Anh Fire

2009-11-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

This is Part 2 of Wrestling Match, read Part 1 here.

My mind is in a daze. Like being suddenly awakened from a dreamless slumber.

I try getting my bearings…

After a wasted morning spent playing on my computer instead of seeking God, my mind feels cloudy. Sitting across from me is a 55-year-old looking man. Silver hair and glasses balanced on the bridge of his nose. Before him is an open Bible and it almost feels like he can read me like an open book. In fact, he think he can.

“I’m Brother Dan,” he says. “I’m a prophet.”

Wow. What do you say to someone who introduces himself like that?

“Hi, I’m Anh,” I say, trying not to look rattled.

“Prophet is the best way I can describe myself,” Dan says, gesturing with open hands, palms toward the ceiling. “That’s what I am and I’m not ashamed of it.”

I look at my Bible student Donna and her face gives no inkling of what she thinks of Dan’s statement. Donna knows Dan from her neighborhood. He takes his dog for walks every morning. It just so happened that this morning they stopped and chatted about the Bible studies they’ve been having.

“Donna was telling me how much she enjoyed your Bible studies,” Dan said to me. “I just had to come and she invited me.”

Please God, I say silently, forgive me for not spending time with you, for not properly preparing. For Donna’s sake, give me the words you want spoken now.

“Let’s open our Bibles to the book of Mark,” I say. Dan smiles…or is it a smirk? It isn’t disarming. He quickly flips to Mark.

This isn’t going to be easy…

Wrestling Match

2009-11-05T07:20:00.000-08:00

It's one of those mornings where my thoughts are a jumbled mess. No good since the first thing I need to do is spend time with God. I try praying, praising, and reading the Bible. Nothing is sticking. The only thing going through my mind:

sadlkj43...bills....98rdf sajj93q48u carf...hungry...8q9v3mv89awe u08...errands need running...cuwN4R WLIEA C9843QN 9QXWUEM 9832 CDJKXNNUQOIYR 983PJDC N8 9C2AJEWA8V 3AC4WUND 9C8UY3W CSXOJ C8EWU E9N X32 98EWJ X832RUN 98EW 83.

I think you get the picture. I can't be still.

After 15 minutes, I'm like forget it. I'm going to surf the web...yeah that sounds good. Then play some computer games...sounds even better! I spend the next couple of hours surfing and blowing things up. Ha ha...fun fun.

Now it's time for soul winning...anyone sense trouble here?

My Bible student Donna calls and says someone will be joining us for Bible study today. Fine with me...the more the merrier. In the back of my mind I get a nagging, uneasy feeling. That I didn't do something important. Forget it, I say to myself. I got this. I drive up to Donna's house.

The moment I walk through the door my heart sinks. Sitting at Donna's dining room table I see a 55-year-old man. He's got silver hair, glasses balanced on the tip of his nose. He's evaluating me like a hawk before it snatches his prey.

Holy Spirit is telling me RED ALERT! Right now I wish I had a proper devotion this morning.

"I'm Brother Dan," the man says, extending his hand towards me. "I'm a prophet."

Uninvited Guests

2009-11-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

Hands on their guns, the police interrupted my Bible study in the living room of a dank apartment in the projects.

My Bible open and eyes wide, I didn't move a muscle on the couch as an officer looked me in the eye while his hand held his weapon in its holster. Another two officers crept past him and started searching the apartment. He glanced at me, dressed in a tie and slacks, Bible in hand and judged that I wasn't a threat. He shifted his glare at my Bible student Christine.

"Where's your brother?" he asked, an edge in his voice.

"I don't know," Christine said. "He don't live here."

"You gonna talk?" he barked, holding out a black and white copied photo of a man in a prison uniform. "Is he here?"

"He don't live here," Christine said. "I haven't seen him."

"You gonna talk?" he repeated.

"I don't know where he at," she said in a quiet voice. "I haven't seen him in a long time."

After a couple of minutes the other officers came back in the living room. Satisfied that the brother wasn't there they left.

"What was that about?" I said. Finally moving now that the threat of being shot was over.

Yesterday, there had been a shooting outside the apartment, Christine said. An argument and fisticuffs broke out between two women, perhaps fighting over a man. Someone fired a gun in the air to break up the fracas. A day later the police were rounding up the usual suspects. She really hadn't seen her brother in a while. But it wasn't uncommon for the police to show up unannounced, looking for someone.

"They do it all the time," she said.

I'm always on edge when I visit Christine. It's one of the most dangerous housing projects in downtown Augusta. I've been there during police raids and other crime busts. Hard to fathom that colporteurs canvassed this area with nothing more for protection than a bag of books and a guardian angel. Praise God they were faithful in coming. They're the ones that found Christine and signed her up for Bible studies.

I always park as close as possible to Christine's apartment, right outside the entrance. But I didn't that day because four rough looking teenagers were milling around, strutting with an animalistic intensity. Like lions on the prowl.

I parked my Honda Accord in the next lot. Waited until they looked distracted and I silently crept in the front door. After the police came and the Bible study concluded, I walked outside and saw officers arresting the four teenagers.

I looked away and quickly walked by, avoiding the sidewalk and cutting across the lawn. One by one the teenagers were forced into a waiting squad car, idling where I normally park my Honda.

One of the teenagers protested.

"Officer, I didn't do anything," he said as he began nodding his head in a direction of a woman. "My mother's right over there."

From the safety of my car I took a photo with my cell phone.

"I didn't do anything," he said as they closed the car door on him.

Not Doing Enough for Salvation

2009-11-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

Watching less TV and reading the Bible more was my 60-year-old friend's plan for obtaining salvation.

"I hope I'm ready when Jesus comes," Donna said while sitting across from me at her dining room table. "I just don't think I do enough."

"You mean you don't think you're always saved?" I asked.

"I don't know if I am," she said. "I watch too much TV, I have a temper when it comes to my sons, and I know I could spend more time with God."

This coming from a woman who prays daily, attends church every Sunday, participates in two weekly Bible studies, and always completes the Bible lessons I leave with her each week.

I shared with her Luke 23:39-43, an account that describes how a criminal dying on a cross next to Jesus realized he was a sinner, feared God, and gave his life to Christ.

