Not too long ago, I person I admire very much, faced a defeat in an election, that I believed meant alot to him. His life has been lived in such a way that he had always wanted to change his nation Thailand for the better.
Yesterday as I was worshipping God in service, a sister came to my mind, and God used this sister's perseverance and love for the people in the area she is serving in, to remind me of what success is.
We are called to love first and foremost. Without love, everything we do is meaningless. I'm sure with love, we wouldn't mind too much about not getting elected or appreciated. We may get disappointed. But we still get up. It may be called "Messiahnic complex" that we get so selfless as we understand from the love God shown to us.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Never Lookin Back
I have mused about this for a few days and its really refreshing to know of how single minded we should be about pursuing God and running in opposite direction of sins.
1. In terms of sin, we must not look back.
The first person that we may know (chronologically if we read the Bible) is Lot's wife.
Gen 19:26
But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
God was destroying the sinful city. The angel warned repeatedly to run and keep running without looking back but Lot's wife did not heed to this instruction and became a pillar of salt instead. (this is not salt and light btw haha).
I think God is trying to tell us not to have any second thoughts of going back to sin. We mustn't treat sin lightly. We must hate it like how God hates it.
Matthew 18:8
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.
This verse is not literal or else all of Jesus' disciples would be crippled and handicapped personnels already. But this shows the intensity of how we should hate and turn away from sin. Sin must be cut off completely. We need to repent immediately.
2. In terms of vision, we must not look back
Over here, there are 2 person's life we can learn about not looking back - Paul and David.
Paul says in Pulippians 3:7-14
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
This is very on-the-go spirit! Perhaps one day when we are 50 years old or when we retire or when we are "considered successful" or have attained many things already, we may be tempted to look back and just admire our work and say to ourselves "hmmm I've achieved pretty much already its time to relax..."
If our life is just working hard to look forward to retirement, life would be so boring! My dad was just sharing to me that some of his friends retire and die within 3 years of retirement because they may be too bored. What is there to do when you retire?
In Christendom and in serving God, there's no such thing as retirement! Life will be so boring and meaningless to just want to retire. How many retired people are truly living fulfilled lives? But we never rest till we really is sitting in heaven.
Paul is able to do so much because he knows that his work is not finished as long as he is on earth. But he'd really prefer to die to meet Jesus. He will serve God and the people till he is taken away from them. What a life sold out to Jesus Christ!
Philippians 1:21-26
21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
He doesn't retire. He doesn't stop just because he's achieved so much. He could well stop serving much earlier. Paul planted more churches than all the other apostles combined! We can really learn of his servant like example that our lives is to live for Christ and if we give it all, what right do we have to decide to withdraw after our "service term" ends? There's no retirement and CPFs in the Kingdom of God.
David in 2 Samuel 24:1-17
What David did was probably a moment out of pride to just sit back and admire his achievements, but he forgot about the promises of God that it could be much more he could have witnessed than if he were to choose to count it.
This does not signify we don't do stats or count sheeps. But I think its the thought that we exalt ourselves and of pride, that is wrong. David realised that in verse 10
10 David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing."
Have you heard of what Obama did when he knew that all the national polls have placed him in a very favourable position to win? (I don't know if he will be a good president but he certainly is good at campaigning) Newspapers here used the word "rebuke" to describe his speech to his supporters that they might be complacent and lose the momentum of the campaign. They must never think they are gonna win UNLESS they finally won. No relaxing at any last moment. Excellence and dilligence till the utmost for God.
Have you ever done so much preparations for something, maybe an exam or something, and then near the end, you are brimming with confidence that you've prepared much better than most people. When the results came, you were disappointed. You could have worked harder, its within your reach and your capability. But you lost it, for a moment of pride and complacency. That is the tortoise and hare story that we've learned. If you think like that hare, someone is gonna overtake you. In the Christian context, it might be that you missed out on God's best.
