Reason, Logic and God

God reveals Himself primarily through the pages of Scripture. God's Word are backed by His authority as the supreme and sovereign in all situations. Often we make decisions we think that it is God's will however, circumstances will make us change directions. The circumstances surrounding our lives are no accident: they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God. We are to allow the Holy Spirit do what He will through us and see what He does with us.

Often we battle with issues according to flesh's reasoning. The concept that is is called "begging the question in logic", which is the Latin name petitio principii, is an informal fallacy found in many attempts at logical arguments. Such an argument is valid in the sense in which logicians use that term, yet provides no reason at all to believe its conclusion. Often people will use "logic" and "argument from analogy" (relating things to novel other situations) to prove their case. Thinking logically is a tough thing to do because it works against our human and horizontal perspective on true salvation. One thing I have learned is that God's will don't appear to be "logic". God is good and God is also Just. The Bible teaches that God is love; some have interpreted this in such a way as virtually to deny that He is just, which the Bible also teaches. The biblical doctrine of God's goodness so far that it is made to contradict His holiness. The biblical doctrine of God's compassion cancel out His truth. People will view God is ALL good, which is true but the definition of "good" in God's point of view is different than our human point of view.

Faith is accepting God's Will. Often we make decisions we think that it is God's will however, circumstances will make us change directions. The circumstances surrounding our lives are no accident: they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God. Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it. nothing is too small in us or in any other creature, not to be ordered by the all-knowing and all-powerful providence of God.

We all can claim to be a Christian, and we all believe that the root of the matter is in us and the seed of God is in our hearts. To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential.

Advocacies for Deaf and hearing loss.

Why many deaf people do not want to be a member of AG Bell's organization?

Hearing loss experiences differ individually. There are those who have been born with hearing loss (like me). There are those who lost their hearing later in life. To many, hearing loss is more of a social and professional disability rather than a physical disability. Many keep forgetting that the majority of the deaf community is often late-deafened, and especially with the baby boomers now entering the old age, we are seeing declining hearing and it is unlikely we’d see them rushing to learn another language like ASL.

Last month, Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) denounced repeated demonstrations against the association and its members by several groups claiming that AG Bell discriminates against individuals who are deaf who use sign language, specifically American Sign Language (ASL). One group for an example is “Audism Free America”. I found that there are some hard-core deaf idealists out there. Organizations like this are wasting time and money on divisive activities rather than looking for ways to give all people with hearing loss the ability to achieve their dreams, whatever they may be. Idealism basically means holding on to a set of beliefs which are a rigid system of the way life is "supposed to be" or "should be". Idealism belief system basically means you have adopted about how things "should be done" which often gets challenged by the way things are in reality. Many idealists find it difficult to fully accept anyone the way they really are and chronically attempt to control them so that they can become the way they "should ideally be" which often leads to become fatalistic, hostile, pessimistic, and negativistic attitudes. I truly believe that "over-idealism" is a control issue and that it is at the root of our need to over-control situations, people, places, or things in order to ensure that they come into compliance with our ideal image of the way reality is supposed to be.

Historically, there is a large degree of mistrust between the Deaf community and the AGBell because their philosophies are different. Depending on each individual, some may continue to use ASL after.CI surgery along with other forms of communication within their society. They can enjoy both deaf culture and hearing. There are those who will continue to be against AGBell unless they are willing to change. It is up to each individual (or parents) that a deaf person should learn to interact with other people in the most effective way. It’s up to the parents to help encourage a deaf child to interact with society as well as possible. All parents have the RIGHT to make decisions about cochlear implants and communication methodology for their own children.

I can understand as parents, they find it very tough for parents to find the "right" path for their deaf and hearing-impaired children when their parents are not getting ALL of the information about deafness. AG Bell should be sharing all aspects of what can help parents of deaf children regardless how we think should be the right way. Deaf and Hearing loss advocacies are to be very diverse who are very open minded and willing to learn everything unconditionally whether they "communicate orally, with signs, cue, and/or combined methods". What can parents of deaf children can do for their kids? They can make sure that their children can communicate effectively so they can have a "normal" relationship. I have learned that many children with hearing problems will face both experiential and language deficiencies. My speech is so good that no one will ever know that I am deaf but if they listened to my grammar and/or my speech, they will figure me out.

From birth up to until I was about 4 years old, my family didn't know I was deaf until I had a hearing test in a famous hospital in Boston. I could hear loud noises but I could not communicate or even talk normally. As soon as they found out that I have a major hearing loss, my grandparents got me a new hearing-aid and I actually remembered the first day I actually HEARD anything including my mother's voice and of course a TRUCK outside the hearing-aid store. My first hearing-aid was a Zenith.

Then before attending deaf school, I was in speech therapy and then soon, I was able to talk basic words but not really having a conversation. Soon, I started attending the Boston School for the Deaf for 7 years which was an oralist deaf school (now closed). I was not to learn or use sign language until I was about 19 years old. I really wished I learned better english grammar, even through sign language because I wanted to communicate effectively. Today, even though I can hear and can communicate effectively. My grammar will always be off and words I say will always be off the mark.

In "person", I am mildly reserved and low-key person because I am usually afraid of saying something wrong grammar or speech. I am not big on small talk. I usually prefer in-dept discussion about important issues rather than small talk. Along with my deafness, I had to struggle with the conditions that affect the development of my communication skills within personality and intelligence. Today's experts say that "Age of onset plays a crucial role in the development of language". It took me YEARS to overcome my lack of understanding in english grammar as well as sign language.

Deep thoughts about My Christian Faith

God constantly intervenes in our lives through His Providence. This also include the election of salvation. Before, a person was spiritually DEAD until the Holy Spirit prick's a person's heart, made that person aware of his/her sins and convicted them to repent. This conviction caused a person to understand and aware of their sins that he/she had NO CHOICE but to respond. God’s love extends to all in the gospel offer and Scripture says simply, “they were unwilling to come” (Matthew 22:3). Jesus told his servants, “The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast” (v. 9). Here, Jesus opened the invitation to all comers but at the end, Jesus closes with this: “Many are called, but few are chosen” (v. 14). The gospel invites many to come who are unwilling to come. Many are called who are not chosen. The invitation to come is given indiscriminately to all. Whosoever will may come, the invitation is not issued to the just the elect alone. Its clear that the gospel is a free offer of Christ and His salvation to all whoever hear Holy Spirit's conviction. Ephesians 1:13 "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit."

1 Thessalonians 1:5 "because our gospel came to you not simply with words (hearing the gospel), but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake." God’s love extends to the whole world. It covers all humanity but the actual atonement is for the elect (whoever heard the Holy Spirit's conviction and repented).

Jesus in John 6:29 "The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent."

Jesus said again in John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

People have learned that they "took credit" for almost everything they achieved, even their own salvation (by making "the choice). That is why the Apostle Paul wrote, “Your salvation is nothing you have achieved by your good works. It is a gift of God. You receive it by faith. That way no one can boast of his own accomplishments.”

