Driscoll's Sermon on Haiti

How can God let such things happen in Haiti?

John 9:3 - "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in [their lives]."

Many people are asking how can God let such things happen in Haiti. A National Post editor made a statement that "God may have abandoned Haiti". People commenting that prayer will not help the people in Haiti (Comment #32).

My wife and I had a discussion on our views on the tragedy in Haiti, and our conclusion is that God has not abandoned Haiti , "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in [their lives]." Haiti has been on the news throughout last decade, especially during the 2004 Haitian rebellion. But while poverty and injustice continued on this island nation most of the world sat on our hands or wasn't aware of it.

Now this tragedy happened and Haiti has thrust into headline news in all major newspaper and news broadcast. Was God punishing Haiti for their past transgressions as Pat Robertson has suggested on national TV? I don't think so. Just as Jesus said in John chapter 9:1-3

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."

What happened in Haiti is a reminder of us, children of God, to stand up against injustice and to show the world the love of God so that the work of God might be displayed. Or as another National Post editor as put it, "The earthquake was not His wrath being unleashed on Haiti's people; it was a slap to the face of every single so-called 'caring, liberal' nation on this planet -- a slap strong enough to knock the blinders from our eyes."

Brothers and sisters, God has placed the nation of Haiti in the centre of our lives this week. Let us pray and take action so that the work of God might be displayed.

Pray for and support a fellow sister from DR, she had rented a van and loaded it with food at her own cost and now in Haiti. (http://shannonconaghan.blogspot.com/2010/01/going-solo.html)

Here is another response by Donald Miller:
http://donmilleris.com/2010/01/13/1513/

A Write Up to My Reaction to the Asian Worship @urbana09

@moomooaudrey #urbana09

Dear Audrey,

First of all I would like to thank you and the worship team for your service in leading us in the singing aspect of worship at Urbana2009. I believe God would have been pleased by the praises lifted up to His Name. And also thank you for opening our eyes and bringing us to the various neighbourhoods of worship. It was truly a small glimpse of what heaven would be like.

In response to your tweet: "I saw your tweet about Asian American worship and was intrigued to know what you would have done otherwise?" I apologize if my comment might have come out harsh, let me assure you that no ill intent and negativity was intended. The idea was to generate discussion among my fellow pastors and church leaders on the state of Asian Worship.

Before I continue, let me introduce you to my neighbourhood. My name is Joel Tang and I am the English Pastor of Logos Baptist Church (York Region Mission) just north of Toronto, Canada. We are a Chinese church with a Cantonese speaking congregation as well as an English speaking congregation. The worship experience at my church would be exactly like the one you described in your worship set, wanting to be invisible and as though it is just me and God. The choice of music would be very similar to that of your set too, therefore I felt completely at home in your neigbourhood as we worshiped the Lord.

While I am not a worship pastor, I have had the opportunity to interact with various worship leaders and pastor while I was a sound technician before I became a pastor myself. The common consensus is that our worship experience is a very Western Asian worship style.

In the North American context, this style of worship will provide a comfortable neighbourhood for Asian Americans to worship. But since the context of Urbana is global missions, how would Asians in various Asian countries react to such style of "Asian Worship"? Recently having the opportunity to speak to a worship mission team from Japan, he stated that such Western style of worship is extremely popular in Japan. It is because the youths in Japan embraces everything Western, and as a result, it leads to idolatry where the youths are worshiping the Western culture instead of worshiping God.

Also God has given Asians around the world an abundance of creativity and a long heritage. In addressing the global setting of Urbana, why are these creativity not reflected in our worship when we are invited into the Asian neighbourhood? The African drums and Natives dances provided us with a glimpse of creativity of other cultures and allow us to praise the creative God. That's why I was so excited to experience the Indian worship (with the Sitar) on the two occasion after my initial comment. My only wish that it was included and introduced in the "Asian neighbourhood".

I only have a limited resource on the pulse of Asian worship around the world, but being Chinese myself, here are some worship music that are coming out of the churches in China and Taiwan. I can further ask my fellow Korean pastor and missionaries from Japan and Thailand for other examples.




