It's been more than a week...

since my last update...
Even so, there isn't much to update on... Whenever I can I try to go other places and see how God uses me outside of the house and church. On the side note, it also keeps me away from the overprotected aunt that treats me like I'm 13 instead of 23...

Teaching ESL is the same.. Kids are forgetting their materials which isn't good. One thing I realize is that the teachers are much more strict and meaner. They don't hold back on their anger and will yell at the kids instilling fear in them to make them improve and not make the same mistakes again... I've also noticed that it works... unlike in the US where every assumes the kid is right and the teacher is wrong. Too much babying the children in the US where they need to be cuddled and protected.... where in Taiwan, if the teacher yells at you.. you screwed up and made yourself and your family look bad...

I've haven't had a really good night of sleep this week... Mosquitoes have been attacking me and waking me up constantly in the middle of the night.. Sorry if it sounds like I'm complaining but it does get on my nerves having to wake up at odd hours of the night..

Other than that... I have nothing new

Till Next Time!

LOL@sin!

I see this issue as a pretty big problem currently in pretty much everyone's life... This doesn't exclude Taiwan or any other country... but I always see this in the U.S. basically because of how much sin is overlooked due to how liberal people are.

The Bible states in Proverbs 14:9: "Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is favor". To mock is to make fun of, to ridicule, to laugh at... basically to make light of something... We obviously know what sin is, but Satan makes it so oblivious sometimes that it is extremely hard to tell what is sin. I'm obviously not going to tell you what sin is since it pretty much explains itself...

This is a tough issue to tackle since I mock sin myself... But I have started to watch what I watch... One of the programs that I now refuse to watch is Family Guy, which is basically what all college students watched pretty religiously... After being convicted about it since it clearly mocks sin and everything else in general, I stopped watching it. I used to remember what time it comes on, but now, I could care less. However, it doesn't make it easier that all my friends were watching it as well and asked if I watched the newest episode or if I remember "that joke"... which promptly ends it, "sorry don't watch that junk"...

But I also find people starting to mock sins blatantly...  If they struggle with a sin, instead of confronting it, they mock it! They try to make light of their weakness instead of confessing that they actually do have a huge problem on their hands.

As an example, I'll use myself. I'll admit, I had a problem with patience before, it went away during the college years, but I have now begin to discover it's starting to rear it's ugly head again... I've been wanting to get stuff now instead of later.. such as emails, messages, or gifts that I've been meaning to buy for people back home. I find myself hurried, that it needs to be bought today... while I should not exhaust myself by going out of my way but instead pace myself and wait for another day where I wouldn't be as tired (how dumb right?)

That's me, taking a weakness by the handle and overcoming a potential sin (wearing myself out, quicker to anger when I'm tired could destroy my witness)
If I make light of my impatience, I not only lie to myself, but impatience is the opposite of the fruit of the spirit: patience. Impatience isn't necessarily a sin, but if left unchecked could definitely lead to some major problems...

I believe pride could potentially be the worse of this. Not only are you not going to admit that you're prideful because.. well... you're too proud to admit it, but if you mock it, it's even worse... You start making light of this sin.. never to actually confront it and in turn just making your pride grow thinking that you've conquered it, but instead made it worse.

I've noticed a lot of "You're going to hell!" quotes on Facebook these days.... I hate those with a passion.. "but why? it's the truth" .. sure it's true if the person isn't saved... but as Westboro Baptist Church shows it, that is the worse way to witness to someone. Not only that, but they and similar followers of their dirty scheme have ruined countless witnesses around the world... especially at my school... It shatters my heart that people have turned to atheism just to prove this particular group they think is Christian wrong.... The barrier that my campus ministry group and myself faced was set up by so called Christians with their main quote "You're going to hell!" I'm sorry, but every time I hear it, I see people actually going to hell because of that quote. It's not funny at all to me and you shouldn't find hell funny either. There are a lot of people that's going to go to hell because of it and here we are laughing about it... Doesn't sound like a wise Christian at all nor does it display love like a Christian should.

