Thursday, March 5, 2015
TheTruth: Position vs Impact
When you enter the workforce, we often assume that a position defines how much we impact (or shape) the world. Thus, naturally we are always reaching for a higher position (or "a bigger chair"). However, it's always about how much impact you have that determines your position; not about your position determining your impact.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Biblical Studies: Essentially, ONLY GOD is testing me
Hello Fam!
That's right, only God can ultimately test me. Nobody else. Not the devil nor demons. Sure, I'm tempted by all and especially myself, but the test is given by our Father. Everyone can claim to "judge" me, but their evaluations or grading system is still filled with error. Only God has the perfect grading scale and can evaluate me without imperfection or mistake. God is the Teacher.
Before I reference the Bible, let me provide clarity on the difference between "tested" and "tempted". A "test" is given to us with good intentions and by one who hopes we will pass (i.e. apply the knowledge taught with righteous purpose) to live a better life. A "temptation" is given to us with evil intentions, whether we realize the negative effect instantly or over a long period of time, and by one who either does not care about us or wants us to fail in our faith and obedience to God which degrades our life and living. This is why in James 1:14-15, I see that temptation can lead to death (i.e. the ultimate failure in life where there is no more room for degradation).
In 1 John 4, the Bible lets me know that even if people are used (or other animals with a spirit), I still need to understand that they are not the ones testing me but God is.
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God...".
In Genesis 12, God first test to Abram (i.e. Abraham) is to leave his home and go to a new place that will become his new home. In addition, God gives him a clear incentive for taking this test and passing it (by dwelling in his new land).
In Genesis 22, I see one of the greatest tests in the Bible and perhaps the greatest assigned to Abraham. God tests Abraham's faith in Him (in God himself) by asking Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.
In Job, I see another one of the greatest tests in the Bible. God is testing Job. Although the devil is given permission to put Job through trials and tribulations, God is the one who gave the devil this permission. Thus, God is testing Job and concludes this in the end of the Book of Job.
"And the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.' So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord."
But here's where the beginning of all tests lie and is a great reminder that only our Father tests us, whether we realize it or not. And note, God is testing our faith in Him and our obedience to Him whether we are tempted or not.
In Genesis 2:16-17, there is no one around except for God and Adam. And of those two, only one gives a command which shows who the "tester" is. God commands Adam that he is free to do - anything, except to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In addition, God gives an incentive (or actually the opposite which is warning) that Adam will die if he chooses to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Think about that. I know I have and still do. And isn't it interesting that books are made from trees? (Hint: Tree of Life => Book of Life => Bible)
If I replace the tree with any other material of this world - a chair, a house, or even a person - and I disobey God by sitting in the chair, or throne, of 'the knowledge of good and evil', or I disobey God by living in a house, or place, of 'the knowledge of good and evil', or I disobey God by being with a person, or spouse, filled with 'the knowledge of good and evil', then I will die. And guess what? I did. I died. We live in a world of 'the knowledge of good and evil' ever since Adam bit the fruit from this tree. See, I already failed the ultimate test.
But praise God for giving us a second chance by another test! This comes in John 3:16-21, where all I have to do is let someone else take my test and believe in my substitute. By believing in my substitute (who dies for me to revive me), I have passed the ultimate test from God. It's kind of like failing the state standardize test, but then finding out that my school was exempted because the state heard of our positive contributions to society and how we are examples for other schools already. Yes, it feels that great! Even if I was the least to contribute from my exempted school, it still feels magnificent!
So, I conclude, there is no one who can test me like God our Father. Nobody else's tests matter. I only care about other people's tests because it is another way of God testing me.
I hope to meditate and be reminded of what James already summarized:
James 1:12-16
'Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.'
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Biblical Studies: Matthew 2 - My Questions
Studying the Book of Matthew, Chapter 2
Verses 1-18
During my study this morning, I am left with some questions. I see there are these Magi (i.e. wise men) who somehow all managed to join each other before reaching Jerusalem by following this "star" in the sky.
What I don't understand is that if these men are wise and they knew about the coming of Jesus, then why did they not know Jesus would be born in Bethlehem? The first question from the Magi to King Herod is: where is He (Jesus)? King Herod asks his council of chief priests and his priests find the answer in the Book of one of the minor prophets (Micah). If these priests, who were not expecting the birth of Jesus Christ, where able to figure out where Jesus would be born, then why didn't the Magi? Why did the Magi, who expected Christ to be born, have to ask the king of Jerusalem?
