becoming

未敢忘記。

[link: EFC canada]

Allow me not to expound the details and complicate matters. And please understand that I don’t do this often (in fact, ever) as well. But here it is:

This morning, I have a very strong sense that God is calling me to tell those that I know to seriously ponder the possibility of  doing full-time ministry by first studying theology in a seminary.

No names, no details. Just that.

And no, I did not have a vision or was sent to the third heaven. It is just a strong sense and conviction that I need to say this.

And so, it is far from coincidence that you are reading this right now.

I know, all the “but’s” will come up from your heart and mind right away. But please,

Listen first.

Listen to Him first.

No, this is not a joke.

I would never crack jokes like this. This is serious.

And if you think I can help in anyway. Let me know right away.

Why does driving bring out the worst in people?

For example, during one particularly hot day in July in the early morning hours, an elderly female wandered onto the freeway and was struck by a vehicle traveling over 60 miles per hour. As you can imagine, she was killed instantly. The freeway was quickly shut down (at 6 a.m.) and the accident reconstruction began (which is procedural and not my nor my supervisor’s decision). This usually takes between two and four hours. You would not believe the number of people, who, because they were forced to exit the freeway after hours in gridlock, felt it prudent and necessary to yell obscenities at the lowly police officer. As if it was my fault. All this while he is standing next to a blood-soaked white sheet.

Read it all here.

I may add: How can you tell someone is a redeemed Christian filled with grace?

Look at the way he drives.

[HT: Jonathan Wong@FB]

The popular Bible teacher and chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary Chuck Swindoll lists what he’s learned about leadership.

10 Things I Have Learned During Nearly 50 Years in Leadership

1. It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decision, the lonelier it is.
2. It’s dangerous to succeed. I’m most concerned for those who aren’t even 30 and are very gifted and successful. Sometimes God uses someone right out of youth, but usually he uses leaders who have been crushed.
3. It’s hardest at home. No one ever told me this in Seminary.
4. It’s essential to be real. If there’s one realm where phoniness is common, it’s among leaders. Stay real.
5. It’s painful to obey. The Lord will direct you to do some things that won’t be your choice. Invariably you will give up what you want to do for the cross.
6. Brokenness and failure are necessary.
7. Attitude is more important than actions. Your family may not have told you: some of you are hard to be around. A bad attitude overshadows good actions.
8. Integrity eclipse image. Today we highlight image. But it’s what you’re doing behind the scenes.
9. God’s way is better than my way.
10. Christ-likeness begins and ends with humility.

And five statements worth remembering during your next 50 years of leadership:

1. Whatever you do, do more with others and less alone.
2. Whenever you do it, emphasize quality not quantity.
3. Wherever you go, do it the same as if you were among those who know you best.
4. Whoever may respond, keep a level head.
5. However long you lead, keep on dripping with gratitude and grace.

[link: out of ur]

BW3 on Why Arguments against Women in Ministry Aren’t Biblical:

Never mind that the Bible does not have categories like ‘senior pastor’ or ‘pulpit minister’,  the NT has been used over and over again to justify the suppression of women in ministry— and as I was to discover through years of research and study, without Biblical justification. Now of course equally sincere Christians may disagree on this matter, but the disagreements should be on the basis of sound exegesis of Biblical texts, not emotions, rhetoric, mere church polity, dubious hermeneutics and the like.

Read it all here.

[HT: Unworthy Sinner]

只有感謝。

就是昨天吧。

本來已經出了教會的門。誰不知弟兄錯記自己停車的地方，出了門，也要走回頭。

回頭，就碰著妳要上車。跟著那弟兄，就在妳身後急急走過，未有跟你打招呼，只對妳女兒輕聲說：「還讓她開車嗎？」

一邊走，一邊想：「不知你近日怎樣」。

一邊走，一邊想：「下一次再問吧」。

下一次，

現在要變成「到那日」了。

這是我的遺憾。

姊妹，

願妳永遠安穩在祂手中。

直到那日，

我們一起，

再相見。