"Now what did he do in his short, Christian life after coming to Jesus?" I asked. "What did he do to earn salvation?"

"Nothing," Donna said. "He died."

"The criminal on the cross was promised paradise with Jesus," I said. "Our salvation is not dependent on what we do. We don't need to be Jesus, we need to believe in Jesus."

Thoughts of Losing Jesus

2009-11-02T07:43:00.000-08:00

A church member called me Sunday afternoon and she began crying.

For some time she had been having thoughts and more recently nightmares that she had lost her salvation.

"I can't even read the Bible without having these thoughts telling me I've lost Jesus," she said between sobs. "I have dreams where a voice tells me I've lost Him."

They began after she began taking anti-depressant medication, she said. However, when she stopped taking the pills the thoughts didn't leave with them.

I began praying with her, thanking God for his never-ending love and free gift of salvation. I asked God for his promised gift of wisdom in our lives.

I told the woman the of the story of the two criminals that hung with Jesus at his crucifixion. Both criminals were deserving of death, as all sinners are, but yet the profound difference between the two men was that one knew and admitted he was a sinner, feared God, and recognized Jesus as the savior.

"Remember me," the repentant criminal said to Jesus. "When you come in your kingdom."

"Truly I say to you today," Jesus replied. "You shall be with Me in Paradise."

In Acts 16:25-31, the Apostle Paul and Silas encounter a jailer who comes trembling to them asking them the simple question: What must I do to be saved?

They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Often in the Christian experience, we feel that something more must be added to our belief in Jesus, whether that be more good works, evangelistic effort, or piety so God will feel better about us and grant us salvation. But that is untrue.

Because when we look at the words of Jesus and the Holy Spirit-inspired words of Paul and Silas, all that matters is our belief and not performance. John 6:28-29 tells of a group of people asking Jesus what they needed in order to do God's work and Jesus gave a short reply.

"The work of God is this," Jesus said. "To believe in the one he has sent."

My friend on the phone stopped crying and began praising God.

"I'm a sinner," she said. "And I need and believe in Jesus."

"And," I said, before I began praying with her again. "Jesus will remember you in paradise."

Emergency

2009-11-01T07:28:00.000-08:00

I was standing in the church foyer before the worship service when my 50-year-old friend Roland trudged towards me, taking ragged breaths.

"I'm having pain in my chest," he said.

I got him a chair and he sat down. I remembered him telling me he was scheduled for surgery later in November. A pacemaker would be installed.

"Let me call my doctor," he said. "Would you dial for me?"

I entered in the number and handed him my cell phone.

After a minute he gave back my phone.

"The doctor wants me to go to the ER," he said.

"I'll take you," I said.

I drove my Chevy Cobalt over to where he sat and helped him in my car, putting his seatbelt on for him as his hands struggled with it.

"If you don't mind hurrying..." he said.

I put my emergency lights on and floored it. I was carefully not to cut people off or do anything that might cause an accident. Whenever I saw a clear straightaway on the highway I would speed up to 85-90 mph. I figured if the police pulled me over I could show them my friend and ask for an escort to the ER.

"If you see an ambulance, see if you can flag them down," he said.

"'K," I said, eyes focused on the road as I flew past a semi-truck.

We arrived at the ER in record time. From our church to downtown Augusta, a trip that normally takes 25 minutes took about 13. The ER immediately admitted him and laid him on a bed in a small room. After a few minutes of examines by a nurse, paperwork, and blood samples the nurse looked over at Roland and said everything appeared normal now.

Roland's three daughters arrived and were relieved he was resting comfortably. Early in October they were with him when he spent a week in the hospital's heart unit, getting checked out. It had been a long stay and he didn't care for the hospital cafeteria.

"This time," his oldest daughter said with a smirk. "We're not sneaking you any food from Burger King."

The Waking

2009-06-23T05:46:00.000-07:00

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.

-Theodore Roethke, "The Waking"

Writer's Block

2009-02-23T21:15:00.000-08:00

Since I left Southern last May, I've suffered an acute case of writer's block. Writing has always been a stiff struggle for me because I want to craft the perfect piece that makes people laugh out loud or cry with a torrent of tears.

I was able to write with regularity at Southern because I had to for my job in Southern's marketing department and as the school's opinion page editor of the Accent. In short, I did it for the money. Filthy lucre! But it killed me to write those boring, trite adverts for marketing, and those opinion pieces just to fill space in the Accent. I found that my creativity was replenished when I blogged. Blogging gave me a chance to cut loose without having to worry (too much) about style or substance (although I still want it to be perfect).

My favorite blogs always had to do with either making fun of my friends (especially Thomson, Christy, and Jeff) or some video that caught my attention on Youtube.

But after I left Southern, I started working as a Bible worker and I just didn't have time for anything else. When I did feel like blogging, again I found that pressure for publishing the perfect post and I have over two dozen blogs that are still in the draft stage.

Finally, at the behest of Thomson I've written this.

And for that, my many readers (i.e. all 2 or 3) may find themselves the subject of my poisonous pen.

Hope you're happy Thomson.

Yours Truly,

Anh

Kingdom of Men

2008-11-04T21:56:00.000-08:00

Daniel 4:25

The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.

Daniel 5:21

The Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone he wishes.

John 19:10-11

"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.

Plan of Salvation in Gen. 5

2008-09-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

At Restoration 2007, Ivor Myers issued a friendly challenge of learning how redemption is spelled out through the genealogy of Adam.

Special thanks to E-sword, Behindthename.com, Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionaries, and Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions.

Genesis 5: The plan of salvation as revealed through Adam’s line from Adam to Noah…

Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah.

Adam=Red, ruddy, man

Seth = “compensation”, substituted

Enos=man in general (singly or collectively)

Cainan="possession", nest (figuratively chamber or dwelling)

Mahalaleel=praise of God

Jared=“descent”

Enoch= “dedicated”, initiated

Methuselah=man of a dart

Lamech= “powerful”, possibly means "to make low" in Hebrew

Noah = “rest”

A man was the compensation, substitution for (sinful) man in general—His possession (redeemed by His blood)—(He was) the praise of God, He made His descent from heavenly glory to the redemptive task he was dedicated and initiated the final events in the plan of salvation as the man of dart, making Himself low in human flesh, entering into a powerful rest, allowing all to enter His rest today.