Its not about choice but about conviction. God's divine intervention BOTH WAYS because all circumstances can turn or don't turn people to God. People may despise it instead of embracing it. Romans 9:18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. The Word of God stresses the importance of conviction and concern and repentance when being born from above by the Spirit of God, not from man's within. This is the same word Jesus used in John 3:3 when He told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again (anothen, lit. "from above"). God came from above and regenerates me, gave me life. And in the process cleanses my old dead life so that regeneration which is called a washing that I became a new creature from above. I didn't save myself from within but God saved me from above.

There are only two possible ways to God. One involved your work, your effort, your righteousness, your goodness. The other acknowledges that you have none of that which pleases God. It either involves something you do to please God or nothing you do to please God and there can’t be any other way. God reveals Himself to us as a "birth," bringing forth a new creation by the regenerating act of the Holy Spirit inside our sinful nature that we live in. In regenerating act, 'we' are that whosoever will may come to Christ while the other is that before anyone can come there must have been a previous work done our hearts by the sovereign operation of God through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Its not about choice because, without the Spirit's help, and believe saving on Christ by a sudden decision of the will, is wholly contrary to the teachings of the Bible. According to the teachings of Christ, none of us will or can come and believe unless there has been done within a us a prevenient work of God enabling our heart to respond. The spiritual birth, like the natural one, is unique, separate experience shared in by no one. Biblical truth is a spiritual experience and can be grasped in its inner essence only as the Spirit of truth enlightens our hearts and teaches us in the deep into our souls. Salvation is something that takes place and becomes known inside of us and salvation is redemption appropriated by faith that only the Holy Spirit can provide.

The truth of Scripture is something precious that must be carefully handled and closely guarded (1 Timothy 6:20). There are some truths revealed in the Scriptures that place a great strain upon our minds and Divine revelation assures us that certain things are true which imagination will simply not grasp. We Christians living in a sinful body, being imperfect, can never quite know perfection in anything, least of all in our relation to the incomprehensible God. Not one of us has authority to divide the truth and teach only a part of it because if we do, we weaken the truth to self-centered knowledge. We cannot know God by thinking the way we want to believe, and we can never know Him very well without accepting all aspects of God's Character. We are not to have a mind of a child that thrives on half-truths and error. There has to be a personal application of biblical truths because redemption has flowed down to us from the heart of God through His Son by the Spirit. Truth occurs both in the singular and in the plural. There are within the Holy Scriptures truth and truths, all inspired and all profitable, but certainly not always equally clear. To know Christ is to know the Truth in living experience, but it is not to know all truths in intellectual apprehension. We are to be careful because we see a truth in the Word and mistake it for the Truth. There is a mighty difference. Biblical Christianity is all about truth. God’s objective revelation (the Bible) interpreted rationally yields divine truth in perfectly sufficient measure. Everything we need to know for life and godliness is there for us in Scripture (2 Peter 1:3). We need to adapt our understanding to the truth of God’s Word and not try to manipulate Scripture in a vain effort to harmonize it with the changing opinions of some people's views. Today, gross error is now tolerable in some areas for the sake of peace. Rather than rightly dividing the word and proclaiming it as truth, many are focusing on certain truths and avoiding other truths which means ignoring the great doctrines of the faith.

We need to proclaim truth from our hearts without being arrogant if we claim to know anything for certain (we certainly don't). We do have the truth, not because we are smarter or better than anyone else, but because God has revealed it in the Scriptures and has been gracious to open our personal eyes to see it. God reveals to each of us differently according to His will.

It is important to understand that our hearts are the state of our "flesh". There are Christians who are zealous for their "doctrines" and forget the sensitivity of others regarding certain topics. God gave us conscience. If the truth of God's Word opposes the world's wisdom on a certain issue, you must align yourself with God's Word. When a Christian who is saved by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, this Christian is living in a new Creature with holy conscience rather than sinful conscience. A Christian may be theologically knowing and spiritually ignorant.

Personal Spiritual Relationship with God

I need to say this because I have learned this the hard way in my life. I know that progressing in my sanctification and my spiritual growth and it only happens as I live in the environment of the truth and respond to that truth, and obey that truth, and avoid anything that diminishes my understanding of that truth or perverts that truth. Being a Christian is being whose primary form of witness is by my spiritual life, but I should not hide the fact that I am a Christian and that I show my spiritual light through deeds first and then words.

I have learned that God's spiritual training which is necessary for forming spiritual fruits that are needed to wrestle against the world, the devil and the flesh. Spiritual growth with maturity and balance will happen only when I apply myself to God's guidance through the Bible and Holy Spirit's convictions. God wants me to be busy rejoicing in the gracious prospect of all opportunities of God's will in my life. I have been reminding myself that God wants me to have free and responsive heart towards HIM, "Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God." In Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

I should not be ferreting out the secret will of God that He plans to do, but discerning the revealed will of God that I ought to do in FAITH and Grace.

I deal with my own "theological bias" that I have learned doctrines taught by MAN. I was victimized because I grew up in a certain theological system and I become indoctrinated by what I have learned over the years that I have struggled by defending what I have learned and was unable to let go of them. Until I understood God's grace.

I learned that the Bible does not present faith as simply "mental assent to the facts of the gospel" but rather true saving faith involves spiritual and complete trust in the work of Christ who saved me from my sins and made me righteous. Saving faith involves both my mind and my will spiritually.

Over the years, as I studied my Bible, I asked myself: "By what criteria do I determine true from empty in my faith?"

I have learned to understand that God is the deeper life and much more than "faith systems" created by man. I am not a perfect Christian but I am a forgiven Christian who is still learning. I remember this verse written by Paul, “If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing” (1 Tim. 6:3-4). God holds us accountable for what we believe as well as how we think about the truth He has revealed. I see many give "lip-service" to the importance of doctrine and frown upon doctrinal discussions.

God is touching me and my heart since my wife was in the hospital.

Actual Benefits from Life's Trials

As Christmas came and gone. We are heading to a NEW YEAR and that people will start thinking of their own "resolutions" that often fail every year. Any self-efforts kind of resolution in your life, you will find it more easy to be entangled by the world's sin. In this world, we are to arm ourselves spiritually to wrestle against the world, the devil and the flesh. God is asking Christians to surrender their own selfish little kingdom and look on His eternal Kingdom. No matter "what" a person have, the key is knowing "WHO" you are "inside" as Christ see you as you are eternally (spiritually).

This sinful earth is characterized by what is temporal as people can "see" that fulfills their desires, but what is for time only, what is physical, what is passing, what ultimately will be destroyed. I have learned to understand that while God wants me to be Spirit-filled that God's desire that I should reflect His own holiness and goodness (not my own flesh's efforts). My own effort is connected with the flesh, while spiritual effort is connected with the Spirit. As the Spirit moves and leads, we are to respond moment by moment, step by step, and day by day, relying on His power and direction by faith through His grace.

We can answer like Joseph to his brothers who sold him into slavery, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Even though I was legally disabled (deaf since birth by nerve damage in the inner ear),and I also have Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) (Diagnosed in April 2002). The trials that the Lord allows into our lives to strengthen us can also become temptations, which, rather than being a means to spiritual growth. Every act of giving on God's part and every gift He gives is sufficient, lacking nothing, beneficial, and complete.