I do understand that with the limited time and resources, as well as copyright issues, it was difficult to explore every culture on the earth. I do hope this can generate discussion to enhance our Asian worship experience, leading us to celebrate our heritage and the creative God, even as we worship Him here in North America. Thank you once again for your time and your service at Urbana. I was my pleasure meeting you on this cyberspace extension of Urbana 2009. :)

Blessings,
Joel

PS. If you have the chance, can you let Tim know that Jenny and Joel says hi and attached is a picture for him.

Urbana 2009 Day 5 Photos

#Urbana09

Happy New Year!!!

Fellowship Spring form Mission

#Urbana09

In terms of inter-cultural/inter-ethnic/inter-generational ministry work, one conformation I've been getting at Urbana (affirming what I've leran in NACCOWE) is that "Fellowship springs from Mission. Mission does not spring from Fellowship." When a group of individual have a common mission, independent of their background, there will be fellowship. However, a group of friends 'hanging out' does not mean they have a mission.

Therefore, our ministry is not merely pulling groups of people together and let them have fun with one another, but to instill a purpose and a mission in them.

Reconciliation comes from a sense of mission.


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Urbana 2009 Day 4 Photos

#urbana09

"Love" & "Go"

#Urbana09

It is in the context of deep meaning relationship that spiritual formation takes place. Before any going, before any doing, before any discipleship, there has to be love, connection and reconciliation.

What I am learning today is that in order for the church to move forward as he had promised we would, first there must be reconciliation. This is where I see our congregation is at. We are ready to serve. We are ready to lead. Yet we need to reconcile.

The Great Commission and the Great Commendment goes hand in hand. There's no "Go" without love. There's no "make disciples" without loving your neighbour.

However, to love and to reconcile requires struggles and wrestling with oneself. But struggles and wrestling comes sorrow. Yet there is joy in sorrow. We must approach loving your neighbour and reconciliation not with bitterness, but to embrace sorrow - where we can find joy.

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Urbana 2009 Day 3 Photos

#Urbana09

Hope you enjoy the photos from Day 3.

Defender of the Message

#urbana09

I've always been a lay back person. Nothing much gets me angry but however learning from today's "Let Scripture Speak" the Jesus was angry in John 2:13-25.

Jesus was angry because the truth was violated. The temple vendors had allowed the means to replace the message. And when the message of God's salvation to the Gentiles was violated, Jesus got angry.

As I lead my group to Urbana to see Jesus, is there anything violating the message to my students. I should stand up to defend te message, so that the message can then be a model of how to serve.


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Urbana 2009 Day 2 Photos

Hope you enjoy the photos:

Make God Visible. Make Yourself Invisible

I'm feeling that's the messge God is reminding me at Urbana this year.



Thanks to Patrick Fong for speaking the Word of God, and his words on Joy and Suffering vs Joy and Bitterness.

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Breathing a Sigh of Relief

What a relief to finally register for the conference an check-into the hotel - to have the group settled in. Now we can fully enjoy the conference and no worry about the minuet details. Praise God for Albert for getting us awesome rooms for a great rate.

Last night Ramez Atallah took us through John1:1-18. Specifically verse 14. He reminded us that the Incarnation is 1) the means God reaches to us. 2) His message to us - "grace and truth". 3) model of how to minister. (identification, weakness, vulnerability)



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Arrived in Urbana2009

After 2 long days on the road, we've arrived at Urbana 2009. Tired, but definitely excited to see all their enthusiasm. I'm just relieved to have them registered and check-in the hotel. Now they can go, explore by themselves, and experience God's Word.

Tired. Time to sleep first. Here are several photos for you to enjoy. Good night.

On the road to Urbana09

Today is our second day on the road to Urbana09. I cannot thank God enough for watching over us on our drive. We were blessed with wonderful weather at the beginning of the trip but as we approached Michigan City yesterday it started to blizzard and the conditions got treachous. We witnessed two cars gone off the side of the highway. The flow of traffic slowed down and we made it into Michigan City uneventfully.

The group had a great night of shopping and triple steakburgers at Steak and Shake when we came up with the ambitious idea to hit Willow Creek for Sunday Service. I knew it would be a good experience but I also know that it would be taxing to the group with another early morning start and an extra 1.5 hours of driving. However they seem eager and we went ahead with the plan.

