Magic Post 127

Yes, this is the magic post.

It's the landmark post.

It's the post that says:

I have moved to Wordpress.

Whoa. Wait. What?

I have indeed moved over to Wordpress, just because it allows me to organise my page better, looks very nice, is equally easy to use, has cooler widgets on it, gives me more options when writing and has an integrated statistical service. All in all, it gives me what I want.

So here is the page:

wengyew.wordpress.com

Enjoy!

P.S. I don't think I'll be shutting down this page for another half a year to a year or so. I'm testing to see whether Google is (understandably) biased towards Blogger.

Finished!

Wow. This is amazingly anti-climatic.

So the 5 papers were pretty good. Not sure how well I did overall, but I was pretty happy. One or two mess-ups here and there, but I figured I did the best I could at the moment.

I'm currently sleep-deprived. I slept 6-7 hours the first night - micro - was too excited! It rapidly disintegrated after that. Namely 5 hours the next night - history. 4 the night after - macro. 3 before the politics paper. Oh. And 4-5 yesterday. Today was the math paper.

But yeah. I've finished my first year of uni. Time really does fly.

Now to figure out what to do next week...

You'll never believe this...

You can see me on one of the brief video clips Passion filmed in London!

Yeah. A big black blob.

Lol.

But seriously, if there were more pixels, and a bit more light, you could make me out clearly.

In case you're wondering what videos, check out their MySpace page.

Facing the stage, I'm on the far right of the first tier. I'm on the corner nearest to the bathroom (that lit up green sign on the right wall). Well technically Cheryl's on that corner, but I'm just one to the left. And in case you're wondering which videos, the first is O Praise Him, taken from the left side of the stage. And the second is How Great is Our God, taken from somewhere behind me. I'm one of those big black blobs, somewhere in that indistinguishable mass of darkness. I was trying to work out which pair of hands, or hand I was, but it's a bit hard with that many up in the air. You can also barely make out my general position from Blessed Be Your Name. Heh.

OK. Back to revision now...

Passion London

I'm still feeling the WOWness from last night.

So in the end it was 3000 students in the Hammersmith Apollo for one loud night of worship. Here are several thoughts about the event in no order whatsoever:

He is here.
Our God is a God who saves.
Your grace is enough.
It's rising up all around, it's the anthem of the Lord's renown.
David Crowder has life-size tattoos of Chris and Matt on each shoulder.
Sing Sing Sing.
You alone can lift us from the grave.
Mighty to save.
Shine your light.
Yes, Lord!
Fruitcakes and ice-cream.
LOL.
Blank blank.
If we're out of our mind, it's for God's sake.
Grace.
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Christ's love compels us.
David Crowder*Band! :)
Here is our King
There is no one like You
How could You be so good to me
You are my JOY
Exuberant violin.
After all our hands have wrought He forgives
Banjo - Instrument of the future!
I saw the light.
O praise Him.
Manila! Manila! Manila!
Greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city.
How great is our God!

It was an amazing night of worship. Crazy powerful. And loud. I lost my voice. In hindsight, a bit unwise to blast it all out at Sing Sing Sing, which was only the 4th (or 5th) song of the night. But we were seated near the front, far right. And that was where the bass speakers were located. So you couldn't help but sing a bit louder, just so you could hear yourself and be sure that there was still something coming out of your open mouth.

Louie has a gift for inspiring people to live for Jesus. And he told Ashley's story at the end of his talk. I never knew the depth of it aside from one or two blog posts, but hearing the whole story for the first time left me in tears. Literally. Especially the fact that I already knew the ending just made it all the more poignant.

Matt Redman's new song is still replaying itself over and over in my head.

And my voice recovered in time for the David Crowder end to the night. Ah. What joy!

You can probably catch the podcast in a day or two. Don't miss it! :D
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Oh. And I suppose a comparison with Passion 2007 in Atlanta would be nice to add. They were two totally different events really, and I enjoyed both for different reasons. So it'll be like comparing apples with oranges. But I'll try.

Passion 2007 was a turning point in my walk with Jesus. It's been a long time since Passion 2007 and God has taught me a lot since then, so to use C.S. Lewis' idea, it's not that Jesus has grown, but it is we who grow and we see Him as bigger and bigger. In that sense, Passion London was just massive!

Passion London, First Thoughts

Wow. This was an amazing night. Will need time to process (and to wait for Louie's official count of students and things like that.)

I'll just end this post by posting up the chorus and bridge from Matt Redman's new song. Simply amazing.

1st Chorus:
You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us - led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise

2nd Chorus:
Now we are more than conquerers through your deathless love
And nothing Lord will have a hold on us
You’re the saving promise - You will never fail
To You alone belongs the highest praise

Bridge:
We lift up our eyes, we lift up our eyes, You are the giver of life

The Empty Cross

So I lied. The next post wasn't on the Supremacy of God. It's in the works, by which I mean, not quite started, by which I mean it'll come out when it's ready. But this one has been churning in my heart for days.

The Purpose-Driven Life is an extremely popular book. There are some nuggets of truth in there. But I had my reservations about it when I first read it. Why? Because it appeared to be a book that some people treasured more than the Bible.

In my opinion, it does more harm than good. The misuse of Scripture is deceiving. And what's worse is that there's no mention of the cross. Of its necessity. That Jesus had to die to take away our sin. There is no gospel without Christ crucified. The Bible calls it the stumbling block. And for good reason. It is weakness and foolishness to those who do not understand it. But it is the power and wisdom of God for those who are saved.

Christian book marketing is becoming viral nowadays. There's Bruce Wilkinson's the Prayer of Jabez - another terrible book, and there's Joel Osteen's - Your Best Life Now - probably the worst of the lot. In Rick Warren's defense, he does not commit the errors of these two books - that of a prosperity, health and wealth movement - I won't call it Gospel, because it is in no way good news.

But he still omits the cross. Whether this is a worse offense than misusing Scripture, I will not be able to say. But if at any time I ever present the gospel to anyone and leave out the cross, feel free to admonish me.

I heard this rhetorical question once. "Would a book titled the Cross-Driven Life sell as well?"

I know it's rhetorical, but the answer must still be said. No.

I am trying to bring across the central importance of the cross to the gospel. Without it, we are still sinners, and we have no claims to the promises of God. And I'm trying to highlight how culture, and what's worse, those purporting to be Christian culture, are beginning to twist or omit it. Be wary when you read books on 'Christian Living' - I am not sure what the category specifically entails, but it seems to classify those books which addresses the question of how the Christian life should look like - and there is no mention of the cross. And be especially wary when you read books that talk about Evangelism and the Gospel, and there is no mention of the cross.

I've written on how the cross is omitted today. I'll move on to address how it is twisted.

I'm sure many of the people reading this would have remembered watching the Passion of the Christ. Now, while I do not seek to downplay the physical suffering of Jesus, the film is disappointing on three aspects. The first is that it is extra-biblical. People always wonder why they never read some of the scenes in the Bible. They are in fact the writings of a Catholic nun, Anne Emmerich. So be wary of taking the film as truth. The second is somewhat related to the first. I am unhappy at how it 'plays up' the physical suffering of Jesus. The reason for this is its Catholic roots, and their focus on the 'Passion' or Sufferings of Christ. The third is that it 'plays up' the role of Mary - again another Catholic thing.

Being in danger of turning this into a Catholic-bashing post, I want to first add that I do not agree with the main doctrines of the Catholic Church, or at least the beliefs which they appear to hold fast to today. That being said, like many other denominations, just because one's church is labeled Catholic does not mean you hold to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. There are definitely those that have remained faithful to the Bible and to the Gospel.

It is the second point I want to expound on. I have heard many stories of people being moved to tears by the movie. I have also heard many stories of people being horrified by the sheer brutality of the movie. I myself was a bit shocked and horrified and a bit wet around the eyes, but I was not a big fan of the movie. There was something wrong with it.

I identified why properly sometime last week. While we should never dismiss the physical sufferings of Christ, it is the spiritual suffering he went through that is of greater weight. On Good Friday, we remember not the Passion of Jesus Christ in its physical sense, but in its spiritual sense, in the separation he endured from the Father that our sins might be paid for. For while Jesus was human, I do not see his physical suffering to be of the import as portrayed in this Catholic film, given that he had shown tremendous control over his body when he was tempted by Satan in the desert. In this time, he had sustain himself with the Word of God. At Calvary, I believed He lost the same sort of comfort: "My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?"

