DISQUS

i had a similar dilemma. i opted for the ipod touch because the data and voice plan pricing was just outrageous.

so here is the deal, if you have a city with plenty of wifi spot then the touch is perfect.

but with all the new applications that utilize the YOUR LOCATION on the iphone does make it tempting, so I would love to play with the different applications with Yelp with YOUR LOCATION but to be honest, it is not something that is so necessary.

you can always use the curve's browser to find local things...it is just a cool factor with the iphone. the curve you can tether to internet...with iphone you can't.

the touch is pretty cool and i use it as a PDA and my primary ipod. I think the sound is superior to any mp3 player out there but i have to admit it is a pretty pricey mp3 player (I got it as a gift).

My verdict is stick with the curve, enjoy the great keyboard, the internet browsing, pda and of course the phone. The iphone is fun. but for functionality it is alright...the ipod itouch is purely a fun gadget...and a good replacement for your ipod if you want to use it as a pda.

I will see you soon mr. chuang! looking forward to it!

thanks for the kudos! i am glad to help! bb rock!@

yes, I had it a year ago, yes, I waited about 20 minutes on line with a bunch of overanxious asians, and yes, it was probably the most disappointing eating experiences I ever had. I stood there in a crowd (not a single table was free) and thought to myself, "what in the world are people thinking or should I say tasting?"

I wouldn't trying on anyone's dime...I would rather get hair waxing on my head than to put that stuff in my mouth again.

great job DJ, you are a big part of the movement of asian american churches to move beyond surviving but striving!

It is hard to quantify the value of short terms missions trip because it is the mutual engagement of those involved as a layering effect of growth and understanding. I know that there has been some "quantifiable" studies that it doesn't make an impact but I think that there are some profound moments of insight for those who go and those who receive. I think just giving money is a hollow way of approaching missions. It is a reality but an incomplete one. I think that if there are a long term (not a flavor of the year) approach to short term missions where there is a strategic and accountable integration of the work towards a real impact then I think it is worth exploring...it is a healthy relationship that is not just a financial exchange but one of mutual sharing. those are my thoughts...

thank you DJ for your comment, here are my thoughts. I think that part of the perspective is to be progressively moving towards a ministry of being a "missional" body of Christ. We are called to a renewing of our minds and to re-encounter or "grow up in our salvation." (1 Peter 2:1-3). So part of that mission is to be culturally missional towards the church body. I believe that there are some dangerous rhetoric that we bring to the table when we speak of the overseas born brethren that create boundaries which in turn moves towards an ethic of "winners" and "losers." So how do we engage in a sincere and deliberate dialogue? I think we are to treat each other out of humility and obedience to the leadership (outside of blatant disregard to doctrinal truths). But most of the time, I find that there is more misunderstanding and power issues than a true conflict of doctrine. I have found the first generation church to be filled with a powerful sense of duty to family, towards evangelism, welcoming of the immigrant stranger, and propriety when it comes to financial ethics. In Hong Kong, there was a finding that the local church are the most extravagant when it came to giving to the needs of the church and the poor. So I think there is a sincere "good will" when I speak of the church and I believe that we as a second generation would gain a great deal if we took an empathetic turn and understanding of engagement towards leadership, understand structures and value system that might be murky still pronounces a veritable faith. I think that with that respect and understanding, there is a critical role for us as second generation to bridge those values so there could be built trust where can negotiate with validity. But I believe when we look down or see their culture as invasive towards the gospel without a redemptive view, we do an injustice to the love we are called to reflect towards one another.

Keller did a wonderful sermon the Sunday after 9/11 (he preached it previously) called "ministry of tears and truth". Although not directly related, the series on Jonah was a powerful reflection in response to great evil and injustice.

I appreciate the diagnosis that Ben gave of the first generation Asian church and I have a suspicion that there is an "enabling" aspect of this for ourselves as second generation believers. Is the guilt something that is "superimposed" on an already adopted vision of self? I think that to take it a step further is to engage with the first generation on how this "shame" ethic can be transformed towards a holy edification of the lives we are called to live. Paul announces the overcoming power of Christ sacrifice but also exhorts us to live lives worthy of the body and that the impact is a corporate one that impacts the church. There are issues of discipline and pursuant standards for believers. Somehow, there is a sense of "hidden" shame that pervasive but I think that we can be part of the solution and for healing to happen, we enter in...build trust within a culture that is so mired in so many influences....but we all live in some sort of conflicting culture and I am not so sure if Western culture is benign to the gospel...whereas it represents some of the most evasive principles towards the gospel including pervasive sex, cavalier shows of power and money. So I believe that the Asian church has its issues as every culture. But to find hope and redemption in it is the first step towards healing...Jesus saw hope in the tax collector as well as the broken...we are broken but not beyond the redemptive power of Christ.