Thursday, 31st January 2008
Last night, I attended another session of the Principles of Biblical Prosperity where the lecturer told us that the first and the best belongs to the Lord.
Whenever we get our pay cheque, the very first thing we should do is to write out another cheque of one tenth of that to tithe unto the Lord. God is our senior partner, and most senior partners would take 51%, yet God only requires from us 10%.
The lecturer also told us that some have argued that tithing is an Old Testament law, and since we are no longer under the law, we need not tithe. But the practice of tithing was carried out by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who lived before the Law was instituted.
We read in Gen 14:20 and Heb 7:1 that Abraham gave Melchizedek, king of Salem a tenth of everything. In other parts of Heb 7, we are told that Melchizedek is a type of Christ, so Abraham was in substance giving unto the Lord.
We read also in Gen 28: 22 that Jacob gave a tenth of everything to the Lord. Even though Scripture does not specifically mention that Isaac tithed, Jacob must have learnt it from his dad Issac, who learnt it from his dad Abraham.
But that's not quite the point... yet...
The lecturer took us through the book of Joshua, where the Israelites were about to enter the promised land. The first city they conquered was Jericho, and this being the first city, it belonged to the Lord. We read in Josh 6:17 that the city and all that is was to be devoted to the Lord. In Josh 7, we read that Achan disobeyed and kept some of the spoils for himself and as a result, he paid dearly with his life.
The second city they were to conquer was Ai. God said in Josh 8: 2 "You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves."
God only required that the firstfruit belonged to Him. The Israelites were given permission and free reign in keeping the spoils for the subsequent cities! We read in Josh 11:14 "The Israelites carried off for themselves all the plunder and livestock of these cities, but all the people they put to the sword until they completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone that breathed."
Oh ya, while God allowed the Israelites to keep the plunder and livestock, the people were not spared. This may seem rather cruel, but we have to understand that during that period, the covenant that was in operation was with the physical descendents of Jacob (ie. the Israelites). They were to be a nation separated unto the Lord, and to spare the people of the nations that worshipped other gods would give the evil one opportunities to tempt the Israelites to take the foreign women as their wives, and turn their hearts away from Him. And alas, that is exactly what happened to the Israelites.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Licence to Live
Wednesday, 30th January 2008
Yesterday, I mentioned about "75 Years: Stories from the Heart", which is the book of testimonies that was released in conjunction with our church's 75th anniversary.
Under the section Jehovah Nissi on pages 158 and 159 is a testimony entitled Licence to Live, which is reproduced below for your reading pleasure.
Yesterday, I mentioned about "75 Years: Stories from the Heart", which is the book of testimonies that was released in conjunction with our church's 75th anniversary.
Under the section Jehovah Nissi on pages 158 and 159 is a testimony entitled Licence to Live, which is reproduced below for your reading pleasure.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Stories from the Heart
Tuesday, 29th January 2008
At the TNG official launch on 27th January, Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup was the guest-of-honour and guest speaker.
During his sermon, he referred to 2 testimonies that can be found in the book 75 Years - Stories from the Heart, which was released during Christmas last year as part of our church's 75th anniversary celebrations.
The book is divided into 7 sections:
Jehovah Rohi (The LORD is My Shepherd)
Jehovah Jireh (The LORD will Provide)
Jehovah Rapha (The LORD who Heals)
Jehovah Shalom (The LORD is Peace)
Jehovah Tsidkenu (The LORD is our Righteousness)
Jehovah Shammah (The LORD is Present)
Jehovah Nissi (The LORD is my Banner)
Each section contains stories from the heart testifying as to how the Lord provided, healed, etc.
At the TNG official launch on 27th January, Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup was the guest-of-honour and guest speaker.During his sermon, he referred to 2 testimonies that can be found in the book 75 Years - Stories from the Heart, which was released during Christmas last year as part of our church's 75th anniversary celebrations.
The book is divided into 7 sections:
Jehovah Rohi (The LORD is My Shepherd)
Jehovah Jireh (The LORD will Provide)
Jehovah Rapha (The LORD who Heals)
Jehovah Shalom (The LORD is Peace)
Jehovah Tsidkenu (The LORD is our Righteousness)
Jehovah Shammah (The LORD is Present)
Jehovah Nissi (The LORD is my Banner)
Each section contains stories from the heart testifying as to how the Lord provided, healed, etc.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Achtung Baby!
Monday, 28th January 2008
Just the other day, I borrowed 2 books from my church library: one on Church History and the other on Christian Denominations.
It is interesting to read that the terms "Christians", "Lutherans" and even "Methodists" started off as labels of derision! In Antioch, the disciples of Jesus were first given the name Christianos (or followers of Christ) by the non-believers in their midst. Followers of Luther were labelled "Lutherans" by those who remained loyal to the Roman Catholic establishment. And the Anglican church mocked the followers of John Wesley for being too methodical, hence the term "method"-ists.
But praise the Lord because he causes good to come out of what is meant for harm. Nowadays, Christians, Lutherans and Methodists around the world are more than happy to be identified as such.
So too, should those of us who have been labelled as heretic or cultic as a result of operating totally under grace.
When my blog was first described as having "severely disturbing" content sometime last year and that particular email was circulated to nearly 100 other persons, I was deeply hurt. Now, it is worn as a badge of honour, and it even helps trigger the curiosity of those who are searching.
Which brings me to #34 in my XT collection.
34. WARNING! (Jan 2008)
14th design to be printed at Spectrum
Just collected this from Choon Hong yesterday. Unlike the other tshirts that were printed on cotton, this one is on dry-fit. Will be wearing it at the next ACSJ Fathers' Prayer Group meeting in honour of the one who inspired me to come up with this design :-)
Oh, just in case you are wondering about the title of today's blog entry, achtung means caution or warning in German. Achtung Baby! was the title of one of the albums of secular Irish rock band U2.
Just the other day, I borrowed 2 books from my church library: one on Church History and the other on Christian Denominations.
It is interesting to read that the terms "Christians", "Lutherans" and even "Methodists" started off as labels of derision! In Antioch, the disciples of Jesus were first given the name Christianos (or followers of Christ) by the non-believers in their midst. Followers of Luther were labelled "Lutherans" by those who remained loyal to the Roman Catholic establishment. And the Anglican church mocked the followers of John Wesley for being too methodical, hence the term "method"-ists.
But praise the Lord because he causes good to come out of what is meant for harm. Nowadays, Christians, Lutherans and Methodists around the world are more than happy to be identified as such.
So too, should those of us who have been labelled as heretic or cultic as a result of operating totally under grace.
When my blog was first described as having "severely disturbing" content sometime last year and that particular email was circulated to nearly 100 other persons, I was deeply hurt. Now, it is worn as a badge of honour, and it even helps trigger the curiosity of those who are searching.
Which brings me to #34 in my XT collection.34. WARNING! (Jan 2008)
14th design to be printed at Spectrum
Just collected this from Choon Hong yesterday. Unlike the other tshirts that were printed on cotton, this one is on dry-fit. Will be wearing it at the next ACSJ Fathers' Prayer Group meeting in honour of the one who inspired me to come up with this design :-)
Oh, just in case you are wondering about the title of today's blog entry, achtung means caution or warning in German. Achtung Baby! was the title of one of the albums of secular Irish rock band U2.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Was Jesus Poor or Homeless?
Sunday, 27th January 2008
I am currently pursuing part-time studies at Rhema, and the module we are currently covering is Principles of Biblical Prosperity.
Yesterday, the lecturer asked the question whether Jesus was poor or homeless.
When growing up, I remember people saying that Jesus was poor. To support this view, they quote the passage as recorded in Luke 2:21-22 where his earthly parents brought Jesus to the temple to be circumcised when he was eight days old. Joseph and Mary offered as a sacrifice a pair of doves or two young pigeons.
Yes, Jesus was born into a poor family, but He did not remain that way. We read in Matt 2:1-12 that wise men from the east came to visit Him and "on coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."
At the age of eight days, his earthly parents could only afford to sacrifice birds. But in less than 2 years, Magi came and presented them with gifts of gold! His parents were made rich because of Jesus!
I think what may have caused some confusion is the nativity scene we see nowadays. As a new-born baby, shepherds came to see Him. But it was several months (and probably even up to two years) later, when He was a toddler that the Magi came with gifts of frankincence, gold and myrrh. That is why we read in Matt 2:16 that Herod sought to kill all the boys in Bethlehem under the age of two.
So even though Jesus was born into a poor family, he did not remain poor.
When Jesus began His ministry, He was well-provided for. In fact, the funds was so substantial that He required a treasurer to look after them. This treasurer even helped himself to the funds without anyone noticing it!
Jesus could even afford to wear a robe that the Roman soldiers gambled for. Just think, it must have been the equivalent of today's Armani suit, if people are have to gamble for it.
So when was Jesus made poor, and why? So that we can be rich! It was part of the divine exchange! Paul tells us in 2 Cor 8:9 that “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
As for Jesus being "homeless", people quote Matt 8:20 when "Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
But do you know the context of why Jesus said that? HE was replying to a scribe who had in verse 19 said that he would follow Jesus wherever He went. Jesus' mission was unique in that He was born to die, so the scribe would not be able to follow suit. Jesus finally laid His head on the cross when He cried "It is finished!"
I have blogged about the divine exchange and finished work here.
I am currently pursuing part-time studies at Rhema, and the module we are currently covering is Principles of Biblical Prosperity.
Yesterday, the lecturer asked the question whether Jesus was poor or homeless.
When growing up, I remember people saying that Jesus was poor. To support this view, they quote the passage as recorded in Luke 2:21-22 where his earthly parents brought Jesus to the temple to be circumcised when he was eight days old. Joseph and Mary offered as a sacrifice a pair of doves or two young pigeons.
Yes, Jesus was born into a poor family, but He did not remain that way. We read in Matt 2:1-12 that wise men from the east came to visit Him and "on coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."
At the age of eight days, his earthly parents could only afford to sacrifice birds. But in less than 2 years, Magi came and presented them with gifts of gold! His parents were made rich because of Jesus!
I think what may have caused some confusion is the nativity scene we see nowadays. As a new-born baby, shepherds came to see Him. But it was several months (and probably even up to two years) later, when He was a toddler that the Magi came with gifts of frankincence, gold and myrrh. That is why we read in Matt 2:16 that Herod sought to kill all the boys in Bethlehem under the age of two.
So even though Jesus was born into a poor family, he did not remain poor.
When Jesus began His ministry, He was well-provided for. In fact, the funds was so substantial that He required a treasurer to look after them. This treasurer even helped himself to the funds without anyone noticing it!
Jesus could even afford to wear a robe that the Roman soldiers gambled for. Just think, it must have been the equivalent of today's Armani suit, if people are have to gamble for it.
So when was Jesus made poor, and why? So that we can be rich! It was part of the divine exchange! Paul tells us in 2 Cor 8:9 that “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
As for Jesus being "homeless", people quote Matt 8:20 when "Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
But do you know the context of why Jesus said that? HE was replying to a scribe who had in verse 19 said that he would follow Jesus wherever He went. Jesus' mission was unique in that He was born to die, so the scribe would not be able to follow suit. Jesus finally laid His head on the cross when He cried "It is finished!"
I have blogged about the divine exchange and finished work here.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
God is My Source
Saturday, 26th January 2008
Did not mention this earlier, but I have signed up for Rhema Bible Training Center Singapore's Modular Studies.
Each module consists of 5 lessons (held on Saturday afternoons and Wednesday evenings). The modules can be taken either on an audit or credit basis. As those taken on a credit basis may be transferred into the full-time programme at a later date, I decided on the latter. What this means also is that I have to buy the recommended text book, carry out the reading assignments and take an exam at the end of the module.
The module I am currently studying is Principles of Biblical Prosperity, a topic that is very close to my heart. On the first lesson held last week, the lecturer told us that we have to remember that God is our source. If we rely upon our monthly pay cheque or tell others that we are the breadwinner, then we are limiting ourselves and worse of all, limitin
g God to just that pay cheque or to our own human means.
And this resonated in my heart when I was checking out the Facebook profile of a good friend of mine, who happens to be a Rhema graduate. He actually declared his employer as "God"! :-)
Even though the lessons have been conducted during the time when I would probably have spent sleeping or watching TV, I feel very refreshed because it is not like attending a secular lecture. Rather, the rhema word of God is being preached, and as a result, my faith actually rises and I leave the class feeling extremely uplifted as my spirit man has just been fed.
