Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Your Favorite Blogs

Koinonia listed the favorite blogs of its readers here. These are the top 11 blogs:
Each of these blogs received multiple recommendations
1. Euangelion Michael Bird's “Post Post-Modern Blog" on NT studies, Christian origins, exegesis, and following Jesus
2. Between Two Worlds Justin Taylor on faith, books, and culture
3. TeamPyro “Setting the world on fire”
4. Challies.com “Informing the Reforming”
5. Billmounce.com
6. Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth "[T]he Bible, Books, and Beating People Up”
7. Parchment and Pen “A theology blog” by Michael Patton
8. Heidelblog “Recovering the Reformed confession”
9. Jesus Creed Scot McKnight on “Jesus and Orthodox Faith in the 21st Century”
10. The Resurgence, a “reformed, complementarian, missional movement that trains missional leaders to serve the Church to transform cultures for Christ.”
11. DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed by Kevin DeYoung

Of this list, I only frequent Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth and occasionally Jesus Creed. Of the 2, Jesus Creed is better in content. However, it always makes me feel guilty because there is so much good stuff there that I'm missing because I can't keep up. So I stay away from it to lessen my regrets. I like RDTWOT because it is short and simple, and Nick always have something insightful to share.

Friday, June 25, 2010

He is worth the wait!

I have previously blogged about this new singer 韦礼安 February last year. After a good long wait, his album is finally released and I bough a copy of it at Gramophone. It was indeed worth the wait. These songs are all well written by himself and carry his passion for good music. They range from slow rock to light jazz to R&B. In a way, his style reminds me of David Tao. These are his two 主打歌.

This is the first one: 有没有


I immediately liked this one. It is good slow rock reminiscent of Gary Moore. And I knew I had to get this album which also includes 慢慢等 & 好天气 from the previous EP.

This is the second one: 因为爱


I was disappointed with this one the first time I heard it. It is not "unusual". Not unique. Just a normal chinese romantic song, I thought. Yet, now that I had the album, this is the song most favored by me and my wife. It's funny how this "simple" song really grows on you.

Highly recommended!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Worship Evaluation Form

The Worship Evaluation Form

Congregation:
Date of service:
Chairperson:
Worship Leader:
Evaluator:
Sermon Speaker:

Criteria 1a: Is the service biblical/ Trinitarian/ covenantal/ dialogical? Did you learn something about God?

Criteria 1b: How is the Communal and Hospitality aspects of the worship expressed? Is it Embracing?

Criteria 1c: Which elements or words best promote a sense of the God’s presence and fellowship?

Criteria 2a: Is the theme clear and the transitions smooth? Can the congregation follow and engage themselves?

Criteria 2b: Was anything distracting or could be done differently?

Criteria 2c: Is there a good new/familiar balance? Contextual/ counter-cultural balance? Encouraging/ stretching balance?

Criteria 2d: Improvements on visual environment? Sound? Pace?

Criteria 3a: What words would you use to describe your experience of the service?

Criteria 3b: Do you have other suggestions?

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Will you walk into my Prosperity Parlor?

The Spider and the Fly
by Mary Howitt

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly,
"'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show you when you are there."
"Oh no, no," said the Fly, "to ask me is in vain;
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin;
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend, what can I do
To prove that warm affection I've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome - will you please take a slice?"
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind sir, that cannot be,
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

"Sweet creature," said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise;
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;
If you step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say;
And bidding good morning now, I'll call another day."

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again;
So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the Fly.
then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple, there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are as dull as lead."

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew, -
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue;
Thinking only of her crested head - poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den
Within his little parlor - but she ne'er came out again!

And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne'er heed;
Unto an evil counsellor close heart, and ear, and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

I don't need sermons: Reductionism Rebutted

This is a comment that I hear quite often: "I don't need sermons. The Bible simply teaches us not to be assholes. So if we just learn to be nice, we will be good Christians. I don't need the pastor spending a long time every week telling me that."

Well, that may be true. Unfortunately, such a way of reductionism is true for everything as well. So the next time I hear such a comment, I'll say, "That's exactly right! This is How To Do It"

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Maybe it is not the pastor who sucked?

Warning, foul language used. Otherwise, enjoy this bit of wisdom from Carlin, which can be translated into church-context. (substitute politicians for pastors and the public for church-members)