There are many powerful people or leaders who left because of temporal things, which is rather foolish... Nothing should cause us to leave God or the church cause of such things.
Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
Luke 9:62
62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
1. In terms of sin, we must not look back.
The first person that we may know (chronologically if we read the Bible) is Lot's wife.
Gen 19:26
But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
God was destroying the sinful city. The angel warned repeatedly to run and keep running without looking back but Lot's wife did not heed to this instruction and became a pillar of salt instead. (this is not salt and light btw haha).
I think God is trying to tell us not to have any second thoughts of going back to sin. We mustn't treat sin lightly. We must hate it like how God hates it.
Matthew 18:8
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.
This verse is not literal or else all of Jesus' disciples would be crippled and handicapped personnels already. But this shows the intensity of how we should hate and turn away from sin. Sin must be cut off completely. We need to repent immediately.
2. In terms of vision, we must not look back
Over here, there are 2 person's life we can learn about not looking back - Paul and David.
Paul says in Pulippians 3:7-14
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
This is very on-the-go spirit! Perhaps one day when we are 50 years old or when we retire or when we are "considered successful" or have attained many things already, we may be tempted to look back and just admire our work and say to ourselves "hmmm I've achieved pretty much already its time to relax..."
If our life is just working hard to look forward to retirement, life would be so boring! My dad was just sharing to me that some of his friends retire and die within 3 years of retirement because they may be too bored. What is there to do when you retire?
In Christendom and in serving God, there's no such thing as retirement! Life will be so boring and meaningless to just want to retire. How many retired people are truly living fulfilled lives? But we never rest till we really is sitting in heaven.
Paul is able to do so much because he knows that his work is not finished as long as he is on earth. But he'd really prefer to die to meet Jesus. He will serve God and the people till he is taken away from them. What a life sold out to Jesus Christ!
Philippians 1:21-26
21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
He doesn't retire. He doesn't stop just because he's achieved so much. He could well stop serving much earlier. Paul planted more churches than all the other apostles combined! We can really learn of his servant like example that our lives is to live for Christ and if we give it all, what right do we have to decide to withdraw after our "service term" ends? There's no retirement and CPFs in the Kingdom of God.
David in 2 Samuel 24:1-17
What David did was probably a moment out of pride to just sit back and admire his achievements, but he forgot about the promises of God that it could be much more he could have witnessed than if he were to choose to count it.
This does not signify we don't do stats or count sheeps. But I think its the thought that we exalt ourselves and of pride, that is wrong. David realised that in verse 10
10 David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing."
Have you heard of what Obama did when he knew that all the national polls have placed him in a very favourable position to win? (I don't know if he will be a good president but he certainly is good at campaigning) Newspapers here used the word "rebuke" to describe his speech to his supporters that they might be complacent and lose the momentum of the campaign. They must never think they are gonna win UNLESS they finally won. No relaxing at any last moment. Excellence and dilligence till the utmost for God.
Have you ever done so much preparations for something, maybe an exam or something, and then near the end, you are brimming with confidence that you've prepared much better than most people. When the results came, you were disappointed. You could have worked harder, its within your reach and your capability. But you lost it, for a moment of pride and complacency. That is the tortoise and hare story that we've learned. If you think like that hare, someone is gonna overtake you. In the Christian context, it might be that you missed out on God's best.
There are many powerful people or leaders who left because of temporal things, which is rather foolish... Nothing should cause us to leave God or the church cause of such things.
Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
Luke 9:62
62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
Monday, November 3, 2008
James Hudson Taylor III's testimony of the growth of Christianity in China. "The officials in China have gathered together and say "when we persecute them, they grow. Now we don't want to persecute them anymore" "
Haha. Cool right. Christianity grew the most during the times of persecution. It don't make sense, but the Gospel and Christianity is indeed different from other religion, which grew more under persecution. We must never stop preaching the Word, proclaiming His death and resurrection.
James H. Taylor III is the great grand son of James Hudson Taylor. Who looks like...
