Friends of ROOTSS

Sunday, 29th November 2009

Dearest subscribers of ROOTSS

The Yahoo Group was first set up in August 2007 as a means of communicating with all of you.

Since then, Facebook has taken the world by storm and has its own Group features which are much more as compared to Yahoo.

As such, it would make sense to migrate the group over to Facebook.

The Facebook group is called "Friends of ROOTSS" and was launched today.

You can join the group by clicking on the following link:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=189258823617

Speaking of which, I mentioned on my blog last week that subscribers of ROOTSS will get a chance to receive a free copy of Ps Joseph Prince's latest book Unmerited Favor. I have already placed an order with Tecman for 50 books but they told me that stocks will only arrive in January 2010. A couple of you have already asked me for the book, so please be patient. You should be able to collect your book in time for the Lunar New Year.

Ending the Sabbatical

Saturday, 28th November 2009

On Facebook yesterday, I updated my status as follows:
breaking news! Paya Lebar Methodist Church will be having a new PIC. He is none other than old boy Rev Dr Jonathan Seet. Welcome home, Rev Seet :-)

Stan responded as follows:
So you'll be ending your sabbatical pretty soon? ;-)

To which I replied:
hey, you know me too well already :-)

Those of you who have been following my blog for some time will know that I have been on sabbatical leave from my church since July 2008 because of the lack of spiritual food. You can read the 2 letters I wrote to the senior pastor of my church at the following links:

Taking a Sabbatical
http://rootss.blogspot.com/2008/07/taking-sabbatical.html

Extending the Sabbatical
http://rootss.blogspot.com/2009/08/extending-sabbatical.html


Well, praise be to God that while the Israelites had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, my sabbatical is only going to last 17 months :-)

Here is a letter that I have written to officially inform the (outgoing) senior pastor of my church of this change in membership status...


28 November 2009

Rev Peter Koh
Pastor-in-charge
Paya Lebar Methodist Church

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I refer to the letters which I sent you on 2 July 2008 and 1 August 2009 with regards to my sabbatical.

I am pleased to inform you that through a series of circumstances, God is indicating to me to end my sabbatical with effect from 1 January 2010.

First and foremost, both my children will be with The Next Generation (“TNG”), which is thriving under Rev Reuben Ng. My daughter has made lots of new friends and has settled in very well, while my son just came back from the ConnecTiNG Camp (meant to assimilate the Primary 6s), said he enjoyed himself and is also looking forward to establishing roots there too. We should all be worshipping in the same church as a family unit, rather than for us parents to be going to NewCre and for them to be in TNG.

Secondly, Rev Dr Jonathan Seet is an old boy of PLMC and knows our church’s heartbeat and rich heritage and tradition. His family and mine have known each other for decades; he knows my 3 sisters and I, his 2 brothers. I am very sure that under his pastoral leadership, PLMC will be taken to even greater heights.

Thirdly, after the recent 34th TRAC session's Closing Service, all of the church leaders who were there (Doris, Robert, Edward, Choon Seng and Roger) warmly shook my hand as a way of indicating that they want to leave the past behind and look forward to the future. After all, all of them have seen me growing up in PLMC and know that my heart is, and will always be, with the church of my forefathers.

In this connection, please find attached my pledge card, duly completed, for the church office’s further action, effective 1 January 2010.

In closing, please allow me to wish you all the best in your ministry. Even though there may have been unpleasant events that have taken place in the past 4 years, I have nothing against you personally because I know you sincerely meant well for my church. By the same token, I trust you likewise will not hold anything against me because you should also know I sincerely want the best for my church as well, and in fact even more so than you!

After all, if someone like you (who was here for only 4 years), or Rev Barnabas Chong (who was here for just 19 months) can have the heart for PLMC, what more someone who has been here for more than 40 years? I am sure you know that my family has been worshipping here for the past 5 generations (ever since my great-granddad served as the pastor to our Peranakan congregation in the 1950s) and my dad wants to see that legacy continue.

