Missing "Chinese" Food--in China?

Here is an interesting idea.
As you may know, Chinese food served in Chinese restaurants in America has little in common with Chinese food served in China.  Americans who have lived in China--and had authentic Chinese food--often miss that when they come back.  That is doubly true for Chinese who lice in America!
But the "missing" goes the other way around.  What if you really loved American-style Chinese food, and went to China, and found it wasn't to be had?  What to do?
Well, two smart entrepreneurs have created an American-Chinese restaurant in China.  Now, at least in Shanghai, Americans who crave the "Chinese" food they enjoyed in their own country can have it.  It even includes fortune cookies (which do not exist in China).  Read about it here.

Why What You Read Matters

A few months ago (maybe longer!) I pointed to a book by Rosario Butterfield--former university English professor and LGBT activist, become devoted follower of Christ.  Today I came upon an article she wrote on the Gospel Coalition blog.  It is quite a compelling article, especially given her history.
To prime you for this--in case you haven't noticed, "social conservatives" are losing the "culture wars." On just about all fronts (the big ones are abortion and gay marriage) the culture is moving away from biblical teaching.  How should we respond?
One way to respond is to--read the right stuff!  That is what Butterfield proposes in her article.  Fill your head and heart with the gospel and the Scripture, and with writers from other times who are not caught up in the present vortex.  You can read it by clicking here.  I recommend you do!

The "Big Sins" in Job's Day

In my annual Bible reading, I am once again reading through Job.  Job 31 is especially intriguing.  It is Job's "final defense" before his four friends.  Up to now three of his friends have kept up a drumbeat of: "Job, your suffering means that you are guilty.  Admit it, confess, and you will be well again."  Job is not so sure--he insist on his "integrity" (a word you read a lot in Job's speeches).
So in Job 31 he elaborates--in summary.  Here are the "big sins" of Job's day--and Job insists he is not guilty of these, at least not flagrantly.  But what are those "big sins"?  Here are some of them:
1. Sexual sin (vv. 1, 9)
2. Deceit, especially in business dealings (vv. 5-6)
3. Mistreating servants (vv. 13-15)
4. Refusing to help the poor, fatherless, widow, sojourner (vv. 16-23; 32)
5. Trust in wealth, or other idols (sun and moon, etc.) (vv. 24-28)
6. Rejoicing at the ruin of enemies (vv. 29-31)
7. Fear of man--not speaking out for fear of what others would think of him (vv. 33-34)

Remember, Job's story took place before the giving of the Ten Commandments at Sinai.  Here is the "law written on the heart" (Rom. 2:15).  God give each one grace to hear and reflect, and repent.

Great little Booklets--Got a Kindle?

Got a Kindle?  Ligonier recently released a bunch of booklets, on a variety of subjects.  they cost $3 or so each as booklets--but on your Kindle, they are free!  I've read two of them so far--How to Develop a Christian Conscience? and What is the Church?  They are at most a 15-30 minute read, and very good.  Check out all the titles by clicking here.

Why Presbyterian?

Here is a rare brief article, from the Gospel Coalition's blog, titled "Why You Should Be a Presbyterian."  Just in case you wondered--have a read.

I have not always been Presbyterian, either.  What drew me mostly to Westminster Seminary was the gospel--the full grace of God expressed in the doctrines of grace.  As a byproduct, almost, I became Presbyterian.  Since Presbyterians are sinners, too, it is not utopia.  But I am blessed, as a Presbyterian minister, with wise and godly elders who are better than I deserve, and with a presbytery.  Soli Deo Gloria.

"The Wrath of God Was Satisfied..."

Perhaps you recognize that line.  It is from the new hymn, "In Christ Alone."  The entire verse reads, 
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

The biblical teaching that the wrath of God was satisfied on the cross--that Jesus' death atoned for sin by, among other things, satisfying the justice of God--is not well-received today.  Colin Hansen has an interesting article on that at the Gospel Coalition web site.  Read it and pray for the larger church.

A Picture of the Gospel

What would you say to this?  See what happened on these two flights last year around Christmas:



This is actually a picture of the gospel. Like all analogies, it breaks down, of course, but consider this:

Every day God gives us life instead of death.  He does so to lead us to repentance (Ro. 2:14).  He does this, in other words, in order to point us toward his greatest gift: that of his Son, Jesus, who came to deal with our deepest, most profound need, that we are sinners--sin robs us of all ultimate joy and happiness, and forces us into lives of servitude to our self-serving desires.

Now in this video (by the way, what better way for a company--at a fraction of the cost of a TV commercial--to get publicity, and some loyal customers!) people, to their great surprise, receive what they asked of the electronic Santa Claus set up in the departure lounge of the airport.

Some, alas, did not ask for much--one man new socks and underwear, for instance.  Some, no doubt, were too jaded to ask for anything.  But--everyone got what they asked for! Even an Android tablet, and a large TV.

But--heart-check!--what are all these compared to forgiveness of sins, being made white as snow before God, and deliverance from slavery to sin's tyranny?  All the gifts passengers received--how many of them still make them happy next year, the year after that?  All will wear out--from the socks and underwear to the big TV.  But salvation lasts forever.  And is there for the asking.

So--ask God for a lot.  Ask for nothing less than Christ.  Don't just ask for socks and underwear.

Hat tip: David Murray

Unusual Church Plant

Here is a link to a video about the church plant I mentioned before the sermon yesterday.  Take a look:

http://vimeo.com/76092170