Trials come to us to teach us to value the blessing of God from His perspective to enable us to help others in their suffering and to make us better able to assist others in their own suffering. In the book of James, the entire letter is about living faith during trials and list the tests intended to reveal the legitimacy of someone's faith. The VERY first test is the test of severe trials which means that we need to understand the strength or the genuineness of our own faith. Trials cannot destroy true faith; they only put it to the test and strengthen it as in spiritual training. True "sanctification" is only through the Holy Spirit who produce the evidence of my own true spiritual condition, humility and intimacy with God that my flesh CANNOT DO. You only can get true sanctification through God's GRACE. Jesus said in John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. Christian faith is inward, not outward because we are in the spirit and not in the flesh. I don't have anything to spell the "entail" of my spiritual effort except grace. God uses suffering to perfect His "Power is perfected (grace) in weakness". Grace of heart is a gift from God and this has nothing to do with the thorns because God is changing me internally so that He to lift me above my present thorns and He will lead me into His will.

I am going to have to start with King David, learning from King David's experiences, God met David in his heart. So, we need to focus on the "heart of the matter". "David son of Jesse is a man after my own heart, for he will do everything I want him to do." Acts 13:22 & 1 Samuel 13:14 (NLT).

You can reason, but you can't hide the facts

Reasoning is the cognitive Cognition is a concept used in different ways by different disciplines, but is generally accepted to mean the process of awareness or thought. The meaning of the word "reason" overlaps to a large extent with "rationality" and the adjective of reason in philosophical contexts is normally "rational", not "reasonable" for beliefs, conclusions, actions or feelings.

Moral reasoning is individual or collective practical reasoning about what, morally, one ought to do. How do we sort out which moral considerations are most relevant?

The concept that is is called "begging the question in logic", which is the Latin name petitio principii, is an informal fallacy found in many attempts at logical arguments. Such an argument is valid in the sense in which logicians use that term, yet provides no reason at all to believe its conclusion. Often people will use "logic" and "argument from analogy" (relating things to novel other situations) to prove their case.

We can look around the facts and in our own minds, we reason differently.

Happy Thanksgiving and Thoughts

I grew up in Duxbury, MA which is part of Plymouth Colony. Pilgrims and Thanksgiving started by the Puritans, who were "The Separatists" in England in the 16th century. These are the founders of our country for whom immigration to America constituted withdrawal from the mother church. The Puritans reached North America with the English settlers who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. It remained the dominant religious force in New England throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. It was the Puritans who started "Thanksgiving". In 1620 one of the separatist congregations sailed for New England on the Mayflower.

The Puritans were interested in establishing a degree of separation of church and state because they had been persecuted by the English government and wanted to ensure their own freedom of religion in Massachusetts Bay. They also disagreed with the Catholic/Anglican idea that the church should be should be universal, encompassing every member of the community. This implied a division between the institutions of society (government) and the institutions of the church.

What have I learned.... Trust was essential in our Government.

I saw a party that I have respected for years have lost their reputation. Jesus Christ, whom many Republicans claim to follow, however they are either hot or cold toward Him, because a "lukewarm" commitment makes Him want to vomit. In essence, Republican conservatives have become "lukewarm" on life, on marriage, on limited government, on parental rights in educating and raising children, on faith, on family and on freedom. In this day and age with many a so-called “true” Christians languishing in lukewarm faith formalism where spiritual-filled gifts are used for self-served purposes rather than God's glory.

The Republican Party even referred themselves as "God's Own Party," indicating unswerving commitment to faith, family and freedom. Before we condemn the so called conservatives that are similar to Scribes and Pharisees of the bible for their failures, we all must be sure that we are not overlooking our own spiritual shortcomings. Do any of our personal habits that we are ashamed of that we need to change?

An honest Christian with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is wrong with them very quickly. They could wonder why they are not making progress in their Christian lives. Often some members of the party are blinded by their own self-arrogant that effectively blocks out any possible effort for them to see the truth. Think of Joe the Plumber-and you see the core of the Republican Party but they won't or don't or can't because they are blinded by idealism.

If the Republican Party want people to see them with approval when they are displaying that Jesus is infinitely valuable to them, but they dare not make the opinion of others the measure of their faithfulness. They may be blind and resistant to truth because I am seeing discrimination, wrong attitudes, ignorance, stereotyping, and alienation.

We need to change idealism of the conservatives. They have adopted about how things "should be done" which often gets challenged by the way things are in reality.

Christianity is still true and meaningful, it must not only save but serve FIRST out of love. When we trivialize the Scriptures, we reduce God’s Commandments of our Christian Life to formulas (legalism), or we rationalize away the demands (liberalism), or we fabricate a list of things (agenda) we are going to do for God (moralism), all three (legalism, liberalism and moralism) replaces God’s grace and need for Jesus Christ. If we allow ourselves to the bondage to a corruption of nature (i.e., legalism, liberalism and moralism), then we are not free as the Bible defines it.

Legalistic: Conservatives will make rules that will make them feel very safe by imposing standards on others. If they are not following their formula of legalistic beliefs, then they are not true Americans.

Liberalistic: Some will rationalize that certain rules, regulations, laws in the Bible do not apply today, they can interpret incorrectly that we do not need to follow such rules, regulations and laws. This can lead to wrong concept of true liberalism.

Moralistic: Those who follows their resolutions according to their understanding of the Scriptures that being radical and focusing on agendas to accomplish God’s will, they will impose on others even though they do not believe with their interpretations.

A good quote:

Divisions and separations are most objectionable in religion. They weaken the cause of true Christianity ...But before we blame people for them, we must be careful that we lay the blame where it is deserved. False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. If people separate themselves from teaching that is positively false and unscriptural, they ought to be praised rather than reproved. In such cases separation is a virtue and not a sin. J.C. RYLE

There are religions teach that God is all justice while others say that God is all love. People become arrogant like the philosophers who have their own concepts, views, ideas and theories of what the world can be or should be. When we conceive ourselves to be honest seekers who cannot accept such myths (or truth) that we are in a state of dangerous self-deception which is a grave situation. Our flaw, blunder or shall I frankly say our sin is to follow what we are born with and ignore what we can be born-again with. It is not the Bible but rather the Spirit of God within us leads us to better understanding of the Living Word. If a spiritually dead person tries to read the Bible, is the Bible working for them? Jesus did not promise any of us that consistent Christian living would be easy!

I can become a heretic if I do not know what the bible say about faith and Paul admonished Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 that he is to "be diligent to present himself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth". I believe Paul's advise is to me and I should take very this seriously that the true meaning of a Christian. True Christians knows that not everyone is willing to be a Christian. I can't be like a Pharisee to make sure they don't break God's "rules".

I have said it before and I will say it again, I have learned that democracy does not give me any real power at all because in God's providence, He allowed democracy to basically swamps each of us Christians among non-believers.

Christian Grace is about loving other people that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, respect how they practice their beliefs. A Christian life in this world should be different from the world, being in the world but not of the world. A humbled Christian is a Christian with flaws which humbles them that is more useful to God than hypocrite action that puffs them up. Charles Elliot said it nicely, "Hypocrites we are: but we are on the way to liberation even from our own hypocrisy". James 1:26 says, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

Lately, many conservative Christian leaders are hypocrites and they are no help to the people of America.

