For all the memories.
For the times we shared.
For the laughing
The crying
The good and bad
For each and every day
For the messenger conversations
For keeping me up
And being with me when I fell
There's no way I can properly thank all of you. But I appreciate all you've meant to me and all that you've given me, and how you've changed my life.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Politics and the Church
I still remember, I think it was in 2005 in the Canadian General Election, a sermon from FEC's now-retired senior pastor, translated in English by one of the current pastors. Essentially, the sermon lauded Stephen Harper for his sentiments and his beliefs, while ragging on Paul Martin. Furthermore, the sermon extended beyond the issues. The sermon touched base on how Paul Martin had considered undermining his party (which was never really a real threat, he was known to be next-in-line to Jean Chretien), while how Stephen Harper patiently waited his turn to be leader (even though he was never a clear-cut leader in the first place... it's hard to say he was being patient). Nonetheless, it brought about an interesting though... how far should politics go in the Church?
Of course, I personally thought it to be despicable. The translator may have been assumed to be of the same opinion as the speaker, because they were both pastors. They may not have shared the same views. At the same time, it was hardly evident that Conservatives stood up for moral values anyway. We haven't seen anything done in the 2 plus years that Stephen Harper has been in charge. Yes, a gay marriage reversal would cause an uproar... but then why does it matter who we vote for if none will change it (assuming one is against gay marriage, which I am not really against)? To be honest, if the Liberals come up with a better policy to help the environment and the economy, and to cut taxes, I'd probably vote for them.
In the same way, it happens in every election. A lot of Evangelicals were frustrated when the choice was between Obama and McCain, who is relatively moderate and not very strong on the issues. However, the addition of Palin, a strong conservative, has caused a lot of Evangelical leaders to throw their support behind McCain. Radio show hosts such as James Dobson have told viewers to vote McCain (many had blasted McCain in the past), and I'm assuming it will happen again in churches everywhere tomorrow (Sunday). It sort of reminds me of a story I read after the 2004 election in the States, when a church tore itself apart after the pastor said that anyone who voted Democrat should leave the church.
How far can politics intertwine with the Church? Is voting Republican a must if one is a Christian, based on abortion and gay marriage stances? What is right?
Of course, I personally thought it to be despicable. The translator may have been assumed to be of the same opinion as the speaker, because they were both pastors. They may not have shared the same views. At the same time, it was hardly evident that Conservatives stood up for moral values anyway. We haven't seen anything done in the 2 plus years that Stephen Harper has been in charge. Yes, a gay marriage reversal would cause an uproar... but then why does it matter who we vote for if none will change it (assuming one is against gay marriage, which I am not really against)? To be honest, if the Liberals come up with a better policy to help the environment and the economy, and to cut taxes, I'd probably vote for them.
In the same way, it happens in every election. A lot of Evangelicals were frustrated when the choice was between Obama and McCain, who is relatively moderate and not very strong on the issues. However, the addition of Palin, a strong conservative, has caused a lot of Evangelical leaders to throw their support behind McCain. Radio show hosts such as James Dobson have told viewers to vote McCain (many had blasted McCain in the past), and I'm assuming it will happen again in churches everywhere tomorrow (Sunday). It sort of reminds me of a story I read after the 2004 election in the States, when a church tore itself apart after the pastor said that anyone who voted Democrat should leave the church.
How far can politics intertwine with the Church? Is voting Republican a must if one is a Christian, based on abortion and gay marriage stances? What is right?
Waking Up To A Brand New Morning
Everyday is a new day. Whether I'm here, far, wherever. The sun rises. Another day of beauty.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Sarah Palin
Wow.
Personally, I thought that was an amazing pick by McCain. From an issues standpoint, she is an extremely strong conservative. They both have significant distaste for pork-barrel spending, with Palin leading the charge in Alaska against her own party members. That's honesty right there.
From a political standpoint, it makes a lot of sense. Disgruntled Clinton voters and other undecided women (Of all undecided voters, women count for 55% of them) will have to take a look at the suddenly progressively-looking party. Palin's strong conservative background will reassure conservatives who were wary of McCain's moderate stances on many issues, and should draw voters from Barr back to McCain. She seemingly matches up very well against Obama, and has experience at the executive level, something Obama and his running mate (Biden) lack.
Oh, and she's pretty. Yeah, I know that's shallow. But does anything think that Belinda Stronach would've gotten elected under both the Liberal and Conservative Parties in Canada for an MP spot if she wasn't pretty either? It's sad, but looks do play an important part in politics.
So yes, so far, all signs point to a thumbs up for me. Most of the people criticizing the decision are strong Obama supporters anyway. The references to Clinton and Ferraro in her acceptance speech were a bit cheesy and obvious draw at the disgruntled supporters, but hey, if it works, it works.
