THOUGHTS WHILE WAITING

Date    : 22^nd April 2014

Time    : 11.00 am

As predicted, after 2 hours we are still waiting to see the doctor just for an observation and some consultation. The waiting has not gone to waste because I used it to write my thoughts. This morning I have been trying to recapitulate on what I had worked on in preparation for my presentation at the coming F.G. Plus Conference in Langkawi. I had been given the task of presenting under the theme: “Difficulties and Challenges Facing the Church in the next 5 years”, the Sociological Issues Facing Malaysia, and the Religious-Pluralistic Landscape of Malaysia.

I am no sociologist but the bible do have a lot to say about the causes of social ills and the way of getting out of the cesspool of systemic evil in our country. It's not an easy thing to even just hear what it is. Anyway I have found from the resources by researchers from the amazing internet that in Malaysia some of the sociological issues that have hit a warning button are human trafficking, suicide, teen pregnancy, brain drain, etc. The second presentation, the religious-pluralistic landscape in Malaysia, needed little preparation because I was able to extract the Bible Study materials that I had prepared for our cell group in 2013 on the same topic.

Of course, I do have doubt whether presenting these talks would have any significant change in the church. I do doubt whether all the effort of research and preparation would yield any result at the end of the day. Well, I don’t have any answer to that. But I will still do it anyway because I think it is necessary to be aware of issues facing us today.

Lord, help me to be doers of the Word after the hearing of the Word. Let the church come to a realization that there are many issues starring at us in the face. We are Christ-image bearer and we bear upon our lives the truth of God. Help us to rise up to the occasion and stand up and be counted. Help us to act responsibly as the community of faith who professes to follow a wonderful Savior who was, and is and ever will be the answer to all of humanity’s predicament, the solution to combat this fallen world’s systemic evilness, and sin! 

MODEL THE WAY

It's a patience test sitting in the hospital waiting for your turn. That's what I am feeling right now. I think I have gotten better over the months but still room for improvement. Hospital is not my most hospitable place to visit. I do have some silly thoughts whenever I visited the hospital.

This morning I was put to a test. There were two ladies playing games on their mobile. They didn't have the courtesy to lower down the volume. The sound was very irritating that I feel agitated. Sometimes I wonder why people could be so inconsiderate, so impolite. I was having a racist thought - underneath my breath - I was screaming "Chinese...rude and inconsiderate!!" Even as I write this post I am still hearing the irritating sound. I told my dear wife that I should play a computer game right now and put full blast on its volume. As usual my wife objected to it and said that I should be patience. There...I am learning another lesson.

While waiting patiently, I was reading a book "Christian Reflections on The Leadership Challenge.” It was easy reading. Actually, I was reading this new book that I ordered from the States to help me in my development of leadership course for the church. Let me quote:

"From our examination of these cases, as well as through the analyses of empirical data from tens of thousands of our Leadership Practices Inventories, we've discovered that regardless of level, place, discipline, style, race, age, gender, religion, or personality, leaders exhibit similar behaviors when they guide others along pioneering journeys. Although each case has been unique in its expression! we've been able to detect a similar pattern to leaders' actions - a pattern we call The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. We've found that when performing at their best, leaders (1) Model the Way, (2) Inspire a Shared Vision, (3) Challenge the Process, (4) Enable Others to Act, and (5) Encourage the Heart."

I find the book very intriguing and challenging. I think I have found some gold nuggets on leadership principles. I must not follow the crowd but instead I must model the way. So, there it goes...my wife is right again!!

ELIM, THE PLACE OF REFRESHING AND REJUVENATING

Exodus 15:26-27 - saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.” Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.

The Word of the Lord is very reassuring to the children of Israel but it comes with a condition too. The text said that only if they will LISTEN DILIGENTLY and ACT RIGHTLY then they will live in health. Sometimes it is easy to claim the promises of God because it is very plain but to actually see the fulfilment of the promise of God requires obedience - listen carefully, and act accordingly. Now, that’s the difficult part.

But here, God’s Word is sure – “I am the LORD, your Healer”. The Healer is the Lord himself - the one and only High God and there is none other. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one (Deut. 6:4). The only great big wonderful Father in heaven is also our Healer. I believe God desire to see us living in health. He desire to see us not plague with sickness. Look at the Israelite during the 40 years in the wilderness – no sickness, no worn-out clothes and shoes. It’s a miracle. I believe God wants us to be healthy, to be freed from sickness, and to be free from the power of sin in our lives. But we have to listen diligently and act rightly.

