She's coming to HK in Nov. More details here.
非凡的信仰．非凡的教會
唐慕華的七堂課
信徒總是平凡的，為何信仰和教會是非凡的？
深邃的靈性、脆弱的身體、敏銳的文化洞察力、堅強的先知聲音——
這是我們認識的唐慕華（Marva J. Dawn）。
她深信，基督信仰既能滲透人心至深處，亦能動搖非人的帝國。
她邀請我們重新發現：非凡的信仰、非凡的教會。
唐慕華博士為現今北美重要的作家、講師、神學家和教育家，著述甚豐，探討課題包括教會觀、敬拜、靈修、科技文化、孩童教養、安息操練等等。
英語演講．粵語即時傳譯
免費入場．自由奉獻
晚間公開聚會
晚上7:30-9:30
場地：循道衛理聯合教會香港堂（灣仔軒尼詩道36號）
2/11（五）
工作，是為了安息！（安息，是為了更好的工作？）
Work and Sabbath: The Perfect Pair
朝八晚十，營營役役，憂心忡忡。辛勞、業積、效率背後，我們的信仰在哪裡？原來，「工作」與「安息」竟是絕配？但我們為誰安息？又怎能安息？
對象：在職信徒
回應：林志輝博士 香港樹仁大學工商管理學系助理教授
3/11（六）
娛樂自己．迷戀自己——青少年怎可能委身教會？
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Freedom for Youth from a Culture of Narcissism
買衫買鞋手提sms，閒來YouTube寫blog互窺心事——在這個連iPod、NDS、WII都早晚被淘汰的自戀世代，教會應如何接待青少年？聖經對這一代還有甚麼意義？
對象：所有信徒（適合青少年導師）
回應：駱穎佳先生 FES研究及對外訓練部研究員、《後現代拜物教》作者
5/11（一）
讓小孩子到我這裡來——教養孩童的屬靈智慧
Christian Parenting: Quick Fix or the Pain of Childbirth
我們都想將最好的給孩子；但那些我們看為好的事物，又能否將孩子帶往神那裡？還是攔阻孩子認識祂？我們應如何以神的心腸教養孩童？
對象：所有信徒（適合父母、教牧同工、教導或服事孩童之信徒）
回應：吳思源先生 香港從心會社主席、維護家庭聯盟副主席
6/11（二）
我心尊主為大——假如所有凡人的敬拜都是非凡的敬拜
The Splendor of Worshiping God: What Is Worship for?
不少信徒在崇拜設計上費盡心思，卻不很清楚神滿意與否。於是我們必須問：對於這個大都會，群體敬拜的意義何在？或者問：為甚麼敬拜是非凡的？
對象：所有信徒
回應：譚靜芝博士 建道神學院聖樂系主任
7/11三
鎖不住的欲望——這一代人的性與欲
Untamed Desire? Sexuality in the Technological Society
信徒立志過貞潔生活，但此刻我們卻活在龐大的科技帝國裡，親身體驗著永無止境的欲望橫流。隨著性的影象和資訊無孔不入，我們可如何正視和處理自己的欲望，以致更明白愛？
對象：所有信徒（適合青少年）
回應：蔡元雲醫生 突破機構榮譽總幹事
午間教牧同工聚會
下午2:30-4:30
場地：突破中心地庫禮堂（九龍吳松街191號）
6/11二
性迷宮裡的牧養智慧
Training the Church for Sexual Character: A Pastoral Perspective
在性的課題上，教牧同工往往習慣向信徒重申固有的原則和道德底線；除此之外，牧者是否可以給予更積極、更具智慧的牧養？教會的社群特質跟性品格的模塑有何關係？
對象：教牧同工
回應：區祥江博士 資深輔導員、中國宣道神學院輔導及實踐科講師
7/11三
植根敬拜的青少年事工——從真正的敬拜到真正的信仰
Be Authentic: Founding Our Youth Ministry on Worship
很多教會都開設青少年崇拜，並以此為青少年事工的基礎；但核心的問題是：真正的敬拜是怎樣的？怎樣的敬拜生活才可以將聖經裡豐富的信仰，真真正正的傳予年青一代？
對象：教牧同工
回應：譚靜芝博士 建道神學院聖樂系主任
唐慕華博士對廿一世紀有深刻的洞察和獻策，著述的課題涉及動與靜的節奏、科技的禍與福、教牧與信徒的召命、未來的無望與盼望等；不愧是時代的先知！
——蔡元雲醫生 突破機構榮譽總幹事
閱讀唐慕華的著作，讀者不難發現作者既投入生活、熱愛生命，亦能對身處的社會與文化作出反思與批判……唐慕華再度訪港，信徒不要錯失機會，聆聽她聲調柔和而信念堅強的演講！
——胡志偉牧師 香港教會更新運動總幹事
查詢：貝小姐（23698512）或 張小姐(27557711)
報名（請按這裡）
唐慕華博士的訪港資訊、訪談、專文評論、作品推介等等，已一一上載於專題網誌！如欲認識唐慕華更多，請瀏覽：www.mdhk.blogspot.com
主辦：香港基督徒學生福音團契
香港基督徒畢業生團契
合辦〔教牧講座〕：突破機構
協辦：建道神學院聖樂部 香港教會更新運動 循道衛理聯合教會香港堂 時代論壇 基督日報
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
I simply don't see the point
When I was a teenager, I was pretty worried about my own spiritual life. Everyone said you have to be 100% sure you are going to heaven. Otherwise, you are not a true Christian. You should go talk to your pastor/Sunday school teacher/mentor.
