darylalim:

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 1:21pm

Today is Passover!!

Well technically it started yesterday… So Happy Passover everyone!

Why all of a sudden am I so into this whole passover thing?  Is it cuz I was just in Israel a few weeks ago?  Well heck ya!!  But other than that, the trip has made me reflect on a number of things.  And one of them is the passover.

During my flight back to Vancouver, I sat next to a Jewish lady whom I had the privilege to blatantly ask questions about her belief.  In doing so, it enriched my beliefs as a Christian.  One of the things I began to talk to her and ask her about was the Passover… So back to the Passover…

As you might know, the Passover originated from the time of Moses and the last of the 10 plagues on Pharaoh and the Egyptians and God saves the Israelites (Exodus 12).

Why does it mean a lot to me though?

“Jesus fulfilled Passover for us and because of His work we are righteous before God.  Passover speaks of his great love for us and is a constant reminder that we are loved so much he died for us.  It also speaks of His great grace for us.  In that while we were [still] sinners (and helpless to save ourselves), [Jesus] died for us and saved us by divine power.  He is mighty to save!!”  —taken from an email I received today (March 26/13) from a new buddy in Christ, Ian Wilkinson.

And I echo what Ian said loud and proud!!! Not proud of myself or Ian, but of Jesus, my God!!  Jesus was the Passover lamb.  His blood was shed for me… for you!!

That said… here’s a question to ask yourself today:

“What does the Passover mean to you today?”

“How does Jesus’ LOVE and GRACE effect your life?”

Aight, that’s all from me now…

Be blessed and be a blessing!!

darylalim:

Here are a few lessons on repentance we can learn from the Prodigal* Son (Luke 15:11-24).

1. “Came to Himself/His Senses” — Seeing things straight (v.17)
2. Turn Away — Not just a thought, but action; turn 180 degrees (v.18 & v.20)
3. Coming Back to the Father — Returned to the SOURCE (v.20)
4. Sense of Unworthiness — Brokenness (v.19 & 21)
5. Admitting/Confessing Sins — No excuses or claim of rights. Confess before God and man (v.21)
6. Faith in the Father’s Mercy — Understands the Father’s Love (v.17 & v.19)
7. Hopes for Mercy ONLY — No other demands (v.19)

*”prod-i-gal—adjective: 1. recklessly extravagant; 2. having spent everything” (taken from The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller)

darylalim:

Sunday, September 25, 2011 - 11:55pm (Sunday Sermon Reflection)

Two Sons - Part I: The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24)

Today I talked about the parable of the prodigal son (next week I will be focused on the older son).  This is probably one of my most favorite (if not my favorite) parables in the bible!  Growing up in church, I’ve heard this parable literally hundreds of times.  However, in my studies for the past 2 weeks, I’ve learned so much!  I believe I’ll never stop “getting more and more stuff” from this parable.

Random Notes:

Here are some interesting facts that we might have overlooked when reading this parable, since we do live in a different age, culture, tradition, etc..

• The father’s inheritance was given after the father’s death
• Asking for the inheritance while his father was still alive was an insult
• Not only was the younger son humiliated by his actions, those around the family would also see the father’s actions as “ridiculous”
• The father’s actions towards his son would have offended people around him, therefore humiliating himself
• When the son left, he was as good as dead to community.
• Pig owners were Gentiles. Jews did not mingle with Gentiles.
• Working with pigs for the Gentiles, was the lowest of the lowest job
• The best robe (v.22) was basically the father’s robe
• Ring, most likely had a seal, meaning was made part of the family again
• Shoes were a sign of dignity, not given to a slave or servant
• It was a rare case to eat meat —> a luxury
• Fattened calf was a very rare occasion!!

So that’s my 2 cents.  Check out my next blog for the 7 notes on Repentance.  It’s crazy amazing!!  It’ll challenge yourself and make you reflect on your repentance.

*Picture taken from http://www.jimkeelingministries.com/Prodigal_Son/Prodigal_Son.htm

darylalim:

• “Patien[tly] bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2)
• “Patient with them all [the idle, fainthearted, and weak]” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
• “Reprov[ing], rebuk[ing], and exhort[ing], with complete patience” (2 Timothy 4:2)
• “Patient in tribulation” (Romans 12:12)
• “Patiently endur[ing]…sufferings” (2 Corinthians 1:6)
• “Patiently enduring evil” (2 Timothy 2:24)
• “Imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12)
• “Still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7)
• “Patient…until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7)

Extra Verse for the day:

          “Love is Patient, Love is Kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4)

—————

*http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/love-is-patient

darylalim:

September 12, 2011 - 1:56am

#ilovemychurch

First of all, I just want to say.. I absolutely love my church!!!  Okay, I understand its not MY church.. but you get what I mean..

Welcome Home

Today, we had an attendance high of 60ish people.  meBrain: It’s not about the numbers, Daryl. Sure it is! The more the merrier! Not only that, I love seeing new people..  I’m so really thankful for all the newcomers who came to our campus today.  I hope we were welcoming.  I just wanted to share with others our home, HFAN Vancouver Campus.  And hopefully our home was homey. Homey enough for others to possibly also call it “home.”

On top of that, it was so exciting seeing all the v-campers who have been missing for the summer off to Indo (or whereever).. so here’s another resounding, “WELCOME HOME!!”

Physically exhausted!