Also, that invitation that I extended to you in January 2007 to take you out to lunch still holds. I hope you will find it in your heart to take up this sincere offer before you leave for Living Hope Methodist Church at the end of 2009.

Yours-in-Christ
Malcolm Loh

cc.
Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup, TRAC President
XXX XXXXX XXXX, PPRSC Chairperson
XX XXXXXXX XX, LCEC Chairman
XX XXXXX XXX, Layleader

From Pastor to Reverend

Friday, 27th November 2009

Last night, my wifey and parents made our way to Bedok Methodist Church to attend the Closing Service of the 34th session of Trinity Annual Conference ("TRAC").

Primarily, it was to witness the ordination of our youth pastor, Reuben Ng. Reuben was posted to PLMC in August 2007. He has been such a breath of fresh air. God has used him mightily, especially among the youth. The attendance at our youth service (what we call The Next Generation or "TNG") has been climbing steadily and now stands at about 400-500 each week.

My daughter, who is in Sec 1, has already benefited from his ministry. My son just went for the ConnecTiNG camp last week (what they call the camp to transition them from P6 to Sec 1) and he enjoyed himself thoroughly.

Here is a video that was taken of his ordination. The other pastor being ordained is none other than Loretta Lim. Loretta used to be our Church Administrator, so it was a double celebration.



At the tail end of the service, the pastoral appointments were announced. Like I have mentioned elsewhere on this blog, Methodist pastors come and go because of the itinerant system. With effect from 1 January 2010, there will be 2 pastors leaving us and 3 pastors coming on board.

Outgoing:
Rev Peter Koh (to Living Hope Methodist Church)
Rev Tay Kay Leong (to Christ Methodist Church)

Incoming:
Rev Dr Jonathan Seet (from Pentecost Methodist Church)
Rev Lynette Sathiasingam (from Faith Methodist Church)
Rev Christopher Chin (from Christ Methodist Church)

And yes, Rev Reuben Ng remains with us :-)

Here is a photo of the pastoral line-up for 2010. From right to left: Rev Jonathan Seet, Rev Lynette Sathiasingam, Rev Christopher Chin and Rev Reuben Ng.

Rev Seet grew up in PLMC and comes back as our new pastor-in-charge. Welcome back!!! May God use you mightily to take us to the next level! Amen?

And we wish Rev Koh and Rev Tay all the best in their future ministry. They were with us for 4 years and 7 years respectively.

UF Giveaway

Sunday 22nd November 2009

My wife works in American Express, and one of its trademarked phrases is "Membership has its privileges".

Well, this will also apply to subscribers of ROOTSS because it is time for yep, another giveaway*!

* This offer is only for those residing in Singapore because the book has to be self-collected

Ps Joseph Prince will be releasing his new book entitled "Unmerited Favor" and the LORD has prompted me to give away 50 copies of it as a means of sowing into this wonderful ministry.

Here is a write-up of the book:

God wants you to succeed in every area of your life! And with His presence in your life, you can. His grace or unmerited favor can swing open doors of opportunities and place you at the right place at the right time for His blessings. Even if you lack the necessary qualifications, His unmerited favor can propel you forward.

Discover in Unmerited Favor how everything that you touch can be blessed and how you can enjoy good success. Learn about what Jesus has accomplished on the cross for you, and how, through His perfect sacrifice, you can lead an overcoming life as God’s beloved.

Packed with new covenant truths on the unmerited favor of God and how you already have access to it through Jesus’ finished work, Unmerited Favor is a must-read for anyone who wants to live the good life — God’s way. It’s time for you to stop depending on your own efforts to succeed, and to start depending on Jesus and Jesus alone for every success. Start living out the dreams that God has birthed in your heart today!

Watch this space on how to get your FREE copy of the book :-)

Seventeen Recollections

Saturday, 21st November 2009

Exactly 17 years ago today, my wife and I stood at the front of Paya Lebar Methodist Church (who had turned 60 that year) and exchange our vows before God and some 500 of our relatives, friends and churchmates.