Haha. Cool right. Christianity grew the most during the times of persecution. It don't make sense, but the Gospel and Christianity is indeed different from other religion, which grew more under persecution. We must never stop preaching the Word, proclaiming His death and resurrection.
James H. Taylor III is the great grand son of James Hudson Taylor. Who looks like...
I find that mothers do play a really HUGE part in shaping their children's spiritual life as well as their service for God when they grow up. Hudson Taylor's story showed about father/men's insensitivity of their kids especially emotionally or what they are thinking as a child. Whereas the mother understood what was going on in young Taylor's mind when he was losing his faith in God. The mother secretly prayed... and one day Taylor received a tract explaining the meaning of the Gospel. (He had been attending church all his life without understanding!) He was thrilled and gave his life to Jesus that day after the great "revelation" being explained. This story of his has a certain similarity to GFA (Gospel For Asia) founder of how his mom prayed for one of her sons to be a missionary and indeed he became one but he also sent out and train many missionaries.
As we all know, he is the famous Christian missionary to China. He is considered one great man who opened the doors of China by being sensitive to the culture (contextualization) and also carrying out systematic plans to evangelise to the whole nation of China.
David Livingstone is a famous missionary to Africa. There are many great stories about him. He is one of the first few pioneers to do missionary work in Africa. He attended the University of Glasgow which is one I'm applying for.
"Perhaps one of the most popular national heroes of the late-nineteenth century in Victorian Britain, Livingstone had a mythic status, which operated on a number of interconnected levels: that of Protestant missionary martyr, that of working-class "rags to riches" inspirational story, that of scientific investigator and explorer, that of imperial reformer, anti-slavery crusader and advocate of commercial empire.
His fame as an explorer helped drive forward the obsession with discovering the sources of the Nile River that formed the culmination of the classic period of European geographical discovery and colonial penetration of the African continent."
I haven't read much about him so far. But here's how he looks like...
These are heroes of Christianity we can read about to let us have a greater understanding of our missionary fathers. I'm sure their expeditions will have many lessons for us to learn! There are many more people such as Charler Spurgeon or C.S. Lewis or Jim Elliot whose wife is Elisabeth Elliot and many more we can read about. We need not read books of them but we can research on the net too. But of course we should read the Bible too...the life of Abraham, David, Saul, Paul, Joseph are also great people we can learn from. Haha we not only learn from the living, we learn from the dead also. Their chapters is closed but ours is not...
Sunday, November 2, 2008
You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depth of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above
And I stand, I stand in awe of You
I stand, I stand in awe of You
Holy God, to whom all praise is due I stand in awe of You.
You are beautiful beyond description
Yet God crushed You for my sin
In agony and deep affliction
Cut off that I might enter in
Who can grasp such tender compassion?
Who can fathom this mercy so free?
You are beautiful beyond description
Lamb of God who died for me
And I stand, I stand in awe of You
I stand, I stand in awe of You
Holy God, to whom all praise is due I stand in awe of You.
Its such a beautiful song to sing in the morning haha. God is really beautiful beyond description and we can never fathom His love for us enough. And how high and high wide and how great is His love for us that He sent Jesus for us?
Was reading Economics in the library today. I am really very interested in Economics. Its the rare few academic subjects I am really willing to pour my heart and effort into. And Library 8th floor is my fav place. haha. Read about 2 out of the 3 "fathers of Economics" today. Adam Smith as well Karl Marx.
From the works, I had a glimpse of their perspective of the world and their concerns. Adam Smith has a vision of fostering competition in the economy so that the economy can be more productive in the capitalist system.
Karl Marx feels that capitalism has more shortfalls than benefits and that it will eventually collapse. From his theory of various alienations and exploitation that the worker will suffer from his capitalist employer, I think Marx' theory and observations does stem from a kind of emphathy for the average worker.