My reminder of the PURPOSE of my LIFE

In the sense that all sickness (i.e. disability) is linked to sin, because if there were no sin, there would be no sickness. Sometimes sickness is designed for the glory of God even though there are those who denies that concept.

I was born with deafness and later in life I was diagnosed with MS. My step-daughter was born with cerebral palsy as well as mild retardation due to seizures when she was a child. My blood daughter have bipolar and other disorder disabilities.

This is from my journal:
The fact of the matter is the visible providence of God has no respector (discriminate) of persons. I arrived naked from the womb of my mother; I will leave in the same condition--with nothing. Ecclesiastes 3:2: "a time to be born and a time to die". What made God decided that I was born on December 11th? Why am I living this way? God is adjusting my history according to His purposes. He knows what He's doing that I have to learn to trust His will, His power, and His timing when the time is right, and not until then. That's the essence of real faith. God carries out His will in His perfect power and timing. My own growing pains were different than others. Some may be worst than others.

My life's experiences have laid the foundation for my new way of thinking, living and hoping in this world. There are many people who never see past the pain because they’re self-absorbed, they’re self-centered, they’re caught up in their own comfort and I decided not to be that way.

I am reminded of Psalm 139:13-14 states, “For You (God) created my inmost being; You (God) knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

I am also reminded of this:
Exodus 4:11 states, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?”

Again in Psalm 22:10 From birth I was cast upon You; from my mother's womb You have been my God.

Ecclesiastes 11:5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Again in Isaiah 44:2 This is what the LORD says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.

Again in Isaiah 44:24 "This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, Who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, Who has made all things, Who alone stretched out the heavens, Who spread out the earth by Myself."

MOST IMPORTANT, in John 9:2-3, Jesus and His disciples encountered a blind man. “His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”

In John 9 and 11, sickness had nothing to do with sin. A disabled Christian believer can enrich in a Christian community they are often referred to Christians with disabilities. The Bible also teaches us to bear the burdens of someone with a disability fulfils a command of scripture (Galatians 6:2). 2 Samuel 9:3-4 tells the story of David’s kindness to Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, modeling the way the church should minister. There are those who (especially WOF) says that Joni Tada's disability (illness) do NOT glorify God at all.

The potter (God) is working with this soft, yielding clay (us). The potter (God) could make anything useful and beautiful (spiritual fruitful) out of an unyielding blob of clay (us). If He was unable to do that, He would be less than sovereign. This verse confirms God's Sovereign: Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in the earth, in the seas and in all deeps (Psalm 135:6). God controls all the millions of species of plants, birds, animals and fish that exist on this earth. They all fulfill His will. Every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and everything that moves in the field is Mine (Psalm 50:10-12). God sovereignly works out His purposes in each person's life. The steps of a man are established by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). He marks out the paths of all His creatures and determines the way in which they will walk. I know O Lord that a man's way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps (Jer.10:23).

The Dangers of Political Parties

Political extremist refers to a person or group that holds a set of beliefs that diverge from society's norm to a great degree. They show disdain for the rights and liberties of others, but resent the limitations of their own activities. They favor censorship of their enemies but use intimidation and manipulation to spread their own assertions and claims. We Americans should unite for the good of our country and not get caught up in divisive partisan political warfare that causes that solves nothing but rather creates more problems and delaying crucial important decisions that will affect all Americans.

United States government is a democracy which every citizen within the country gets to have a say in what decisions are made. The sovereignty which democracy grants to law (higher than custom or the whim of individuals or the rights of groups) creates a moral problem like must we logically accept a decision of the people to make a law which approves abortion? How to handle people with disabilities? Like for an example, recently, a federal appeals court ruled that the U.S. discriminates against blind people by printing paper money that makes it impossible for them to distinguish the "bills' value". How do we handle this?

The America people are seen as the ultimate source of legitimacy in democracy and while making laws, many cannot all agree to propose legislation. Democracy is very complexed and its not that simple. Democracy is popularly associated with the principle of majority rule and it is the expression of the sovereign will of the people, however there is no easy method by which that "will" is deemed to be defined must consist of majority rule.

Rule by a extremist may easily constitute a tyranny of its own by political parties. In today's Columbus Dispatch, a national columnist named Rowland Nethaway wrote about this very issue. George Washington's warning against political parties and the divisive partisanship that inevitably accompanies party politics.

Here are George Washington's quotes:"the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it."

"agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection."

I am very nuetural when it comes to politics. I don't like telling other people what to do with their lives. I hold conservative positions on most issues but have an underlying worldview of what is happening and make decisions based on them. I am against abortion but in relation to my fellow citizens, who am I telling them what to do? I have come to conclusion that being a moderate reminds me that I have no control of what is going on in this world. Christianity will always be running against the prevailing society of individualistic views. Lack of balance is often the direct consequence of over-emphasis on certain topics while ignoring others that are related. There is a fine balance between legalism and liberalism. Both are wrong. Everything is allowable but not everything is allowable. People are really confused the balance between what the world ought to be.

Grace is about loving other people that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, respect how they practice their beliefs. I just let God handle their beliefs that I disagree with. Christianity seriously while at the same time, understand sins in this world. Sins are discord, disunity, and chaos will always produce great insecurity that leads people to feel destabilize in their lives. I am one Republican who wants to see a return to traditional values that must come from the people, not the government. "We the People" are the true government. Politically, to me idealism is freedom without people telling me what to do or how should I live my life. One of my favorite Presidents of all time was Abraham Lincoln, he had one idealism that lead to civil war. Do you remember what that was? I truly believe this kind of idealism is truth. He wanted to abolish slavery.

Today, political parties have unrealistic expectations and an ignorance of the way things really work in politics which is why they are losing. Idealism basically means holding on to a set of beliefs which are a rigid system of the way life is "supposed to be" or "should be". Belief system you have adopted about how things "should be done" which often gets challenged by the way things are in reality. I also noticed that many idealists find it difficult to fully accept anyone the way they really are and chronically attempt to control them so that they can become the way they "should ideally be" which often leads to become fatalistic, hostile, pessimistic, and negativistic attitudes. I truly believe that "over-idealism" is a control issue and that it is at the root of our need to overcontrol situations, people, places, or things in order to ensure that they come into compliance with our ideal image of the way reality is supposed to be. Adolf Hitler was one example of "over-idealism".

Famous Quote
"Where a constitution, like ours, wears a mixed aspect of monarchy and republicanism, its citizens will naturally divide into two classes of sentiment, according as their tone of body or mind, their habits, connections and callings, induce them to wish to strengthen either the monarchical or the republican features of the constitution. Some will consider it as an elective monarchy, which had better be made hereditary, and therefore endeavor to lead towards that all the forms and principles of its administration. Others will view it as an energetic republic, turning in all its points on the pivot of free and frequent elections." --Thomas Jefferson to James Sullivan, 1797. ME 9:377

Struggling with two natures

When seeking God's will, do you listen to your heart or your head?

For me, both because we need to look at our whole being. I need to focus on God with all of my heart and mind. I am not a perfect Christian but I am a forgiven Christian who is still learning.