Here is a photo gallery that I did up of you when we were still courting so that I could think of you every moment of the day. It now sits inside my room in the office so that I can continue to think of you every moment of the day :-)

Dearie, as I look back upon these 17 years, the following events come to mind...

In 1992, I recall us going for a short 3-day honeymoon to Penang via Taiwanese Eva Air and my mom asking how come we did not travel via SIA. Remember how everyone on the plane clapped when we landed safely in Penang and in Singapore? We were only 25 and 23 years old back then, having just started work and could not afford an expensive holiday.

In 1993, I recall us going for a 10-day tour to Europe and extending our stay in England for another week, spending Christmas with our aunt who stays nears Wembley Stadium. I could not afford to make a separate visit to Villa Park in Birmingham, but you did take a photo of me outside Stamford Bridge in West London. Little did we know that our son would end up supporting Chelsea ten years later.

In 1994, we both decided to teach in Sunday School. Do you remember this 9-year girl exclaiming "You are married?!" when both of us were first introduced to them? I suppose she felt we looked too young to be married.

In 1995, do you remember this 15-year old guy who was a church leader's son asking us how come we did not had kids, and we replying him, "Pray for us lor". Sure enough, Rachel arrived the next year.

In 1996, we became the proud parents of Rachel. She is the first grandchild on both my wife's family as well as my family and has grown into a sweet and beautiful young lady.

In 1997, we became the proud parents of Mark. He will ensure that the Loh family heritage continues and that PLMC will one day have a family that has its sixth generation of worshippers...

In 1998, we discovered that our son had small kidneys and had to bring him to see the doctor frequently. I recall being angry with God. I had asked for a boy and He gave me one with a medical condition.

In 1999, we spent many days and nights at the hospital, being worried about our son because the creatinine and urea levels kept on going up. The doctor warned us that at that rate, he may have to go on dialysis.

In 2000, our son had to be put on dialysis because his kidneys had failed totally. My anger at God became disappointment with Him. I had just gone back to PricewaterhouseCoopers as a Manager and decided to put my heart and soul into my career.

In 2001, I continued to neglect you and the kids. I was escaping from family responsibilities and spending long hours and even weekends in the office.

In 2002, our marriage hit rock bottom and we even talked about getting a divorce. I thank God for Rev Wee Boon Hup and Mrs Catherine Wee, whom dad asked us to see.

In 2003, God slowly but surely started to restore our marriage. We attended the Married for Life course and understood that our marriage was supposed to be a covenant that was cut before a covenant-keeping God. No matter what happens, we are to stick together through thick and thin.

In 2004, we attended the Parenting for Life and learnt how to speak into our children's future. My career however was facing spiritual attacks and I quit PwC at the end of 2004 to take on a 1-year contract job at a lower pay.

In 2005, I recall us praying in the car each day, and calling for things that did not yet exist. Within 3 months, I was offered a permanent job as a Senior Manager! The power of praying together as husband and wife never was made more manifest! This was also the year when I was first introduced to the grace gospel via a colleague who brought his pastor's sermons to share around the office.

In 2006, we started to understand more and more what Christianity is all about -- living life to the fullest as a result of Christ's finished work. May God raise more grace preachers like Ps Joseph Prince in the last days! Amen?

In 2007, Rev Peter Koh made me to step down as Treasurer and cell leader as a result of embracing the grace gospel. Thanks for standing by me even though there were fellow church members who started to shun me, thinking I was a heretic. May they one day discover for themselves that this is the true gospel, and not the mixture they have been feeding on week in week out.

In 2008, God blessed me with a brand new job, gave our son a brand new kidney, and also fulfilled your dream by giving us a brand new BMW. All praise and glory to Him!

2009 has indeed been a dektos year of the Lord. God has continued to bless our marriage and my career. You turned 40 in September and had a great time catching up with your friends since Primary school days.