By the way, I have not seen any familiar faces from my church among the other students of the class, but a number of them are from New Creation Church because I overheard one of them saying to another that those who "go by the law would find the content hard to follow" and yet another asking whether Ps Prince was preaching the next day.
For example, just today, we were told by the lecturer that contrary to what we may have heard before, Jesus was not poor but rich. He became poor on the cross for our sakes. I will blog about this in more detail tomorrow.
Till then, ciao for now.
Did not mention this earlier, but I have signed up for Rhema Bible Training Center Singapore's Modular Studies.
Each module consists of 5 lessons (held on Saturday afternoons and Wednesday evenings). The modules can be taken either on an audit or credit basis. As those taken on a credit basis may be transferred into the full-time programme at a later date, I decided on the latter. What this means also is that I have to buy the recommended text book, carry out the reading assignments and take an exam at the end of the module.
The module I am currently studying is Principles of Biblical Prosperity, a topic that is very close to my heart. On the first lesson held last week, the lecturer told us that we have to remember that God is our source. If we rely upon our monthly pay cheque or tell others that we are the breadwinner, then we are limiting ourselves and worse of all, limitin
g God to just that pay cheque or to our own human means.And this resonated in my heart when I was checking out the Facebook profile of a good friend of mine, who happens to be a Rhema graduate. He actually declared his employer as "God"! :-)
Even though the lessons have been conducted during the time when I would probably have spent sleeping or watching TV, I feel very refreshed because it is not like attending a secular lecture. Rather, the rhema word of God is being preached, and as a result, my faith actually rises and I leave the class feeling extremely uplifted as my spirit man has just been fed.
By the way, I have not seen any familiar faces from my church among the other students of the class, but a number of them are from New Creation Church because I overheard one of them saying to another that those who "go by the law would find the content hard to follow" and yet another asking whether Ps Prince was preaching the next day.
For example, just today, we were told by the lecturer that contrary to what we may have heard before, Jesus was not poor but rich. He became poor on the cross for our sakes. I will blog about this in more detail tomorrow.
Till then, ciao for now.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Each One Reach One
Friday, 25th January 2008
Of late, I have been struggling to keep up the pace of having one blog entry per day because I spend more time on Facebook :-P
I have now joined 12 groups, which include my own church, New Creation Church, my alma mater, my favourite soccer team, etc.
One of the groups I have joined is Six Degrees of Separation - The Experiment.
There is a theory that every human being on this planet is separated by only 6 other people. For example, someone in Singapore may be somehow connected to the President George Bush. That person may have an uncle in England, who has a childhood friend in living in Canada, who married someone from USA, whose ex-colleague was a classmate of George Bush.
Some guy decided to create a Facebook group as an experiment to prove this theory.
Yesterday I blogged about how a Christian's main purpose on earth is to reach out to pre-believers. If this theory holds true, then outreach is not that intimidating after all. We just need to reach that one person whom God has placed in our oikos, and the domino-effect after 6 degrees is that every single person on earth will get to hear the gospel!
As a youth in the Methodist Youth Fellowship, I remember listening to a song entitled Each One Reach One. I did a search and found it on YouTube.
Each One Reach One
Today a man is somewhere proclaiming the good news,
Winning families to Jesus all around his neighborhood.
He tells them God is able to make their house a home.
He wants to win this world for Christ, but he can't do it alone.
But each one can reach one.
As we follow after Christ, we all can lead one.
We can lead one to the Savior,
And together we can tell the world that Jesus is the way
If we each one reach one.
The message is unchanging: go into the world.
Share the love of Jesus far away or door-to-door.
You see, just like someone told you that Jesus loves you so,
You must tell someone who will tell someone
Until the whole world knows
That each one can reach one
As we follow after Christ, we all can lead one!
We can lead one to the Savior,
And together we can tell the world that Jesus is the way
If we each one reach one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-iNTC7ApF4
Of late, I have been struggling to keep up the pace of having one blog entry per day because I spend more time on Facebook :-P
I have now joined 12 groups, which include my own church, New Creation Church, my alma mater, my favourite soccer team, etc.
One of the groups I have joined is Six Degrees of Separation - The Experiment.
There is a theory that every human being on this planet is separated by only 6 other people. For example, someone in Singapore may be somehow connected to the President George Bush. That person may have an uncle in England, who has a childhood friend in living in Canada, who married someone from USA, whose ex-colleague was a classmate of George Bush.
Some guy decided to create a Facebook group as an experiment to prove this theory.
Yesterday I blogged about how a Christian's main purpose on earth is to reach out to pre-believers. If this theory holds true, then outreach is not that intimidating after all. We just need to reach that one person whom God has placed in our oikos, and the domino-effect after 6 degrees is that every single person on earth will get to hear the gospel!
As a youth in the Methodist Youth Fellowship, I remember listening to a song entitled Each One Reach One. I did a search and found it on YouTube.
Each One Reach One
Today a man is somewhere proclaiming the good news,
Winning families to Jesus all around his neighborhood.
He tells them God is able to make their house a home.
He wants to win this world for Christ, but he can't do it alone.
But each one can reach one.
As we follow after Christ, we all can lead one.
We can lead one to the Savior,
And together we can tell the world that Jesus is the way
If we each one reach one.
The message is unchanging: go into the world.
Share the love of Jesus far away or door-to-door.
You see, just like someone told you that Jesus loves you so,
You must tell someone who will tell someone
Until the whole world knows
That each one can reach one
As we follow after Christ, we all can lead one!
We can lead one to the Savior,
And together we can tell the world that Jesus is the way
If we each one reach one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-iNTC7ApF4
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Our Purpose on Earth
Thursday, 24th January 2008
Have you ever been asked the question, "What is a Christian's purpose here on earth?"
Those who do not subscribe to the prosperity or health gospel would say "To suffer now, so that we can enjoy a better life later." We of course know that Jesus wants us to live an superabundant life, right here on earth - and that includes being in good health and having the means to bless others.
And then, there are also other "spiritual" folks who say "To glorify and worship God." Sure, there is an element of truth there, but when we go to heaven, we can do likewise.
Yet others will say that it is build up the Body of Christ, especially in the last days. After all, the writer of Hebrews told us not to stop meeting together, and even more so when we see the day approaching (Heb 10:25)
So what is the Christian's purpose here on earth then? Put it another way. What is it that we can do here on earth that we cannot do in heaven? We can enjoy life here and enjoy life in heaven. We can worship God here and worship God in heaven. We can have fellowship with other believers here on earth, and similarly in heaven.
There is one thing however that we can do while here on earth, that we cannot do when we move on to the afterlife. And that is to reach out to pre-believers. When we begin to understand this, suddenly witnessing, missions and evangelism take on more importance and a higher priority in our life.
I was blessed to be born in a Christian family, so I took access to the gospel for granted. As a kid, I went to Sunday School and heard stories about Moses, David, Daniel, and of course Jesus. At the age of 12, after several years when the seed was sown, and the ground was ready, I made the wonderful decision to accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour at the Billy Graham Crusade in December 1979.
Nine years later, the Lord would lead me to a classmate who although already a Christian, was born in a non-Christian family. As I courted her and we got married in 1992, I was exposed to a world that I was not aware of, having grown up in a "sheltered" environment. I felt a certain sense of discomfort whenever I saw idols, or ancestral tablets, or the food being offered to them, and even hearing the chanting of Taoist monks at the funerals of my maternal grandparents-in-law.
But looking back, I realise that the Lord was preparing me, and making me more aware of the spiritual battle for the souls of men. It was first my wife who accepted the Lord back in 1979. Then it was her younger brother. And then it was her parents in 2006. And then her elder brother came back to the Lord. I was seeing Acts 16:31 coming to pass right before my very eyes!
What I have come to realise is that our God is not a God of any single individual, but He is a God of households. When He sent the flood, He saved Noah and his household. When He called Abraham and pronounced His blessings upon him, it was not just upon him but upon all his seed. When Paul led the Philippi jailer to the Lord, salvation was not just upon him but upon his entire household.
God wants entire families to be saved, and the testimony of such a family is awesome! My previous cluster leader has one such amazing story to tell on this.
Where God has placed us and the people we come into contact with is what is known as our oikos. God does not want anyone to perish but all to come to repentence. As such, our purpose here on earth is to be His agent to plant the seed of the gospel into the lives of pre-believers who are in our oikos, be they family members, or relatives, or classmates or colleagues. And when that one relative, or classmate or colleague accepts the Lord, he or she opens the door for others in his or her household to likewise receive salvation, until the entire household is saved!
So while on this earth, let us be His witnesses and ambassadors to draw others into the Kingdom, and mutiply the numbers that cross over from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His marvelous Light. Then, and only then are we ready to move on from this life and say like Paul said, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race." Amen?
Have you ever been asked the question, "What is a Christian's purpose here on earth?"
Those who do not subscribe to the prosperity or health gospel would say "To suffer now, so that we can enjoy a better life later." We of course know that Jesus wants us to live an superabundant life, right here on earth - and that includes being in good health and having the means to bless others.
And then, there are also other "spiritual" folks who say "To glorify and worship God." Sure, there is an element of truth there, but when we go to heaven, we can do likewise.
Yet others will say that it is build up the Body of Christ, especially in the last days. After all, the writer of Hebrews told us not to stop meeting together, and even more so when we see the day approaching (Heb 10:25)
So what is the Christian's purpose here on earth then? Put it another way. What is it that we can do here on earth that we cannot do in heaven? We can enjoy life here and enjoy life in heaven. We can worship God here and worship God in heaven. We can have fellowship with other believers here on earth, and similarly in heaven.
There is one thing however that we can do while here on earth, that we cannot do when we move on to the afterlife. And that is to reach out to pre-believers. When we begin to understand this, suddenly witnessing, missions and evangelism take on more importance and a higher priority in our life.
I was blessed to be born in a Christian family, so I took access to the gospel for granted. As a kid, I went to Sunday School and heard stories about Moses, David, Daniel, and of course Jesus. At the age of 12, after several years when the seed was sown, and the ground was ready, I made the wonderful decision to accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour at the Billy Graham Crusade in December 1979.
Nine years later, the Lord would lead me to a classmate who although already a Christian, was born in a non-Christian family. As I courted her and we got married in 1992, I was exposed to a world that I was not aware of, having grown up in a "sheltered" environment. I felt a certain sense of discomfort whenever I saw idols, or ancestral tablets, or the food being offered to them, and even hearing the chanting of Taoist monks at the funerals of my maternal grandparents-in-law.
But looking back, I realise that the Lord was preparing me, and making me more aware of the spiritual battle for the souls of men. It was first my wife who accepted the Lord back in 1979. Then it was her younger brother. And then it was her parents in 2006. And then her elder brother came back to the Lord. I was seeing Acts 16:31 coming to pass right before my very eyes!
What I have come to realise is that our God is not a God of any single individual, but He is a God of households. When He sent the flood, He saved Noah and his household. When He called Abraham and pronounced His blessings upon him, it was not just upon him but upon all his seed. When Paul led the Philippi jailer to the Lord, salvation was not just upon him but upon his entire household.
God wants entire families to be saved, and the testimony of such a family is awesome! My previous cluster leader has one such amazing story to tell on this.
Where God has placed us and the people we come into contact with is what is known as our oikos. God does not want anyone to perish but all to come to repentence. As such, our purpose here on earth is to be His agent to plant the seed of the gospel into the lives of pre-believers who are in our oikos, be they family members, or relatives, or classmates or colleagues. And when that one relative, or classmate or colleague accepts the Lord, he or she opens the door for others in his or her household to likewise receive salvation, until the entire household is saved!
So while on this earth, let us be His witnesses and ambassadors to draw others into the Kingdom, and mutiply the numbers that cross over from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His marvelous Light. Then, and only then are we ready to move on from this life and say like Paul said, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race." Amen?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
To Whose We Belong
Wednesday, 23rd January 2008
Some time back, I happened to notice that one of my colleagues had her name embroidered onto an umbrella, so I asked her where she got it done.