Both of them are visionary people! One had a vision of how competition and technology will lead to increase in living standards. The other found shortfalls in capitalism as it only widens the income gap between the worker and the capitalist. Now left John Maynard Keynes, whom I do not have time to read about today.
All 3 thinkers are from Europe - 1 born in Germany, 1 born in Scotland and the other born in Britain.
I am fascinated by these people's lives and works; their philosophy, affecting their perspectives and theory. Of course their theory may not apply today fully but these are the founding principles we had and its worth studying it, with a historical perspective and context in mind. If they are living in today's world, how would they think and how would they form theory? Would they thought of letting the competing forces act against each other or think of how else to distribute the wealth more equally? And doing it in a capitalist system we had in today's world. I think its one subject that really affects and can shape people's lives. I wanna plunge myself into reading of it. Can anyone guide me or give some comments or recommended reading list re Econs?
Next post I wanna talk about missionaries - David Livingstone and Hudson Taylor.
"God is communist in salvation, capitalist in reward" - Anonymous
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depth of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above
And I stand, I stand in awe of You
I stand, I stand in awe of You
Holy God, to whom all praise is due I stand in awe of You.
You are beautiful beyond description
Yet God crushed You for my sin
In agony and deep affliction
Cut off that I might enter in
Who can grasp such tender compassion?
Who can fathom this mercy so free?
You are beautiful beyond description
Lamb of God who died for me
And I stand, I stand in awe of You
I stand, I stand in awe of You
Holy God, to whom all praise is due I stand in awe of You.
Its such a beautiful song to sing in the morning haha. God is really beautiful beyond description and we can never fathom His love for us enough. And how high and high wide and how great is His love for us that He sent Jesus for us?
Was reading Economics in the library today. I am really very interested in Economics. Its the rare few academic subjects I am really willing to pour my heart and effort into. And Library 8th floor is my fav place. haha. Read about 2 out of the 3 "fathers of Economics" today. Adam Smith as well Karl Marx.
From the works, I had a glimpse of their perspective of the world and their concerns. Adam Smith has a vision of fostering competition in the economy so that the economy can be more productive in the capitalist system.
Karl Marx feels that capitalism has more shortfalls than benefits and that it will eventually collapse. From his theory of various alienations and exploitation that the worker will suffer from his capitalist employer, I think Marx' theory and observations does stem from a kind of emphathy for the average worker.
Both of them are visionary people! One had a vision of how competition and technology will lead to increase in living standards. The other found shortfalls in capitalism as it only widens the income gap between the worker and the capitalist. Now left John Maynard Keynes, whom I do not have time to read about today.
All 3 thinkers are from Europe - 1 born in Germany, 1 born in Scotland and the other born in Britain.
I am fascinated by these people's lives and works; their philosophy, affecting their perspectives and theory. Of course their theory may not apply today fully but these are the founding principles we had and its worth studying it, with a historical perspective and context in mind. If they are living in today's world, how would they think and how would they form theory? Would they thought of letting the competing forces act against each other or think of how else to distribute the wealth more equally? And doing it in a capitalist system we had in today's world. I think its one subject that really affects and can shape people's lives. I wanna plunge myself into reading of it. Can anyone guide me or give some comments or recommended reading list re Econs?
Next post I wanna talk about missionaries - David Livingstone and Hudson Taylor.
"God is communist in salvation, capitalist in reward" - Anonymous
Saturday, October 11, 2008
I have a obligation to stay over in the weekends sometimes. It is like confinement yet I did nothing wrong. LOL. Anyway, its been a long time I feel, since I last went to church service. The month of September and October, I'm often away from my people. Its either overseas or overfence.