The Bible does point to the sufferings of Christ as important. Hebrews 2:18 tells us: "For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 4:15-16 says that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

But I want to point out the reason why our symbol is an EMPTY cross. Not the crucifix of the Catholic church. For while Christ suffered and died for us in order to pay the price for our sin by the shedding his blood, and while his sufferings gives us the assurance that he is able to help us, it would have been in vain if he had not risen. His resurrection is the Father's stamp of approval on the work of His Son.

This is why we have the empty cross. It is proof that Jesus has triumphed over sin and death, and that His promises are true. That whoever knows Him will have eternal life. We do not celebrate the suffering man on the cross. We celebrate the empty cross.

So the next time you see the cross, remind yourself of these two glorious facts. The first fact is that it is a reality. There is a cross. It was necessary to pay the price for our sin. There is no gospel when there is no cross. The second fact is that it is empty. The price for our sin was indeed paid for, and we have the assurance of a living hope. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus - He is Lord over all, even death.

The Attributes of God: My Perception + Additional Note

My readership numbers have been unusually constantly high for the past 2 weeks. It's either my stat counter is broken, or this fact is true, or I should consider moving to Wordpress like everyone seems to be doing nowadays.

That was the additional note. Strangely enough, it came at the start because it came most recent to me. The last shall be first, no?

This is the disclaimer:

In my recent spate of posts on the attributes of God, I write as if intently gazing out one of the many windows of my small abode at the infinite world that lies beyond, and mulling over that which my eye perceives, limited as it is by the finite horizon and more significantly, that tint which stains all my windows, the stain of sin. Yet there is a sheen on my windows. It is the characteristic polish of the inerrant truth of Scripture, graciously applied by the Spirit. And never forget that cross-shaped frame that looms large over the windows - for every so often, a whiff of the outside air, fresh and warm, laden with all sorts of wondrous and exciting scents, filters in through the seams of that glorious frame!

Or explaining my allegory above:

I do have a tendency towards romanticising my writings. It is not a bad tendency as such; but it is one that easily leads to pride. But as it is, as long as I keep that in mind, it is rather fun to write in an uncharacteristic manner! And I believe this is my cleverest one so far.

If you wish to be spared the following process, skip on to the next section.
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The abode represents me and the world in which I live in. Not the world around me per se, but the components that make ME. My thoughts, my experiences, my feelings, my environment, my relationships and that sense of irrationality that seems common to all men (and women). Though in retrospect, perhaps it is not a sense of irrationality, but rationality that conflicts with the irrationality of our rebellion. A common grace if you will. But I digress.

The world beyond represents God. Not that He can be conformed to any man-made image, and it would be heretical to do so, but my metaphor as it is will be imperfect and as long as I point out this fundamental flaw, it is alright to proceed.

Then note the dichotomy of small abode and infinite world.

My perception of God is limited as it is by what He allows me to perceive, thus the 'finite horizon'. Yet I would have no right perception of God at all, for my windows are all stained dark with the reality of sin. In our sin, we believe that if there lies a world beyond our abode, it is a world of our own making. And of course some believe there doesn't lie one beyond.

Yet in His graciousness, God sends His Son Jesus Christ to take on our sin, and so reconcile us back to God. And thus it is the cross that is the frame of any knowledge I will have of God. It is the image that looms largest. It is through this that I can know God as He truly is. Not just know about Him, but experience Him - that breath of fresh and warm air. And it is the Spirit that guides us into all truth, truth as was, and is, because the word of God is living and active as God Himself is, expressed in the Scriptures - the specific revelation of God.

So the tint remains, for while we are here, our flesh and the Spirit constantly wage war against each other. And while we remain here on this earth, we only perceive God partially, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13 - refer back to the post that sparked this off for a slight elaboration of this point. But it is brightly polished.by the Spirit and Scripture, and as such I can now look out and see the world beyond.

And yes, the point of windows is not to look at the windows, but to look at what lies beyond the windows. In a sense, this image echoes a quote I read about, not journeying past the cross, but going deeper into the cross. In the same manner, the more intently we gaze out, the more deeply we go into the cross. Also, on another point, I am looking out through one window. There are many windows, and there are many perceptions of God - same God I must stress, just as you wouldn't assume to be looking out on Earth through one window, and out on Mars through the next - in His complexity and incomprehensible infinitude.

As I elaborate, I realise that I could extend this allegory much further. I could be having a meal with Jesus. The Spirit could be the one actively cleaning out this house of mine - not as a slave, but as a friend. But I'll probably hit a lot of issues, so I'd just stop here.

Finally, one day, the door of my abode will open, and I'll walk out into the world beyond. (Although again the allegory breaks down in that I don't become one with the world, but rather I walk into the presence of the world, and then substituting world with God, even though I technically should avoid that sort of muddling.)
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Simply put, I don't write with any claims to being an authority on this subject. I don't consider my treatment of this topic as complete, in two senses of the word. First in that it is the final say on the matter. And second in that it is the whole truth. It is neither whole, nor final, but I do want to say that as best as I have tried, I have stuck to the truth as is revealed by God through the Bible and the guidance of the Spirit. Also, bear in mind that my interpretation is that of a layman, and not of a dedicated scholar.

I think that was all I had to say. What an amazingly long post!

Next up: The Supremacy of God.

When I have time.

That is to say, when I have time to write.

Not when I have time for it to matter to me.

The Attributes of God: The Solitariness of God

I was listening to the song "God of This City" from the most recent Passion release - great song by the way - and there was a line that resounded deep within my heart:

There is no one like our God.

I would love to throw biblical text after biblical text, psalm after psalm, that screams this very fact. Romans 11:33-38; 1 Timothy 1;17, 6:15-16; Isaiah 40:25 are all but a taste of this amazing truth.

Who is as loving? Who is as gracious? Who is as merciful? Who is as powerful? Who is as holy? Who is as faithful? Who is as sovereign? Who is as wise? Who is as patient?

I could rattle off all the attributes of God, and realise that nothing compares to our God.

And might I stress, 'our God'. Who is this God? This is the God who made the heavens and the earth, and all that is in it. The God who created man and women, in His own image, and gave them breath and life, and commanded them to subdue the earth. The God who easily crushes His enemies. The God who patiently bore with a corrupt Israel, who time and time again turned from Him.

The God who so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. The God who made Him who knew no sin to become sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. The God who continues to graciously give us all that we need, sustaining us in our time of need. The God who lifts up the broken. The God who restores strength to the weary. And the God who will one day judge the living and the dead, and raise His redeemed people up to heaven where they will be forever satisfied in His presence.

The solitariness of our God is a funny thing. It evokes reverence for certain, and I might add a fearful reverence. But there's a kind of fear that creates both apprehension and comfort. And a kind of fear that induces terror in the very fibre of a man's soul. The first kind of fear belongs to His chosen people, the ones He has delivered out of the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Son He loves. It is a fear that makes us wary of approaching the glorious God, yet it is also a fear that assures us that if He is for us, who can be against us?

The second kind of fear belongs to those who remain condemned for their continued rebellion. It is the sort of fear that strips a man of his defenses, a fear so penetrating and chilling that he can but fall to his knees and beg for undeserved mercy.

But as of now, the first kind of fear only exists. The second sort we will see when Jesus returns.

And so it is a wondrous sort of fear. A fear that trembles before the magnificence of a God, who has no equal, yet steadies us with the warm reassurance of the gracious love of God, expressed through His Son Jesus Christ. Fear becomes mingled with profound gratitude. We never lose this sense of transcendence, nor should we, but there is an indescribable feeling that comes from the immanence of God. That God would draw close to us is incomprehensible, yet true. And our hearts expand as we are filled with the reality of His being, and we overflow with genuine joy and heartfelt thanksgiving.

There is no one like our God.

The Attributes of God: God is Light

God is Spirit. God is Light. And God is Love. This is the insight we gain from John into the person of God. This post deviates from grace, to talk about the phrase "God is Light".

We don't understand the significance of this phrase because light has become mundane for us. It is not only mundane, it is now subject to our command. We can flip a switch at will. And in doing so, we sometimes jokingly refer to the first words of God in the Bible:

Let there be light.

These first words are packed with so much power and truth, yet we so easily glance over it. It has become familiar to us - mundane was the word I used.

We need to look afresh at these very words. God is Light. And the first words we know He said were "Let there be light."

