Almost a year and a half ago, I found out at midnight that my family would be hosting a Korean foreign exchange student. A few weeks later he came and stayed with us for one week. I was a little dreadful at first, the culture is amazingly different, and I wasn't sure what to do on simple things like manners, our traditions compared to theirs, and food. I didn't want to come off rude, such as wearing shoes in the house. That week passed by so fast. And I wouldn't change a thing about it. I think I blogged about my experiences about that week before, and I wanted to tell you about my experience yesterday, when I met the whole family.
His dad got a teaching job for one year in So Cal. Yes, the whole family moved from Korea to California. Could you imagine just moving to a different country? Since they are only 3 hours away, his parents wanted to meet my parents since we were the homestay family. Yesterday, me along with 2 other friends who hosted a student, met at the marketplace. His family arrived, and we said our hellos. Culture is an amazing thing. English is their second language, so it isn't great. His mom only knows a few sentences in English, his dad can get around although there is a heavy accent, and him along with his sister are pretty fluent. However, a smile really does mean friendship to everyone. A quick bow and handshake, we sat down to Starbucks, which they generously bought me. (It is Korean tradition to buy gifts. They bought me Starbucks, ice cream, and a cake.) I have never met a nicer family. We discussed basic things, like how are they liking CA, and where a good place to eat in Bakersfield is. Then, his parents and sister went to a park while we went to Olive Garden.
A few hours later we met back up. They told me Bakersfield is a beautiful country-side town. HAHA! I wish. We then left for my house. When they arrived, my parents and his got along great. They talked for almost an hour about everything, and how they like America. Then everyone had to leave, since school was the next day. I'm really glad they live so much closer, because I can't wait to go visit more often. Sadly, the year they are here for will end extremely quick. I guess that's my excuse to go visit Bucheon, Korea. (Like I need an excuse...)
If you ever have the chance to host a family, from any country, don't pass that up. I have built a life-long relationship with someone across the sea in a totally different culture. There is no such thing as not being able to communicate because you don't speak their language. You can smile, right? That's all you need to be friends.
The following video describes what it's like to experience a different culture. Yes, It really is a small world after all.
(When he first stayed with us, we took all the students to Disneyland. When we rode It's a Small World, we passed a section that is Korean. They jumped up and said "That's my home! That's Korea!")
다음 시간까지,
Until next time,
-Austen
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Funworld 2.0!
Hello to all the JIPC fans out there! As you know, Bakersfield's Johns is getting a few upgrades and changes. Nothing is for sure just yet, besides the fact that we are receiving and losing a few games. It is rumored that we are getting 3 new rides also, and is has been confirmed that Speedway will be history. (YES!)
We are also getting a thing (Can't remember the name) that's like the Matrix.. You have to "dodge" the lasers. If you hit a laser, the game ends. (I played this last summer when I was in New Mexico. It is a blast!)
The rides we were supposed to get was Twister, Frogger, and another one that spins. Now, I am hearing those rides have went to another John's in Oregon, and Speedway will be filled with games only. They are still in the planning stages, so we will just have to wait and see.
I have decided to give you a behind-the-scenes look at some of the changes before they happen this Tuesday. So enjoy the photo update!
This is part of the new, larger shooting range! It looks like there will be a waterfall in it.
You can see where the water will be..
We have 1 of these Haunted Mansion games now, but it is leaving and we are adding these 5 new ones. They will all be connected, so it's like a 5 player game!
I saw we received a few more games in today, but I wasn't able to get a picture of them. You will have to come check it out in the next week or two!
Have an incredible day!
-Austen
We are also getting a thing (Can't remember the name) that's like the Matrix.. You have to "dodge" the lasers. If you hit a laser, the game ends. (I played this last summer when I was in New Mexico. It is a blast!)
The rides we were supposed to get was Twister, Frogger, and another one that spins. Now, I am hearing those rides have went to another John's in Oregon, and Speedway will be filled with games only. They are still in the planning stages, so we will just have to wait and see.
