite!) Then I am concerned that my heart is badly fragmented. Parts of it are inclined, and parts of it are not. Parts see wonder, and parts say, “That’s not so wonderful.” What I long for is a united heart where all the parts say a joyful Yes! to what God reveals in his Word. Where does that wholeness and unity come from? It comes from God. So Psalm 86:11 teaches us to pray, “Unite my heart to fear your name.” Don’t stumble over the word fear when you thought we were seeking joy. The fear of the Lord is a joyful experience when you renounce all sin. A thunderstorm can be a trembling joy when you know you can’t be destroyed by lightning. “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to . . . the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name” (Neh. 1:11). “His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD” (Isa. 11:3). Therefore pray that God would unite your heart to joyfully fear the Lord.

S—(Satisfy!) What I really want from all this engagement with the Word of God and the work of his Spirit in answer to my prayers is for my heart to be satisfied with God and not with the world. Where does that satisfaction come from? It comes from God. So Psalm 90:14 teaches us to pray, “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

Vancouver BC Real Estate Market Roller Coaster

This is a great video produced by the market saavy http://vancouvercondo.info/ ~ "real estate don't hurt people, people hurt people." When I first moved out to the GVRD back in 2006, one group of people swore that post-2010 Winter Olympics would produce the best affordable real estate prices within the Lower Mainland in years. Dude, that never happened ~ maybe, at most, a soft landing and immediate re-launch back into the stupid-sphere. What's up with the agents out here? What's up with realtors in Canada? What's up with the entire industry? Crazy.

Divine Wisdom

Proverbs 3.19 - 27 (ESV)

"The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, do not lose sight of these — keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it."

Public Service Announcement to All Pastors ~ Be Yourself!

For all you Driscoll-haters and Driscoll wannabes out there . . . check this out. God uses those whom He calls for His purposes. Thank you Matt Chandler for this PSA to pastors everywhere.

Getting Schooled by a Kid in Biblical Theology

God bless his parents!

"The Responsibility of Leadership" by A.W. Tozer

Originally written as an editorial for the Alliance Witness (now Alliance Life magazine), Tozer's writings have since been compiled into the book entitled, "God Tells the Man Who Cares." The following is from chapter 11, "The Responsibility of Leadership." Wise words from "a man of God" - A.W. Tozer.


The history of Israel and Judah points up a truth taught clearly enough by all history, viz., that the masses are or soon will be what their leaders are. The kings set the moral pace for the people.

The public is never capable of acting en masse. Without a leader it is headless and a headless body is powerless. Always someone must lead. Even the mob engaged in pillage and murder is not the disorganized thing it appears to be. Somewhere behind the violence is a leader whose ideas it is simply putting into effect.

Israel sometimes rebelled against her leaders, it is true, but the rebellions were not spontaneous. The people merely switched to a new leader and followed him. The point is, they always had to have a leader.

Whatever sort of man the king turned out to be, the people were soon following his leadership. They followed David in the worship of Jehovah, Solomon in the building of the Temple, Jeroboam in the making of a calf and Hezekiah in the restoration of the temple worship.

It is not complimentary to the masses that they are so easily led, but we are not interested in praising or blaming; we are concerned for truth, and the truth is that for better or for worse religious people follow leaders. A good man may change the moral complexion of a whole nation; or a corrupt and worldly clergy may lead a nation into bondage. The transposed proverb, "Like priest, like people," sums up in four words a truth taught plainly in the Scriptures and demonstrated again and again in religious history.

Today, Christianity in the Western world is what its leaders were in the recent past and is becoming what its present leaders are. The local church soon becomes like its pastor, and this is true even of those groups who do not believe in pastors. The true pastor of such a group is not hard to identify; he is usually the one who can present the strongest argument against any church having a pastor. The strong-minded leader of the local group who succeeds in influencing the flock through Bible teaching or frequent impromptu talks in the public gatherings is the pastor, no matter how earnestly he may deny it.

The poor condition of the churches today may be traced straight to their leaders. When, as sometimes happens, the members of a local church rise up and turn their pastor out for preaching the truth, they are still following a leader. Behind their act is sure to be found a carnal (and often well-to-do) deacon or elder who usurps the right to determine who the pastor shall be and what he shall say twice each Sunday. In such cases the pastor is unable to lead the flock. He merely works for the leader; a pitiful situation indeed.

A number of factors contribute to bad spiritual leadership. Here are a few:

1. Fear. The wish to be liked and admired is strong even among the clergy, so rather than risk public disapproval the pastor is tempted simply to sit on his hands and smile ingratiatingly at the people. "Fear of man will prove to be a snare" (Proverbs 29:25), says the Holy Spirit, and nowhere more than in the ministry.

2. The economic squeeze. The Protestant ministry is notoriously underpaid and the pastor's family is often large. Put these two facts together and you have a situation ready-made to bring trouble and temptation to the man of God. The ability of the congregation to turn off the flow of money to the church when the man in the pulpit gets on their toes is well known. The average Pastor lives from year to year barely making ends meet. To give vigorous moral leadership to the church is often to invite economic strangulation, so such leadership is withheld. But the evil thing is that leadership withheld is in fact a kind of inverted leadership. The man who will not lead his flock up the mountainside leads it down without knowing it.

3. Ambition. When Christ is not all in all to the minister he is tempted to seek place for himself, and pleasing the crowds is a time-proved way to get on in church circles. Instead of leading his people where they ought to go, he skillfully leads them where he knows they want to go. In this way he gives the appearance of being a bold leader of men, but avoids offending anyone, and thus assures ecclesiastical preferment when the big church or the high office is open.

4. Intellectual pride. Unfortunately there is in religious circles a cult of the intelligentsia, which, in my opinion, is merely beatnikism, turned wrong side out. As the beatnik, in spite of his loud protestations of individualism, is in reality one of the most slavish of conformists, so the young intellectual in the pulpit shakes in his carefully polished Oxfords lest he be guilty of saying something trite or common. The people look to him to lead them into green pastures but instead he leads them in circles over a sandy desert.

5. Absence of true spiritual experience. No one can lead another farther than he himself has gone. For many ministers this explains their failure to lead. They simply do not know where to go.

