Tebowmania

Sorry, folks. I couldn't help it. As an avid sports fan, I had to write a post about Tim Tebow.

By now, most mildly engaged Americans should know that Tim Tebow is an NFL quarterback who plays for the Denver Broncos. He is also the engineer of five highly improbable fourth-quarter comeback wins since he took over as the starter this season. After his latest comeback yesterday, Tebow-mania is quickly becoming Tebow-hysteria. Tebow is easily the most polarizing football player I can recall during my sports-watching lifetime. You either love him or you hate him, but you must choose a side.

Tebow is polarizing because of his unconventional playing style. One school of thought says that this style will not succeed in the long run and that his short-term success and remarkable ability to "just win games" is a statistical anomaly that will disappear with time. The other school of thought is that Tebow has some competitive or motivational edge that helps him propel his team to victory at the end of close games. With every unthinkable comeback, Tebow's fans love him more and his detractors become more annoyed. Either way, it makes for a compelling storyline.

But Tim Tebow is also a polarizing figure because he is very outspoken about his faith in Jesus Christ. He is a born-again lover of Jesus and not afraid to tell people about it. But as a member of the Body of Christ, Tim Tebow is nothing special. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Ephesians 4:16:

"Out from whom all the Body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love."

 The growth of the Body depends on the function of every single member, not on a few church leaders or outspoken public figures. Just like in the human body, every member has a vital role.

Tim Tebow can help the Body of Christ grow.

So can I.

So can you!

Why did Jesus die?

Every Christian thinks that Jesus died to cleanse them of their sins. Which, of course, is true. And very important.

However, today I was reading a book called The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee and I found out another reason why Jesus died.

In John 12:24, Jesus said, "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit." The context of this verse shows that Jesus was actually talking about himself as the grain of wheat. He had to die so that his life could be released and reproduced in the many grains of wheat, which are the believers (us!).

This aspect of Jesus' death is typified by Adam being put to sleep in Genesis 2. In the Bible, sleep is a temporary death (Psalm 13:3, John 11:11-14). Similarly, Jesus' death was a temporary death, because after three days he was resurrected! Sin does not enter the Bible until Genesis 3, so we know Adam was not put to sleep to deal with sin. Rather, Adam was put to sleep to reproduce himself! A bone taken out of his side became Eve, his counterpart. Similarly, Jesus' death was for his reproduction into many grains. All the believers have the life of Christ, and together, we form the church, which is his bride and counterpart! (Ephesians 5:22-32).

You can read more about this awesome book from some of fellow bloggers' posts here and here.

A Reflection on the Past Semester

Friday was the final day of class, bringing to a close my fifth semester here at UT. Of the five, this semester stands out as the best so far. Before the semester started, I made a major decision that I knew would deeply affect my life. The decision was to stop running competitively. Running had been a big part of my life since fifth grade, when I first turned out for cross country and track. Though I didn't always enjoy the training aspect of running, I always enjoyed competing and the team camaraderie. However, this past summer, I felt like it was time to move on due to some outward and inward arrangements.

Including practices, meetings, and competitions, most Division I NCAA sports take at least 20 hours out of an athlete's week. Distance running is no different. In fact, in some ways, distance running takes more time than any other sport since there is no off-season. So I knew coming into this semester that I would have a lot more time on my hands. Of course, having entered the upper division of chemical engineering, I knew that some of that extra time would be dedicated to academic work and research. However, I also knew that despite the additional school work, I would have more free time than previous semesters. Before the semester, I consecrated my free time to the Lord in a definite way. I did not want my time to be wasted with vain or idle things. I wanted to redeem the time (Colossians 4:5, Ephesians 5:16), that it would be useful to the Lord.

Well, the Lord honored my consecration in a definite way. This semester, my time was filled with bible studies, gospel preaching, appointments with other Christians on campus, and times of fellowship in the homes of the saints. I also had the privilege of getting to know quite a few new freshmen and help them grow in the Lord. Many times, these freshmen also helped me to turn to my spirit and pursue after Christ!

But most of all, what I enjoyed this semester was praying in a consistent way with a few other brothers, who I would call my companions in the Lord. I felt like all semester, we were bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). The time we spent praying to contact God and intercede for others was definitely not wasted.

Last night, Christians on Campus had our final event of the semester - a celebration banquet. I had a chance to share about my experience with the Lord this semester. Hearing testimonies from other students about their experiences with the Lord this semester was awesome, as well. The Lord is moving on the UT campus! Praise Him!

