Strapping Faith
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Chronology of Christ's Life and Ministry
Saturday, June 18, 2022
PA Camp Meeting Meet Ups
Camp meetings are a great way to meet up with friends and meet some great speakers. I used to be more socially withdrawn for much of my life up to the year 2017 and didn't think much about it. I believe Steve Wohlberg was a speaker at PA camp meeting in 2017 and I heard that he was dealing with some kind of mental crisis. Ironically, I started going through one myself that year too, so I found that really relatable. Here is a list of speakers I met at camp meetings so far: Doug Batchelor (2018), Mark Finley (2019), John Bradshaw (2019), and David Asscherick (2022).
Many of the friends I meet up at camp meetings are ones I met at a church at some point in time. I have a friend named Joshua Fleming who's originally from New Jersey, lived in Pennsylvania for a while, moved to West Virginia to go to medical school, and now is doing his residency over in Texas. I met him in 2017 at my church, we connected on Facebook and he helped me through my crisis with encouraging words from the bible and Spirit of Prophecy. I got to meet him again in 2018 and 2019 during camp meeting.
Funny story that happened in the 2019 camp meeting: I was on my way to the car of my friend who brought me and then the alarm of the car next to it suddenly goes off. Next, I kid you not, John Bradshaw comes to that car and turns off the alarm. So apparently he had parked right next to my friend's car. What is the chance of that? haha
There was no camp meeting in 2020 due to the pandemic, but I did get to meet many new Adventist friends online though. See my other post about how the pandemic became a blessing. In 2021, I didn't really think to meet up with any speakers, but I did get to meet up with the Adventist graphic designer, Andrew Carroll. Andrew is also involved with an online ministry that I'm also involved with. I got a new pastor that year, but I got to meet up with my previous pastor (Tom J Stone) at camp meeting too. This pastor was also a great help for me too during my crisis.
I got to meet up with my previous pastor again during this year's camp meeting. I also met up with Andrew Carroll, Lee Givan (musician), Jason Miller (from Hope Sabbath School) and the guest speaker David Asscherick. I've met Lee G before, he did a concert at my church. My friendship with Jason started with a Facebook conversation. I didn't know he was at camp meeting and he didn't know I'd be there either, but he found out because of my Instagram stories. He messaged me and we got to meet up for a bit.
As for David Asscherick, the first time I've heard of him was on some cassette tapes my dad bought about 20 years ago. David was the first English speaking Adventist evangelist that I've ever heard of before, so it was really cool to finally meet him.
Monday, January 31, 2022
Thank God for Online Ministry (Updated)
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Laura and Ernie did a concert at my church
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
How God turned the pandemic into a blessing
I had already been spending too much time on social media since 2017, it only fed into my anxiety, worrying what people think. The pandemic seemed to make this worse, but it later got better as I started to seek help for these issues.
During the pandemic, I began connecting with many other Adventists on social media. In April, I signed up for ARISE Online and I was really blessed. Nicole Parker's talk about Jesus' friendship circles was really interesting. Later in the year, on Facebook, I learned about and was blessed by the on-going Zoom meetings by the Central California Conference youth department.
During the start of the summer, I came across Ivor Myers' Phototheology idea on Facebook and it inspired me with the idea of illustrating the bible in Minecraft. Then I attended a meeting with the Center for Online Evangelism who had a guest host who was talking about a similar idea to mine, although it was about using any video game in general. After that we formed a Facebook group called Adventist Gamers and made some new friends there.
Also that summer, I attended the virtual GYC Atlantic conference (the theme for 2020 was "God Hears"), then I joined their morning zoom prayer group and made some new friends there. I also attended their 40 days of prayer initiative in the evening. Around the same time, I also attended the virtual ASI event. I also attended the virtual GYC Europe event too (their theme for the year was "What If We Ask?").
It was in September when I suddenly realized that God fulfilled a promise He made to me the year before about replacing my past painful experience with a positive one. I saw that God was giving me a second chance at connecting with other young adults in church without worrying what they think of me.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
How to grow your church
Preparing The Soil of The Heart: Community Ministries
Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.” [MH 143]
In Christlike sympathy we should come close to men individually, and seek to awaken their interest in the great things of eternal life. Their hearts may be as hard as the beaten highway, and apparently it may be a useless effort to present the Saviour to them; but while logic may fail to move, and argument be powerless to convince, the love of Christ, revealed in personal ministry, may soften the stony heart, so that the seed of truth can take root. [COL 57]
When properly conducted, the health work is an entering wedge, making a way for other truths to reach the heart. [6T 327]
Isaiah 58:10 If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Planting the Seed of God's Word: Literature/Media Ministries
Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.
Isaiah 32:20 Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, Who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.