However, sometimes I do appreciate this time of "confinement" as I can use the time for myself to spend time with the Lord, or do things I might not have time to do when I'm released such as the short term missions trip report from Kuching, LOL. It gives me time to reflect, to recount and to be restored spiritually, physically etc etc. Mostly when I'm outside, I'm busy preparing this and that, meeting people, travelling on the MRT. I enjoy doing these things. I like the fast-paced at times but at times, as I'm reminded, I may be too quick and it resulted in me wanting to see things or people change almost immediately. I will see to it, to be less rushed and hustled. But I also hope everyone follow as much as possible so that together, we do not waste too much time, as with my limited time, so that together we can do something great for God in our own campus!
However, sometimes I do appreciate this time of "confinement" as I can use the time for myself to spend time with the Lord, or do things I might not have time to do when I'm released such as the short term missions trip report from Kuching, LOL. It gives me time to reflect, to recount and to be restored spiritually, physically etc etc. Mostly when I'm outside, I'm busy preparing this and that, meeting people, travelling on the MRT. I enjoy doing these things. I like the fast-paced at times but at times, as I'm reminded, I may be too quick and it resulted in me wanting to see things or people change almost immediately. I will see to it, to be less rushed and hustled. But I also hope everyone follow as much as possible so that together, we do not waste too much time, as with my limited time, so that together we can do something great for God in our own campus!
Here is one aspect of the missions trip I feel alot about and would really like to share about. We went to visit the famous Long Houses in Malaysia. I think me and my team have never heard of it before, we initially thought its like the houses floating on the sea ya know, but its not. Its a kind of kampung inside deep into the forests...
The Long Houses were our focal point of the trip and we were there to share the Word of God to them and pray for them etc. They are people who professed to be Christians but still has many wrong mindsets such as witchcraft and idolatry still being practiced. They were under a particular denomination but the leaders do not teach but merely hold some events or service during Christmas or Easter each year. The rest of the times, the people were mostly left to themselves.
This is really in stark contrast to what's been happening when we were there. We teach, we worship, we serve them, prayed for them and had activities with them. We danced with them on one of the nights with their local instruments and music! To me, these are one of my most treasured memories. There is an invisible embrace with one another between people from diff backgrounds, language and race.
These are people who can potentially meet together everyday to have caregroups! People who can really experience close fellowship, application of the Word and worshipping with one another together! But no one is there to lead them, the leaders got salaries from their organization, they don't know how to lead the people and they do not know how to teach or what to teach i guess. Its a boring job to be such a leader. The reason why the villagers wanna join this denomination is because of the power the denominations have. The denomination own lands and they were afraid they have no place to be buried when they die if they joined us since we do not own any lands. Its a sad case story of mindset and because of that, lost something better.
I am not saying we are better missionaries from what I described above. But I am saying leadership ought to take their roles. If we are appointed as shepherds but doesn't feed the people, Jesus will be sad.
Now, people from the foreign country may not be non-Christians all the time. It can be Christians who are not born-again, Christians who malpractice their faith or have shipwrecked their faith. Some countries such as Brazil and The Philippines have a large Christian-Catholic populations but faith is not always practiced but the situation is they profess to be Christians but seldom attend church! We have to get these people and teach to change them to be biblical people! If the Word is not taught, people will always experience much less than what the Christianity fully has to offer. God has promised us an abundant and fulfilling life ya know.
The people who are opposing the work may not always be unbelievers but may even come from within, due to structural, historical reasons whatsoever.
We can do something to missions with patience and being clear on what to teach, where to lead them and they are more than willing to follow. This is a land I really pray for a brother whom will rise up and win his village for the hope of God. In that Long House we visited, there is only one brother who is from Hope, we pray he rescue his village and give them hope, home and love. The next generation must be won!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Addicted To Missions
I've been back from Missions trip! With 4 wonderful team members - Jorris, Lemmuel, Magdalene & Lestari. Really enjoyed the funny times, the joy of serving the people, the team effort, everything! Unfortunately, Santono was unable to join us.
I have too much to blog. But its written in my own journal. I am addicted to missions. No matter how far the people are, we must move forward to find them, get them, help them. The effort must really be great. If we have powerful teams, like how Jesus trains the Twelve, we can go anywhere and we won't be afraid.