Also remember, by mocking one sin, you're mocking it all.  James 2:10 clearly states it: "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." Basically, you're laughing at lust, lying, etc. And by that, you're laughing at the wife that was cheated on and the people that were hurt by embezzlement.

Now you know why laughing at sin is stupid? Sure it's not a sin, but it's completely unwise in the sense. Smart up, and worship God without being a complete fool!

The kids are killing me...

...not in a bad way.... but the older kids have taken a real liking of me.. mainly because I'm athletic which means they could go play basketball and I'm old enough to look after them without other kids wanting to mess with them...
The younger kids like how I'm involved with their games as well and always seemed amused that the teacher would join in on their fun..

otherwise.. it's been a tiring week.. mainly because the kids wore me out from running after them up and down the basketball court... I really cant believe that this week went by so fast... Guess the busyness sort of attested for that...

There isn't much to update... I'm finally into the rhythm of things right now..
I realize that I've been lacking pictures ever since Chinese New Year ended...  But I'll get some of me teaching ESL to the kids... It's not on my camera but someone else has them... I'm just glad someone got them for me...

EDITED: just read through the last blog and realize that there should be a little more updating...
well... my second ESL job has not called yet... dunno what's going on, but if it gets any later I don't think I could accept it because the time would be too short... Not that I'm complaining... I'm enjoying what I'm doing right now.. But hope that more opportunities presents itself regarding the lost..

Can't really think of anything else at the moment... My laptop is getting worked on right now... (finally!) my low powered netbook is not meant for some stuff that i want it to do...
Don't know what else to write about now... if you want to ask about something, leave a comment or send me an email... otherwise..
Till Next Time!

One Month Down...

Not much to update on... Just a normal week... did go looking around for miscellaneous items and things... My laptop has a hardware problem that needs to be fixed but I don't understand computer lingo in Chinese well enough to do anything effectively...

Today, I woke up late because my phone died and missed the second service of church (which i usually go to)... so I went to the third service... At the end of the service they did the Lord's Supper... Since I sat in the balcony today, I was one of the last ones to get to and yes... the Lord's Supper here is basically the same as it is in the US...

Today also marks a month since I've been here... and what a month it's been.. first part of it was conflicting blatant suffering over theological issues pertaining over a Pentacostal church and how they were misleading with information... but I'm at peace with it... they can worship how they like... it's between them and God.. if they want to embrace the health and wealth gospel, that's up to them... Who am I, not even a seminary student much less somebody nobody knows to tell them how or what they should do... plus it's better to leave things alone than start a conflict.. I didn't come here to start a fight, I came to serve... so more or less, I disconnected from that ministry, as I was so heavily convicted with it I couldn't sleep at night and started to plug into my parents' church..

second part of this trip is more or less showing others I'm a Christian, as I got more familiar with the streets, I started walking around more and being a little more outward than the average person... I also got a chance to teach sort of a children's camp at the church here English and incorporated the Gospel and stories of Jesus into my plans everyday...

I think I'll be playing second fiddle starting this week... so I'll be seeing a different perspective of how to teach ESL...I'm also supposed to be getting a call this week to meet with the Taiwan Seminary about doing ESL there...

Overall, I'm satisfied with the work I've done so far... Not trying to puff myself up at all, but with all the conflict and suffering... I still managed to get back on my feet and still tell others about Jesus whether it was the kids or that American dude...

Yes, I'm a bit homesick but that's due to me being extremely lonely... nobody to really talk to.. sure there's my relatives... but I want to hear from my friends..

Well, there goes me whining again... gotta cut back on that
Till Next Tine!

Post-Chinese New Year

All the hoopla is finally over... Technically Chinese New Year isn't over, but all the family reunions are done and everyone in the house went back to work this week... including me... Today, I went to an ESL session where the kids got to learn from someone else. It was also a good experience for me as I saw things from a different perspective..