Seems like there is a shop called Wakili Singapore just next to Potong Pasir MRT Station (the address is 26 Upper Serangoon Road, Sennett Estate, which is just a stone's throw from my office) that provides embroidery service, so I decided to pay it a visit during lunchtime two days ago.
Turns out that the embroidery is done not by hand, but by a machine with spools of thread of various colours connected to a computer! Talk about the wonders of modern technology!
I brought along a hat, and got them to embroider it with my name for just S$5.
Now there's another source to get customised gifts done :-)
As I looked at the hat with my name on it, a deeper spiritual truth dawned upon me. We who are believers of the New Covenant, have the Holy Spirit's seal upon our hearts, testifying that we are children of Abba Father, thus indicating to whose we belong. Amen?
Some time back, I happened to notice that one of my colleagues had her name embroidered onto an umbrella, so I asked her where she got it done.
Seems like there is a shop called Wakili Singapore just next to Potong Pasir MRT Station (the address is 26 Upper Serangoon Road, Sennett Estate, which is just a stone's throw from my office) that provides embroidery service, so I decided to pay it a visit during lunchtime two days ago.Turns out that the embroidery is done not by hand, but by a machine with spools of thread of various colours connected to a computer! Talk about the wonders of modern technology!
I brought along a hat, and got them to embroider it with my name for just S$5.
Now there's another source to get customised gifts done :-)
As I looked at the hat with my name on it, a deeper spiritual truth dawned upon me. We who are believers of the New Covenant, have the Holy Spirit's seal upon our hearts, testifying that we are children of Abba Father, thus indicating to whose we belong. Amen?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Number Seventy-Seven
Tuesday, 22nd January 2008
I was just checking out my Facebook account and discovered that I now have 77 friends.
Ok, fine. I suppose that's really nothing compared to the 557 friends that 91.3 FM radio deejay Joe Augustin has, but hey he's a well-known public figure and I'm just your average Joe :-p
Facebook is really great! I have been getting re-connected with old classmates, ex-colleagues, cousins, several Sunday School students (whom my wife and I taught back in 1994 and 1995 when they were in Primary 3 and 4), fellow church members and also some members of New Creation Church.
And most recently, I've also started making a handful of new friends who are fellow Aston Villa supporters here in Singapore.
As a sample of who my Facebook friends are, featured on the right are Rev Dr Wee (TRAC President), KeJia Jiang (son of Rev Dr Kang Ho Soon, PIC of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church), Khoo Wei Jie (recipient of Destined to Reign and member of New Creation Church), Melvin Tan (colleague and City Harvest Church member), Phuah Sock Pin (my Prov 31 woman) and Otard Chew Yuen Sin (fellow supporter of Aston Villa).
Speaking of which, we fans of Aston Villa have been invited to make an appearance on ESPNStarSports' Football Crazy sometime next month. The date has not been fixed yet, but it will be either 14 Feb 08 or 21 Feb 08. One of the co-hosts is Jamie Yeo, who together with her hubby Glenn Ong, attend New Creation Church.
I was just checking out my Facebook account and discovered that I now have 77 friends.
Ok, fine. I suppose that's really nothing compared to the 557 friends that 91.3 FM radio deejay Joe Augustin has, but hey he's a well-known public figure and I'm just your average Joe :-p
Facebook is really great! I have been getting re-connected with old classmates, ex-colleagues, cousins, several Sunday School students (whom my wife and I taught back in 1994 and 1995 when they were in Primary 3 and 4), fellow church members and also some members of New Creation Church.And most recently, I've also started making a handful of new friends who are fellow Aston Villa supporters here in Singapore.
As a sample of who my Facebook friends are, featured on the right are Rev Dr Wee (TRAC President), KeJia Jiang (son of Rev Dr Kang Ho Soon, PIC of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church), Khoo Wei Jie (recipient of Destined to Reign and member of New Creation Church), Melvin Tan (colleague and City Harvest Church member), Phuah Sock Pin (my Prov 31 woman) and Otard Chew Yuen Sin (fellow supporter of Aston Villa).
Speaking of which, we fans of Aston Villa have been invited to make an appearance on ESPNStarSports' Football Crazy sometime next month. The date has not been fixed yet, but it will be either 14 Feb 08 or 21 Feb 08. One of the co-hosts is Jamie Yeo, who together with her hubby Glenn Ong, attend New Creation Church.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Fishers of Men
Monday, 21st January 2008
Hooked to my HTC TyTN II PDA phone are several "phone accessories".
One of them is an emblem of Aston Villa connected to a soccer ball. This was a gift from my son, and of all places, he bought this from his school bookshop! Seems like they only had Barcelona and Aston Villa left, so this particular one was destined to be given to me :-)
Another one is a fish with the Greek word "ichthus" on it. This is an acronym for Iesous Christos Theou Uios Soter, meaning "Jesus Christ, God's Son and Saviour".
I just added another a third one yesterday. This one is also shaped like a fish but it has two red strokes inside, shaped like a letter "V".
These two red strokes are actually derived and extracted from our church's logo, as shown on the right.
Yesterday during the service, our Senior Pastor launched a church-wide "blessing campaign" initiative, that is targeted to reach 10,000 persons. That works out to about 10 persons per member.
The phone accessory is actually attached to a yellow card, like the one shown below.
We are supposed to approach 10 persons in our oikos, give them the accessory, ask then ask them whether we can bless them in areas as indicated on the card, such as health, protection, inner peace, family harmony, financial freedom, progress in career/business prosperity, progress in studies, etc.
If they want "eternal life", we are to lead them in the sinner's prayer as printed at the back of the card.
There is a perforated section that should be torn off and dropped into the box located at the Contact Point. In this section, we are to write our own name, our cell leader's name and the person that we prayed a blessing over.
Through this blessing campaign, we are effectively being "fishers of men" as how Jesus describes it in Matt 4:19.
The phone accessory is meant to be given out to others, but I decided to keep one for myself as a constant reminder to be a fisher of men :-)
Hooked to my HTC TyTN II PDA phone are several "phone accessories".
One of them is an emblem of Aston Villa connected to a soccer ball. This was a gift from my son, and of all places, he bought this from his school bookshop! Seems like they only had Barcelona and Aston Villa left, so this particular one was destined to be given to me :-)Another one is a fish with the Greek word "ichthus" on it. This is an acronym for Iesous Christos Theou Uios Soter, meaning "Jesus Christ, God's Son and Saviour".
I just added another a third one yesterday. This one is also shaped like a fish but it has two red strokes inside, shaped like a letter "V".
These two red strokes are actually derived and extracted from our church's logo, as shown on the right.Yesterday during the service, our Senior Pastor launched a church-wide "blessing campaign" initiative, that is targeted to reach 10,000 persons. That works out to about 10 persons per member.
The phone accessory is actually attached to a yellow card, like the one shown below.
We are supposed to approach 10 persons in our oikos, give them the accessory, ask then ask them whether we can bless them in areas as indicated on the card, such as health, protection, inner peace, family harmony, financial freedom, progress in career/business prosperity, progress in studies, etc.
If they want "eternal life", we are to lead them in the sinner's prayer as printed at the back of the card.There is a perforated section that should be torn off and dropped into the box located at the Contact Point. In this section, we are to write our own name, our cell leader's name and the person that we prayed a blessing over.
Through this blessing campaign, we are effectively being "fishers of men" as how Jesus describes it in Matt 4:19.
The phone accessory is meant to be given out to others, but I decided to keep one for myself as a constant reminder to be a fisher of men :-)
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Pet Project
Sunday, 20th January 2008
Those of you who saw the video montage that was put together by my family to celebrate my 40th birthday must have seen this snapshot of a hamster at the 3 min 26 sec mark, and probably wondered what that was all about.
My daughter had for the fun of it, cheekily sneaked in that photo, saying that the hamster is "part of the Loh family".
Just 5 days before that on 15 Dec 07, I had gone shopping with her at Vivo City and we wandered into a mega pet store located there. One thing led to another and we ended getting a hamster.
She asked me what Biblical names started with the letter H and thus, Hannah became the latest addition to the Loh family.
I was checking out her blog at the start of the year, and one of her NY Resos was "to keep Hannah alive as long as possible". This was because her good friend's pet hamster passed on after just 2 weeks, which made her aware that hamsters have a very high mortality rate.
I am pleased that not only has Hannah been kept alive for more than a month now, she has also put on the grams, if you get my drift. My daughter has also been an extremely responsible pet owner, feeding and sand-bathing her everyday, and cleaning her cage at least twice a week.
This is a video that she put together and asked me to upload using my YouTube ID (since she is still too young to own a YouTube account). As you can see, she has been very "well-provided for" by my daughter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6U5cS9TDqM
Those of you who saw the video montage that was put together by my family to celebrate my 40th birthday must have seen this snapshot of a hamster at the 3 min 26 sec mark, and probably wondered what that was all about.
My daughter had for the fun of it, cheekily sneaked in that photo, saying that the hamster is "part of the Loh family".
Just 5 days before that on 15 Dec 07, I had gone shopping with her at Vivo City and we wandered into a mega pet store located there. One thing led to another and we ended getting a hamster.
She asked me what Biblical names started with the letter H and thus, Hannah became the latest addition to the Loh family.
I was checking out her blog at the start of the year, and one of her NY Resos was "to keep Hannah alive as long as possible". This was because her good friend's pet hamster passed on after just 2 weeks, which made her aware that hamsters have a very high mortality rate.
I am pleased that not only has Hannah been kept alive for more than a month now, she has also put on the grams, if you get my drift. My daughter has also been an extremely responsible pet owner, feeding and sand-bathing her everyday, and cleaning her cage at least twice a week.
This is a video that she put together and asked me to upload using my YouTube ID (since she is still too young to own a YouTube account). As you can see, she has been very "well-provided for" by my daughter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6U5cS9TDqM
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Calming the Nerves
Saturday, 19th January 2008
Where I currently work, I conduct a training course called Accounting for Engineers once every quarter.
Even though I've done this training for nearly 3 years already, I do still feel slightly nervy before the lesson starts, since the participants are always different, and the questions they may ask also vary.
In my previous company, PricewaterhouseCoopers, I used to conduct a training course called Business Writing. In order to qualify to be an in-house trainer, we have to be first nominated by our bosses, approved by the training partner and attend a 3-day "Train the Trainer" workshop in Malaysia, where we are taught public speaking skills. A video is recorded of us making a 10-minute speech and shown to all participants to critique and feedback.
I remember the trainer telling us that she herself gets butterflies in her stomach everytime she goes up to speak. So what she does is to "shadow box" to calm herself down. She also said others would imagine their audience without their clothes on.
Back then, what I would do was to whisper a prayer and commit the training session to the Lord, asking Him for the wisdom to answer any difficult questions. Since then, I have found something else that definitely calms the nerves -- and that is praying in the Spirit.
Just yesterday, I conducted another lesson and before starting I would commit the course to the Lord and then pray in tongues. In doing so, a peace that passes understanding just came upon my heart and my mind, and I was ready. Needless to say, the class went very well and the feedback from the participants were all very positive. Praise be to God.
A research was done where electrodes were connected to the heart and brain to monitor activity. It found that when people prayed in tongues, the heartbeat and brain impulses were more regulated, meaning to say that less stress was being placed on both organs.
And this should not come as a surprise, because God has given this tool to His children as a means to counter what the devil is trying to do. An often-quoted verse is 1 Pet 5:8, where we read that he goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The answer to that is the verse before that 1 Pet 5:7, which reads "cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you."
So the next time you are feeling stressed because you have to make a presentation to that major client, or you want to do well in that job interview, or your kids are misbehaving, remember how to calm your nerves -- by praying in the Spirit.
Where I currently work, I conduct a training course called Accounting for Engineers once every quarter.
Even though I've done this training for nearly 3 years already, I do still feel slightly nervy before the lesson starts, since the participants are always different, and the questions they may ask also vary.
In my previous company, PricewaterhouseCoopers, I used to conduct a training course called Business Writing. In order to qualify to be an in-house trainer, we have to be first nominated by our bosses, approved by the training partner and attend a 3-day "Train the Trainer" workshop in Malaysia, where we are taught public speaking skills. A video is recorded of us making a 10-minute speech and shown to all participants to critique and feedback.
I remember the trainer telling us that she herself gets butterflies in her stomach everytime she goes up to speak. So what she does is to "shadow box" to calm herself down. She also said others would imagine their audience without their clothes on.
