Excerpt from "A Revolution of Love" by George Verwer
"There is, I believe, a basic ingredient which is largely lacking in Christianity today, and the lack of it is the source of most of our problems. It is the cancer which is eating away at the church, but it is no secret. In fact, it is so non-secretive that it is written on almost every page of the New Testament. And yet, because the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked, and because we are so bent on our own way, we do not see (or seeing we do not believe) that the basic message of the New Testament is LOVE! It is my absolute conviction that most of us miss this most obvious and most repeated message, even while laying great emphasis on "sound doctrine".
Well, I would like to ask you, "What is sound doctrine?" We have long discussions on the Second Coming, on the Atoning Work of Christ, on the Church, the Holy Spirit, etc etc. But what about love and humility and brokenness? These usually go into a separate category, but I want to tell you that if your doctrine does not include love and humility and brokenness, then your doctrine is not sound.
Doctrine cannot be separated from practical living. He is not sound in doctrine if he does not love the brethren. What do we read in 1 John 4:8? "He that loveth not knoweth not God." There is no sounder doctrine than love, and apart from love there is no sound doctrine. This is the basis of all Bible doctrine. You take the base out and everything you build will eventually collapse."
May we love our enemies and love our neighbours as ourselves with the help of Christ. Amen.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Monday, February 08, 2010
Football and Spiritual Lessons
We're not into the 2nd half and Arsenal is already 2 goals down. By now, I've stopped watching because 1)I'm very frustrated 2)I don't have the faith to believe they'll equalize, let alone win. I'm very frustrated because they are making the same defensive mistakes. Can you equalize Arsenal? Can you prove me wrong Arsenal? It's too painful to continue watching. I'll know the result tomorrow.
On a sidetrack, there're many spiritual lessons we can learn from football. Examples:
1. I thank God that He is faithful and He will win the day - unlike the uncertainty of Arsenal winning every game. God always win. The result may be 2-0 but He'll win 2-3 or probably more. He'll win - that's for sure - cos He has already won on the cross.
2. Sometimes I wonder if God is feeling as frustrated as me when he watched our lives being played out on earth like a football match. Like Arsenal, we may be smart & having great potential but prone to repeating our mistakes and slow in changing our ways. Don't you think God gets frustrated? My pledge to Arsenal is that I'll remain its supporter no matter what - but I don't have full faith in believing they can win the title or beat Chelsea tonight. God is somewhat similar but very different. His pledge is that He'll remain our God no matter what - and unlike me - He is faithful even when we are faithless(2 Tim 2:13) And as much as He is frustrated and as much as it pains Him to see us fumble like Arsenal, He'll not let go and will cheer us on all the way. What a great God we serve.
Back to the topic, R.I.P Arsenal or prove me wrong.
On a sidetrack, there're many spiritual lessons we can learn from football. Examples:
1. I thank God that He is faithful and He will win the day - unlike the uncertainty of Arsenal winning every game. God always win. The result may be 2-0 but He'll win 2-3 or probably more. He'll win - that's for sure - cos He has already won on the cross.
2. Sometimes I wonder if God is feeling as frustrated as me when he watched our lives being played out on earth like a football match. Like Arsenal, we may be smart & having great potential but prone to repeating our mistakes and slow in changing our ways. Don't you think God gets frustrated? My pledge to Arsenal is that I'll remain its supporter no matter what - but I don't have full faith in believing they can win the title or beat Chelsea tonight. God is somewhat similar but very different. His pledge is that He'll remain our God no matter what - and unlike me - He is faithful even when we are faithless(2 Tim 2:13) And as much as He is frustrated and as much as it pains Him to see us fumble like Arsenal, He'll not let go and will cheer us on all the way. What a great God we serve.
Back to the topic, R.I.P Arsenal or prove me wrong.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Tactics & Players Mattered
I'm looking at Arsenal's loss against Man U. Fergie got his tactics spot on and crushed Arsenal. If you haven't notice, Arsenal's tactics are as predictable as a sunrise. The chief reason is the lack of players for them to change tactically, and secondly, they always play the same way!
1. Fergie changed his normal 4-4-2 to a 4-5-1(4-3-2-1) in order to cramp the midfield because that was Arsenal's main attack supply. Without a smooth midfield, Arsenal can't do anything. They suck at long balls, they're not direct enough and they don't depend on wingplay and crosses. So if their passing game is disrupted, Arsenal can hardly attack well.
