Thursday, January 27, 2005

Leaders lead with diligence This is an open invitation to anyone who has a heart for young people: Teens Conference has need of captains and coaches. I know there is much stigma that surrounds TC - it's a meat market, all-hype, more destructive than constructive, etc. - and to be frank, I tend to agree with some of these viewpoints. But I have also seen lives changed, relationships flourished, and a continual development of future leaders for God's ministry. There is difficulty in being a captain or a coach - the duty to diligently lead 20 odd teenagers, to be their closest friend and yet be authoritative, and maybe, ultimately help someone choose a life dedicated to Christ. These are tough duties and I see pastors who are not quite fully equipped to such tasks. I have faith that if you have good character, and a willingness to care for a group of young adults, then God could do great things through you. I have several friends who attribute Teens Conference as their spiritual birthday. It represents a marker in their lives where they consistently reflect back upon and draw strength. It was a wide-opening experience that was the catalyst for many more life changes that results in a developing follower of Jesus. Since their stories are not my own, I won't share them here. But their personal stories have affected me, and I can only relay the conviction that I see. I almost laugh when I hear about their simplistic faith amidst bizarre circumstances (developing a personal faith/connection to Jesus in a crowd of several hundred, c'mon, that sounds funny), yet I cannot deny their health and growth in the Lord. God working through TC has made a difference in people's lives, and now it's in need of leaders. Here's the website if you're interested in helping out, or need more info: http://www.afc-ca.org/tc2005/


Yu-Ling posted at 1/27/2005 01:39:00 PM

Thursday, January 20, 2005

I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman.

- Homer, The Simpsons

Last week, I had my first 'Leadership in the POMO context' class with Jeff Greenman. I've been looking forward to this class since the discussion seems especially relevant with my work at AFC and TCBC - I find it very relevant for Christianity, period. So for my class, there will be a 40% final presentation where we have to explore a certain idea involving the POMO context for leadership. I am SO tempted to do something about the Simpsons ;). I've been reading Planet Simpson while watching Seasons 1-5 of The Simpsons (sometimes with the commentary ON). I can see how the Simpsons was a huge breakthrough in shaping popular culture, and how it accurately parodies real life. In my opinion, the Simpsons is a great example of Art imitating Life imitating Art. When I look at the older episodes, it hinted at a more conservative culture. A time when praying and going to church was still the norm. Words such as 'groin' and 'ass' were heavily scrutinized and FOX wanted to screen such profane language. Work ethics and family values were championed and you can almost figure out the 'moral of the story' for each episode. Now fast forward 10+ years, Simpsons is still going fairly strong - not as strong as before, but many still follow the show - and most episodes revolve around the Simpson family having their dreams fulfilled on a weekly basis. Look at Homer, perhaps the personification of Common America - he gets into all sorts of crazy schemes and more often then not can leave his job at a whim. He freely strangles his bratty son and he neglects his two daughters. He's been on so many vacations and have held so many dream occupations that they're too numerous to count in this blog. Yet for all his craziness and his straight-up dumbness, we love him because of those things. We wish that we could tell off our boss, or strangle the irritating family member, or by means of stupidity/sheer luck, we can have that dream job (albeit for only half an hour on a sunday night). In the Simpsons, I see a culture that has accepted Homer's way of life. In the newer episodes, the Simpson family always expect Homer to come up with some zany scheme. Yet through all the jokes, there are some subversive commentary about our society: Have we placed Christianity as merely a morale system? Or worse, a consumer product? (Go watch 'She of Little Faith' - S13.E02) How do we view the world? Why is America always right? (Go watch 'The Regina Monologues' - S14.E17) How should we respond to issues, causes, beliefs? (Go watch 'Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays) It's interesting stuff... all the more if you hear how purposeful the makers of the show outline the motto 'Entertain and subvert'. Matt Groening mentions that in almost every interview. Oh yeah, I've been tracking 2 book packages rite now - one through chapters.ca that's being delivered in Vancouver (never happened before, they always had the book available in the TO headquarters), and another one being delivered to my aunt in the states. I'll definitely be ordering more books in the US, so if you're coming back into TO, and can bring several books with you - let me know ;) Will post a personal entry next time. Comic Book Guy: But, Aquaman, you cannot marry a woman without gills. You're from two different worlds... (nuclear bomb approaches) Oh, I've wasted my life.


Yu-Ling posted at 1/20/2005 01:52:00 PM

Friday, January 14, 2005

Nondiscipleship is the elephant in the church.

- Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy

I've been reading the Divine Conspiracy for the last few days in preparation for my talk re: discipleship at logos baptist (the one in richmond hill). A lot of books that I have been reading and sermons that I've been listening to would point to this book as a key in contributing to the continuing dialogue about emerging Christianity. Here are a few snippets of the book that I found compelling: "I've been taking all these philosophy courses, and we talk about what's true, what's important, what's good. Well, how do you teach people to be good? What's the point of knowing good if you don't keep trying to become a good person? (p. 4) "Thus, contrary to a popular idea, the kingdom of god is not primarily something that is 'in the hearts of men.' that kingdom may be there, and it may govern human beings through their faith and allegiance to Christ. But his kingdom is not something confined to their hearts or to the 'inner' world of human consciousness. It is not some matter of inner attitude or faith that might be totally disconnected from the public, behavioral, visible world. It always pervades and governs the whole of the physical universe - parts of planet earth occupied by humans and other personal beings, the satanic, slightly ecepted for a while." (p. 26) "Can we seriously believe that God would establish a plan for us that essentially bypasses the awesome needs of present human life and leaves human character untouched?" (p. 38) "History has brought us to the point where the Christian message is thought to be essentially concerned only with how to deal with sin: with wrongdoing or wrong-being and its effects. life, our actual existence, is not included in what is now presented as the heart of the Christian message, or is included only marginally." (p. 41) "Does the gospel I preach and teach have a natural tendency to cause people who hear it to become full-time students of Jesus? Would those who believe it become his apprentices as a natural 'next step'? What can we reasonably expect would result from people actually believing the substance of my message?" (p. 58) Maybe the reason why I've been so dissatisfied recently with the Christian status quo is that I find it visibly lacking of it's redemptive potential. pray for me.


Yu-Ling posted at 1/14/2005 02:14:00 PM

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

[singing] My name is Dawson Leary, and I'm feeling kind of weary. Today is my birthday, and you all look a little bleary. The girl that I cared for left me and ran away, straight into the arms of a guy who turned out to be gay. I got the blues! Yeah! Today I woke up feeling I was born to lose!

- Dawson, Dawson's Creek

I never actually watched Dawson's Creek, but I thought this was a funny quote. Just to be clear, the quote does not in anyway imply the way I'm feeling, nor does it hint at any past relational history. Just to be clear. :) I'm 24 now and it feels like any other day - which is kewl. I'm anticipating a great new year in my personal, communal, vocational, and spiritual development. I hope to share any significant life markers on this blog (along with the mundane updates as well). So what's happening around this time? - Tsunami in South East Asia - Junior Canada Team won gold in hockey - Toronto Raptors won their game vs. Sacramento, they're now 12-21 - still advising at RCCF, praying about elections, WR - TC captain training, CC prep work - taking a leadership course at Tyndale - Grad Group is on the verge of another level of breakthrough - Involvement in TCBC English Ministry Committee - reading books, books, and more books! Tune in again for more updates from a 24 yr old adult.


Yu-Ling posted at 1/05/2005 11:13:00 PM