Opening the Next Chapter - Regent Library is Open!

"It will be opened in 5 mins time." said Rod Wilson, President of Regent College.

We all clapped and cheered. No more stressful wait for reference books and delays in writing our papers. Led by the library staff, all of us walked from the chapel and entered into a spanking new library. Just like the groundbreaking ceremony where we all sang the doxology last year, we sang the doxology in the new library together.

It was amusing to see students immediately checking out books like an eager beaver sifting through logs to find the best wood. The superlatives were plenty, described audibly in 'Wow', 'Superb', 'Fantastic', 'Wonderful', and visibly by some slouching on couches, sleeping on nice clean carpets and occupying the brand new cubicles. Many were visibly happy with the arrangement of desks and study tables. Every table comes with a power outlet as well!

The Regent-Carey Library is now open (30 Jan 2006 at 12PM), only the library. The wind tower and the rest of the new building is still not unveiled. Official opening will be sometime in Sep 2007. Stay tuned on this blog for photos later.

Good news or Bad news.... (to the iguana)

Life is hard (no pun intended). Tell that to this iguana....

ANTWERP, Belgium (Reuters) - Mozart, an iguana with an erection that has lasted for over a week, will have his penis amputated in the next couple of days.

Veterinarians at Antwerp's Aquatopia had sought to treat the animal's problem, but decided removal was the only solution because of the risk of infection. The good news for Mozart and his mates is that male iguanas have two penises.

Mozart, sitting on the shoulders of his keeper as camera crews focussed on his red, swollen erection, seemed unperturbed by the news.

"It doesn't bother him. He doesn't know what amputation means," said vet Luc Lambrecht, adding that Mozart's sexual activity should be undimmed by the operation.

"I don't think so. That's all in his head."

(Thu Jan 25, 12:04 PM ET, Reuters News)

Missions Fest 2007

Today I dropped by Missions Fest Vancouver 2007 at Canada Place. It resembles the exhibition and convention center at Suntec City in Singapore, except that instead of the electronics and technology companies on display, this time, it was a whole potpurri of Christian based organizations that showcased different aspects of missions involvement. There were organizations that provide training (eg Briercrest College, Trinity Western Uni, and of course Regent College. There are those which serve through the teaching ministry, and the helping ministry. Some are humanitarian focused and others are country focused. For those who are keen to know about missions, the exhibition is a great place to gather information and to determine one's level of involvement in global as well as local missions. I met a friend who came from Edmonton, volunteering in the Mission of Mercy Canada. His dad is also actively involved in the mission for Christ. It dawned upon me the wonder of God using two generations of a family in the common service for God. I am encouraged that both the father and son are serving the Lord in their respective manner.

I looked through the brochure for Missions Fest and realized that Gracia Burnham is one of the keynote speakers. It would be great to listen to what she has to share about her experience with New Tribes Missions (NTM) when she was there with her husband for 17 years. For those who do not know, the Burnhams was one of the victims kidnapped by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in the South-East Asian region. The Burnhams were kidnapped and detained for 376 days, before a fatal rescue attempt , which left her husband dead. Gracia was mercifully spared and was able to return to the US. You can read more about her biography here.

I am touched by the energy and enthusiasm missionaries like Gracia Burnham is able to continually share her love for the Philippines, despite her tragic encounter there. Live like that humble me. Other speakers this year include Os Guiness and Bruce Milne. The missions fest ends this Sunday.

Food for Thought (and action?)

Suffering is often quoted as one of the most difficult problems pertaining to faith in God. Lest such talks of suffering degenerates into a purely philosophical domain or a mere exercise of intellectual gymnastics, it is important to link arguments with the heart. The following is food for thought and action. In Professor John Stackhouse's book: "Can God be Trusted?", Stackhouse calls for any response to evil to include a sense of sharing responsibility. (p67)

Mother Teresa was once asked by a reporter, "Where is God?", pointing to an example of a baby dying alone in an alley in Calcutta. Her response is arresting.

"God is there, suffering with that baby," she said. "The question really is, where are you?"

Tuesday's Chapel - Ken Smith and others

I am glad I attended Tuesday (22 Jan 2007) chapel session. There were several guests who stood up to give thanks, and we were given more insight in the past, to be careful about our present, and to be hopeful towards the future. It was not planned out that way. It is simply my perception.

First we had Ken Smith, a long time Regent donor and supporter who brought us through a riveting history of Regent College, reminding all of us that Regent was built on brokenness, poverty and humbleness. Regent College then began with more professors than students enrolled and there was some level of anxiety where the students are going to come from. With prayer and faith, they persevered. The first year of Regent College was also tragic. There were only about 5 students enrolled and two of them died in a weekend car accident, including a staff member. Soon, there were also the problem of space. In the early years, students were forced to cram not only their minds but space, as there is no proper building for Regent, simply a small basement rented from VST (Vancouver School of Theology). That year, a developer was forced to sell the piece of land (the present location), due to some unusual government legislation, and offered for sale to Regent. Another problem: Not enough money. Through prayer and faith, Regent was able to buy it. Ken then lists several other faith related events which really helped me to appreciate the history of Regent even more. This insight into the past is invaluable as it helped keep me humble.

Secondly, we have a time of giving thanks, something I thought was especially meaningful in our expression of humility. Each of us took a Thank You card, to write personal notes about ourselves to share with each and every donor to Regent College. I thought that was an excellent way, the Regent way. Sometimes I think as students, we are pampered more than we are ever aware of. The current school fees we are paying are already at a subsidized rate, and the least that we can do is to be thankful.

Thirdly, in looking towards the future, Dr David Ley reminded the student body to be wary of 'structures' as they have the uncanny ability to suppress and 'repress' student vigor and vitality. He said that Regent students in the early years have that energy and vitality to study and be faithful in their spiritual walk in spite of the lack of space, building and facilities. In order to avoid becoming complacent, he prayed that we do not become arrogant about the new facilities that will be ready for present and future students, but to let God continue to energize and revitalize the student cohort. It will be a shame if the level of spiritual energy and enthusiasm of students becomes inversely proportional to the advanced and better infrastructures.

That is indeed a good reminder. My prayer is that while the new facilities and building structures are new and nice on the outside, may the students live humbly, caring for neighbour and all the little things that matter to God. For if we are able to care for the little things that matter to him, God will surely take care of the little things that matter to us. This is not a reciprocal contract. It is faith.

ks

Eugene Peterson's CT Interview

Here is an interview with Eugene Peterson from ChristianityToday, entitled "Why Can't I hear God?" Check it out here. For those of us who rarely has a chance to hear him, you may like to know that Eugene also has a daily reflection website.

Out of the Wet Snow Arises...

While many is complaining about the inconvenience of the wet snow, fellow Regent student Robert took the time carve out this wonderful sculpture using the wet snow. Beautiful picture. Took him about 2 hours to carve it out, while it took me less than 2 seconds to snap a picture of it.