Do we focus more on not misrepresenting Christ or representing Christ?

Do we focus more on not misrepresenting Christ or representing Christ?

Because we can work all we want on not being a misrepresentation of Him, but when it comes down to it, how have we actually represented Him?

"Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary, use words."

It's a great quote and all, but if we aren't actually making an effort to be a representation, it means nothing.

Be an example by your actions, yes, but also by your words. Your thoughts. Your deeds.

If you see a need that you can meet, take care of it.

The Bible clearly states that if we know the good we are supposed to do, and choose not to do it, we've sinned.

A simple act of love and open the door to salvation, but if we don't take that first step, we've lost our opportunity.

At the end of it all, what's more important? Not risking it and getting rejected and having your feelings hurt? Or taking the leap of faith and pursuing the lost?

Besides, they're not rejecting you, they're rejecting God, and if that fact doesn't hurt you more, you need to reflect on what you're placing first in your life.

~Michael Schaffer (Christian Memes Founder)

Lucy, A. afarensis From Other Perspective

Lucy,our 'ancestor' (according to the evolutionist)

Australopithecus afarensis is one of the so-called 'missing links' for evolution theory
WIKIPEDIA

The links below consist of interesting discussions and explanations from another point of view, written by Carl Kerby (a creationist). For me personally it answered my questions regarding this kind of topic.

Some of you may refuse our belief (about creation, it is), but how about spending some minutes to read this article? It won't do any harm, right? (I can assure you, NO hypnosis in there, ha!)

There are only 5 parts of it

First Part
Directories

Spoiler:

Perhaps you are thinking, “Carl, You’re a creationist. You’re biased!” Well, you’re right, I am biased. My presupposition is that I believe what God said in His Word. So let’s look at only the observable evidence, the “beef”, and follow it to a logical, testable conclusion.

See? No forcing, no childish arguments, we just want the 'beef'. Why shouldn't we share the 'beef'? ;)

Simon says, “Pat your head”.
We pat our heads.
Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples…” We memorize that verse.
- Francis Chan

On The Box: Today’s Show Notes: Thursday, 7th February 2013.

On The Box: Today’s Show Notes: Thursday, 7th February 2013.: (Email from A.) “I was wondering if tarot cards are okay to use. I personally just use them as a source of minor income for my family ...

The Transformer Generation

The words "Transforming" and "Fighting" echoed in my head lately

We are the fighting generation, transformer generation

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:12

We have to fight in this era, to create better generation.

Perhaps, many of our parents have 'wordly teachings' (their life, lifestyle and teachings imparted to the children that are according to the world)
However, who on earth is righteous since their born day?
Clearly shown by Colossians 1:21

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

We are fighting to break the chain
What chain?

CURSE (idolatry, child's sacrifice to gods, occultism)
HATRED (violence, trauma, vengeance)
... You name it

To put it simple: Chain of SIN

Fighting this kind of chain can not be done by hating, it needs LOVE. Whose? GOD
Hating your previous generation (parents, leaders, seniors) will never solve the problems, you'll be trapped in this chain of sin instead, slowly but sure you'll take resemblance with people you hate (at heart)

God said:

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." - Exodus 20:12

8Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
9They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
- Proverbs 1:8-9

I know many of you have known these verses, but knowing it and living it are not the same thing.

As the transformer generation, we ought to create better generation starting from us to the next generation. It's a textbook thing to say 'this generation should be better than previous, and so on", yet we often forget about it, we live like we have no responsibility at all, we live only for ourselves.

Here's the thing, maybe nothing seems wrong by living according to your heart, but there's no guarantee that you'll create better future and generation (moreover, if you are teaching them to live just according to their own way, without a MANUAL).

Be strong and stay faithful, friends

How to break the chain and create better generation?

Do what GOD told us to do, some verses above have answered that

But it's hard to do so, you don't know about my parents, my life... ...

No, I don't

Every person has their own kind of struggle in their life according to their own capacity

But God does

God has His own reason in giving His commands

I can't promise you anything for I'm a mere human, except to show you God's promise to those who's faithful to Him.

How can I believe that?

Because God is faithful

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13

Do not repeat bad history, we have that choice to transform the generation, starting from ourselves.

This task is not for some of us, but all of us.