Fun Song from John 4

This is a song from John 4, the story of the woman at the well. The title of the blog comes from this same story.

1. One day as the Lord passed a well,
   A woman so thirsty was there.
   He was not content until
   He left her the water that's real, pure, and clear.
   Oh, come see a man,
   Oh, come see a man,
   Who told me all things that ever I did.
   Is this not the Christ?
   Is this not the Christ?
   He fills me forever and ever! Amen.
• Oh, come see a man,
  Oh, come see a man,
  Who told me all things that ever I did.
  Is this not the Christ?
  Is this not the Christ?
  He fills me forever and ever! Amen.
2. He spoke words that I'd never heard,
   Yet how He did stir up my thirst!
   He spoke of the water that lives,
   To all who are thirsty, He freely will give.
3. Now this living water have I!
   I drink and I soar to the sky!
   His praises now fill all the air
   Because I am speaking Him, now, everywhere!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/ns/347#ixzz1cqOQErgK

The Top Ten Chapters

What are the ten best chapters in the Bible? No doubt that is a subjective question. It's also a question to which there is definitely no wrong answer, and probably no right answer, either, since "all scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Nevertheless, when this question was raised to me I decided to take a stab at it. Since I could first read and write, I have always loved lists of items, particularly ordered lists or rankings. More recently, I have developed a love for the Bible. A list of my favorite ten Bible chapters meshes these two loves together.

Before I give my list, I would like to present a similar list posted by a friend of mine. I would also like to make a few disclaimers. First of all, this list is my personal opinion. I do not claim that these are God's favorite ten chapters, or that they should be your favorite ten chapters. I also reserve the right to change this list at any time in the future as God reveals more to me in the Bible.

Finally, because I am halfway through a New Testament reading schedule, this list only includes chapters between Matthew 1 and 2 Corinthians 8. I will continue updating or expanding as I finish the New Testament and perhaps even return to add Old Testament chapters. But for now, these are the chapters I feel most comfortable with, so these are the chapters I would like to rank.

Without further ado, the top ten...

1. Romans 8. I once memorized this chapter, so it has a special place in my heart. But objectively speaking, this chapter is loaded with juicy verses about freedom in the Spirit by Christ's indwelling and our inheritance as children of God. Some examples:
- Romans 8:2 - "The law of the Spirit of life has freed me in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and of death."
- Romans 8:11 - "And if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who indwells you."
- Romans 8:16 - "The Spirit himself witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God."
- Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose."
- Romans 8:31 - "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us."

2. John 1. This chapter takes us from eternity past to eternity future, showing us God as the Word before creation (verse 1), Christ's incarnation (verse 14), Christ as the Lamb of God for our redemption (verse 29), the pouring out of the Spirit (verse 32), the transformation of the believers into stones for God's building (verse 42), and the final consummation of the building in which Christ unites heaven and earth, God and man (verse 51). Verse 51 is a fulfillment of Jacob's dream at Bethel (which means house of God) in Genesis 28. John 1 also includes a key verse about regeneration:
- John 1:12 - "But as many as received him, to them he gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into his name."

3. 1 Corinthians 15. This chapter is a whirlwind of amazing verses about resurrection, starting with the preaching of the gospel of resurrection and finishing with the application to our corrupted flesh of Christ's victory in resurrection. We also find out at the end of the chapter that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. Here's a juicy tidbit:
- 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 - "And when this corruptible will put on incorruption and this mortal will put on immortality, then the word which is written will come to pass, 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

4. 2 Corinthians 3. Short but sweet, we learn in this chapter that we are living letters of Christ inscribed by the Spirit (v. 3) and that we are mirrors beholding and reflecting the glory of the Lord (v. 18). In between, we learn that turning our heart to the Lord removes the veil separating us from the Lord (v. 16), that the Lord is the Spirit (v. 17), that the Spirit gives life (v. 6), and that this life is transforming us (v. 18).

5. John 15. John 14-16 are a breathtaking trio of chapters in which Jesus is speaking intimately with his disciples. I only had room for one on the list, so I chose John 15, in which Jesus talks about the analogy of the vine and the branches. He is the vine and we are the branches, whose purpose is to bear fruit. Interestingly, the topics of love (mentioned 10 times) and separation from the world play a prominent role in this chapter.