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Yes we will not fear anything for we know God is with us. I find that whenever we are plunged into missions, we have no choice but to know God is there. All da time! Last night I came back alone from Kuching. Its my first time travelling alone and the airport I'm arriving at is at Johor, not Changi. There is some fears of travelling on a budget airline alone, taking a taxi from JB to customs. How I wish I could stay with the team haha. However, I have to leave. I know only God is with me now; the dependency on Him just increased. As Christians, its impossible to be alone because God is omni-present. Somehow that fact deepened into us when we are overseas.
With that greater dependency on God, that's probably why we see and feel and know God is with us every step of the way during the trip. Many hiccups occurred but we never panic. Its almost an unspoken understanding that if God is not with us, we wouldn't be here. Precisely because Jesus is so real, we need to get out of our country and fulfill His plan in as many places and people as possible! It should not be just tourism mindset to get experience of other cultures or places but its missions mindset! We should step out to evangelize in our local area, to get into missions globally, God is with you! We should not fear to teach God's Word, share testimonies witnessing or personal conversion story!
Really thank God for the trip!
I have too much to blog. But its written in my own journal. I am addicted to missions. No matter how far the people are, we must move forward to find them, get them, help them. The effort must really be great. If we have powerful teams, like how Jesus trains the Twelve, we can go anywhere and we won't be afraid.
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Yes we will not fear anything for we know God is with us. I find that whenever we are plunged into missions, we have no choice but to know God is there. All da time! Last night I came back alone from Kuching. Its my first time travelling alone and the airport I'm arriving at is at Johor, not Changi. There is some fears of travelling on a budget airline alone, taking a taxi from JB to customs. How I wish I could stay with the team haha. However, I have to leave. I know only God is with me now; the dependency on Him just increased. As Christians, its impossible to be alone because God is omni-present. Somehow that fact deepened into us when we are overseas.
With that greater dependency on God, that's probably why we see and feel and know God is with us every step of the way during the trip. Many hiccups occurred but we never panic. Its almost an unspoken understanding that if God is not with us, we wouldn't be here. Precisely because Jesus is so real, we need to get out of our country and fulfill His plan in as many places and people as possible! It should not be just tourism mindset to get experience of other cultures or places but its missions mindset! We should step out to evangelize in our local area, to get into missions globally, God is with you! We should not fear to teach God's Word, share testimonies witnessing or personal conversion story!
Really thank God for the trip!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Stanley 18th on year 2008
One eyes-closed, one bug-tooth. We are brothers! Happy 18th Birthday Stanley!!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Got a 24 7 duty this week. And battalion duties on saturday. I thought I could go on off on tues and wed so I might possibly teach in Maturity class. However, there was parade for a new commander of which I wasn't informed as I was then on overseas trip.
Thank God for the smooth first maturity class. Think Joy and Chris did a good job! Thank God for the mini farewell late at night for Mingxiu. Colin, Shareen, Andrew, Liyan and Huimei were there. Wish you all the best! haha
Well, hope to see my people again soon. And while I'm in camp I promised God last night, I'll work hard to be a soldier and in working for my people at the available time I have. Let's work hard to study the Word of God, writing what God has spoken to us, praying for our people and fellowshipping with God.
Thank God for the smooth first maturity class. Think Joy and Chris did a good job! Thank God for the mini farewell late at night for Mingxiu. Colin, Shareen, Andrew, Liyan and Huimei were there. Wish you all the best! haha
Well, hope to see my people again soon. And while I'm in camp I promised God last night, I'll work hard to be a soldier and in working for my people at the available time I have. Let's work hard to study the Word of God, writing what God has spoken to us, praying for our people and fellowshipping with God.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Hong Kong 4-8Sept!
It was a really an enjoyable and unforgettable trip to Hong Kong this time. I really enjoyed the contents of this trip, though I wasn't exactly excited about the container (the place itself). Basically Hong Kong really looks like what I see on TV shows!