2. Wenger had little options in attack. I'm sure he's still cursing the Dutch FA. Van Persie was such an integral part of the firing gunners early in the season. Arshavin was isolated up front and he's hardly an out-and-out striker. Notice what happened when Walcott burst down the right wing and whip in a cross? NO GUNNERS were near the box - I only saw 4 Man U defenders in a straight line. Sums up Arsenal's attack yesterday.
3. Fergie got Fletcher or Carrick to snap at Fabregas everytime he got the ball. Fab didn't have much manoeuvre space in the whole game. The man-to-man marking and pressing pushed him off his game and he wasn't really able to push up to attack.
4. Wenger likes denilson a lot. I don't know why. With Song(as acting DM) and Fab playmaking, there is really no space to put him into an already crammed midfield. While Bendtner is not a prolific striker, he can cause plenty of problems up front with his height and running. I would think putting him in(yes, it's a risk when he has just returned from injury) is a better option than putting in denilson. He seems lost in the whole game.
5. Fergie's use of Park Ji Sung in every Arsenal game whenever he's available. That's because Park can attack and runs back to defend with his unlimited stamina and power workrate. He's quick enough too for Arsenal.
6. We've seen enough how susceptible Arsenal is to counter attacks. Man City and Chelsea have shown that and now Man U too. The reason? Not enough protection for two surging fullbacks(wingbacks) and sometimes even surging centrebacks(Gallas and Vermaelen) who got really frustrated sometimes because the midfielders got stuck in their passing game when opponents mark man them. So time and again, Arsenal is badly exposed and not quick enough to recover. Against top teams(who are fast and make their chances really count), that spells doom.
It's really frustrating watching them repeat the same kind of defeats. I wish....
1. I have Van Der Sar, Cech or Given as goalkeepr. Why Wenger chose to stick with Almunia and not bought Given is a mystery. Our goalkeeper is not even good enough to be in a national team!
2. Van Persie is not injured. He would have balanced out Arsenal's lack of strikers.
3. We have more players like Arshavin. Experienced, skillful and top quality. A top class goalkeeper and winger/s would be very much appreciated. (I just don't see Rosicky and Nasri being able to fit into Arsenal. They're too similar to Fab's preference of a centre attacking role. Putting them on the left and right are not working out well)
I hope the next 2 big games would not be a repeat. Else, it's goodbye Arsenal again.
1. Fergie changed his normal 4-4-2 to a 4-5-1(4-3-2-1) in order to cramp the midfield because that was Arsenal's main attack supply. Without a smooth midfield, Arsenal can't do anything. They suck at long balls, they're not direct enough and they don't depend on wingplay and crosses. So if their passing game is disrupted, Arsenal can hardly attack well.
2. Wenger had little options in attack. I'm sure he's still cursing the Dutch FA. Van Persie was such an integral part of the firing gunners early in the season. Arshavin was isolated up front and he's hardly an out-and-out striker. Notice what happened when Walcott burst down the right wing and whip in a cross? NO GUNNERS were near the box - I only saw 4 Man U defenders in a straight line. Sums up Arsenal's attack yesterday.
3. Fergie got Fletcher or Carrick to snap at Fabregas everytime he got the ball. Fab didn't have much manoeuvre space in the whole game. The man-to-man marking and pressing pushed him off his game and he wasn't really able to push up to attack.
4. Wenger likes denilson a lot. I don't know why. With Song(as acting DM) and Fab playmaking, there is really no space to put him into an already crammed midfield. While Bendtner is not a prolific striker, he can cause plenty of problems up front with his height and running. I would think putting him in(yes, it's a risk when he has just returned from injury) is a better option than putting in denilson. He seems lost in the whole game.
5. Fergie's use of Park Ji Sung in every Arsenal game whenever he's available. That's because Park can attack and runs back to defend with his unlimited stamina and power workrate. He's quick enough too for Arsenal.
6. We've seen enough how susceptible Arsenal is to counter attacks. Man City and Chelsea have shown that and now Man U too. The reason? Not enough protection for two surging fullbacks(wingbacks) and sometimes even surging centrebacks(Gallas and Vermaelen) who got really frustrated sometimes because the midfielders got stuck in their passing game when opponents mark man them. So time and again, Arsenal is badly exposed and not quick enough to recover. Against top teams(who are fast and make their chances really count), that spells doom.