I guess that even the Magi were shocked that the king and priests of Jerusalem were not seeking out the birth of Jesus Christ. I don't know. But, this story is mysterious especially since these wise men came from there own countries in the East to find Jesus while the priests (who are supposed to be wise as well) who lived nearby where Jesus would be born didn't even seem to care enough to find Jesus. I'm also making an educated guess that the Magi (from the East) heard of Jewish faith from the times when Jews were spread out (or scattered) among nations during the Babylonian rule (like in the Book of Esther).
Verses 9-23
A few days later, I'm studying the rest of chapter 2 after meditating on the previous verses. I see Joseph is always visited by an angel of the Lord through his dreams. I wonder if this is the same as in the Old Testament, yet the Old Testament doesn't state clearly if the angels visited the prophets in dreams or not. Perhaps they were "daydreams"? I don't know, but I think this is another good question to ask JC when I see him.
As for "those who were trying to take the child's life" in verse 20, I'm guessing this is including King Herod's buddies who were wishing this prophecy was false. I wonder if King Herod lived in great fear until he died since he didn't kill JC. Hmm, so many questions and this is only the beginning of the New Testament.
It's also interesting to read "the child and his mother" when the angel speaks to Joseph. Why didn't the angel say "your child and your wife"?
But here is one of the most debatable verses I've encountered throughout my study of the Bible. Considering the Book of Matthew is published in by the Canon (i.e. the team of scholars who put the Bible together of the individual scrolls or "books"), why did Matthew state this verse and which prophets is he referencing?
23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."
I've done some research on the Internet and am very vexed on what this means. After all, if one verse in the Bible is wrong or found false, then the Truth (as sometimes the Bible is referred to) can be completely wrong or altogether found false. Here are some online references that I've read which gives insight, but no clear answer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_2:23
https://carm.org/bible-difficulties/matthew-mark/did-ot-prophesy-jesus-coming-nazareth
http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/12265/who-said-he-would-be-called-a-nazarene
What would also be great to know is if Matthew wrote his original book in Hebrew, instead of Greek as I've assumed considering it's grouped into the New Testament where most of the books are written in Greek? Here are some more references associated to my question (and others).
http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/was-matthews-gospel-first-written-in-aramaic-or-hebrew
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Matthew
Yep, lots of questions, but no clear answers. A very mysterious beginning to the New Testament and the early life of JC.
Verses 9-23
A few days later, I'm studying the rest of chapter 2 after meditating on the previous verses. I see Joseph is always visited by an angel of the Lord through his dreams. I wonder if this is the same as in the Old Testament, yet the Old Testament doesn't state clearly if the angels visited the prophets in dreams or not. Perhaps they were "daydreams"? I don't know, but I think this is another good question to ask JC when I see him.
As for "those who were trying to take the child's life" in verse 20, I'm guessing this is including King Herod's buddies who were wishing this prophecy was false. I wonder if King Herod lived in great fear until he died since he didn't kill JC. Hmm, so many questions and this is only the beginning of the New Testament.
It's also interesting to read "the child and his mother" when the angel speaks to Joseph. Why didn't the angel say "your child and your wife"?
But here is one of the most debatable verses I've encountered throughout my study of the Bible. Considering the Book of Matthew is published in by the Canon (i.e. the team of scholars who put the Bible together of the individual scrolls or "books"), why did Matthew state this verse and which prophets is he referencing?
23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."
I've done some research on the Internet and am very vexed on what this means. After all, if one verse in the Bible is wrong or found false, then the Truth (as sometimes the Bible is referred to) can be completely wrong or altogether found false. Here are some online references that I've read which gives insight, but no clear answer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_2:23
https://carm.org/bible-difficulties/matthew-mark/did-ot-prophesy-jesus-coming-nazareth
http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/12265/who-said-he-would-be-called-a-nazarene
What would also be great to know is if Matthew wrote his original book in Hebrew, instead of Greek as I've assumed considering it's grouped into the New Testament where most of the books are written in Greek? Here are some more references associated to my question (and others).
http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/was-matthews-gospel-first-written-in-aramaic-or-hebrew
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Matthew
Yep, lots of questions, but no clear answers. A very mysterious beginning to the New Testament and the early life of JC.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
TheTruth: Beauty blinded, Faith failed
As I reflect on all the heartache I have caused from the many relationships I have had with women, I see and understand this cause was from my lack of identity (in Christ) and lack of awareness (of my own weaknesses) as a man. Even more, I have caused the greatest heartache on my Lord. I will always praise Him for my salvation, and pray for the salvaging of the many broken hearts.
