I don't usually blog on weekdays, but will make another exception today because another milestone has been reached by ROOTSS. Yup, the number of visits has reached 20,000 :-)
Praise God for His goodness!
And it is not a coincidence that Ps Prince mentioned yesterday that attendance the previous week had surpassed 20,000?
A fellow PLMC member told me that the "Anointing Oil" sermon was sold out, so I offered to lend him my copy of it, as well as the one before that, since the two sermons are related.
And I am sure that because what is being preached is the pure, unadulterated and radical grace gospel, it will only be a matter of time that it becomes the largest megachurch in Singapore.
Just the other day, I happened to come across a bookshop located near my office called Mt Zion Book and Gifts Centre. With apologies to them, I was wondering whether those who embrace legalism should set up a bookshop and call it Mt Sinai Bookstore.
Such a store can then carry bestselling titles like the ones you see on the right :-)
1. Get Right or Get Left You better get your life right with God or else He will leave you behind when the rapture happens.
2. Beware - Your Sins will Find You Out Be not deceived; God is not mocked. Whatever sin one sows, he will surely reap destruction, even to the third and fourth generations.
3. Unfinished Business The work of the cross is not quite finished because you still have to work out your salvation with fear and trembling...
4. The Wrath of a Righteous God There are just too many Christians who do not take God seriously. Yes, God is love but don't forget that He is also a holy, righteous and jealous God. Take Him lightly and be prepared to be consumed by His wrath, like what happened to the Israelites.
5. Salvation is NOT guaranteed Jesus said that not everyone who called Him Lord would enter the kingdom of heaven. That goes to show that you cannot be too presumptuous and can lose your salvation if you are not careful.
6. Greater Expectations Those who say that the Law no longer applies must have conveniently ignored what Jesus said about our righteousness having to exceed that of the pharisees and the scribes.
Who wants to sign up as a member? The first 6 to do so will get a 6% discount on these 6 books...
Early this year, Ps Reuben preached about this being a year of new beginnings.
And indeed it has been.
1. God gave me a new job on 1 April 2008, confirmed me after just 2 months, and given me the privilege to tithe 40% more than I did in my previous job.
2. God gave my son a new kidney on 10 April 2008, which enables him to be more mobile, and allows our family to look forward to going on long holidays together.
Because of the longer hours at work on weekdays, and the commuting to the hospital for follow-up treatments on weekends, the time I have been spending with my daughter has been greatly diminished.
That is why I treasured that Sunday afternoon on 1 June when father and daughter went for a movie marathon: we watched Prince Caspian and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull back-to-back :-)
And just this week, my daughter had to be go back to school a week earlier to join her fellow P6 cohort for supplementary lessons. I played chauffeur to her for the 5 mornings by sending her to school.
On Wednesday, we swung by the McDonalds at Serangoon Central on the way to her school. She had wanted to buy breakfast for some of her friends. After getting the burgers and hot cakes, she sorted them out in the plastic bag and then did something that stirred my heart --she returned one of them back to the counter staff.
Seems like they had accidentally given her an extra burger.
This may seem like a trivial matter. After all the burger cost less than $3.
But it meant a great deal to me, especially after what she had been through recently.
I praise our Lord Jesus Christ for ingraining this trait of honesty into my precious daughter at such a young age.
She is also a very generous person-- recently she bought her brother a Chelsea bear (that costs her entire weekly allowance), as well as a talking bear holding a smiley for me for Fathers' Day. She also puts 1/3 of her weekly allowance into the offering bag.
Just put yourself in her shoes for a moment...
1. She has seen her dad being removed as cell leader and treasurer. 2. She has seen her dad's cell group being disbanded. 3. She has seen her mom and brother being away in hospital for 6 weeks. 4. She has seen her dad and granddad making their way to the police station. 5. She has seen her pet hamster Hannah escaping -- and it's been one month already -- in fact, she and her brother just made a video as a tribute to her. Check this out...