I’m actually really physically exhausted from the full day today—waking up early, spending some quality time with the BGUT, prepping, going to the office, driving the truck, Sunday service (which was awesome!!), BBQ, crabbing, dinner, taking some of the kids home, then finally going home.. Yet, as I’ve planned to just wash up and go to bed, I just felt this crazy urge to write.. yes, here in my Tumblr.  meBrain: Holy Spirit, are you buggin’ me again.. I’m tired and sleepy! Aight.. aight.. whatever You say..

The HS’ Voice

So I’d like to share what went on today at service.  Did the service go all as planned? Nope.  Did things run smoothly?  Nope.  Where there any awkwardness? Yup! Was some parts a bit embarrassing? Yup!

Yes, church didn’t go all as planned, not as smooth as I’d like, but that’s okay.  Especially when the Holy Spirit is still at work!

During our last song for our music worship session (There is None Like You ), I just felt God pulling me back and saying, Pray! Pray! Pray!  I sense He was asking me.. no.. He was asking us to pray.  It was a call for us to draw back in prayer not only as leaders, but as the church as a whole.  A call to pull back and remind ourselves the power in praying, believing together as a community who loves one another, and CORPORATELY praying together.  I repeat, CORPORATELY PRAYING TOGETHER!

Response

So what is our response corporately?  You’ll see! I don’t fully know yet.  But all I know and what I am sure of is.. As we respond to Him in prayer, things will begin to happen.  He is my Father who loves me.. He is OUR Father who loves US!  But we will respond!  This church will respond to You, Father!!

Challenge

So for anybody who’s reading this blogg.. I want to challenge you to PRAY!!  Believe again in the power of prayer! Believe again in Jesus’ resurrection power!

(meBrain: Even if there is nobody reading this blogg, then this blogg was written for me.  God has spoken loud and clear to me and I am challenged to BELIEVE & PRAY!!)

Final Remarks

And finally, a reminder to all:

          STEP UP!!  He’s called you!

Good night.. 

darylalim:

Below is an article/letter written by my friend and mentor, Kris Martens, to the church he leads, Reality Vancouver Church.  Yes, the news has been bombarded by the prediction of the rapture which Harold Camping said was to happen today, May 21, 2011.  Kris writes it very, very well, so I’d like to share this with you.  (Kris, if you’re reading this, I hope its okay with you.  Or you can just beat me up later.. jk)

————————-

‘Jesus is coming…run for the hills’

Well, He IS coming - but not likely today.  Although that’d be awesome.  Would put our city’s boisterous Canuck idolatry in persective, eh.  
Jesus’ church really needs to stop arrogantly setting dates for His return, but be eagerly waiting & preparing for the certainty of this event.

Albert Mohler has a great article on the false teachings of Harold Camping and the familyradio nuttiness HERE.  
He ends with some helpful reminders:

First, Christ specifically admonished his disciples not to claim such knowledge. In Acts 1:7, Jesus said, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” In Matthew 24:36, Christ taught similarly: “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”

To state the case plainly, these two verses explicitly forbid Christians to claim the knowledge of such dates and times. Jesus clearly taught that the Father has not revealed such dates and timing, but has reserved that knowledge for himself. It is an act of incredible presumptuousness to claim that a human knows such a date, or has determined God’s timing by any means.

Second, the Bible does not contain hidden codes that we are to find and decipher. The Bible has been given to us in order that we might know the truth, and the truth is clearly revealed in its pages. We are not to look for hidden patterns of words, numbers, dates, or anything else. The Bible’s message is plain and requires no mathematical computation for its understanding. The claim that one has found a hidden code or system in the Bible is an insult to the Bible as the Word of God.

Third, Christians are indeed to be looking for Christ to return and seeking to be found faithful when Christ comes. We are not to draw a line in history and set a date, but we are to be about the Father’s business, sharing the Gospel and living faithful Christian lives. We are not to sit on rooftops like the Millerites, waiting for Christ’s return. We are to be busy doing what Christ has commanded us to do.

In Hebrews 9:28, we are taught that Christ will come a second time “to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” That is the faithful Christian response to the New Testament teachings about Christ’s coming.

The Gospel Coalition’ Justin Taylor has some other great resources & articles HERE.

Reality - instead of simply mocking the doomsday false prophets (which is oh so tempting) - may this weekend remind us that Jesus will indeed return and that someday every knee will bow & tongue confess that JESUS IS LORD.  Until that day comes - pray fervently, love extravagantly, live missionally, and let the Good News of Jesus be reflected passionately & radically in every area of your life.  
To God be the glory.  
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
pastor Kris

“It was cold and I was getting very weary waiting forever for the train to come.  Some homeless people saw me, gave me some of their own cardboard boxes and saying, “You’ll be warmer if you sit on these!”  I have always walked by homeless people pretending I didn’t see them, and yet here they were offering me warmth.  Such warm people.”

*I’m sorry I don’t have the credits to who wrote the story quoted above. My friend sent this to me.  It was in Japanese and translated into English.

Personal Reflection:

Being exposed to the marginalized and less fortunate, I have learned that (as easy as it might seem to judge people) we can learn so much from anybody and everybody!  Especially living here in Vancouver, I have realized more and more how ethical and loving/caring people on the streets of east-side downtown can be!  They understand the meaning of loyalty and friendship better than many of us.  They understand the meaning of “sharing” rather than “gimme, gimme, gimme” or “more, more, more for me.”

Let’s learn from our fellow brothers and sisters.  On top of that, care for them as well.

         “Be a Good Samaritan” 

So here’s the first blog by HFAN Vancouver Campus!

Be Blessed!!