It was great to know our brothers and sisters from this place. Most of them can speak English and some fluent Mandarin too. One of the things I discussed with a brother called Alex is that we need to have Cantonese praise and worship songs. This might be a way that can attract Hong Kong-ers to church to worship :)
I really enjoyed all of the teachings and worship time as well as times spent talking with the pastors and leaders. I've had the privilege to ask our Hope Manila to pastor out for dinner. We had to miss that night's worship time though.. but it was truly worth it to "suck" as much as I can from him; his spirit, his life, his ministry etc.. Also gotten a few contacts from a few other leaders. Really appreciate their open heart. I really thank God for keeping me focused and my eyes fixed on the LC for the first 3 days yupp. God really spoke alot alot, God indeed moved in the spirit of many people. God touched my heart. How much more should we be faithful to God!
Acts 26:19
"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
Paul proved himself obedient and faithful since the day he received that vision from God.
Wow, though we've only been at HK for a few days, I really miss the bros and sis' in Singapore and they were on our mind in prayers. I will think of how is caregroups, service, are they ok, leadership etc... haha but I know in such situations, we can only count on God and commit everything into His hands!
A number of people fell sick during the trip too. Yeah sometimes it is our responsibility to ensure they have rest also and not just being concerned of their fun itinerary because primarily, health is more important than the fun right? Protection. Though this is the first time for most of us to HK but there will definitely be opportunities in the future; this I'm just pretty certain.
There is a lot of work to be done - we r truly excited about the Great Commission. I've seen so many people excited about the vision and they are so serious about it. I no longer feel overly burdened anymore because all of us are determined to finish the cake, the world. There are so many more people who are going through tough times and we all rejoice because "consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.." it develops our character, our skill in building the church, our faith and our victory!
A few people asked me about Scotland. It seems like whenever people ask me about my plans after NS or what is the country I have burdened for, it will always link back to Scotland as one of the options. It is an opening door for me. I have never thought of going Europe before because it is really expensive and I ain't particularly drawn to the Western society because I feel the Africans need Jesus more. However if it is really an opened door right in front of me, I think I should not choose but walk into it in obedience to the Great Commission. But who knows? God has great plans and I never say anything is confirmed until it is confirmed. We should not just go to countries we like or cultures that interest us because if we don't book any available country then we'll never be able to finish the "cake". We book the "piece of cake" of first - by prayer, by preaching. If someone goes ahead of us, praise God! If there is no one else but us, then hallelujah we r counted into this great plan of His!
Won't the vision be a piece of cake if everyone thinks this way?
And what we all ought to do is to be faithful in the little things and God will add upon us! Be a shepherd of one to three persons if you are not yet a shepherd. Be a shepherd first! Shepherd and follow up faithfully. Be dilligent and faithful in prayers of people and ministry + our own spiritual life, very important. Samuel as a leader considered it a sin to not pray for Israel! We have to pray!
With God, we can! See u all on the 14th Sept alright!
It was great to know our brothers and sisters from this place. Most of them can speak English and some fluent Mandarin too. One of the things I discussed with a brother called Alex is that we need to have Cantonese praise and worship songs. This might be a way that can attract Hong Kong-ers to church to worship :)
I really enjoyed all of the teachings and worship time as well as times spent talking with the pastors and leaders. I've had the privilege to ask our Hope Manila to pastor out for dinner. We had to miss that night's worship time though.. but it was truly worth it to "suck" as much as I can from him; his spirit, his life, his ministry etc.. Also gotten a few contacts from a few other leaders. Really appreciate their open heart. I really thank God for keeping me focused and my eyes fixed on the LC for the first 3 days yupp. God really spoke alot alot, God indeed moved in the spirit of many people. God touched my heart. How much more should we be faithful to God!
Acts 26:19
"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
Paul proved himself obedient and faithful since the day he received that vision from God.
