The September 5th, 2008’s issue of The Washington Times had an article on Joel Osteen, the pastor of America’s largest church. One paragraph that struck me read, “His books and message are America’s new civil religion: a packaging of advice on relationships, health and finances mixed in with shared values that appeal to people of all or no faith. About 40 percent of his worldwide TV audience identify themselves as nonbelievers.” This is the new America’s religion: Christless ‘Evangelical’! Continue reading “The State of Evangelicalism”
Pinata
We made our first pinata today. We put candies inside and I hang it on a tree in the backyard. Tryphena hit it several times before finally it broke.
More pictures in the photo albums.
If you’d like to make one, here’s one of many sites that show you how to make a pinata: http://www.chevroncars.com/learn/fun-games/how-to-make-pinata
Rummage Sale
We had a rummage sale for the church yesterday. Until Thursday we hardly had anything, and Indra was worried that we would not have anything to sell. Suddenly on Friday everyone dropped their stuff and we had a garage full of stuff.
We setup two canopies and we also sold soda and water. In total we raised about $396 for building fund. We plan to do another one next month just to sell the stuff we couldn’t sell.
“As an ardent, practicing Catholic…..”, Pelosi is simply a liar
While driving to work yesterday I listened to the Limbaugh’s morning update talked about Senator Pelosi answering the question about when, she thinks, life begins. It’s one of the questions asked on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on August 24.
Continue reading ““As an ardent, practicing Catholic…..”, Pelosi is simply a liar”
In Search of Spirituality
I’m currently going through the May/June 2008’s issue of Modern Reformation, and while there’re many good articles in it (as usual), one article by Dr. Peter Jones IMHO hits the nail right on its head. The whole issue is about the rise of Spirituality and how it creeps into the church across many denominational boundaries. This is not a light matter because at its core it’s anti Christian. The New Spirituality is none other the re-appearance of the old Gnosticism. It found its way to politic, to social structure, and also to the church both through liberal theologians and “evangelical” preachers alike. What is even more troubling is that most people don’t even realize its threat, both politically and ecclesiastically.
This form of New Spirituality poses a great threat both to our culture as well as to the Church of Jesus Christ. Culturally it tries to assimilate all belief systems into one where there’s no sense of right from wrong. In the church, it denies the God of the Bible. While we are to seek salvation from outside of ourselves, the Redeemer God who came in the flesh and dwelled amongst His people, the New Spirituality seeks salvation from within, to find “god within ourselves”. I urge you to read the whole article by Dr. Jones, and I hope you too will realize the danger of this new force working to destroy both our culture and our church.
Summer Vacation
Late last month a good friend of mine from high school whom I haven’t met since we graduated more than 22 years ago came to Fresno. They were on a tour, and happened to stop by in Fresno for one night, so I met him at his hotel and we had a good chat. Then my oldest sister came to visit us. She came in late June and she’ll leave this Friday. On the first of July we went to Bay Area to meet with my other sister who travelled with her family and another family friend and stopped in California for a few days. They left for Hawaii and then on to New Zealand on the 4th. Continue reading “Summer Vacation”
Yet Another Bible Version?!
The inerrant and infallible word of God, the Bible, continues to be the most translated book and perhaps at the same time also the most debated book in the world. In English translation, there’re dozens of different translations such as King James Version (KJV), New King James Version (NKJV), English Standard Version (ESV), New International Version (NIV) and so on. And within each translation there’re many different versions. It is as if we need different Bibles for different groups. Continue reading “Yet Another Bible Version?!”
HHO Update
As promised in the previous post, here’s the update on my HHO system.
I’m sad to report that the system has not worked well yet. Ever since it was installed the gas mileage plummeted. Usually I got 32.5 to 34.7 miles to a gallon with one exception of over 41 mpg (the mileage was 104.7 and I filled up only 2.505 gallon- but it was a rare happening right after I’ve changed the oil and spark plugs) highway miles. With the unit installed I got only 29.9 mpg highway and about 27.9 city driving. Continue reading “HHO Update”
Water For Gas? I Kid You Not!
The more I read about Brown gas (a.k.a. HHO), the more confused I am. (read previous post about it) There are so many different varieties out there, and each claims to be the best. Some argue it doesn’t work, while some show real proof. Finally today I gave it a try. I just had a system installed on the Civic. Wayne and his brother build the system and they install it. Depending on how many jars you have, the system starts from $275 installed. Not a bad price if it works, especially when compared to $800+ the other guy charges. Wayne had it installed on his Tahoe, and Howard installed a 4-jar system on his Ford Fiesta themselves. I have the 4-jar system, and I’ll post a journal regularly to let you know how well it works in saving me gas, or if it is doesn’t work. If it saves gas, then I will also post Wayne’s contact information. Continue reading “Water For Gas? I Kid You Not!”
Feeling the Pinch at the Gas Pump
Gas prices seem to inch up every day. It was $4.389/gallon yesterday when I filled up, and it is predicted to go up even higher. Ouch…….
To alleviate the pain when we fill up, we bought a 1998 Honda Civic EX last month. I figured it will save me at least a gallon and a half every day I work. I’ve been happy with it. 🙂 Nothing fancy, just a plain ol’ Civic. Here are some pictures of it.
