Interests:i like to sing, compete in basketball, some video games, snooker, sparring, read the great classics, and try to appreciate everything in the world, and mostly talking about God. Occupation:Student Industry:Other
So today i was assigned at the first door to usher the homeless people in. The lineup always get stalled and it's a good chance to talk to them. But that was quite difficult, because these people want food and they are hardly interested in conversations. And it's even harder to relate to them or talk with them to show in a manner that i care, because there's always a several of them. And asking them how they are doing is so phony (and they did let me know) because i already know their week has been like shit, and if i still had to ask, they will tell me everyday is "plain fucking terrible". I do want to hear about it, but there's no point to make a man pour out his soul during a line up. Sitting down with them is the best chance to talk. Truth is, i am surprised how quickly these people open up themselves to me as soon as i mention how my father died and all. And as soon as they start talking on their end, the gospel will look a jigsaw piece that fit right into their lives. The key to bridge this gap with the homeless, i think, is identifying with their experiences of suffering.
Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn
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on behalf of EV team, thanks again for everyone who came and helped. Without you, this movement would not have been possible. did you have a good time? Blessings to you
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EDIT: apologetics in action ?? During sunday school, Keither briefly mentioned the power of story in the context of a post modern culture. This is clearly the case. My above illustration is ultimately narrative in nature. People share stories of their lives, when they come together, Christ works like thread and needle, stringing through facets of human stories. Life stories exerts influence on each other. (Pastor Man has a t-shirt with similar expression :P ) Perhaps it is the multitude of Christian strories that give foothold to a Christian meta-narrative.
Telling and sharing stories of lives is ultimately testimonies. And Jesus clearly saw this well, which i think is why Jesus consistently speak of testifying on behalf of the father (and vice versa) to prove His worth. I think i have come across academic papers on Jesus as the philosopher, or Jesus as a social theorist. I'm sure there are good resources that look at Jesus as an apologist. But if apologetics is really about defending the faith and authenticity in and of Christ, would Jesus defend Himself in the same way Socrates did (according to Plato's apology)?
Thanks to Keither & Roberta for teaching, this is going to be a great series!
So today i got notified by e-mail that i got accepted into the Master of Divinity program under Canadian Theological Seminary. A lot of miracles have surfaced, some are on-going. But i gotta say, as long as we are willing to put down ourselves, they just keep coming.
In the past few months, not only am i more convinced that there is the place God has ready for me in His world, i have also seen it. Chinese people call it 認命, yielding to fate. Christians will probably call it obedience. i have also slowly come to grasp of the tasks and responsibilities that God plans to hand down to me in the years to come. I don't want to say 'ridiculously', but it's uncannily overwhelming. Honestly, i don't want to talk about any part of it. Which is probably why i'm ready to quit blogging altogether, (i mean look at all the jokes piling up on this page).
It is just as wrong to underestimate God's power as to think God overestimate our ability, i think.
because God is faithful, and He will not let us be tested beyond our strength, but he will provide the way so that we may be able to endure it all. (1 Cor 10:13) Easy to say it out, hard to swallow it in, and it's worse to walk up to it voluntarily. It's scary enough to make me call quits, or just kill myself over all of this. But really now, is there anything worse than dying? Sometimes i wonder myself.
last night 2 girls from the dorm next door made cookies for me and came over to say farewell before i leave. So i put my studying away and chat w/ them for a while. well..it's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me being in the middle of this dutch community for 4 n' a half years.