I never did.
I knew all the Scriptures promising us eternal life when we believe in Jesus. I didn't think anyone could tell me anything I didn't know. After a lot of struggle, I finally managed to think I was sure I was going to heaven.
Now more than a decade older. I don't see why we need to put so much emphasis on the certainty that we're going to heaven.
(I'm sure some of you will think I need another long talk with pastors.)
During my study of church history, Calvin reassured the people by predestination, when God have decided to save those people, they'll go to heaven. The people still won't know if they're going to heaven, only that the people of God will not be lost. (Perseverance. Not once saved, always saved, as we interpret it now.)
"Salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God. The Father chose a people, the Son died for them, the Holy Spirit makes Christ's death effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance, thereby causing them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire process (election, redemption, regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation."
"The people of God WILL persevere to the end and not be lost. The foreknown are predestined, the predestined are called, the called are justified, and the justified are glorified. No one is lost from this group. To belong to this people is to be eternally secure. But we mean more than this by the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. We mean that the saints will and must persevere in the obedience which comes from faith. Election is unconditional, but glorification is not. There are many warnings in Scripture that those who do not hold fast to Christ can be lost in the end."
Even the scriptures never said we need to 100% sure we'll go to heaven. Jesus said people who think they're doing well may not be acknowledged by Jesus at all after death.
Why are we still printing all these booklets- "Are you sure you're going to heaven?" etc???
I simply don't see the point.
I never did.
I knew all the Scriptures promising us eternal life when we believe in Jesus. I didn't think anyone could tell me anything I didn't know. After a lot of struggle, I finally managed to think I was sure I was going to heaven.
Now more than a decade older. I don't see why we need to put so much emphasis on the certainty that we're going to heaven.
(I'm sure some of you will think I need another long talk with pastors.)
During my study of church history, Calvin reassured the people by predestination, when God have decided to save those people, they'll go to heaven. The people still won't know if they're going to heaven, only that the people of God will not be lost. (Perseverance. Not once saved, always saved, as we interpret it now.)
"Salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God. The Father chose a people, the Son died for them, the Holy Spirit makes Christ's death effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance, thereby causing them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire process (election, redemption, regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation."
"The people of God WILL persevere to the end and not be lost. The foreknown are predestined, the predestined are called, the called are justified, and the justified are glorified. No one is lost from this group. To belong to this people is to be eternally secure. But we mean more than this by the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. We mean that the saints will and must persevere in the obedience which comes from faith. Election is unconditional, but glorification is not. There are many warnings in Scripture that those who do not hold fast to Christ can be lost in the end."
Even the scriptures never said we need to 100% sure we'll go to heaven. Jesus said people who think they're doing well may not be acknowledged by Jesus at all after death.
Why are we still printing all these booklets- "Are you sure you're going to heaven?" etc???
I simply don't see the point.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Avoid Idle Talk
An excerpt from a Christian Classic- the Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis
SHUN the gossip of men as much as possible, for discussion of worldly affairs, even though sincere, is a great distraction inasmuch as we are quickly ensnared and captivated by vanity.
