tim liu .org

What we can learn from Jon & Kate plus Eight

2009-06-25T00:22:00.001-04:00

My wife and I started watching Jon and Kate about a year ago and got hooked. The kids are simply too adorable. We watched together the other night as the news broke about the divorce. As much as reality TV often presents a distorted view of the world, we sadly found that the family’s troubles are all too real and just as common among many marriages. While few of us have TV contracts or two vans full of kids, we can often face the same challenges of marriage. Some of my thoughts.

1. Marriage is hard.

Apparently Jon and Kate got married when they were 22 and 24. While that is not excessively young for marriage, I have found many younger couples look at only the bright side of marriage with unrealistic expectations. The expected romance, constant companionship and unending love. But once the honeymoon ends and real life hits, the real work of marriage begins. Throw one or two (or eight) kids in the mix and it can lead to an explosive situation or more commonly a steady erosion of that love that once seemed so unending.

2. People are messed up.

It doesn't take much of watching the show to witness how two people can be self-centered, uncaring, mean, angry, and greedy. But really, most of us aren’t much better. Marriage can bring out the worst parts of us that we didn’t even know existed. One of the most important things marriage has taught me is how big a jerk I can be. And more often than not, rather than changing myself, I blame my spouse.

3. God can change things.

Without God's help, we are all helpless to our selfish and destructive nature. But if we chose to put God at the center of our lives, and seek His will rather than our own, God can change us from the inside out. He can replace our selfishness with love, our anger with patience, and our fear with trust. I have seen marriages brought back together from the worst of situations in a way that was just short of miraculous. God works in ways that we can’t do on our own.

I don’t know what is in store for the Gosselins, or where they stand with God, but I hope that they will be able to look outside of themselves and let God repair in their marriage. Even when things look their worst, Jesus says, “I make all things new.”

Top 100 Bible Verses

2009-06-01T20:34:00.002-04:00

Biblegateway.com recently compiled the 100 most searched for verses from their website. This would make a great memory verse challenge.

1. John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

2. Jer 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

3. Rom 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

4. Phil 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

5. Gen 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

6. Prov 3:5: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

7. Prov 3:6: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

8. Rom 12:2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

9. Phil 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

10. Matt 28:19: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Link via DJ

"But By the Holy Spirit" - Francis Chan

2009-04-27T00:45:00.006-04:00

I was just blown away by this message from Francis Chan from Catalyst West, posted by Brett Crimmell in twitterized note form. An excerpt:

I had it out probably a year ago
speaking at a Youth Specialties thing
4:30 in the morning
crying
because my oldest daughter was in Junior High
need I say more?
:)

that's my little girl man
oldest of four
and she didn't love God
and it's not my fault

wife asked, "do you feel like you failed"
I'll admit my failures in life, but I am a good dad
it's not because I'm not around
we have a connection
she's 12 years old and she does not love God
everything you say is that hardened look

I said God I don't ask for a lot
but one of the things I've asked for since she was born
I don't know if I can handle my own flesh and blood not loving you
I can handle trial and pain but I don't think I can take this
but that's what I have and I can't do anything
she has a great youth group
I can't find a better youth pastor for her
she has a great mom who's a godly wife
it's not like a preach one thing and at home she sees another thing

God there's nothing I can do
either you put your Spirit in her
and she'll never turn away from you
or you don't and I can't do anything
there is only one factor ... and that is the Holy Spirit of God
then I had to speak to a room full of pastors heart broken
because everything I never wanted to happen was right there
six months ago, the Holy Spirit of God came into Rachel's life
and everything is different