Back then, what I would do was to whisper a prayer and commit the training session to the Lord, asking Him for the wisdom to answer any difficult questions. Since then, I have found something else that definitely calms the nerves -- and that is praying in the Spirit.
Just yesterday, I conducted another lesson and before starting I would commit the course to the Lord and then pray in tongues. In doing so, a peace that passes understanding just came upon my heart and my mind, and I was ready. Needless to say, the class went very well and the feedback from the participants were all very positive. Praise be to God.
A research was done where electrodes were connected to the heart and brain to monitor activity. It found that when people prayed in tongues, the heartbeat and brain impulses were more regulated, meaning to say that less stress was being placed on both organs.
And this should not come as a surprise, because God has given this tool to His children as a means to counter what the devil is trying to do. An often-quoted verse is 1 Pet 5:8, where we read that he goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The answer to that is the verse before that 1 Pet 5:7, which reads "cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you."
So the next time you are feeling stressed because you have to make a presentation to that major client, or you want to do well in that job interview, or your kids are misbehaving, remember how to calm your nerves -- by praying in the Spirit.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Eating Salt and Rice
Friday, 18th January 2008
There is a saying "I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice" which is often used by an older person to chide a younger person that he has had more experience in life since he has lived longer.
This would be the general consensus, but having read the book of Job, I realise that there was an exception to the rule recorded in there.
Job had 4 friends altogether -- Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu -- who offered him advice. The first three were "years older" than Elihu, hence he allowed them to speak to Job first (Job 32:4). We also find from reading Job 32-37 that what he said to Job was filled with more wisdom and made much more sense than the other three.
There's another saying, "With friends like that, who needs enemies?" That was probably what Job felt about Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar.
Towards the end of the book, in Job 42:7-9, we find that God was also upset with the three of them, and required them to offer bulls and rams to Him as burnt offerings. But this was not required of the younger Elihu.
As I reflected upon this, the Lord brought to mind another story as recorded in 2 Kings 5. There was this army commander named Naaman who was suffering from leprosy. His wife had a young slave girl (whose name is not even recorded) who told her mistress about Elisha. To cut a long story short, Naaman listened to the advice of that slave girl, was brought him to Elisha and he was cured of his leprosy after he bathed in the Jordan river 7 times.
From these 2 incidents, we see that God sometimes uses the foolish to humble the wise, so we should not be too quick to despise or discount the advice of someone who may be (many years) younger than us.
Yes, we may have eaten more salt than that younger person has eaten rice. But, the Holy Spirit saw fit to record the advice of Elihu as well as that slave girl, so maybe we should take the occasional heed.
There is a saying "I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice" which is often used by an older person to chide a younger person that he has had more experience in life since he has lived longer.
This would be the general consensus, but having read the book of Job, I realise that there was an exception to the rule recorded in there.
Job had 4 friends altogether -- Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu -- who offered him advice. The first three were "years older" than Elihu, hence he allowed them to speak to Job first (Job 32:4). We also find from reading Job 32-37 that what he said to Job was filled with more wisdom and made much more sense than the other three.
There's another saying, "With friends like that, who needs enemies?" That was probably what Job felt about Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar.
Towards the end of the book, in Job 42:7-9, we find that God was also upset with the three of them, and required them to offer bulls and rams to Him as burnt offerings. But this was not required of the younger Elihu.
As I reflected upon this, the Lord brought to mind another story as recorded in 2 Kings 5. There was this army commander named Naaman who was suffering from leprosy. His wife had a young slave girl (whose name is not even recorded) who told her mistress about Elisha. To cut a long story short, Naaman listened to the advice of that slave girl, was brought him to Elisha and he was cured of his leprosy after he bathed in the Jordan river 7 times.
From these 2 incidents, we see that God sometimes uses the foolish to humble the wise, so we should not be too quick to despise or discount the advice of someone who may be (many years) younger than us.
Yes, we may have eaten more salt than that younger person has eaten rice. But, the Holy Spirit saw fit to record the advice of Elihu as well as that slave girl, so maybe we should take the occasional heed.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Acts of God?
Thursday, 17th January 2008
A couple of days back, I mentioned having finished reading the book of Job and that I would be sharing some reflections on it.
Job is not commonly-read, probably because of the unpleasant things that happened to the subject of the book. But the truth of the matter is that it has a happy ending -- God more than restored him in terms of his family and possessions.
And even though the book is not often referred to or quoted from, one verse that I remember quite distinctly especially during funerals is Job 1:21 "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away". Another verse frequently quoted by Christians who face trials is Job 13:15 "Even He slay me, I will hope in Him."
When Job said those words, he did not realise it was actually the devil behind his misfortune, and not the Lord. Thus, he can be excused for his misunderstanding of our God. We, on the other hand, have the benefit of reading the conversation that took place between God and the devil, and hence should know better than to erroneously attribute to God what were actually the works of the evil one.
Jesus came to reveal the nature of God and He said those who had seen Him had seen the Father (Jn 14:9). While hear on earth, He went about healing and restoring. Jesus also said that it is the devil who comes to kill, steal and destroy while He came to give us life in abundance (Jn 10:10).
Hence, those who are now saying that God takes away or that God slays us are indirectly implying that the life-giver and the life-destroyer have swapped places!
If one were to pick up an insurance policy, one may find sections that expressedly exclude liability in the event of catastrophies such as flood, earthquakes, tsunamis etc, or what the insurer terms "acts of God".
We can probably forgive them for not referring to such events as "acts of the devil". But we as believers should be very clear about what should be attributable to God and what should be attributable to the devil. Amen?
A couple of days back, I mentioned having finished reading the book of Job and that I would be sharing some reflections on it.
Job is not commonly-read, probably because of the unpleasant things that happened to the subject of the book. But the truth of the matter is that it has a happy ending -- God more than restored him in terms of his family and possessions.
And even though the book is not often referred to or quoted from, one verse that I remember quite distinctly especially during funerals is Job 1:21 "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away". Another verse frequently quoted by Christians who face trials is Job 13:15 "Even He slay me, I will hope in Him."
When Job said those words, he did not realise it was actually the devil behind his misfortune, and not the Lord. Thus, he can be excused for his misunderstanding of our God. We, on the other hand, have the benefit of reading the conversation that took place between God and the devil, and hence should know better than to erroneously attribute to God what were actually the works of the evil one.
Jesus came to reveal the nature of God and He said those who had seen Him had seen the Father (Jn 14:9). While hear on earth, He went about healing and restoring. Jesus also said that it is the devil who comes to kill, steal and destroy while He came to give us life in abundance (Jn 10:10).
Hence, those who are now saying that God takes away or that God slays us are indirectly implying that the life-giver and the life-destroyer have swapped places!
If one were to pick up an insurance policy, one may find sections that expressedly exclude liability in the event of catastrophies such as flood, earthquakes, tsunamis etc, or what the insurer terms "acts of God".
We can probably forgive them for not referring to such events as "acts of the devil". But we as believers should be very clear about what should be attributable to God and what should be attributable to the devil. Amen?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Noble-mindedness
Wednesday, 16th January 2008
Throughout the whole of last year, my former cluster leaders had been constantly reminding me of the importance of feeding on God's Word directly, rather than relying upon other people's revelations.
The recent article written by Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup about "feeding ourselves" could also not have come at a more timely moment.
I thank the Lord for the prayers of my former cluster leaders and that article by Rev Dr Wee, because my hunger for God's Word has never been so ravenous, voracious and insatiable. It's only 15 days into the new year and God has already caused me to be 14 days ahead of schedule in my daily bible reading, having finished both Genesis and Job. The Lord has also been giving me revelations, which I have jotted down in my PDA phone and will be sharing shortly.
I have begun to realise that it is not so much what Ps Prince said in this sermon, or what Kenneth Hagin said in that book, or what Kenneth Copeland said in that meditation. What is important is what does God Himself say in His Word.
And that is exactly what the Christians in Berea did. We read in Acts 17:11 that they did not merely listen to what Paul preached at face value. They went back to the Scriptures to see what was actually said.
Luke describes them as being "noble-minded", and the Greek word being used there is eugenes, which literally means "good born" -- eu as in eulogy (saying good words about) or gene as in genealogy (line of birth).
As a kid in Sunday School, I remember singing the following song:
Oh, I don't want to be a Jonah and be swallowed by a whale
Oh, I don't want to be a Jonah and be swallowed by a whale
So, I'll obey the Saviour's voice, everyday come what may
Tell the people of the world they must be born again.
I'm sure none of us want to be a Jonah. But how many of us want to be a Eugene? I know I do :-)
Throughout the whole of last year, my former cluster leaders had been constantly reminding me of the importance of feeding on God's Word directly, rather than relying upon other people's revelations.
The recent article written by Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup about "feeding ourselves" could also not have come at a more timely moment.
I thank the Lord for the prayers of my former cluster leaders and that article by Rev Dr Wee, because my hunger for God's Word has never been so ravenous, voracious and insatiable. It's only 15 days into the new year and God has already caused me to be 14 days ahead of schedule in my daily bible reading, having finished both Genesis and Job. The Lord has also been giving me revelations, which I have jotted down in my PDA phone and will be sharing shortly.
I have begun to realise that it is not so much what Ps Prince said in this sermon, or what Kenneth Hagin said in that book, or what Kenneth Copeland said in that meditation. What is important is what does God Himself say in His Word.
And that is exactly what the Christians in Berea did. We read in Acts 17:11 that they did not merely listen to what Paul preached at face value. They went back to the Scriptures to see what was actually said.
Luke describes them as being "noble-minded", and the Greek word being used there is eugenes, which literally means "good born" -- eu as in eulogy (saying good words about) or gene as in genealogy (line of birth).
As a kid in Sunday School, I remember singing the following song:
Oh, I don't want to be a Jonah and be swallowed by a whale
Oh, I don't want to be a Jonah and be swallowed by a whale
So, I'll obey the Saviour's voice, everyday come what may
Tell the people of the world they must be born again.
I'm sure none of us want to be a Jonah. But how many of us want to be a Eugene? I know I do :-)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
A Book by its Cover
Tuesday, 15th January 2008
A week ago, I decided to get myself an earring just for the fun of it. I took a picture of my ear and uploaded it as my Facebook profile picture.
Almost immediately, I got queries from a couple of old ACS classmates and from one of my cousins. They wanted to know if the earring was for real. After all, they remember me as the square nerdie guy whose CCA back then was the Chess Club.
Here was how the conversation with my cousin went:
Him: Ur ear stub real or double sided taped?
Me: it's magnetic lah. do u think sockpin would allow me to pierce my ears?
Him: why not? tell her its mid-life crisis and its something u need to do to find urself:) HEEHEE
Me: then i shd hv it placed on my right earlobe instead...
Him: then while u are at it... try a nipple ring too. George may like the new look and say "WHAMMY!" while u dance to YMCA.
By the way, it is imperative that the earring is worn only on the left ear. Guys who wear it on the right ear are sending another sort of signal, if you get my drift...
I have a colleague who attends City Harvest who has two studs in his left ear. There is also a current pastor of Wesley Methodist (who grew up in Paya Lebar Methodist and whose dad is an elder in my church) who has one stud in his left ear.
And unlike my magnetic one, their earrings are for real, ie. they had their ear pierced.
Anyway, it amazes me how till this very day, people are still being judged by outward appearances.
We read in 1 Sam 16:6-7 how Samuel thought that Jesse's other son Eliab would be the one God would choose as king, but God told him "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
We must learn not to judge a book by its cover. I used to hold this stereotypical view that Christians should be clean-cut mummy's boys and makeup-less daddy's girls.
Is it is any wonder then, why guys with tatoos or girls with a not-so-straightforward past are not being drawn to the gospel?
Let us remember that our LORD ate with tax-collectors and publicans, and His ministry attracted the outcasts of society and downtrodden folk of His day. As Methodists, let us also remember how our founder John Wesley started his ministry, by reaching out to the coal-miners of his day.
Unlike country clubs, the church is supposed to be inclusive, not exclusive. Amen?
A week ago, I decided to get myself an earring just for the fun of it. I took a picture of my ear and uploaded it as my Facebook profile picture.