Kinda funny how my WVU Alumni hoodie works... it garners attention to Americans and it strikes up a good discussion... Someone this week asked me if I was from WVU and I told him I graduated there... He then asked if I was visiting and I told him that I was teaching ESL at a church which starts up the conversation about Jesus... Unfortunately he didn't show any interest but told me what I was doing was great... (not really the response I was looking for)... But I'm a bit relived that I'm not only conformed to a certain age group...

Felt a huge jolt of homesickness today... so I went to McDonalds... which didn't help.. I'm getting sick of that place... If anyone invites me to go to Rice Bowl OR McDonalds when I get back...they may not live to see the next day..

Not much to else to update
Till Next Time!

Tolerance

While looking through some news sites recently, I came across one of the major things that I disliked about Americans and that's how illogically ignorant they are. Most depend on their interpretation of God as non-existent because they don't understand His plans and methods of letting things happen. Therefore, they lean on their own understanding of God (see Prov. 3:5) and dub it contradictory to the Bible (which they haven't studied either) and come to the conclusion that God doesn't exist.

But through the past, the issue of tolerance is something Christians do not possess, especially towards homosexuals. I respectfully disagree with this statement; but of course, being a Christian I would naturally argue against that. So let me try to back it up.

Tolerance (n) - the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with. One example off the top of my head is the hot summer days. I hate being hot, I hate sweating, and I hate the humidity most of all that makes me feel like I'm suffocating. I rather be cold than hot since I can warm up a lot faster than I can cool down. However, I can't help that it's hot in the summer, so I need to tolerate it by wearing less clothes.

"Well that definition just shows that Christians have no tolerance at all for gays". Not really... There is one church I can think of (and a few ones that names escape me right now) that are intolerant towards gays and that's Westboro. Westboro is famous with websites such as God Hates Fags, quotes such as "You're a sinner and you're going to hell."

But the reason why they get so much attention is because they are a negative source that the media loves to leech off. These "Christians" are also lawyers (I won't make the typical Christian lawyer joke) that have a lot of power and money and misuse it. They use that power and money and worm their way through the legal systems and do these rallies to promote hate. It naturally gets media attention and also provokes the victims. If the victims lay a hand on them, they get sued, which involves more money which gives them more opportunities to rally. A really devious plan indeed.

However, Westboro doesn't and shouldn't represent all Christians. Nor should they even be used as an example of Christians. If you look at some interviews questioning their actions, they anger quickly, tempers start to explode over the smallest, most trivial questions that even I can answer with ease, and they start cursing. Doesn't look like a typical Christian to me.

But most of your churches don't allow gays to have leadership over the church. Correct, but because they're living in constant sin and don't have the requirements met to lead people. Just like you're not going to hire someone that is physically handicapped to a packing and moving job. Why? Because heavy lifting is a requirement, and if the person is missing an arm or a leg, then it'd be awfully hard to lift lacking the physical ability to do so. So when a homosexual is teaching, what happens when he stumbles across Romans 1:18? So by allowing someone that to have leadership or even for a churchgoer to continuing living in a life of sin is a very unintelligent move. James 2:10-11 says that all sins are equal, so that means having a homosexual in a leadership position is the exact same thing like having a child molester or a current serial killer lead. Same goes with churchgoers, but those are easier to deal with because they don't hold a high position so they should be loved on like everyone else in church, if they don't agree... well.. just follow the steps of conflict between people.