I've always believed it could happen -
but when you see it radically change
but it just keeps increasing and increasing
the Holy Spirit came into her
not a "chew on the carpet" kind of transformation
but it is a radical life change

she loves her little sister!
she loves everyone!
she told me I know the Holy Spirit is in me
I talk to him during the day
he's there
he's with me
I got done preaching and came home
and she was sitting in front of the computer ... sobbing listening to sermons
and I said, "who are you?"
are you the same person?
NO!
you're a new person
this is insane!
then she shows me this 6 page article about purity and modesty
your flesh is not going to help at all
the Holy Spirit gives life
God give me boldness
I can be so bold and so can my people
either the Holy Spirit is in you and we can pull this off or the Holy Spirit isn't and you can't.
just go work and it'll be supernatural and you'll praise God and you'll be astonished
not by sermons
but by the Holy Spirit of God

More Catalyst West speaker notes at crimmel.com

Best Retreat Ever

2009-04-26T23:00:00.001-04:00

SCL's solution to lame men's retreats:

I can't think of a single situation that wouldn't be improved by having Mr. T. there. From weddings and parties to your wife giving birth to your child, there's no time that is inappropriate for Mr. T to be around. Part of the gospel is realizing you are a fool in need of pity.

Fortunately, that's what he specializes in.

If you don't read "Stuff Christians Like" you should.

Reflections on Easter

2009-04-15T17:47:00.006-04:00

"Simplify, simplify."
- Henry David Thoreau

This past Easter season has been a refreshing time for me. God has been stripping away distractions that I thought I needed and replacing them with greater opportunities to know Him and serve him. Too often I have allowed unimportant things to pull me away from the simplicity of loving God and following Christ.

Thoreau penned these famous words as he determined to escape from the draining forces of the world into true living. He retreated into the solitude of the woods, saying "I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." Though he missed God in the process, I admire Thoreau's determination to seek out true life and to live deliberately. Not being driven by every wanton worry and urgent need, but to live with greater focus and purpose. Jesus calls all of us, like Paul, to throw off the non-essentials and to live solely for Him. I think Paul said it best -

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings..." (Philippians 3:10)

Contemplative Youth Ministry

2009-01-29T17:04:00.005-05:00

This is one of the best books I've read in the past year about youth ministry. Mark Yaconelli (son of the famous youth worker Mike Yaconelli) presents a fresh perspective on youth ministry that focuses on helping kids engage with God through our presence rather than simply words and activity. From the book description:

Youth ministry isn’t about what to say, what to do, or how to be; it’s about serving the needs of the students God has put in your life. This book is an attitude overhaul that creates a more organic approach to youth ministry that helps you create meaningful silence, covenant communities, and contemplative activities that allow your students recognize the presence of Jesus in their everyday lives.

It has helped me slow down in my focus on tasks and programs and just "be there" for youth as well as adults in my life. It brings me to that constant reminder that church is not about doing things, but being with God and people. This book has helped me tremendously.

The marketing of worship

2009-01-22T15:56:00.001-05:00

I was recently browsing worship music website when I saw this ad (see the original animated version here):

Here is a moment of worship from a famous worship leader, branded and commercialized to sell a product. It is no surprise that secular marketers are tapping into the profit potential of the worship movement with all the money to be made. But they have taken something that was meant to be holy and beautiful and degraded it to the level of worthless internet banner ad.

Unfortunately this doesn't just end with the marketers. How often have you seen churches advertising their "powerful worship" or Christian events promoting their "intimate worship experience" in order to draw more people. Worship has been made into an event. A promotional piece. A way to attract crowds.

Worship was never intended to be a means to an end. God-directed worship is the end in itself. It is the loving meeting place of the hearts of God's children with their Father and should never be made less than that. No matter how many microphones it can sell.

Do Hard Things

2008-10-20T17:19:00.007-04:00

I recently purchased a whole stack of "Do Hard Things" for our youth leaders to read for this year as part of their training. It is a great book, written by two teenagers (brothers of Joshua Harris of "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" fame).

The book basically challenges teens to look beyond the low expectations society has for teenagers and to see the potential they have to change the world even at a young age. They address the "Myth of Adolescence" which says that teens are immature adults who cannot be expected to accomplish much. As long as they stay off the streets and don't get into drugs, most teens are considered successful, or at least "good kids". However, the Harris brothers bring to light many examples of people throughout history who have changed the world, even in their teens.

