sacred/secular danger

"Here we see the danger of the secular/sacred split: It concedes the 'theories, concepts, and other subject matter' in our field to nonbelievers. Christians have essentially accepted a trade-off: So long as we're allowed to hold our Bible studies and prayer meetings, we've turned over the content of the academic fields to the secularists" (Pearcey, 37).



While this is a generalization and not true for everyone / everywhere, it is an interesting observation.

a beautiful revelation

"The law is wonderful in that it reveals the holy character of God....a beautiful revelation of the God who protected the oppressed and poor, hated injustice, loved mercy, offered forgiveness and cleansing, and was morally pure. In the law, God set a new standard for holiness that the world had not known" (Welch, 110).

ponder this

"When a heart is being filled with the greatness of God, there is less room for the question,

'What are people going to think of me?'"

(Welch, 119), italics mine.

VBS

It was a busy but wonderful week with the students of our VBS classes.

In the morning, we did classes with about 60 students in Brampton, many of whom had never heard the Bible before. (Flyers had been distributed advertising children's classes). The lessons centered on the foundation of the Gospel, using the first part of Genesis as a springboard. I spent most of my time with the 17 oldest students. It was disheartening to hear some of the lies they have come to believe about other religions as "truth," yet it was very encouraging to field some of their questions and to see their interest in learning about the Bible, singing Bible songs, and learning Scripture passages.


Interestingly enough, most families allow their children to attend these classes "just in case." Learning about another religion is similar to having a "security feature" in case their own beliefs aren't true afterall....They definitely don't possess the assurance that we have as Christians!

Our afternoon class was held in Etobicoke and had about 30 students. Most of these students had previously been in the program, and some of them even attend the weekly Bible studies. The lessons here were on Joseph with the focus on God's protection, providence, and plan. Again, it was exciting to see their enthusiasm to learn!

These two brothers (left) were new to the program. They have the typical hairstyle for the Sikh (which the very devout follow when they are young). They do not cut their hair and wear it up in a bun-like fashion, not allowing it to be uncovered in public.

The children loved to learn the songs. What a joy to hear them singing the truths of Scripture!

Now the follow-up work begins with those who faithfully work at the Hope Centre. Yet we trust the work began long ago with the Holy Spirit moving in the hearts of those who are called....and we trust the promise that God's Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).

lifeless idols

Last week I taught Vacation Bible School (VBS) in Toronto among the Indian people, primarily those of Sikh background. I attempted to learn as much as I could about their native religion in order to better minister to them. One learning opportunity was to visit a Sikh temple, called a Gurdwara. It was very disheartening to see.

The book - the "living, lasting Guru" that is honoured and worshipped by the Sikh believers.

The bed where the book is literally put to bed each night.

The special place of honour where the book is kept during the day and is worshipped (bowed down to).

We could not help but to think of Psalm 115, which highlights the futility of trusting in worthless gods and idols. This was even more striking when we visited the Hindu temple, which was actually filled with multiple physical idols, one for each day of the week. How incredibly sad that people actually bow down and worship these man-made idols and attempt to find comfort and peace through this.

The VBS went very well, and I'll try to share more about that this week.

3 But our God is in heaven;

He does whatever He pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,

The work of men’s hands.

5 They have mouths, but they do not speak;

Eyes they have, but they do not see;

6 They have ears, but they do not hear;

Noses they have, but they do not smell;

7 They have hands, but they do not handle;

Feet they have, but they do not walk;

Nor do they mutter through their throat.

8 Those who make them are like them;

So is everyone who trusts in them.

9 O Israel, trust in the LORD;

He is their help and their shield.

10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD;

He is their help and their shield.

11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD;

He is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115, NKJV

Augustine via Pearcey

"We help to build the City of God when our actions are animated and directed by the love of God, offered up to His service. We build the City of Man whenever our actions are motivated by self-love, serving sinful purposes" (Pearcey, 40).


A number of my fellow staff and community members are reading Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey. Above she describes a striking insight by Augustine regarding allegiance. It struck me again how we can do "Christian things" that really don't glorify God or build His kingdom at all.

avoidance

"We prefer to think about low self-image rather than nakedness before God. We are good at avoiding the holiness of God" (Welch, 124).

"...I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the
train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said:

'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!' "(Isaiah 6:1b-3, NKJV).

How can we possibly cling to our sin while claiming ignorance?
What mockery before God.

It is vital to be reminded of our dependence upon the Lord....It is also essential to remember that we are so sinful, Christ had to die, but that we are so loved, Christ chose to die (Timothy Keller).

Congrats, Char and Thom!

July 5, 2008

Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have of Char and Thom, since I was either busy doing bridesmaid / MC duties or the photographer was catching their precious moments.

May God continue to be the center of your lives! Blessings.

displacement

"A growing knowledge of God displaces the fear of people, and it casts out our tendency to be casual with our secret sins" (Welch, 107).

We all need a wake-up call when it comes to relinquishing control in every part of our lives. The dangerous tendency is to trivialize those "small" sins or to cling to those areas of our lives which we think bring us some advantage / pleasure.

If only we would have the eyes to see the beauty of Christ as revealed in the Word.
We would come to see, know, and experience that He truly satisfies as no other can.
That would bring about the fear of the Lord and the longing to share our joy with others.

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him."

Psalm 34:8-9, NKJV