6. Inadequate preparation. The churches are cluttered with religious amateurs culturally unfit to minister at the altar, and the people suffer as a consequence. They are led astray and are not aware of it.

The rewards of godly leadership are so great and the responsibilities of the leader so heavy that no one can afford to take the matter lightly.

What to do when you got the right man for the job? Fire one of the other two men.

The left of Left political party otherwise known as the BC New Democrats [Party] is in a bit of a pickle. Apparently, in their overly idealistic world (aka. party constitution), the top three party spots must represent gender equality. I don't know how that "really" works . . . currently, the "honorable leader" is a woman and the other two spots are "manned" by men (president & treasurer). How does one determine equality with an odd number such as "3"? Or is the unspoken rule that the "leader" actually holds 2 votes and is somehow of more power and influence. In recent weeks, the current "dear leader" Carole James received the boot for no longer qualifying as this "supreme leader" . . . now if the current front runner for the leadership of the NDP just so happens to be a man. Too bad for their senior leadership, in order to get the "right man" for the job the NDP will need to drop either one or two of the other men.

For the NDP, it is more important to have the right man or woman in leadership versus finding the right person. Too bad for them. Maybe they should've planned this more carefully.

Read the article from CBC News below . . . so silly . . .

How the Further Left Critiques the Mostly Left

Native American activist John Trudell was interviewed (from SF) on CBC Radio One's "The Current" this morning. I thought it was interesting to hear how one activist critiqued another . . . assuming that Obama was in fact an activist.

Interviewer: "America elected a former social activist from Chicago, a lawyer who is not a white man . . . to be the president. What did you expect from Obama when he was running for that job?"

JT: "I expected nothing from Obama . . . I think Obama was put into office to serve the interests of the industrial ruling class . . . I don't think he was put there to look out for the interests of the vast majority of citizens, let alone native people."

A 21st Century Queer Spirituality

Kuyperian Quote of the Day

"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry: 'Mine!'"

(Abraham Kuyper, toward the end of his inaugural address at the founding of the Vrije Universiteit). Thank you Dr. Mouw.

Props to the Home Team!

San Fran #1!

Rest in Peace

"Naked I camed from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised" (Job 1.21 NIV).

Leo F. Yik
Born: July 27, 1970
Died: October 21, 2010

Rest in preace.

Lecrae's "Background" Ft. C-Lite

Young, Black and proud . . . gospel-driven, Christ-centered and Reformed.

The Missional Church for "The Rest of Us" (Dummies)

Move over Guder. Simple, simple, simple ~ good job.

Tolerance in the Pacific NW

As a visible minority, constantly assaulted with liberal banter and verbiage, the reality of our global village is settling in . . . with a vengeance. Despite all the "freedom of speech" rhetoric from the far left, it [free thinking] doesn't really matter when the rubber meets the road. Liberalism thrives in the western world while it is abhorred in most third world countries. Why is that? In its truest state liberalism is hostile and opposed to custom, tradition and convention. So when you pit a liberal against the rest of the world (with all of its culture and values), you have a world that hates North America (and every other western nation).

Case and point. A Seattle cartoonist recently felt that the creators of South Park "sold out" for not airing an episode that had sacreligious caricature of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. So the young woman took it upon herself to excercise her "rights" to draw the Prophet and make it a community event (North American style). What resulted was sweet irony ~ here is the article from the NY Times. Molly Norris, as she was previously known as, has since disappeared and found a new identity - all thanks to the FBI and probably other Federal agencies. You see, Miss Norris' ideas went viral . . . all the way back to Yemen . . . not too long after which a fatwa was issued for her death. She has since gone off the grid and nowhere to be found - thanks to the FBI. Bye bye to hot yoga, carmel lattes, organic cafes and the like. You may think you are excercising your right to political and artistic freedom . . . others may think you are attempting to murder their god and genocide their culture.

Yes, the US is a democratic nation. Yes, they have the right to sovereign rule and government. Yes, blah, blah, blah. That's not the issue. The real issue is whether or not cultural relativism and postmodern thought is legit and valid. Because, if so, all their prophets will eventually die by the sword of a jihadist. BUT if every thought and opionion carries equal weight and deserves a listen, Hitler and Saddam Hussein don't seem all that bad after all.

If you say that you accept everyone, but cannot . . . don't say because you don't mean it. Somehow, I think that the majority of the visible minority living in North America understand this situation a little differently than the white folk. Then again, didn't this already happen back in 2005 somewhere in Denmark?

Sin, Rebuke, Repentance & Restoration - Leadership Lessons from Jesus

Too often, 21st century Christianity promotes a form of spirituality without holiness. It is personal but without Jesus. Self-serving Moralism void of sanctification by grace. Passages regarding sin like the following one tend to drum up quotations about peace, justice and tolerence rather than simply obeying what Jesus instructs.

"'If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." (Luke 17.3 - 4 NIV).

"Lectures to My Students" (C. Spurgeon) - Reading Notes #1

Lecture II - The Call to the Ministry



While Charles Spurgeon affirmed that all believers are called to communicate the gospel, there is a special calling upon those who teach and "bear rule" in the church and supported by the church. Here are a few of Spurgeon's thoughts regarding the signs of God's special calling:

- an intense, all absorbing desire for the work. "Do not enter the ministry if you can help it."
- an aptitude to teach. Including attributes such as: sound judgement, solid experience, gentle manners, a loving spirit, firmness, courage, tenderness and sympathy
- the fruit of evangelism
- the call from the local church. Not necessarily an infalliable sign of God's will, but a necessary ingredient.

"That hundreds have missed their way and stumbled against a pulpit is sorrowfully evident from the fruitless ministries and decaying churches which surround us."

According to Spurgeon, these are some reasons why he felt some men were not called to "full-time, Christian, pastoral ministry":

- overambition to shine among men
- lack of sufficient intelligence
- lack of endurance or experience
- zealousness without substance
- aspiring to the ministry for lack of any direction
- physical deficiencies such as speech impediment
- instability of theological convictions
- ability to weather the storms of the ministry with grace

By far, one of the most, no nonsense, common sensical, realist and "briefest" counsel regarding "the call to ministry." Another wise and good resource would be Dave Harvey's (Sovereign Grace Ministries) "Am I Called? Discerning the Summons to Ministry" (the original article has now been replaced by a workshop with outlines and a different title).