It has indeed been 17 eventful years and I look forward to many, many more years to come (pleasant ones this time around, since we know our position in Christ!)

HAPPY 17TH ANNIVERSARY, DARLING WIFEY! :-)

Positive Thinking vs Aligning with God's Word

Sunday, 15th November 2009

Back in January 2007, I recall a discussion I had with Rev Peter Koh, the senior pastor of my church. He had (and still has) some reservations about the prosperity and health gospel. Specifically, he told me that there are Christians who subscribe to what is no different from "positive thinking" instead of accepting some of the harsh realities of life such as falling sick. He felt that it would give Christians a false sense of hope if they do not ultimately recover from a terminal illness.

I would have agreed 100% with him even as recent as 7 years ago. I was a "practical" Christian who lived by the maxim "hope for the best but be prepared for the worst". My son's medical condition, and the state of my marriage and career back then were cases in point. I remember dismissing the Kenneth Copeland materials that Mrs Catherine Wee gave my wife in 2000 and 2001 as a load of bullcrap.

It was only when Mrs Wee showed me Rom 4:17 and Prov 18:21 in the midst of that marital counselling session in January 2003 that the scales began to fall from my eyes. I now know that because of the price that Jesus paid on the cross, we have every legal right to not only hope for the best but also be prepared for the best.

Coming back to that discussion with Rev Koh, I responded by telling him that there was a difference between worldly positive thinking and the Christian's version of positive thinking, as it were. The former is based on self-efforts, on psyching oneself up without any spiritual foundation. The latter is based upon identifying what is written in the Bible and then aligning ourselves with those promises. As an illustration, worldly positive thinking says "I can do it! Nothing is impossible!", whereas aligning ourselves with God's Word is saying "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me because nothing is impossible with God" (Phil 4:13, Lk 1:37)

Praise God then that nearly three years after that discussion with Rev Koh, this topic on "Christian positive thinking" came to light again at the youth service today, whereby Ps Reuben preached a sermon entitled "Proactive Speaking"!!! :-)

Just in case you were wondering, nope Ps Reuben did not consult me on this, nor was he even aware of that discussion I had with Rev Koh (which took place in Jan 2007, whereas Ps Reubs only came to PLMC in Aug 2007) . Rather, it is the same Holy Spirit that dwells within him and within me that is merely confirming what is already contained in His Word. Amen?

We, who are humans created in God's image (Gen 1:26), have also been given that same power in our words (Prov 18:21). Just like how a horse's bit or a ship's rudder controls its destiny, so too does our tongue control ours (Js 3:4). God spoke the universe into being, so too can we speak to shape our future. The best example is that of Abram, whose name God changed to Abraham, which means "father of many". Imagine how he had to go around introducing himself, "Hi, I am father of many" when he did not even have a proper son at that point in time. But as he went about declaring so, God caused those words to come to pass and through him the heir of promise was born.

By the way, you can listen to Ps Reuben's "Proactive Speaking" at the following link:
http://www.box.net/shared/xr0v11bsql

Discipleship Defined

Saturday, 14th November 2009

My church is currently going through the book of Mark as a series to understand what is meant by discipleship.

When I was a youth growing up (and even in my earlier years as a Christian), discipleship was not really a "user-friendly" word, if you get my drift. It conjured up images of someone who had to read 6 chapters a day, pray 2 hours a day, fast twice a week, etc etc. At the risk of sounding blasphemous, a picture of a Pharisee would come to mind.

Which I now realise is actually not that far off. As a result of Jesus giving these folks names like "a brood of vipers", or "whitewash tombs", we get this idea that Pharisees are a bunch of religious hypocrites. But their intentions were actual noble ones.

The word Pharisee comes from the Hebrew פרושים perushim from פרוש parush, meaning "set apart". God had called Israel to be set apart from the other idol-worshipping nations, and here were people within the nation of Israel who wanted to be set apart unto Him. They would study the Laws of Moses under the tutelage of a Rabbi. And that is why Saul took pride in pursuing this path. When he dragged the early Christians and put them into prison, he really believed he was doing God a favour. He really believed he was doing God's will. And shudder of shudders, he really believed he was being a disciple!

