Visiting Lixia

On December 15-18th, I visited my friend Lixia in New York City.  She lives in Queens with her husband Chenghui and daugther, XinXin.  She was converted two years ago and I am very excited about her growing faith in Christ.  Here are some photos I took on my journey:

  

I Was Glad...

Jesus, I'd rather spend one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.  I was glad when they said unto me, enter into the house of the Lord on Sunday, December 25th!

Peanut Sesame Noodles

I made peanut sesame noodles, adapted from Nigella Lawson's recipe.  Modifications: nixed the beansprouts, fresh coriander/cilantro and garlic oil, sauteed the vegetables with olive oil and crushed garlic, used crunchy peanut butter and green onions instead of spring onions, a tiny bit of ground coriander, frozen cilantro, and measured everything by eye.  I got great deals on the ingredients from Grand Asia Market and Trader Joes.  Next time I will try julienned green beans instead of snow peas.

Gospel-Centered Marriages for a Glorious Church, 4/4

Hope Baptist Elder, Dan Horn spoke on the role of romance and emotions.  The message was intertwined with great historical context – Reformation, Scholasticism - “the mind is not fallen” [NOT], Romanticism and more.  Here are points from this talk:

• The purpose of every righteous courtship is to find God's will and prescription for marriage.
• Man acting in a heroic way is what it means to be romantic NOT “how will he swoon over me??!!!1111" Romantic scenes – 1 Samuel 18:25-27; Joshua 15:16-17
• Jesus Christ was about big things, don't let your marriage be about small things.
• Desires can be evil: Colossians 3:5  / Desires can be good: 2 Tim. 3:12, Luke 22:15
• James 1:13-16 – fight against the perversion of a desire into something unrighteous; be careful about the violating the 10th commandment
• God is not weak, weeping... “I love you so much!!!” [I'm crazzzy for you!] He said conquer, come along beside me minister.
• Jesus came and died to do his Father's will, [and rose] to glorify.
• Jeremiah 12:5 - self-control; 1 Corinthians 7:9; Jeremiah 29
• "GROW UP!" 

Here are points from his talk on unequal yoking:

• Deuteronomy 22:10; Romans 8:28
• Process of courtship: understand who God would match together to do work for the service of God
• Equal yoking in the context of dominion, furthering the work of God  – 1 Cor. 22:7; 1 Cor. 7:8-9
• More worthy – “I will give my life for you to spend.”
• Marriage – no aggravation, but covering of weaknesses, not just matching strengths
• Theology (agree on the majors) & How to determine major or minor: Can you overlook it?
• Is this a match that glorifies the Kingdom of Heaven?

There you have it!  These conclude my notes from Gospel-Centered Marriages for a Glorious Church.  There were around 30 messages presented there.  A set of MP3s or CDs from the conference can be purchased here.

Gospel-Centered Marriages for a Glorious Church, 3/4

Paul Washer spoke at a session called “Principles of Courtship.”  The complete message is available for download at Sermon Audio.

Here are some points from the talk:

• We are living in a culture where everyone is encouraged to do what is right in their own eyes (Judges 17:6)
• Do you believe the Bible is sufficient and inerrant for every aspect of life?
• Live to the glory of God; study God's will revealed in the scriptures and seek to submit every aspect of life to them.
• In courtship for singles: Elders can take the place of neglectful parents.
• Recreational dating meets self-centered, selfish desires
• Timing of courtship: when a young person awakens to desire the opposite sex, it is not time to participate, but to prepare.
• Sign of male maturity – unaided devotion to God; moral fortitude (Jeremiah 12:5)
• Sign of female maturity – could I manage a home?
• “Society is falling is apart because the family has become a sitcom.”

Principles:

• Relationship is initiated by the man: trust in prayer & sovereignty of God
• Carefully examine/evaluate motives - are you attracted to Biblical beauty or sexuality? To virtue or winsome personality?
• 1 Timothy 3 / Titus 1 – mature man

Simple Meals

I was looking through some old photos recently and came across a picture that brought back such warm memories of hospitality.  In 2006, I spent five weeks in Panajachel, Guatemala with the Ramirez Family as a part of a study abroad experience. Doña Juanita prepared simple and delicious meals for me, her husband, Don Rodolfo and their three young children.

Breakfast: hot tea, homemade salsa, boiled eggs and homemade corn tortilla.