Speak, O Lord

I've been very busy (what's new) since the last post I made.  So my resolution on the reading the 2 books have fallen through =(

Nevertheless, many exciting things did happen since then till now.  =) One of which is that I have been very challenged on the historicity of my faith through a person I met.  That had got me buying books on apolegetics.  

One I recommend is "The Case for the Real Jesus by Lee Strobel".  There are lotsa of fabulous videos on www.leestrobel.com. 

Well argued and though through, this book has really strengthened my faith and my understanding of the grounds of the historicity of death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the historical reliability, infallibility and inerrancy of the bible.    Not to mention, this is a great book to give away as well.

Well, you might be wondering why I am up so late right now cause I seldom am.  I am writing a short paper on what ministry is.  According to the New Testament, the centrality of ministry is the proclamation of God's Word, the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is living and it brings life and builds the church.  As I ponder on these passages, I can't help but my heart is stirred up by the song by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. Beautiful Song. Like to share it with you.  May it be your song and prayer too.  

"Speak, O Lord"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us 
All Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow'r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.

sample music can be found at http://www.gettydirect.com/lyrics.asp?id=94

More pics

Nat Geo at vivo

Cool nat geo store - part museum, part borders books, part exotic
furniture store. Really worth a visit!

Ultimate Fighter LORD God

Had a bible study today on exodus, the part where God rescue the
Israelites from pharoah and his chariots. In chapter 15, the
Israelites sing a song of glory to the LORD. Great reminder for us
that God is not a fluffy wuffy person or who we make him out to be.
God the Lord is sold out for his own glory and his people that he will
put out those who oppose him.

God's wrath is still upon those who reject His son. Yet the good news
or gospel is that those who trust that Jesus is Lord and rescues us
from our rebellion will be forgiven and be received into his glorious
kingdom.

Bookworming

I haven't been reading books for sometime so I decided to kickstart this old habit again. I've been reading a couple of books now - Mark Dever's Message of the Old Testament (OT) every night now & The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World in/on the train to work every morning.

 

Both books are actually a compilations of sermons so I must be carefully to read them in the light of their contexts and not be too quick to apply them directly to everyday life.

 

Mark Dever's Message of the Old Testament

Message of the Old Testament is actually Mark's attempt to provide a broad sweep of OT through sermons covering each and every OT book. There are many books on the OT but what I find very beneficial is how Mark grounds each sermon in the light of the gospel which is where true transforming power lies.

 

Since we have such a hope,we are very bold, not like Moses,who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14But their minds were hardened. For to this day when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:13-18

 

While OT points to Christ, we must not simplistically think that every single line is about Christ, but rather we should also recognise how the OT is a progressive revelation of God's plan of salvation that ultimately culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  I think Mark understand this and therefore each sermon is given due regard to its historical context and how they are each unique and contributes to the overall Biblical Canon. 

 

So far, I have read 2 books (Song of Songs & Judges) only, so when I finish all of them hopefully, perhaps then (if I have the time) I can provide a fairer comment/review.  Hope I can continue reading the sermons consistently to beef up my understanding of the OT (in light of the gospel).

 

Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World

This book as mentioned above is a compilation of the sermons delivered the Desiring God 2006 National Conference in the US.  The speakers are mainly the reformed type Pastor-Theologians or Theologian-Pastors namely - John Piper, Mark Driscoll, DA Cason, Tim Keller, Voddie Baucham Jr and Justin Taylor doing an introduction.

 

I bought this book mainly because I find myself struggling in the sea of postmodernistic culture.  I find this rather unsettling in terms of how do I lived out my and share my faith where find others find them increasingly archaic and perhaps even narrow-minded. 

 

I have read one sermon so far - The Gospel and the Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World by Tim Keller.  Basically he starts off with sharing the basis of why modern era evangelism doesn't cut it anymore.  Not that they are wrong per se, just that those methods were mainly for folks who has some basic understanding of a Christian world view whereas the Postmodern worldview is completely different.  I'm still digesting his sermon. I'm not used to his style which is still somewhat academically inclined.  Nevertheless, I'm sure there's much to learn from him. Got to go through the valley before you reach the mountain-top.

 

Languages

Am at smu now for a Christian fellowship gathering. Staffworker James
is introducing his talk on exodus 3 (old testament book) sharing how
he began his theological studies having to understand Greek and Hebrew.

8.45

Today I had to get to office earlier than I usually do for some kind
of mass client service initiative. At least they gave us Gobi chocs
which was rather nice. Now, should I eat it? Ah!