The reflecting theologian

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. - 2 Kings 6:15 - 17 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. - 2 Cor 4:18 A lot of times, we get to see our physical surrounding, and that should be the case. Otherwise, you are either blind or something's wrong with your sight. But indeed, our mind tends to focus on what we see. I believe that's why Paul says that we fix our eyes on what is unseen. A lot of times, we do not see...

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him. - Luke 5:12-13 I was just wondering about this passage yesterday. God is willing to make us clean, but how is it that He sets down rules in the OT that seems to discriminate the unclean? This is an example of the requirements for sin offerings in the OT: The LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron and his sons: 'These are the regulations for the sin offering: The sin offering is to be slaughtered before the LORD in the place the burnt offering is slaughtered; it is most holy. The priest who offers it shall eat it; it is to be eaten in a holy place, in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting. Whatever touches any of the flesh will be...

I first listened to this song in a service not long ago. It's a nice song, not only nice, but also meaningful. The lyrics continue to remind me how much grace and mercy has been shown to us by Jesus. Indeed, the meaning behind the scars on Jesus' resurrected body, it remains a reminder to us of the deed that we have done to Jesus. Whenever we sin, we crucified Him once more time on the cross. But yet, when His blood flows on the cross, the chain that sin has on us is gone, that we are no longer slave to sin but slave to righteousness. I wonder what really transpired when Jesus said this in John 20: Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." The scars continue to remain proof of our sins, and continue to remain proof of His resurrection. Yet it also remains a proof of hope. That we can find hope in scars. Strange it may seem. But every wound leaves a scar. It make sense, especial...

Today officially ended the birthday celebration season for myself. Yes, it may sound weird but today the CLM group celebrated my birthday, a bit belated, and guannie's as well. Last night, the cg gave me a picture collage jigsaw for my birthday gift. What actually struck me most was the affirmations given to me by my cg and the CLM. I must admit, that I was truly humbled by their sharings. Indeed, when I read my own blog, I myself got quite amazed by the transformation of values over these 3 years. Benaiah said that I changed from making candle to making disciples. I appreciate that one. In fact, the significance of that word was really a testimony of what God has done in my own life. I was just reading the notes written on the book that Claramae and Qiaoping gave me a few years back by the name of 'I kissed dating goodbye'. Now come to think of it, the change was really evident. I know I myself had made decisions that under normal circumstances that I will not make. Jiadai...