But through it all, she has remained positive, because somehow or other, the grace message about how good God is, has rubbed off onto her. The recent "decent exposure" is a case in point.
Sure, this dad of hers has made many mistakes along the way. No dad is perfect, except our Heavenly Daddy.
But when I see her smile with those dimples showing, or call me "daddy" in her sweet little voice, I am reminded of the song by Bob Carlisle entitled "Butterfly Kisses", especially the line that goes
Oh with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right TO deserve a hug every mornin And butterfly kisses at night
Ok lah, I don't get hugs in the morning or butterfly kisses at night; just a "hello daddy" and "goodnight daddy". But the talking bear that is sitting on a shelf in my room in the office makes a great conversation piece with colleagues :-)
In his address at the TRAC Ordination Service last year, the Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup made reference to the Good Shepherd and the hired hand as recorded in Jn 10:11-13.
11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
In other words, a good shepherd is willing to sacrifice his own self-interests, reputation and even his own life for his flock. He is willing to leave the 99 behind to go in search of the 1 that has gone astray. The hired hand, on the other hand, takes no ownership. When a wolf comes along, he runs for his own life and saves his own skin.
Well, if there is someone worse than a hired hand, it is a shepherd with a "hired hand" mentality.
A good shepherd is one who when seeing that one of his sheep is hurting, will gently nurse those wounds.
A bad shepherd is one who rubs salt into those wounds, and in extreme cases, even feeds them to the wolves!
A good shepherd is secure in his own leadership. He is not suspicious of other shepherds and think they want to steal his sheep. Rather, he sees the bigger picture that he and his fellow shepherds are taking care of the flock on behalf of the Ultimate Owner. A good example of this is Rev Brian Houston of Hillsong Church. He invites Ps Prince to speak at his church's events regularly because he knows that when his flock is fed well, the larger body of Christ is edified and the glory does not go to him or to Ps Prince, but to the Lord Jesus Christ.
A bad shepherd is one who is narrow-minded and sees life as a zero-sum game. As a result, he demands that his sheep only eat the food he gives them. For those who are inclined to feed elsewhere, he breaks their legs so as to prevent them from doing so. The sheep end up malnourished, and some resort to eating supplements on the sly.
Let's pray to the Lord of the Harvest to raise up more good shepherds. Amen?
Last week, I blogged about how Hillsong Church has caught the grace message.
Well, it would now appear that RHEMA Singapore has caught it too, because their Dean and Directors are attending New Creation Church.
The irony is that this is the very same organisation that is currently using our church premises as their campus for their full-time students.
This arrangement goes back to the time when Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup was our Pastor-in-Charge. RHEMA was looking to set up a presence in Singapore, and Rev Dr Wee offered the use of our church premises. His wife is numbered among the pioneer batch of graduates, and since then, many other fellow church members have also benefited from their programme.
Rev Dr Wee has now moved on to become the TRAC President.
[Sarcasm mode on] Given the current stand against grace teachings, one wonders how this would affect the arrangement with RHEMA Singapore. One can already hear the cry, "We let them use our premises rent-free and how do they repay our kindness? By allowing their Dean and Directors to attend *that* church?! Let's evict them!"
On August 14 last year, a prayer walk was conducted because "evil had entered the church" when a member shared during WIN about taking the Holy Communion during cell meetings. It would appear that either the effect of that walk has worn out, or that the walk was insufficient to begin with.
Perhaps it is time to take it a step further and embark on a 40-day fast. While at it, let's show God how much we mean business by putting on sackcloth, rubbing our faces with ashes and wailing out loud.
[Sarcasm mode off]
Or perhaps we have been barking up the wrong tree...
Hillsong has caught it. RHEMA Singapore has caught it. Dear fellow PLMC members, please do not get left behind...
There was an article in TODAY that caught my eye. It featured a lady by the name of Krystal Meyers, who is the daughter of Rick Meyers.