Rockin' in the Free World

2008-09-09T02:05:00.000-07:00

by Neil Young

There's colors on the street
Red, white and blue
People shufflin' their feet
People sleepin' in their shoes

But there's a warnin' sign
on the road ahead
There's a lot of people sayin'
we'd be better off dead
Don't feel like Satan,
but I am to them
So I try to forget it,
any way I can.

Keep on rockin' in the free world,
Keep on rockin' in the free world
Keep on rockin' in the free world,
Keep on rockin' in the free world.

I see a woman in the night
With a baby in her hand
Under an old street light
Near a garbage can
Now she puts the kid away,
and she's gone to get a hit
She hates her life,
and what she's done to it
There's one more kid
that will never go to school
Never get to fall in love,
never get to be cool.

Keep on rockin' in the free world,
Keep on rockin' in the free world
Keep on rockin' in the free world,
Keep on rockin' in the free world.

We got a thousand points of light
For the homeless man
We got a kinder, gentler,
Machine gun hand

We got department stores
and toilet paper
Got styrofoam boxes
for the ozone layer
Got a man of the people,
says keep hope alive
Got fuel to burn,
got roads to drive.

Keep on rockin' in the free world,
Keep on rockin' in the free world
Keep on rockin' in the free world,
Keep on rockin' in the free world.

Wolves in Sheeps Clothing: Part 3

2008-09-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

William Miller had no sympathy with those influences that led to fanaticism. He declared, with Luther, that every spirit should be tested by the word of God. "The devil," said Miller, "has great power over the minds of some at the present day. And how shall we know what manner of spirit they are of? The Bible answers: 'By their fruits ye shall know them.'. . . There are many spirits gone out into the world; and we are commanded to try the spirits. The spirit that does not cause us to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, is not the Spirit of Christ. I am more and more convinced that Satan has much to do in these wild movements. . . . Many among us who pretend to be wholly sanctified, are following the traditions of men, and apparently are as ignorant of truth as others who make no such pretensions."--Bliss, pages 236, 237. "The spirit of error will lead us from the truth; and the Spirit of God will lead us into truth. But, say you, a man may be in an error, and think he has the truth. What then? We answer, The Spirit and word agree. If a man judges himself by the word of God, and finds a perfect harmony through the whole word, then he must believe he has the truth; but if he finds the spirit by which he is led does not harmonize with the whole tenor of God's law or Book, then let him walk carefully, lest he be caught in the snare of the devil."--The Advent Herald and Signs of the Times Reporter, vol. 8, No. 23 (Jan. 15, 1845). "I have often obtained more evidence of inward piety from a kindling eye, a wet cheek, and a choked utterance, than from all the noise of Christendom."--Bliss, page 282. {GC 396.2}

Great Controversy pg. 396

Wolves in Sheeps Clothing: Part 2

2008-09-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

The prince of evil contests every inch of ground over which God's people advance in their journey toward the heavenly city. In all the history of the church no reformation has been carried forward without encountering serious obstacles. Thus it was in Paul's day. Wherever the apostle raised up a church, there were some who professed to receive the faith, but who brought in heresies, that, if received, would eventually crowd out the love of the truth. Luther also suffered great perplexity and distress from the course of fanatical persons who claimed that God had spoken directly through them, and who therefore set their own ideas and opinions above the testimony of the Scriptures. Many who were lacking in faith and experience, but who had considerable self-sufficiency, and who loved to hear and tell some new thing, were beguiled by the pretensions of the new teachers, and they joined the agents of Satan in their work of tearing down what God had moved Luther to build up. And the Wesleys, and others who blessed the world by their influence and their faith, encountered at every step the wiles of Satan in pushing overzealous, unbalanced, and unsanctified ones into fanaticism of every grade.

Great Controversy pg. 396

Wolves in Sheeps Clothing: Part 1

2008-09-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

Satan is "the accuser of the brethren," and it is his spirit that inspires men to watch for the errors and defects of the Lord's people, and to hold them up to notice, while their good deeds are passed by without a mention. He is always active when God is at work for the salvation of souls. When the sons of God come to present themselves before the Lord, Satan comes also among them. In every revival he is ready to bring in those who are unsanctified in heart and unbalanced in mind. When these have accepted some points of truth, and gained a place with believers, he works through them to introduce theories that will deceive the unwary. No man is proved to be a true Christian because he is found in company with the children of God, even in the house of worship and around the table of the Lord. Satan is frequently there upon the most solemn occasions in the form of those whom he can use as his agents.

Great Controversy pg. 395-396

Liars...YUCK!

2008-09-02T23:46:00.000-07:00

I hate lies and the lying liars that lie.

Collegedale Church: Worship Renewal

2008-07-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

According the Collegedale Church's website...
"There is also deep concern for a group of students, up to as many as 1000, who apparently do not attend church services anywhere in the greater Collegedale area and need to feel invited to have a church home here on campus. With the realization that this is such an important period of decision-making in the lives of these students, the need to make room for them is glaring and deeply felt. A proposed plan was presented to the board, thoroughly examined and discussed, then voted. It calls for a change in the morning schedule for Sabbath School and worship service."

Here is the video of Pastor John Nixon explaining the change.

Pastor Nixon says the church will work with Campus Ministries' Spiritual Life Team in developing the student-led worship.

I remember Jeff Tatarchuk sharing with me a year ago about his idea of SEYC and BWC working with Collegedale Church.... I wonder how the two ideas will differ.

Your New Bible Workers Club President

2008-05-29T04:37:00.000-07:00

After the SEYC Advisory Board meeting at Dr. Chung's palatial estate late last semester, we had to have a look around. It wasn't long before Stephanie Schliefer found a grand piano and filled the room with her playing and singing. Meanwhile, Eric Rose preserved Stephanie's performance and documented the decor and with his video camera. The rest of us ran around in our socks on the tiled floors, played ping pong, and curiously peaked around corners. Spacious rooms, beautiful paintings on every wall, and yes this wonderful sofa or whatever it's called that Ezequiel found.