I'll admit church members do not like homosexuality nor support it, but the ones that live an effective Christian life will not condemn you for it. If you tell them you're gay, one shouldn't immediately shout and preach at you, but should still love you for who you are. It's in the Bible, yet we do not condemn them for it. I have a few on facebook, but I do not provoke them in writing statues aimed towards them. That would be intolerant because I'm aiming my insults towards you. If I try to show you the Truth through love and not through condemnation, that's tolerance, because I'm treating you like anybody else and if you look at the definition above, I'm currently allowing your behavior to exist. That's being tolerant (plus living out Jesus' example of unconditional love)

Lastly, the intolerant people are the very people that claim Christians are intolerance. This next part is a little difficult to follow since it seems to go around in circles. But the intolerant people are clearly hating on Christians, not because of their love of God, but because of the lifestyle we live. Lifestyle. Yes, the same word we use for homosexuals behavior... their lifestyles. The people that claim we're intolerant and hates our lifestyle are NOW, by definition, intolerant. Yes, amazing how hypocrisy works. One of the jokers in my college class claims that he hates Christians and yet pride himself as the most tolerant person when it comes to accepting others. Hilarious

Yet this is what's becoming of the world. More and more Christians are being oppressed while pro-gay speeches and even most of anything that represents what people think of as anti-Christian is being praised. Yet this is the definition of tolerance. For Christians to be oppressed more and more and worldly ideas and the so-called Social Justice to be promoted is to be called tolerant.

I would also like to add about people denying God on top of hatred of Christians. But I don't think it really fits since it's just an empty insult to provoke Christians. Some may have basis, but others don't and just say it to provoke or otherwise discredit that there is one so they don't have to answer to what their conscience consider is wrong.

There isn't much to add, since we can't drop this image overnight. Westboro has unfortunately become the face of Christianity due to them having the word Baptist Church in their name and the media doing so much coverage of them. The only thing we can do is to prove them wrong by loving others unconditionally, just like Jesus done

PS. The rainbow flag used to be a flag for intolerance not for gays. (but it is currently now for gays)... So in ending, this is now a bit invalid after what's all said and done.

Till Next Time!

EDIT: I was doing quiet time today and it occurred to me that I don't think I made this clear. Should we tolerate sin? No, but we should tolerate the sinner. Hate the sin not the sinner is what I'm getting at. Sorry if I didn't make it clear.

Represent

The past few days, I've heard the word "represent" more than I have my entire life. Examples being me representing Cross Lanes Baptist while I'm on the mission field or me representing my family back home when I went with my extended family to my grandparent's grave site.

What does the word represent mean? Represent is a verb, which conveys that it's an action. By definition it means to be entitled or appointed to act or speak for someone. So when used in the above examples, I'm acting for someone else, whether it's the church or my family depending on which example you use.

That being said, I have to be a good example of who I'm representing... If I don't it reflects back badly onto who I represent. If I drank or something, what would that say about the church I go to? Since I'm doing it, I guess people at that church does the same. Or, if I'm quiet and timid, does that mean the rest of my family is as well? (Answer to that is yes, unfortunately... Though I'm getting a lot more social now).

Another great example is the school that I went to. Last year, we were under fire of how crude and classless we were. Screaming obscenities, throwing objects, heckling that was way over the lines were just a few examples. A few of our games were broadcast on national televisions and people around the world saw what WVU students were like. Even though not all people from WVU are like that, that's what the rest of the world saw us to be. Not only did it reflect badly on the school, but it reflected badly on the state. One of things that popped in my head that time was that I may not go to the seminary that I wanted because of that image (though I realized quickly that they wouldn't judge my character on that anyways). One of the students in my class thought there was nothing wrong with that, that we should be able to do anything we want and say what we want. He'll probably sing a different tune if a job refuses to hire him because he came out of "that school"

That was a bad example of representing. What's a good one? According to Galatians 5:22-23, the fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. You may recognize these verses from my last blog post as my "fortune verse". Notice that there is the word "and" at the end. Some translations of the Bible have "and" while some just left it out. The reason this is so important to me is because the word "and" means that you need to have all of them, opposed to the word "or" which means you need at least one. This is important to Galatians 5:22-23 because you need all of the fruits of the spirit... not at least one.

