Monday, August 25, 2008

In the Cross Alone I Glory.

new favorite modern hymn.

In the Cross Alone I Glory

In the cross alone I glory
Recognition laying down
Greatest treasures count as worthless
Standing next to Heaven’s crowns
Standing next to Heaven’s crowns

In the cross alone I glory
Ever reaching for the prize
Pressing on and laying hold of
That for which my savior died
That for which my savior died

In the cross alone I glory
Nothing of my own to give
Only that which Christ has offered
For my soul that I may live
For my soul that I may live

In the cross alone I glory
Holding fast the word of life
Toiling not in vain but being
Poured out as a sacrifice
Poured out as a sacrifice

Never will I seek the glory
That was never meant for me
Always heavenward reflecting
All to Jesus to receive
All to Jesus to receive
All to Jesus to receive

Listen to it here: http://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=561619

We've sang this song a few times at church. Last Sunday, during evening service, this song brought me to tears. These are such hard words to sing. Yet, also so freeing. What a paradox.

I went to the New Student Banquet for Talbot today at Biola. I'm excited to start classes on Wednesday :)

Thursday, August 21, 2008

120 Years, One Foundation


(Photo caption: Friday night during our Fiesta celebration, celebrating it Filipino style, serving food on banana leaves. We're one happy family :)

Praise God for a sweet 120th Anniversary for my church, Congregational Christian Church last Sunday. God has been so faithful to us through all these years!

How Reading Rocks My World...Haha...I'm such a nerd

I've been reading some very different books, but all have rocked my view of the world. Some quotes from each:

Book One: Knowing God by J.I. Packer

It's actually a quote from another book:
"Zeal in religion is a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in the world in every possible way. It is a desire which no man feels by nature - which the Spirit puts in the heart of every believer when he is converted - but which some believers feel so much more strongly than others that they alone deserve to be called 'zealous' men..."
- From Practical Religion by Bishop J.C. Ryle

Book Two: Heaven by Randy Alcorn

"As human beings, whom God made to be both physical and spiritual, we are not designed to live in a non-physical realm - indeed, we are incapable of even imagining such a place (or rather, a non-place). An incorporeal state is not only unfamiliar to our experience, it is also incompatible with our God-given constitution. We are not, as Plato supposed, merely spiritual beings temporarily encased in bodies. Adam did not become a "living being" - the Hebrew word nephesh - until he was both body and spirit (Genesis 2:7). We are physical beings as much as we are spiritual beings. That's why our bodily resurrection is essential to endow us with eternal righteous humanity, setting us free from sin, the Curse, and death." (Pg. 16)

Book Three: Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp

"In contrast, there should be no pressure for good grades at all. Grades are unimportant. Some children can achieve "A's" without any diligent effort. Others struggle for a good solid "C". What is important is that your child learn to do his work diligently for God. God has promised that he will reward the faithful. Knowing that gifts and abilities are a stewardship from the Lord, your child's objective should be faithfulness. You need to train your child to find in Christ the strength and power to work for GOd's glory. Anything else is training him to think and act unbiblically."
(Pg. 55)