If her dad's name sounds familiar, he is the one who invented e-Sword and Pocket e-Sword, the free Bible-reading application for the computer and PDA respectively.
Anyway, here is the article reproduced in full...
Shine a light
Holy iTunes, rock * rollis now the domain of a newwave of Christian artistes
ROCK music has long been used as the voice for discontented youth. But while rock’s biggest hits, from My Generation to Smells Like Teen Spirit, aren’t exactly the sort of thing you would hear at annual family-day gatherings, more bands these days are imbuing positive messages underneath the distortion guitars and thudding drums. In fact, these messages are so positive, you could say they were positively divine.
Once seen as the “devil’s music”, rock * roll is now the domain of Christian artistes. Crossover success started with pop artistes such as Amy Grant, Michael W Smith and Jars of Clay, but these days, newer faith-influenced acts have eschewed saccharine pop tunes for rock — from emo to post-punk to heavy metal and its sub-genres — to propel their music and message forward.
While rock outfits such as Fireflight, Underoath, Until June, Anberlin and MxPx are seen as Christian rock acts, these bands will be the first to say there’s no hidden agenda to their music — something those of little faith aren’t buying into, of course.
"t’s just a gimmick,” said marketing executive Eugene Teow. “Must they use rock music to push their message? No. They only do it because it’s the hip thing to do. Besides, doesn’t playing such hard rock music clash with their Christian beliefs?”
THE ‘BADDEST’ GOOD GIRL
It’s something Dawn Richardson (picture), lead singer of Fireflight, has heard all before. "Yeah, I know. I heard someone on TV say: ‘Christian rock? Isn’t that an oxymoron’?bemoaned the 26-year-old singer. “We get emails from people about saying stuff like ‘The drumbeats are not Christian’ or whatever. It’s ridiculous. Not even worth talking about, really!”
Fireflight is considered a “Christian band” because all their members are devout Christians, although they rock as hard as any secular band. Formed eight years ago by bassist Wendy Drennen and guitarist Glenn Drennen, the songs on Fireflight’s new album, Unbreakable, all carry positive messages, such as facing down your fears, and leaving them behind. The band is signed to Flicker Records, a label founded by members of Christian rock group Audio Adrenaline.
But as far as she’s concerned, Richardson said Fireflight’s music isn’t “Christian” in the full sense of the word. “We are Christians who happen to play rock music,” she told Today in a phone call from Florida.
Interestingly enough, although Richardson would rather not be labelled a holy rock ‘*’ roller, it was she who initially insisted that the band play solely Christian music. “That’s true!” she laughed.
“Before I became a Christian, I was the baddest girl I could be. Then when I became a Christian, I was the goodest girl ever. There was even a time - and I’m embarrassed to say this - where I wouldn’t even listen to secular music,” she admitted. “And it was during this time that they asked me to join the band, and I said, ‘Only if you play Christian music’.
“Since then, I’ve become more enlightened! I’m less childish, and thank goodness I listened to secular music again, because I love it!” she added.
THE ‘CHRISTIAN AVRIL’
Krystal Meyers, another up-and-coming singer, has been dubbed the “Christian Avril Lavigne”, but her songs, despite being “chick rock”, often talk of overcoming your difficulties instead of just moaning about them.
“To me, music should be music,” the 19-year-old said in a phone call from her home in Nashville, Tennessee. “Yes, I am a Christian, so that influences some of the things I write about, as well as my decisions and morals. But I’d like to not pigeonhole (my music). I like to write openly so that everyone can take a piece of the music and relate to it.”
Born into a Christian household – her dad Rick Meyers created the popular Bible study software e-Sword – Meyers found her talent for songwriting when she was 10. She was playing the guitar by 13 and released her self-titled debut when she was 16. Today, Meyers is busy putting the final touches to her third album, Make Some Noise, which she said, is a little poppier than her previous rock excursions. Which is surprising, considering she “never liked pop music in high school”.