I was reminded of the book recently when I read about one 12 year old whose work could be instrumental in solving the energy crisis and leading the way into the green revolution. While not all teens can be super genius science scholars, it still illustrates the impact that young people can have.

Yuan decided to focus his project on finding the most efficient way to harness the sun’s energy.

“I felt solar energy had large potential but it was underused,” he explained. “Fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas are only finite and are slated to run out by 2050.

“We need to make solar energy more cost effective and efficient.”

With that thought in mind, Yuan got to work.

“Current solar cells are flat and can only absorb visible light,” he said. “I came up with an innovative solar cell that absorbs both visible and UV light. My project focused on finding the optimum solar cell to further increase the light absorption and efficiency and design a nanotube for light-electricity conversion efficiency.”
Yuan worked on his project for the past two years with the encouragement of his science teacher Susan Duncan; support of his parents Gang Yuan and Zhiming Mei; and counsel of professional mentors Professor Chunfei Li of Portland State University’s Center for Nanofabrication and Electron Microscopy, Fred Li of Applied Materials Inc. and Professor Shaofan Li of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of California – Berkeley.

“He is our youngest fellow in science that we’ve ever had,” Moessner said. “He is really spectacular.

“His project will really make a difference in advancing the technology of solar cells. You would never know he’s 12 looking at the quality of his work.”
Watching his dedication impressed William’s parents.

“This generation’s sense of urgency is much stronger than my generation’s,” his father said. “They are thinking about the future and want to know how environmental issues will impact their generation.”

Best Worship Band ever!

2008-10-20T17:00:00.002-04:00

This video illustration from Bluefish made me lol. They have a lot of other good videos including their take on the Christian movie industry.

Death of the Bulletin

2008-10-20T16:53:00.005-04:00

This church took an interesting step in eliminating the weekly bulletin and replacing it with a monthly version. This not only cut printing costs, but forced leaders to be more organized in their planning and efficient in communication.

Sometimes its hard to let go of "we've always done it this way," but often doing so leads to innovation, if even in the smallest of ways.

Get to work

2008-08-14T15:11:00.001-04:00

“If you wait for God to do big stuff in your life, you may be waiting until Jesus comes. He simply does not operate like that. He wants you to be willing to be hidden and unknown, unappreciated, unheralded, and unthanked - if necessary - in order to do what He wants you to do." - Charles Stanley

via Terrace

Bibles for the Olympics

2008-06-24T17:04:00.002-04:00

The Chicago Tribune has an interesting series on the growth of Christianity in China. Included is this slideshow about one of the factories printing 5 million Bibles a year.

At a time when Christianity in Western Europe is dwindling, China's believers are redrawing the world's religious map with a growing community already exceeding all the Christians in Italy. And increasing Christian clout in China has the potential to alter relations with the United States and other nations.
But much about the future of faith in China is uncertain, shaped most vividly in bold new evangelical churches such as Zion, where a soft-spoken preacher and his fervent flock do not yet know just how far the Communist Party is prepared to let them grow.

To the surprise of many, China has even recently sanctioned the distribution of an official Olympics Bible. This reflects the changing view of the government to outside beliefs and ideas as it takes the world stage this summer. Does this signal a permanent change and increasing openness, or just a temporary show of good will? We'll all be watching what happens.

What could the church do with 1 million dollars?

2008-05-06T17:00:00.002-04:00

A few years back, when Francis Chan's church was booming in membership and budget, they were planning on a new $20 million dollar building project for a new sanctuary. However, one of the church's core values was modeling Christ's love for the poor. They came to the conclusion that it would be dishonoring to God to spend so much on a building when people around the world were in need.