"Your beauty reminds me of Adam, of his fall.
And why he let himself down, and why he let others down.
This is not your fault, but of mine since I am a son of Adam.
Like him I have fallen, many times.
But to God be the glory because Adam was rescued.
God our Father recovered me, just like Adam."
Thursday, August 7, 2014
TheTruth-140807: Actually, ALL things ARE possible with God
A known, yet often misinterpreted verse in the Holy Scriptures is:
Mark 10:27 - "Jesus looked at them and said,
'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'"
This does NOT mean that God is like our genie granting whatever wish we may have. We fail in understanding the truth about God our Father. The context surrounding this verse is summed up in Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." God is our God in knowing what is best for us and will bless us with all the possibilities when we obey Him. Otherwise, we have greater faith in ourselves than in God which results to trying to make all things possible with man (including self). And, this contradicts the Truth (of what is said in the main verse here).
Similar verse: Matthew 19:26
Look at the verses surrounding this main verse. The verses before set up the main verse as the climax where even the disciples of Jesus are mind-boggled with the question, "Who then can be saved?" And, Jesus our Lord does not leave us pressed in confusion, but pulls us out with clarity in the following verses.
Take a keen look after the main verse, see Peter's response: "We have LEFT EVERYTHING to FOLLOW YOU." In the Book of Matthew (or Matthew's version in chapter 19), Peter questions Jesus again with a selfish tone asking, "...What then will there be for us?" Jesus replies with a similar answer to Peter as to the young rich man who Jesus just spoke to in this passage. Basically, from verse 21 He says, "...you will have treasure in heaven." (See Matthew 6:19-24.)
Even angels know this from reading Luke 1:37 !
Our Lord reminds us of the importance of giving up everything to follow Him in order to receive eternal life with treasures in heaven (i.e., in the words of fairy tales, to live happily ever after).
To sum all this up, I would rewrite this verse as such: "All things are possible with God when you follow Him."
*I am using the New International Version in citing verses.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Walking through a Neighborhood Dream
My Dearly Beloved,
I was walking this morning, bright and early, from the Metro (i.e. subway) station to my new apartment and realized , surprisingly, of how delightful I felt strolling through this dream-like neighborhood. Instantly, I had flashbacks of times when I walked through neighborhood nightmares. The drastic comparison in my head helped me to appreciate my simple walk.
This neighborhood that I now walk through to get to work and home is an ideal resemblance of where I would like to live. As I reminisced on neighborhoods that I have lived in growing up as an army kid, I have lived in quite a few places which each had its own "voice". Some neighborhoods were villages surrounded by farmlands, some were laid-back, rural hoods in the city outskirts, some were bustling blocks in urban cities, some were vibrant communities in the suburbs, and some were gentrified in downtown capitols. Sadly, some were neighborhood nightmares (i.e. projects and ghettos).
As I continued enjoying my walk, I had to take some photos of what I liked about this neighborhood. It was peaceful, clean, and fresh. There was a pedestrian crosswalk and recycling bins in the back alleys. Cars were parked properly on the curb, yards were clean and green with flowers and a few bugs, old people were out taking a walk, streets and sidewalks were smoothly paved with no potholes, and the list continues.
The last time I remember walking through a neighborhood where I felt this was a world I loved living in was in a small village surrounded by a farming community in Europe. My dream neighborhood is to just live in a place where people care about everyone in their neighborhood. There's no rush to live life to the fullest, but there's also no laziness and living without purpose.
This is not to say that I know the people in my current neighborhood care about each other, but I strongly believe that the people here must have some kind of likeness in which they all want to live in a beautifully, well-maintained community of nice houses and respectful living conditions. The spirit and atmosphere of an environment says a lot and this is the "voice" I'm referring to.
My dad would always say that people are the product of their environments. As I struggled with his saying I heard mentor say that people can't always change their environments, but people can choose where they live. My stroll concluded with a smile and this thought: "Make moves...until the place you wake up in moves you."
I was walking this morning, bright and early, from the Metro (i.e. subway) station to my new apartment and realized , surprisingly, of how delightful I felt strolling through this dream-like neighborhood. Instantly, I had flashbacks of times when I walked through neighborhood nightmares. The drastic comparison in my head helped me to appreciate my simple walk.