The wonderful thing we notice is that right after the promise of a free-from-diseases promise God led them to a place called Elim. Not only was the Word of God reassuring but the provision of God was immediately felt when he brought them to Elim “where there were 12 springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the river.” Elim is a place of refreshment, a place of renewal and rejuvenating from the heat that comes from journeying towards the Promised Land. I believe that when we learn to walk humbly before the Lord; quick to listen diligently, carefully, and intentionally we will experience the leading of the Lord to the place of quiet rest. That’s where we find quietness and confidence, that’s where we find strength. I believe that when we walk humbly before the Lord by acting and behaving rightly according to the laws of the Lord we come into godly wisdom, and godly wisdom will lead us to the “Elim of God” where we will receive refreshment. Acting rightly is not acting conveniently, not acting to please someone but living life before the Lord and everyone else according to the standard and rules of God.

We can experience the shade of the palm trees as we journey in life’s harsh wilderness and the penetrating north wind of adversity. We can enjoy the water-holes, the springs that quench all thirst and refreshes us from the hot and dry south wind of disappointments. Yes, we can. All we have to do is to walk in obedience to the commands of the Father and the leading of the Holy Spirit through the love of His Son Jesus Christ with humility – listen diligently and act rightly!

God bless.

RENDER TRUE JUDGMENTS

Zachariah 7:9 - “Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, 
show kindness and mercy to one another…”

The Lord of host has spoken and thus it is our responsibility to obey. The commandment of the Lord is sure, steadfast and simple. He is not giving out unachievable commands but that which are simple enough for every ordinary person who loves the Lord to obey and walk in it. He is asking us to do two simple things and they all have to do with our attitude in our every day exchange of life with fellow human. He is asking us to render true judgments, and to show kindness and mercy to one another.

What exactly does that mean? What is “render true judgments”? Render means cause to be, turn into, or provide. So the Lord is commanding us to make sure that every judgment given must be true and just. We are not to be quick to judge or freely judge which is to be presumptuous, gainsaying or speculating. It is so easy to make judgment. It is not right to judge another person’s motive or the motive of a person’s heart. We can’t possibly look into their heart and “know” what they are actually thinking or scheming. We must be kind and merciful instead. We must take the side of a person who may not know the whole story.

I think it is definitely safer to be kind and merciful than to make judgment when we don’t know it all. So judge not and you will not be judged. Jesus’ advice is simply that the measure you use to judge others will be the measure use by others to judge you! Follow the simple admonition of the Lord – “Render true judgments, and to show kindness and mercy to one another.” Let us be just and fair in our assessment of a situation. And when there is a shadow of doubt show kindness and mercy rather than fall into the trap of rendering false accusation!

2014 - ANOTHER GREAT YEAR

Well, goodbye 2013 and welcome 2014! Another year another step in the journey of life! 2013 seems to be rolling pass so fast – in a blink of an eye – and we are on the eve of a new year. It has been six months long journey for my dear wife who had to endure chemotherapy. It hasn’t always been easy for her, suffering the pain of the needles, the discomfort, and the boring hours of treatment. Many times I wish I’d know how much it takes to endure it but I was not in the position to know. I can only watched from the sideline how she goes through with it. I must say that she really take it in stride.

Praise God that the tumour in her lungs had shrunk and I find her able to breathe more easily. She’s able to hold a conversation without the interruptions of irritation of the lungs followed by coughing. 2013 proved to be a trying year for us but also a wonderful year. Judson had graduated, called to the bar and now working. Joyce has come along well in her studies, her relationship, and her involvement in the work of the Lord. Jesher has finished his STPM and looking forward to Internship with the church and to Uni after that.

We have our ups and downs but 2013 is a good year – a good year to praise God, a good year to thank a lot of friends, a good year to thank God for His great provision, love and grace. 2014 will be better. The work of God will intensify. The ministry opportunities will increase. The challenges in life will undoubtedly get tougher BUT God is good and I will braced myself for yet another year of great adventure of faith in Christ.

There is no need for New Year resolution. There is only the continuing walk of a long obedience in the same direction – keeping my side of the bargain, that is, to be faithful in service, to be gracious and compassionate in attitude, and to be simple and humble in conduct and in conversation!