Almost immediately, I got queries from a couple of old ACS classmates and from one of my cousins. They wanted to know if the earring was for real. After all, they remember me as the square nerdie guy whose CCA back then was the Chess Club.Here was how the conversation with my cousin went:
Him: Ur ear stub real or double sided taped?
Me: it's magnetic lah. do u think sockpin would allow me to pierce my ears?
Him: why not? tell her its mid-life crisis and its something u need to do to find urself:) HEEHEE
Me: then i shd hv it placed on my right earlobe instead...
Him: then while u are at it... try a nipple ring too. George may like the new look and say "WHAMMY!" while u dance to YMCA.
By the way, it is imperative that the earring is worn only on the left ear. Guys who wear it on the right ear are sending another sort of signal, if you get my drift...
I have a colleague who attends City Harvest who has two studs in his left ear. There is also a current pastor of Wesley Methodist (who grew up in Paya Lebar Methodist and whose dad is an elder in my church) who has one stud in his left ear.
And unlike my magnetic one, their earrings are for real, ie. they had their ear pierced.
Anyway, it amazes me how till this very day, people are still being judged by outward appearances.
We read in 1 Sam 16:6-7 how Samuel thought that Jesse's other son Eliab would be the one God would choose as king, but God told him "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
We must learn not to judge a book by its cover. I used to hold this stereotypical view that Christians should be clean-cut mummy's boys and makeup-less daddy's girls.
Is it is any wonder then, why guys with tatoos or girls with a not-so-straightforward past are not being drawn to the gospel?
Let us remember that our LORD ate with tax-collectors and publicans, and His ministry attracted the outcasts of society and downtrodden folk of His day. As Methodists, let us also remember how our founder John Wesley started his ministry, by reaching out to the coal-miners of his day.
Unlike country clubs, the church is supposed to be inclusive, not exclusive. Amen?
Monday, January 14, 2008
Caveat Emptor
Monday, 14th January 2008
One of the subjects we had to learn as undergraduates was Contract Law, of which the Sales of Goods Act was covered. We were taught the concept of "caveat emptor" or "let the buyer beware", which means to say that a consumer should be careful whenever he buys anything.
Caveat emptor applies to music CDs which songs contain swear words. It is not uncommon to see the label "Parental Advisory Explicit Content" on albums from the likes of Linkin' Park and Green Day, where the four-letter word is peppered throughout.
The Record Industry Association of America ("RIAA") came up with this compulsory requirement, so that parents are kept aware of the lyrical content of music out there, so that they can advise their teenage kids about whether to buy a CD or otherwise.
As I was looking at the label, I was wondering if something similar should be made obligatory for websites and weblogs. As most of you are probably already aware, my blog has been described as having "severely disturbing" content because it "over-emphasizes" the gospel of grace. Others may even say that it "cheapens grace" and gives Christians a "licence to sin".
In this spoofed version, the word "explicit" has been replaced with the words "severely disturbing" and "parental" with "pharisaical".
If such a label was available during biblical times, one can imagine the Pharisees sticking it on the teachings of Jesus. After all, He broke the Law in their eyes on numerous occasions -- by allowing His disciples to pluck corn on the Sabbath, by touching a leper, by eating with publicans and tax collectors, by allowing a prostitute to wipe His feet with her hair, etc etc.
Thanks, Pastor B for inspiring me to come up with this label :-)
Oh ya, besides my blog, this label should be also be conspicuously displayed on the following websites/weblogs:
DailyRhema: Joshua Lye's Blog
My Walk. His Glory. (knowing God, and making Him known): Angie's Blog
New Creation Church - The Church that Rocks at the Rock
Peter Youngren's WatchCelebrate.tv
One of the subjects we had to learn as undergraduates was Contract Law, of which the Sales of Goods Act was covered. We were taught the concept of "caveat emptor" or "let the buyer beware", which means to say that a consumer should be careful whenever he buys anything.
Caveat emptor applies to music CDs which songs contain swear words. It is not uncommon to see the label "Parental Advisory Explicit Content" on albums from the likes of Linkin' Park and Green Day, where the four-letter word is peppered throughout.
The Record Industry Association of America ("RIAA") came up with this compulsory requirement, so that parents are kept aware of the lyrical content of music out there, so that they can advise their teenage kids about whether to buy a CD or otherwise.
As I was looking at the label, I was wondering if something similar should be made obligatory for websites and weblogs. As most of you are probably already aware, my blog has been described as having "severely disturbing" content because it "over-emphasizes" the gospel of grace. Others may even say that it "cheapens grace" and gives Christians a "licence to sin".
In this spoofed version, the word "explicit" has been replaced with the words "severely disturbing" and "parental" with "pharisaical".
If such a label was available during biblical times, one can imagine the Pharisees sticking it on the teachings of Jesus. After all, He broke the Law in their eyes on numerous occasions -- by allowing His disciples to pluck corn on the Sabbath, by touching a leper, by eating with publicans and tax collectors, by allowing a prostitute to wipe His feet with her hair, etc etc.
Thanks, Pastor B for inspiring me to come up with this label :-)
Oh ya, besides my blog, this label should be also be conspicuously displayed on the following websites/weblogs:
DailyRhema: Joshua Lye's Blog
My Walk. His Glory. (knowing God, and making Him known): Angie's Blog
New Creation Church - The Church that Rocks at the Rock
Peter Youngren's WatchCelebrate.tv
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Circle of Influence
Sunday, 13th January 2008
One of the concepts that we learn in the Seven Habits course is that of "circle of concern vs circle of influence", which is made up of 2 concentric circles. The outer circle is our circle of concern whilst the inner circle is our circle of influence.
The circle of concern refers to matters that we have concerns about, but we cannot do anything about because it is outside our circle of influence, whereas the circle of influence are matters we are able to do something about.
The objective is for us to expand our circle of influence, as illustrated in the diagram on the right.
As I reflect upon my life in the past 3 years, one of my greatest concerns is that fellow believers become aware of the gospel of grace, so that they can also reign in life. The need to share this "gourmet food" with others is inside my circle of concern.
The evil one has however tried his utmost to reduce my circle of influence. While I used to be in church leadership, serving as both honorary treasurer and cell leader, I am now an ordinary member. In fact, my previous cell was even dissolved.
Thanks be to God that He has not allowed the circle to shrink. Instead, he has caused it to expand by opening other doors. At last count, I noticed that there are 68 subscribers to my YouTube videos and 44 subscribers to this blog. Numbered among the subscribers are my very own church leaders and cell leaders (which I cannot publicly name for obvious reasons).
In fact, just today in church, I introduced my brother-in-law to one of the church leaders and was surprised when that leader mentioned about his wanting to get baptised! Only those who read my blog would be aware of that.
May the Lord continue to expand the circle of influence of those who embrace the grace gospel so that more will partake of this gourmet food! Amen?
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Journeys to Glory
Saturday, 12th January 2008
The title of today's entry is actually the name of the debut album by UK new-wave pop band called Spandau Ballet. They were very popular back in the 1980s. In fact, they were my wife's favourite band during her teenage years, because she found their lead singer Tony Hadley very handsome (that was before she met me).
My favourite female singer back then was a UK new-wave singer called Kim Wilde, whom I thought was the most beautiful woman on earth (that was before I met my wife).
But I am digressing...
One of my NY Resos for this year is to read the entire bible in one year. This was especially since my previous cluster leaders had advised me to go back to the Word so that God could speak to me directly, rather than rely on the revelation of others via sermons, books, etc.
There are many bible reading plans available online, and the one which I am using shows passages in chronologically order. Hence, the book of Job appears right smack in the middle of Genesis.
So far, by the grace of God, the reading has been pretty much on track.
In fact, now with the understanding of God's redemption plan for mankind as the premise and foundation, reading the Bible has become a pleasurably insightful experience.
Previously, especially when reading the Old Testament stories, I would end up puzzled. I could not understand why at certain times God spared men, yet at other times, He judged them. He seemed so confusingly unpredictable. For example, even though Jacob cheated Esau, God did not punish him but instead blessed him! Yet, all Lot's wife did was to turn her back to see Sodom and Gommorah and she was turned into a pillar of salt! As another example, God had promised Abraham a long-awaited son, Isaac. Yet, why did He need to ask Abraham to sacrifice this very same precious son?
However, when everything is seen in the light of Gen 3:15, where God told the devil that one of Eve's seed would crush his head, everything begins to fall into place and makes perfect and complete sense! In the backdrop of what was taking place in the physical realm was the great battle between God and the devil in the spiritual realm.
Over the next few weeks (and maybe even months), as I read through the bible chronologically from cover to cover, I will share on this blog about passages that used to confound me and how they are now wonderfully logical when filtered through Gen 3:15.
If you have any questions about any of the passages of scripture, please feel free to ask. Or if you have any revelations that God has impressed upon you, please feel free to share as well.
Let us all embark on this spiritual journey together, as we move from faith to faith, from glory to glory. Amen?
The title of today's entry is actually the name of the debut album by UK new-wave pop band called Spandau Ballet. They were very popular back in the 1980s. In fact, they were my wife's favourite band during her teenage years, because she found their lead singer Tony Hadley very handsome (that was before she met me).My favourite female singer back then was a UK new-wave singer called Kim Wilde, whom I thought was the most beautiful woman on earth (that was before I met my wife).
But I am digressing...
One of my NY Resos for this year is to read the entire bible in one year. This was especially since my previous cluster leaders had advised me to go back to the Word so that God could speak to me directly, rather than rely on the revelation of others via sermons, books, etc.
There are many bible reading plans available online, and the one which I am using shows passages in chronologically order. Hence, the book of Job appears right smack in the middle of Genesis.
So far, by the grace of God, the reading has been pretty much on track.
In fact, now with the understanding of God's redemption plan for mankind as the premise and foundation, reading the Bible has become a pleasurably insightful experience.
Previously, especially when reading the Old Testament stories, I would end up puzzled. I could not understand why at certain times God spared men, yet at other times, He judged them. He seemed so confusingly unpredictable. For example, even though Jacob cheated Esau, God did not punish him but instead blessed him! Yet, all Lot's wife did was to turn her back to see Sodom and Gommorah and she was turned into a pillar of salt! As another example, God had promised Abraham a long-awaited son, Isaac. Yet, why did He need to ask Abraham to sacrifice this very same precious son?
However, when everything is seen in the light of Gen 3:15, where God told the devil that one of Eve's seed would crush his head, everything begins to fall into place and makes perfect and complete sense! In the backdrop of what was taking place in the physical realm was the great battle between God and the devil in the spiritual realm.
Over the next few weeks (and maybe even months), as I read through the bible chronologically from cover to cover, I will share on this blog about passages that used to confound me and how they are now wonderfully logical when filtered through Gen 3:15.
If you have any questions about any of the passages of scripture, please feel free to ask. Or if you have any revelations that God has impressed upon you, please feel free to share as well.
Let us all embark on this spiritual journey together, as we move from faith to faith, from glory to glory. Amen?
Friday, January 11, 2008
God the Father
Friday, 11th January 2008
Yesterday, I mentioned that our church has embarked on a series of sermons on the Nicene Creed.
The first of the twelve articles talks about our belief in God the Father, and our pastor-in-charge Rev Peter Koh preached a sermon about this on 6 Jan 08. He rightly pointed out that somehow, the 2nd and 3rd persons in the Godhead have been given lots of emphasis, but the 1st person in the Godhead seems to have been overlooked.
That is why I am glad that Ps Prince preached an awesome sermon entitled "See the Father's Love For You" where he talks about how Jesus came to reveal to us a name that offers us protection. While God was revealed as Elohim, Jehovah and El Shaddai in the Old Testament, Jesus came to reveal Him as Abba Father.
A couple of days ago I was in Tecman with my wife, and I noticed that this sermon has just been released on DVD, so I decided to get it for myself.
I watched it yesterday and within minutes, tears were streaming down my face.
Here is a synopsis found on the back of the double-disc.
Can what you do stop your heavenly Father from loving you? Will He still bless you after you have failed? In this moving two-DVD album, Joseph Prince delves into the parable of the prodigal son, and opens up fresh revelations about your Abba's deep and unending love for you. Besides the unconditional love and acceptance, the father in the parable also gave his son precious gifts — the robe, ring and sandals. Find out the spiritual significance of these items and see how they depict the blessings your Father has for you today. Listen and let your heavenly Father's love wash over you and embrace you into wholeness!
