The Greatest Of These Is Love

Just returned from the Project Timothy Bible Conference, where David Jackman was the invited speaker. I guess I was really struck by his exposition of1 Cor 13. I've seen how people were convicted by songs that were sung during worship, but this is the ifrst time I've experienced a whole group of 250 christians in a room struck to the wuick by a sermon. when David Jackman hit to the very core of the message abt 1 Cor13, it was all I could do to keep the tears from coming down my face, and it was pretty obvious I wasn't the only one.

This has always been one of the central passages to my own faith values, yet I've never once heard it like he preached it. And it was that night when I truly understood how a grasp of the Word can convict like nothing else can.

The whole conference has been awesome. I guess I really appreciate David Jackman so much more than Allan Chapple. Difference of style, I guess. Hehz... But nevertheless, it has been a great time of retreat for me, to think abt the things that I've been struggling with in my heart. I remember how I always counted it against Andrew for his viciousness in dealing with lots of people, including me. I always held on to the thought that no matter how strong an authority on the word he appears to be, if his actions reveal a striking lack of gentleness and kindness towards those around him, then it still counts for absolutely nothing. After all, isn't that why Apostle Paul says "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."?

Then it struck me that the same chapter is the one with the verse that I've read a hundred times and totally glossed over - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. " And all this while I've acted against the same principles in the chapter that I've always held against Andrew.

In 1 Cor 3:1-3, Paul says "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? "

I dunno... at the conference it all came to light for me. Everytime I hold something against someone in my church, being unwilling to always hope and persevere in my trust towards that person, I'm guilty of being just as much a spiritual infant as that person. I went back to my room after the exposition, feeling very drained and tired. Took time out to speak with God. I recognize that I perhaps still need time to move on, but at least now I have a clearer idea of what is expected of me. Am writing it down here to remind me.

Other than that, it was a really stupid day. Went to Zhang Mu Shi's house today for BS. With all seriousness, he pulled me aside and said he's got something to ask me. Then he asked me if I would consider Weixiu!!! My own 50 yr-old pastor!!! To cap it all off, when I complained to my mom, all she had to say was "Mm... well, she sure is a lot better than Grace."

Thank God we don't live in the age of supernatural revelations anymore. If that turns out to be a true prophetic utterance, whoever reads this can go fish me out of the Singapore River.