“But I started expanding my musical horizons, starting with electro-rock band Shiny Toy Guns, and then I listened to Kylie Minogue and Robyn, and I loved it! My personality is quite bubbly. Even though I do rock music, I don’t have this hard personality - I think that pop music suits me much better,” she confessed.
The theme of the album, she said, is about encouraging young adults to figure out who they are and what they believe in, and make their stand. “And be loud and proud about it – make some noise and don’t let anyone else get in your shine,” she said.
HAVE FAITH IN MUSIC
At the end of the day, that both Fireflight and Krystal Meyers are gaining more fans - whether or not it’s because of their Christian roots - is a testament to the strength of their music, conceded sociology undergraduate Hwee Shin. “Let’s face it, people will listen to the music first, before they can appreciate the lyrical content,” she said.
“And I think the positive messages in songs should not be dismissed just because the band is deemed to be ‘Christian’ or whatever. At least it’s better than some other bands who have negative messages in their songs.”
Or perhaps it’s like what Until June’s guitarist Dan Ballard said. “Music is music. You shouldn’t pigeonhole it as Christian rock or pop rock or hard rock or whatever. There’re only two main types: Good music or not good music. And what those are depends only on one person - the one who’s listening to it.”
Amen, brother.
Unbreakable is in stores now. Make Some Noise will be out in July.
Those who have been following my blog have realised that while I used to blog every day, ever since I changed jobs, I have only been blogging on weekends and public holidays.
Well, today calls for an exception because something most wonderful happened in the office.
My CFO was in KL and Hongkong over the past 2 weeks. This morning, he called me into his room to update him about what happened in Singapore while he was away. After about 15 minutes into our conversation, he told me that the reason why he could safely be out of the country for 2 weeks without worrying was because he knew the Finance department was in safe hands.
He went on to say that recruiting me was the best decision that he had ever made and placed upon me other accolodates that really made me feel very paiseh. He then told me that the MD and he had jointly decided to confirm me with effect from 1 June 2008 and presented me with an envelope containing my confirmation letter. I was told to open it in front of him, and I could not believe my eyes! I was being given a 20% increment!
I thought that God had prospered me enough in my previous company by giving me 5 increments in the space of 3 years, and also the 2 biggest bonuses of my entire career. But here He was like telling me, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!"
I had never had such a big increment in my entire career, and somehow, I know that things are going to get even better because God has stayed true to His Word in Mal 3:10 and opened the floodgate of heavens upon me. I remember that ever since listening to that sermon on tithing by Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup in July 2005, I have been going beyond the tithe (ie. giving more than 10% to church). This has coincided with the beginning of the increments and bonuses, and more increments and bonuses. To put things in perspective, God has caused my basic salary to increase by 60% compared to what it was in October 2005!
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I give you all the praise and all the glory for filling my cup to overflowing, and for granting me great favour with my CFO and MD. Thank you for blessing my career. You are indeed an awesome God! Hallelujah!
I was browsing about at my church bookshop and library and noted that while we have lots of materials by Stormie O' Martian, not a single book or CD by Ps Joseph Prince can be found.
This is not surprising because there is an "unofficial" ban on his materials. When I was a cell leader, I remember having to get clearance from the Discipleship & Nurture department before I could broadcast the contents of "Humorous Bible Illustrations" to my cell members.
This particular DVD has 30 short clips. I remember asking which of these clips were not OK to show and which were OK to show. The reply was that "everything on the DVD is inappropriate". In other words, there was a blanket ban not just on this DVD, but on any material coming out from *that* church.
This is a very sad situation because while our heads are being buried in the sand (for want of a better analogy), the grace gospel is meanwhile taking the entire world by storm. Ps Prince is now on prime-time TV in USA, where his sermons are broadcasted to hundreds of millions across the nation. As a result, I am still getting emails from individuals in the USA requesting for a copy of "Destined to Reign". The grace message has also been caught by Brian Houston's Hillsong Church. His church and New Creation Church have now established a symbiotic relationship. In fact, the keynote speaker at the upcoming Hillsong Conference 2008 in Sydney from 7 to 11 July 2008 is none other than Ps Prince himself.