Like what Rev Dr Wee said, we who are mature believers must learn to feed ourselves. Hence, I would recommend that you watch this DVD to supplement what you heard preached last Sunday, so that you will really appreciate the 1st person in the Trinity, and not just the 2nd and 3rd persons.
Yesterday, I mentioned that our church has embarked on a series of sermons on the Nicene Creed.
The first of the twelve articles talks about our belief in God the Father, and our pastor-in-charge Rev Peter Koh preached a sermon about this on 6 Jan 08. He rightly pointed out that somehow, the 2nd and 3rd persons in the Godhead have been given lots of emphasis, but the 1st person in the Godhead seems to have been overlooked.
That is why I am glad that Ps Prince preached an awesome sermon entitled "See the Father's Love For You" where he talks about how Jesus came to reveal to us a name that offers us protection. While God was revealed as Elohim, Jehovah and El Shaddai in the Old Testament, Jesus came to reveal Him as Abba Father.
A couple of days ago I was in Tecman with my wife, and I noticed that this sermon has just been released on DVD, so I decided to get it for myself.
I watched it yesterday and within minutes, tears were streaming down my face.
Here is a synopsis found on the back of the double-disc.Can what you do stop your heavenly Father from loving you? Will He still bless you after you have failed? In this moving two-DVD album, Joseph Prince delves into the parable of the prodigal son, and opens up fresh revelations about your Abba's deep and unending love for you. Besides the unconditional love and acceptance, the father in the parable also gave his son precious gifts — the robe, ring and sandals. Find out the spiritual significance of these items and see how they depict the blessings your Father has for you today. Listen and let your heavenly Father's love wash over you and embrace you into wholeness!
Like what Rev Dr Wee said, we who are mature believers must learn to feed ourselves. Hence, I would recommend that you watch this DVD to supplement what you heard preached last Sunday, so that you will really appreciate the 1st person in the Trinity, and not just the 2nd and 3rd persons.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Creed
Thursday, 10th January 2008
This being a new year, our church has embarked on a sermon series based on the Nicene* Creed, which reads as follows:
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
* Called so, because it was originally written and adopted at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD.
There are 12 articles (or points of beliefs) in the Creed (hence the 12 drummers drumming in the song Twelve Days of Christmas)
1 God the Father
2 God the Son
3 the virgin birth
4 crucified and buried
5 descended into hell and then resurrected
6 ascended and seated at the Father's right hand
7 judgement of living and dead
8 God the Holy Spirit
9 communion of saints (ie universal church)
10 forgiveness of sins
11 resurrection of the body
12 eternal life
The Christian rock band Petra composed a ballad based on this, and aptly entitled it "Creed". Check it out on YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k54i00BSIdo
Creed - Petra
I believe in God the Father - maker of heaven and earth
And in Jesus Christ His only Son
I believe in the virgin birth
I believe in the Man of Sorrows bruised for iniquities
I believe in the Lamb who was
crucified and hung between two thieves
I believe in the resurrection on the
third and glorious day
And I believe in the empty tomb and the
stone that the angel rolled away
He descended and set the captives free
And now He sits at God's right hand
and prepares a place for me
(Chorus)
This is my creed - the witness I have heard
The faith that has endured
This truth is assured
Through the darkest ages past
Though persecuted, it will last
And I will hold steadfast to this creed
I believe He sent His Spirit to comfort and to reveal
To lead us into the truth and light, to baptize and to seal
I believe that He will come back the way He went away
And receive us all unto Himself, but no man knows the day
I believe He is the Judge of all men, small and great
The resurrected souls of men receive from Him their fate
Some to death and some to life, some to their reward
Some to sing eternal praise forever to our Lord
This being a new year, our church has embarked on a sermon series based on the Nicene* Creed, which reads as follows:
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
* Called so, because it was originally written and adopted at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD.
There are 12 articles (or points of beliefs) in the Creed (hence the 12 drummers drumming in the song Twelve Days of Christmas)
1 God the Father
2 God the Son
3 the virgin birth
4 crucified and buried
5 descended into hell and then resurrected
6 ascended and seated at the Father's right hand
7 judgement of living and dead
8 God the Holy Spirit
9 communion of saints (ie universal church)
10 forgiveness of sins
11 resurrection of the body
12 eternal life
The Christian rock band Petra composed a ballad based on this, and aptly entitled it "Creed". Check it out on YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k54i00BSIdo
Creed - Petra
I believe in God the Father - maker of heaven and earth
And in Jesus Christ His only Son
I believe in the virgin birth
I believe in the Man of Sorrows bruised for iniquities
I believe in the Lamb who was
crucified and hung between two thieves
I believe in the resurrection on the
third and glorious day
And I believe in the empty tomb and the
stone that the angel rolled away
He descended and set the captives free
And now He sits at God's right hand
and prepares a place for me
(Chorus)
This is my creed - the witness I have heard
The faith that has endured
This truth is assured
Through the darkest ages past
Though persecuted, it will last
And I will hold steadfast to this creed
I believe He sent His Spirit to comfort and to reveal
To lead us into the truth and light, to baptize and to seal
I believe that He will come back the way He went away
And receive us all unto Himself, but no man knows the day
I believe He is the Judge of all men, small and great
The resurrected souls of men receive from Him their fate
Some to death and some to life, some to their reward
Some to sing eternal praise forever to our Lord
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Facebook Additions
Wednesday, 9th January 2008
Back in December 2007, I had blogged about Facebook being the latest happening application to hit the Internet, and how I joined the Joseph Prince Ministries group (which at last count has 1,489 members).
Well, since then, my wife has also gotten herself a Facebook account, and there is even a means of specifying our relationship with each other :-)
Our daughter has so far refused to get a Facebook account for herself because she feels that it is meant for "older people" above "a certain age". Let's see whether she will change her mind when her close friends start getting accounts for themselves...
While searching for friends, we also discovered that our church has its own PLMC group, so we have joined that too, as its 190th and 191st member.
And guess what? We also realised that our TRAC President, his wife, their kids, our pastor-in-charge's wife, our ex-pastor and our new pastor all have Facebook accounts as well!
So if you are also from PLMC and above a "certain" age, what are you waiting for? Get on the bandwagon and sign up for an account for yourself!
Back in December 2007, I had blogged about Facebook being the latest happening application to hit the Internet, and how I joined the Joseph Prince Ministries group (which at last count has 1,489 members).Well, since then, my wife has also gotten herself a Facebook account, and there is even a means of specifying our relationship with each other :-)
Our daughter has so far refused to get a Facebook account for herself because she feels that it is meant for "older people" above "a certain age". Let's see whether she will change her mind when her close friends start getting accounts for themselves...
While searching for friends, we also discovered that our church has its own PLMC group, so we have joined that too, as its 190th and 191st member.And guess what? We also realised that our TRAC President, his wife, their kids, our pastor-in-charge's wife, our ex-pastor and our new pastor all have Facebook accounts as well!
So if you are also from PLMC and above a "certain" age, what are you waiting for? Get on the bandwagon and sign up for an account for yourself!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Forever Family
Tuesday, 8th January 2008
In yesterday's post, I mentioned about an article that resonated deeply in my heart written by TRAC President, Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup.
In that article found in the 4th quarter edition of OnTrac entitled "Forever Family", he talks about church-hopping being an undesirable option.
As I read it, I realise what he says
applies to my own situation. I had entertained thoughts about leaving PLMC, giving the excuse about not being fed. But the truth of the matter is that a mature believer has to learn to feed himself.
I also realise that it was out of my own self-interest that I had wanted to cross over to join NCC. But now, not only do I have to consider my own family, but that of my brother-in-law as well.
Like what Rev Dr Wee said in the article, those with a sense of community and family with their church will not quit. Neither will they lead a revolt to divide the church.
So rather than complain about not being fed, I should just continue to feed myself, supplementing my spiritual food intake by listening to the 300-plus Ps Prince sermons I have subscribed to, whilst still maintaining ties with others here in PLMC by attending the services here (and being used as His vessel and agent to change things from the inside).
Thanks, Rev Dr Wee for a most timely reminder that we are forever family.
In yesterday's post, I mentioned about an article that resonated deeply in my heart written by TRAC President, Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup.
In that article found in the 4th quarter edition of OnTrac entitled "Forever Family", he talks about church-hopping being an undesirable option.
As I read it, I realise what he says
applies to my own situation. I had entertained thoughts about leaving PLMC, giving the excuse about not being fed. But the truth of the matter is that a mature believer has to learn to feed himself.I also realise that it was out of my own self-interest that I had wanted to cross over to join NCC. But now, not only do I have to consider my own family, but that of my brother-in-law as well.
Like what Rev Dr Wee said in the article, those with a sense of community and family with their church will not quit. Neither will they lead a revolt to divide the church.
So rather than complain about not being fed, I should just continue to feed myself, supplementing my spiritual food intake by listening to the 300-plus Ps Prince sermons I have subscribed to, whilst still maintaining ties with others here in PLMC by attending the services here (and being used as His vessel and agent to change things from the inside).
Thanks, Rev Dr Wee for a most timely reminder that we are forever family.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Monday, 7th January 2008
If the title of today's post sounds familiar, that is because it is the name of a song made famous in the 1980s by the British punk band The Clash.
Well, that was the question constantly on my mind in the second half of last year, and especially last month.
Having been so convinced about the grace gospel, I had wanted to cross over to join 16,000 other like-minded brothers and sisters to worship at the Rock, especially since I had been relieved of all official commitments and areas of service in the church of my forefathers.
Yet, what held me back was that the TRAC President had sent a grace-based preacher to replace a law-based one in August 2007.
When my previous cell was dissolved on 1 December 2007, I took that as an indication to be even less-involved in church. I would call up the church office to find out who was preaching that Sunday. If it was other than Ps Reuben, I would conveniently absent myself, telling my wife and kids that I would stay home to listen to one of Ps Prince's sermons instead.
But God had other plans for me...
Sometime in early-December 2007, I went to my nephew's birthday party. As I sat down over dinner with his dad (ie. my wife's elder brother), he mentioned that he had just come back from a holiday in Australia, and happened to see Ps Prince and his family at a supermarket there. One thing led to another, and we started talking about religion.
My brother-in-law is a successful lawyer, married with three kids and living in a three-storey landed property. He is also an intellectual who reads widely. He had accepted Christ as a youth but drifted away after a passage of time. Having attained the 5Cs, he started searching for the meaning of life again, and had embraced Buddhism. There was a glimmer of hope when he told me that Buddha did not forbid, and even encouraged, followers to explore other faiths.
As we conversed, the topic of my being removed from leadership surfaced, and I told him about law and grace. He could identify with this straightaway. As a youth reading the bible, he found that certain standards laid down in the scriptures were just too high to measure up to, so he gave up on Christianity ultimately.
As we were leaving for home, I told him, "Since Buddha allows you to explore other faiths, take some time to read Destined to Reign." I also followed up by sending him an email with a link to my blog.
Two weeks later, during my 40th birthday party, we caught up again. He said he had read the book and my blog, and praise be to God, rather than being stumbled by the "severely disturbing" content, he seemed to appreciate the honesty about the struggles I had gone through. He said he wanted to attend church, so I smsed Ps Reuben to find out when he was preaching. After all, I had wanted my brother-in-law to listen to a grace-based sermon.
To cut a long story short, he and his family came to PLMC on 23 Dec 07 when Ps Reuben preached on "Restedness - Are We Focused? (which is available on this blog for your listening pleasure). The seed was already sown...
The following Sunday, it was Rev Tay's turn to preach, and I had originally planned to skip service. I received an sms from my brother-in-law the day before telling me he was thinking of coming to church, and I told him not to take the trouble if he could not get up in time. After all, he usually got up pretty late on Sundays.
Well, God has a sense of humour. Just when I was about to sit down for a cup of coffee at the Fellowship Hall and play with my UMPC, lo and behold, I bumped into my brother-in-law! He said that something woke him up early that morning! (which we realise later was the prompting of the Holy Spirit). I had "no choice" but to sit through the service with him...
... and I am glad that I did, because Rev Tay preached one of the best sermons I have heard him preach, especially the analogy about the "8-cow lady". When an altar call was made, my brother-in-law raised his hand in response!