I have decided to give you a behind-the-scenes look at some of the changes before they happen this Tuesday. So enjoy the photo update!
This is part of the new, larger shooting range! It looks like there will be a waterfall in it.
You can see where the water will be..
We have 1 of these Haunted Mansion games now, but it is leaving and we are adding these 5 new ones. They will all be connected, so it's like a 5 player game!
I saw we received a few more games in today, but I wasn't able to get a picture of them. You will have to come check it out in the next week or two!
Have an incredible day!
-Austen
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Islam and the Bible- Part 6
A few things first-
I'm getting some views on this series, but no feedback. So once again, I'm going to ask that you vote in the survey to your right. You'll stay completely anonymous. I promise.
Also, feel free to share this. I'm taking a lot of time to read the book, organize, and type this. I'm not complaining, just wanted to get this information out to as many people possible, since Christians and Muslims are in the news practically everyday. If you don't know why I'm doing this series, then read the introduction.
Now onto Part 6~
In John 14:26, the Counselor is identified as the Holy Spirit. "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Only the Holy Spirit could remain with the forever and live in believers. These verses suggest no reference to Muhammad. For this omission, Muslims charge that Christians have changed the Bible.
The Creation and the Fall into Sin~
Christianity~
-God created all things through His Word, who is Jesus Christ. "Through him all things were made... He was in the world, and.. the world was made through him" (John 1:3,10
-God created all things in six days and rested on the seventh day. "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work" (Genesis 2:2).
-God made man in His own image, i.e., capable of fellowship with God. "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image....' So God created man in his own image" (Genesis 1:26-27).
Islam~
-Muslims strongly deny that God created all things through Jesus Christ.
-Allah created all things, but He needed no rest. "And verily we created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, in six days, and naught of weariness touched us" (Sura 50:38). In Sura 41:9-10,12, however, the Quran says that it took Allah eight days to create the world (2 days + 4 days + 2 days = 8 days). These verses reveal a discrepancy regarding the number of days of creation.
-No teaching in the Quran states that man was created in the image of God. Man has no ability to have fellowship with God.
"Looking at the Islamic and Christian Scriptures, it becomes clear that only Christianity teaches that people can have a relationship with God."
"The concept of sin is fundamental to Christianity, whereas Islam describes most people as good though ignorant of their sins."
"Muhammad even confesses in the Hadith that he is unsure what Allah will do on the Day of Judgment: "The Prophet said... By Allah, though I am the Apostle of Allah, yet I do not know what Allah will do with me" (Hadith 5:266)."
"Christianity and Islam differ regarding the means of deliverance from the penalty of sins as well as man's ability to resist sin."
(All quotes and italicized phrases from the book: "Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide by David Goldmann)
I don't have spammy ads on my blog. But I would like to continue blogging by getting a few cents for my time. Please go HERE and take a short quiz that interests you. I get paid through ChaCha, one of my jobs. Thanks! See you next time.
I'm getting some views on this series, but no feedback. So once again, I'm going to ask that you vote in the survey to your right. You'll stay completely anonymous. I promise.
Also, feel free to share this. I'm taking a lot of time to read the book, organize, and type this. I'm not complaining, just wanted to get this information out to as many people possible, since Christians and Muslims are in the news practically everyday. If you don't know why I'm doing this series, then read the introduction.
Now onto Part 6~
In John 14:26, the Counselor is identified as the Holy Spirit. "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Only the Holy Spirit could remain with the forever and live in believers. These verses suggest no reference to Muhammad. For this omission, Muslims charge that Christians have changed the Bible.
The Creation and the Fall into Sin~
Christianity~
-God created all things through His Word, who is Jesus Christ. "Through him all things were made... He was in the world, and.. the world was made through him" (John 1:3,10
-God created all things in six days and rested on the seventh day. "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work" (Genesis 2:2).
-God made man in His own image, i.e., capable of fellowship with God. "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image....' So God created man in his own image" (Genesis 1:26-27).
Islam~
-Muslims strongly deny that God created all things through Jesus Christ.
