The Mind of the Melancholeric Man: Musings on Life and Ministry by Patrick Tan
Reflection Paper on William Carey Video
This is a reflection paper on the William Carey video our class in Leadership in Mission watched last two Tuesdays. Before seeing this video, I have hardly any idea who William Carey is. From our reading, he pioneered one of the three most influential missionary efforts in modern history. Watching this video helped me understand his life and learned a couple of lessons from his life along the way.
Born in 1761 England, William Carey is today the "father of modern missions" in pioneering missions to coastal lands in India in 1792. He is a Baptist minister, and then a professor in the latter part of his life in India. Though portrayed to have two children in the video, Carey had four children and was married Dorothy. His decision to go to the east was an unpopular decision to his family. He also encountered several obstacles along the way including government and cultic hindrances. But I think the greatest challenge he faced was living with the familial apathy for his work and subduing his later insane wife. His wife died and he remarried twice after that. His active ministry yielded few converts. However, his greatest contribution to modern missions and even to Christian faith itself was his translation of the Bible into Bengali, Sanskrit and 44 other local Indian dialects which still exists until today.
What struck me most is the amount of focus and dedication of William Carey had for his work. I began to question my dedication for the Lord's work. "How far will I go for God?" Carey went on to follow the voice of God in spite of opposition from his family, authorities, the people he tried to evangelized and even his own self (when he struggled on his calling). Carey had to give up a good life in England, and even the privilege to provide for his family. By this I remember the prophet Jeremiah, who also had to give up a whole lot of him (including his Jewish right to marry) to reach out to people who seemed not to care. Today I am experiencing the same challenge of obeying the Lord while obeying my parents. Though my parents are committed Christians, I feel I am letting them down and I giving up my responsibility to provide for my family by pursuing my calling and not an architectural profession. Through this video, somehow I am encouraged because no matter how bleak, the words of our Lord "will not return to [Him] empty." Therefore I pray that God will hone my vision and focus as I run toward the goal He has set before me.
Reflection Paper on Hudson Taylor Video
James Hudson Taylor is the founder of China Inland Missions (now Overseas Missions Fellowship or OMF) and like William Carey became one of the pillars of modern missions as the second wave of missionary efforts took Hudson to inland China. He is notably known for his extreme commitment to cultural sensitivity by wearing Chinese clothing and living their ways which was rare among missionaries at that time. Taylor video isn't that good perhaps because of acting and scriptwriting but enough to be understood Taylor's missionary work and his great contribution to modern missions.
Converted at the age of 17, Hudson decided to become a missionary to China December of 1849. About this time he began to study Mandarin and also began studying medicine in 1852. His first and second mission to China (1854) was that of abrupt. His return to England allowed him to marry and equip himself respectively. His wife is named Maria. They had more children than Carey, though the video included only their first two children, Grace and Herbert. More children were born to them during his times both in England and China. Later, Maria died in the field and Taylor remarried again and had more children. Taylor began to look for volunteers prior to his third trip and with 24 volunteers, he founded China Inland Mission. Conflicts within the team hindered their success but later resolved with the death of Taylor's first child, Grace.
Hudson's life, like Carey, speaks to me in terms of his dedication and persistence to finish the work God started in him. Hudson dedicated his life for a people not his own. I am challenged by Taylor's (and Carey's) initiative and commitment and would strive to do the same if given the chance - meaning, I am still in search of my missionary calling. I hear that when missionaries are called to go, God puts everything in place. This is a challenge to me, because I believe that it would also take an effort on the part of the missionary to choose to obey God. I feel that if God totally pave the way for the Christian to go to the field, it would be an easy choice for him, therefore a choice of less passion and cost. But perhaps this is not so, for God calls in various ways. I pray that when God sends me, I would be ready, my commitment tested, to answer to His call even in face of greatest adversity - a vessel yielded for His use. "O Lord, I wait for your breaking..."
This is a reflection paper on the William Carey video our class in Leadership in Mission watched last two Tuesdays. Before seeing this video, I have hardly any idea who William Carey is. From our reading, he pioneered one of the three most influential missionary efforts in modern history. Watching this video helped me understand his life and learned a couple of lessons from his life along the way.
Born in 1761 England, William Carey is today the "father of modern missions" in pioneering missions to coastal lands in India in 1792. He is a Baptist minister, and then a professor in the latter part of his life in India. Though portrayed to have two children in the video, Carey had four children and was married Dorothy. His decision to go to the east was an unpopular decision to his family. He also encountered several obstacles along the way including government and cultic hindrances. But I think the greatest challenge he faced was living with the familial apathy for his work and subduing his later insane wife. His wife died and he remarried twice after that. His active ministry yielded few converts. However, his greatest contribution to modern missions and even to Christian faith itself was his translation of the Bible into Bengali, Sanskrit and 44 other local Indian dialects which still exists until today.
