Love Your Neighbor

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31a)

This week was our community service outreach at COA.  As I was looking through some of the materials for the 6 Wk Quest, in consideration for Community Group, this verse stood out.  Loving our neighbors as ourselves contributes to social justice, in working towards a more egalitarian society reducing the gap between the rich and the poor; and placing value on the inherent dignity of each person.

I've wondered about the stories of those we serve at COA.  This weekend, I learned at least a partial story of one person.  As our band was playing an old hymn during the service, one person walked out of the service with his finger pointed up saying that he wanted to play that for God.  He left and came back with his harmonica and joined the band on the platform for a couple of hymns.   It turns out that he used to play professionally in jazz clubs.  After we had finished served food and was cleaning up, he came in asking if we had any food left, since he said that he was so excited about playing music for the LORD that he forgot all about dinner.

A quote I came across also applies to outreach:
"Pleasure-seeking, as we learn from experience, is a barren business; happiness is never found till we have the grace to stop looking for it and to give our attention to persons and matters external to ourselves."  - J. I. Packer

Birthday '10

"For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be."  (Psalm 139:13-16)

How appropriate that the verse for today, my Birthday, was this one.  It says God created me as I am and my days are ordained for me written in His book.   That is at the same time amazing and also comforting.


On Saturday, my family took me out to the Harbor Seafood Buffet.  For a buffet, it had a wide selection of sushi and it was pretty good.  The Chinese food was okay, and they had a Mongolian BBQ section, plus a variety of seafood.  A nice treat was the mango soft ice cream.

Last night, I celebrated with my Community Group leaders, who share an Anniversary on the same day with my Birthday.  They are a wonderful example of God's design for marriage.   Since their favorite type of food is Mexican; I made several Mexican dishes:

• Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas  (I used the refried black bean this time; but, the whole black beans seem to work better)
• Mexican Salad (with greens, tomato, cilantro, onion (and avocado) with a dressing of olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic and honey)
• Taco/Burrito Bar (beef, chicken, lettuce, tomato, onions, cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, tortilla chips)

Perseverance

It's funny that Romans 15:5 references encouragement and perseverance; because, last Sunday, God gave encouragement and this Sunday, my class lesson involves perseverance.

In Judges 20, the tribes of Israel, despite seeking the LORD for guidance, faced two devastating losses.   Though there were seeds of doubt growing after each loss, they admirably continued to inquire of God and encouraged one another.  And after they wept, fasted, and gave burnt and fellowship offerings to the LORD, they were given victory.

The passage showed me that we do need to persevere in the face of loss and even doubt.   We need to encourage one another, continue to seek the LORD, and stand firm until He grants victory or blessing in His time and purpose.   In the same way that the losses and the subsequent weeping, fasting, offering, and prayer may have indicated that Israel themselves needed purging and cleansing before they could be used of God; we need to be right before the LORD before He can use us most effectively as well.  This passage is a reminder that just because we initially face obstacles and seeming failure, it does not necessarily mean that we are not walking the path of God's Plan and sometimes even helps to draw us closer to the LORD.

Encouragement

While it is often easy to think that "encouragement" is in short supply; actually, I can see that God really does supply it when it is needed.

Just yesterday, I received affirmation of my meaningful area of service with the AV Team.   During worship, it was discovered that the sermon notes were not uploaded into application for the projector; and I was able to help upload the slides and get them running behind the scenes without any interruption to the worship service or the sermon.

Also, in class yesterday, unexpectedly, one person told me that he appreciated how I facilitate the discussions and my willingness to cover even the difficult subjects.   And, just now, I received an email with another unexpected encouragement on the class lesson.  I do thank God for the affirmation that He has provided throughout the years of my Spiritual Gift of teaching.   And, I am thankful for all that I see Him doing in and through my class.  Even in areas that I find myself somewhat concerned about, He is able to cause it to work out.  Amen!

Then, possibly in answer to prayer about outreach and evangelism, I was asked whether I would be willing to host occasional dinner parties at my home for new visitors to my church.   I agreed to do it; and my hope is that God will be able to use me to help new people assimilate better into the church.

Chains of Sin

In both my class study and the sermon on Judges this Sunday, it was clear that sin's chains bind and lead to devastating downfalls. 

Tragically, in Judges 19, we see that the Benjamites in Gibeah had fallen to such depths of human depravity and sin that they did what the Canaanites in Sodom did in Genesis 19, right before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah in judgment for their wickedness.   How had the people of God fallen so low; and why did it take such a shocking occurrence like the Levite sending cut-up pieces of his concubine to each of the twelve tribes of Israel for them to wake up, assemble before the Lord, and take action against sin?  This can serve as a warning for the Church today.

Similarly, the story of Samson is one of tragedy because of sin.  He never dealt with his problems; and his collapse was due to a slow leak, not a blowout.  My pastor gave five principles for breaking the chains of sin, and, as in Samson's case, particularly that of sexual temptation:

• Flee lusts (1 Corinth 6:18-20)
• Fix our thoughts on obeying Christ (2 Corinth 10:5)
• Face temptation with personal accountability (James 5:16)
• Fortify your life by memorizing the Word of God (Psalm 119:9,11)
• Forsee disaster by learning from the failure of others (1 Corinth 10:11)

Praise God that the "blood of Christ is infinitely more cleansing than sin is defiling".

Beauty For Ashes and Ruth Series

For some time, I've been thinking about a topical study around my theme or area of focus this year - "Beauty for Ashes".  So, after prayer and initial preparations for the next Bible Study series, I have found passages that relate to various areas tied in with the theme, based on the Isaiah 61 passage (e.g. "mourning into dancing", "death to life", "healing", "darkness into light", etc). Through this series, may the lessons highlight the HOPE that Christians have, that in the midst of utter devastation and ruins (like ashes), God is able to raise beauty.