1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

The new creature in Spirit within us as for example Jesus likened the religious Pharisees to a group of dishwashers who clean the outside of a cup while leaving the inside dirty.

Legalistic, Liberalistic and Moralistic

My today's devotion:

Legalistic: My own concept of obedience makes me feel very safe that if its part of my life, I will impose on others. If they are not following my formula of legalistic beliefs, they are not being obedient according to my understanding of the Scriptures.

Liberalistic: I rationalize that certain rules, regulations, laws (ceremonial) and/or any other concept of commandments in the Bible do not apply today. If I see it does not apply, then others are not being obedient according to my understanding of the Scriptures.

Moralistic: I am following my resolutions according to my understanding of the Scriptures that being radical and focusing on agendas to accomplish God’s will even though I understand this is a “self-effort” rather than “grace-power”.

When we trivialize the Scriptures, we reduce God’s Commandments of our Christian Life to formulas (legalism) which lead me to be “proud” of my efforts, or we rationalize away the demands (liberalism) which makes me comfortable with my life, or we fabricate a list of things (agenda) we are going to do for God (moralism) which makes me tired, all three (legalism, liberalism and moralism) replaces God’s grace and need for Jesus Christ. If we allow ourselves to the bondage to a corruption of nature (i.e., legalism, liberalism and moralism), then we are not free as the Bible defines it.

Tolerance and Acceptance

The United States was founded on freedom from persecution and on tolerance of differences in beliefs and cultural heritage. The differences (or diversity) that come from people who accepted one another without prejudice.

There are efforts to popularize the Christian faith have been extremely damaging to the Christian communities because they have mistaken the desire to maintain a spirit of tolerance rather than loving the sinners but hating their practices. We are morally obligated to treat everyone with respect, regardless of who they are and what they have done. This reflects notions such as civility, courtesy, dignity, tolerance and acceptance. Love hopes all things (1 Corinth 13). Love refuses to take human failure as final. With Christ in me, my human failures are never final. Love never keeps a record of wrongs. Love forgives and love is unable to think about them anymore. Forget the past and move on. Focus on the future as I focus on Christ at the same time. Romans 4:8 (also Psalms 32:2) "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him".

Hate what is wrong and stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Live in Harmony with each other.

The bottom line is this, Christians are to act like Jesus, toward sinners and brethren in compassion, toward saints in warm affection, toward others in love. We are to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Jesus Christ has forgiven us.

Old Deaf culture and New Deaf culture

Last night, my wife and I were watching the movie called Hallmark’s Sweet Nothing in My Ear, I realized something and told my wife that I am seeing the "Old Deaf culture and New Deaf culture" in this movie. I believe this movie is accurate in many ways. I was watching carefully of one character who played the deaf grandfather in the movie and he has portrayed many of the "old" Deaf culture individuals' attitude while today's Deaf culture is little different. The deaf grandma who was probably the most wise character in the movie did every well explaining pros and cons of Deaf culture. The "old" Deaf culture didn't have to deal with today's technology while today's Deaf culture is dealing with it. Oh yes, there was one character in the movie who played the hard-of-hearing psychologist who both signs and speaks which is very much how I am in real life except that I am a professional accountant.

The key phrase in the whole movie comes down to is this: "to help him (Adam) have a better life". Of course, everyone was doing this for Adam from each of the characters' own perspectives. Yesterday, I posted about Nebraska's billboard promoting an Omaha school for the hearing impaired is drawing fire from the Deaf culture who lives in the area. Some deaf people saying they’re insulted by the sign’s message which means the Deaf culture is still struggling for self-recognition. The billboard was aiming at kids who are hearing-impaired (or deaf) more than parents.

I have no problem with the billboard that was sending a message to hearing-impaired/deaf kids because they all have that 'right' to do whatever they want with their own body. No one else should tell them what to do. That's the MAIN issue about parents placing kids to have cochlear plant by giving them a choice.

This movie have portrayed very well because at the end, we noticed the 'father' have confessed that like many others are 'selfish' to do what they want for the child. Both deaf and hearing. Not just hearing. I am having the same issues with deaf as well for not allowing one person who has the right to do whatever he/she want with their body. They were making decisions based on what is best for themselves but not for Adam. Its not about hearing culture or Deaf culture but rather a freedom to choose. We are free, but our freedom does not mean we can know for SURE what is right and what is wrong. Until we know we can maintain our integrity only by admitting our own ignorance, we can be truly humbled by the fact that ONE individual has the right more than anyone else whether to obtain a cochlear implant or not.

Today, I am having issues with experts like AG Bell telling parents what to do. Its very tough for parents to find the "right" path for our disabled children when they are not getting ALL of the information about deafness.

We have to remember that the "parents" have the greater burden of making decisions for the family. Not the grandparents, friends or even Deaf or hearing cultures. We also have to remember that being "parents of children with disabilities" are NOT easy and we work much harder than parents of "normal" kids. They are facing a much greater trial more than anything other than facing a child who is dying or have died.

With technologies available today, many people with disabilities will NOT reject the "cure" of medical intervention if they will help make their lives easier and live in a society so that they can have a decent life. The Deaf culture will reject the cochlear implants but accept any other technologies that will help them. We should be looking at ALL aspects of what can HELP our children regardless how we think should be the right way. They are the ones who are living their lives and we are NOT living their lives. We are helping them living their lives and we want to enjoy life without us placing our own agendas what would be "best for them". We want the BEST for them to bring them out as who they are and how they can actually enjoy life independently however they can cope with. We cannot place restrictions on them because we "think" or the "experts think" what is best for the children. Parents are likely to have a very good gage of their child's functional limitations and what the child is like as a person however, without proper education in understanding "fully" of the disability, parents of disabled children will not necessarily have the best interests of the child at heart any more than the average parent. Therefore, with that thinking, disabled children are particularly vulnerable to suffering at the hands of their parents who are willful in their own ignorance on agendas.

My deafness which I was born with, is not an illness nor a disability but rather I can't hear. Looking back. I was very healthy and was able to do anything that a "normal able" people could do but hear. I am hard of hearing (completely deaf when not wearing hearing-aids) so I was able to hear almost "normal" and I am thankful for today's technologies.

I was able to do many things ever better than "able" people until later in life that is, when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on April 22, 2002 (which is 6 years ago tomorrow). Living with Multiple Sclerosis, I am prone to live with chronic pain. The main thing I need to remember is that "my will" has the power to control my thoughts. I am more into in thoughts than I am into feelings but I have both which helps me make decisions based on logical analysis and reasoning rather than feelings. I am doing what is BEST for me because this is my life.

Its not about us or them. This is about "what's best for ME" so we need to put ourselves in a child's shoes to figure out what is BEST for the child regardless how I think or feel.