Or, "Let there be God."

I do not take this to mean God created Himself. No, the very existence of God lies outside of our understanding. What is the Clay to say to the Potter, "Why have you made me like this?" What more can the Clay say to the Potter, "Who made you?"

Instead, I take it to be the truest expression of God. God revealed Himself. It is who He is. He reveals Himself. Genesis was the revelation of God in creation. Without light we do not see. By light, we see everything. All of creation, we see by light. Therefore, is it not unsurprising that His first words were as such? For all things reveal God, and God reveals Himself through all things.

Yet we take this for granted as well. Creation has become mundane to us. We are no longer awed by it. Perhaps we're surrounded by familiar sights. The same wall that lies beyond the screen of my laptop. The table cluttered with books on which my laptop rests. These are familiar sights. So familiar that I give them no second thought.

This is a testament of man in his utter rebellion. He does not treasure light. He does not treasure all that it reveals. He is merely interested in subjecting it to his will. As such, how can he even begin to treasure its source?

But once again, we can treasure light, as it was, and as it truly is. For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It is the marvelous light of redemption by which we can perceive everything anew!

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined

This is the 'true light' as John calls it. The marvelous light of redemption. For a people condemned to eternal wrath by their rebellion against God, God has said once again, "Let there be light." This light is Jesus Christ. The Jesus who died for our sin, taking upon Himself the wrath of God, and was raised for our righteousness, a righteousness we cannot earn; rather His righteousness is now credited to us if we accept Jesus as Lord. The good news of what Jesus did on the cross - this is the marvelous light of redemption.

Those who live in Jesus, the one who died for our sins and was raised for our justification, live in the light. And those living in the light, do not live in darkness. Yes they are surrounded by a land of deep darkness. But on them a light has shined. A light that overcomes the darkness. It is everything bright and true. It is everything good. By this light we see things as they were, good. We see man as he was. Very good. We see things as they are now. Subject to futility. We see man as he is now. Utterly sinful and deserving of the wrath of God. And by this light, we see clearly who we are now. Saved. By grace. I guess we can never stray too far from grace.

Because we can never stray too far from the cross. The marvelous light of redemption. And it is by this light that we live. Despite the greatest of temptations, this light has overcome all darkness. Sin has lost its power. Keep bearing in mind this is the light that has given us this life. Keep bearing in mind this is the light in whom we live. Keep bearing in mind the power of this light in whom we live.

Dare we treat light so mundanely? Perhaps you might think differently next time you switch on your lights.

The Attributes of God: The mystery of grace, Part 1

I've felt prompted for quite some time now to write a post on the grace of God. But I've been cracking my head trying to think up a metaphor that beautifully illustrates the grace of God, and haven't been able to find one. Which is why I never got round to writing this.

So now that I'm writing this, does that mean I've thought of an illustration?

The answer is no. And yes. I have not found an illustration, but I've stumbled on an even bigger illustration in the process itself. The reason why I cannot find an appropriate illustration may be because I'm just not a very creative person. But deep down, I also believe it's because nothing comes close to illustrating the grace of God, unique and incomprehensible in its very nature.

How do you define grace? There are several definitions I've found. The common one is that grace is unmerited favour. I think this does not define grace fully. Another one I've read is that grace is unmerited favour bestowed by God on His elect. This brings in the idea of grace being sovereign as well, that God chooses who He is gracious to. Again it is accurate, yet I feel it is incomplete.

To me the best definition of grace is this: Grace is God's favour through Christ to people who deserve his disfavour. I've talked much about undeserved favour, but do we ever consider how undeserved it is?

I'm reading a book called "Living the Cross Centered Life" by C.J. Mahaney right now. In it, I was struck by the enormity of the grace of God at the cross. I've often mentioned how we deserve the wrath of God for our rebellion to His authority, and I've compared it as infinitely worse to the fear and punishment we receive from angry parents as a small child, but I have never seen it in the light portrayed in this book.

The light here is Gethsemane. I had to play the role of Jesus in Gethsemane this Easter for the Sunday School kids, and even there I realised I could barely comprehend the agony Jesus suffered during this time. Mahaney says this of Gethsemane, along with a quote taken from William Lane's commentary on the gospel of Mark:

Jesus entered the garden 'to be with the Father for an interlude before his betrayal, but found Hell rather than Heaven open before him.' Knowing the hour for His death is fast approaching, Jesus has come here in need as never before of His Father's comfort and strength. instead, hell - utter separation from God - is thrust in His face.

We hear Him cry out: Father - is there an alternative? Is there any way to avoid this? If there's a way this cup could pass from Me, would you please provide that to Me?

Silence. We can see it in His face - Jesus receives no answer to this desperate entreaty.

A second time He pleads for an alternative to that horror of abandonment by His Father. If such an alternative existed, the Father would most surely provide it. But the obedient Son's plea to His loving Father is met with silence. Why?

Listen to this verse again for the very first time: For God so loved the world...that He is silent to His Son's agonising appeal.

This is what bearing our sin means to Him - utter distress of soul as He confronts total abandonment and absolute wrath from His father on the cross, a distress and an abandonment and a rejection we cannot begin to grasp.

In this, our Saviour's darkest hour...do you recognise His love for you?

The wrath of God is the thrust of Hell upon us. Eternal separation from God. Pain that Jesus chose to endure on our behalf. That is grace. We deserved everything Jesus endured, but He willingly drank of the cup of wrath so that we could drink from the cup of salvation. You cannot cherish the grace of God without truly understanding the depths of our depravity and the magnitude of the holy wrath directed at us. Mahaney ends the chapter with the following insight:

We can drink from this cup [of salvation] only because Jesus spoke those words about the other cup [of wrath]: "yet not what I will, but what you will."

I will drink it all.

As we watch Jesus pray in agony in Gethsemane, He has every right to turn His tearful eyes toward you and me and shout, "This is your cup. You're responsible for this. It's your sin! You drink it." This cup should rightfully be thrust into my hand and yours.

Instead, Jesus freely takes it Himself...so that from the cross He can look down at you and me, whisper our names, and say, "I drain this cup for you - for you who have lived in defiance of me, who have hated Me, who have opposed Me. I drink it all...for you."

This is what our sin makes necessary. This is what's required by your pride and my pride, by your selfishness and my selfishness, by your disobedience and my disobedience. Behold Him...behold His suffering...and recognise His love.

The love of God is a gracious love. It is a love that took our cup and drained it for us at great cost, so that we could drink from the other cup. Look no further than the cross for the illustration of grace.

And let us not spit on it.

The Attributes of God: Thunderstorms

With the recent spate of afternoon thunderstorms, it seemed fitting to use this image to illustrate my first point.

God chose to answer Job out of a storm. Why?

It took me several afternoons to appreciate the magnificence of a thunderstorm. The sheer deluge of water sweeping across the sky, the howling wind, the deafening thunder, the brilliant flashes of lightning that leave a tingle in your spine - there are massive forces at work in a thunderstorm. And for God to speak out of a storm seems most appropriate to me, that God would choose to demonstrate His power and sovereignty in such a befitting manner.

Befitting?

"Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water?"

"Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, 'Here we are'?"

The answer is no. No, if we are only human. But what is impossible with man is possible with God. Man attempts to predict the weather. They even try to create it. But only God can create something as magnificent as a thunderstorm.

And not only does He create it, He is in control of it! He sends the lightning bolts on their way. Who says lightning cannot strike twice? If God chooses to strike a 100 times, He can strike a 100 times.

This is the God whose power we can barely comprehend. And through Jesus Christ, He is in us.

Contemplate the sheer power we possess.

Bronze mirrors

A comment I heard today prompted this thought. Have you ever wondered about all the strange things you don’t understand in the Bible, and then thought – well, when I get to heaven I’ll just ask God what He meant?

Funny thing is - the Bible is meant to reveal who God is. So when we do get to heaven and see God, we won’t really have any need to ask Him what He meant. Paul sums this up when he says, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

Somewhere in my gut, I think I might start a series on the person of God. The God who made Himself known through Jesus Christ.

Watch this space.

Reboot

"We often make wholehearted commitments, only to realise that our hearts aren't whole to begin with."

Which is true of this blog. I've been slacking. But strangely my readership has increased. I think it's probably partly due to that Facebook link.

Anyways, after a month of absence, I've decided to abandon my daily posting system. It can be rather exhausting.

Instead I think I'll just post up simple statements. Like the above.