Between Labor Day and Christmas, aside from holiday breaks, there are fourteen Sundays.  The "Beauty for Ashes" series would only cover ten weeks; so, most likely, the Book of Ruth, which has four chapters, will cover the other four weeks.  Ruth would be a good choice, since it occurs in the time of Judges, and we now have the context of the background and time period.  In line with "God Delivers" as the title for the Judges series, "God Redeems" would be a good title for the Ruth series.  Also, it leads nicely in the "Beauty for Ashes" theme, for in the midst of the darkness of the nation of Israel's disobedience, the story of Ruth is a beautiful example of hope.

Light

Evening chapel service at EV Free last night was a time to honor Howie Stevenson and to remember Marilyn.  It was also nice to have the privilege to hear my friend beautifully play the Lord's Prayer on the violin at the close of the service.

But, whenever I go back to EV Free, I am often reminded of how "invisible" I feel.  Since it is such a large church, it is easy to get lost in the crowd; and I am not one of those people who stand out.  Having been part of the church and involved in various areas for over twelve years previously, and having only been gone for the last five, it was a little sad to see that most people, ranging from previous acquaintances, choir directors and fellow choir members, to pastors, did not remember me. 

But, this leads me back to a realization and goal I made, which is to live my life purposefully.   As long as what I do points others to God, then it does not really matter that they don't see me.  It reminds me of the verse in Matthew 5:16  "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Global Warming

I attended a lecture this weekend on Global Warming by RTB scholar Dr Jeff Zweerink.  He had a good approach to addressing the topic during discussions, suggesting that we avoid getting into a political debate, but rather focusing on a more Worldview perspective.

He presented a good overview, and generally covered areas like climatic contributors (oceans, atmospheric, solar), the Greenhouse effect (e.g. Carbon Dioxide affecting the transparency of the atmosphere to retain thermal radiation), and the issue behind the current discussions:  "What is the effect of humans?"

However, since most data collected has really been done in more recent years, possibly the last 100 years, and the rest of the data are gathered from various models and methods; we really do not have enough information at this time yet to accurately predict any trends or expectations of what will happen, nor whether or not the effects do pose an alarming environmental threat.  More research and analysis needs to be done before we can get to the point where we can gain a better understanding.

So, a more useful approach might be to evaluate what can be done in the near-term given the limited information that we do have.   We can say that it is clear that 1) the globe is warming (e.g. the "Hockey Stick" graph of the rise in average temparatures over time since the 1800s Industrial Revolution) and that 2) humans are involved.  And we also know that the Earth is amazingly designed and created with perfect balance in all areas (astronomical, geophysical, atmospheric, and biological).   We can each individually do our part in the areas we can (e.g. reducing our carbon footprint); but, while we are given the command to properly care for Creation, we also need to avoid ending up worshipping Creation.  The best solutions will be ones that will benefit both Humanity as well as Creation.

Internet Service

It was time for me to update my Internet Service, because I've had the same DSL service for many years; and ISPs have made many new and enhanced features since I first signed up.  I decided against going with a cable company because I didn't want to pay extra for the cable TV service (at this time, at least).   For the same reason of not wanting to pay extra, I decided not to go with FiOS.   So, I opted for a relatively minor change.   I stayed with my current ISP; but, chose a new bundle plan that doubled my DSL speed and gave me new phone features.  After some chats and discussions and being told that the advertised free wireless router was for new customers only, one is supposedly being shipped to me now.  It remains to be seen whether I made the right decision in terms of wisdom and good stewardship; since, this locks me in for another year.   However, I think that this has lowered the cost from my existing service; added the upgraded speed, and should have include wireless.  I'll see how it goes and decide next year whether I would need to make another change.

Friendship

Over the last week and a half, I've had a chance to get together individually with three of my closest friends.  Maybe God just knew how much my "tanks" needed to be filled.  It really has been a blessing to encourage and be encouraged through fellowship with godly sisters in Christ.

Yesterday, we went to Bangkok Thai in Long Beach to celebrate my friend's birthday.  We had Pad Thai and a glass noodle dish (with cabbage, carrots, shrimp, seasoned with what tasted like Oyster sauce).   The food was good; and the hole-in-the-wall restaurant was neat and clean.

What I appreciate most about this friend is how comfortable we are able to be with one another.  We know that we can be ourselves, that we can show each other our real selves and know that we are loved and accepted.  She is like a sister to me; and we even seem to go through similar experiences and interactions with our respective family relationships.  She also brought back a sewn cloth bag from Japan - another special gift from a foreign country.

Psalm 51

King David said it better in Psalm 51 than I ever could:
Have mercy on me, O God,
       according to your unfailing love;
       according to your great compassion
       blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
       and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
       and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
       and done what is evil in your sight,
       so that you are proved right when you speak
       and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
       sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
       you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
       wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
       let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
       and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
       and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
       or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
       and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
       and sinners will turn back to you.
Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
       the God who saves me,
       and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
       and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
       you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
       a broken and contrite heart,
       O God, you will not despise.
In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
       build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
       whole burnt offerings to delight you;
       then bulls will be offered on your altar.

This was the prayer of my heart this weekend, as it was made clear to me that I needed to be Holy as He is Holy.  All the studies on Samson, showing the need to avoid temptation, to be committed to consecration to God, and to allow God to use us, were clearly applicable.

May He forgive me of my sins; and renew a right spirit within me.  Amen.