Personally, I think whichever party wins this year gets to take over a nosediving economy, gets blamed for when it inevitably struggles, and will lose the election in 2012.
Personally, I thought that was an amazing pick by McCain. From an issues standpoint, she is an extremely strong conservative. They both have significant distaste for pork-barrel spending, with Palin leading the charge in Alaska against her own party members. That's honesty right there.
From a political standpoint, it makes a lot of sense. Disgruntled Clinton voters and other undecided women (Of all undecided voters, women count for 55% of them) will have to take a look at the suddenly progressively-looking party. Palin's strong conservative background will reassure conservatives who were wary of McCain's moderate stances on many issues, and should draw voters from Barr back to McCain. She seemingly matches up very well against Obama, and has experience at the executive level, something Obama and his running mate (Biden) lack.
Oh, and she's pretty. Yeah, I know that's shallow. But does anything think that Belinda Stronach would've gotten elected under both the Liberal and Conservative Parties in Canada for an MP spot if she wasn't pretty either? It's sad, but looks do play an important part in politics.
So yes, so far, all signs point to a thumbs up for me. Most of the people criticizing the decision are strong Obama supporters anyway. The references to Clinton and Ferraro in her acceptance speech were a bit cheesy and obvious draw at the disgruntled supporters, but hey, if it works, it works.
Personally, I think whichever party wins this year gets to take over a nosediving economy, gets blamed for when it inevitably struggles, and will lose the election in 2012.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
House Bunny
Ehh, average, in my opinion. I wasn't disappointed... in fact, it was a pleasant surprise (mainly because I thought the movie would be horrendous). I may not have loved it, but at least I didn't come out thinking that they swindled me of $9.
In other non-related news, Grouse Grind is on again this Saturday... anyone interested? In the past week my stomach has started to bulge, so yes...
In other non-related news, Grouse Grind is on again this Saturday... anyone interested? In the past week my stomach has started to bulge, so yes...
Monday, August 25, 2008
True Worship
1 Hour Later, through a worn-down guitar, my best friend and loving sister, two voices, and real longing and earnest prayer, I think I have discovered what true worship is, once again.
And it's something I'll look forward to. Every single time.
That may have been one of the most amazing events I have ever experienced. Right in our basement.
And it's something I'll look forward to. Every single time.
That may have been one of the most amazing events I have ever experienced. Right in our basement.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Grouse Grind
Today, I tried out the Grouse Grind trail up in North Vancouver...
Man, was it killer. My legs were so sore afterwards, and had cramped up at one point in the middle of the hike. I went through tons of water (and even stopped to eat a muffin). My lower body was just tortured.
Of course, I continually talked to no end, and my breathing was okay. In fact, I wasn't feeling fatigued or anything. Just my legs. They were going to fall off. (Fortunately, they didn't).
Apparently that's just a practice run for next week too.
Man, was it killer. My legs were so sore afterwards, and had cramped up at one point in the middle of the hike. I went through tons of water (and even stopped to eat a muffin). My lower body was just tortured.
Of course, I continually talked to no end, and my breathing was okay. In fact, I wasn't feeling fatigued or anything. Just my legs. They were going to fall off. (Fortunately, they didn't).
Apparently that's just a practice run for next week too.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
I Can Rest
Sleeping at 9 something at night is quite relaxing, albeit weird on my body. No wonder I can't get back to bed anymore.
This... is interesting, to say the least.
This... is interesting, to say the least.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Congratulations!
I'd just like to say... congratulations to Davidson and Krista on their marriage today :) (Sunday, since technically the day has past, but whatever).
One day I want to get married.
One day I want to get married.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Faith Enough?
You know... I have been wondering lately: How much faith is faith enough?
I mean, we hear stories of extreme faith. Martin Luther going against the church in that period of time. Peter and Paul and the others suffering for being who they were. Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo. Martyrs, even today. They all were strong enough to stand for what they believed in, and to trust God. But, as the trio of wise men said in Babylon, even if God decided that it was the end of their time, they would still be faithful to God, as he had, and would always be, faithful to them.
And then you look at Jesus. He found the most undesirable circumstances to reveal who he was. Walking on water... in the stormy weather. Feeding the multitudes... when they were hungry and desolate. He didn't magically take out food at any random time.
And then we read Matthew 17:20. With faith equivalent in size to that of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Personally, I wonder if it is a literal or a figurative mountain, because that would make a huge difference in my mind. A literal mountain would mean that almost no one has that kind of faith in modern day times... or that if we had that kind of faith, we probably are pretty tight with God and don't need to move mountains to prove anything. A figurative mountain... that's something we see all the time. People do amazing things, and they see amazing miracles.