Seeker-friendly Ministries

My issue with "seeker-friendly" churches is that their overriding goal is acceptability rather than a transformed life. This is called "Emerging Church" which uses the social gospel, not the true spiritual gospel. Emergent is a MOVEMENT like any other movements like Word of Faith. Emergent thinkers have came up with their own solution of the gospel from their own perspective rather than God's perspective. Some denominations (which I am not going to name them) "relaxed" God's holiness without God's permission by being pemissive according to the society's standards more than God's. The main problem I had was how they came up with the motto to fit "friendly seeking environment". The way the Emergent Church is set up, some leaders are more than likely to depart from biblical standards and creating their own agendas. It's the very thing Paul is warning in 1 Corinthians 1. That kind of strategy diverts the focus of Christian people who listen to and trusts that ministry, they become concerned about and consumed with things other than the gospel. This is what Paul said about anyone preaching another gospel: "Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed [Gk., anathema, "devoted to destruction"]" (Gal. 1:8).

Today, with different denominations, it seems to be just as difficult for us today to understand what is meant by the title or designation of “Christian". The answer for this context will vary from denomination to denomination. This is the difficult and almost unanswerable question of who is a "True Christian".

Christians are to discern and share the dangers of false teachings and wolves. We can't totally protect other Christians, only God can. We are to do our part of sharing the gospel and the dangers while God takes care of the rest. Discernment may be simply defined as the ability to biblically decide between right and wrong, between truth and error, between good and evil. Christians are responsible to exercise caution and discernment, especially in temporal and spiritual matters. Discernment is the means God uses to literally divide light from darkness, truth from falsehood, right motive from wrong motive, selflessness from selfishness. In Hebrews 5:14 we are told that discernment comes with spiritual maturity that the Spirit works in us (diakrisis - Strong's #1253).

We are to worship God from our hearts because we are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16), that God will search us and try us, and know our thoughts.(Psalm 139:23). God knows who we are by looking in our hearts, minds and souls. Like Paul said in Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy, and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship." God hates SIN and local churches are relaxing God's holiness in order for people to come in and worship "in their sins" rather than "repented of their sins". The true gospel is not about making people feel better about themselves, but about making people realise they are eternally lost and only the true gospel gives them eternal hope. We are so temporal in our lives that we will forget God's eternal promises. We all are torned between our temporal lives and that we should be thinking about our eternal lives.

We should desire to depart our temporal bodies and be with Christ in eternal life which is better by far however it is God's glory that we remain in our bodies (tents) (See: Philippians 1:23-24). Faith in Jesus replaced our temporal doubts with eternal hope. Even though my human body is subject to death (and is dying) because of sin, however my spirit is alive and renewing in Christ. My temorary body is decaying at the same time, my inner being is being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16). "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:25. If my eternal hope rested on how I felt physically, which is temporal, I might as well forget eternal spiritual wealth. I have learned that I am no longer "in the flesh": "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Rom 8:9). I have learned that "If Christ is in us, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness" (Romans 8:10). In other words, our human body is subject to death (and is already dying) because of sin, however our spirit is alive in Christ. We have eternal life in our possession, even though our body is dying because of sin. However, as Christians, our spirits are fully alive and thriving "because of righteousness"--because HE is justified and therefore already has "passed out of death into life" (John 5:24). "My temorary body is decaying at the same time, my inner being is being renewed day by day" (2 Cor 4:16).

David

David messed up big time but God told us through the Bible that David was truly after God's heart. Its not about how we "practice" our devotion to draw near to God, but rather how our "hearts" are when are drawing him near to us. Learning from David's experiences, God meets us in our heart rather than our minds therefore we need to focus on the "heart of the matter". "David son of Jesse is a man after my own heart, for he will do everything I want him to do." Acts 13:22 & 1 Samuel 13:14 (NLT). We can fake other people but we can't fake to God. It is important to understand that our hearts are the state of our "flesh". Our flesh search for pleasure, pride, passions and selfish motives. Our hearts are like a garden with beautiful flowers and plants. As with all gardens, the hearts must be kept free from weeds and insects. God is not impressed by our works or how we worship. In 1. Samuel 16:7, The Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord don't make decisions the way you do. People judge by outward appearance (i.e. works), but the Lord looks at a person's thoughts and intentions (heart)."

Great quotes below:

To be like Christ is to be a Christian. -- Daniel Webster

God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves. Dwight L. Moody

Galatians 6:3 "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."

James 1:26 says, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

"Moses spent 40 years thinking he was somebody; 40 years learning he was nobody; and 40 years discovering what God can do with a nobody." DL Moody

"A man may be theologically knowing and spiritually ignorant" Charnock, Stephen

There is head knowledge, head and heart and just heart knowledge. In knowing God (not just about Him) the heart must be involved. A.W. Tozer

"Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ." Tozer, A.W.

If we take our doctrines into our hearts where they belong, they can cause upheavals of emotion and sleepless nights. This is far better than toying with academic ideas that never touch life. John Piper

Doctrinal preaching certainly bores the hypocrites; but it is only doctrinal preaching that will save Christ's sheep. J.I. Packer

Spiritual Education

I have been thinking, like most Christians,I often question myself:

Is the whole of my thinking governed by Scripture, or do I come with my reason and pick and choose out of Scripture? Do I accept Scripture as the revelation from God, or do I trust to speculation, human knowledge, human learning, human understanding, and human reasons? Self-interest is something we all understand because since physical birth, as infants, we learned how to get what we want. Can some understand when someone who asks, “Why should I be a Christian? What is in it for me?”

Thinking Theologically is a tough thing to do. It works against our human and horizontal perspective on life. The main purpose for reading the Bible is to change ourselves as we read, believe and obey.

"Moses spent 40 years thinking he was somebody; 40 years learning he was nobody; and 40 years discovering what God can do with a nobody." DL Moody

For 3 years, Jesus taught His Disciples who became Apostles after His death. What kind of education did Jesus gave them?

Reading all of the New Testament, I have come to conclusion that Jesus taught them Spiritual matters. Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. Personal discipleship takes months while Church discipleship take about 3 faithful years.

The only Apostle that didn't follow Jesus was Paul however, Paul did have extensive education background regarding Jewish Laws that were very useful for God to use Paul when He wrote the letters of the New Testament. Through Paul's letters, we have learned GREAT doctrines who was very educated and at the same time very spiritual.

In Matthew 28, the great commission that we are to be “making disciples”. I always believed that the Holy Spirit converts and Christians disciple which means giving up has to do "self" while cost of discipleship has to do with discipling "others".

We are to believe and follow Christ in all things, including his words about Scripture. And this means that Scripture is to be for us what it was to him: the unique, authoritative, and inerrant Word of God, and not merely a human testimony to Christ, however carefully guided and preserved by God. If the Bible is less than this to us, we are not fully Christ's disciples. James Montgomery Boice, "The Preacher & God's Word"

When He wore a crown of thorns, do you wish to wear a crown of gold? Johann Arndt, *True Christianity*.

The real question is, will a Christian be a true disciple? Becoming a disciple, following Jesus Christ requires personal cost, giving up your selfish "me" and become like Christ. Love is NOT conditional however discipleship is conditional. Jesus might have grieved over His Cost of Discipleship requirements, but He never ran after them to try to win them with rosy promises. Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Discipleship and Transformation
Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross have provided the solution for my salvation and the foundation for me to pursue a life that reflects Christ. I believe that the truth of God’s Word have already set me FREE from the bondage of sin. (John 8:32) I believe that Jesus and the Word of God are SUFFICIENT for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3-9) and the Holy Spirit provided me the principles and guidelines to live a life of godliness. It is the Holy Spirit's conviction that God’s design for me is to be radically TRANSFORMED by the renewing of my mind. (Romans 12:2) My hope for this radical transformation is by the POWER of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13).