Looking forward to another good year – another great year!

LET US ARISE

It’s been a while since I last reminisce about life, faith and everything else under the sun. In a couple of my posts on Facebook I teased out a little about the excitement I have been anticipating as I sense that some good things are about to happen in the church. Some people were asking me what it is all about. I think it is too early to spill out what I think is in store but I would like to throw out some thoughts.

One of the things that a few of us have been mulling about is to re-look at “doing church”. Are we building the church of God rightly? Did we miss anything? We have been around for 30 years (FGA Centre) and I have been in pastoral ministry in this church for the last 28 years. Where are we going? Where are we heading? Did we come close to what God has purposed for us to be? And I think it is always good to take two steps back and re-examine ourselves in the light of the vision and passion that God placed in the founding fathers of the church.

I, for one, am interested in all that God has for the church. So, starting next year we will emphasise the whole premise of God’s Word through Isaiah – “LET US ARISE!” From January to April 2014 it would be to ARISE AND RETURN - Christ's Kingdom in Us. Then, from May to August 2014 it would be to ARISE AND BUILD - Christ's Kingdom in the Home. For the third trimester, that is, from September to December 2014 it would be to ARISE AND SHINE - Christ's Kingdom in the Marketplace. Each trimester emphasizes on a different aspect of the REIGN OF CHRIST --- in an individual life, in the basic Christian community (family and homes), and in the community at large (Penang and Beyond).

While we seek to establish the Kingdom of God in and through us, the Church Leadership continues to diligently seek to discover God’s purpose for us and with courage and tenacity to change as the Lord leads. After all we have been around for the last 30 years and it's a good to seek God afresh for a fresh mandate.

So, one of the "reformations of FGA Centre" is to re-establish that Christianity is a way of life, not a series of religious meetings; but an expression of the priesthood of believers. No church is lead by a single leader but by a team of leaders who collectively expresses the gifting of the 5-fold ministries. We must return from seeing Christianity as an organization to seeing Christianity as an organism. We have to stop thinking in terms of bringing people to a building which we call “a church”, but to think in terms of every believer’s home as a potential for the church to be expressed as believers gather together. One other thing is the idea of rediscovering the Lord’s Supper in its depth of meaning and significance through celebrating it in the home.

Before I sign off I would like to comment that the small group gathering of friends and fellow followers of Jesus Christ regularly for edification, for mutual care and concern, and fellowship is the way to “do church” in our context and in the 21^st century!

Think with me.

SEALINK CONFERENCE IN MYANMAR

After a trip to Yangon, Myanmar I realized that I must be fully appreciative of my homeland Malaysia. I may not like a lot of things that are happening here. I may not be happy with the inflation, the rising cost of living, and the price hike of petrol. I certainly am frustrated with corruptions, violence and injustices. Yet, I am thankful I am a Malaysian. I am thankful that there is still freedom and peace in this country. Myanmar is trapped in the 70s. But I am sure that if the government of the day in Myanmar continues to work towards greater democracy, greater freedom and peace they will rise up to be a great nation. What about Malaysia?

I saw much unemployment and much poverty in Myanmar - people living in just basic sustenance. In Malaysia we have so much food, so much resources and luxury. Let us not fall into the trappings of affluence and become blurred in our vision of the future – lackadaisical and laissez-faire, no longer visionary and far-sighted. As Christians we need to think beyond the NOW and be prepared for the near return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Are we ready? Are we willing to sacrifice to see the Gospel of the Kingdom spread to the ends of the earth? Passion without sacrifice is just selfish passion but passion with sacrifice is the fuel that the Lord can use to set the world on fire – the fire of revival.

Years ago, in my younger days, I was so fired up for missions. I travelled quiet a fair bit to East Malaysia and Thailand for missions. I have long forgotten the adrenalin rush of missions. I am too contented with the “ministry” back home in Penang. Yeah, I do attend mission conferences and consultations but somehow it has become academic and rhetorical. I realized, after SEALINK in Myanmar, that I could no longer be a champion of Global Mission from a purely philosophical-rhetorical verbiage but to start getting my hands dirty – to be holistically involved in societal transformation with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. I pray that I will begin to walk the walk and not just talk the talk till the cows come home (they never do – period!)