So I really thank God for opening my eyes last week, and helping me to see discipleship in the correct perspective. Ps Reuben preached a sermon entitled "The Whole Equation" whereby he defined discipleship as basically becoming more and more Christ-like as a result of spending more and more time with Him and looking to Jesus as our model.

I don't know about you, but when I see discipleship in this new dimension, it becomes desirable and pleasurable. It is no longer about a set of do's and dont's but about enjoying Him and getting to know Him more. It is no longer being a Martha, rushing about here and there trying to please God. Rather, it is about being a Mary, simply sitting at His feet and enjoying Him.

So does it mean we become lazy and do nothing? Certainly not! In due time, God will place us at the right place at the right time to do His good pleasure, just like He placed Mary at the right place at the right time. She had chosen the good part and that was not taken away from her. While several women had failed to anoint Jesus on Easter Sunday morning because His tomb was already empty, Mary was the only one who succeeded the week before. We read this in Jn 12:1-8

John 12
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
1Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
2Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
3Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
5"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."
6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.
8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

So while the other womenfolk were at the wrong place at the wrong time, Mary was at the right place at the right time as far as anointing the Lord was concerned. Likewise, we the modern-day Mary will also be placed by God at the right place at the right time to do His good pleasure.

By the way, you can listen to Ps Reuben's sermon entitled "The Whole Equation" at the link below:

http://www.box.net/shared/k9q2036s1f

More to Words

Sunday, 8th November 2009

Back in 2002, my marriage was on the rocks.

My wife and I live with my parents. When they heard us quarrelling practically everyday, they advised us to go for pastoral counselling.

Back then, the senior pastor of my church was Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup (who is now the TRAC President).

The first two counselling sessions were held separately: I would see Rev Wee and complain to him all about my wife. My wife would see Mrs Wee and would, needless to say, complain to her all about me.

Then, the third session was a combined one, after which we were asked to pray for each other. I was asked to start first and prayed something along the lines of, "Dear Lord, please forgive me for the wrong I have done to my wife. Help me Lord to be a better husband." When it came to my wife's turn, she prayed, "Thank you Lord that our marriage is strong and that Mal is a good husband." I was stunned because back then, that was far from reality! Our marriage was not strong and I was a horrible husband.

Then Mrs Wee showed me the following verses:

Rom 4:17 -- about God calling for things that do not yet exist as though they do
Prov 18:21 -- about life and death being in the power of the tongue (ie our words)

Wow, it was a real revelation to me! Even though I had been a Christian since 1979, this was the first time I was made aware of the existence of these two verses!!!

Mrs Wee then went on to tell us about how God had spoken the universe into being, and we being created in God's image, have that same power to speak life (or death) into our situation, and we would eat the fruit of our lips.

And indeed, it was because of those positive confessions that our marriage was restored, as well as my career.

Which now leads me to sharing another wonderful testimony about something that just happened yesterday.

My boy had a kidney transplant back in April 2008 and needs to go for regular blood tests in order to monitor how well the transplated kidney is doing. There is this particular reading called the creatinine level, which ideally should range between 125 and 150. Two weeks ago, on 31st October the reading was at 163. When the nephrologist was told about this, she kind of panicked and wanted my son to be hospitalised and to go for further tests. However, after some negotiation, she agreed to letting him come back for a test one week later (ie. yesterday, on 7th November).

The day after that first blood test, my entire family (including my son) went to attend our youth service because Ps Reuben Ng was preaching. And what do you know! His sermon text was on Prov 18:21!! What a timely reminder!

And so, during the course of last week, we took Holy Communion and confessed that Mark's kidney was operating perfectly. After all, the good work that God had started (in giving him the kidney), He would also bring to completion (to continue to preserve and protect the kidney).