Something about it begged us to not only have our picture taken on it, but to strike a classical pose as well. "You should use this on the cover of the Bible Workers Handbook," Zeke said jokingly. It might not make the cover of any handbook but it's here on my blog.

Of course Katie couldn't resist either...

Kristin Thomas: Full of Grace

2008-05-24T21:31:00.001-07:00

I don't know what prompted this gem of a shot, but it's a good one. In the sanctuary after Sabbath worship at North River Church. All photos by Christy Kurtz.

Here's the unedited photo.

Kristin with Reyna Joy. This is the only photo I took.

I can't believe that so many wonderful friends are going their separate ways now that school is over. Sister Kristin, you'll be missed. God bless you and your medical mission work in Chad.

Opinion on Homosexuality

2008-04-16T23:59:00.000-07:00

By Donn Leatherman

There is, at present, a lively discussion on campus about homosexuality, homosexual practice and the position of Scripture and church relative to these two phenomena. Much of this debate has apparently been engendered by a convocation program conducted last Tuesday evening. Since I did not attend the convocation, I cannot write about the specifics of what took place there. I trust then that my comments will be seen as a reflection on the issues and a contribution to the discussion rather than as an attempt to uphold or to refute anything said in that public meeting.

It seems to me that there are two factors which have obscured the discussion of this issue for some time. The first of these arises from a lack of clarity in definitions, the second from imprecision in our views of the role of Scripture. In order to make my own comments clear, I will first address these issues.

What is homosexuality? The term is used ambiguously to refer either to a mental or psychological orientation or to a set of behaviors. Some people will use "homosexuality" to refer to a drive in a person which causes that person to be sexually attracted to members of the same sex; men to men or women to women. Others use the term to refer to sexual practices which involve two persons of the same sex. Obviously, there is a connection between these two, but they are not inextricable. Some people who do not normally feel attracted to persons of the same sex may, in some circumstances, engage in sexual acts with a person of the same sex. Others, who do feel such an attraction, may abstain. In order to avoid the ambiguity of this term, I will refer to "homosexual orientation" and "homosexual behavior/activity" to identify these two related but distinct phenomena.

Imprecision regarding the role of Scripture also clouds this discussion. In speaking of the Bible, we may sometimes refer to what it says on an issue, sometimes to the principles which seem to lie behind the text and sometimes to our understanding of its implications an applicability to our own situation. We may also privilege some parts of Scripture or some ideas from Scripture above others. Here I will take the plain sense of Scripture as an authoritative expression of the will of God and will base my assertions about its applicability on consideration of its statements in their context in the canon.

The Bible touches only lightly on the question of homosexual orientation, with only a single clause in Romans 1:27 mentioning attraction of men to men, there regarded more as a consequence of sin than as a sin per se. On the other hand, homosexual behavior is somewhat more widely discussed, though not as widely as (for example) greed or violence. The passages which relate to this issue are Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26-28; I Corinthians 6:9 and I Timothy 1:10. The first two of these identify the act of sexual relations between men as an abomination. The passage from Romans describes homosexual and lesbian practices as examples of the problems which fall on the world as a result of the rejection of God. The last two texts identify those who engage in homosexual practices as one of the groups who are doing things "contrary to sound teaching," who are therefore excluded from the kingdom of God. There are other passages of Scripture which may contribute to this discussion less directly, such as the story of creation in Genesis 1 and 2, but I will confine my remarks here to the five texts which actually refer to homosexual activity.

The two texts in Leviticus state a reason why homosexual behavior is not to be tolerated among the Israelites. It is because these actions are "abominations" to the Lord. The latter of these two texts identifies homosexual activity as a capital offense. There are many other sins of a cultic nature mentioned in Leviticus which may result in "defilement" (meaning that a person who is thus "defiled" is not permitted to enter the sanctuary) but few of them are call "abominations" punishable by death. Homosexual practice, then, is regarded as something far more severe than cultic defilement. We too, must regard it as a grave sin, even if we do not impose capital penalties for it (or for idolatry, adultery and several other sins which merited the death penalty in ancient Israel).

As mentioned above, the passage in Romans treats homosexual practice as one of the various negative consequences which follow from the rejection of God. In this context it is associated with "a debased mind" which does "what ought not to be done" and is placed together with being "filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. . . . envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness" and with people who "are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless." The passage explicitly states that these are the sorts of things that can be expected of people who depart from God, and it clearly implies that these things will not be done by those who are faithful to God. The other two New Testament passages also locate homosexual practice in lists of sins. The terms used to identify homosexual practice are used widely enough in non-Christian literature for us to be quite certain about their meaning.

All of these passages present homosexual behavior as objectionable and forbidden. But none of them can be taken as a condemnation of homosexual orientation. No one is excluded from God's kingdom because he or she experiences same-sex attraction. The focus of Scripture is on homosexual acts. In this light, we must see homosexual activity as a sin like any other sin. Temptations come to all of us. Some are tempted in one way, some in another. The fact that we are tempted does not exclude us from God's kingdom. In fact, in the same passage in Corinthians 6 where Paul says homosexual activity excludes one from God's kingdom, he goes on to say, just two verses later, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:11) Clearly, those who experience same-sex attraction but who turn away from homosexual practice may be as fully a part of God's kingdom (and of the church) as any other sinner saved by grace. Further, those who practice homosexuality are as much loved by Christ as any other sinners and they ought to be just as much the objects of our love and concern.

Donn W. Leatherman

School of Religion

Southern Adventist University

"Compassion & Clarity: Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality"

2008-04-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

Panelists: Dr. Donn Leatherman, Dr. John Nixon, Dr. Doug Tilstra, Jon Tillay

Moderator: Dr. Greg King

Lynn Wood Hall Chapel

Wednesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Convocation Credit Will Be Granted

A Look at Questions on Doctrine

2008-04-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

My childhood friend, Tim Arakawa, whom some of you know as the former vice president of GYC and a current member of its board, wrote a very interesting blog. It centers on the publishing of the book Questions on Doctrine, one of the most controversial events in the history of the Adventist Church. It's sad that in the three minutes it took me to read Tim's blog, I learned more about it than I did in the 50-minute lecture in my Adventist Heritage class. If you identify yourself as an Adventist then you owe it to yourself to read it.