He was also invited to speak at previous conferences. Just last month, Hillsong United was in Singapore on the invitation of New Creation Church, which I blogged about here.
By the way, just in case you didn't know, Hillsong is the church that gave us wonderful songs of worship like "Shout to the Lord" and "Power of Your Love". Now that they are so closely-aligned with the grace gospel, one begins to wonder whether they will be next in line ;-)
Back in the 1980s, there was a popular TV serial entitled "Tales of the Unexpected".
Well, I have an unexpected tale of my own to tell...
Two days ago, I got a call on my handphone from someone who identified himself as a police officer. He said that he was investigating a case and wanted to invite me down to the station to take a statement from me.
At first, I thought this was some sort of a prank. After all, I have heard on the radio a segment known as "Kena Pluck" where the DJs would play tricks on unsuspecting individuals and at the end of it, tell them that they have been taken for a ride. However, after speaking to this person for a couple of minutes, I started to realise that he was actually serious!
To cut a long story short, that same evening, I made my way to the station together with my dad, and the police officer asked me certain questions for about 1 1/2 hours. Turns out that someone had vandalised not only our church premises, but also some of the surrounding areas as well. I cannot go into details because this is a police case, but suffice it to say that I was greatly inconvenienced by the entire episode, and it did cause my family members a certain degree of distress.
I was initially upset with the person/(s) who gave my name and phone number to the police, but after committing the incident to the Lord in prayer, He impressed upon me that I should forgive these people because they do not know what they had done. After all, as a firm embracer of the grace message and how much God loves us unconditionally, it is times like this when "the rubber has hit the road" and the situation called to "practice what one preaches" to extend that same grace and unconditional love to those who have wronged us.
I thank the Lord that His peace was with me throughout the time I was being interviewed, and for even giving me the opportunity to share the grace gospel with the officer who was taking my statement :-)
Although I have been advised to consult a lawyer and even to bring this matter to the attention of the TRAC President, I have politely declined because God is my defense and He will surely vindicate me.
I take comfort that great men of God like Joseph, Peter, Paul and Silas had also been misunderstood to the extent of even being thrown in jail, so what I went through actually pales in comparison.
Please continue to pray for my church, that somehow through this incident, God will cause even more members to catch the grace message. Amen?
Aftenote: The vandalism was directed at a particular individual, and the police officer told me that that same person was the one who lodged the report. I am not at liberty to reveal his identity on this blog because it can be read by all and sundry. My dad and I have further established that the key church leaders were not first consulted, because all of them expressed surprise when informed about this. This matter has now been escalated to the TRAC President because they cannot be held responsible for something that was carried out unilaterally.
Sunday, 1st June 2008 Several years ago, there was a bestselling book entitled "When bad things happen to good people”.
With all due respect to the author, this statement is based on the wrong premise of merits – ie, “Do good get good. Do bad get beat.” That is what all, if not most, religions teach.
However, Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with the true and living God. Under the New Covenant, Jesus already took upon Himself all the bad that we deserve, so as beneficiaries of that covenant, we should only expect good.
We need to have a paradigm shift in the way we exercise our faith. After all, Heb 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.” Even though we hope for justice and order but see injustice and chaos, we continue to take God at His Word.
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (NLT) I used to read the rest of Heb 11 and marvel at the heroes of faith like Abraham, Moses and David, wishing that my faith could reach their level. It was only very recently that I discovered that when read in the context of verses 39 and 40, they should instead be the ones marvelling at us who are New Covenant believers.
Note that verse 39 says that “none of them received all that God had promised”. This is because their faith was not based on Christ’s finished work, since the Messiah had not come yet during their time.
39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us. (NLT)
And that is why the next chapter begins with “Therefore…. looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith”.
So rather than the statement above, we should instead be declaring “Good things happen to people who believe God loves them”. Amen?