God was dealing with me here. As I reflected upon what happened, I realised that I was limiting Him! I had become arrogant, thinking that God could only work His wonders in New Creation Church and not here in my own church. Yet here, right before my very eyes, my brother-in-law had made a wonderful and crucial decision after listening to a sermon of a pastor I had dismissed as ineffective.
I repented and sought his forgiveness via sms, and he graciously accepted it, giving all glory to God.
Five days later, my brother-in-law attended the cell meeting together with us, and yesterday, he brought his entire family to PLMC. In fact, he even asked me what the procedure for baptism is!
So coming back to the topic of today's post. Should I stay or should I go? Through these recent turn of events, the answer is obvious. God is telling me beyond any shadow of doubt that I should stay on in the church of my forefathers. In fact, I just read an article by our TRAC President about church loyalty that resonates so deeply in my heart, that I will blog about it tomorrow.
Till then...
If the title of today's post sounds familiar, that is because it is the name of a song made famous in the 1980s by the British punk band The Clash.
Well, that was the question constantly on my mind in the second half of last year, and especially last month.
Having been so convinced about the grace gospel, I had wanted to cross over to join 16,000 other like-minded brothers and sisters to worship at the Rock, especially since I had been relieved of all official commitments and areas of service in the church of my forefathers.
Yet, what held me back was that the TRAC President had sent a grace-based preacher to replace a law-based one in August 2007.
When my previous cell was dissolved on 1 December 2007, I took that as an indication to be even less-involved in church. I would call up the church office to find out who was preaching that Sunday. If it was other than Ps Reuben, I would conveniently absent myself, telling my wife and kids that I would stay home to listen to one of Ps Prince's sermons instead.
But God had other plans for me...
Sometime in early-December 2007, I went to my nephew's birthday party. As I sat down over dinner with his dad (ie. my wife's elder brother), he mentioned that he had just come back from a holiday in Australia, and happened to see Ps Prince and his family at a supermarket there. One thing led to another, and we started talking about religion.
My brother-in-law is a successful lawyer, married with three kids and living in a three-storey landed property. He is also an intellectual who reads widely. He had accepted Christ as a youth but drifted away after a passage of time. Having attained the 5Cs, he started searching for the meaning of life again, and had embraced Buddhism. There was a glimmer of hope when he told me that Buddha did not forbid, and even encouraged, followers to explore other faiths.
As we conversed, the topic of my being removed from leadership surfaced, and I told him about law and grace. He could identify with this straightaway. As a youth reading the bible, he found that certain standards laid down in the scriptures were just too high to measure up to, so he gave up on Christianity ultimately.
As we were leaving for home, I told him, "Since Buddha allows you to explore other faiths, take some time to read Destined to Reign." I also followed up by sending him an email with a link to my blog.
Two weeks later, during my 40th birthday party, we caught up again. He said he had read the book and my blog, and praise be to God, rather than being stumbled by the "severely disturbing" content, he seemed to appreciate the honesty about the struggles I had gone through. He said he wanted to attend church, so I smsed Ps Reuben to find out when he was preaching. After all, I had wanted my brother-in-law to listen to a grace-based sermon.
To cut a long story short, he and his family came to PLMC on 23 Dec 07 when Ps Reuben preached on "Restedness - Are We Focused? (which is available on this blog for your listening pleasure). The seed was already sown...
The following Sunday, it was Rev Tay's turn to preach, and I had originally planned to skip service. I received an sms from my brother-in-law the day before telling me he was thinking of coming to church, and I told him not to take the trouble if he could not get up in time. After all, he usually got up pretty late on Sundays.
Well, God has a sense of humour. Just when I was about to sit down for a cup of coffee at the Fellowship Hall and play with my UMPC, lo and behold, I bumped into my brother-in-law! He said that something woke him up early that morning! (which we realise later was the prompting of the Holy Spirit). I had "no choice" but to sit through the service with him...
... and I am glad that I did, because Rev Tay preached one of the best sermons I have heard him preach, especially the analogy about the "8-cow lady". When an altar call was made, my brother-in-law raised his hand in response!
God was dealing with me here. As I reflected upon what happened, I realised that I was limiting Him! I had become arrogant, thinking that God could only work His wonders in New Creation Church and not here in my own church. Yet here, right before my very eyes, my brother-in-law had made a wonderful and crucial decision after listening to a sermon of a pastor I had dismissed as ineffective.
I repented and sought his forgiveness via sms, and he graciously accepted it, giving all glory to God.
Five days later, my brother-in-law attended the cell meeting together with us, and yesterday, he brought his entire family to PLMC. In fact, he even asked me what the procedure for baptism is!
So coming back to the topic of today's post. Should I stay or should I go? Through these recent turn of events, the answer is obvious. God is telling me beyond any shadow of doubt that I should stay on in the church of my forefathers. In fact, I just read an article by our TRAC President about church loyalty that resonates so deeply in my heart, that I will blog about it tomorrow.
Till then...
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Starting Over
Sunday, 6th January 2008
If the title of today's post sounds familiar, that is because it is the name of a song made famous in the 1980s by the John Lennon.
I live somewhere near Toa Payoh, and go there to shop every now and then.
Sometime last year, I discovered a shop at HDBMall called East@Signmaster, which is located 2 shops away from Spectrum (the shop where I got my customised Christian tshirts done).
This shop does customised wooden signs, plaques and keychains.
For our 15th anniversary, I gave my wife a wood-carving of a photo taken during our wedding photo shoot, which I blogged about here.
I have mentioned previously on this blog that my previous cell was dissolved on 1 December 2007.
I thank the Lord that just two days later, a dear brother invited me to join his cell in the new year, and that brother is none other than fellow NTIUCF alumnus and Best Christian Blog of the Week Award winner, Mr Philip Ng aka Boldeagle :-)
As a gesture of gratitude for allowing me to "start over", and for accepting this "black sheep" into their fellowship, I got a customised name keychain for each of the members of my new cellgroup.
While I was at the shop, I discovered that it also sells keychains with Chinese surnames, so I got one each for my 3 pastors as well.
Our new cell is aptly named "Goodness", and we attended the first meeting a couple of days ago, held at the home of co-leader Desmond. We found the members to be very warm and friendly. Even though it was our first time meeting most of them, there was openness in the sharing about what God has been doing in our lives.
Like my wife shared during the meeting, even though a door was closed, God has opened to us another door.
But the "starting over" process was not just for us. Her elder brother also joined us for the first time at that meeting, having just re-dedicated his life to the Lord on 30 Dec 2007 (which I will blog about in a future post).
Here's to new beginnings!
If the title of today's post sounds familiar, that is because it is the name of a song made famous in the 1980s by the John Lennon.
I live somewhere near Toa Payoh, and go there to shop every now and then.
Sometime last year, I discovered a shop at HDBMall called East@Signmaster, which is located 2 shops away from Spectrum (the shop where I got my customised Christian tshirts done).
This shop does customised wooden signs, plaques and keychains.
For our 15th anniversary, I gave my wife a wood-carving of a photo taken during our wedding photo shoot, which I blogged about here.
I have mentioned previously on this blog that my previous cell was dissolved on 1 December 2007.
I thank the Lord that just two days later, a dear brother invited me to join his cell in the new year, and that brother is none other than fellow NTIUCF alumnus and Best Christian Blog of the Week Award winner, Mr Philip Ng aka Boldeagle :-)As a gesture of gratitude for allowing me to "start over", and for accepting this "black sheep" into their fellowship, I got a customised name keychain for each of the members of my new cellgroup.
While I was at the shop, I discovered that it also sells keychains with Chinese surnames, so I got one each for my 3 pastors as well.
Our new cell is aptly named "Goodness", and we attended the first meeting a couple of days ago, held at the home of co-leader Desmond. We found the members to be very warm and friendly. Even though it was our first time meeting most of them, there was openness in the sharing about what God has been doing in our lives.
Like my wife shared during the meeting, even though a door was closed, God has opened to us another door.
But the "starting over" process was not just for us. Her elder brother also joined us for the first time at that meeting, having just re-dedicated his life to the Lord on 30 Dec 2007 (which I will blog about in a future post).
Here's to new beginnings!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Reading Between the Lines
Saturday, 5th January 2008
I mentioned in yesterday's entry that I was at the Campus Crusade Media store during their 20% store-wide sale.
Back in October 2007, I had blogged about a video I saw in which Dr Larry Ollison spoke about how Jesus placed His own signature right in the very first portion of Scripture. In that video, Dr Ollison also made mention to an "interlinear" Bible, ie. a bible that has the original text interlined with its English translation.
I had planned to get one of those for myself, and what better time to do so than during a sale. I asked the salesperson and he led me to the Study Bible / Concordance section at the rear of the store.
I was in for 2 surprises: 1 not-so-pleasant and 1 pleasant.
The not-so-pleasant surprise is that there was no single Interlinear Bible. Instead, there was a separate one for the Old Testament and a separate one for the New. I suppose this is because the former was written in Hebrew/Aramaic whilst the latter was written in Greek.
The pleasant surprise happened when I was paying up at the counter. The original cost of the Bibles were S$158 and S$87.80 respectively, but it turned out that there was a 30% discount on all Study Bibles! Hence, I only paid S$110.60 and S$61.46 for them :-)
A sample of how the Bible looks like is shown on the right. Here is a passage from Luke 15, where we see the original Greek appearing line-by-line with its English translation.
In verse 31, note that the father actually referred to his elder son as a "teknon" (a minor, not yet in a position to be an heir) rather than a "huios" (mature full-grown son, old enough for heirship) as the word appears in other parts of the parable.
Like what Ps Prince highlighted in his sermon entitled "Why Some Christians are Not Enjoying Their Inheritance in Christ" preached on 30 Sep 07, the elder son was operating under the law (merited favour), and hence the father referred to him as a "teknon" rather than a "huios". The younger son was referred to as a "huios" throughout the parable because he understood that his favour with his dad was unearned.
I mentioned in yesterday's entry that I was at the Campus Crusade Media store during their 20% store-wide sale.
Back in October 2007, I had blogged about a video I saw in which Dr Larry Ollison spoke about how Jesus placed His own signature right in the very first portion of Scripture. In that video, Dr Ollison also made mention to an "interlinear" Bible, ie. a bible that has the original text interlined with its English translation.
I had planned to get one of those for myself, and what better time to do so than during a sale. I asked the salesperson and he led me to the Study Bible / Concordance section at the rear of the store.
I was in for 2 surprises: 1 not-so-pleasant and 1 pleasant.The not-so-pleasant surprise is that there was no single Interlinear Bible. Instead, there was a separate one for the Old Testament and a separate one for the New. I suppose this is because the former was written in Hebrew/Aramaic whilst the latter was written in Greek.
The pleasant surprise happened when I was paying up at the counter. The original cost of the Bibles were S$158 and S$87.80 respectively, but it turned out that there was a 30% discount on all Study Bibles! Hence, I only paid S$110.60 and S$61.46 for them :-)
A sample of how the Bible looks like is shown on the right. Here is a passage from Luke 15, where we see the original Greek appearing line-by-line with its English translation.In verse 31, note that the father actually referred to his elder son as a "teknon" (a minor, not yet in a position to be an heir) rather than a "huios" (mature full-grown son, old enough for heirship) as the word appears in other parts of the parable.
Like what Ps Prince highlighted in his sermon entitled "Why Some Christians are Not Enjoying Their Inheritance in Christ" preached on 30 Sep 07, the elder son was operating under the law (merited favour), and hence the father referred to him as a "teknon" rather than a "huios". The younger son was referred to as a "huios" throughout the parable because he understood that his favour with his dad was unearned.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Bible Challenge
Friday, 4th January 2008
The title of today’s post is actually the name of a board game.
Three weeks ago, I was at the Campus
Crusade Media store located at Yellow Pages Building (near Braddell MRT station). They were having a 20% storewide year-end / pre-Christmas sale, so a few colleagues and I decided to go there during lunchtime.
While browsing around, a particular board game caught my eye. Entitled the Bible Challenge, and described as "an exciting way to learn about the Bible", it is a game meant for 2 to 4 players (or 2 to 4 teams), ages 10 and up.
This seemed to be describing my family of 4 perfectly, especially since our son Mark just turned 10 three months before, in September 2007.
Since there was a 20% discount on the S$47 price, I decided to buy it (together with a couple of interlinear bibles, but that is a topic for another day)...