Word of the Day

I remember watching Sesame Street back in the day and there would be these special words, letters and numbers "of-the-day." Along that rich tradition of early childhood education, I hope to promote that same fervor of excitement towards vocabulary.

So . . . the word for the day is "antidisestablishmentarianism." Its original meaning is derived from "establishment" which referred to the Church of England (church & state together - or the principle of a state church). I always thought that the "establishment" was something else (so my gay, middle age, white male, feminist humanities professor from San Francisco City College would often "drop").

Practical Biblical Ideas for the Selection of an an Elder

In addition to the primary references found in 1 Timothy 3.1 - 7 and Titus 1.5 - 9, Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears includes the following practical framework when selecting biblical elders (e.g. teaching elders/pastors, church planters, ruling elders, etc.) to oversee the local church:

- examine his family
- examine his financial giving to the church
- examine his performance at work
- examine his relationship with people outside the church
- examine his service in the church
- examine his spiritual gifts
- examine his ministry passions
- examine anything and everything else realted to his conversion, calling, character, courage and comptency

Both writes also suggest "appoint slowly and terminate quickly. Too many churches appoint quickly and terminate slowly, which is devasting to church unity and momentum."

(page 71, "Vintage Church" by Driscoll & Breshears)

Preaching Coach ~ Darrin Patrick

"A Preacher with His Bible" (originally posted over at the Acts 29 Network site; by Big Bad Darrin Patrick - a man of god)

Preaching Prep

A lot of preachers I coach want answers to these questions:

Why is my preaching not improving?
Why am I struggling to develop my preaching "voice?"
Why are people falling asleep when I preach?

One of the answers to these questions might have to do with how often they preach—they need more preaching "reps." But what do you do until then? You need preaching "preps." You need to be preached to every day from your Bible.

Peyton Manning does not just love to throw a football. He loves the football. When he was young he slept with the football under his arm. He knows how his fingers fit around the seams. He knows every contour of the ball. A preacher can't just love to preach, he has to love the Bible.

Good preparation that leads to effective preaching begins with letting Scripture examine, speak, and preach to us.

Steep in Scripture

My sermon prep begins with me, a cup of coffee, and my Bible. Only the coffee is optional. While I know my Bible well enough to have an opinion on a given text's meaning and how it fits into the overall story of the Bible, I like to focus and pray through specific words and phrases in the passage. This helps me "steep," or soak in the text so I can encounter God through the text.

This "steeping" or soaking does a couple of other things as well. It enables me to see the context of the passage clearly. Think of a juicy hamburger. The beef is the word, phrase, or verse you have chosen to meditate upon. All around the beef is the context—ketchup, pickles, cheese, and bun. Unless you are on the Atkins diet, you don't consume the cow without the bun and condiments. Likewise you don't take the word, phrase, or verse apart from its context.

Meditate on the Text

Meditating on the text allows me to bring the little story of the passage into the larger story of the Scripture. It helps me preach the specific verse or passage with a view into the larger context of Scripture. Here are some questions I think through to help me accomplish this:

What chapter is the passage in? What is the immediate context surrounding this passage that makes it unique in Scripture? Many times a passage is a reiteration of a previous argument, but look for why the author chose to stress this particular message again in your passage.

What book is the passage in? Recall the theme of the book you are studying, and if you don’t know the main themes or purpose of the book, do some research.

Who is the author? Think about the uniqueness this particular author brings to the Bible. Who was this author communicating to? What was unique about the audience—religious perspective, social standing, felt needs, etc…

Where does this passage fit in the overall story arc of the Bible? Does the passage function primarily as revelation of who God is, about God’s ability to create or about his creation, about the reality and depth of human sin and rebellion, about God’s redemptive power in Christ, or about the restoration of God’s creation and his children?

Where is Jesus in the text? What does the passage communicate about the person and purposes of Jesus? How does this passage expose the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world?

Get to know your Bible and be preached to, preacher man.

Listening to Chan, Driscoll and Harris

Intimate "fly-on-the-wall" listen to what three young, passionate pastors from the "restless & reformed" team have to say about many things . . . most interestingly is their discussion regarding the two prominent "gospels" in North American culture today: the prosperity gospel (God only sanctifies through material success) & the poverty (God only sanctifies through suffering) gospel. Interesting discussion that also reflects how many Christians, especially Chinese-Americans, are headed towards.

What's Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.

Rest in Peace

You will be missed Rev. Yik . . . you will be missed Coach Duane.

Seminaries & Inerrancy

Is it really that important whether or not a seminary holds to the inerrancy of Scripture? Which team should we be on?

For example, neither Regent College or Fuller Seminary hold to the position of inerrancy in their statements of faith. Then, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Talbot School of Theology clearly hold to the inerrancy of Scripture. In 10 to 20 years from now, how will those students affect the theological landscape of North America . . . or perhaps they already are. I can hear the arguement already, "well, I know 'so & so' from 'fill-in school' and they aren't liberal/conservative."

Preaching Quote ~ C.H. Spurgeon

"The sermon itself is the main thing: its matter, its aim, and the spirit in which it is brought before the people, the sacred anointing upon the preacher, and the divine power applying the truth to the hearer—these are infinitely more important than any details of manner. Posture and action are comparatively small and inconsiderable matters, but still even the sandal in the statue of Minerva should be correctly carved, and in the service of God even the smallest things should be regarded with holy care."

- Charles Haddon Spurgeon in "Lectures to My Students."

Community Service Announcement "RE: Decline in Values for Manhood"

*Are You An Obsessive Online Gamer?

EverQuest addiction? Many laugh at the thought, yet more cases are being seen each year. The highly addictive nature of online role-playing games impacts children and teenagers the most, but a growing number of adults are also getting hooked, and the latest craze is to online sports fantasy games.