And every now and then I'll launch into a series on something that concerns me. And when I have time to do so.

In the meantime, stay safe and happy reading!

February 29, 2008

So I woke up today and went to my online Bible reading page to see what today's passage was. To my surprise, they didn't factor in a Feb 29! The only 'break' I get in a year from the chronological guide.

Well. This means today's post will be a random blurt of mine.

I want to say:

18 days till I fly home! Yay!
23 days till Easter! YAY!
Flu! YA-, well maybe not..
God works in mysterious ways! YAY!

So I figured I'm going to write a bit about my flu the last point. I have had it for over a week now and it doesn't seem to be going away as fast as I would like it to been doing some extra thinking lately and been astounded at the way God weaves together little threads to form a larger and larger fabric that depicts His story. I can barely wrap my head around a basketball offensive play and the multi-directional off-the-ball runs by 2/3 players, or the amazing seemingly telepathic ability of ManUtd at times, and here He is, weaving an almost infinite number of threads from an almost infinite number of places, to fit tightly into one single pattern! Don't bother with David Blaine specials - just watch God at work!

Take Passion 07. That was AMAZING. Hadn't heard of it 6 months before. 6 months later I found myself with 23000+ others having my eyes and ears opened like they hadn't had before! And what were the little threads? Matt McGee. Tim (yes I would have really considered not going if you had not managed to make it, and this story on its own requires a few more threads to justify itself that even I can't begin to identify myself!), Rodney, Rodney's friends, plane ticket!, Matt's church, his family and friends, Christmas holidays, youth camp...that's all I can think of for now. And the ripples afterwards - can't begin to describe how deep they resounded. PLUS I just got news the day before yesterday about some stuff from Lydia - amazing how long these ripples can keep going for.

God moves in a mysterious way. Sometimes you wish you could unpack it. But upon reflection, all I need to know is His will is always good, pleasing and perfect. So perhaps it's better that the mystery remain for greater amazement!

#25: February 27, 2008

It’s almost been a week. Today’s post was drawn from Numbers 10.

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And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies.
Numbers 10:9

So the LORD spoke to Moses and told him to make two silver trumpets. He gave a description of how they were to be used. One of which was to sound it during war, so that “you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies.”

Remembered? Doesn’t that imply God forgets things? You could almost imagine one of those cartoons where you have the big guy in the sky, with just the feet showing, and suddenly he hears a trumpet and goes, “Oh you’re still around! What is it you want now? Ohhh you’re fighting a war. Ok. Give me a minute while I hatch a plan to save you.”

But God doesn’t forget things. He’s sovereign over everything. Nothing happens that escapes His attention, simply because everything that happens is ordained by Him. So why the word ‘remember’?

It’s because it gives all glory to God. Picture this. Which scenario glorifies God more? The one where you’re fighting and suddenly your enemies turn and flee, and you’re left wondering what they’re doing? Or the one where you’re fighting and you call to God for help and He sends your enemies fleeing? It clearly is the second. It’s not a matter of God remembering us, because He always remembers us, but it is us remembering Him.

It’s a prayer for God to remember us. “Don’t forget us! We need you!” That should be the plea of every one of God’s people. The Israelites back in history, and we who are the people of God through Jesus Christ. It also serves to remind us that we are His people. “Remember us! We are the ones You have chosen to save!” It’s also an answered prayer. God always remembers us. But sometimes we just can’t feel His closeness. So we ask Him to remember us, and the fact is He does!

So when we’re facing trouble, we shouldn’t just face it on our own, and hope for divine intervention. We should call out to God, to remember us, and deliver us. It’s a sure promise. His method of deliverance might not be what we have in mind, but He will remember us and deliver us according to His good purpose.

And finally, if there are any doubts regarding this promise, it’s worth bearing in mind that we who are in Jesus Christ have called on His name, and we have been saved!

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#24: February 21, 2008

Today’s reflection is drawn from Leviticus 16.

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Leviticus 16 is a description of the Day of Atonement. One day a year, the high priest was to go into the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the sins of Israel.

It’s was a very long and drawn out process, but for good reason. The high priest had to be clean before God to enter before the mercy seat on the ark where God was said to dwell. Tradition has it that the high priest would wear a rope around his foot. If he was not clean before God, he would be struck down. And the other priests would have to pull him out, as they would not be able to physically enter the place and carry him out.

It was an extremely serious affair. And it’s such a contrast with the position we are in today. In the New Testament letters, there is much on our freedom to approach God with confidence. We are, by nature, just as sinful as the high priests during the time of Israel. The only difference is that we now have a high priest who has atoned for our sins once and for all. His name is Jesus. Hebrews 7 states that “unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”

It is through Jesus that we are righteous – without sin. It is by the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus that we have the confidence to freely approach the throne of God. And how significant that is!

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16

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#23: February 20, 2008

I’m breaking from tradition to select certain verses from within the book of Leviticus. Today’s was from Leviticus 11.

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For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
Leviticus 11:45

Leviticus is a book of Law. Here God tells the Israelites what is permissible and what is not permissible. He distinguishes between the clean and the unclean. He sets forth a pattern of offerings. He ordains a series of festivals.

But then you get bits like the above, which cuts through the letter of the law towards the spirit of the law.

Why was God being so particular with His laws? The verse above is a perfect answer.

God had specifically chosen the Israelites to be His people, redeeming them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. Because He had rescued them to be their God, it was only fitting that they should be holy, as a reflection of the holiness of God.

This line of reasoning may not seem to make much sense. I wrestled with it for a while. But I believe the key bit is to understand what it means to have someone or something as our ‘God’. When we have a God, we want to follow it, become like it, because we idolise it. We see it and utter, “Wow! I want to be just like that!” If something or someone is the god of our lives, we unconsciously express it.

And here the people were in awe of God. After all, just moments before, they had all fallen facedown in worship before the presence of God. And so God ordains that if they are going to worship Him as their God, then it is necessary for them to express Him properly. And God is holy. So His people must be holy. If they were not holy, they could not be His people. For God cannot tolerate sin. How then can He call a people His own if they are sinful?

There’s one more thing though that caught my attention. “For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God.” God doesn’t appeal to His awesome power. God appeals to His awesome redemption. Because of His powerful redemption, the Israelites ought to be holy.

The Israelites should be responding out of gratefulness! That God has freed them from bondage. But that, as the course of history progresses, is far from what really happens. The Israelites are an ungrateful people. But then so are we. Mankind is rebellious by nature. We have hearts of stone that cannot appreciate the freedom God offers.

It’s in this context that what Jesus has done for us contrasts so vividly! Read 1 Peter 1. And see the difference. The call is there at the end, to be holy just as the One who called us is holy. And the reasons are the same, that we are a redeemed people. But there’s one crucial difference. The new birth that comes from God. We no longer have hearts of stone. Peter says that we should rejoice in what this new birth has brought us. And so we should! How then do we respond?

Be holy, because the One who has called us is holy.

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:14-16

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#22: February 19, 2008

Well. It's been a long 12 days. In that period, the reading guide has moved on and is now midway between Leviticus. Leviticus is somewhat repetitive, but there are pretty eye opening bits in there. Today's is one such bit, and can be found in Leviticus 9.

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When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
Leviticus 9:23-24

I just want to draw attention to a particular bit. Namely when all the people saw the glory of God, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.

Not facedown in fear. But facedown in joy.

There's a need to visualise this scene somewhat. There's a need to comprehend the very nature of God's glory. The nature of it that brings joy. And the nature of it that causes us to fall facedown.

It's not hard to do that, being in the UK. There are times when it's freezing. Like yesterday morning. I think the temperature was -5 or something. It's actually been a very warm February, apparently the warmest ever, but yesterday was a bit freakish. And so everything was frosted. Including me. And when you're cold, it's horrible. If I had to decide between being cold, or being hot in Malaysia, I'll pick the latter any day.

But then the sun came out. And when you're standing in the sun, it's suddenly a lot warmer. The air around you might be rather cold, but you can feel the warmth of the sun. And it's a pretty joyful moment. The feeling of warmth.

That's an imperfect metaphor of God's glory. It's like the sun shining on you in the cold. Or in an equatorial sense, you could probably compare it to freezing in an air-conditioned room, before walking out into the hot outdoors. There's an inherent joyfulness to be found in it. In this biblical context, I believe it's a display of God's power that's the source of joy. It is also a display of God's approval for the sacrifice that is a source of joy.

