It’s About Time

Well, here are my thoughts regarding expansion of NBBC from college to Univ settings.  My reservation lies in the area of identity. When a college calls itself a Baptist college, it immediately specify what it stands for (logically speaking). I’m not saying Northland is ditching its distinctive (I think one of the men in the Northland video interviews mention something in passing though not in direct reference to my point of concern that identity will not be lost).  Personally I’d like to see it retain its Baptist identity despite changes.  Undoubtedly, these men have spent much time musing and discussing the pros and cons of certain decisions and these aren’t easy decisions to make.  Dr Ol’ has often said that the choices also determines the consequences or destination.

Another area of interest rather than concern is that of accreditation. As a college it has received accreditation status but this new aspect?

Anyway, I’ll be writing to Kevin Priest or Sam Horn about these and see what they will say. It’s still early days yet and I’m sure their email inboxes  have been stuffed with queries (not to mention accusations etc)!  It’d wouldn’t be prudent to jump to conclusion but be open-minded and process information as they trickle in….

Will enter my thoughts later. . .

A week or so ago, got an email from Curt Lamansky, likely to be group-mass mailing thingy, informing that major changes has taken place at Northland, my alma mater.  I gathered that this announcement was made during the Missions Conference.  Northland Baptist Bible College will now be under the umbrella of Northland International University.

It turns out to be an expansion of Northland’s vision and purpose to serve a larger community of believers.  A quick visit to Northland’s new website reveals major expansion plans.  One particular page shows video interviews of Dr Les Ollila, Dr Mat Olson and Dr Sam Horn, with each man explaining the purpose and direction in which Northland is heading in the coming days ahead.

With many things happening in my own church and personal lives (illness), I have yet to fully comprehend (actually digest is a more accurate word!) the implication and though some questions are floating in my mind, I am sure in coming days I’ll get some answers and understand things better.

Undoubtedly, certain segments of community will be apprehensive seeing what directions Cedarville and Grand Rapids had become over the years with the change of names.  Will post additional thoughts later.

Two days ago I browsed AdPost to see what’s new on their musical instrument section. Saw a guy wanting to sell his Takamine for $128.  Probing further saw a blurred picture.  I thought maybe it might be good to get one for “rough use” – like picnic at park located near the sea for instance. Or bring it to church camp and wouldn’t worry about being stolen etc.

Sms the guy and he emailed additional pictures. Two other pics were electric guitar and amplifier which I was uninterested. Both pics were sharp. Unfortunately the acoustic guitar was still blur.   Decided to drop by his place to check it out.

I did- today. It was a discontinued Takamine EN15.  It’s not well cared for and the tuners were and end pin were oxidized along with deep dirt.  I don’t care for the electronics since I don’t plug it anyway.  Countered offer of $80 (which should’ve been lower) and after a brief argy bargy, the man agreed. He was probably about late 50s or early 60s man living alone. He claimed to want to get rid of his stuff as he’s moving out of his flat.

Anyway, brought it over to Malcolm to spruce it up. The setup cost more than the guitar!  No need to change tuners he advised.  Just cleaned it up and strung new strings along with truss rod adjustments.  Brought it home but the semi-hardcase for the LL-16 doesn’t fit this guitar.

Surf Takamine website’s archive page but couldn’t locate specifications about this guitar. The closest model was EN-18.  Dropped a note to their customer service about this model.  The reply was that it’s an ‘85 model with piezzo electronics, and it’s solid cedar top but laminated back and sides.

Took some pics using my phone camera. Not too great when viewed from notebook.

Sarcasm is a crooked expression of self-pity and conceit,”

so writes John Stott in his book, The Preacher’s Portrait, p 90.  This is a wonderful exposition on pastoral theology.  As there are different facets to a preacher’s life and ministry, so Stott paints the portrait of preacher using biblical metaphor related to his life and ministry.

Earlier in his book, the author describes the preacher as a steward – one who is a trustee of his master’s goods and household. A steward’s task is faithful to his entrustment.  Then Stott went on to paint another stroke on the canvas of a preacher’s portrait with the herald metaphor – one who is to declare boldly the Gospel of the King; the message or decree from the Sovereign.  The herald has no right to change the message of the king so the preacher must be faithful to declare loyally the message of God’s word. Then followed by the witness metaphor which brings to mind the witness in the law court. The witness is to be truthful and must have personal experience of that which he is testifying to. In this case, the judge is the world, the one in the dock is Jesus Christ. The prosecution lawyer is none other than Satan himself.  The judge already biased towards Christ will hear of the believer’s witness to the veracity of Christ’s claim to be Lord.  The preacher thus has that task of testifying for the Lord with a personal and real knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The quotation stated at the onset of this blog, was given in the father metaphor.  In this metaphor, the preacher’s relationship is familial in its essence.  The apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians that though they have many instructors they only have one spiritual father. Paul was dealing with issue of choice that the church has – whether they want to have him come as a father with a whip – like the pedagogue carries when caring the master’s ward, or have him come as a father with tenderness. It’s their call, so to speak, 1 Cor 4:14.  Paul also reiterated this paternal relationship with the Thessalonians when describing

The context of the quotation speaks of a preacher’s need to love his congregation as a father towards his children.  Love defines how a preacher ought to treat his congregation – firstly, with understanding.  In that setting, the preacher is to minister with a father understanding of his children.  The author highlights the need for preachers to approach the ministry with understanding – of the people’s needs. the folks often come into the house of God with problems – personal, intellectual, moral, etc.  The best way is for the preacher to know them through interaction.  One means is that of personal visitation where the setting is more conducive for personal conversation.

Secondly, loving with a father’s gentleness.  Regardless of how rough or strict a disciplinarian a father might be, there is always that gentleness towards his children.  Gentleness of a father is expressed through that of realistic expectation. In other words, pastors must manage his expectation rightly as a father ought to do so with his children.  It is foolishness, says Stott, to expect a child to have an adult decorum or level of maturity. Likewise, preachers must exercise awareness in this area. Just as sometimes a child may exhibit maturity beyond his age in perceiving certain concepts, the same child might just drive us up the wall with his childish antics {at this juncture, I am reminded of my relationship with my daughter!}.

A good point raised is that sarcasm is not a weapon that love will use to achieve its objective. In fact, Stott was right to say that sarcasm is actually a “crooked expression of self-pity and conceit.” How true that is!  The key to effective pastoral ministry is to persevere, and not to lose patience or temper but to pray; also to learn not to resort to sarcasm but conduct as “… the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” (2 Tim 2:24-25). Not easy but through God’s grace, it shall and must be done.

LL-16 taken with phone camera

Finally got the chance to take some pictures of my Yamaha LL-16. It wasn’t the best but working with a phone camera is something else.  Anyway, it’s just for personal enjoyment.

It sounds different from the LJ-16 when played. This LL-16 is louder and “twangs” nicely with bass and treble in right balance.  Whereas the LJ-16 sounds very nice when fingerpicked. The bass is punchy.  However I haven’t sent the LL-16 for bone saddle upgrade yet. It’s still using factory installed tusq saddle.  Yet, the sustaining tone is still great. No complaints.

LJ-16 taken without flash at home