Happy Sabbath

2008-04-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

Thoughts on Southern's Cafetaria Food

2008-04-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

Why didn't anyone tell me about the existence of this video?

Seems like Eric Rose interviewed half of SEYC and the Bible Workers Club for their thoughts on Southern's Cafeteria food and recorded their (unintentionally) funny response.

A few of the (occasionally head scratching) highlights...

Surranny Villimizar: Fun?
Jon Tillay: The what sandwich?
Brian Glass: "Right?"
Christy Kurtz: Nasty
Jeff Tatarchuk: "You recording?"
Carlos Cirilo: Cat food?

find the matching (or not-so-matching) siblings

2008-04-09T06:27:00.000-07:00

Why Have Children - Part One

2008-03-13T23:24:00.000-07:00

I took this photo of my daughter, Reyna Joy, four days ago with my cell phone and saved it as my phone's wallpaper. Ever since then I've pulled out my cell phone about ten times a day when I'm at work, school, etc. just to look at my two-month-old beauty. I love her more everyday.

In a world that has gone mad, why bring precious children into it? Richard O'Ffill says he advises couples its a risk worth taking. "They're the only thing you might be able to take with you to heaven."

Think about it.

What do you call yours that won't one day burn at Christ's second coming? You can't take your car, clothes, or CDs to heaven. As my friend Thomson Paris wrote in a great post, outside of character and souls there is nothing else you can take with you.

But to be more specific, what is mine that I can take? As much as I would like to lay claim to my friends, they really don't belong to me. Therefore, the closest thing I can claim as mine is my family and that strongest claim may be made about my girl Reyna, the one I'm responsible for Biblically, morally, and legally.

So when it comes to what you call "your's" or "mine", take a risk: Have children. Love them. Teach them. Disciple them. And pray they'll be good and faithful servants of the LORD and that they'll spend eternity with you.

Malcolm X Should've Been SDA Evangelist

2008-02-21T22:45:00.000-08:00

Today marks the 43rd anniversary of Malcolm X's assassination. This controversial figure was called many things by many people: leader, religious fanatic, racist, brilliant, twisted, scholarly, and sinister.

I call him a hero. And he should have been called an Adventist.

Malcolm X should have been known as one of the greatest Adventist Evangelists...but Bible workers and/or coporteurs failed him and his single mother of eight children and three stepchildren.

I read Malcolm X's autobiography in high school. From the opening page I could not put the book down, reading it for hours everyday for two or three weeks until I finished it. Outside of the Bible, Malcolm X's autobiography has perhaps influenced me more than any other book, transforming how I interpreted the world around me, opening my eyes more to the racial politics practiced knowingly and unknowingly by nearly everyone in society.

But of all the stories that Malcolm X recounted in his book, the one that stands to the forefront for me is how the Seventh-day Adventist Church touched his life and how years later near the end of his life he never forgot what Adventists did for him.

As a young boy, perhaps nine or ten, Malcolm X's mother was visited by Seventh-day Adventists who knocked on her door. They visited with her and she eventually joined the SDA church.

What was it that attracted Malcolm X's mother to the SDA Church?

The health message--specifically the teaching on clean and unclean meats. For whatever reason, the autobiography does not say, Malcolm X's mother didn't believe in eating pig or rabbit and thus that particular Adventist doctrine appealed to her. From there she accepted the seventh-day Sabbath and joined the Church.

Malcolm X, later known for most of his adult life as a racist who vehemently argued that the "white man is the devil", kindly recalls in his autobiography of attending an outdoor Adventist meeting and enjoying a nice pot-luck (that unfortunately for his palette didn't have a lot of spices in it, I guess those Adventist door knockers hadn't shared EGW's views on pepper!).

But what is striking is how Malcolm X described Adventist as the "nicest white people" he ever met.

Sadly, that is the last mention of Adventists in Malcolm X's autobiography before he became a racist. What happened next in his life is tragic. His single mother succumbed to the pressure of caring for nearly ten children without help and went insane. Almost weekly, state child protective services questioned her ability to care for her children, openingly mocking her. Eventually, Malcolm X's mother broke down and was committed to a mental institution. Malcolm X would visit her from time to time, but his mother would never remember who he was. The last time he visited her, Malcolm X was in his early 20s and she said only one sentence to him that broke his heart and mine as well, "They have all left me."

With that Malcolm X's contempt for the white social workers that broke up the family into several different foster families and institutionalized his mother turned into full fledge hatred of white people. He viewed them as power hungry, who's only care was to benefit themselves while suppressing people of color and destroying families and lives.

What is so sad is that this all could have been prevented. If only those evangelistic minded Adventists had remembered to disciple and support Malcolm's family during their great need the family could have stayed together and the mother would have stayed sane. Malcolm X perhaps wouldn't have entered into a violent life of crime, later to arise as the charismatic leader of the Nation of Islam.

Had Malcolm X and his family been nurtured by members of the local Seventh-day Adventist Church, there is no doubt he would have become one of the greatest evangelists of all time.

But instead of preaching a message of love, he spent nearly his entire life preaching hate.

However, near the end of his life Malcolm X converted to Islam while journeying to Mecca. He witnessed people of all color socializing with one another and was amazed. He stopped preaching about hate and urged love for all of God's creation.

Malcolm X even said that it was fine with him if people were--among several things he listed such as Holy Rollers and Muslim--Adventists.

But unfortunately, during the time of his family's greatest need, we Adventists "left them". And Malcolm X's life changed forever.

Two Wolves

2008-02-20T21:58:00.000-08:00

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

What Victory Looks Like

2008-02-19T18:27:00.000-08:00

Do you know how hard it is to get two knuckleheads together? Especially when the boy has temporarily misplaced his mojo and the girl's intuition is on the fritz? Never in my life had I had to resort to every single Machiavellian trick up my sleeve to make any other conniving scheme work, but it was worth it for my February triumph.

The three tenets I had to obey for ultimate victory...
1. Make the boy think that every idea I had to get him into the vicinity of the girl was actually his idea.
2. Make the girl think that every time she "happened" to be around the boy that there served a practical purpose for some altruistic venture.
3. Use deceit only when necessary, which basically meant all the time.