Many a time I wish that I had held my peace and had not associated with men. Why, indeed, do we converse and gossip among ourselves when we so seldom part without a troubled conscience? We do so because we seek comfort from one another's conversation and wish to ease the mind wearied by diverse thoughts. Hence, we talk and think quite fondly of things we like very much or of things we dislike intensely. But, sad to say, we often talk vainly and to no purpose; for this external pleasure effectively bars inward and divine consolation.
Therefore we must watch and pray lest time pass idly.
When the right and opportune moment comes for speaking, say something that will edify.
Bad habits and indifference to spiritual progress do much to remove the guard from the tongue. Devout conversation on spiritual matters, on the contrary, is a great aid to spiritual progress, especially when persons of the same mind and spirit associate together in God.
Growth
From time to time I feel that I am growing only to see that I still have a long way to go. They become visible to me on the Mirror of God's truth, of His Pure Love where everything I thought was straight appears crooked. - Catherine of Genoa
I didn't even realise it until yesterday.
I had lunch with a friend from the fellowship and we talked about my recent work at church. And as I talked, I became really angry as I recounted all the people who hadn't done their job properly. They would never have done this if it were their boss telling them to do that, I hated it because they did not put even one-tenth of the effort they put into their job, (not even one-hundredth) simply because it was just church stuff.
My friend told me maybe they are too busy, and maybe I require too much from them. I denied. I have become much more tolerant in recent years. (This is not just what I think, someone actually told me this, in case you don't believe in me. =P) When I told them to do the job in one week's time, I just hoped that they'd get it done after two weeks, and got mad only after 3 weeks with the job still unfinished. I don't think that's a high standard, is it?
As I have mentioned before, I think God trains people to love by putting "unlovables" near them. On my way home yesterday, I realised I am angry almost every day. At home. At work. (I really didn't understand why the worst assistant of all have been working in my room for almost every day.) At church. (All these people who worked really well with me before was not working with me recently.)
It was then I realised God deliberately put all these people around me to irritate me.
Okay. Deep breaths...
When you think you have grown a lot, there's still a long way to go.
May this be our prayer, "I do not want to turn my eyes from you, O God. There I want them to stay and not move no matter what happens to me, within or without." - Catherine of Genoa
I didn't even realise it until yesterday.
I had lunch with a friend from the fellowship and we talked about my recent work at church. And as I talked, I became really angry as I recounted all the people who hadn't done their job properly. They would never have done this if it were their boss telling them to do that, I hated it because they did not put even one-tenth of the effort they put into their job, (not even one-hundredth) simply because it was just church stuff.
My friend told me maybe they are too busy, and maybe I require too much from them. I denied. I have become much more tolerant in recent years. (This is not just what I think, someone actually told me this, in case you don't believe in me. =P) When I told them to do the job in one week's time, I just hoped that they'd get it done after two weeks, and got mad only after 3 weeks with the job still unfinished. I don't think that's a high standard, is it?
As I have mentioned before, I think God trains people to love by putting "unlovables" near them. On my way home yesterday, I realised I am angry almost every day. At home. At work. (I really didn't understand why the worst assistant of all have been working in my room for almost every day.) At church. (All these people who worked really well with me before was not working with me recently.)
It was then I realised God deliberately put all these people around me to irritate me.
Okay. Deep breaths...
When you think you have grown a lot, there's still a long way to go.
May this be our prayer, "I do not want to turn my eyes from you, O God. There I want them to stay and not move no matter what happens to me, within or without." - Catherine of Genoa
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Praying for the sick
Most of the time when you ask me if I have any prayer requests, I usually say no. I believe what God has planned is the best. Usually we don't know what is the best and end up praying for stuff we should not have asked for.
For me, it's ok. I believe God always gives me the best even without me asking though His definition of the best is usually different from us.
The problem for me usually occur when people ask me to pray for them/their family members/friends to get well. (For most other stuff I can usually manage to change how I actually pray for them. Read good examples here- Beyond "Prayer Requests.) For prayers for the sick, I can never seem to be able to think of a good way for praying for them without the possibility of running counter to God's wishes. How can one know God isn't doing some great things through the illness?? That's why I have always hesitated on how to pray for sick people. I asked God about this last week, how I should pray for these people.
Then I read this from the Devotional Classics... I love the last sentence in this prayer.