Answer "yes" or "no" to the following statements to see if you may be addicted to online gaming:

1.Do you need to play online games with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve the desired excitement?
2.Are you preoccupied with gaming (thinking about it when offline, anticipating your next online session)?
3.Have you lied to friends and family members to conceal extent of your online gaming?
4.Do you feel restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop online gaming?
5.Have you made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop online gaming?
6.Do you use gaming as a way of escaping from problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression?
7.Have you jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, or even risked your marriage because of your online gaming habit?
8.Have you jeopardized a job, educational, or career opportunity because of your online gaming habit?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, you may be addicted to online gaming. These are common warning signs that you have lost control, lied, or possibly risked a relationship to support your gaming behavior. Why wait until it is too late to seek out help? Contact our Counseling Services today to receive fast, caring, and confidential advice to stop online gaming or read through our library of Books, eBooks and DVDs to help you find the information you need to understand Internet addiction and steps towards its recovery.

*Original post at netaddiction.com.

A recent article over at the NY Times highlights the emerging effects of heavy multitasking, over gaming and tech device dependence that has gradually infected the lives of most North Americans. Think twice before checking your Facebook, Twitter feed, IPOD app, email, whatever . . . you may be addicted . . . clinically proven addicted. "Technology is rewriting our brains . . ." Essentially, our bodies crave "dopamine squirts" that result when heavy multitasking on tech . . . without it our bodies feel bored and worse even depressed.

Asian-american affluence/self-centeredness + consumerism/materialism + technology = 30 year old guys still living at home (or the "one off" ~ the home purchased and down paid by mom), driving mom's car ~ also financed by mom, eating mom's food, leeching mom's bank account (bankrolled by moms like a freakin dealer ~ or getting transfers), laundry done by mom, playing World of Warcraft or PS3 till 4:00AM . . . ad naseum. Who cares if you have a 58" TV in your room!?!?!

What does that amount to? Insecure, overly sensitive, aimlessly wandering, wishful thinking, "banked" DEADBEATS! Deadbeats with credit cards - another dreadful global credit crisis in the making. Puh-lease brothas', quit yo' frontin' and "MAN the FREAK UP!" Get real jobs, move out (renting is no shame), find a girl who loves Jesus (more than you), marry her (before the local church community), and have kids (adoption is theologically on team) . . . ASAP! It's no family without kids. That alone ought to sanctify you. Also, go find a real girl not the fake one you starin' at on your screen. God help you.

(For the confused idiot - refer to the previous post)

Leadership Insights from a Former Navy SEAL

Residual takeaway from time spent watching Discovery Channel.

"Do you have the courage to start? Do you have the commitment to finish? Do you have the clarity of vision, to see exactly what you got to get done, that you are going to stick it out no matter what?"

"A man can only be beaten in two ways: if he gives up or if he dies."

- Former Navy SEAL, Zen Buddhist, Self-Protection Specialist Richard "Mack" Machowicz

What is an Evangelical?

"Evangelicalism is dead . . . Evangelical Christians no longer believe the Bible. Their real religion is Equality, which trumps their so called biblical convictions." (white supremacist radio talk show host James Edwards)

Over the past decade, I have heard and read that the team "Evangelical" referred to Protestants with a severe affinity for the gospel and Jesus. This was the team that held a high view of Scripture, the death & resurrection of Jesus, proclaimation of the gospel message, and the evidence of one's conversion (being born again) through "faith & deeds."

However, nowadays, everyone from the likes of Brian McLaren, Erwin McManus, John MacArthur, Tony Campolo, Jim Wallis, Elmer Towns, Chuck Swindoll, Chuck Smith, T.D. Jakes all apparently fall within this team. Nowadays, things are just not that simple anymore. Complicated? Quasi-neo-liberal social gospel-ites, open theists, prosperity gospel-types (with the lower case "g"), free will advocates, Calvinists, inclusive "warm fuzzy" inter-faith dialoguers, far right, far left, pro choice, pro life, same sex marriage advocate, traditional marriage advocate . . . the team doesn't seem to be on team anymore. Back in the day when Billy Graham started preaching, the team was simple and the lines were clear - today, the team is no longer a team but still tries to maintain the name, the theological lines are deeper and depending on which sub-team you are on - the lines may or may not be clear but "unattainable" and mysterious.

Is there such thing as loyalty to a team? In fact, does a "statement of faith" matter or hold worth in such an era as ours? One seminary boasts being "inclusive" while another boasts "biblical fidelity" ~ whether we like it or not, their clones have gone viral and the "evangelical community" will suffer. How does this play out theologically, missiologically and ecclesiologically? Shot gun blast, nuclear fallout, sniper round, cruise missile, chemical warfare, or the largest conventional weapon available post-cold war "a bunker buster"? Whatever we dump in the "front end" will come out the "back end" ~ we need to closely monitor and evaluate the "back end" damage.

When a white supremacist has a better take on the team, God have mercy on us all.

Hero of Last Month ~ My Rant

Former Principal Ken Fells of Graham Creighton Junior High of the Halifax School Board in Nova Scotia attempting to cease and desist 14 year old Josh Boutilier. Props to Fells who held his ground and put himself in a potentially dangerous situation as another student could have blind-sided him. As the parents of Boutilier create smoke and fallout over the incident, the rest of the country observes their clear irresponsible upbringing of another disrespectful, self-entitled, ignorant bastard of a boy . . . one who probably don't got no self-respecting Daddy who can teach him manhood at home.

Principal Fells, thank you for "manning up" when the boy was severely lacking.

Swagger Wagon

Yeah . . . jus' chillin' . . . wit' 'da familia.

Precious Death Lives!

Here's a secret . . . a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away . . . grunge and metal were the only tunes pumping from my '85 Celica GT. Oh yes, oh yes. Alice in Chains, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam, Megadeath, Metallica . . . and yes, Precious Death (ala King's X). My homie LY ~ a diehard, US Navy, bodyguarding bassist ~ intro'd me on the PD. Ah yes, they live. They live here. Guess which one band member is the theologian? Reformed at that?

"Don't be Wimp Man!"