What's the difference? Lets be positive and possess all the fruits except one. If you possess all but love, it may not be shown on the outside because it's hard enough to tell if someone loves you, but you'll be rotting on the inside. God is love after all, and not possessing love will mean you have an alternative motive. No joy? People's going to look at that and think you're miserable doing your work. No peace? same as above; being conflicted on something isn't something good to show. No patience? Not planning ahead and doing something spontaneously is not wise. (Prov. 21:5).

No kindness? Stereotypical Christians are known for their kindness. If you don't show any, it'll reflect badly. No goodness? Nobody is "good" due to sin, but we need to strive for it. No faithfulness? It's as good as lying. If nobody can count on you, how will that reflect others you represent? No gentleness? I think this one is an overly important one. People these days are too easily offended and provoked. So in witnessing, we need to stop pressing these buttons. But we also do not need to reduce the Gospel to the health and wealth gospel. If you know the person, you should be able to wisely use the Truth to weave around their peeves. Don't know them? Well not being gentle with them isn't the best first impression.. Which leads to having no self-control. I struggle with this often... James 3:1-12 says that the tongue is a terrible weapon. What you say will most certainly reflect back to who you are as a person. Not only by words, but by actions too. What you do and what you say will represent who you are.

In Greek the word Christian means follower of Christ. As a follower we need to represent him. As proud as I am to represent my family and my church on this trip, it doesn't compare to representing Christ. I'm proud of what I'm doing right now, even though I may not enjoy it. That being said, I am not Christ myself. I do not have healing powers nor the authority to go into churches and tell them what they're doing is wrong. If I had powers to heal or a sign to show that I'm saved, then it contradicts with the Bible (Matt. 16:4). I don't have the right to judge others, openly is even worse since that is now a stereotype we live by thanks to Westboro. And I definitely don't have the right to act like I'm better than anyone else because I am saved. My duty here in Taiwan is to love, serve, and represent Christ. But not only in Taiwan, but on this time on Earth as well. This shouldn't be just for missionaries or pastors, but everyone.

Who are you representing? It's easy to say Jesus but do we really believe that? Going to church whenever it's open, being involved in every activity, leading Bible studies, bragging that you're a Christian or singing in the choir is only the highest tip of the iceberg. There's something more if you want to represent Christ

Till Next Time

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

As you may expect, Chinese New Year is in full swing right now... Visited my uncle on my mother's side yesterday and found an Internet Cafe with my cousin, much to my delight. At night was even more intense... Had a feast with the remaining Tu family that's in Taiwan (the other two are in WV, my oldest uncle and my dad of course), so it was my second uncle and his family, my third uncle (whom I'm living with currently) and his family, and me... The rest of the family are at home eating due to some kind of tradition that doesn't allow them to visit us until the 3rd day after New Years.. I know, sounds confusing..

Fireworks ruled the night skies yesterday...all....night.....long... >_<... of course I slept some, but there were times I was awakened by a loud *POW!*.. not cool at all... of course, one of the tradition was the stay up the whole night... of course, i wasn't letting that happen...

This morning, I woke up for the Chinese New Year service... which was VERY unique... One of the things they did was pass around red envelopes which had a bible verse in them... sort of like your fortune for the new year.. you can also stand up and read it out loud and tell them what the verse means to you or for what's in store... Mine was Galatians 5:22-23... that's right... the fruits  the spirit... how fitting they give one to me that I know so well..

Afterward, it's customary for us to visit our passed away relatives, so up a huge mountain we went to our grandparents' and great grandparents' gravestones.. not really much to say there... just visited and climbed back up a slippery hill

Not much else is going on right now... everyone's resting after the huge event.. and resting up for more of it later on... the holiday here lasts like 3 or 4 days!!!
I'll get some pictures up soon since I took a bunch..

P.S. I just remembered that had my sister been a boy... my parents would've named her Ray... Ray... I like that.... I think I'll call her that from now on..

Till Next Time!