The Prayers of Soren Kierkegaard
prayer six:
The Sickness Unto Death
Father in Heaven! To You the congregation often makes its petition for all who are sick and sorrowful, and when someone among us lies ill, alas, of mortal sickness, the congregation sometimes desires a special petition; grant that we may each one of us become in good time aware what sickness it is which is the sickness unto death and aware that we are all of us suffering from this sickness.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who came to earth to heal them that suffer from this sickness, form which, alas, we all suffer, but from which You are able to heal only those who are conscious they are sick in this way; help us in this sickness to hold fast to You, to the end that we may be healed of it.
O God the Holy Spirit, who comes to help us in this sickness if we honestly desire to be healed; remain with us so that for no single instance we may to our own destruction shun the Physician, but may remain with Him - delivered from sickness. For to be with Him is to be delivered from our sickness, and when we are with Him we are saved from all sickness.
For me, it's ok. I believe God always gives me the best even without me asking though His definition of the best is usually different from us.
The problem for me usually occur when people ask me to pray for them/their family members/friends to get well. (For most other stuff I can usually manage to change how I actually pray for them. Read good examples here- Beyond "Prayer Requests.) For prayers for the sick, I can never seem to be able to think of a good way for praying for them without the possibility of running counter to God's wishes. How can one know God isn't doing some great things through the illness?? That's why I have always hesitated on how to pray for sick people. I asked God about this last week, how I should pray for these people.
Then I read this from the Devotional Classics... I love the last sentence in this prayer.
The Prayers of Soren Kierkegaard
prayer six:
The Sickness Unto Death
Father in Heaven! To You the congregation often makes its petition for all who are sick and sorrowful, and when someone among us lies ill, alas, of mortal sickness, the congregation sometimes desires a special petition; grant that we may each one of us become in good time aware what sickness it is which is the sickness unto death and aware that we are all of us suffering from this sickness.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who came to earth to heal them that suffer from this sickness, form which, alas, we all suffer, but from which You are able to heal only those who are conscious they are sick in this way; help us in this sickness to hold fast to You, to the end that we may be healed of it.
O God the Holy Spirit, who comes to help us in this sickness if we honestly desire to be healed; remain with us so that for no single instance we may to our own destruction shun the Physician, but may remain with Him - delivered from sickness. For to be with Him is to be delivered from our sickness, and when we are with Him we are saved from all sickness.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Frequent Flier Points on your way to heaven??
ATM in the church lobby
"How would you feel if someone in your church was giving and giving on credit and you later find they have to declare bankruptcy," said one from Eric. "I guess it wouldn't matter because you're not your brother's keeper — huh?" To deal with that problem, many churches now accept only debit cards.
Is this the only problem that can occur?
I remember one of my Sunday school teachers who is opposed to this sort of electronic way of donation. His reason is that it is too easy. Donation should be something we are prepared for. Not, "Oh I forgot to bring the money, no problem coz I can use my credit card!"
I don't have a strong opinion on this, but is this really the way to go? Hmm...
"How would you feel if someone in your church was giving and giving on credit and you later find they have to declare bankruptcy," said one from Eric. "I guess it wouldn't matter because you're not your brother's keeper — huh?" To deal with that problem, many churches now accept only debit cards.
Is this the only problem that can occur?
I remember one of my Sunday school teachers who is opposed to this sort of electronic way of donation. His reason is that it is too easy. Donation should be something we are prepared for. Not, "Oh I forgot to bring the money, no problem coz I can use my credit card!"
I don't have a strong opinion on this, but is this really the way to go? Hmm...
Saturday, September 08, 2007
More lessons to learn
I think I know what God wants me to learn this year-- how to work with people who have different working style from me/people whom I dislike...
Difficult year ahead... I feel like I have used up all my patience already...
I remember what I have read a few days before somewhere on the web... (I can't remember the exact words.) When you prayed to God for patience, God gives you patience by giving you people you have to be patient with...
sigh...
Difficult year ahead... I feel like I have used up all my patience already...
I remember what I have read a few days before somewhere on the web... (I can't remember the exact words.) When you prayed to God for patience, God gives you patience by giving you people you have to be patient with...
sigh...
Edited song from Streams of Praise
I have received this in email today. Sorry but it's in Putonghua and the lyrics is in simplified Chinese.