Essentially, the game consists of a board with numerous squares of 7 different colours, named after the 66 books of the bible (and the chapters contained therein, ie. Genesis 50, Exodus 40, Leviticus 27, etc).
There are also 4 game tokens, a die, 4 rings of 7 different colours each (ie. 28 rings) and 300 cards with 7 questions/answers (ie. 2,100 questions) stored in 2 boxes.
The 7 colours represent the following categories:
1. Gold (Life of Christ)
2. Blue (General)
3. Teal (Places)
4. Dark Purple (New Testament)
5. Burgundy (Old Testament)
6. Light Purple (People)
7. Green (Quotations)
A sample of one of the cards (front and back) is shown on the left and right.
Note that the question has to be asked by another player/team because the answer is provided just next to it. What makes it even more useful is that the Scripture text, where applicable, is also provided with the answer.
The objective of the game is to move around the board with the aid of the die, and collect a ring of each colour by answering correctly a question for each of the 7 categories.
As an illustration, let’s say a three is thrown at the start of the game. This results in one's token being moved to the square "Leviticus". A card is then drawn from one of the 2 boxes.
Since this square is coloured blue, another player/team will ask the question in the blue box of the card, ie. “Which prophet wrote the last book in the Old Testament?”. If the correct answer "Malachi" is furnished, a blue-coloured ring is placed around the token. The game continues with the next player/team until a player/team obtains all 7 rings.
I played the game with my family, and we had a wonderful time learning more about what is found in the Word of God. Where the questions were tougher, we would "modify" the rules slightly to give the kids an edge by giving them clues or multiple-choice answers, rather than expect them to answer outright.
At the end of the game, everyone of us learnt more about the Word of God. But what made the difference is that unlike trivial pursuit, this knowledge that we obtained was in something that is eternal.
Like what was written on the box "Some knowledge is trivial, some is eternal”. Can I hear a good Amen to that!
It was also a great time of family-bonding :-)
In fact, come to think of it, this game is also great for cell gatherings where 4 different teams (made up of families) can participate. It's indeed great and wholesome fun for the entire spiritual family!
The title of today’s post is actually the name of a board game.
Three weeks ago, I was at the Campus
Crusade Media store located at Yellow Pages Building (near Braddell MRT station). They were having a 20% storewide year-end / pre-Christmas sale, so a few colleagues and I decided to go there during lunchtime.While browsing around, a particular board game caught my eye. Entitled the Bible Challenge, and described as "an exciting way to learn about the Bible", it is a game meant for 2 to 4 players (or 2 to 4 teams), ages 10 and up.
This seemed to be describing my family of 4 perfectly, especially since our son Mark just turned 10 three months before, in September 2007.
Since there was a 20% discount on the S$47 price, I decided to buy it (together with a couple of interlinear bibles, but that is a topic for another day)...
Essentially, the game consists of a board with numerous squares of 7 different colours, named after the 66 books of the bible (and the chapters contained therein, ie. Genesis 50, Exodus 40, Leviticus 27, etc).
There are also 4 game tokens, a die, 4 rings of 7 different colours each (ie. 28 rings) and 300 cards with 7 questions/answers (ie. 2,100 questions) stored in 2 boxes.
The 7 colours represent the following categories:
1. Gold (Life of Christ)
2. Blue (General)
3. Teal (Places)
4. Dark Purple (New Testament)
5. Burgundy (Old Testament)
6. Light Purple (People)
7. Green (Quotations)
A sample of one of the cards (front and back) is shown on the left and right.
Note that the question has to be asked by another player/team because the answer is provided just next to it. What makes it even more useful is that the Scripture text, where applicable, is also provided with the answer.
The objective of the game is to move around the board with the aid of the die, and collect a ring of each colour by answering correctly a question for each of the 7 categories.
As an illustration, let’s say a three is thrown at the start of the game. This results in one's token being moved to the square "Leviticus". A card is then drawn from one of the 2 boxes.
Since this square is coloured blue, another player/team will ask the question in the blue box of the card, ie. “Which prophet wrote the last book in the Old Testament?”. If the correct answer "Malachi" is furnished, a blue-coloured ring is placed around the token. The game continues with the next player/team until a player/team obtains all 7 rings.
I played the game with my family, and we had a wonderful time learning more about what is found in the Word of God. Where the questions were tougher, we would "modify" the rules slightly to give the kids an edge by giving them clues or multiple-choice answers, rather than expect them to answer outright.
At the end of the game, everyone of us learnt more about the Word of God. But what made the difference is that unlike trivial pursuit, this knowledge that we obtained was in something that is eternal.
Like what was written on the box "Some knowledge is trivial, some is eternal”. Can I hear a good Amen to that!
It was also a great time of family-bonding :-)
In fact, come to think of it, this game is also great for cell gatherings where 4 different teams (made up of families) can participate. It's indeed great and wholesome fun for the entire spiritual family!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Hearing The Rhema Word of Christ
Thursday, 3rd January 2008
An often-quoted verse in the Bible is Rom 10:17. The King James Version reads "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
If we look at the original Greek text, Paul is referring to specifically to the rhema word of Christ.
Ah ya, what's the big deal, some of you may be asking.
The entire 66 books of the Bible form the "Word of God". However, not everything in the logos Word given by our Creator God causes our faith to rise at a particular point in time. Let me elaborate...
For example, I may be reading a portion from the book of Genesis about the flood of Noah, or I may be listening to a law-based sermon. At the end of that exercise, my level of faith does not increase (and on occasion, may even be reduced!)
Yes, I have read from the Word of God or even listened to a sermon where passages from the Word of God is being referred to. However, my faith level has not increased because the rhema Word of Christ was absent.
Now contrast this to the following scenarios.
(1) I am doing my quiet time and meditating on Psalm 23. As I reflect on verse 6, "Surely goodness and lovingkindness will pursue me all the days of my life", I hear the Lord telling me, "Son, my blessings will hunt you down. Just rest in your position of righteousness in me." My faith level rises because I know Jesus, the Good Shepherd, provides all for His sheep. This passage of Scripture has become the rhema word of Christ.
(2) I pop in Ps Reuben's sermon entitled "I Shouldn't Be Here" into the CD player in my car. As I listen (again) to his testimony about how God turned his life around, and the extent of the love of Abba Father as depicted in the parable of the Prodigal Son, tears just flow freely down my face as I sense anew how much God the Father loves me too. My faith level rises and my opinion of God gets better. I have just heard the rhema word of Christ.
And that folks, is the acid test about whether you are hearing the Word of Christ.
In fact, if you look at the context of Rom 10, you will see that Paul is specifically referring to hearing the rhema Word of Christ via the preaching of it.
Rom 10:14
"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?"
What this means is that pastors have a great responsibility to preach the "rhema word of Christ" rather than from the "logos Word of God" if they want to see their congregation being strengthened in their faith.
May God raise up more anointed preachers, so that we can hear the rhema Word of Christ. Amen?
An often-quoted verse in the Bible is Rom 10:17. The King James Version reads "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
If we look at the original Greek text, Paul is referring to specifically to the rhema word of Christ.
Ah ya, what's the big deal, some of you may be asking.
The entire 66 books of the Bible form the "Word of God". However, not everything in the logos Word given by our Creator God causes our faith to rise at a particular point in time. Let me elaborate...
For example, I may be reading a portion from the book of Genesis about the flood of Noah, or I may be listening to a law-based sermon. At the end of that exercise, my level of faith does not increase (and on occasion, may even be reduced!)
Yes, I have read from the Word of God or even listened to a sermon where passages from the Word of God is being referred to. However, my faith level has not increased because the rhema Word of Christ was absent.
Now contrast this to the following scenarios.
(1) I am doing my quiet time and meditating on Psalm 23. As I reflect on verse 6, "Surely goodness and lovingkindness will pursue me all the days of my life", I hear the Lord telling me, "Son, my blessings will hunt you down. Just rest in your position of righteousness in me." My faith level rises because I know Jesus, the Good Shepherd, provides all for His sheep. This passage of Scripture has become the rhema word of Christ.
(2) I pop in Ps Reuben's sermon entitled "I Shouldn't Be Here" into the CD player in my car. As I listen (again) to his testimony about how God turned his life around, and the extent of the love of Abba Father as depicted in the parable of the Prodigal Son, tears just flow freely down my face as I sense anew how much God the Father loves me too. My faith level rises and my opinion of God gets better. I have just heard the rhema word of Christ.
And that folks, is the acid test about whether you are hearing the Word of Christ.
In fact, if you look at the context of Rom 10, you will see that Paul is specifically referring to hearing the rhema Word of Christ via the preaching of it.
Rom 10:14
"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?"
What this means is that pastors have a great responsibility to preach the "rhema word of Christ" rather than from the "logos Word of God" if they want to see their congregation being strengthened in their faith.
May God raise up more anointed preachers, so that we can hear the rhema Word of Christ. Amen?
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The Father's Heart
Wednesday, 2nd January 2008
Last Saturday, it was time again to give my daughter her weekly allowance. As a new year was about to begin, I had intended to increase it from $30 to $40.
She however told me that $30 was more than sufficient, as she only needs to stay back in school once a week for English Club CCA.
Oh ya, I forgot to mention that she has switched CCA from Table Tennis to English Club. Previously, she had to remain in school twice a week (and even thrice a week just before the Zonal and National competitions) for table tennis practice.
It touched my heart that she was happy and contented with what was previously given to her. Yet, there was another part of me that just wants to lavishly provide for her.
So I decided to top-up her prepaid phone yesterday :-)
My daughter does not yet know about this yet, and I just love giving her pleasant, unexpected surprises...
As I reflect upon this, I believe that is our Abba Father's heart for His children too.
I'm sure that the prodigal son must also have been pleasantly and unexpectedly surprised when his father sprinted towards him, kissed him repeatedly, had the fatted calf killed for him, and had him clothed in the robe, ring and sandals.
Sure, many a times, we are thankful and contented with what God gives us. After all, Paul did tell Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim 6:6).
Yet, God He is also prodigious in providing for us. In Eph 3:20, that same Paul tells the church in Ephesus that God does exceedingly abundantly beyond what we ask or think.
May we as earthly parents continue to reflect the nature and heart of our Father God to the children that He has given us stewardship over. Amen?
Last Saturday, it was time again to give my daughter her weekly allowance. As a new year was about to begin, I had intended to increase it from $30 to $40.
She however told me that $30 was more than sufficient, as she only needs to stay back in school once a week for English Club CCA.
Oh ya, I forgot to mention that she has switched CCA from Table Tennis to English Club. Previously, she had to remain in school twice a week (and even thrice a week just before the Zonal and National competitions) for table tennis practice.
It touched my heart that she was happy and contented with what was previously given to her. Yet, there was another part of me that just wants to lavishly provide for her.
So I decided to top-up her prepaid phone yesterday :-)
My daughter does not yet know about this yet, and I just love giving her pleasant, unexpected surprises...
As I reflect upon this, I believe that is our Abba Father's heart for His children too.
I'm sure that the prodigal son must also have been pleasantly and unexpectedly surprised when his father sprinted towards him, kissed him repeatedly, had the fatted calf killed for him, and had him clothed in the robe, ring and sandals.
Sure, many a times, we are thankful and contented with what God gives us. After all, Paul did tell Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim 6:6).
Yet, God He is also prodigious in providing for us. In Eph 3:20, that same Paul tells the church in Ephesus that God does exceedingly abundantly beyond what we ask or think.
May we as earthly parents continue to reflect the nature and heart of our Father God to the children that He has given us stewardship over. Amen?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Blessings for the New Year
Tuesday, 1st January 2008
Greetings, dear ROOTSS readers.
It's the beginning of a brand new year, and I am looking forward to the things the Lord has in store for me this year.
Not sure if I will be continuing with the frequency of a-blog-entry-a-day; let's see how the Lord leads.
Here's wishing one and all the wondering blessings of believing Abraham! Have a blessed year ahead!
Greetings, dear ROOTSS readers.
It's the beginning of a brand new year, and I am looking forward to the things the Lord has in store for me this year.
Not sure if I will be continuing with the frequency of a-blog-entry-a-day; let's see how the Lord leads.
Here's wishing one and all the wondering blessings of believing Abraham! Have a blessed year ahead!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)