What struck me most is the amount of focus and dedication of William Carey had for his work. I began to question my dedication for the Lord's work. "How far will I go for God?" Carey went on to follow the voice of God in spite of opposition from his family, authorities, the people he tried to evangelized and even his own self (when he struggled on his calling). Carey had to give up a good life in England, and even the privilege to provide for his family. By this I remember the prophet Jeremiah, who also had to give up a whole lot of him (including his Jewish right to marry) to reach out to people who seemed not to care. Today I am experiencing the same challenge of obeying the Lord while obeying my parents. Though my parents are committed Christians, I feel I am letting them down and I giving up my responsibility to provide for my family by pursuing my calling and not an architectural profession. Through this video, somehow I am encouraged because no matter how bleak, the words of our Lord "will not return to [Him] empty." Therefore I pray that God will hone my vision and focus as I run toward the goal He has set before me.
Reflection Paper on Hudson Taylor Video
James Hudson Taylor is the founder of China Inland Missions (now Overseas Missions Fellowship or OMF) and like William Carey became one of the pillars of modern missions as the second wave of missionary efforts took Hudson to inland China. He is notably known for his extreme commitment to cultural sensitivity by wearing Chinese clothing and living their ways which was rare among missionaries at that time. Taylor video isn't that good perhaps because of acting and scriptwriting but enough to be understood Taylor's missionary work and his great contribution to modern missions.
Converted at the age of 17, Hudson decided to become a missionary to China December of 1849. About this time he began to study Mandarin and also began studying medicine in 1852. His first and second mission to China (1854) was that of abrupt. His return to England allowed him to marry and equip himself respectively. His wife is named Maria. They had more children than Carey, though the video included only their first two children, Grace and Herbert. More children were born to them during his times both in England and China. Later, Maria died in the field and Taylor remarried again and had more children. Taylor began to look for volunteers prior to his third trip and with 24 volunteers, he founded China Inland Mission. Conflicts within the team hindered their success but later resolved with the death of Taylor's first child, Grace.
Hudson's life, like Carey, speaks to me in terms of his dedication and persistence to finish the work God started in him. Hudson dedicated his life for a people not his own. I am challenged by Taylor's (and Carey's) initiative and commitment and would strive to do the same if given the chance - meaning, I am still in search of my missionary calling. I hear that when missionaries are called to go, God puts everything in place. This is a challenge to me, because I believe that it would also take an effort on the part of the missionary to choose to obey God. I feel that if God totally pave the way for the Christian to go to the field, it would be an easy choice for him, therefore a choice of less passion and cost. But perhaps this is not so, for God calls in various ways. I pray that when God sends me, I would be ready, my commitment tested, to answer to His call even in face of greatest adversity - a vessel yielded for His use. "O Lord, I wait for your breaking..."
Narnia Quotes
"You know, Aslan, I'm a little disappointed in you. Did you really think that by giving your life you would save the Human boy? Ha. You are giving up your life, and saving no one. So much for love. ... Tonight, the Deep Magic will be appeased! But tomorrow...we will take Narnia...forever! In that knowledge... Despair... and DIE!!"
"If the Witch knew the true meaning of sacrifice, she might have interpreted the Deep Magic a little differently. For she would know that if a willing victim who had committed no treachery died in a traitor's stead, the Stone Table would crack and even death itself would turn backwards."
"Impossible!"
- White Witch
"If the Witch knew the true meaning of sacrifice, she might have interpreted the Deep Magic a little differently. For she would know that if a willing victim who had committed no treachery died in a traitor's stead, the Stone Table would crack and even death itself would turn backwards."
- Aslan
"Impossible!"
- White Witch
Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text: "My house was designated a house of prayer; You have made it a hangout for thieves." (Matthew 21:12-13, The Message)
Lord, forgive me when I use your Temple as a den for darkness and evil thoughts when my body should be used only for Your glory, a House that worships and submits to Your will.
Lord, forgive me when I use your Temple as a den for darkness and evil thoughts when my body should be used only for Your glory, a House that worships and submits to Your will.
I thank God that finally I am able to get some good sleep after a week of sleepless nights. Truly rest is a treasured reward. Past few days I've been reading the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It's great that the movie was true to the book. This was the second time I read a novel after seeing the movie, the first one was Lord of the Rings, began to read it after Two Towers movie. I just feel that Narnia movie could have been better, because I feel that the characters weren't that developed and built up (unlike LOTR) and the set and costumes were to bright and kiddie, I guess they focused on children as demographic. But it's all good, still it made me tear up because of its biblical similarity (although C.S. Lewis insist that this isn't an allegory of Christ, but a creative/imaginary incarnation of Christ, if He would live in Narnia).