Believe me, the next generations need our efforts today

Fight for our generation and be different (living what God, and not human said) as the transformer generation

On The Box: Words of Comfort: Success and the Sinner’s Prayer

On The Box: Words of Comfort: Success and the Sinner’s Prayer: As you share the gospel, divorce yourself from the thought that you are merely seeking "decisions for Christ." What we should be seeking ...

I (We) Love February

Born Again?

Born again!
A familiar phrase known by many believers
Ada yang bilang lahir baru or lahir kembali

Ceritanya: I registered myself to the Men's Conference, held by GMS Lighthouse Palembang and I'm blessed so much.
Maybe I have understood the points of the workshop. But, hey! With a truly humble heart, I'm equipped with even much much greater things

I've promised my beloved Fresh-Com mates to do a short summary about this workshop, so I'll get it done ASAP :D

There were 2 speakers: Ps. Maxi Eduard Lonta and Ps. Arman Harijanto
Ps. Maxi is the senior pastor in GMS Lighthouse, while Ps. Arman is an often-invited speaker by GMS.
Their messages are powerful, I'm thankful for joining this conference.

Ps. Arman sometimes mentioned about his service age, 11/12 years in CMN etc etc.
I wonder, but then I remembered Sidney Mohede's project to celebrate his 20th year of being born again in Christ (Solo Concert: Louder Than Life)
Then today, my friend, Irawan Chandra tagged me on his own note. Sorry haven't read it all, bro haha.
I saw his writing about his past experience of being born again in 2010 and Silvia Sugianto's comment: First love with God is unforgettable

I told myself,"Mak, gua ga pernah ingat kapan gua lahir baru. Padahal banyak orang bilang 'pengalaman pertama' itu sulit dilupakan". Padahal pengen kan tuh, bisa mengingat n merayakan berapa tahun bersama2 dengan Tuhan (jadi momen yang berharga untuk diingat misalnya), dll dll hahaha
As long as I can remember, I've surrendered myself to God personally since I was in elementary school (Kelas 1 SD, BPK Cirebon) or even earlier, I'm not sure.

Being a rationalist, I remember that I said: I never want to believe something (God) just because my parents believe in it (Him).
Mengesampingkan fakta bahwa gua lupa kapan gua lahir baru (haha), I'm grateful that God Himself leads me and my family step by step, slowly but sure, in knowing Him more!

And that's God's Grace!
Mentioned by Ps. Arman today, seringkali kita bingung untuk bebas dari dosa ini itu ini itu, inget bahwa itu bagiannya Tuhan! We just have to let Him live in us and us in Him, itu kuncinya.
Banyak orang Kristen merasa cukup setelah 'Yesus hidup di dalam kita', sayang sekali Yoh 15:5 berkata lain
Akulah pokok anggur dan kamulah ranting-rantingnya. Barangsiapa tinggal di dalam Aku DAN Aku di dalam dia, ia berbuah banyak, sebab di luar Aku kamu tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa.

Banyak yang lupa untuk tinggal di dalam Tuhan.

My point is:
Ga peduli kapan engkau mulai mengenal Tuhan, jangan pernah lepas dari Pokok Anggur yang benar!
Mau baru percaya kek, mau sudah lama ikut Tuhan kek, mau baru melayani, atau sudah tua dalam pelayanan, God's grace is enough to refresh and strengthen your everyday life. Bahkan, without God's grace, we are actually nothing!
Pengalaman hidup bersama2 Tuhan bukanlah pedoman yang credible untuk dijadikan sebagai pengganti Firman Tuhan, never has and never will.

Gua bersyukur, meskipun gua ga pernah mengingat kapan tanggal exact gua dilahirkan kembali ataupun bagaimana manisnya awal cinta gua sama Tuhan, Tuhan tetap mengajarkan gua tentang hal tersebut bahkan manisnya cinta Tuhan itu gua alami lebih dan lebih. Hidup gua saat ini is the sweetest and closest moment with Jesus as long as I live, YET FOR NOW

I don't know why I wanted to write this kind of random post
I merely hope we can rejoice in Him every single day far from feeling bored or living life as routinity.
Caranya mudah: Biarkan Tuhan hidup di dalam kita DAN (yes, it is an AND expression, not OR) kita di dalam Tuhan
Happy sunday!