This neighborhood that I now walk through to get to work and home is an ideal resemblance of where I would like to live. As I reminisced on neighborhoods that I have lived in growing up as an army kid, I have lived in quite a few places which each had its own "voice". Some neighborhoods were villages surrounded by farmlands, some were laid-back, rural hoods in the city outskirts, some were bustling blocks in urban cities, some were vibrant communities in the suburbs, and some were gentrified in downtown capitols. Sadly, some were neighborhood nightmares (i.e. projects and ghettos).
As I continued enjoying my walk, I had to take some photos of what I liked about this neighborhood. It was peaceful, clean, and fresh. There was a pedestrian crosswalk and recycling bins in the back alleys. Cars were parked properly on the curb, yards were clean and green with flowers and a few bugs, old people were out taking a walk, streets and sidewalks were smoothly paved with no potholes, and the list continues.
The last time I remember walking through a neighborhood where I felt this was a world I loved living in was in a small village surrounded by a farming community in Europe. My dream neighborhood is to just live in a place where people care about everyone in their neighborhood. There's no rush to live life to the fullest, but there's also no laziness and living without purpose.
This is not to say that I know the people in my current neighborhood care about each other, but I strongly believe that the people here must have some kind of likeness in which they all want to live in a beautifully, well-maintained community of nice houses and respectful living conditions. The spirit and atmosphere of an environment says a lot and this is the "voice" I'm referring to.
My dad would always say that people are the product of their environments. As I struggled with his saying I heard mentor say that people can't always change their environments, but people can choose where they live. My stroll concluded with a smile and this thought: "Make moves...until the place you wake up in moves you."
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Marital Success! #20140703: Tiny, intense conflict resolved
Yay, we resolved our conflict!
It started with me when I was looking out my window at work and noticed the storm approaching. Since I commute to work by the Metro (i.e. DC's subway system), I knew I needed to leave promptly at 4pm to miss the storm if I didn't want to arrive home soaking wet. I sent an instant message to my wife over gChat that I was headed home and shut down my work computer.
As I started walking home from the Friendship Heights Metro stop, the rain began slowly. I could feel the big drops of rain as one slowly dripped from the sky like a faucet that had just been turned off. I picked up my pace into a jog as the sky became darker and even bicyclists where riding faster. As I passed one of the intersections on my way home through this residential neighborhood on Military Road, I heard someone yelling my name, "Gordon,..., Gordon!" I was hoping that I was just hearing things, but I glanced quickly back over my right shoulder and saw my wife, Danelle. "Just great!", I thought annoyingly.
I stopped jogging and waited for her as she ran towards me from across the street. She pulled out this small umbrella and excitingly said that I could join her. I knew it was enough especially for this storm that was about to pour at any second. And sure enough - the rain began to pour. I shouted, "Danelle, we need to run!" We both started running as small branches started to fall in front and back of us, which we managed to dodge. Then she stopped running. I looked back at her being a little upset and shouted that she needed to run. She ran again for a moment and then said she needed help with her bag. Then she said she couldn't run because she had sandals on. Needless to say, by the time we made it to our apartment building we were soaking wet.
Danelle was laughing and made the situation humorous. I was not in the mood for jokes and softly expressed that I was angry. She didn't understand why and began to explain to me that I didn't have to wait for her. "Yeah right", I thought. We walked into our apartment and she continued to explain how none of this was her fault and I shouldn't be angry at her. We took off our wet clothes, put on some dry clothes, and continued to our normal routine at home. I got on my laptop and she went to do something in the kitchen.
Shortly after I starting writing on my laptop, I began talking to my sister. Danelle came by me a couple times, brushing up against the skin of my shoulder and giving her usual sign of needing attention. After years of experience, I knew she wanted to talk more about this conflict we just had. I hung up the phone with my sister, went into the kitchen, and asked Danelle what was up. She said she wanted to have resolution over what just happened. I began to explain that I'm not mad anymore and just needed a little bit of time to cool off, which I did. This moment of being angry for being caught in the storm's downpour was nobody's fault but my own, yet my feelings were real and I needed to let myself relieve my anger gently by having some me-time. I continued to explain to her that I was not angry "at" her until she became insensitive to my feelings and continue to neglect my feelings by adding humor in my face. I included other options that I could have chosen to prevent myself from being angry at her, but all of those options (like pretending that I didn't hear her while jogging home) would receive the consequences of her telling me throughout the evening of how I just left her in the rain, how I didn't care and a branch could have injured her, or even how she had some feeling that I ignored her to keep jogging home. Furthermore, she would now have another story to tell her friends about how careless I was towards her. As I explained this to her, she recognized the depth of our conflict, acknowledged my feelings, apologized for being insensitive to me, and verbally applauded me for knowing her.