Yes, that is my jab at single men. C.J. Mahaney's great pre-marital talk "Preparation for Marriage" which originally aired back in '94. A Christ-centered, gospel-driven teaching for those who are single. Mahaney underscores the talk with the Puritan ethic of marriage: "Look not for a partner whom you love passionately at this moment, but rather for one whom you can love steadily, as your best friend for life, and then proceed with God’s help to do just that." Click here for the 2 part series from Sovereign Grace Ministries.

Coffee: The New Health Fad

I've always known that coffee contained amazing supernatural powers. Such that researchers have known found that coffee drinkers "may be at lower risk of liver and colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson's disease" (not to mention that café is America's #1 source of antioxidants). CNN posted this amazing article on coffee and health.

And yes, the only way to drink coffee is always leaded and always "straight black." When you are out in the bush and you fall and fracture a bone . . . no worries, just pour some coffee on that open wound. Hoo-rah!

"No, Mr. President" - John Piper's Response to Obama

When the sovereignty of God is diminished and the ability of humanity is elevated, one finds themselves amidst the ghosts of the Enlightenment. The prophets of which foretold the great deception that "humanity would kill the idea of God." Are we truly that autonomous, with such potential waiting to unleash, able in and of ourselves? Rights and privileges . . . do we, at a cosmic level, deserve or dare demand the divine right of choice apart from a Holy God? Right to choose, whatever the choice - sexual orientation, sexual deviation, life, death, war, peace, God, Satan - is humanity morally able to do such a thing apart from God's grace? Scripture reminds us that dead men are dead, they are slaves to darkness. IF dead people make choices, THEN all that follow is certain to be void of life and light.

Navigating the Culture Waters

I'm not talking about "culture" in the Newbigin/Niebhur-ian sense ~ which might be a useful tool to use if you are fluent in North American culture attempting to evaluate Western society. Culture as in the one that clashes between the "motherland" and "wherever you just so happened to be doubled parked." Nowadays, it is common knowledge amongst emerging generations of immigrant families living in North America that "things aren't the same back at the ranch." You've got different traditions/customs, cuisine, languages . . . values that guide the practices/rituals. "Am I black or am I white?" (props to MJ) I'm neither! A completely different issue that arises for me are the black or white guys who show up to multicultural church dialogues (where the "truly" invisible, visible minority brethren gather - Hmong, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipinos, South Asians, Koreans, etc.) ~ sorry black & white boys, you just too political for me.

Often times, especially amongst second-generation, visible minority, "my-parents-are-immigrant" Christians - we have basically two options to take for evangelical spirituality and church growth. The first is "by-the-numbers" - as though the statistics and academics of our parent's dreams were not good enough . . . there are the Ph.D.s and engineers that analyze second-generation ministries. The second, less common, are those who have a deep rooted understanding of the Bible, God's mission and the fallness of humanity. This latter group tends to be less vocal - more pastoral geek and less missiologist or contextual theologian geek. I think of the John Neufeld's (Willingdon Church in Burnaby, BC) or the Tim Keller's (Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC) or even yes, the likes of Erwin McManus (Mosaic in LA). Theologically from different teams (MB, PCA and hybrid SBC), but the one thing they hold is common is a firm grasp on the Bible (I know that McManus pushes everyone the wrong way) . . . less formulas, less tables, less methods, less practice . . . more Scriptural, more theology, more uncertainty. Somehow, these guys resonate more with me . . . more on gospel church and gospel community, less on multicultural church and multicultural community. I think that the whole multicultural church effort may have become just another church growth method. Case and point, people are making lots of money off of it (e.g. conferences, books, speaking deals, etc.) and its results are minimal. Obviously, if you are a numbers guy everything you see and think will be filtered through that lens . . . and just think if you are a gospel guy? I guess to be fair I should toss in the third group that I failed to mention . . . the culturally comfortable despondents. I think of all the American/Canadian Toi-san 30-40 something folks that I know of who continue attending church and doing whatever they need to do to rid themselves of shame and gain points with their parents. These guys prefer the glorified babysitting English Ministries . . . as long as the preacher or speaker has something relevant to their context (e.g. parenting, finance, educational/vocational development, etc.) - which in turn feeds their competency to please their parents. And for a second, cultural relativists unite, by which culture would this type of behavior be interpreted as being "less, weak, incomplete, infantile, underdeveloped . . ."? Hmmmmmm. But then again, what does Scripture say in regards to these practices and types of behavior?

How does one develop a solid biblical theology within the second-generation? Does it require for us to adapt to the North American banter of "taking out the white guy" and "replacing him with a non-white guy"? Are we adopting Western ideology (and become white-ified) in order to achieve success? Do we hold hands with the dominant minority groups (e.g. blacks, hispanics, and the ever present hyper political LGBT) in order to achieve God's will? Does it require for covert operations of "reverse racism" amongst the ranks of our denominations to occur? Does it require for more modern studies and methods to take place? Does it require for more "dialogues" and "conversations" to be perpetuated? (is it only me or have discussions regarding English Ministries hit 40 years in US circulation?) For the record, this is my rant . . . no answers, just rant . . .

If God is sovereign and has called each of us to a particular place and time for His particular purposes, why does He do that and for what reason? And to what extent does it matter to Him that we are a visible minority?

My adopted white Mennonite dad used to always remind me, "it still takes 50 years to grow an oak tree!"

Cleaning Up Your Online Reputation

Was listening to talk radio on the AM yesterday and came across an interesting conversation. Apparently, employers are increasingly adding to their arsenal of vetting potential workers the simple use of Googling a persons's name. Everything from the most recent blog entries, facebook photos and "hate" mail pops up using the mega search engine. Newsweek even featured an article on "Cleaning Up Your Online Reputation" which outlines how one can retake one's online identity. So it goes multiple directions: twittering enables employer's to track one's productivity, blogging and a facebook status can enable employer's to track one's satisfaction and "team capacity", flickr enables employer's to become the moral police sifting for people "who don't fit the company profile." Not to mention, if someone really hates you they can always hijack your online reputation and "go to work" on you with the text-based hating (or for that matter, create a fake identity which drags you all over cyberspace in shame) . . . Which then naturally begs the other question "How Does One Hide From the Internet?"