6. John 4. The blog's namesake verse comes from this chapter, so it just had to be on the list. Of the many stories in the first part of John, the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 is my favorite. Read more about it in this post. A couple key verses from the story:
- John 4:14 - "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall by no means thirst forever, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into eternal life."
- John 4:24 - "God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truthfulness."
- John 4:34 - "Jesus said to them, my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
In this chapter, Jesus also talks about reaping from the ripe harvest and heals a dying boy.

7. 1 Corinthians 14. Paul speaks strongly in this chapter about prophesying, which is not merely to foretell the future, but to speak on behalf of God. He particularly contrasts prophesying with speaking in tongues. He tells us that we can all prophesy (v. 31) and that prophesying builds up the church (v. 4) and encourages men (v. 3). Verse 26 tells us that when the believers come together, each one has something to give, and verse 14 shows us that a good way to respond to others' giving is to say "the Amen."

8. Acts 9. This chapter, which speaks of Saul's conversion, is my favorite chapter in Acts, given the context of the rest of the New Testament. Saul was an approving witness of Stephen's martyrdom in Acts 7 and the primary persecutor of the believers in Acts 8. Yet, the next fourteen books after Acts are written by the same man, who became Paul, a wise master builder of the church (1 Cor. 3:10). Acts 9 is the bridge between these two realities, which makes it a key chapter for me. Saul particularly sees the matter of the church being the Body of Christ. He thought he was persecuting humans, but the Lord asked him, "Why are you persecuting me?"

9. 1 Corinthians 3. This chapter will probably get axed later, so I won't say too much. It speaks of the church being God's cultivated land and God's building. I love verse 6: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth."

10. Romans 5. Ditto 1 Cor. 3. This chapters drives home the point that just as sin entered through one man (Adam), grace entered through one man (Jesus Christ). Verse 10 shows us two sides of his grace toward us (redemption through his death and salvation through his life).

A Chapter a Day...

This semester, quite of few of us from Christian Students on Campus here at UT-Austin started a Bible reading schedule that basically amounts to a chapter a day. We decided to begin in the book of Acts since many of us had been reading the gospel of John over the summer.

Last Monday, we were on Acts chapter 2. I read the chapter in the morning with two other friends on the 9th floor of Jester dorm. Later in the morning, three different people texted me the same verse, Acts 2:21, which says: "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Needless to say, that verse was running through my head when I went to lunch. While standing in line at the SAC waiting to order my teriyaki chicken bowl, I started explaining the Bible reading schedule to another friend. Behind us, a random guy overheard our conversation.

Actually, the guy definitely wasn't random. He and I had been prepared for a divinely arranged appointment at that very place and time. He asked if we were talking about the Bible, and after I told him we were, he asked me to share something with him. A bit surprised, the only verse I could think of was Acts 2:21, because I had read and received that verse in the morning. The conversation quickly turned to salvation, and I learned that he had not yet been saved. To make a long story short, after we both got our food, he called on the Lord and prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his savior! He was happy, I was happy, and God was happy too!

This past Monday (yesterday), we were on Acts chapter 8. A few friends from Christian Students and I went over to a house near the campus for lunch, where we read and discussed this chapter. The fellowship eventually turned to verses 35-38, which say:

"Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized? Then Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him."

We soon found out that one of the brothers there had believed but had not yet been baptized. After looking through verses about baptism all throughout the New Testament, we settled on Acts 22:16, which says: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized..."

At that point, we stopped waiting, took the brother to a nearby apartment complex, and baptized him in a swimming pool. God was happy again!

It's amazing what the Lord can do with a group of people who simply read a chapter of the Bible every day.

The Seventh Man in John 4

I haven't wrote on the blog in a while, since I have been very busy moving back to Austin and getting ready for the semester to start. Well, the semester started yesterday and this evening was an enjoyable beginning with a welcome dinner for Christians on Campus. I have to blog about the dinner tonight because afterward, brother Cary Ard gave a short message on John 4, including the title verse of this blog.

One new thing impressed me very much about the passage. Jesus was actually the seventh man met by the Samaritan woman at the well. The first five were husbands and the sixth was not her husband (v. 18), but perhaps a man she was living with at the time. What is the significance of these first six men? Each one represents something in the physical realm that she went to for satisfaction, but could not satisfy her. That's why she kept searching for a new man to satisfy her! For those of us in college, our "husbands" could be many different things. Some of us may seek satisfaction from new clothes, from new electronics, or from new friends. But in the end, none of these things in the physical realm will satisfy.