In the morning we were pressed for time so we didn't have time to stop for breakfast but we made it to Willow at 9:10a for early Service. I was worry about the moral of the group for skipping breakfast but it seem that they were able to sleep during the ride and they were excited to experience Willow.

Compared to 3 years ago, I begin to find this Urbana experience very different. Three years ago I was merely a fellow participant at Urbana with the other 5 of us from the church. But this time I am their pastor with 19 of us in total. There's the pressure of watching over this group and maintaining their moral throughout the conference. I guess my heart can rest a little when we settle down at St. Louis. But I pray that I can set a good example for my congregation as Freda and I lead them.

The condition on the road is patchy right now. Praying for our current drivers: Gen, Joel Lau and Freda as well as other still en route to Urbana.

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Urbana 2009 LiveBlog

Reviving my blog to liveblog from Urbana2009.

Wedding Checklist

Jenny and I had the chance to do a bulk of the wedding planning in Toronto before she left for Vancouver on Saturday. I am pretty happy about our progress. It was a busy two weeks of running around while she was in town, but I feel we are well ahead of the game... well, at least we survived that meeting my mom "called" in regards to the wedding. Jenny and I were more prepared going into that meeting than my mom was.

Here are the details of our wedding so far.

Date: Saturday, May 24th, 2008
Place: Logos Baptist Church (Miliken)

Toronto Reception: May 24th @ New Century Palace Restaurant

Vancouver Reception: May 31st, location TBD

Wedding Party:
Bridesmaids: Robyn Mulvena, Annie Szeto & Angie Tang
Groomsmen: Evan Chu, Genuine Lam & Jonathan Nip

• Pastors and officiant are booked
• Pre-marital counselling arranged
• Colour scheme determined, bridesmaid dresses picked out and taken care of
  
• Found help for decoration, photography, wedding cake, florist, and ushers
• Found traditional gown and attire for the tea ceremony
  
• Got a good selection of bridal gowns to choose from, just need second professional opinion

Oh, I'm so excited!!!

Nepal Slashes Rates for Climbing Everest

I have preached about the sacrifice and the cost of climbing Mount Everest.... but look, Nepal will be reducing the rates to climb Mount Everest by up to 70%. The bad news is that you’ll have to climb during autumn and winter, so plan on only going partway up or at least tell your family they’ll have to host your funeral without a body. Nepal regularly charges about $70,000 per team for a permit to climb Mount Everest, and so far no teams are planning on climbing in autumn or winter. I’m a bargain shopper—they say it’s more dangerous in winter, but I’m sure it’ll be fine.

Harry Potter and Wilderness Survival

Since I started reading Harry Potter a few weeks ago (thanks Jenny & Phivan), I came across an article on how the average witch or wizard would cope in the backcountry with nothing but a wand. It only refers to spells/charms that actually come up in the books, because you could speculate just about anything.

Navigation: Harry does use a spell in "Goblet of Fire" which helps him to find his way through a maze by pointing his wand north. So basically you'd have a compass. Good start.

Warmth: Wands are used for starting fires throughout the books, so given some wood to burn warmth would not be a problem.

Rain Gear: At one point, Hermione puts a spell on Harry's glasses so that they'll repel water during a Quiddich match. If you put the same spell on your clothes, you could theoretically walk in the rain without getting wet.

Food: This is tougher. As far as the books suggest, you can't just conjure food out of thin air. I'd suggest finding a river with fish in it, and then stunning the fish so you can grab them. Or the "impedimentia" jinx would stop them from being able to swim away. Also, you can use an engorgement spell to make things bigger, so a few edible mushrooms or berries found by the trail could be increased in size to make a decent feed.

Water: There are moments when wizards have water spew forth from their wands in the books, so I guess as long as that water is clean there's no need to carry or filter any. Which is good, because I haven't heard of any anti-Giardia spell.

SOS: This one's easy. From their first year in school the young witches and wizards learn to send sparks into the air from their wands to call for help.

Of course, if an adult wizard were lost in the woods, he could simply disapparate and show up back at home. But then, that would be cheating!

Engaged at 1685 meters above sea level!!!

Dear beloved brother and sisters,

Thank for your prayers and encouragements over the past few months. I am excited to announce that Jenny and I got engaged on July 24th, 2007.