CBC Radio: "Canada Live!"

I love CBC Radio . . . I listen to both 88.1 FM & 105.7 FM (though CBC Radio 1 in the morning is more favorable to my taste ~ "The Current" & "Q w/Jian Ghomeshi"). Want something musical and tasteful, check out the Alex Cuba band or on myspace (Alexis Puentes, a Cubano living in Smithers, BC). A live performance recorded at the Park Theatre in Winnipego. CBC Radio 2 also has in their archives the likes of Bruce Cockburn and bites from Folkfests across Canadiana.

What is the Greatest Theological Challenge facing the Next Generation of Pastors?

This was a post on Resurgence of which both Dr. R.C. Sproul & Dr. Michael Horton responded to. Horton's response resonated with me - his thoughts regarding the emerging theological challenges for modern pastors. Historic orthodoxy, for example, in particular the doctrine of the Trinity is being challenged and replace with (evangelicals in favor of) on one hand unitarinism and on another hand a social tritheism.

Horton goes on to unpack why this is the case in revealing that the Christology of many modern evangelicals is biblically deficient and frankly heretical [my add & emphasis].

"Christology is the next frontier for tinkering . . . if Jesus Christ leads us by His moral example - that's how he saves us . . . then what you really need is a tool kit not a Redeemer . . . then there is absolutely no reason for God to descend to us in the flesh to save us . . . If we can save ourselves OR If there is not need to save ourselves from God's righteous, just wrath . . . then there is no need for Jesus to be divine, no need for Jesus to absorb the judgement meant for us."

If there is no need for a divine Jesus then these moralistic, fake, socialists-in- pastor's-clothing should pack up and go home. Not to say that we throw out the baby with the bath water. Yes, I firmly believe that social justice is important to Jesus. But when someone throws out the divinity of Christ for the humanity of Christ - "I follow the moral example of Jesus . . . to the detriment of the divinity of Jesus" . . . that's not Jesus anymore (can we say "both ands" here?). God, sanctify us in this pastoral endeavor . . . not to be moralistic, therapeutic demonics . . . but faithful followers of the Way.

What are the "things of men"?

31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life[c] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

Mark 8.31 - 38 (NIV)

The "things of men" are the things that do not reflect the gospel of God's grace. These are the things that occupy our hearts and minds for self pleasure and enjoyment which do nothing to point our hearts back to Jesus. They can be as sedated as frivolous thought or extreme as blatantly popular spirituality - anything which obstructs or distracts us from attributing our existence to God's grace, faithfulness, mercy, love, holiness, perfections, etc. . . . those things we must avoid like the plague. "Those things" are the hybrid false idols of our age. Again, if Jesus Christ is not our starting point, wherever we attempt to head towards will only gain distance between us and God.

The Hansen Report: 5 Myths about Emerging Adult Religion | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry Leaders

All the idealistic navel gazing of the past decade of a middle class liberalized evangelical movement has been found out by the sociologists.

The Hansen Report: 5 Myths about Emerging Adult Religion | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry Leaders

The Analogy of Faith

Analogy of Faith (according to Dr. Graham Cole; professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School). A rule of thumb - dating back to the Reformers - for interpreting the Bible; hence protecting you from heresy and the like)

- Use Scripture to understand Scripture
- Never use Scripture against Scripture
- Plain Scripture to understand obscure Scripture
- “When we put a text, in its context, in its argument or literary unit, in its book, in the canon, in the light of the flow of redemptive history.”

Props to Dann Huff

Alright, if I gots Shawn Tubbs on here I'd better get some Dann Huff too . . .



One the primo session Nashville players . . . off the hook.

Props to Shawn Tubbs

Shawn Tubbs is sick . . . real sick.



Listen to the guitar workshop he gives on the Strength album from the Violet Burning (this was back in '92). Chosen is available for free download right now.

Consumer Spirituality (part 1 "Spoiled Rotten")

Information and services have never been so accessible to humanity in all of history. Perhaps seen in previous generations under the guise of something else, we now have a new breed of mutant evangelicals who feed their conference junkie, virtual responsibility, shallow spirituality, realistically immature souls. Men no longer want to be men, women no longer want to be women with men who don't know how to be men, people don't want to be people, fathers don't want to be fathers, husbands don't want to be husbands, pastors don't want to be pastor . . . we can pay to "just pretend." Go to this conference, attend this boot camp, go to that workshop, go to this seminary. People who aren't called to be fathers, husbands, or pastors and pretend to be fathers, husbands and pastors. Justification for fornication, justification for identification, justification for ordination? What seems to be missing here? God? Jesus Christ? At the most basic level, submitting one's life to Christ/the gospel, God's word and His grace - completely and utterly absent. If we can pay for it, we deserve it and damn it we will have it. The overkill of information and services has created so many micro-levels of confusion and blur that even the village idiot can now get up to the pulpit and preach. We have migrated far from being "sinner's saved by grace through faith" (historical orthodoxy) to "good people - since I paid for the premium product labeled 'goodness' - who need to mine out our potential and self-deserved privileges and status" (neo-humanistic, post-evangelical, neo-liberal heresy).

Matt Chandler, a Jesus loving prophet and leader from within the movement, has this to say to a generation of IPOD carrying, MAC identifying, Facebook twitting, wifi hunting, expensive food & coffee slurping, branding infatuated, fabricated identity creating, 21st century evangelicals . . . essential a pack of spiritual posers who identify with each other and reinforce the pack mentality.

