All things bright and beautiful

Simply amazing video sent to me by the folks over at fywssTV (Fong Yun Wah Secondary School TV), Church of Christ in China youtube. I really enjoyed the video.

Make use of the subtitles (CC button) if needed.

More from the makers of this particular video: CheungLoChurchtv.

Let me write the songs of a nation...

I stumbled upon this blog not too long ago, and by that I mean a minute ago: conversation.acwi-online.org. It looks very interesting, academic, and christian so I will read it when I have more time. Right now I'm off to work, but expect a review of the website sometime soon.

* Blog

* Let me write... post

Is God happy?

This post in particular was made by another blogger, John m. Pond to be exact. I am posting it because like many people I tend to view God as a overly stern and disciplined being. I'm happy to know the Bible shows another side.

Is God happy? Reflections from "God Is The Gospel" by John Piper

In 1 Timothy 1:11 Paul focuses on the gospel as "the glory of the blessed God." The word translated "blessed" in this phrase is the same greek word used in the beatitudes of Jesus in the book of Matthew 5:3-11. It's a crazy fact that only in 1 Timothy 1:11 does the word refer to God, out of the entire Bible. Paul is making a statement about God, as he usually does in his letters. Here in 1 Timothy Paul is making the statement that God is happy, makarios.

"We may learn the phrase "the glory of the happy God" that a great part of God's glory is His happiness. It was inconceivable to the apostle Paul that God could be denied infinte joy and still be all-glorious. To be infinitely glorious was to be infinitely happy. He used the phrase, "the glory of the happy God," because it is a glorious thing for God to be as happy as He is. God's glory consist much in the fact that He is happy beyond all our imagination."

Imagine that. God is happy! Most people in this world awake to the idea every day that God is out to get them. That if they do not live a life full of good works and good deeds then God is out to get them and punish them forever. God does have a side of righteous wrath but it is not eternal for those who trust in Christ as the savior of their lives. So at the end of the day God does not have a kingdom full of worry, sadness, or regret. God knows the end and the end is completely filled with the whole earth proclaiming God is the glorious God, who else is like Him?

J.P.

- Original post link
- Johnmpond.blogspot.com

Tyrone went to hell - 2011

Thugexposed.org

Carnal minded vs Spiritually minded

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:16-25

A Motivated Man

Amotivatedman.com - Nick Vujicic's website.

Life without limbs CBN.com (youtube link)- Interestingly enough this video exists. It is truly the ones in life with the least that give the sweetest and most honest praise. God is great. Truly.

Lift my eyes- David Crowder band

From their All I can say album.

On another note: My heart goes out to those who lost their lives in the earthquake and tsunami that hit japan this friday morning. Really wacko stuff. God help us.

Ravi Zacharias Appealing to Ivy League Students

RZIM.ORG

Thank you for hearing me - David Crowder Band

Endure temptation and do not waver.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

- James 1:1-18

Can Man live without God lecture - by Ravi Zacharias

From the 'Can Man live without God lecture' by Ravi Zacharias at the National University of Singapore.

The four questions every man/woman must answer in life according to RZ:
1. Origin- why am I here?
2. Meaning- what brings me meaning?
3. Morality- what's right and wrong?
4. Destiny- what happens to a human being when he/she dies?

RZIM.ORG

Grammy awards 2011- Switchfoot wins grammy, Lecrae.

Congrats to Lecrae for his grammy nomination for best rap/rock christian album. Congrats to the David Crowder Band for their nomination, and for Switchfoot for winning (both of course are two of my favorite bands). I don't really care much for the grammy awards, and never watched, but I was surprised by the reaction of some christians upon viewing Switchfoots acceptance speech and the crowds reaction to the christian segment of the award show.



Of course the grammy audience don't care for Christian music, in fact you would wonder why they even include a best christian category if not to raise ratings. Even their choice of winner shows their partialty- I felt like DCB was more deserving of the award, the album Church music is FANTASTIC, and far more spiritually potent than Hello Hurricane was. To all the christian artists out there keep making the beautiful and relevant music that is pleasing to God and I along with many brothers and sisters will continue to support. Pleasing God with your music is FAAAAR more important than pleasing a grammy committee, but with the maturity of faith these band members have I'm sure that goes without saying.

I AM SECOND: Brant Hansen

Check out other new vids over at Iamsecond.com

Lauryn Hill on life

Redemption prayer

Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, and said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.

The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

- Jonah 1:17-2:10

Merry Christmas everyone.

Rain down by David Crowder Band.

Lead me- Sanctus Real

I'd never seen the video. Good stuff.

Thou art the Christ- by The Voice

Luv it.

NEW COACH JASON GARRET WINS 1st GAME!

This is what great leadership is about!!!

The cowboys were expected to be one of the three best NFL teams at the start of the season, after finishing the 2009-2010 season with an 11-5 record and a deep playoff run. Then came the losing. The cowboys have lost 7 of their last 8 games this season. Romo got injured in game 7 and the team was lauded for simply packing it in during close games. You might remember my Cowboys win, but still no coach post last year; where I spoke on my feelings towards how the cowboys coaching situation. Well coach Wade Philips is no longer the coach of the cowboys, cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garret's got the job, and nothing could be sweeter in Dallas with todays win.

It takes great leadership to be able to inspire and motivate a talented team to reach for greatness and I think Jason (at least after this game) has proved that he is capable of such a feat. It's only one game, and only one win, but things are looking brighter in the DFW area. The future is looking mighty hopeful indeed. Lets go Cowboys!

I AM SECOND: Baron Batch (& celebrates 2 yrs)

The folks over at I-am-second are celebrating 2 successful years of ministry. The festivities will be held in Carrllton TX on 2nd of December. I'm happy for them and and what tehy've been able to accomplish; bringing like minded people from all works of life together to speak on our shared faith. Baron batch's testimony is one of my favorites from the new batch (ha) of videos from the 'second' camp, and even though I bleed orange (Texas Longhorns fan through and through) I still support BB.

Click here for details on the December 2nd 2010 celebration. FYI: I'm not getting paid to post this and I have no direct affiliation with the organization. lol.