Love

At times, the world condemns believers for mingling with the worldly, sinners, and largely the lost. Still, we must press on and remain relevant towards culture and society we are working in. After all, this is precisely what Jesus’ ministry on earth was about – finding a hurt to heal it, finding a need and meeting it.

Believe it or not, His modus operandi is largely to mingle with the unclean, i.e. tax collectors, prostitutes, etc, dine with them and interact with them, help them and love them. Only after that, he begins to preach with great effectiveness (Luke 5:30).

Of course, as with the modern times, Pharisees and even John the Baptist were extremely alarmed and found it too controversial to bear (Ma 11:3). But Jesus aptly responded, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Luke 5:32).

So truly, going out to minister in the marketplace like Daniel is not easy; “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves” (Ma 10:16). Be like Daniel, hold fast to clean ‘food’ (Dan 1:12) or values and go out into the world and make a difference for the Kingdom of God.

One example is Sun Ho, my pastor’s wife. She managed to bring the cross over to the entertainment industry, made an impact wherever she goes with her music. Through her (chinese) music, she is able to reach out to people in depression, giving them a hope and sharing with them her great friend who too brought her out of depression – Jesus, hopefully leading them to Christ. With her royalties, she managed to thus far build 4 schools in mainland China, in an attempt to provide a decent environment in which rural children could study, without distraction of cold or water, darkness or danger, demonstrating practical love. Despite fierce criticism from the press in her homeland, she continues to strongly strive to do what she does best, and for God.

Another example, the founder of 77th Street, uses her business to provide jobs in countries around the region. It was said that the business provided so many jobs in Indonesia that she was given land which can be used to build churches. What a great way to extend the Kingdom of God!

So really, as with what Jesus commanded in the great commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the ends of the age” (Ma 28:19).

The End

Today, Rev Dr Ulf Ekman came and delivered a prophesy to our church.

There are a few things he said, but essentially, towards the second coming, the body of Christ shall come united and strong; denominations will come together with unity for the coming. Then, he talked about his experiences with another co-worker, much older than he is, many years ago. The end will come when the gospel is preached in all over China.

When China opens up, things will happen at speeds unbelievable.

We shall see, be ready.

Secularism

As the Church which I’m rooted in gets stronger, bigger, and more prominent in the region, there will be people who go around criticising everything that is done within the church.

(rant warning)

First, critics call the church a for-profit enterprise as believers are encouraged to “pay a tax of 10%”, aka Tithe. (Lev 27:30-33) Also, the fact that the Church has the ability to accept a wide range of payment methods, i.e. cheque, credit-card, internet transactions, cash makes it business orientated? Sounds strange to me.

Second, critics equate secular to worldly and criticise the Church for engaging culture and the marketplace. That is, to dress too fashionably, being too prosperous, etc. Making the critics themselves sound pharisaical and religious. Yet, they fail to see the justification nor understand the meaning of secular (activities outside Church, yet doesn’t not conflict with God’s standard, or decalogue) and secularism (activities which contradict God’s standard). Culture building (Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it) is mandated even before sin came into the picture, Gen 1:26-28.

Third, critics announce their misconceptions and the lack of knowledge really loudly, with misquotes and misunderstandings, to people around them, non-belivers and believers alike. People who have no idea would easily misunderstand.

Really ironically, they are able to quote verses from the bible to support their critique without taking note of the context!

With respect to the second point, I’ve read a writing that claims that Jesus disdains money and quotes, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Ma 19:23-24). What he fails to quote are two verses before where Jesus was actually referring to the LOVE for money rather than money itself (v. 22-23). Not to mention, the famous “Money is Evil” misquote.

That’s one of the reasons why whenever I see non-believers ranting about how a Church operates, I really feel sad for him/her. Gain understanding if nothing. It’s like watching a professional artist criticising the content of what a scientist writes in his research paper.

So far, 100% of all critiques of churches so far that I’ve read shows a severe lack of understanding in terms of theology, is completely one sided, and if is/was a believer, a severe lack of spiritual maturity.

Then, it’ll lead to the inability to prove that God exists or otherwise. *yawn* In short approximately, it’s similar to Gödel’s incompleteness theorems.

Between the Living and the Dead

This is a blog post that I found interesting.

It speaks a lot about intercession where the person whom you are praying for have their emotional burdens and negative feelings transferred over to you. With the added foreign emotional baggage, you would then want to continue praying for him and eventually, the burden will be cast out and all would be good.

CHC – Making a Difference

Won’t You Lord
Take a look at my hands
Everything I have
Use it for Your plan
Won’t You Lord
Take a look at my heart
Mold it, refine it
As You set me part

I want to run to the altar
And catch the fire
To stand in the gap
Between the living and the dead
Give us a heart of compassion
For a world without vision
We will make a difference
Bringing hope to our land

We will answer the call
To build this church without walls
Let Your glory be shown
Bring salvation to the lost
To the lost

I forgot what I wanted to post in the first place.

Priorities

This day, Delirious? came to Church and led praise. For the first part of praise, the atmosphere was weak and the presence of God wasn’t manifested.

It was puzzling. Why is it so difficult to bring down the presence of God?

During worship, the Church worship team took over to led a usual song but it was powerful. Then, after the sermon, the praise by Delirious? was through the roof, and the presence of God was really strong.

It was only then that I’d realised the reason.

As a special and well-known band was in the house, I’m guessing that they were getting more attention than God was getting, and many people (especially non-church members) forgot who praise and worship was really for. The worship session, not led by the band, woke everyone up to who and what this is all about, and only then, the presence of God came and poured through the whole hall.

Therefore, be weary brethren, over who praise and worship is directed towards – To God OR to worship. Never both nor the latter.

Resolutions

The new year has entered without delay, we must too welcome it with grace and placement.

Before the end of 2007, I must, 1) LOVE God, 2) LOVE people, 3) LISTEN to people, 4) CARE about people, 5) SPEND time with friends, more than ever before.

I need to be a better person before it is too late. There is very little time left.

Here

Why are we here? It certainly cannot be coincidence that we appeared in a world with just enough carbon atoms to make everything the way it is.

Everything around us? Is it made just for us? Or are we made, just for them?

You and I are made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
You and I embrace surrender
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see who we were meant to be

Is God around? If not, why, why, why does everything work the way as though God exists?

First

This is the Beginning. The Alpha. The inception of the year. The end of the Omega of the past. The commencement of a new life.

This, IS the new life. The new avenue of expression.