"I think that what we are doing here is a little dangerous . . . not in the 'save the world for Jesus' dangerous . . . dangerous in terms of a constant gathering of information with no real effort or ability to apply that information. So then you create this weird Christian subculture where you got your heroes, you got your preachers, you got your . . . and everyone keeps coming to the same conferences over and over and over again . . . and it kinda reminds me of the Old Testament somewhere where God says 'I hate your gatherings.'" (Matt Chandler, Advance '09 from his intro "Preaching the Gospel to the De-churched")

"Stop bringing offerings that do not mean anything to me! I hate your incense. I can't stand your evil gatherings. I can't stand the way you celebrate your New Moon Feasts, Sabbath days and special services. I hate your New Moon Feasts and your other appointed feasts. They have become a heavy load to me. I am tired of carrying it. You might spread out your hands toward me when you pray. But I will not look at you. You might even offer many prayers. But I will not listen to them. Your hands are covered with the blood of the people you have murdered. So wash your hands. Make yourselves clean. Get your evil actions out of my sight! Stop doing what is wrong! Learn to do what is right! Treat people fairly. Give hope to those who are beaten down. Cheer them up. Stand up in court for children whose fathers have died. And do the same thing for widows. 'Come. Let us talk some more about this matter,' says the Lord. 'Even though your sins are bright red, they will be as white as snow. Even though they are deep red, they will be white like wool. But you have to be willing to change and obey me. If you are, you will eat the best food that grows on the land. You must follow me. You must obey me. If you do not, you will be killed with swords.'" (Isaiah 1.13 - 20 NIV).

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6.20 NIV).


God, have mercy on me.

"Christ the Only Way" (Dr. R.C. Sproul)

Comments on the Future

"Evangelical angst about its current state and future prospects. Evangelicals are trying to figure out who they are and who they should be. We see that in the 'Evangelical Manifesto,' the Gospel Coalition, in This We Believe. There are all these movements trying to define who evangelicals are and what evangelicals should be. Since evangelicalism is the only growing segment of American Christianity, its angst and future will matter deeply to the church in North America."

Ed Stetzer, editor, president, LifeWay Research

"A widespread abandonment of Christian doctrinal commitment — even doctrinal knowledge. Forget the rising number of people with no religious identity; the news to me is the vast number of self-identified Christians who have no real knowledge of, or deep commitment to, a specific Christian faith. You could say they were watering down Christianity's teachings, but I question if they even know those core teachings."

Cathy Lynn Grossman, religion reporter, USA TODAY

Truly remarkable, truly uncensored, truly prophetic words for the church of Jesus Christ to digest.

The Prosperity Gospel

The Prosperity Gospel from The Global Conversation on Vimeo.

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Seminary Survival Percentage

Visit Going to Seminary for seminary tips and advice.

Chuck Norris is Cool

The world of Chuck Norris info just keeps growing and I can't get enough of it! For example, did you know:

. . . Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.
. . . Chuck Norris doesn’t need a weapon. He is one.
. . . When Chuck Norris does push-ups, he isn’t pushing himself up. He’s pushing the earth down.

Sometimes, I really want to be like Chuck.

Grade 1 Fun

"One for all and two for one . . ."

"No sweetheart, its 'one for all and all for one'"

"No Daddy, that's how my friend taught me."

So I overheard my kids playing and attempted to correct them on their obvious misuse of the phrase made popular by the Three Musketeers . . . but apparently I was wrong. I guess this is what happens when East Indian and Chinese kids start playing together . . . the collision of centuries old cultures "activate" the deep rooted cheapness in their genes.

Sowing & Reaping

Some bad late night television . . . very bad late night television . . . oh so bad . . . (yes, I'm talking televangelist). This was a segment done by an Australian show highlighting the "worst of late night tv." Good grief.

I will never forget . . .

What I'm listening to . . . and wish had more time to . . .

Not enough time in the world for everything, but in my ideal world I would make time to audibly digest the following artists:

Adrian Gruning (Ibanez Signature artist - Argentinian jazz bassist)
http://www.myspace.com/adriangruningmusic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J9LSFb6Y6E (yes I have a SR300 as well)

Gabriela Montero (Venezuelan Concert Piano Diva - Improvisation Specialist)
http://www.gabrielamontero.com/

Lenny White (freaking Jazz drummer extraordinaire)
http://www.lennywhite.com/
http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/lennywhitereturnforever.html (Clark, Di Meola, Corea & White - make me soil myself)

Gregory Charles (the music man)
http://www.gregorycharles.com/
Was my Sunday morning drive talk show guy . . . until CBC 2 Radio pulled him ("In the Key of Charles"). Read here for the CBC layoffs and cuts. Guy would be on the piano doing "live hosting" playing and singing whatever the show's theme was. Crazy amount of musical knowledge and actual chops that were legit! Always the man in my book, always gonna be.

How Bing bankrolled Bill's Korean mission

Amidst the emotion and tears of the return of Laura Ling and Euna Lee . . . there seems to be another story. Not the one about American celebrity host Lisa Ling going on television to leverage the American public - something the North Koreans are sure to love. Not the story about how two employees of Al Gore's Current TV Cable television outlet somehow ended up in the custody of the North Korean border patrol. Not the story about former President Bill Clinton's ability to get the job down of securing the release of Ling and Lee. Not the story of Clinton's wealthy friend, Steve Bing ~ the guy who owned the "white jet" the girls stepped off of ~ financing the "rescue" mission. Not the story about how an American private jet carrying a former US president, a team of US Federal Secret Service agents, and members of Clinton's staff could even land in North Korea without being shot down . . . those stories would be worth researching.

No, the other story that got to me was the reminder of those who intentionally bring the gospel subversively into lands that are hostile to Jesus. The ones who don't just report across the river of danger, but cross over then journey deep into the land of danger. As followers of Christ, the reality of our faith is suffering . . . not comfort, not convenience, and certainly not copping out. I am reminded to pray for those who suffering, being tortured, even killed daily for the gospel . . . even American missionaries die for Jesus . . . that's expected.

A hint of this suffering can be found at "The Voice of the Martyrs" ~ a global perspective of the persecution of God's children. Open Doors ~ a ministry which serves the persecuted church worldwide ~ also has a word ("No Pardons for Thousands of North Korean Prisoners") for the church of Jesus Christ amidst the release of Ling and Lee, it can be found here.

Jesus once said this, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5.10 NIV). This is the story I am reminded. God's peace and grace to you Laura Ling and Euna Lee . . . God's mercy to all of us.

Christopher Yuan's Testimony

The testimony of a former homosexual, HIV-positive, passionate follower of Jesus Christ.



For anyone who has chosen to hate others, to hate God, and even themselves. This is the word of the Lord for you, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2.20 NIV). This is the hope and confidence we can have only through Jesus Christ. Repent of your sins and have faith in Jesus Christ.