Recent Updates 2013/02/02

Dear blogspot...
Today I started my day with some urgent business given by my father.
After I finished my work, I'm resting myself and writing this post while drinking a cup of delicious coffee
(boong abis hahaha).

I'm not a huge fan of coffee, apalagi setelah dengar seminar Pak Yohanes Sunardi kalo 1 glass of coffee = - 4 glasses of water, idih males abis la itu.
I do drink coffee on some special occasions such as: Kejar bahan exam sistem SKS, ditraktir orang, diajak temen, lagi pengen (jarang banget), biar terasa romantis, ataupun biar terasa ada kesan dewasa n misterius nya *apasih.

Oke, lupakan cerita singkat tentang kopi di atas, yuk kembali ke jalan yang benar...

The real story is that I'm really helping my father's business haha
Like today, I had to utilize my brain to remember what I've been taught in university.
Ilmunya keluar tuh, itung volume la, sudut la, dll (in case you don't know, my father previously worked as binchotan producer), it also includes my experience in researching/ writing an essay (I'm glad I met the spartan CIMP ENG4C lecturer, Mr. Tan Meng Chwen that I learnt so much about this)
ps: akhirnya ilmunya kepake *terharu.

Yang lagi terngiang2 belakangan adalah: God's Heart.
Dari post yang di-share oleh Bu Silvia Sugianto, chattingan dengan Bu Sarita, komennya Brian Adam dll, it's about understanding God's Heart.
Simple principle and fact: Jesus LOVES sinners but HATES sin
I don't know what you've been going through, I don't understand, and can't as deep as you yourself. But God can, I don't care (don't want to focus on) what our problems are, I just believe as long as you are faithful to Him, He will make a way. That's it!

Perjalanan keluarga gua dari Medan-Bandung-Cirebon-Palembang adalah mujizat, kelangsungan study gua dari kecil is a miracle, diterimanya gua dari SD Meth 2 ke SMP Xav 1 is a miracle, masuk dan lulus dari kelas Aksel is a miracle, kuliah di Malaysia tanpa 'ditarik kembali' is a miracle, what happened to me (us) on 31 January 2013 is a miracle. (no, I'm not dating anyone. Gua jadian mah bukan mujizat la ya #eh #sombong #ngelantur)
Buat teman2 dekat, I will tell more about it specifically (if only you ask, anyway haha).

I'm the product of God's love, grace and miracles... full stop.

Next, "We used to try to be holy so that we can be close to Jesus, but His grace lets us be close to Him and make us holy..." @kennysgoh
Source: Sidney Mohede's instagram
I don't have android or stuff, so I just follow (stalk) some people via website haha

Gua sedikit kebingungan untuk me'rumus'kan kalimat kesimpulan tentang hal ini.
Kalimat2 yang sudah gua susun, susah untuk menjawab pertanyaan2 yang muncul (dari gua sendiri misalnya), for example: Kalo God's grace yang "lets us be close to Him and make us holy", kenapa kita masih perlu 'berusaha' untuk hidup kudus? Terus, tujuan menjadi holy kalau bukan 'to be close to Jesus' apa dong? (please note that I understand the importance of keeping one's holiness before God dan bahwa manusia itu ga sanggup melakukannya tanpa grace dari Tuhan haha).

Yah pertanyaan2 semacamnya lah, sampe kepengen order rekaman khotbahnya Kenny Go untuk bisa mengerti lebih dalam apa arti dari penggalan kalimat di atas. Sekali lagi, gua orang yang rasional, butuh bukti dan peneguhan juga dong, ga bisa modal utamanya 'I think' or 'I feel that...' doang dalam share ke orang2

Masih menyangkut God's Heart, tiba2 kalimat2 ini muncul: "Word of God is not restrictive, it's protective."
Bahwa apa yang dituliskan oleh Tuhan, adalah untuk kebaikan kita sendiri (if we know that breaking traffic laws is dangerous for us, we will not do that, will we?).