Wow, though we've only been at HK for a few days, I really miss the bros and sis' in Singapore and they were on our mind in prayers. I will think of how is caregroups, service, are they ok, leadership etc... haha but I know in such situations, we can only count on God and commit everything into His hands!
A number of people fell sick during the trip too. Yeah sometimes it is our responsibility to ensure they have rest also and not just being concerned of their fun itinerary because primarily, health is more important than the fun right? Protection. Though this is the first time for most of us to HK but there will definitely be opportunities in the future; this I'm just pretty certain.
There is a lot of work to be done - we r truly excited about the Great Commission. I've seen so many people excited about the vision and they are so serious about it. I no longer feel overly burdened anymore because all of us are determined to finish the cake, the world. There are so many more people who are going through tough times and we all rejoice because "consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.." it develops our character, our skill in building the church, our faith and our victory!
A few people asked me about Scotland. It seems like whenever people ask me about my plans after NS or what is the country I have burdened for, it will always link back to Scotland as one of the options. It is an opening door for me. I have never thought of going Europe before because it is really expensive and I ain't particularly drawn to the Western society because I feel the Africans need Jesus more. However if it is really an opened door right in front of me, I think I should not choose but walk into it in obedience to the Great Commission. But who knows? God has great plans and I never say anything is confirmed until it is confirmed. We should not just go to countries we like or cultures that interest us because if we don't book any available country then we'll never be able to finish the "cake". We book the "piece of cake" of first - by prayer, by preaching. If someone goes ahead of us, praise God! If there is no one else but us, then hallelujah we r counted into this great plan of His!
Won't the vision be a piece of cake if everyone thinks this way?
And what we all ought to do is to be faithful in the little things and God will add upon us! Be a shepherd of one to three persons if you are not yet a shepherd. Be a shepherd first! Shepherd and follow up faithfully. Be dilligent and faithful in prayers of people and ministry + our own spiritual life, very important. Samuel as a leader considered it a sin to not pray for Israel! We have to pray!
With God, we can! See u all on the 14th Sept alright!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
4-8 Sept - Hong Kong LC
9-13 Sept - Macau and China
14 Sept - NYP Reunion with the Alumnis!
15 Sept - First Maturity Class for all for FREE
Its been a long time since I last visited a caregroup of ours. I really see the value that every care member do everything and perform the role and tasks given excellently. I remember in the past, nothing we do is routine but we always seek to do whatever that warms people's heart and let people see the love of God, whether through bulletin by drawing caricatures of every member, the beautiful handwritten or typed-out lyrics, and not forgetting the worship that soaks us in the presence of God!
There is so many elements we need to be laying...
Teaching in balance.
Miraculous signs and wonder, people praying, sick healed..
Excellence in everything we do...
Leadership training....
Using spiritual giftings.....
Bearing fruits of the Spirit in our daily walk......
Missions minded and prayerful for it.......
Powerful praying community........
Caring for the needy.........
And much more, this is the most exciting project for God is so real!!
9-13 Sept - Macau and China
14 Sept - NYP Reunion with the Alumnis!
15 Sept - First Maturity Class for all for FREE
Its been a long time since I last visited a caregroup of ours. I really see the value that every care member do everything and perform the role and tasks given excellently. I remember in the past, nothing we do is routine but we always seek to do whatever that warms people's heart and let people see the love of God, whether through bulletin by drawing caricatures of every member, the beautiful handwritten or typed-out lyrics, and not forgetting the worship that soaks us in the presence of God!
There is so many elements we need to be laying...
Teaching in balance.
Miraculous signs and wonder, people praying, sick healed..
Excellence in everything we do...
Leadership training....
Using spiritual giftings.....
Bearing fruits of the Spirit in our daily walk......
Missions minded and prayerful for it.......
Powerful praying community........
Caring for the needy.........
And much more, this is the most exciting project for God is so real!!
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