We hugged, kissed, and said "I love you" to each other. We both became happy that we came to an understanding from a gentle conversation and saw good fruit from our years of marriage counseling over conflict resolution. What started as a small conflict could have easily became a great marital disaster. Yes, conflict resolution in marriage is extremely difficult in the beginning. But with time and practice, it gets easier and brings forth a wealth of happiness.
Toasting to Dr. Schutz this evening and praising God for him. :)
It started with me when I was looking out my window at work and noticed the storm approaching. Since I commute to work by the Metro (i.e. DC's subway system), I knew I needed to leave promptly at 4pm to miss the storm if I didn't want to arrive home soaking wet. I sent an instant message to my wife over gChat that I was headed home and shut down my work computer.
As I started walking home from the Friendship Heights Metro stop, the rain began slowly. I could feel the big drops of rain as one slowly dripped from the sky like a faucet that had just been turned off. I picked up my pace into a jog as the sky became darker and even bicyclists where riding faster. As I passed one of the intersections on my way home through this residential neighborhood on Military Road, I heard someone yelling my name, "Gordon,..., Gordon!" I was hoping that I was just hearing things, but I glanced quickly back over my right shoulder and saw my wife, Danelle. "Just great!", I thought annoyingly.
I stopped jogging and waited for her as she ran towards me from across the street. She pulled out this small umbrella and excitingly said that I could join her. I knew it was enough especially for this storm that was about to pour at any second. And sure enough - the rain began to pour. I shouted, "Danelle, we need to run!" We both started running as small branches started to fall in front and back of us, which we managed to dodge. Then she stopped running. I looked back at her being a little upset and shouted that she needed to run. She ran again for a moment and then said she needed help with her bag. Then she said she couldn't run because she had sandals on. Needless to say, by the time we made it to our apartment building we were soaking wet.
Danelle was laughing and made the situation humorous. I was not in the mood for jokes and softly expressed that I was angry. She didn't understand why and began to explain to me that I didn't have to wait for her. "Yeah right", I thought. We walked into our apartment and she continued to explain how none of this was her fault and I shouldn't be angry at her. We took off our wet clothes, put on some dry clothes, and continued to our normal routine at home. I got on my laptop and she went to do something in the kitchen.
Shortly after I starting writing on my laptop, I began talking to my sister. Danelle came by me a couple times, brushing up against the skin of my shoulder and giving her usual sign of needing attention. After years of experience, I knew she wanted to talk more about this conflict we just had. I hung up the phone with my sister, went into the kitchen, and asked Danelle what was up. She said she wanted to have resolution over what just happened. I began to explain that I'm not mad anymore and just needed a little bit of time to cool off, which I did. This moment of being angry for being caught in the storm's downpour was nobody's fault but my own, yet my feelings were real and I needed to let myself relieve my anger gently by having some me-time. I continued to explain to her that I was not angry "at" her until she became insensitive to my feelings and continue to neglect my feelings by adding humor in my face. I included other options that I could have chosen to prevent myself from being angry at her, but all of those options (like pretending that I didn't hear her while jogging home) would receive the consequences of her telling me throughout the evening of how I just left her in the rain, how I didn't care and a branch could have injured her, or even how she had some feeling that I ignored her to keep jogging home. Furthermore, she would now have another story to tell her friends about how careless I was towards her. As I explained this to her, she recognized the depth of our conflict, acknowledged my feelings, apologized for being insensitive to me, and verbally applauded me for knowing her.
We hugged, kissed, and said "I love you" to each other. We both became happy that we came to an understanding from a gentle conversation and saw good fruit from our years of marriage counseling over conflict resolution. What started as a small conflict could have easily became a great marital disaster. Yes, conflict resolution in marriage is extremely difficult in the beginning. But with time and practice, it gets easier and brings forth a wealth of happiness.
Toasting to Dr. Schutz this evening and praising God for him. :)
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