Unvarnished truth must be spoken, in leaflets and pamphlets, and these must be scattered like the leaves of autumn. [9T 231]
In the parable of the sower, Christ gave an illustration of His own work and that of His servants. The seed fell upon all kinds of soil. Some seed fell upon poor soil, yet the sower did not therefore cease his work. You are to sow the seeds of truth in every place. Wherever you can gain access, hold forth the word of God. Sow beside all waters. You may not at once see the result of your labors, but be not discouraged. Speak the words that Christ gives you. Work in His lines. Go forth everywhere as He did during His ministry on the earth. The world's Redeemer had many hearers, but few followers. 7T 35
2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
The dissemination of the truth of God is not confined to a few ordained ministers. The truth is to be scattered by all who claim to be disciples of Christ. [Christian Service 68]
More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications [Evangelism, 693]
Cultivating Spiritual Interest: Bible Study Ministries
1 Peter 2:2-3 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Acts 8:30-31 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
In the experience of Philip and the Ethiopian is presented the work to which the Lord calls His people... There are those in the world who are reading the Scriptures, but who cannot understand their import. The men and women who have a knowledge of God are needed to explain the word to these souls. [Evangelism 142]
The plan of holding Bible-readings was a heaven-born idea. [Gospel Workers 192]
In visions of the night, representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God's people... Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the word of God. 9T 126
1 Peter 1:23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
Harvesting Decisions for Christ: Personal Appeals and Public Evangelism
Matthew 9:37
Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
When persons who are under conviction are not brought to make a decision at the earliest period possible, there is danger that the conviction will gradually wear away
[Evangelism 229]
After the meetings are through, there should be a personal investigation with each one on the ground. Each one should be asked how he is going to take these things, if he is going to make a personal application of them. And then you should watch and see if there is an interest in this one or that. Five words spoken to them privately will do more than the whole discourse has done. [Evangelism 285]
The salvation of sinners requires earnest, personal labor. We are to bear to them the word of life, not to wait for them to come to us. With personal piety and a consistent course of life our earnest heart-felt appeals will be, through God, as sharp arrows of the Almighty to pierce the sin-hardened heart, as sharp sickles to reap a precious harvest for the heavenly garner. If we are co-laborers with Christ, we shall all have sheaves to bring to the Master,—souls saved through our instrumentality. [RH April 24, 1883]
the secret of our success and power... will be found in making direct, personal appeals to those who are interested, having unwavering reliance upon the Most High.
[RH August 30, 1892]
Preserving New Members with Discipleship
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
When souls are converted, set them to work at once. And as they labor according to their ability, they will grow stronger. It is by meeting opposing influences that we become confirmed in the faith. [Evangelism 355]
Mark 3:14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach
After individuals have been converted to the truth, they need to be looked after... These newly converted ones need nursing,—watchful attention, help, and encouragement. These should not be left alone, a prey to Satan's most powerful temptations; they need to be educated in regard to their duties, to be kindly dealt with, to be led along, and to be visited and prayed with. [Evangelism 351]
Luke 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
One soul, won to the truth, will be instrumental in winning others, and there will be an ever-increasing result of blessing and salvation. [Christian Service 121]
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
God Will Make Things Better
The 21st chapter of John begins with Peter going back to his old fishing job with his friends and when they had failed at catching any fish, Jesus appeared to them from the shore, and repeated the fishing miracle that He had done in the past. After realizing that this was Jesus, Peter swims back to shore while the other disciples bring over the boat of fish.
When they all arrived back to shore, they saw a "fire of coals" and fish already cooking on it. They bring over their 153 fish at Jesus' request and they're invited them to eat with him. Jesus asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?". Peter replied "yes" each time and Jesus replied back each time, reminding Peter of his mission: "Feed My sheep". After the third time, Jesus predicted how Peter would die and said "Follow Me". Peter asked about the other disciple with him and Jesus basically said to mind his own business and again reminded him "Follow Me".
God Can Heal and Restore You Too
Perhaps you're new in your walk with God and you can't think of any good past experiences with God in the past to help encourage you during a negative experience in the present. Like Peter's "fire of coals," certain things may trigger negative memories. Perhaps your "fire of coals" is your church and someone did something there to hurt you.
The good news is, Jesus can give you new positive memories to help heal you from your painful memories of the past. Just like Jesus told Peter, "Feed My Sheep", He's calling you to help others in need and point them to Jesus. As you do, you will soon find that God will begin to heal you from your painful past experiences in the process.
God Invites You To Go Forward
Just like how God told ancient Israel to "go forward" in spite of obstacles, He's telling you to move on. Don't fear the storm, God promised "I will be with you". Though you may feel paralyzed with anxiety, Christ's command "Rise up and walk" is sufficient to enable you. If you wait until the circumstances are more convenient to follow Jesus, you'll never do it. Today is the day of your salvation, trust Jesus a hundred percent with your life today.
Relevant quote:
Do not bring the disagreeable things of the past into your present life. Testify that life with Christ is no failure.... Dismiss Satan, walk with Jesus, and be complete in Him. Never, never give Satan the satisfaction of taunting you or others that our faith is a deception, a delusion. Upward Look, p. 314
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Faith, More Precious Than Gold
That Friday night I went to bed, then I woke up at around 2 in the morning and couldn’t get back to sleep until about two hours later. As I was meditating on scripture, I imagined someone in church glowing and holding a bar of gold, then the phrase “look heavenward” came to mind. Then the words of Christ in Revelation 3:18 flashed to memory: “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire”. Then I imagined the guy glowing in the church was a knight wearing God's armor. Then two songs came to mind: "He Has Made Me Glad" and “All hail the power of Jesus’ name”. Then I got up to get some water, went back to bed, and eventually fell asleep.
As I was getting ready to go to church, I heard, on the radio, the same two songs that had come to my mind while I was having trouble sleeping and they were back-to-back, one right after the other. I thought to myself “wow, you can’t make this up”. Little did I know, this was only the beginning.
At church, the welcome included a prayer and I noticed the phrase "look heavenward" was used. Then, I kid you not, the children’s story was about wearing the armor of God. An illustration was used, showing how an unpeeled orange can float above water, but a peeled orange will sink. The peel was compared to armor and the phrase “a knight in shining armor” was even mentioned. While the orange was peeled, a story was told of someone who was losing their hold on God and it sounded like it was talking about me.
During the song service, the first song was “Tell me the story of Jesus”, the same song I sang with my dad for morning worship at home before coming to church. That's not all! The closing prayer after the sermon made reference to the "gold" of faith in Revelation 3:18. During potluck, Isaiah 41:10 flashed to my memory and it reminded me that God would me with me, even during trials. It also reminds me of this verse: "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 1:6-7