Gender Wars

Does the Bible have anything to say about gender or gender roles? I thought Genesis 2 was sufficient - man and woman, man created as incomplete and in need of help; equal nature and likeness but distinct in gender roles (man is neither more/pig or less/spineless).

One recent argument I read pits the doctrine of the trinity against itself: a hierarchial view of the trinity VERSUS a mutuality view of the trinity. On top of this would be the less than sola scriptura hermeneutic which presupposes certain 1st century Palestianian household codes (as found in Ephesians 5, Colossians 3 and 1 Peter 2) were used to structure family businesses for maximum profitability. Hence, lateral movement of such principles would violate biblical principles - family as business? Also, to superimpose such principles would simple reflect the fallen nature of humanity; hence, egalitarianism.

I know, I'm the dumb guy . . . here it goes. God is the Father - the Son refers to Him as such and relates to Dad as such (hierarchy?). Nowhere in the Bible do I see a conspiracy theory where the Holy Spirit takes lead in the Trinity either . . . that I know of. Aside from the fact that the Son is okay with the knowledge of certain events known exclusively only by the Father. Just as a note, I am not a subordinationist (members of the trinity are less than one another in nature and essence - this heresy would suggest that God is the nose tackle, Jesus is the linebacker, the Holy Spirit is the free safety ~ in terms of power structure) . . . I hold to what Millard Erikson describes as "economic subordination" ~ one godhead existing eternally in three persons, all three persons (hypostasis) of the trinity are equal in substance (ousia) but distinguished by their roles (economic).

As far as the family household code/family business protocol . . . yikes. Husbands are to be the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. Isn't Paul just reflecting on the headship as taught in Genesis 2? Is that analogy a business model? Is Jesus the CEO/CFO of the "biz"? What the freak? So Paul's take on wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters . . . not unpacking a certain power structure that needs to be maintained in order for harmony to occur? I'm seriously confused. If anything, this is a good example of prima scriptura . . . starting point is something in addition to the bible, not just the bible itself. A different kind of fidelity - faithfulness to the bible . . . kinda . . . and a bunch of smart dudes with degrees . . . and views that can only be afforded by a western nation that finances it's institutions towards neo-radical liberalism. I think.

JI Packer Gets the Boot

"From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near'." (Matthew 4.17 NIV)

JI Packer was recently kicked out of the Anglican Church of Canada when he told his denomination to repent of their sin of condoning same-sex marriage. Because they did not repent, Packer went on to call them heretics. Now, for some of us, this is a big and weighty word with power behind it. Mark Driscoll asked Packer, “Why did you call them heretics?” This is Packer’s response (paraphrased by Driscoll):

“Heretics don’t call people to repent of sin . . . all you need to do to be a heretic is accommodate sin, tolerate sin, bless sin, sanction sin, excuse sin, not oppose sin . . . the first word of the gospel is ‘repent’ that is what Jesus preached. Anyone who does not call their people to repent, does not love them, does not love the Lord, does not love the word.”

John Piper's Panel Quotes

Some great insight and wisdom from Pastor John Piper's response to Stephen Um's question "How do you apply/emphasize a word-based ministry in your local church besides merely preaching?" (ala The Gospel Coalition 2009 Conference).

"[speaking to preachers] lead by teaching . . . I'm breaking my back not to be the authority in this church . . . get your nose in this book [the Bible] . . . don't hover over text [e.g. drawing attention constantly to yourself, your stories, your authority, your analysis, your insight, your psychology, etc.], land in the text."

The authority of God is found and established in God's word . . . nothing else (e.g. narrative, current events, stupid jokes, blather, etc.) . . . hence, the primacy of God's Word - sola Scriptura.

Kim Jong IL - E Harmony

"you throw and then in the hole . . ."

Evangelism Without Proclamation

William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army "insightfully remarked" (prophesied) of a false gospel that would be preached in the twentieth century. He warned of "a generation that would accept a gospel that preached a faith without repentance, religion without the Holy Spirit, a salvation without Lordship and a Christianity without Christ." Unfortunately, that description fits most of the churches I know. God help us . . . Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

"There is a tendency in some quarters today to promote a kind of evangelism without proclamation. Acts of service done or people are invited to experience Christian worship. But without words of explanation these are like signposts pointing nowhere or, worse still, signposts point to our good works. The gospel is good news - a message to be proclaimed, a truth to be taught, a word to be spoken, and a story to be told."

(page 54, "Total Church" by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis)

When in doubt, "TAP OUT!"

Not to be confused with Sensei Gene Lebell's mantra, "When in doubt, choke 'em out!" The following is a tribue to bad boy PK at UPenn. You will forever be "That Freak of Nature"! I don't even remember what happened. I think it was an arm bar . . . or Kimura . . . or Americana . . . don't remember much since you were beet red in freaking pain. Anyhow, here's the 411 in case that ever happens again. Call it BJJ gone bad, I was careful. And, for reals, I'm sorry mang. Peace.

Chris Botti - When I Fall in Love

Botti 'da freak and 'da mang!



His "Live in Boston" is off 'da hook and too schweet to pass up - very musical and tasteful.

WARNING: "Illiterates Are Not Welcomed"

Well, they are welcomed here . . . but in the leadership of the local church they do tend to spoil the food. Here's a humbling post by Dr. Ligon Duncan III:

"Here's a quote to chew on (even more relevant in an internet age than when its sentiments were uttered in the nineteenth century).

Philip Schaff observed, with dismay, the popularity in America of self-educated theologians, unexposed to the traditions of the academy, who presumed to establish themselves as authorities in matters of religious truth. He lamented that 'every theological vagabond and peddler may drive here his bungling trade, without passport of license, and sell his false ware at pleasure.'

E. Brooks Holifield, Theology in America: Christian Thought from the Age of the Puritans to the Civil War (Yale University Press, 2003). Quote is on page 17, in the introduction."

Yes, in my "youthful" arrogance (though not as youthful anymore) and impetuousness I do agree with Dr. Duncan ~ here is the original post. Lord, have mercy on me.