Before I draw some parallels with today, there's one more aspect to look at. Why fall facedown? Matt Redman has a good phrase to encapture this: "When you face up to God's glory, you find yourself facedown in worship." It's a natural response. We become so captivated with the Almighty that to fall before him in total surrender seems the only appropriate response. And the Israelites saw the power of God and could only respond in facedown worship. It's like a sun so bright, you can't look at it, yet it doesn't matter, because you can feel it.

It's a powerful image, this display of joyful facedown worship. It means three things for us. First, God is so great that to face up to His glory causes us to fall facedown before Him. Second, experiencing the glory of God brings us joy. Third, if God is so great, then surely the joy we find in Him must be the greatest of all joys.

And if this is the greatest of all joys, then why do we not seek it wholeheartedly? There are many reasons for this, but they mainly result from the fact that we are never fully convinced of this reality. But I believe that while we can never remain fully convince of this reality in this life, being in Jesus, we are in a position today to experience such joy, in increasing measure.

Where do we start? Just as God revealed Himself through the sacrifices of the Israelites, we can do likewise today. Not slaughter a ram or goat, but as Paul advises us in Romans, to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - because this is our spiritual act of worship.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2

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What has happened?

Yes. There clearly seems to be a failure going on here.

Instead of progressing, it's regressing. So here's what I have been up to this week:

Work.

House. Best TV series in the world. Well, in my world at least.

A movie or two.

Shocking really. And for some reason I've been extremely tired the whole week. Meaning I haven't been able to get myself out of bed until half an hour before lectures. Not sure whether there's a correlation to the work.

Anyways, this column will resume normal service very soon. I'm thinking Tuesday. Or possibly Monday. But Tuesday sounds like a more reasonable target.

Hiatus

I will be gone for the weekend, without my laptop. And I had no time to post today after a late night of work. So this will resume Monday. Or Sunday. Depending on how my schedule works out.

#21: February 7, 2008

It’s getting rather tough. I’m now approaching the section of the Bible with all the descriptive imagery of building the tabernacle and its furnishings. And yes I almost thought, this looks so dull and uninspiring in terms of insight, until... Anyways today’s reading was taken from Exodus 25-27.

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You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.
Exodus 27:20-21

First, I must marvel at the precision with which God gave instructions. It really does show that our God is a God of order, that our science and technology today are reflections of this particular nature of God. But this pattern does repeat itself constantly across the next few chapters. And as much as I enjoy seeing God as a God of order and creative design, I would love to be able to write something different in this space every day.

Then I came across this verse above. Why keep a lamp burning?

I believe it’s a symbolic reminder of the presence of God in the lives of the Israelites.

Similarly today, we have our own lamp. And I believe we are commanded to keep it burning. Not with olive oil, but with the Word of God and with prayer. And we are to let it burn bright through our good deeds. Jesus called us to be the light of the world, to let our light shine before men, that they may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.

And it’s particularly important that it continues burning. Because it is a reminder of what Jesus has done for us, redeeming us for good works. In Revelation, Jesus warns the church at Ephesus with this sort of symbolism, to repent and return to their first love, or have their lampstand remove from its place. That is indeed a serious situation to be in. If our lampstand is removed, we are no longer light, but are in the darkness. And those in the darkness will perish.

It is particularly serious that we let our light shine before men. There’s no such thing as a decorative lampstand. But here’s the upside. We would be foolish not to do so. Jesus promises, “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven
Matthew 5:14-16

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#20: February 6, 2008

Today's reading was from Exodus 22-24.I must admit that I have a penchant for picking bizarre looking verses. But in part they’re the bits that catch my attention, and they are in the Bible for a reason. Today’s post is probably the longest yet, but I got carried away :)

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And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words."
Exodus 24:8

This sounds extremely, well, bloody. It does comes across as rather unpleasant, the sprinkling of blood on people.

Just to put the verse into context, the people are at Mt. Sinai. God had given His people some laws to follow, and the people had agreed to follow them: “All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do.” Then Moses writes down all the words of the LORD, I’m assuming into what is then referred to as the Book of the Covenant. There are sacrifices of oxen, half the blood is taken and placed in basins, and the other half Moses throws against the altar. He reads from the Book of the Covenant, and the people reply, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” And Moses takes the blood and throws it on the people, thus the verse above.

So note here. We have half the blood thrown against the altar. The Book of the Covenant is read. The people commit to following it. And the other half of the blood is thrown on them.

It’s a very important order to keep straight in our heads. A covenant was being made here. And the covenant was sealed by blood. A half was thrown on the altar to represent God’s commitment, and the other half was thrown on the people to represent the people’s commitment.

But blood...why blood? There was something symbolically important about blood. Blood was said to contain the life force of the person. The word bloodshed, doesn’t mean a cut and a bit of bleeding; it means a killing has taken place. A blood covenant was a covenant of the very highest order. If it was broken, then the fate of the guilty party would be the same as the animal offering - bloodshed.

What a predicament the Israelites found themselves in! They broke the covenant countless times and yet they were spared that horrible fate. And how foolish the Pharisees were in Jesus’ time. His coming had been foretold from this moment on. That God’s people had survived despite their unfaithfulness was owing to God’s amazing plan to be carried out through Jesus. Instead the Pharisees took their ‘righteousness’ for granted, not realising they had a blood penalty to be paid.

How blessed we are today! That blood penalty has been paid, for those God has chosen to redeem. During the Last Supper, Jesus took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” In Matthew, He says, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” But can you imagine how terrible it was at the very moment of Jesus’ death? Can you imagine the size of the penalty that had to be paid?

We can easily let Jesus’ crucifixion slip into the back of our minds, but something immense was happening at that very moment. And it’s something we should never forget. Blood was spilled. And a covenant was made.

And no the story doesn’t end there. It can’t. Jesus had to rise from the dead for the covenant to be everlasting. And so He did.

The gospel’s amazing, isn’t it?

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18

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#19: February 5, 2008

Today's reading was from Exodus 19-21. Yep. The section with the Ten Commandments in it.

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“I the LORD your God am a jealous God.”

How is God jealous?

Being described as jealous doesn’t really sound like a compliment. Just checking an online dictionary confirms this intuition – God is described as "intolerant of disloyalty or infidelity". This is somewhat true given God’s intolerance of sin. But I believe there’s a more complete definition – “vigilant in guarding something”.

God explains Himself here. “...am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” By definition, this is what God’s jealousy does – He visits the iniquity of the fathers on the children and He shows steadfast love to those who love Him.

God is guarding His possession. He’s going to punish those who fall out of line. That’s how serious He is about guarding His possession. But He’s also going to reward those who remain His possession. That’s how much He loves His possession. He’s not willing that they make gods of other things, because He knows How much more precious He is. God is not only guarding His possession, He’s first and foremost guarding His name and the glory of it.

He’s showing the Israelites how infinitely valuable He is - “I am jealous, I do not want you worshipping other gods. Because I KNOW that I’m the only one worthy of your worship. I am the Creator, not the created.” (not quoted from the Bible)

If we could begin to wrap our minds around the notion of God’s glory, grasp the value of His name, and realise how valuable we are in His sight, created in the image of God, we would be proud to have a jealous God. We would be thankful that He constantly upholds the value of His name. Not that it will become any less valuable if He did not do so, but that in doing so He places prime value on His name above everything else. We would be thankful that He constantly guards His possession, we who are redeemed, not willing to let anyone fall, helping us persevere till the day of our death.

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#18: February 4, 2008

Today's reading was from Exodus 16-18.
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The Israelites just don’t get satisfied do they? First they complain about water, then they complain about food, then they complain about water and so on so forth...

But what’s interesting today was the little account of the battle with Amalek. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. And so Aaron and Hur stood on either side of Moses to hold up his hands, and they were steady, and Israel prevailed.

I find that a very fitting metaphor of the church. We need support. There’s no such thing as a lone wolf Christian. It’s an oxymoron. We all need our Aarons and Hurs, to support us when we grow weary. So I’m rather thankful that God has instituted the church for such a purpose, and that he has given me fellow Christians around me to ‘hold up my hands’.

#17: February 3, 2008

Today's reading was Exodus 13-15.
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Humans are rather forgetful creatures. As I read the book of Exodus, and see all the miracles God performs before Israel, and the awe-inspiring image of the Red Sea parting to let them through, I laugh when the Israelites rejoice for a while, then begin grumbling after 3 days without water. And when they get water, they complain that it is bitter.