For instance, one night in January, I needed help moving the baby crib into the basement. It just so "happened" that on a Saturday night I "desperately" needed the boy's help in moving the crib. Of course, with two people carrying such a cumbersome crib in the pitch black darkness of night, I "needed" the help of the girl to be the "lamp to our feet and a light for our path".

Naturally the task was so "taxing", I suggested the three of us should go back into the living room and recover our strength. And what, pray tell, would be a better way to recover than upon the most comfortable coach in all of Collegedale? Of course the boy was too gentlemanly to share the couch with the girl and it took much "prodding" by the man of the house before the boy was convinced that the wobbly wooden chairs from Wal-Mart might collapse under his well-toned, muscular body (due to regular visits to the YMCA).

Hee, hee...

Knowing that something special was blooming I grabbed my Canon Rebel to photograph the historic moment that will be passed down the Paris/Pham family tree.

Of course it didn't take too long before girl and boy felt cozy...

The eventual result...weeks later mojo was rediscovered, intuition was restored, and soon after victory was achieved.

Perhaps I'm taking too much credit, but as a journalist I've learned never to let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Thomson is Dead...Long Live Thomson

2008-02-16T23:59:00.000-08:00

Words cannot express the loss of my dear friend, Thomson Mason Paris, last December. A brother with whom I Bible worked and worshiped with, often joined in cooking and eating, and laughed and cried with...was no more.

All that remained was an occasional glimpse of a shadowy wraith who would laugh, but not with all his laughter, and who would cry, but not with all his tears.

Thomson, my brother, my friend, my confidant...was gone...

Brother where art thou?

But like the mythical Phoenix, Thomson in January rose from the ashes, better, bolder, brighter and more brilliant than ever.

Thomson The Phoenix is back...Long live Thomson Mason Paris.

Being a Witness

2008-02-15T12:10:00.000-08:00

I found this video where a couple of Christians happen to be videotaping in a Burger King parking lot when they are approached by two Mormon missionaries. Whether this is just an extraordinary coincidence or a fake, the following is an intriguing dialogue (sometimes heated argument) as they begin proselytizing each other.

As you watch this six-minute video, consider the following...

1. What are the Mormons doing right?
2. What are the Mormons doing wrong?

3. What is the Christian doing right?
4. What is the Christian doing wrong?

4. How would you have handle the situation differently (as either party)?

Flame On...

Happy Valentines

2008-02-14T04:40:00.000-08:00

This video goes out to Thomson, who I know has secretly been wishing six times a day for the last six days for me to post this in his honor.

Yes...that's right. It's the Chinese Backstreet Boys singing.

This one's for you T-Bird...Happy Valentines.

Click here for the high quality video and stereo version

P.S. This video is also why people shouldn't eat so much MSG.

Truth VS Opposition

2008-02-13T00:45:00.000-08:00

"Truth, passing by those who despise and reject it, will triumph. Although at times apparently retarded, its progress had never been checked. When the message of God meets with opposition, He gives it additional force, that it may exert greater influence." Evangelism, p. 20

Flame On...

Do Unto Others...

2008-02-11T00:31:00.000-08:00

Last week I was hurrying though the Student Center, pondering how to finish nearly past due assignments I didn’t have time to complete earlier, when a nameless acquaintance crossed my path.

My acquaintance is nameless because, as far as I can gather, is deaf and was never taught any language skills—resulting in him not being able to communicate except through grunting and gesturing. He’s a middle-age man, not a student, who likes to hangout on campus.

I smiled and gave him a hug as I’ve often done in the past and then began moving to the Southern Accent newspaper office so I could work. But before I reached it he stopped me. With his right hand he began rubbing his stomach in a circular fashion.

“Oh, your hungry,” I said and he smiled back.

He then pointed downstairs to where the cafeteria was.

“The cafeteria won’t open for another five minutes,” I said, trying to figure out a way to disengage and finish my assignments.

He opened his wallet and showed me he only had a dollar.

“Oh…you’ll only be able to buy yogurt with that much money,” I said.

He nodded his head as if he understood me, rubbed his belly again and started walking downstairs to the cafeteria. I took that as my cue to head in the opposite direction. I looked over my shoulder at him in time to see him glance back at me with a puzzled look. At that moment I realized that he wanted me to join him. I don’t have time, I thought. I kept walking away when it hit me: He was hungry and he wanted me to buy him lunch. I have work to do, I thought and I turned my back on him as I walked through the office doors.

Later that day I thought about what a hypocrite I was. I used not having time and busyness as an excuse not to help my nameless acquaintance. But the reality is I would have gone to the cafeteria if it had been any one of my other friends inviting me. The only reason I didn’t go with him was because he wasn’t worth my time then. I began reflected on a passage from Ellen White’s Thoughts From the Mount of Blessings…

“The standard of the golden rule is the true standard of Christianity; anything short of it is a deception. A religion that leads men to place a low estimate upon human beings, whom Christ has esteemed of such value as to give Himself for them; a religion that would lead us to be careless of human needs, sufferings, or rights, is a spurious religion. In slighting the claims of the poor, the suffering, and the sinful, we are proving ourselves traitors to Christ. It is because men take upon themselves the name of Christ, while in life they deny His character, that Christianity has so little power in the world. The name of the Lord is blasphemed because of these things.” (Mount of Blessings, pg. 136).

What’s really sad is my friend Ezequiel Vasquez had shown me that previous quotation at the library several minutes before I ran into my nameless acquaintance. I even remember agreeing with Ezequiel with what we just read and thanked God for that insight…

And minutes later I walk out, betray Christ, and blaspheme God’s name by turning my back on a hungry brother in need.

Bridegroom cometh...I'm gonna Myspace

2008-02-05T10:28:00.000-08:00

My friend Justin Wilson once showed up on my frontlawn colporteuring. We had a nice conversation and before leaving he asked me a question.

"You want to hear some good news?" he said.

"What's that?" I said.

"Jesus is coming," he said.

And with that Justin smiled and headed to the next house.

It's funny, I usually remember entire paragraphs of conversations from years ago. But that last exchange with Justin is the only thing I remember about our talk.

I can't tell you the number of frivolous conversations I start everyday...and meanwhile there are people who need to hear about Jesus.

I can't tell you how many frivoulous articles I read in the news...and meanwhile God's word (my Bible) is unopened in my backpack.