It's really frustrating watching them repeat the same kind of defeats. I wish....
1. I have Van Der Sar, Cech or Given as goalkeepr. Why Wenger chose to stick with Almunia and not bought Given is a mystery. Our goalkeeper is not even good enough to be in a national team!
2. Van Persie is not injured. He would have balanced out Arsenal's lack of strikers.
3. We have more players like Arshavin. Experienced, skillful and top quality. A top class goalkeeper and winger/s would be very much appreciated. (I just don't see Rosicky and Nasri being able to fit into Arsenal. They're too similar to Fab's preference of a centre attacking role. Putting them on the left and right are not working out well)
I hope the next 2 big games would not be a repeat. Else, it's goodbye Arsenal again.
Arsene's Fantasy
I like Arsenal's football but the dream(of winning with a weak defence) is way too flawed.
If you have noticed, Arsenal's defence is weak because:
1. They seldom press for the ball. They tend to have 2-3 players standing around an opponent while giving the opponent enough space to manoeuvre. If you've seen enough Arsenal's matches, many teams have bypassed 2-3 of their players at one go with good, direct passes.
2. They have no strong ball winners in the centre of the park. While I must say Song is getting better, he's hardly in the mould of Patrick Vieira or Flamini - players who not only deliver solid tackles, but wins the ball back with their energy, initiative and determination.
So now we're down 3-0 to Man U and the reasons?
1. Nani skipped past some static standing Arsenal players. The unfortunate Almunia scored an own goal. A repeated pattern of static standing Arsenal players letting opponents through way too easily.
2. Were Arsenal outnumbered at the back when Man U counter attack? NO. The reason was Denilson failed to follow through with Rooney. He ran back but slowed down towards the penalty area for no good reason. By the time Rooney got the ball, none of the Arsenal players was nowhere NEAR him!!! Utterly atrocious!
3. Another counter attack and this time, the defence gone missing. Arsenal is painfully slow in running back(did you notice Song slowing down his run??).
So again, Arsenal have summed up much of its season so far. Good potential, but not good enough. I don't believe a team with a weak defence can win titles. They can leak in goals, but they must be able to defend well. The reason for Arsenal's invincible win in 2003-2004? A solid attack and solid defence.
So Chelsea thrash them 3-0 at the Emirates and now Man U. Highbury used to be a fortress and the Emirates isn't really in the same class. The difference is not so much the place than the players(especially the defence). And Arsenal need a solid leader who can bark at his defence. I rest my case Wenger. You can continue your fantasy but I'm getting tired. So are Arsenal fans. Come on.
If you have noticed, Arsenal's defence is weak because:
1. They seldom press for the ball. They tend to have 2-3 players standing around an opponent while giving the opponent enough space to manoeuvre. If you've seen enough Arsenal's matches, many teams have bypassed 2-3 of their players at one go with good, direct passes.
2. They have no strong ball winners in the centre of the park. While I must say Song is getting better, he's hardly in the mould of Patrick Vieira or Flamini - players who not only deliver solid tackles, but wins the ball back with their energy, initiative and determination.
So now we're down 3-0 to Man U and the reasons?
1. Nani skipped past some static standing Arsenal players. The unfortunate Almunia scored an own goal. A repeated pattern of static standing Arsenal players letting opponents through way too easily.
2. Were Arsenal outnumbered at the back when Man U counter attack? NO. The reason was Denilson failed to follow through with Rooney. He ran back but slowed down towards the penalty area for no good reason. By the time Rooney got the ball, none of the Arsenal players was nowhere NEAR him!!! Utterly atrocious!
3. Another counter attack and this time, the defence gone missing. Arsenal is painfully slow in running back(did you notice Song slowing down his run??).
So again, Arsenal have summed up much of its season so far. Good potential, but not good enough. I don't believe a team with a weak defence can win titles. They can leak in goals, but they must be able to defend well. The reason for Arsenal's invincible win in 2003-2004? A solid attack and solid defence.
So Chelsea thrash them 3-0 at the Emirates and now Man U. Highbury used to be a fortress and the Emirates isn't really in the same class. The difference is not so much the place than the players(especially the defence). And Arsenal need a solid leader who can bark at his defence. I rest my case Wenger. You can continue your fantasy but I'm getting tired. So are Arsenal fans. Come on.
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