The Israelites are a complaining people. But we are not so different today. We complain a lot as well. It is no wonder that Paul preaches to us to be content with what we have, to do everything without complaining or arguing, as to stand out from the world.

Sometimes I’d think that I would never complain about God not doing anything if I had seen something as miraculous as the Red Sea parting. But as I dwell on that thought further, I realise that the biggest miracle of all is that which is supernatural. The Red Sea was parted by a strong east wind sent by God. But there is no natural precedent for resurrecting the dead to life. That is truly the miracle, because only God can do that. And I am part of that miracle, for I was once dead, but now I am alive. As long as I remember this, it is proof enough that I have no reason to complain, that I have no reason to doubt that God is at work in this life.

But coming back full circle, humans after all ARE rather forgetful creatures. In light of this, I believe it is important to make every effort to remind ourselves of what God has done for us, of which first and foremost is the miracle of salvation – that He took this dead man and raised me to life.

#16: February 2, 2008

Today's reading was Exodus 10-12.
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I find it extremely intriguing that it was called the Passover. My initial thought has always been along the lines of the fact that God passed over the houses with the blood of the lamb painted on their door posts, and therefore that is the reason why it’s called the Passover.

But it was also a foretelling of God’s future plans. Romans 3:25 uses the term again.

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

In His divine forebearance, God had passed over former sins. The Israelite firstborns were technically no different from the Egyptian firstborns. All had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God could have wiped them out as well. But God spared the Israelite firstborns because of the blood of the lamb, which looked forward to the time when the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, would eventually be the propitiation for our sin. Jesus is not only our Saviour today, but He was already the Saviour of the Israelites back in Moses’ time. God had only passed over them, and all the sacrifices from here onwards looked to the day when Jesus would eventually pay the penalty once and for all.

Is it relevant today? Yes. God is righteous and just and will punish all sin. But we are spared. And this is not because we have simply been passed over, but in fact because His wrath against us has been spent in Jesus. While the Israelites in the time of Moses could only marvel at the mercy of God in passing over their sin, we are so much more privileged today to stand in the grace of God, knowing that we have not been passed over, but have been redeemed.

#15: February 1, 2008

Centuries of theological debate have centred on the themes of predestination and free will. And I know my views are not even going to leave a dent on the wealth of arguments by brilliant theologians and philosophers.

But as vast and controversial as the debate is, it’s still important for me to know. Do we really have a choice in the end? It is this that presses in from today’s reading from Exodus 7-9.
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If God can harden hearts, then does free will really exist?

The phrase ‘free will’ is rather interesting. Experientially as humans, we do regard ourselves as having free will, the ability to make choices. We know whether we choose to accept or reject Jesus. But our wills aren’t really free. They’re enslaved to sin. ‘Free will’ doesn’t really exist because we always choose to reject God.

If someone has a choice, it is God.

It is God then who chooses to be gracious to whom He will be gracious, and to show mercy on whom he will show mercy, as He tells Moses in Exodus 33. To those He has chosen He lets light shine out of the darkness of their hearts and opens their eyes and ears, creating the miracle of new birth. There is an irresistible calling, because once we have seen the light of Jesus, we no longer want to return to the darkness of this world. For the first time in our lives, we actually have ‘free will’, because we suddenly have another choice before us. A choice of redemption. And we always choose the better choice.

There is no boast for the chosen, except in Jesus Christ alone. Instead, a profound sense of humility in the face of God’s sovereignty in redemption displaces the pride that we once took in our efforts. And there dawns a sense of unlimited joy because of the life we have found. But no, it doesn’t stop there. No Christian can truly enjoy being in the light while others still suffer in the darkness. That is our call. Just like Moses did the speaking, and God performed the miracles, so likewise today, all we have to do is tell others the good news of Jesus, and let God do the miracle of new birth. We do the work, He delivers the results.

Passion: God of this City - My two cents

Well. I figured since I was going to be no.7 on Google search, I might as well give more than a one-word review, as accurate as it was.

1. Let God Arise - Chris Tomlin
I have no clue which gathering this is taken from, but I have a gut feeling it was the closing song of Passion 07 at Atlanta, because it sounds a lot like it. I might be wrong. Either way, it's a pretty awesome opener to the album, and it has really given me second thoughts about this song, which did not stand out straight away on Tomlin's See the Morning album.

2. You are God - Charlie Hall
I'm assuming this song was recorded from Atlanta as well and was the one available on iTunes. Again I might be wrong. But if it is, they've cut the song and left out the part where Charlie starts talking quite a bit. Regardless, it's a good song - classic Charlie Hall.

3. God of this City - Chris Tomlin
This is an amazing song. There are songs that come every so often and grab your attention. This is one of them. The title song is really what makes Passion, well, Passion. Powerful crowd moments in this one. And it embodies the vision of Passion itself, that greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in cities around the world. Simply inspiring.

4. O For a Thousand Tongues to - David Crowder Band
This song has stayed in the uppermost recesses of my mind ever since those 4 days in Atlanta. One reason mainly because it was a new tune from my favourite band. But because there was something powerful about this song that just stayed with me. I eagerly wanted to hear a copy of the song, so I searched the web, but sadly no one had recorded it. Then when Remedy was announced, I was eager as a beaver. When the song came out, it did sound slightly different. And now I realise that my suspicions were right about the speed of the live version. As Everything Glorious was slower live, this song was faster live. Regardless, it's a good song, made awesome by that one memory and the long wait :)

5. Hosanna - Christy Nockels
Impressive. Tomlin has increasingly used Hillsong United music in his worship sets. This one's taken off one of the regionals, (after all the song came out after Atlanta) but it captures all the hook and verve of the original version, which happened to be the only song I truly enjoyed on the United CD - won't go any further on this since our likes and dislikes are all rather relative anyways.

6. Sing Sing Sing - Chris Tomlin
People feared another Party. In defense of Party, I understand that songs that were powerful live might not sound as good to outsiders who weren't part of the experience. But still... Anyways, no need to fear, because this song is just pure energy, Tomlin style.

7. Beautiful Jesus - Kristian Stanfill
Refreshing change from the usual Passion artists. It's a simple but beautifully crafted (no pun with the title intended) song that sticks in your head and has you humming along unconsciously at times.

8. Walk the World - Charlie Hall
Another song that stuck with me at Atlanta. Not sure where this recording was from though. But this song is musically amazing and the chorus is plain catchy. And for me it embodied the message of Passion 07 as well, to shine.

9. We Shine - Steve Fee
Monster. Because I've run out of superlatives. But this was a monster recording. Transports you back to the moment of the song.

10. God of our Yesterdays - Matt Redman
New Redman song. Was looking forward to hear it when news of this album came out. After the previous monster of a song, this song opens on a rather soft note, with the keys playing. And this is a song with a message very much in the vein of Redman's Blessed be Your Name and You Never Let Go, married to a tune that well, you can only describe as befitting it.

11. Glory of It All - David Crowder Band
The most powerful moment of Passion 07 for me, which left me in a profound state of mind after the tears of the previous songs. Granted I do believe the recording's taken from the Philips Arena, whereas I experienced this song at the GWCC. But it is the same song, and it's probably my favourite song at this point in time, because it's a simple reminder of what this life is really all about. Simple lyrics, Crowder music, divinely inspired experience - what more do I have to say?

12. Shine - Matt Redman
This was also one of those powerful moments of worship at Passion 07. And the poetry in this song is actually fantastic. It was one of those songs that would just stick in your head afterwards. Can a songwriter ask for anything else?

13. Dancing Generation - Matt Redman
This song feels a bit strange. The crowd sounded slightly half hearted at the start and in places. If this was Atlanta, maybe because it was only day two, and the first song of the morning session? Either way, it's probably the least favourite song of the whole album for me. But maybe that's just because the others were amazing (no pun intended regarding the title of the next song either) *EDIT*Well with a couple more listens, this song does begin to grow on you...*EDIT*

14. Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Chris Tomlin
This is the one that was available on iTunes as well. It's a good song. It was a worshipful moment. But hearing it on the album, it does feel a bit long. My favourite version of Amazing Grace is still the Crowder one that's circulating on YouTube.
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Well that's my song-by-song two cents. But there's a saying: the sum of the whole is greater than its parts. And this is certainly the case for Passion: God of This City. It is an awesome album, with awesome moments, but more importantly it has a message for us to go and do something awesome, because our God is awesome. There are a collection of inspiring worship numbers that might become rather popular with the global church. And it's certainly my favourite of the series so far, after the 2005 album, because there's just something powerfully inspiring about it that I can't place my finger on...God maybe?