And here I am blogging...and Jesus is longing to return...

What am I doing to fulfill the Great Commission?

The Bridegroom is coming...dare I go Myspace?

Unholy Amalgamations

2008-02-05T08:35:00.000-08:00

Britain allows creation of human-animal embryos

Thu Jan 17, 3:30 PM ET

Britain's fertility regulator said Thursday it would allow scientists to create human-animal hybrid embryos for research.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) approved applications from two universities to create "cytoplasmic" embryos, which merge human cells with eggs from animals such as cattle or rabbits.

Scientists argue the research could pave the way for therapies for diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, although opponents condemned the HFEA's decision Thursday as a "disastrous setback for human dignity".

"An HFEA licence committee has considered two applications, from King's College London and Newcastle University, to carry out research using human-animal cytoplasmic hybrid embryos," the authority said in a statement.

"The HFEA licence committee determined that the two applications satisfied all the requirements of the law and has now offered one-year research licences to the two applicants, subject to a series of detailed conditions in each case."

Researchers want to produce hybrids that are 99.9 percent human and 0.1 percent animal.

Read the rest of the story here.

What is Comedy or Stress Relief from School

2008-01-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die."
Mel Brooks
US actor, comedian, & movie director (1926 - )
Why is it that I take so much delight in other people's pain? I know it sounds horrible, but please see the five-second video and perhaps you'll know what I mean...

Jeff Tatarchuk: Wakes up and blogs!

2008-01-10T07:54:00.000-08:00

Hoorey... make merry people. Jeff's awake...

Jeff awoke after his Rip Van Winkle-like slumber to satiate the blogging needs of his fans. As we recall, it has been nine months since his last post. I'd like to thank the Anh Fire Army (i.e. the AFA, i.e. Thomson, Christy, Kristin, Kelsey, Caitlin, et. al.) for its near daily bombardment of Jeff until he heard the loud cry and awoke.

Brother Jeff! Welcome to the land of the living bloggers!

The bridegroom is coming!

Reyna Joy Pham

2008-01-09T12:28:00.000-08:00

For the last nine months I've worried and agonized about becoming a father. Such as: Would I be capable of the job? What did I get myself into? Etc., etc.

But whatever questions I may have had vanished the moment Reyna Joy was born at 4:11 p.m. Tuesday, January 8.

How is it that I can be madly in love with someone I've never met?

I remember when Reyna was in the womb, Vanessa would have me by her belly, talking to our baby so Reyna would know my voice. I often had one-sided conversations with Reyna. Other times I would read from the Bible, Oswald Chambers, Mark Finley, Ellen White, or some other devotion.

The moment the nurse placed Reyna in my arms a feeling of exhilaration flooded my senses.

When I said, "Reyna" she stopped cooing, opened her dark eyes, and looked up at me. After that all I could do was hold her and cry.

Jeff Tatarchuk: An Apology

2007-12-21T17:00:00.000-08:00

I have deleted the post that previously appeared under this image. I was recently contacted by a reader who kindly informed me they were offended by it.

I apologize to everyone who was embarrassed or offended by it--that was not my intention. What was intended was a satirical/humor column about my admiration for a friend and nothing more. Apparently it did not come off that way.

Sincerely,

Anh Pham

Have you forgotten...

2007-12-20T23:59:00.000-08:00

Like a moth to a flame
burned by the fire
My love is blind,
can't you see my desire?

Heaven... not really, but you know what I mean

2007-12-19T23:59:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry for my strange posts lately that haven't made much sense (perhaps including this one). I've been in a funk and somehow posting has helped get it out of my system.

My friend, Christy Kurtz, made a good point yesterday that in theory its good to be transparent—avoiding the facades, pushing past the posturing—but in reality it's not good living in a glass house. Not everyone will understand what someone is trying to say or intend. In addition, sometimes the message I'm trying to convey is only intended for the moment and doesn't necessarily reflect my usual situation. This post sort of falls into that category.

When I first started this blog it was my intention to be real with it. To show both the joy, sadness, and confusion I'm experiencing in my Christian walk. Right now I'm experiencing all three.

Heaven by Bryan Adams

Heaven (a cover version)

Glass Vase Cello Case by Tattle Tale

2007-12-18T13:36:00.000-08:00

Breathe into my hands

Or cup them like a glass to drink from;

Are you still,

still breathing

Are you still,

breathing

Are you still,

still breathing

Are you still,

breathing

Breathe into my hands

Or cup them like a glass to drink from...

The song (sorry I couldn't find a better video with appropriate images).

The song on piano without lyrics.

Saying Goodbye...

2007-12-17T00:37:00.000-08:00

It’s hard to believe that I’m saying goodbye.

Last night I sat on the steps of Wright Hall, shivering in the freezing cold, knowing it was all over.

I waited for my two friends, Thomson Paris and Christy Kurtz, to arrive so we could go downtown and study the Bible with a friend.

Almost 18 months ago we began a journey together, knocking on doors in neighborhoods and apartment complexes, seeking a soul desiring to know God with us.

Thomson was the president of Southern’s Bible Workers Club, wise and determined. Christy was the extroverted sanguine who easily disarmed and befriended the people we came across. I was the shy introvert who—after years of running from God—finally broke through my shell with a desire for sharing Jesus’ love with others.

I first met Thomson in the school library, several days after I joined the Bible Workers Club. I was sitting at a table when I saw him approach me. Thomson flashed his magnetic smile and shook my hand.

“I’m your partner,” he said, grinning. “We’re going to have so much fun.”

I wasn’t quite sure if that was true, wondering if he was a Jesus Freak or a crazy zealot.

The following Sunday I was waiting for Thomson on the steps of Wright Hall so we could begin our first outreach together.

Before he arrived on that sunny afternoon, I met my other partner, Christy, who had an equally sunny personality.

We made small talk until Thomson arrived late in his Honda and picked us up.

I was a little uncertain what lay ahead.

We settled into a routine: Meet at Wright Hall. Thomson arrives late. Group prayer. Christy asleep in the backseat.

Eventually we found ourselves breaking the routine. Christy stopped taking her naps. We would talk during the journey. Little by little knowing each other better.

