Thursday, October 19, 2006

Verse in my October Calendar

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removed our transgressions from us." - Ps 103:11-12

Excerpt from a colleague

A colleague sent a thank you e-mail after celebrating her birthday which contained a phrase that made me stop to ponder:

“A realization I had a few years ago, which still stays with me is that the birthday should be a day to celebrate God’s creation, that is, to celebrate the fact that we are created by Him. Since then, each birthday (with or without partying) is a reminder to cherish life as we are miraculously and wonderfully made in His image, with a purpose on earth.”

Happy birthday, sister.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Reflections from Rudy Hu

Dear friends-in-christ,

Just received this from Rudy via email and it was a sobering reminder. May you be edified as I was from this post.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 17th Oct

(Places have been edited to keep confidentiality. Other than that, the text was posted as it is received.)

Hi friends,

I have just lost a friend. His name is Vick, a colleague. I know Vick since my first day at work. He was assigned as my buddy, a person who helped new staff to adapt to his new office. Given his character, it was easy for us to get along very well. And as years went by, I regard him as more than just a colleague. He's a dear friend who shares interest in music, arts, photography, science, food, to name a few.

Vick passed away on Friday, 13 Oct 2006, about 6pm. It was a very sudden shock for all staff. A colleague and I rushed to NUH on that afternoon when he was still in ICU. We prayed to God to have mercy on him and I made a promise to boldly proclaim the gospel to him when he recovers... but he never did. Vick is an Indian and he's kinda free thinker. He knew about Christianity but only regarded it as a historical fact, I think.

This is my sixth year at my workplace and I had spent most of my time working with Vick as a team. Our cubicles are next to each other. Today is my second day in office after he's gone. It's hard not to be sad when you realised a friend who were sitting next to you five days a week now no longer in this world. I have previously lost three friends from the Christian Fellowship (POSA) in University of Indonesia. They are brothers and sister with whom I serve together in the POSA music ministry. When they're gone, I know and am sure that they have put their hope in Christ. But it's different with Vick. His departure is too early for me and for everyone. He has not really understand the good news we have in Jesus. This is what makes me really sad.

I know that death is a reality of life and I can accept his departure. But I do regret that during five and a half years of our friendship I don't really seriously talk to Vick about Christ and his love for us. I should have done that when he was hospitalised a few months ago. He looked better after being discharged. However, I lost the battle against time. I was to slow to speak about the Truth to him. God, please forgive me... I learnt my lesson and I repent.


Rudy Hu
"For me, to live is CHRIST and to die is gain"

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

El Shaddai

Led worship in song with this song and many people have commented on how they are reminded of the firm foundation in God through this song. I'm including the lyrics here for remembrance:

Hebrew Translations:
El Shaddai – God Almighty
El Elyonna Adonai – God in the highest, Oh Lord
Erkamkana Adonai – We will love you, Oh Lord

El Shaddai

El Shaddai, El Shaddai
El Elyonna Adonai
Age to age you’re still the same
By the power of your name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai
Erkamkana Adonai
We will praise and lift you high
El Shaddai

Through your love and through the ram
You saved the son of Abraham
Through the power of your hand
You turned the sea into dry land
To the outcast on her knees
You were the God who really sees
And by your might You set Your Children free

Through the years you made it clear
That the time of Christ was near
Though the people couldn’t see
What Messiah ought to be
Though your Word contained the plan
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
In Your Son