Linus Soh

There are two verses I often base my ministry on. One of them is “Do not cast pearls before swine”.

This verse is important to me because I think it is one of the foundations of how to talk with people. I find it often hard how and when to speak truth to people and when to simply listen.

Many people, including Christians, believe that you must convince someone into submission, in understanding their side of the story. In order to win, one must out-logic the other, and the other must concede.

I don’t think this is the life that Jesus calls us to.

I believe Jesus tells us to lose the fight. Oftentimes, I sit with someone and I just begin to learn them as a person, understand how they got to where they are. I ask questions, reflect back…for no other purpose but to understand. Seldom the other person will ask me for my thoughts and feelings. When they do, I often share a very small portion.

You may be asking why.

I find myself wondering, “What will I say that will change this person’s mind?” Or “How can I show that what they are saying is a contradiction in logic?”

I must stop doing this. I think God wants us to “not cast pearls before swine” for this very reason: we argue for the wrong reason.

My purpose in talking with someone, especially about controversial topics, is often to disprove someone’s theory or to show that they don’t have it figured out. I often forget…I don’t either. And I think understanding these pearls is not to hold back truth, but it is to protect what God is doing in their life.

God has given his people the free will to reject them for any reason they wish, no matter how foolish. And God warns me not to get involved in their free will. I cannot force someone to love God…as much as God cannot force his children to love him. There is no point in trying to argue someone to God. Eventually, they must argue themselves.

And eventually, they must argue with God.

In the short, man will win. Give enough time, God will let man win and say, “You are released.”

I really don’t like the Washington post. I believe it to be a newspaper that fails to report the news accurately or unbiasedly. I don’t think it even tries anymore.

But I’m stuck with a dilema. I want the coupons. But I don’t want the newspaper. Do I order the home edition and pay $15 for 20 weeks (initially) just to get coupons? I don’t know about that…

Anyone know of ways that I can get the newspaper coupon inserts without having to purchase the newspaper??

Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman.

Call your senator TODAY and tell them to support the Federal Marriage Amendment.

I’m taking one summer class and I’m not looking forward to it. I start tomorrow and already I’m nervous.

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I’ve been struggling with understanding what it means to be a leader. One of the things that gets me is that I’m such a young Christian that most people look at my age instead of what I have done.

I wonder if what God is trying to teach me is how to lead my peers and those older than me. I recall something that my friend told me: “Any one can lead people who are young. It takes a real leader to lead his peers and those older than him.”

This world needs real leaders.

It’s about a life that’s worth living, understanding that we play a bigger part of the world.

I’m reading this book and it has been the most inspiring book I’ve read. Rick Warren talks about how to live a life with purpose, and passion. I’m finding that I want more of God in me.

The first section of the book talks about how I was created in God’s image. Understanding that it’s not about me but about God is the foundation. Living for the King and not for others.

I really like the section about temporary living and how we are ambassadors to this earth.

Imagine if you were asked by your country to be an ambassador to an enemy nation. You would probably have to learn a new language and adapt to some customs and cultural differences in order to be polite and to accomplish your mission. As an ambassador you would not be able to isolate yourself from the enemy. To fulfill your mission, you would have to contact and relate to them.

But suppose you became so comfortable with this foreign country that you fell in love with it, preferring it to your homeland. Your loyalty and commitment would change. Your role as an ambassador would be compromised. Instead of representing your home country, you would start acting like the enemy. You’d be a traitor.

I find myself more like a traitor than an ambassador.

I want to relate to students better. Lord, show me and teach me how to do that.