In Romans, it's pretty clear that faith leads to salvation. Of course, faith leads to works and whatnot... but that first step... stepping out into the open and "risking" everything. That's what's hard. And maybe that's what I struggle with.
Meanwhile, I wonder whether my faith is faith enough.
I mean, we hear stories of extreme faith. Martin Luther going against the church in that period of time. Peter and Paul and the others suffering for being who they were. Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo. Martyrs, even today. They all were strong enough to stand for what they believed in, and to trust God. But, as the trio of wise men said in Babylon, even if God decided that it was the end of their time, they would still be faithful to God, as he had, and would always be, faithful to them.
And then you look at Jesus. He found the most undesirable circumstances to reveal who he was. Walking on water... in the stormy weather. Feeding the multitudes... when they were hungry and desolate. He didn't magically take out food at any random time.
And then we read Matthew 17:20. With faith equivalent in size to that of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Personally, I wonder if it is a literal or a figurative mountain, because that would make a huge difference in my mind. A literal mountain would mean that almost no one has that kind of faith in modern day times... or that if we had that kind of faith, we probably are pretty tight with God and don't need to move mountains to prove anything. A figurative mountain... that's something we see all the time. People do amazing things, and they see amazing miracles.
In Romans, it's pretty clear that faith leads to salvation. Of course, faith leads to works and whatnot... but that first step... stepping out into the open and "risking" everything. That's what's hard. And maybe that's what I struggle with.
Meanwhile, I wonder whether my faith is faith enough.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Innocence Again
Tonight was my uncle's birthday. His two kids shouted and ran around the restaurant, ignorant of the unfriendly glances and disapproving looks of those at the other tables. Other kids at our table had fun as well.
If only.
If only.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Thank You (Smoothies!)
Tonight, as I saw Sherry/Sherlene for the final time before they leave for the Philippines (and I for Waterloo), I reminisced. I thought about all the times I asked them (especially Sherlene) to pray for me, and the infinite number of times they showed kindness to me. To quantify such a sacrifice would be too difficult.
So I just wanted to say thank you.
So I just wanted to say thank you.
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Sad State of the "Church"
Have you ever had those times in Sunday School where you were told, "If you do (insert good action here, such as pray), (insert noun) will happen"? I still remember being told that if I was nice to people and if I prayed, I would be blessed with worldly things. I still remember. Of course, to this day, it seems like a pile of nonsense. At the time, though, I remember eagerly praying and waiting, hoping to get what I wanted. Eventually, however, I grew up from that. If you really need ulterior motives to do good things, then there's a real problem.
Unfortunately, it seems that some people haven't grown up. I don't want to drone on... so, I'll just say this. Prosperity Teaching is essentially... give money, do some things, and you will be blessed on Earth. Forget the fact that Jesus suffered, that Paul, John the Baptist, and Peter suffered. Or that tons of Christians, such as Martin Luther King Jr., have paid heavy prices for their work, even today. I guess they don't count.
I am currently reading through a script of Joel Osteen, the ordained preacher at Lakewood Church, on Larry King Live. Some of the gems...
"OSTEEN: Well, I think in a sense when you see certain things in society you would think that. But in another sense I see faith in America. Faith in the world. At an all-time high today. When I was growing up it was a big deal to have a church of 1,000. Now there's churches of 10,000. So many of them. So I think in one sense I can agree with that point. But in another sense I see a real spiritual awakening taking place."
It's sad for Osteen to be so naive. People often like to think that going to church regularly on Easter and Christmas shows commitment or devotion. Others like to think listening to the sermon every week (being a Sunday Christian) is the way into Heaven.
The fact that so many people attend Lakewood just shows how immense the group of people is that do not actually know what is written in the Bible at all. To be fair, I'm not perfect either. But to miss the integral message in there, the points of scripture... yeah.
The other great part? Osteen never went to seminary. Who knows how much scripture he actually knows. Somehow, based on his father's legacy at Lakewood Church, he was able to get ordained as a pastor without any background. Oh, and if anyone is curious... his best-selling book, "Your Best Life Now," doesn't even quote scripture until the end. How great is that? His reasoning for this is that he wants to reach a mainstream audience. Ugh.
And a couple more...
"KING: How about issues that the church has feelings about? Abortion? Same-sex marriages?
OSTEEN: Yeah. You know what, Larry? I don't go there. I just ..."
"OSTEEN: You wonder why Victoria and I have a great relationship? It's called Victoria's Secret."
