Posts

The Bones of the Mountain, the Blood of the Sea--The Story Tole

Tole’s first memory was sound. Not the sea’s gentle lapping on Molas beach or the coconut fronds whispering in the tinoor wind, but a sharp, percussive crack that split the humid afternoon. It was 1958, and he was four. His mother, Ma' Sartje , dropped her wooden pestle, swept him from the dirt, and ran for the shelter of their bamboo house. Another crack followed, then a low, shuddering boom that seemed to rise from the earth itself—the sound of a world breaking. His grandfather, Opa Elias, did not run. He stood on the beranda , knotted hands resting on the railing, eyes fixed on the city of Manado and the wide Celebes Sea. His sun-creased face was unreadable. “The giants are arguing again, Tole,” he said later, drawing the boy onto his lap. The familiar scents of clove tobacco and earth clung to his shirt. “They shake the mountains when they are angry.” “Giants?” Tole asked, wide-eyed. “Ee, giants,” Opa Elias nodded, lighting his pipe. Smoke curled upward like script in ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Another Look at Adventism by HERBERT S. BIRD

This article is from Christianity Today, April 28, 1958, Volume 2, Number 15, pages 14-17. I found this article quite interesting because the author is "criticizing" the Adventist church, yet he does it in a very respectful manner. Below is the article: A distinctive feature of Seventh-day Adventist teaching is the “heavenly sanctuary” doctrine. On the day after “the great disappointment” in 1844, Hiram Edson assertedly experienced a vision of heaven in which he saw Christ, the High Priest, entering the most holy place in heaven to cleanse it. Here then, of course, lay the readiest explanation for the failure of Christ to return to earth as had been expected by the Adventists.  What was the purpose of this supposed cleansing of the sanctuary in 1844? To learn this, the Adventists turned to the biblical account of the yearly day of Atonement, and found there, presumably in type, the explanation of this new phase of the ministry of Christ in behalf of sinners.  A passage from M...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sermon: To the Glory of God

 TO THE GLORY OF GOD "We've got a subject that I think you will find interesting. Turn with me to First Corinthians, chapter six. Somebody already asked, 'What is this to the glory of God?' Well, let me warn you a little bit. This sermon used to be traumatic until science caught up with the Bible. Did you hear the way I said that? You see, some people think that the cutting edge of science is way ahead of the Word of God. You'd be surprised to know that God, who invented all of this and holds the world in the palm of His hand, knows far more than most people imagine. In fact, they think that scientists are ahead of God. Let me assure you that God gives the information to the scientists. So, scientists finally caught up with First Corinthians, chapter six. I want to read in your hearing verses 19 and 20. And here's what the Bible says: 'What! Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mr. Simon

When I was in Junior High School, I came across an old cassette tape that was a compilation of Heritage Singers Music songs and another group, which until now I couldn't identify. There was a song made popular by Johnny Cash, "A Thing Called Love." The soloist was a bass and the other voices became his background singers. I thought the guy singing the bass sounded like Ted Atwood of Heritage Singers, but I never found them singing this song. One particular song that I want to tell you about had a catchy tune. Sung by a loud alto. The song talks about Mr. Simon, who always comes to church on a Sunday morning. He loves to be there on time. He loves to sing with the choir. He loves to pray. The perfect kind of church member. Towards the end of the song, Mr. Simon was compared to another character who was praying softly, crying out to God, "Lord, forgive me, I am a sinner." So I have been searching all over for the lyrics of the song, even the song itself. But I was...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Myth of Perfect

by Luke McElroy titled, "Creative Potential - Principles for Unleashing Your God Given Calling." But, it must become a personal journey for ourselves, more than an outward quest to impress others. It’s a challenge to do less. Trusting that God will come through in the more and give us that creative spark. Because everywhere around us, we’re encouraged to hustle, try harder, do more and show a bit more grit. One of my favorite verses in all of scripture is Psalm 51:16-17, and I love the way Eugene Peterson phrases it in his The Message translation: “Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.” God never misses the posture of our hearts ready for love. This means you and I have a choice. We can be fake and go through the motions to create a flawless performance with worldly perfection as our goal, or w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Farewell, Sergo, Farewell

Farewell, Sergo, The curtain is about to close And you bow and step into the threshold To another time, to another space. But even as the stage dims We sit still, pausing—wishing To freeze the image Of you forever standing here. Farewell, Sergo, Go with a smile on your bearded face A mask to a brave and gentle heart Beating, blending, with our own. In unison we’ve sung In swelling harmony Of hellos and goodbyes And of storied days in between. Farewell, Sergo, Go with a key tucked in your heart And when you miss the open skies Come home and soar once more. Farewell, Sergo, Go with the joy of our memories For even as the reel of the years rolls Your music still trills across the seas. Farewell, Sergo, Farewell. Written by Arceli Rosario for the Sacred Concert Series on March 31, 2018
Post a Comment
Read more

Pesta Kawin di Boston--Grace in Action

Sekarang sudah pukul 1 pagi. Mengantuk. Capek. Tapi kali ini ingin mempost sesuatu dalam bahasa Indonesia. Tadi saya baru saja membaca buku Philip Yancey What’s so Amazing About Grace? Saya sangat tergerak dengan salah satu ceritanya mengenai sebuah Perumpamaan Yesus yang modern, mengenai Grace--Ramhat. Berikut adalah terjemahan dari perumpamaan tersebut yang telah dibantu translate oleh Google. Seorang wanita dan tunangannya sepakat untuk mengadakan resepsi pernikahan mereka di pusat kota Boston Hyatt. Suatu hari mereka pergi ke Hyatt untuk membuat keputusan akhir mengenai menu makanan mereka dan menyelesaikan semua urusan-urusan lainnya. Mereka memilih alat makan yang mewah dan mereka juga ingin menggunakan rangkaian bunga yang baik untuk resepsi. Ternyata mereka berdua mempunyai selera yang cukup mahal sehingga tagihan terakhir mereka diperkirakan sebesar tiga belas ribu dolar. Mereka pun menulis cek sebesar setengah jumlah tersebut karena itu adalah jumlah yang diperlukan seb...
Post a Comment
Read more