I have recently written a song. I have changed the lyrics to the SOP song 全新的你. Many people have used this song at evangelical events and more have been touched by it. But the thing is, it is not entirely correct and not complete Gospel. My mission is to remind us to be extremely careful with our "Christian Songs" nowadays as many are theologically incorrect and some are very dangerous. I hope by changing the lyrics to a popular song, it would create a bigger impact. The video below has the song with Simplified Chinese subtitles. If you find it helpful, please send it to your friends, especially new Christians.
I have recently written a song. I have changed the lyrics to the SOP song 全新的你. Many people have used this song at evangelical events and more have been touched by it. But the thing is, it is not entirely correct and not complete Gospel. My mission is to remind us to be extremely careful with our "Christian Songs" nowadays as many are theologically incorrect and some are very dangerous. I hope by changing the lyrics to a popular song, it would create a bigger impact. The video below has the song with Simplified Chinese subtitles. If you find it helpful, please send it to your friends, especially new Christians.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Inerrancy of the Bible
This is extracted from the post-- the Danger of Inerrancy from Parchment & Pen.
...When Greg rejected the doctrine of inerrancy because of his inability to reconcile the discrepancies, did this necessarily mean that he had to walk away from the faith? Is the doctrine of inerrancy so central to the Christian faith that if one were to deny it, he or she should pack their bags and search for a new worldview? ...
Most of you know that I hold to the doctrine of inerrancy...
Having said this, I believe that this doctrine, while important, is not the article upon which Christianity stands or falls. I believe that the Scriptures could contain error and the Christian faith remain essentially in tact. Why? Because Christianity is not built upon the inerrancy of Scripture, but the historical Advent of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christ because man, lived a perfect life, died an atoning death, and rose on the third day not because the Scriptures inerrantly say that these events occurred, but because they did in fact occur. The truth is in the objectivity of the event, not the accuracy of the record of the event. The cause and effect must be put into proper place here. The historical event of the incarnation caused the recording of Scripture, Scripture was not the cause of the events. Again, Christianity is founded upon the Advent, not the inerrant record of the Advent.
Think about this: Do we only trust the historical records of those accounts that have an inerrant witness? Are the ancient histories inerrant? ...We would end up saying that all works written by historians of past are complete lies and fabrications, because they are not inerrant...
To those of you who are struggling with or reject the doctrine of inerrancy, while I believe you are wrong, this does not mean that you have grounds to reject the historicity of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Son of God as recorded in Scripture...
? New ideas for churches??
This is a list of items for an innovative church from the blog-- the Gospel driven church. The red words are my comments on my own church.
1. Sing hymns.
Well, my church do STILL sing hymns.
2. Preach through a book of the Bible.
This... well... sigh...
3. Talk about sin.
Sometimes...
4. Celebrate the Lord's Supper more frequently.
Once a month...
5. Have a Scripture reading in the service.
Finally something I can say, YES, we do that!
6. Transition creative content from aping popular commercials and other media to creating your own, wholly original content.
?
7. Read, study, and teach theology.
sigh...
8. Put as much effort and resources into men's ministry as you do women's. On the flipside, pair up younger women with wise, older women in mentoring relationships with the same conviction you have about men being in accountability and mentoring partnerships.
hmm...
9. Hire from within.
ahem... we're doing the exact opposite...
10. In promotional material, use actual photos of actual people in your community.
I have never read the promotional materials...
11. Preach the Gospel.
How do you DEFINE the GOSPEL?? Believe in Jesus, you'll be saved?! Does that count??
1. Sing hymns.
Well, my church do STILL sing hymns.
2. Preach through a book of the Bible.
This... well... sigh...
3. Talk about sin.
Sometimes...
4. Celebrate the Lord's Supper more frequently.
Once a month...
5. Have a Scripture reading in the service.
Finally something I can say, YES, we do that!
6. Transition creative content from aping popular commercials and other media to creating your own, wholly original content.
?
7. Read, study, and teach theology.
sigh...
8. Put as much effort and resources into men's ministry as you do women's. On the flipside, pair up younger women with wise, older women in mentoring relationships with the same conviction you have about men being in accountability and mentoring partnerships.
hmm...
9. Hire from within.
ahem... we're doing the exact opposite...
10. In promotional material, use actual photos of actual people in your community.
I have never read the promotional materials...
11. Preach the Gospel.
How do you DEFINE the GOSPEL?? Believe in Jesus, you'll be saved?! Does that count??