#14: January 31, 2008

I deviated to post a review on the latest Passion album. Yes, it is a one word review, because it simply is awesome. Incidentally, I'm also 7th on the Google search results if you type "Passion God of this City". Haha. Anyways today's Bible reading was from Exodus 4-6.
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Do we ever doubt the power of God?

When things don’t seem to be working out, or our circumstances are getting worse and our efforts seem futile, we doubt God is at work. We feel so easily discouraged and burnt out, coming up with excuses to get away from the ‘Christian life’ for a while.

Here in Exodus, Moses was in a similar situation. God had commanded him to lead Israel out of Egypt, but Pharaoh instead doubled the burden of the Israelites, which broke their spirits. God then tells Moses to go tell Pharaoh to let his people go. But Moses then expresses his doubts over his ability to carry it out – pointing out that even his own people would not listen to him. And at this point, God must be feeling rather bemused and angry. After all His promises to Moses to work through him and the displays of His power to Moses, why is Moses now saying that his words are going to be useless? It’s not Moses words that will matter, but it will be God’s outstretched arm that will bring Israel out of Egypt. Thus we see God dismiss Moses’ excuse and charge him to carry out the task.

I believe that today a lot of discouragement and burnout can stem from the fact that we forget who is really at work. Sure, we might be the one labouring, but our labours are in vain if God is not present, for it is by God’s outstretched arm that all His works will be done. God is saying do the work. It doesn’t really matter whether you think you can get results or not. If you have the ability to say a few simple words, then say the few simple words. If you have the ability to carry out a few simple tasks, then carry them out. I’ll deliver the results.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Passion: God of this City - Album Review

Awesome.

#13: January 30, 2008

Today was the start of Exodus. Exodus begins with the oppression of the Israelites, who have become fruitful in the land of Egypt, and are greatly feared by the Egyptians. Into these circumstances does the story of Moses begin. Today's reading was from Exodus 1-3.
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Why a ‘burning bush’?

Well, it sure attracted Moses’ attention. “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” The bush is described as burning, but not consumed.

But why not a speaking animal? Or a dream? Or writing on the wall? Or a storm cloud? Why a burning bush?

God does not play dice. I don’t think He puts His hand into a bag and pulls out a piece of paper that says “burning bush”. He had a purpose for speaking to Moses through a burning bush. If it was to attract Moses’ attention, I’m pretty certain a speaking animal, dreams, writing appearing on a wall, or a storm cloud would be equally attention grabbing.

So if it’s not to get Moses’ attention, it’s to show something about God. And here’s what I think the symbolism is.

God is like a fire. Hebrews describes Him as a ‘consuming fire’. Yet the bush was clearly not consumed. BUT the place was refined. God called it holy and instructed Moses to take off his sandals. God is a fire. He refines those He has called, who He then justifies, who He then glorifies. We are like metal with impurities. We go into God’s fire and He refines us, only leaving pure metal behind. But to those who have not been called and justified, He does not glorify by refining. He consumes.

It’s quite harsh imagery in a way. The image of God as fire is used several times throughout the Bible. And I think I’ll point it out along the way. But for today, I want to raise something. If we are sons of God, and the Spirit of God is in us, it is a flame that is in us. But how hot is that flame in us? How bright is that flame in the lives of others? Sometimes we cover it with a lampshade. But I believe there’s a need to let it burn bright. To show that God is here with us. And that we are not consumed. Then maybe people will turn aside to see this great sight, and question like Moses: why we are not burned?

#12: January 29, 2008

Well. Genesis is finished. Today's reading came from Chapters 48-50. Exodus is up next in the chronology, but that's tomorrow.
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“Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?”

That’s a beautiful statement of love. Joseph’s brothers feared revenge from their younger sibling for all the evil they had caused him in his youth. They came and begged forgiveness for the transgressions they had committed against Joseph. But Joseph replied with an amazing question, “Am I in the place of God?”

It is God’s place to judge evil in this world, not us. Joseph’s recognised this. Furthermore, his response was the complete opposite – he comforted his brothers and assured them that he would continue to provide for them and their families. This act of love seems impossible. But then we turn our attention to what Joseph says in between. He appeals to the sovereign grace of God in assuring his brothers – “do not fear”. Joseph acknowledged that all that had taken place had been ordained by God, that in His grace, God had paved the way forward for His people and used evil for good. The grace of God was sufficient for Joseph’s sense of justice, freeing him to love unconditionally.

The parallels with our world today are striking. There are some truths that are just timeless. When confronted with evil, we should not judge, we should not take revenge, but we should love. “Love your enemies” was one of Jesus’ commands. It’s impossible to do this, aside from the grace of God. As Joseph appealed to it, so we appeal to it today. The grace of God is sufficient to satisfy our needs, and the wrath of God will satisfy the need for judgment.

What is more beautiful today than in the time of Joseph is that both the grace of God and the wrath of God have met in a single place, on the cross of Jesus Christ, where the wrath of God was spent, and the grace of God became available to us.

#11: January 28, 2008

Today's reading was from Genesis 46-47. I struggled to frame my thoughts for this post, wrestling with the language and the parallels in the story. So I have a niggling feeling that there might be inaccuracies, which I can't quite pick out at the moment.
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It’s worth sitting up and taking note when God names Himself. In Genesis 46:3, God appears to Jacob in a ‘vision of the night’, and says, “I am God, the God of your father.”

Why does God introduce Himself as the God of Isaac?

Well, in fact, God also introduces Himself to Isaac as the God of Abraham, Isaac’s father. And it was with Abraham that God established His covenant (promise – binding in God’s case), to make him the father of a multitude of nations. That he would be God to his offspring just as He was God to Abraham. And it is by this that Isaac and Jacob know who God really is. The knowledge of God was woven into their family history. Therefore when God appeared to Jacob, and Isaac before him, He would identify Himself as God of their father, and they would instantly understand who He was. And furthermore, they would look at the covenant God had established with Abraham and marvel at God’s faithfulness to His people.

Today, if God was to name Himself before His followers in Jesus, He would no longer need to say “I am the God of your father.” He would say “I am your father.” This is the new covenant, bought with the blood of Jesus, shed for the propitiation of our sin. As Romans phrases it, “we have received the Spirit of sonship”, and we are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ”. It is an eternal covenant, that despite the many generations of Christians that have lived and died, we are all still considered children of God - we’re not grandsons or granddaughters, inheriting our faith from our parents, but we inherit our faith from God Himself. God establishes this covenant with each one of us through Jesus Christ, if we are faithful to keep it.

If Isaac, Jacob, and all who followed them took pride in their identity as sons of Abraham, inheriting the covenant of their forefather, how much more pride should we take in being sons of God, inheriting the covenant from God himself - the promise that He will be our God?

#10: January 27, 2008

Well. Resolution #7 is going good. Today's reading was from Genesis 43-45.

God moves in mysterious ways. Who could have foretold the entire story of Joseph, from the day he was taken away, to the day he was reunited with his brothers? And that Joseph would become Lord of all Egypt? That the entire saga was all part of God’s plan to preserve and prosper his chosen people?

But I think what was even more amazing was that Joseph recognised the hand of God in his life. That despite how things turned out, for better or worse, he knew the hand of God was orchestrating his life, from beginning to end. He testified to it before Pharaoh. He testified to it before his household. He testified to it before his brothers.

Sometimes I wonder if we can say the same thing ourselves. Do we really recognise the sovereignty of God over every aspect of our lives? That He is a God in control? That everything that happens does not happen without His permission? Nothing in history has been a mistake. God does not make mistakes. And thus we are not a mistake. We are in this time and place for a purpose. God has chosen to impart to us a saving knowledge of Jesus – although whether we trust in that is another matter – for a purpose. The purpose comes from the fact that there are many who are not as privileged to know who Jesus really is. Our purpose is thus rather simple: to testify about Jesus before everyone.

Yet as simple as it is, the question I then find myself facing is whether I have the boldness of Joseph to trust in God for everything. Do I really recognise the sovereignty of God over every aspect of my life? For it is from the assurance of God’s sovereignty that courage spills forth. The courage to stand and testify to the grace of God before those who have not heard. And in all honesty, as much as I strive to, there are strongholds in my life where I have not allowed God to break in. And it is with utmost sincerity that I pray for His power to tear down those walls.