The bottom line is this: God's Word (the Bible) sometimes wounds us deeply and it is imperative because through the Bible, God speaks loudly. The Word of God (Bible) rebukes US we we read so that we may see our OWN faults (not others). The Bible illumines the dark corners of our own hearts and minds by exposing our OWN sin but at the same time reveals the way of truth.

I will never forget C.S. Lewis' quote: "You never know how much you really believe anything until truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you."

I am thinking deep this week. Seems like there is alot of convicting coming from above. *smile*

Jim

Life and problems with what we "think" we should believe in

Like Job in the Old Testament, often I find "life" has been the most discouraging thing in my Christian life and I can see that Christianity has an image problem because many people thought that Christianity should be a "system". There are Christians who is strong like Job that are mature in the faith, have experienced the blessings of spiritual growth through good and bad. There were others who were not as strong as Job and they turn their backs on the faith and walk into sin. Why do some Christians fail? Ignorance.

Ignorance is caused by Churches who tries to use sociology, psychology, and feelings that replaces true biblical studies. People often try to avoid biblical doctrines that we need to live in this world. When people come into Church, they expect to "feel" God. The danger effect on salvation, and even more grave is the elevation of a mystical feeling of God’s presence above an intellectual understanding of the Word of God that's being communicated. Often, some people find certain Scripture verses are offensive to their personal beliefs. We tend to believe only what we can see, what we can hear, what we can taste, and what we can feel. If we can’t process it through our senses and through our mind we tend not to believe it. The author of the book of Hebrews explain that "faith is the conviction of things not seen". A strong Chrisitian is prepared to live out our life on the basis of faith regardless of sight, taste, feel and experience. I have not seen God, nor I have seen Christ nor I have seen or feel the Holy Spirit. Faith is believing there is another dimension to life other than those which can be touched, tasted, seen or felt. There is more to life than that. There is also the realm of the spirit, the invisible spiritual kingdom of God. Biblical faith is this: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1-2). Christian faith is not optimism because it breeds false hope. I have learned that by doing of the will of God leaves me no time for disputing about His providence plans and why things are happening around me. God knows what He's doing that I have to learn to trust His will, His power, and His timing when the time is right, and not until then. That's the essence of real faith. God carries out His will in His perfect power and timing. My own growing pains were different than others. Some may be worst than others.

I try to remember that God is always ruling all things to work together for my own good and His purpose. Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Life does not discriminate between believers and unbelievers like plane crashes, accidents, illnesses and deaths.

Today, more so than ever, people are looking for "better" proofs of God. Throughout the history of Christianity, Christians and non-Christians alike have criticisms about Christianity. I am one of many Christians who are wise enough to wonder what non-Christians think of us. Christians have responded to many of these criticisms, partially through the field of Christian apologetics. Apologetics is about answering the criticisms, fair or not, of the secular world. Apologetics is mostly for Christians to strengthen their faith. There is a tremendous emphasis on faith and the apologetic while mincing approach to the doctrine of being Christ-like discipleship. Faith sees afar the triumph of Christ and is willing to endure any hardship to share in it. The tragic breakdown is Christians' failure to comprehend the Lordship of Christ in terms of discipleship.

I have a great respect for Christian apologist Josh McDowell who wrote "The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict" that will help readers search document historical evidences of the Christian faith. The entire book (over 750 pages) is laid out in outline form which is a tool for locating supporting "evidence" whenever the need arises. Its a great book for references whenever issues arises for research. I am reminded in Romans 1:20 which said, "The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen. God's evidences are so clear that all (everyone who don't believe) are without excuse." Therefore, that's between each creatures and the Creator (God). I believe that each of us, as an individual, have a responsibility before God, to determine what is true about God and also what is false. What is true about God impacts every aspect of our lives. What is true about God -- not what each of us believe is true, but what is actually true -- determines what happens to us after we die.

Diplomacy and attitude in this society

In relating to "Mistaken Identity" story about two girls. One survived and one died that I posted earlier today. It is amazing to me how both parents behaved with positive attitude towards one another during their toughest 5 months since the accident. I am seeing "this is not about 'me' but rather about 'all of us and God'".

To me diplomacy in this world is being graceful towards others regardless how I think of them or how I feel about them. Learning to love and accept others is an important part discipleship. God through my Mediator, Jesus Christ have established a meaningful intimate friendship. I have learned to understand that God is the deeper life and much more than "faith systems". I have learned that as a Christian, I must decide whether I will put my emphasis on what is important in God's will more than my will. The Holy Spirit have taught me to be humble in situations and be fruitful in bearing one another with love.

One of the most important lessons I have learned as a Christian that a Christian life cannot be lived individually.

Why?

Because, in Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together."

The spiritual people within the church are to come alongside the fleshly and lift them up. Its not about what I am going to gain from God but rather I am cared by others as I am. A church is an assembly of believers. Just like a family, a local church is our spiritual family. It is only in the local body to which one is committed that there can be the level of intimacy that is required for spiritual growth with brothers/sisters in Christ "to love and good deeds." Only through that kind spiritual initamcy where we can encourage one another. A church is an assembly of believers and is made up of real spiritual people. Now.. when we are talking about "spiritual Christians", we need to figure out what kind of "community" within a local Church. If the people are submitting to the Holy Spirit, who will give them fruit. Quality is measured by the Christ-like living of a local church members. The primary reason to become a participating member is not to gain a personal advantage, but to identify with the characteristics of biblical maturity and commitment to the mission and future of a local church.

When you read their stories like "Mistaken Identity", you can't help and think about other similar stories around the world. One of my favorites is Corrie ten Boom's stories. Corrie ten Boom was schedule to die in Nazi Camp like the rest of family did, but came out of Nazi prison alive due to clerical error through God's divine intervention. Through Corrie ten Boom, God was glorified through Corrie's ministry through many years until the day she died. Her ministry is still alive even though she is no longer with us physically but she is in heaven.

People just refused to see God allow evil to happen for His Glory. An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different. The bad events are circumscribed by a loving providence and God promises to use them all for His ultimate good for HIS GLORY. There is a verse in the Bible that God promises that there won’t be anything so bad happen to me that I am not able to bear it. God does everything--He governs everything. Faith is accepting God's Will. There is confusion between the determined Will of God and a Christian's responsibility as a Christian. In Isaiah 55:8-9 God says, "My thoughts are completely different from yours, and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." God is adjusting our history to His purposes. He knows what He's doing. I have to learn to trust His will, His power to do His will, and His timing to do it when the time is right--and not until then. That's the essence of real faith. God carries out His will in His perfect power and timing.

People forget the Story of Job (or they refused to believe). From the Book of Job, we see that God is in complete control. Satan had neither the power nor the authority to do anything without the permission of God. It was consistent with God's nature and will for him to have allowed those things to happen to Job. The point of the story of Job is about God's Sovereign. Not really about Job. People always focus on Job more than God's sovereign.