Turkish Delight
by the David Crowder Band
Stumbled through the doorway | Into the strangest thing | An unexpected magic land | With snow beneathe my feet | Came across a lady who | Dressed herself in white | She took her coat to cover me | Then a query cold as ice | What do you want?
Turkish Delight, it's my favorite thing | Turkish Delight, what I wouldn't do | Turkish Delight, it's my favorite thing, it gets me every time | Turkish Delight, all I want to do | What I wouldn't do for her?
Wouldn't think I'd fall for it | Wouldn't think I'd lie | But I think I'd do anything | For that tiny bit of pie | I would sell you out | I'd give you all away | A life of treats might do me in | But I gotta get another taste
Finally was able to watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in G4 yesterday. Movie is very moving as it allegorizes biblical references especially Christ. After movie, went to buy the book and CD inspired by Narnia. Talk about obsessive compulsive.
Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia
- Waiting For The World To Fall - Jars Of Clay
- Remembering You - Steven Curtis Chapman
- Open Up Your Eyes - Jeremy Camp
- Hero - Bethany Dillon
- Stronger - Delirous?
- Lion - Rebecca St. James
- New World - Tobymac
- I Will Believe - Nichole Nordeman
- Turkish Delight - David Crowder Band
- More Than It Seems - Kutless
- You're The One - Chris Tomlin
Guys, today is the most productive day. My arms are aching from muscle pain because I played badminton tonight. And I just got home. But before I retire, I would like to take this opportunity to give God the glory. I will right the events that transpired today in outline form for now:
7AM - Woke up around 7AM, met client in MRT Buendia about project.
9AM - Went to school, library to cram on my Personal Life Management paper.
11AM - Attended chapel service, led Scripture reading and opening prayer. Worship service was awesome. Ma'am Marcia passed her thesis for doctorate that she gave us a blow-out.
12NN - Continued cramming on my 15-page paper in the prayer room. Realized it was already 30 minutes before class, and barely half of the paper completed. I stopped doing it and tried to look for my professor to ask for a grace period.
2PM - Class, I was nervous because I have nothing to pass. Apparently there were 3 of us who would not be able to pass. Talked to my professor, he wants it on his desk until next Thursday. Score will be deducted for late paper.
5PM - Went to Glorietta 4 with Mutya, Jo and Erene to watch "Don't Give Up on Us" by Piolo and Juday after a dare to watch a Tagalog flick last night in YM conference.
8PM - Left Makati to go to Timog Avenue, my childhood buddy and I will be playing badminton with his sister and his British friend. I sucked at the game. Everyone paired up to me lost. But it was ok, it was so kind of his friend that he taught me some moves.
12MN - Dinner in Baang Cafe in Tomas Morato. I praise God that I was able to share my testimony to them. And they are quite receptive to it. His sister is already a Christian. So on Monday and Thursday we will play badminton again. They also wanted to gather a Bible Study group (when I offered them). Perhaps in two weeks we will start discussing PDL.
3AM - after much catching up and chit chats. I went home.
Praise God, praise God!!!
7AM - Woke up around 7AM, met client in MRT Buendia about project.
9AM - Went to school, library to cram on my Personal Life Management paper.
11AM - Attended chapel service, led Scripture reading and opening prayer. Worship service was awesome. Ma'am Marcia passed her thesis for doctorate that she gave us a blow-out.
12NN - Continued cramming on my 15-page paper in the prayer room. Realized it was already 30 minutes before class, and barely half of the paper completed. I stopped doing it and tried to look for my professor to ask for a grace period.
2PM - Class, I was nervous because I have nothing to pass. Apparently there were 3 of us who would not be able to pass. Talked to my professor, he wants it on his desk until next Thursday. Score will be deducted for late paper.
5PM - Went to Glorietta 4 with Mutya, Jo and Erene to watch "Don't Give Up on Us" by Piolo and Juday after a dare to watch a Tagalog flick last night in YM conference.
8PM - Left Makati to go to Timog Avenue, my childhood buddy and I will be playing badminton with his sister and his British friend. I sucked at the game. Everyone paired up to me lost. But it was ok, it was so kind of his friend that he taught me some moves.
12MN - Dinner in Baang Cafe in Tomas Morato. I praise God that I was able to share my testimony to them. And they are quite receptive to it. His sister is already a Christian. So on Monday and Thursday we will play badminton again. They also wanted to gather a Bible Study group (when I offered them). Perhaps in two weeks we will start discussing PDL.
3AM - after much catching up and chit chats. I went home.
Praise God, praise God!!!
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