Madman
This is a novel based on the story of Legion, the demon possessed man in Mark 5:1-20. See a review found on Amazon.com here. Seems very interesting... hmm... but I don't have time to read.
Groot's well-paced, beautifully written historical novel begins in the tombs of Kursi in Palestine on the Sea of Galilee. The story focuses on Tallis, an Athenian servant and scholar who has come to Hippos to learn about the fate of a Socratic academy his master has assembled and bankrolled. As he pieces together cryptic, horrifying details of the academy's dissolution, Tallis finds himself drawn to the owners and staff of the inn where he is a guest. Groot reveals the secrets of the lost academy as well as those of the innkeepers gradually and with virtually no contrivance. Important moments, such as the attempted rescue of a little boy, unfold with understated suspense, which is a delightful departure from the typically tedious, telegraphed and overplayed plot turns in the bulk of contemporary faith-based thrillers. Perhaps most gratifying about the novel is its subtle Christian message; all but the last few pages take place during Jesus' ministry but before the characters have encountered him. Groot depicts these characters as good souls hungering for a greater good with which they might fight the almost overpowering evil forces sucking the life out of their community. Jesus' miraculous entry into their lives provides a satisfying and believable conclusion to this entertaining and compelling book.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Chasing Francis
I mentioned a while ago that I could not seem to find any good Christian novels... Actually after I wrote that, I remember Susan Howatch's Starbridge series. (The problem is with all the Anglo-Catholic and liberal Christians characters in the books, they will never be accepted in evangelical circles. =P What a narrow minded bunch of people we are. I enjoyed the series a lot though.)
I found this book today, I think I'll buy it later, I have rather high hopes that this book may be a good one... Here's a summary according to what I could find on the web about the book.
It's a story about a megachurch pastor losing his faith.
"I used to have all the answers, just opened the Bible and there they were. The truth is, they aren't all there - or if they are, I can't find them. I've tried to convince you that Christianity is logical and straightforward, as if God can be codified and stuffed into files he can't jump out of. Each time uncertainty knocked on the door, I hid behind the couch until it went away. Now I'm the one who's thirsty. And the Jesus I've known for twenty years isn't making it go away."
"And what about our church? I mean, is this all there is?..." And he tried to seek help from his uncle-- a Franciscan priest. And learnt about St. Francis. (Wow!)
Near the end of the book, Chase says, "When I left here, I wasn't sure what a Christian looked like anymore. My idea of what it meant to follow Jesus had run out of gas. I started feeling less like a pastor and more like a salesman of a consumerized Jesus I didn't believe in. Learning about Francis helped me fall in love with Jesus again - and with the church again, too."
I've read an first few pages on Amazon.com, and it is really good.
Example: Chase was talking to a psychatrist in the beginning...
Sounds interesting? I think so, I'll buy it from the net later.
I found this book today, I think I'll buy it later, I have rather high hopes that this book may be a good one... Here's a summary according to what I could find on the web about the book.
It's a story about a megachurch pastor losing his faith.
"I used to have all the answers, just opened the Bible and there they were. The truth is, they aren't all there - or if they are, I can't find them. I've tried to convince you that Christianity is logical and straightforward, as if God can be codified and stuffed into files he can't jump out of. Each time uncertainty knocked on the door, I hid behind the couch until it went away. Now I'm the one who's thirsty. And the Jesus I've known for twenty years isn't making it go away."
"And what about our church? I mean, is this all there is?..." And he tried to seek help from his uncle-- a Franciscan priest. And learnt about St. Francis. (Wow!)
Near the end of the book, Chase says, "When I left here, I wasn't sure what a Christian looked like anymore. My idea of what it meant to follow Jesus had run out of gas. I started feeling less like a pastor and more like a salesman of a consumerized Jesus I didn't believe in. Learning about Francis helped me fall in love with Jesus again - and with the church again, too."
I've read an first few pages on Amazon.com, and it is really good.
Example: Chase was talking to a psychatrist in the beginning...
Sounds interesting? I think so, I'll buy it from the net later.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Franklin Graham Festival Resources
I just browsed their website to confirm the date and found a lot of interesting stuff.
First you can download this banner. Second you can download evangelical materials for your phone!! This is my phone, I've downloaded the bilingual version, you can download the Chinese/English version for different phones as well.
And there's a musical marathon as well. And a hiking to form a cross on the hill. I think there'll be a blog later as well.
Really interesting...
And the mobile phone thing is useful.
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