They finally decided to build an outdoor amphitheater for much less than a huge worship facility. The reasoning was that in Southern California, the weather is beautiful most of the year, and on days with bad weather, people would be reminded of the suffering of those around the world. Today the church gives upwards of 50% of it's multi-million dollar income to the needy through organizations such as Children's Hunger Fund.

This video was made to explain their decision to the church. I've never been a big fan of mega-churches, but something about this reminds me that this is how church is supposed to be.

More about the building project.

Francis Chan and ethnicity

2008-05-06T16:25:00.005-04:00

I have a feeling that Francis Chan will be one of the most influential leaders of this generation. The interesting thing is that Chan is a Chinese American, serving in a largely non-Asian context (at his church and in Passion Conferences). I think God has used his background to open doors for him as a messenger of grace. Seeing how most Asian American Christians struggle to really understanding God's grace, it is fitting that God would use an Asian American to take that message to the church at large.

Also interesting how being an Asian American has opened up a lot of doors for him to communicate this message of grace:

EN: What are some advantages of being a Chinese American amongst mostly Caucasian Americans?

FC: There really hasn’t been a ton. It really opens the doors to so many different venues like some of the more Caucasian venues are open to me because they want a token Asian. So I think that’s cool. And then at the Asian events I feel at home because I totally understand the youth and their upbringing. I feel like I relate because I get the way some of them were raised because that was me. Because of my nationality, when I work in inner-city ministries, it breaks any prejudices or barriers. I feel like God’s used my ethnicity to open a lot of doors for me.

Full article here. Thanks, DJ for the link.

Meet Francis Chan

2008-04-30T22:38:00.009-04:00

One of the pastors that I have recently grown to admire is Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Simi Church. Chan is probably best known for his video "Just Stop and Think" and his association with Passion Conference. I listen to a lot of pastors who challenge me want to follow God, but Chan has a way of making you want to LOVE God more. His life and teaching has definitely left a mark on how I preach and minister.

If you have a chance, take some time to check him out.

Sermons: Cornerstone Church (also on iTunes)
Also, francischan.org

RSS feed fixed

2008-02-18T17:31:00.004-05:00

In case you've tried subscribing in the past and weren't getting new posts, I've tweaked some things on the timliu.org rss feed so it should be updating correctly now. Now all I have to do is do some actual posting. Haha.

You can subscribe to the post here.

The Irresistible Revolution

2008-02-05T11:34:00.001-05:00

There are a lot of books nowadays that talk about what is wrong with the church, but Claiborne shows and tells how the church really can embrace it's true calling. Claiborne's writing is simple, but beautiful, captivating the heart and mind. Without a doubt, this book has impacted my views on money and possessions, serving the poor, war and peace, and most of all, following Jesus.

Mark Driscoll on American Idolatry

2007-10-17T00:50:00.001-04:00

I would say that American idolatry goes beyond even entertainment, but an entire mentality of self-idolization.

Austin's 'emergent' Christians finding a new path

2007-09-30T23:29:00.001-04:00

I was surprised and encouraged to see this article featuring Vox Veniae Church in Austin, TX about how they are breaking from traditional church expressions and innovating to bring the Gospel to the community. Even more interesting is that the church originally began as a church plant off of a traditional Chinese Baptist church in Austin. It's even more interesting because I started listening to Gideon Tsang on podcast about a year ago, he's a really good preacher, one of my favorites to hear.

The son of a Chinese missionary, Tsang, 33, grew up in Canada, attended an evangelical seminary in Illinois and eventually landed at Austin Chinese Church — a North Austin congregation made up mostly of immigrants from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan — where he led a ministry for college students called Liquid. That grew into Vox Veniae, which formed last year with a core of middle-class students and young professionals who, like Tsang, longed "to be the hands and feet of Christ in Austin."

Vox members have now bought or are renting six homes in the predominantly black and Hispanic neighborhood, driven by a desire to share their resources by living among people who have less. Vox members hope to set up computer training classes, teach kids to build bikes and work as mentors in nearby public schools.