Everything's from God and everything's for God
Benar, tapi bukan berarti Tuhan itu egois #simple

God is a loving Father.
Yang dikehendakiNya adalah kebaikan kita. Supaya kita hidup maksimal dan dicap baik. 'Baik' yang seperti apa? Seperti standarnya Tuhan la #simple #kokmasihnanya (padahal ga ada yang nanya)

Sooo, kalaupun kita diperintahkan Tuhan untuk hidup kudus (kenapa kekudusan? Karena ini topik yang muncul dari membuka instagram Sidney Mohede tadi dan juga topik dari Men's Conference GMS Lighthouse Palembang), itu juga untuk kebaikan kita, supaya kita hidup berkenan di hadapanNya.

God's grace bikin kita dekat dengan Tuhan, tapi untuk menjaganya/supaya kita tetap mengarah kepadaNya, kita mesti berusaha hidup kudus (ga cuma doa tanpa usaha mematikan kedagingan). Jangan sampe kita bilang, "yah tunggu God's grace aja untuk menang dari kedagingan, kita mah sante2 aj."

Prayer Is Never a Substitute for Obedience - A. W. Tozer

Kenapa kita harus dekat sama Tuhan? Supaya kita maksimal hidupnya dan memenuhi tujuan kita diciptakan, di mana tujuan tsb disimpan oleh Allah sendiri (manusia = objek kasih dari Allah).

Masih banyak lagi sih yang lagi gua pelajari belakangan, tapi untuk saat ini, sekian deh ya :D

Gbu guys

Recent Updates 2013/01/22

Hey guys, now I've been working on something important, my dad's business stuffs haha
Short story, it's kind of tiring, I've spent 6+ hours/day at a cyber cafe for 3 days. Without doing anything fun (except playing Cat Mario, is it fun? Just try it, click HERE to download and you'll understand) while checking on the download progress.
At the first day, I had to click on each file just to download, there were 785 files and my recent download was 1.9 GB in size, luckily now it's within a rar folder. There are some more problems happened like ISP Server's disturbed connection and stuffs beyond my ability scope, and I prayed once again asking for God's guidance (if you understand the story behind this business, you'll see what I mean)

I'm reminded at Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 

 

Second, my pastor in GMI Bethlehem Palembang is one of writers for Manna Sorgawi, Pdt. Sadikin Gunawan. We had some conversations about things like theology, teaching English to his daughter, books he write (Rhema Sorgawi etc), Mansor's trip to Israel, blog writing and many more hahaha.
I think he's the second person at Bethlehem (since Cuantau Jefry Lie) that I can talk many things with.
I'm blessed to know him (well, I knew him since I was a kid, but you know, I didn't expect him to be this 'fun' regarding Christian's life :D)

So he offered me to read his book collections, mostly about theology, written by credible authors.
I was being alert whenever I heard the word 'Theology', I found it was fascinating since years ago (I studied theology from bible workshops), but I'm tired of facing people with theological knowledge minus heart of God, people who chase after the 'logos' but not God Himself, people who understand many things but do less things or even nothing at all, which doesn't show that they are Jesus' followers. I don't want to become one of them.

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

 

I prefer 'know less love more' to 'know more love less'
and I decided to walk my way focusing more on the heart of God, rather than on the knowledge

During my daily devotion, I was reminded that "everything about Jesus is good, even the knowledge itself". I know that God had led me to FGCC to prepare me more and more of God's heart before I'm equipped with more knowledge.
When the time comes that I should be equipped with more theology, I'll be prepared from the inside out.
I don't need to worry too much, to the point that I'm afraid of learning so-called theology.
If it is God's will, He'll prepare everything and of course He's wiser than anyone else.

I want to share some of  what I think interesting lesson I learnt :P
Matius 5:14
Kamu adalah terang dunia. Kota yang terletak di atas gunung tidak mungkin tersembunyi.

Adalah = bentuk penegasan (by Pdt. Sadikin Gunawan)
Bukan 'jadilah terang dunia'.
Kata 'jadilah', 'haruslah' itu berarti proses: belum menjadi -> sudah menjadi.
Again, you ARE the light

There must be something wrong if you are not (living as the light)

I also read some writings such as:

Sarita's post
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them"; -  Ecclesiastes 12:1

Her friend's post

And short sentence from Pdt. Petrus Agung's sermon by Yohana Setiani
We mostly talk about Jesus, but rarely talk with Jesus. Let's change that