We found ourselves spending time together outside of Bible work. Eating in the cafeteria, attending parties, socials, functions, vespers, and church. Long conversations in the car, school newspaper office, over meals and the phone became the norm.

It got to where we could communicate without speaking. Thomson would give me a slight nod and I knew he was empathizing with someone we were visiting. I would glance at Christy, raise an eyebrow and she knew I found a situation funny. Christy could intuitively discern Thomson and my motives with a glance.

But I knew it was all ending.

We’re all going our separate ways. Thomson is graduating and preparing for medical school. Christy is finishing her nursing degree. I’m expecting the birth of my first child. I’m uncertain what lies ahead.

Last weekend I drove us back from Bible work, feeling unsettled. It was the first time we didn’t talk on the way back. Instead we listened as Christy sang soulfully as she had never done before. Her beautiful voice hung in the night as the glow from the laptop, playing music, eerily washed our faces white. Christy’s songs of praise somehow seemed like laments. As if the moment knew something we didn’t.

The following Thursday night Thomson called and told me he couldn’t be our partner anymore. Life was getting too complicated—too hard for him to keep working with us. Thomson, our rock, our glue who held us together, was leaving us to keep himself from falling apart.

I heard a voice crack and realized it was my own. My eyes got wet as my mouth turned salty.

So there I was last Sunday night. Trying to hang onto memories by sitting on the frigid steps of Wright Hall instead of my warm car. I was surprised when Thomson called and said he was coming—Christy needed a ride there. He arrived late as usual. I wistfully glanced at Thomson as Christy emerged from the shadows.

“Are you coming with us?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

Thomson gave me a handshake and before he said, “No,” I knew our family was breaking up at Wright Hall where it all began.

It’s only a memory now. We can’t go back. There was a time I didn’t think it would end. I thought endings were something you only found in books.

Thomson Paris: On Fire

2007-12-13T23:59:00.000-08:00

Meet Thomson Paris—my brother from another mother.

I once told him he was a good looking guy with the best smile I'd ever seen. He gave me a weird look.

I'm secure enough in my manhood to recognize a fine looking man. On a scale of 1 to 10 Thomson's smile alone gets an 11 on the hotness scale.

But what makes him such a great guy is the fire that burns inside. I've never in person seen such boldness and consistency from someone who loves Jesus without the pretension, posturing, and self-righteousness that usually accompanies such qualities until I met Thomson.

Thomson and I were at a meeting once where an evangelistic/community service project we supported got lambasted by a couple of people. They didn't think the souls we were trying to help were worth our time. Too much liability they said. Too much danger in helping drug addicts, the mentally deranged, etc. who were just a step above homelessness on the bad side of town. But it wasn't totally what they said that bothered me, it was how they said it. They didn't seem interested in our view. After they spoke they sat with scowls.

Facing such unexpected venom I responded in my typical way:

1. I sat in stunned silence.

2. I got angry.

Not wanting to make a scene and undecided on how I should tactfully respond, I bit my tongue and waited for a change of subject.

However, Thomson wouldn't let it go.

Instead of getting down in the trenches and playing dirty, Thomson countered their presuppositions by being gentle as a dove, yet boldly standing by his convictions for the project. He cited examples of Christ's actions from the Bible. Thomson spoke of how Christ came to the most dangerous place in the universe—Earth, the only place stained by sin—on a search and rescue mission.

It got me thinking of how Jesus chose to grow up in Nazareth (Can any good thing come from Nazareth?). The Messiah spent time eating, drinking, and socializing with prostitutes, tax collectors, and might I add—drug addicts, the mentally deranged, and the homeless. Jesus did these things because He wanted an intimate love relationship with them and know them, if possible, for the rest of eternity.

Nothing was formally resolved between our differing groups, but a lesson was learned by me: Anything worth doing is worth fighting for.

A day later I vented my frustration about the meeting. But Thomson wasn't interested in rehashing the past. He wouldn't be drawn into denigrating anyone.

Never have I learned so much from a friend just from observing him.

That's why I call him, "Thomson the Bold."

Jeff Tatarchuk: Wake up and blog!

2007-12-10T20:49:00.001-08:00

Shhh... not too loud people. Jeff's sleeping...

Jeff must be dreaming up a fantastic blog to impress all his fans. Then again, his last post was eight months ago. Maybe he's forgotten about the joys of blogging. If Jeff keeps sleeping he might become the Rip Van Winkle of bloggers. Oh dear...

Brother Jeff! The Bridegroom cometh!

Awake! Awake!

Flame On

2007-12-05T11:42:00.000-08:00

I loved comic books when I was a kid. One of my favorites was the Fantastic Four—comprised of superheroes Mr. Fantastic, a scientific genius who could stretch his body, The Invisible Woman who could also project force fields, and The Thing who possessed superhuman strength and endurance.

But my favorite was the fourth member of the team—Johnny Storm, better known as the Human Torch. A regular looking guy when he was incognito, he could immediately transform himself into a fiery flying crimefighter by the mere mention of the words, "Flame On".

Jesus wants us to Flame On

In a world of increasing wickedness, the love of most is growing cold.

But, Jesus desires to baptize us with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matthew 3:11).

The Church of Laodicea is rebuked for not being hot. Today many young people are trying to be cool. The Devil wants us to be cool. But Jesus says, "I want you to flame on. Be the Human Torch of My Love." When you flame on, the Devil can’t come close, he can’t stand in the presence of God’s fire. There is nothing more exciting than a Christian on fire. The world sees too many Christians who look like regular human beings. We need supernatural Christians who are covered in fire.

There is a promise that if we cry out, humble ourselves, and seek God's character we will become as hot as flames of fire.

Today we may respond by either being thermometers or thermostats. Thermometers reflect the temperature around them. Thermostats affect the temperatures around them.

The choice before us is either hot, cold, or lukewarm.

Flame On...

Why another blog?

2007-12-03T11:36:00.000-08:00

Why add another voice to the choir of the bazillions other bloggers posting mostly meaningless drivel that 99 percent of the free world doesn't give a rip about?

I figure if my unborn baby has a blog, rated at genius level, how hard could it be?

Also my blog will show the other Anhs, Phams, and Anh Phams how blogging should be done.

Flame On.