"It's all grace," Tsang said. "What we receive, we now have to give back."

A Quiet Strength

2007-09-04T14:55:00.000-04:00

Tony Dungy's bio, Quiet Strength has become a runaway hit, going into its 8th printing and staying in the New York Times bestsellers list for over 7 weeks. I got this book for my birthday and finished it two days. Its a great read with lots of insights about the unique life of a pro football coach. But the book has a lot more to talk about than football - it details the values, principles and spiritual insights of a great man who has been through all the highs and lows of a full life. Definitely check it out if you are interested at all in football and seeing into the character of a truly remarkable man.

The Power of Encouragment

2007-07-16T17:05:00.001-04:00

Reading this well written post by Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, reminded me of how often as a leader I am more critical than encouraging. How much better would it be if we were continual encouragers as God repeatedly reminds us. There would be a powerful impact on the lives of our fellow co-workers as well as those we minister to. Here Adams reflects on the impact of receiving written encouragements from a class of near strangers.

I remember opening my little package of compliments. Like everything else in the Dale Carnegie course, it seemed silly at first. How much impact would a bunch of mandated compliments from strangers have on me? Surely they would seem insincere to the point of humorous. I started to read them, one by one, and they blew me away. It was a powerful experience, and that was the point of the exercise. When we compared notes later, we all had the same experience. Compliments are powerful things, even from strangers who barely know you.

Asia's growing influence on youth culture

2007-07-16T15:53:00.001-04:00

Mark Oestreicher, the president of Youth Specialties, reflects on the rise of asian youth culture as a world influencer and its implications on the youth ministry in the west.

The west is no longer the primary influencer of youth trends worldwide
Asian youth culture's influence is growing through technology as well as sheer population growth
Western leaders will be challenged to examine their prejudices towards Asians and their lessening role in leading the future of the church

he also points to this video about asian youth trends from MTV asia:

Tim Hughes - Holding Nothing Back

2007-06-16T11:46:00.001-04:00

I love this new cd from Tim Hughes. While not as well known as his Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin, Hughes has written many songs that are staples of contemporary worship including "Here I Am to Worship" and "Consuming Fire". His songs from this album "Everything", "Clinging to the Cross", and "Highest and Greatest" have already made it into the regular rotation in our worship.

Simply to the cross I cling / Letting go of all earthly things / Clinging to the cross /Mercy's found a way for me / Hope is here as I am free / Jesus You are all I need

Mark Driscoll - "A good soldier"

2007-06-16T11:37:00.000-04:00

I've recently been hooked on reading Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. He is definitely not your typical pastor, but is well known for making a huge impact on the city and unreached community of Seattle. His book, "Confessions of a Reformission Rev." is worth reading if for nothing else than it will make you laugh out loud. He's given me a lot to think about with regards to the importance of men in the church and how guys need to be challenged to step it up. He's come under a lot of criticism lately, but I think once you look deeper into his life, you can really see his heart for the church and to challenge men, especially. Here is a short video from him about the costs and the requirements of being a church planter.

Militant atheism on the rise

2007-05-31T16:58:00.001-04:00

A disturbing trend that is permeating across the nation is the concept that religion in any form is responsible for many, if not all, of the evils in this world. Go to any discussion forum on the internet and this viewpoint is quite evident, as is the growing popularity of books denouncing religion, as discussed in this article.

The time for polite debate is over. Militant atheist writers are making an all-out assault on religious faith and reaching the top of the best-seller list, a sign of widespread resentment over the influence of religion in the world among nonbelievers.
Christopher Hitchens' book, "God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything," has sold briskly ever since it was published last month, and his debates with clergy are drawing crowds at every stop.
Sam Harris was a little-known graduate student until he wrote the phenomenally successful "The End of Faith" and its follow-up, "Letter to a Christian Nation." Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion" and Daniel Dennett's "Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon" struck similar themes -- and sold.

Link