#9: January 26, 2008

Reading today was from Genesis 41-42.

Joseph’s story would be on the front cover of every publication if it took place today. He was sold by his brothers to Ishmaelite traders at the age of 17. He was bought by an Egyptian, Potiphar, and quickly rose to prominence in his household, before being thrown in prison despite his innocence. In prison, he again quickly rose to prominence and was placed in charge of the other prisoners by the jailer. Here he met Pharaoh’s chief baker and cupbearer who had been jailed for offences. They each had a dream, both of which Joseph rightly interpreted. And Joseph had asked the cupbearer to remember him when he was restored. But the cupbearer forgot. And so Joseph was left to languish in prison for a couple more years.

Then at the age of 30, (Was it coincidence that Jesus also started His ministry at the age of 30, or that David became King of Israel when he was 30? Curious fact, isn’t it?) Pharaoh had a dream which no one could interpret, and upon the cupbearer’s testimony, Joseph was summoned. Now this is just something that you have to picture in your mind. He was a prisoner when he entered Pharaoh’s court. When he departed, he was Lord of Egypt, second-in-command only with respect to the throne.

It’s an amazing testament to God’s power that Joseph’s fortunes were reversed in the blink of an eye. And it’s not without its parallels today. Through the simple act of trusting Jesus for His propitiation of our sin, and His righteousness imputed to us when we place Him as Lord of our lives, our fortunes are reversed in an instant. We are turned from hell to heaven in a blink of an eye. That is a testament to God’s amazing grace. Like Joseph, if we place our trust in God, we will get the best of this life and the next. It’s that simple, so simple that it become a stumbling block to some. But grace is uncomplicated on our part - it’s something we just need to accept. And that’s reason enough to rejoice.

#8: January 25, 2008

Ah. Today's post is a bit late. That's because I had a busy morning. But here it is. Reading taken from Genesis 38-40.
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Joseph’s such an interesting character, really. Again I feel so spoiled for choice when reading these 3 chapters. But there’s always next year!

So I’ll buck the trend. Today’s insight does not concern Joseph. Chapter 39 is an interesting tale of Joseph’s righteousness before God, and so is Chapter 40, and they’re also amazing testaments to God’s faithfulness and sovereignty, but Chapter 38 is the focus of this insight.

You might wonder why there’s a sudden pause in the story of Joseph, as the focus shifts to Judah. Well, simply because Jesus is descended from the lineage of Judah. (That’s why He’s called the Lion of Judah. And logically David and Solomon as well are descended from Judah – but Jesus is the important descendant.) And the genealogy (family tree) is actually pretty messed up. Jump forward to Matthew and we can trace the genealogy of Jesus from this point:

...Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron...
And so on so forth. If you read the story, Tamar was actually the wife of Judah’s first son, but he was wicked in God’s sight and was struck down. The second son was asked to help bear offspring for his brother, but he intentionally avoided his responsibilities and God saw this as wicked and he was struck down too. Then Judah asked Tamar to stay as a widow in his house until his third son was old enough to fulfill that responsibility of fathering her children. But when his third son was old enough, Judah didn't stick to his promise, and so Tamar resorted to a bit of deception, and to cut a long story short, tricked Judah into sleeping with her, and gave birth to the twins Perez and Zerah.

Sounds like such a soap opera. But the fact was Judah slept with his daughter-in-law, and Jesus descended from the firstborn Perez. And that’s the beauty of it. It was not Jesus’ human lineage that made Him righteous, the perfect propitiation (payment by blood) for our sin, but it was His divine identity. And because we’re humans, as Romans phrases it - descendants of Adam, we are sinful by nature and cannot be righteous by our own effort. The only hope for righteousness comes from God, through Jesus Christ. That’s something to be thankful for, because if we were not righteous before God, our ultimate destination is hell.

But God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life. And if we believe in Jesus, we will follow Jesus. Not just pay Him lip service, but walk His ways, obey His truths and live His life, in obedience to God.

#7: January 24, 2008

Today's reading was Genesis 35-37.

Joseph is introduced in the last chapters of Genesis. Joseph’s story is intriguing. There’s so much to take out of it.

In Genesis 37, we may judge Joseph’s brothers harshly for selling him into captivity, and lying to Jacob that he had been taken by wild animals. Perhaps we may grant Reuben a reprieve for seeking to spare Joseph’s life, but whether we interpret his motivations as that of gaining favour from his father is another issue. We may grant Judah a partial pardon, for acknowledging that Joseph is his brother, and his refrain from killing him. But what about Joseph?

Joseph was proud. I think it’s obvious that Joseph understood his dreams. His brothers clearly did, and hated him for flaunting his position over them. It clearly wasn’t helped either by him being Jacob’s favourite child, a testament of his multi-coloured robe. (Benjamin had not been born and Rachel was still alive at this point I believe.)

But just because Joseph would be superior over the lives of his family did not mean that he had to flaunt it. It was true but it was disrespectful. The best evidence of this was Jacob’s reaction. He was clearly outraged at Joseph’s lack of respect, but he kept Joseph’s words in his mind.

We could speculate. Perhaps this whole story wouldn’t have taken place if Joseph had not been as proud. God would surely have had His ways of getting Joseph to Egypt. But of course, as is the pattern we’ve constantly observed, God uses human folly for His good purposes.

It’s the same today. Especially for young people. We think we’re better than others in some way, are more talented in some skill, and seek to flaunt it, to show off. It’s sheer pride. What’s worse is that sometimes we think we’re better just because God gives us a special gift, or we seem to have a special position in church, or something along those lines. It’s not the mark of a true Christian. And it clearly has its consequences. Joseph’s brothers’ reactions were not irrational or even unexpected. And if people were to react in the same way today, I would not be the least bit surprised.

So let’s be humble people, no matter how skilful, or talented, or smart, or privileged, or ‘high-up’ we are.

#6: January 23, 2008

Insight from today's reading Genesis 32-34 though it's the final bit of Genesis 32 that's relevant.

This thought has taken quite a while to develop. You could say I’ve spent the morning wrestling with it.

Jacob wrestled with God. That’s pretty amazing. Did Jacob really wrestle God? Or was it someone else? An angel? Is it a spiritual metaphor? Clearly Jacob knew the man was someone significant to have wrestled with him so intensely. But at the end the man clearly blesses Jacob and renames him, and Jacob himself says that he has seen God face to face yet lives. Thus the fundamental truth here is that Jacob wrestled with God.

What does it mean to wrestle with God though? How do you wrestle with God? It’s like asking a baby to wrestle with the Rock or something. It’s kind of a no-brainer who wins. And we look at this wrestling duel, and in fact there’s no victor, until God chooses to push Jacob’s hip out of joint, so he is unable to continue. But Jacob refuses to let go. He’s not going to win, but he will not lose it. He clearly wants a blessing.

It’s not the first time this happens though. Jacob has been wrestling all his life. He wrestled with Esau in his mother’s womb for the privilege of firstborn, and loses it barely but comes out clutching Esau’s heel. He wrestles with Esau his entire childhood for the privilege of his birthright, then for the blessing of Isaac. He wrestles with Laban for his wages.

But this is no ordinary wrestling match. It is in fact a turning point in Jacob’s life. Jacob’s name means ‘he cheats’. I don’t think you would quite fancy a name like that. It is here that God chooses to humble Jacob. All this while, Jacob has always managed to wrestle his victory. But finally he’s up against the ropes, he’s fearful of meeting his brother, and there seems to him that he has little chance of winning this encounter. It is with this desperation that Jacob wrestles this unknown man, and failing to win, clings on to him. God teaches Jacob to cling on to him. And then seeing that Jacob will not let go, it is clear that he has learnt his lesson, and he renames him Israel, which means ‘he strives with God’. And when He departs, Jacob suddenly realises what has just happened and how blessed he truly is.

Is that like us in any way? We wrestle through this life, trying to carve out our niche somewhere. Then suddenly the tables are turned and there seems to be no escape, and in desperation we turn to God and wrestle with Him, seeking His blessing. But there’s no way we can win that fight. Yet the amazing thing is that while we can’t win it, we can choose to not lose it. And in choosing to not lose, we inadvertently cling on to Him, and it is that very act of humility that ensures our victory.

Isn’t it funny how God works?