Due to construction of the highway near sea level, Jenny and I were forced to attempt a more difficult ascent up the mountain. Jenny and I spent seven hours hiking up Brunswick Mountain. The hike was grueling; we passed through the land of giant slugs, swamps of flying insects, and we spent the last 200m ascent on our hands and knees scrambling up a rock slide. At times it was discouraging due to the cloud covers on the majority of the climb and the difficulty of the ascent. I had thoughts of postponing the proposing due to the conditions but I knew you were all praying for me so I turned to God’s leading. And praise the Lord as we summit Brunswick Mountain we were greeted with clear blue sky. The sky cleared the moment we reached to top and I took the cue from the Lord. We were treated with the majestic view of the coastal mountains north of Vancouver.

I told Jenny that I want God's majestic creation to witness this occasion and at that I got down on my knees and proposed. Jenny managed to whisper a “yes” and the rest is history. :-)

Thank again for all your prayers and for allowing me to share this wonderful chapter of my life with you all. Feel free to bombard me with more questions when I am back in Toronto with Jenny in a few weeks.


Blessings,

Joel & Jenny

First-born child reaps IQ advantage

From the Toronto Star:

Study finds the eldest scores 2.3 points higher than next sibling in line

Joseph Hall
health reporter

If you've spent a lifetime losing arguments to your older brother or sister, there's likely a good reason for it.

Chances are they really are a little smarter than you.

A study of more than 240,000 Norwegian teenagers says that first-born children are, on average, 2.3 IQ points more intelligent than the next kid in line.

And study author Dr. Petter Kristensen said in an interview that each successive child is likely to be a little less smart than the one before.

The research, published today in the journal Science, drew its data from male Norwegian army conscripts aged 18 and 19. In Norway, almost all male teenagers are required to perform military service and IQ tests are mandatory. It showed the average IQ of the first-born men was 103.2 compared with 101.2 for second-borns and 100 for third-borns.

Kristensen says earlier research showed the same intelligence differences in female siblings.

The Norwegian study also showed second-born men who had an older sibling die in infancy had an average IQ of 102.9 while those that had two elder siblings die had an average IQ of 102.6, still higher than second and third-borns.

"The study provides evidence that the relation between birth order and IQ score is dependent on the social rank in the family and not birth order as such," the researchers write in Science.

The Norwegian data does not shed light on why social rank matters, although there are several theories.

First among them is that the sheer amount of attention parents can shower on first-borns is diluted as each new child arrives, says Kristensen, a professor at Norway's National Institute of Occupational Health.

"When number two (or three) comes, there will be sharing of resources and less for each."

Those parental "resources" are not likely related to the material goods or money allotted to the eldest child, but the amount of time parents can spend on such things as reading and playing.

But parental attention cannot be the sole explanation for the elder child phenomenon since the research showed only children are less intelligent on average than first-borns in larger families, he says.

"In fact ... it's quite clear that only children score lower than first children in two or three-child families," he says. "I'm not sure what the reasons for this are, but there have been (theories that) the older child gains from tutoring the younger children."

The only-child effect may be unique to Norway, where most affluent and socially stable families – those likely to raise more intelligent children – tend to have at least two or three offspring.

But even accounting for socio-economic differences, some of the IQ deficit still exists for only children, Kristensen says. Earlier research showed the same intelligence differences in female siblings, according to the Norwegian researcher.

Birth order expert Frank Sulloway, who wrote an analysis of the Norwegian work, says the 2.3-point IQ difference between first and second born children may appear modest, but could have significant consequences.

He said, for example, that such a point spread could easily make the difference between getting into a first-tier university or having to settle for second- best.

Sulloway, a visiting scholar with the Institute of Personality and Social Research at the University of California, Berkeley, believes the IQ advantage enjoyed by older siblings is rooted in their function within the family unit.

In particular, he says, their frequent role as babysitter and teacher to younger siblings builds a mindset that they are more responsible and intelligent than their brothers and sisters and translates into the elevated IQ score.

Sulloway called the Norwegian paper the "most important" done in the field in the past 70 years and estimated its sample size was at least 50 times bigger than the next largest sibling order study.

He also said it left the theory that the IQ advantage doesn't exist "dead as a doornail."

But Sulloway pointed out that the "elegantly designed" Norwegian research averages out IQ levels over an entire population and that younger siblings can and often do score higher than older ones in many families.