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0506/20/lkl.01.html
Of course, this may just highlight a bigger problem. We only believe what we want to hear. Prosperity teaching is the most noticeable, because of how far it deviates from what the Word actually says. But it's quite believable that we all like to hear what we want to hear. In a world where Absolute Truth is getting lost in the shuffle, we struggle. It's probably unfair that I keep bringing up Joel Osteen, but it's just that he is such a visible character in today's society.
Anyway, this is already ridiculously long, and I have more to say, but I'll just leave it for tonight.
Unfortunately, it seems that some people haven't grown up. I don't want to drone on... so, I'll just say this. Prosperity Teaching is essentially... give money, do some things, and you will be blessed on Earth. Forget the fact that Jesus suffered, that Paul, John the Baptist, and Peter suffered. Or that tons of Christians, such as Martin Luther King Jr., have paid heavy prices for their work, even today. I guess they don't count.
I am currently reading through a script of Joel Osteen, the ordained preacher at Lakewood Church, on Larry King Live. Some of the gems...
"OSTEEN: Well, I think in a sense when you see certain things in society you would think that. But in another sense I see faith in America. Faith in the world. At an all-time high today. When I was growing up it was a big deal to have a church of 1,000. Now there's churches of 10,000. So many of them. So I think in one sense I can agree with that point. But in another sense I see a real spiritual awakening taking place."
It's sad for Osteen to be so naive. People often like to think that going to church regularly on Easter and Christmas shows commitment or devotion. Others like to think listening to the sermon every week (being a Sunday Christian) is the way into Heaven.
The fact that so many people attend Lakewood just shows how immense the group of people is that do not actually know what is written in the Bible at all. To be fair, I'm not perfect either. But to miss the integral message in there, the points of scripture... yeah.
The other great part? Osteen never went to seminary. Who knows how much scripture he actually knows. Somehow, based on his father's legacy at Lakewood Church, he was able to get ordained as a pastor without any background. Oh, and if anyone is curious... his best-selling book, "Your Best Life Now," doesn't even quote scripture until the end. How great is that? His reasoning for this is that he wants to reach a mainstream audience. Ugh.
And a couple more...
"KING: How about issues that the church has feelings about? Abortion? Same-sex marriages?
OSTEEN: Yeah. You know what, Larry? I don't go there. I just ..."
"OSTEEN: You wonder why Victoria and I have a great relationship? It's called Victoria's Secret."
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0506/20/lkl.01.html
Of course, this may just highlight a bigger problem. We only believe what we want to hear. Prosperity teaching is the most noticeable, because of how far it deviates from what the Word actually says. But it's quite believable that we all like to hear what we want to hear. In a world where Absolute Truth is getting lost in the shuffle, we struggle. It's probably unfair that I keep bringing up Joel Osteen, but it's just that he is such a visible character in today's society.
Anyway, this is already ridiculously long, and I have more to say, but I'll just leave it for tonight.
A Usual Day at CNN
I was just browsing through CNN, as usual, when I ran into this interesting story about a pastor.
Or... you know... this. Of course, this one is related to the wife of the largest and most vocal preacher of prosperity teaching.
You start to wonder, what is the difference? It really is unfortunate, the way the world works.
Or... you know... this. Of course, this one is related to the wife of the largest and most vocal preacher of prosperity teaching.
You start to wonder, what is the difference? It really is unfortunate, the way the world works.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Blogging is a Two-Way Experience
Blogging really is a two-way experience. This isn't really my journal. I can do that on my own time.
I know a decent number of you reply to me in person and via msn, but feel free to leave comments as well :) That's always a place to chat!
I know a decent number of you reply to me in person and via msn, but feel free to leave comments as well :) That's always a place to chat!
There's Nothing Like This
There's nothing scary like wondering if a loved one is okay.
And I hope I don't have to go through that again.
And I hope I don't have to go through that again.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Finding Good Music
Anyone have an idea how to do this? I'm not exactly sure where to get music for the iPod Touch I just got, because the music is all stored elsewhere.
Summer Camp, Part 1
So, I'm going to preclude this set of entries with some background. This weekend, I went to Camp Charis in Chilliwack, BC, for a church event. The theme was about Maxing one's flavour, or saltiness.
Hearing Pastor Tim's message, one involving life choices, was really eye-opening for me. The message was about how each person has different talents and enjoyments, and we should each do, as "work", what we enjoy doing. Am I going into accounting because that is what I want to do for the rest of my life? Or do I enter because my parents have told me to? It's hard to remember.
More to come soon as I screen and proofread what I've written down.
Hearing Pastor Tim's message, one involving life choices, was really eye-opening for me. The message was about how each person has different talents and enjoyments, and we should each do, as "work", what we enjoy doing. Am I going into accounting because that is what I want to do for the rest of my life? Or do I enter because my parents have told me to? It's hard to remember.
More to come soon as I screen and proofread what I've written down.
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