-Allah created all things, but He needed no rest. "And verily we created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, in six days, and naught of weariness touched us" (Sura 50:38). In Sura 41:9-10,12, however, the Quran says that it took Allah eight days to create the world (2 days + 4 days + 2 days = 8 days). These verses reveal a discrepancy regarding the number of days of creation.
-No teaching in the Quran states that man was created in the image of God. Man has no ability to have fellowship with God.
"Looking at the Islamic and Christian Scriptures, it becomes clear that only Christianity teaches that people can have a relationship with God."
"The concept of sin is fundamental to Christianity, whereas Islam describes most people as good though ignorant of their sins."
"Muhammad even confesses in the Hadith that he is unsure what Allah will do on the Day of Judgment: "The Prophet said... By Allah, though I am the Apostle of Allah, yet I do not know what Allah will do with me" (Hadith 5:266)."
"Christianity and Islam differ regarding the means of deliverance from the penalty of sins as well as man's ability to resist sin."
(All quotes and italicized phrases from the book: "Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide by David Goldmann)
I don't have spammy ads on my blog. But I would like to continue blogging by getting a few cents for my time. Please go HERE and take a short quiz that interests you. I get paid through ChaCha, one of my jobs. Thanks! See you next time.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Islam and the Bible- Part 4 and 5
Good morning! Let's just get right to it- I have a lot more to cover, and it's taken awhile. I wish I was dedicated enough to post one every other day or more, but I'm not. So, to try to catch up, I'm combining 4 & 5 today. I have no idea how many parts this series will take, but I'm going to guess around 20. With summer approaching, and school almost done, expect to see posts more often. Also, I have had very little feedback, but a lot of views. So if you like or dislike this series, please vote to your right. If this becomes somewhat popular, I might do another series in the future. But I need to hear from you! Now, grab your coffee and glasses. Here is Part 4 and Part 5 combined.
UNITY AND TRINITY
Christianity-
-God is triune (one God is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). These three persons are bound together in a relationship of love, not as three distinct "gods." "The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4)
-The Father is recognized as God. "The Son of Man [Jesus]... On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval" (John 6:27).
-The Son is recognized as God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh" (John 1:1,14).
-Jesus Christ is the second person in the Godhead. "...his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20).
- The Holy Spirit is God. "You have lied to the Holy Spirit.... You have not lied to men but to God" (Acts 5:3-4)
-God is Spirit. "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
Islam-
-Allah is unitary, without persons, "So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not Three-Cease! [it is] better for you! Allah is one God. For is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son" (Sura 4:171)
-No devout Muslim would call the God of Muhammad "Father," for Muslims consider Allah to be utterly transcendent and unknowable.
-Muslims believe that Allah created Jesus in the likeness of Adam. "Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! And he is" (Sura 3:59).
-Many Muslims mistakenly believe that the Trinity is God, Mary, and Jesus. "And when Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? He saith: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right" (Sura 5:116).
-A holy spirit is mentioned three times in the Quran. "Say: the holy spirit hath revealed it from thy Lord" (Sura 16:102). All Muslim commentators agree that the holy spirit means the angel Gabriel.
-Allah is neither a person nor spirit. There is nothing what ever like unto Him. "Naught is as His likeness; and He is the Hearer, the Seer" (Sura 42:11).
"The Islamic conception of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit destroys all the basic truths of the Christian faith, leaving no Christian faith at all. Thus Zwemer wrote, "Islam, instead of being a progressive and completed idea, goes to a lower level than the religion it claims to supplant. 'Mohammad teaches a God above us; Moses teaches a God above us and with us; Jesus Christ teaches God above us, God with us, and God in us.'"
In Cross and Crescent, Colin Chapman said, "Islam seems to be saying to the Christian world, 'You've got it all wrong about Jesus! Your Trinity of three persons in one God is impossible to understand, let alone explain. Islam is a simple creed without dogmas and this belief in one Creator God includes all that had previously been revealed in Judaism and Christianity.'"