The only thing that will satisfy us is the seventh man, Jesus! When the woman met Jesus, she met the living water which quenched her thirst forever (v. 13-14). In the same way, I beseech the Lord that we would each meet him in such a personal way as the one who satisfies our thirst.

Then we can truly say, "Come, see man."

The Third Day

In my Bible reading today, I read John chapter 2, a chapter that I have probably read at least 10 times in my life. But this time I noticed something new.

The transition between chapters 1 and 2 of John is extremely awkward. Chapter 1 ends with Jesus speaking to Nathanael, a newly met disciple. Chapter 2 begins, "And the third day a wedding took place in Cana..."

The third day of what!?!

John gives no clue what the third day means. The third day of the week? The third day of the month? The third day of his brand new job? He doesn't say. I don't think he cares, because for him the third day had a deeper significance.

Of course, Jesus was resurrected on the third day after his death. In the context of John chapter 2, the third day also signifies resurrection! The next several verses talk about Jesus changing the water into wine, a sign (verse 11) for changing death into life, which is resurrection.

John's gospel is a gospel all about life, and from the first verse of chapter 2, he sets forth this principle of resurrection.

God's Masterpiece

For the past two weeks, I have been back in my hometown of Spokane, Washington visiting my family. One of the great things about the Northwest (especially in comparison to Texas) is the natural scenery. This past week, I had the opportunity to spend a few days backpacking in the scenic Cascade Mountains.

During the trip, my appreciation for God's creation reached a whole new level. I really enjoyed the breathtaking views of snowy peaks and peaceful meadows, but that is only one aspect of the creation. The creation truly does testify of God, as explained by Romans 1:20 - "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen..."

But...

The creation is not God's masterpiece! Can you believe it? The mountains, the rivers, the oceans, the trees, the animals, the water cycle, the carbon cycle, the perfect balance of life, even all the planets and stars and galaxies...none of it is God's masterpiece.

What is God's masterpiece? Let's go to Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are His masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works..." The word masterpiece is sometimes translated as workmanship. The word in Greek is poiema, a great work of art expressing the maker's wisdom. We, the believers built up as the church, are God's poiema, God's workmanship, God's masterpiece! He has taken fallen sinners, redeemed them, regenerated them, making them his sons and his body as his corporate expression on the earth. What a masterpiece!

The Excellent Ones

Well, I probably do not have enough time to summarize the entire road trip from last week on the blog like I promised before. We passed through seven states, stopped in five cities, visited three university campuses and one gigantic cave, and accumulated over 2,000 miles in the car. You can read more about the trip itself on a post in Chris' blog. I just want to emphasize one aspect of the trip: visiting saints in other localities. This was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip for all five of us. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 16:3 - "As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." In the Bible, saint means sanctified one. All the believers who have ever lived on the earth are saints! We had the privilege of visiting some of these sanctified ones in Cincinnati, Fairborn (Ohio), Ann Arbor (Michigan), and Chicago. These saints poured out their love and care upon us by providing us food and lodging, taking us on tours, and feeding us the Word of God. I can truly say after the trip that they love us and we love them. The saints in the Midwest, just like the saints everywhere, truly are the excellent ones.

Road Trip Rundown

I haven't posted much in the last five days because I have been traveling without an Internet connection. On Tuesday evening, four other brothers and I left Austin. So far we have traveled through Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky on our way to Ohio. We made stops in Dallas, Memphis, and Mammoth Cave National Park before arriving at our destination, Cincinnati. We spent one day there unpacking a U-Haul (more on that later) and touring the campus and city. Right now we are in Fairborn, Ohio (more on that too), with destinations still remaining in Michigan and Illinois. Sorry I don't have time to say more now, but I will post more details later, hopefully with pictures.

Come, see a man

Welcome, friends, to my new blog. The purpose of this blog is to share experiences from my daily life. I would like to focus particularly, but not exclusively, on experiences I have of Christ. This brings me to the title of the blog, which comes from John 4. This chapter contains is the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. There, she met the Lord Jesus, and he turned her from drinking the unsatisfying water of the world to drinking the eternal water of life. This experience of Christ had a profound impact on her and of course, she wanted to tell everyone! But she didn't just tell the people in her city what had happened. She told them to "Come, see a man who told me all that I have done..." (John 4:29) Her experience caused her to show others Christ himself! In the same way, I would like to share my experiences not just to share them, but so that other people would see the Lord Jesus Christ.