Jesus said clearly about a penny's worth of sparrows compare to us. Matthew 10:29: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. If God can control with those two sparrows, then He will do the same for His children as well. In reality, the blessings are from God, the Holy Spirit-and using that person as an instrument to do God's will and plan.

Over the years, I have seen God's interventions that I thought they surely could happened but didn't since God had another plan. Everything that happens in our lives (including trials) somehow fits into the plan of God. Most of the time, God allows evil to happen, other times, God divinely intervene situations when He has a plan that will Glorify Him.

One of the reasons I disagree with Word of Faith doctrines is because they don't believe in God allows that kind of suffering for Christians. Even though the word "suffering" have been mentioned many times throughout the Old and New Testaments. The concept of the unity of all things written in the Scriptures that God will reconcile all things (i.e. sufferings) unto Himself. Truth wounds through life's experiences as well as from the Word of God. The truth resolves some difficulties and creates more difficulties. Without sufferings, Pride will always gets in the way of God's glory. We suffer to keep down pride (2 Cor. 12:7). Suffering is a process as Scriptures said “We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, proven character; and . . .” (Rom. 5:3-4). “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking in nothing” (Jam. 1:3-4).

Fretting

The word "fret" comes to us from the Anglo-Saxon that fret often expose our true self and bring us out from behind our disguises. Often I do fret about issues and other matters. I am still fretting about my life because I am a sinful human being (still) and trying to remember the power of God's grace.

Reminding myself is probably the hardest part of my core beliefs. I could understand Job much better now after reading so many times.

In my office, I have this cute cartoon that my mother gave me as a reminder of life in this world. It is showing a cute person wearing the Armor of God and shooting arrows (devil's schemes). A quote under the cartoon states:

"Look at it this way...... Without these trials, testing of your faith, working of patience, and fighting a good fight.......LIFE COULD BE BORING." (see 1 Peter 1:7)

Through the Sword of the Spirit, we have the power to overcome any evil that we face in this world. God is VERY ACTIVE in His moment-by-moment control over everything He has made to ensure that everything He has created are going according to His will. He is active in every detail of it. He’s active at every moment. He doesn’t stand back and let things happen because He decides to intervene if something or someone is not going according to His will. He governs the world moment-by-moment through providence, so that everything that happens, every detail of our life occurs by God's divine providence or by God’s express permission. He is in control of everything. Even the bad things that happen to us are circumscribed by a loving providence and God promises to use them all for our ultimate good. There is a verse in the Bible that God promises that there won’t be anything so bad happen to us that we’re not able to bear it.

God constantly intervenes in our lives through providence. If you read the main stories in the Old Testament relating to God's providence, God providentially led Joseph, Ruth, Esther, Job and others to accomplish great things in His eternal plan.

We do have a freewill however we need to understand God's Sovereign of His plan according to His will. Jesus said in Matthew 10:29: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.

This is directly from the Word of God. God governs the world (Isa. 40:22-24), the nations (Isa. 40:15-17), and us (Proverbs 16:9).

Proverbs 20:24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Jeremiah 10:23 [ Jeremiah's Prayer ] I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.

We have to understand that God controls everything including our freewill. The "freewill" is always subject to God's sovereignty and His divine freewill. God is absolutely powerful, that God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, that God is immutable, never changes, that God is all wise, perfectly just, holy, righteous. God is ruling all things to work together for our good and His purpose. Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

The potter (God) is working with this soft, yielding clay (us). If this clay does not submit, the potter may not be able to do what I should do according to His will. The potter still could make anything except for useful and beautiful (spiritual fruitful) out of an unyielding blob of clay. If God is going to make those kinds of vessels out of clay (us), however, we are going to have to yield to the spiritual law of surrender. Give ourselves to God as a living sacrifice and let Him have us--all of us. Of course at the same time, I understand that God, just because He is almighty, needs no support from me and He is still able to do what He wills to do. Often I noticed that the providential of God leads me to what I call "coincidences" in my life which perhaps God will make sure that His wills will be done at His right time and place. There are two worlds, set over against each other, dominated by two wills, the will of man (me) and the will of God, respectively.

God is always making provisions for my future according to His will by providing and guiding for His glory. God is very concerned about my life and He is always ready for my future. How many providence in my life that I failed to recognized in the past? I have recognized some big ones but missed the little ones. God leads me to my destiny according to His will and glory. No matter what I do, God is always guiding me through my circumstances. Nothing is impossible for Him. No matter what I do, God will direct me if I aware of it or not. I am learning that God will always lead me to His providential circumstances for my own good, in His will and for His glory. I am to turn my heart, my life, my health, my mind, my time, my money and my talents to God. God knows me so well that He will do His providential actions at the very moment of my need according to His will. For the longest time, I thought I have planned and executed my life all by myself but really never aware that my life have always been guided by God. The real issue that I have been learning recently is that the real hindrance to my spiritual progress is not fully submitting to the Holy Spirit. Nothing holy and genuine will be done in my life until my will is surrendered in active obedience to the Holy Spirit. I need to focus on my own true prayer so that I am not making efforts to persuade God to do our will; but rather to make myself submit to the Holy Spirit so that God can guide me according to His will. When I pray, I need to transfer my will to God's will. My personal destiny is depended on my response to the Holy Spirit and God's words.

I have posted this in the past and this is my REMINDER for this week after struggling last week.

Disability may feel like I am in prison or a slave or

tied to something that I can't get away. The real definition of “suffering” is called “sin”.

This reminds me of 1 Corinthians 9:17-19 that even though I am free and belong to no master however I make myself a slave to everyone because of who I am, a sinner. The Bible have alot of positive and negative attributes of "Slavery". We were slaves to sin as Jesus said in John 8:34 "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." Paul wrote in Romans 7:14 "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin." (Romans 6:20: When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.)

Its amazing how we can "picture" slavery and we can see how bad slavery can be in negative (sin) and how good slavey can be in positive (Christ).

God rescued people from slavery.

The Scriptures mentioned 13 times to remind people that God below two examples:

Exodus 20:2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Deuteronomy 5:6 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Before I know Christ, I was slaved to sin, as Paul wrote Romans 6:18 "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Even though God will not take away my problems when I got saved because He always been there for me when I am facing problems. I am still having problems but very very peaceful because of God's GRACE. When we most aware of our problems, we are more inclined to collapse into God's strength and experience His amazing grace. "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9).

In John 9:2-3, Jesus and His disciples encountered a blind man. “His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.’” A solid and sound theological framework is needed to understand suffering and God's sovereignty over suffering.

I am home with a bad cold and you know what a bad cold do a person with Multiple Sclerosis so I am trying to avoid that by resting. Boy, did I rest and bored watching TV and sleeping.

I am suffering today and I will suffer tomorrow. Comparing how I suffer to another person will ALWAYS be different. There will be always someone who suffering much worst than I am. God has given me the grace to sanctify me through the sources of "thorns" can be weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties (which also includes sickness). I just needed to focus on God rather than my own problems. God uses thorns (sufferings) to perfect His "power is perfected in weakness". Grace is a wonderful word.