JESUS CHRIST
The Identity and Ministry of Jesus Christ
Christianity-
-Conception. Mary's child, Jesus, was conceived by the Holy Spirit. "Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus... The Holy Spirit will come upon you" (Luke 1:30-32, 35).
-Divinity. Jesus affirms that He is the Son of God. "The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.' 'Yes, it is as you say,' Jesus replied" (Matthew 26:63-64)
-Miracles. Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on Earth to forgive sins...' He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' He got up" (Mark 2:10-12).
-Ministry. Jesus completed the work God had given Him. "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you... I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do" (John 17:1,4)
Islam-
-Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary by a special miracle. "O Mary! Lo! Allah hath chosen thee... She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal has touched me?" (Sura 3:42, 47). The Muslim commentator Zamakhshari says the virgin conceived "When the angel Gabriel blew up her garment."
-Jesus speaks from the cradle, saying He is a prophet (slave of Allah), negating that He is the Son of God. "How can we talk to the one who is in the cradle, a young boy? He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scriptures and hath appointed me a Prophet" (Sura 19:29-30)
-Jesus Christ healed the sick, raised the dead, and made a clay pigeon become alive. All were done with Allah's permission. (Insert me laughing here..) "When Allah saith: O Jesus... thou didst shape of clay as it were the likeness of a bird... heal him who was born blind and the leper.. raise the dead, by my permission" (Sura 5:110).
-Jesus' life and ministry were inferior to those of earlier prophets as well as those of Muhammad. Sura 13:38 states that Allah had designated wives and children for all His prophets. The exception was Jesus. His ministry lasted only three years.
Christianity-
-Death. Jesus Christ died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin. As foretold in Isaiah 53:6, "The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." "The Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead" (Acts 17:3)
-Resurrection. Jesus Christ rose from the dead after three days. "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the thrid day" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
-Return. Jesus will return from heaven to earth to rule forever. "Jesus Christ... the ruler of the kings of the earth. ...Look, he is coming with the clouds" (Revelation 1:5-7)
Islam-
-Jesus did not die; someone else died in His place. "They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them" (Sura 4:157)
-God took Jesus to paradise as He had done with Enoch and Elijah. "But Allah took him unto Himself" (Sura 4:158)
-Many Muslim scholars believe Jesus will return from heaven and punish Jews and Christians for their failure to accept Muhammad as the Prophet. He will help establish Islam as the only religion of the world. "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, son of Mary will shortly descend amongst you people as a just ruler and will break the Cross and kill the pig" (Hadith 3:425).
My personal opinion- From this section it seems that Jesus has more power than Muhammad. What miracles did Muhammad perform? Why is Jesus coming back and not Muhammad? Especially to judge the world. But of course, Jesus had to have permission. ;)
Thanks for reading! Feel free to share and follow. Don't forget to take part in the survey, you only have a few days left to give me your opinion. Comments are welcomed also. See you in Part 6!
(All quotes in Italic, and others, from the book: "Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide" by David Goldmann)
UNITY AND TRINITY
Christianity-
-God is triune (one God is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). These three persons are bound together in a relationship of love, not as three distinct "gods." "The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4)
-The Father is recognized as God. "The Son of Man [Jesus]... On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval" (John 6:27).
-The Son is recognized as God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh" (John 1:1,14).
-Jesus Christ is the second person in the Godhead. "...his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20).
- The Holy Spirit is God. "You have lied to the Holy Spirit.... You have not lied to men but to God" (Acts 5:3-4)
-God is Spirit. "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
Islam-
-Allah is unitary, without persons, "So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not Three-Cease! [it is] better for you! Allah is one God. For is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son" (Sura 4:171)
-No devout Muslim would call the God of Muhammad "Father," for Muslims consider Allah to be utterly transcendent and unknowable.
-Muslims believe that Allah created Jesus in the likeness of Adam. "Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! And he is" (Sura 3:59).
-Many Muslims mistakenly believe that the Trinity is God, Mary, and Jesus. "And when Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? He saith: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right" (Sura 5:116).