Welll, praise the Lord! He took the blood test yesterday, and voila, the reading was at 143! Hence, there is no need for our son to be admitted for further tests. Hallelujah for the rhema word of God spoken through Ps Reuben's sermon last week.

Speaking of which, that sermon is entitled "My Life, My Death, My Words", and you can download it at the following link:

http://www.box.net/shared/7szz5hzopq

The Innocent Named and Shamed while the Guilty Gets Away Scot-Free

Saturday, 7th November 2009

I came across this article in yesterday's Straits Times. It was about a doctor who was accused by one of his clinic assistants of molest.

While the general rule for crimes is "innocent unless proven guilty", for such "crimes of passion", it seems to be the reverse, ie "guilty unless proven innocent".

Whatever the case, the accused is always named and shamed while the guilty gets away scot-free.

In this particular incident, although the doctor was acquitted because of inconsistencies in his assistant's testimony, his name appears in the article in full.

On the other hand, the only thing that is mentioned about the assistant is that she is a 31-year old.

Some may ask, where is the justice? After all, the doctor's reputation has been stained while the assistant is none the worse. His photo appears in the papers for all the world to see, but she remains incognito.

But a deeper spiritual truth dawned upon me as I reflected upon this. Jesus Christ, the second person in the Godhead was named and shamed 2,000 years even though He was perfectly innocent. On the other hand, we the guilty and un-named are able to get away scot-free because of His complete and perfect work on the cross.

Hallelujah!

What is Eternal Life?

Sunday, 1st November 2009

I became a Christian at the age of 12.

Why?

Because I was told that by doing so, I would go to heaven after I die. One of the most quoted verses of the Bible is Jn 3:16 " For God so loved the world that He gave His begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

Back then, to me eternal life meant going to heaven.

Then, at the age of 19, while in the Methodist Youth Fellowship, a fellow brother shared with me the following verse:

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (Jn 17:3)

After sharing it, he said, "Isn't this marvelous?" to which I replied, "Yes."

But deep inside, I felt a tinge of disappointment...

Eternal life to the Christian is supposed to be what nirvana is to a Buddhist.

So if eternal life was not about "heaven" but was about "knowing God", then what was so great about that since I already knew who He was, having grown up in Sunday School?

And that summed up my life as a Christian back then for the next 20 years, until as recent as 5 years ago. I am sure there are many other Christians who will be equally disillusioned when they are shown Jn 17:3.

It was no wonder then that being a Christian had little impact on my everyday life. Hence the thought of suicide while in the Basic Military Camp in the Army. You can read about that here.

Hence the anger with God in 1997. Hence the thought of divorce in 2002. You can read more about that here.

It was only in 2005 when that colleague of mine left his pastor's CD sermons in the office for others to borrow was there a start of that breakthrough. No prizes for guessing which pastor I am referring to, but you can read this post just to make sure :-)

It was listening to those sermons where Jesus and His finished work was being unveiled that the concept of "knowing God" became relevant, and meaningful. It was then that I realise what Jn 17:3 was all about and that knowing our Creator God is the greatest privilege that any created being can ever ask for!!!

This truth is illustrated in Lk 10:38-42 where we read the account of two sisters -- Mary and Martha.

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.
40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,
42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

In the eyes of the world, what Martha did would have been honourable as she was busying herself with "all the preparations that had to be made", while Mary would have been considered lazy for not lifting a finger in helping her sister.

Yet, Jesus rebuked Martha saying she was "worried and upset about many things" and praised Mary for "choosing what is better" -- by sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to what He said.

What was Mary doing? She was doing the one thing that is needed. She was getting to know Jesus. She was experiencing eternal life.

And that is what you and I as beneficiaries of the New Covenant should be doing too. The more we know God the Father and Jesus the Son, the more we know what has been accomplished for us already. The more we will experience eternal life.

And that was what Ps Reuben was conveying to the youth at a recent sermon he preached entitled "That You May Know Him", which you can download to listen to at the following link:

http://www.box.net/shared/olo7ihxqlp