-A holy spirit is mentioned three times in the Quran. "Say: the holy spirit hath revealed it from thy Lord" (Sura 16:102). All Muslim commentators agree that the holy spirit means the angel Gabriel.
-Allah is neither a person nor spirit. There is nothing what ever like unto Him. "Naught is as His likeness; and He is the Hearer, the Seer" (Sura 42:11).
"The Islamic conception of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit destroys all the basic truths of the Christian faith, leaving no Christian faith at all. Thus Zwemer wrote, "Islam, instead of being a progressive and completed idea, goes to a lower level than the religion it claims to supplant. 'Mohammad teaches a God above us; Moses teaches a God above us and with us; Jesus Christ teaches God above us, God with us, and God in us.'"
In Cross and Crescent, Colin Chapman said, "Islam seems to be saying to the Christian world, 'You've got it all wrong about Jesus! Your Trinity of three persons in one God is impossible to understand, let alone explain. Islam is a simple creed without dogmas and this belief in one Creator God includes all that had previously been revealed in Judaism and Christianity.'"
JESUS CHRIST
The Identity and Ministry of Jesus Christ
Christianity-
-Conception. Mary's child, Jesus, was conceived by the Holy Spirit. "Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus... The Holy Spirit will come upon you" (Luke 1:30-32, 35).
-Divinity. Jesus affirms that He is the Son of God. "The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.' 'Yes, it is as you say,' Jesus replied" (Matthew 26:63-64)
-Miracles. Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on Earth to forgive sins...' He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' He got up" (Mark 2:10-12).
-Ministry. Jesus completed the work God had given Him. "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you... I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do" (John 17:1,4)
Islam-
-Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary by a special miracle. "O Mary! Lo! Allah hath chosen thee... She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal has touched me?" (Sura 3:42, 47). The Muslim commentator Zamakhshari says the virgin conceived "When the angel Gabriel blew up her garment."
-Jesus speaks from the cradle, saying He is a prophet (slave of Allah), negating that He is the Son of God. "How can we talk to the one who is in the cradle, a young boy? He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scriptures and hath appointed me a Prophet" (Sura 19:29-30)
-Jesus Christ healed the sick, raised the dead, and made a clay pigeon become alive. All were done with Allah's permission. (Insert me laughing here..) "When Allah saith: O Jesus... thou didst shape of clay as it were the likeness of a bird... heal him who was born blind and the leper.. raise the dead, by my permission" (Sura 5:110).
-Jesus' life and ministry were inferior to those of earlier prophets as well as those of Muhammad. Sura 13:38 states that Allah had designated wives and children for all His prophets. The exception was Jesus. His ministry lasted only three years.
Christianity-
-Death. Jesus Christ died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin. As foretold in Isaiah 53:6, "The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." "The Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead" (Acts 17:3)
-Resurrection. Jesus Christ rose from the dead after three days. "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the thrid day" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
-Return. Jesus will return from heaven to earth to rule forever. "Jesus Christ... the ruler of the kings of the earth. ...Look, he is coming with the clouds" (Revelation 1:5-7)
Islam-
-Jesus did not die; someone else died in His place. "They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them" (Sura 4:157)
-God took Jesus to paradise as He had done with Enoch and Elijah. "But Allah took him unto Himself" (Sura 4:158)
-Many Muslim scholars believe Jesus will return from heaven and punish Jews and Christians for their failure to accept Muhammad as the Prophet. He will help establish Islam as the only religion of the world. "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, son of Mary will shortly descend amongst you people as a just ruler and will break the Cross and kill the pig" (Hadith 3:425).
My personal opinion- From this section it seems that Jesus has more power than Muhammad. What miracles did Muhammad perform? Why is Jesus coming back and not Muhammad? Especially to judge the world. But of course, Jesus had to have permission. ;)
Thanks for reading! Feel free to share and follow. Don't forget to take part in the survey, you only have a few days left to give me your opinion. Comments are welcomed also. See you in Part 6!
(All quotes in Italic, and others, from the book: "Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide" by David Goldmann)
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