I'm a person who does her very best to avoid taking taxis, believing that they are a huge waste of money for non-work, non-profitable uses.
So it was with great reluctance when I woke up at 8a.m this morning (my official working hours starts from 8.30a.m) and know that this oversleeping will cause me 10 bucks.
Imagine my concern when I got into the cab and discovered I have only all of $8. Pretending to be casually glancing around, I looked out for a credit card processing machine and did not find any. (Don't all cab companies install credit card processing machines now??) I prayed that what I have will be enough so imagine my delight when a ride that normally comes to around $10 comes up to a grand total of $7.90. Thank God!
Now with only spare change in my wallet, it's time to visit the nearest ATM. It was uncomfortable to find, waiting by the lift, a colleague, and a sister-in-christ whom I had fallen out with some time back.
Deciding that a regale of my morning adventures would be the best thing to cut away the awkward silence, she cut me off with 'You know what, I was late too, and have my cab driver waiting downstairs for me right now because I don't have enough money to pay him. He's going to drive me to the nearest ATM.' She opened up her wallet and lo and behold, there's only $8 inside.
We also discovered that:
- Without prior arrangement, we had McDonald's for breakfast this morning
- Our lunch periods are free which is very rare (Guess we found our lunch partner hah?)
All these coincidences may sound really petty but the important thing is, these petty coincidences brought out common, interesting topics that broke the ice and brought back the feeling of familiarity that exists between us, sisters-in-christ, before the quarrel that disunites us.
And it is God's will that his kingdom people are united isn't it?
"For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit." - Eph 2:14-18
What does this say about differing viewpoints about predestination vs free-will or conservative vs charismatic movement? Isn't it time to just focus that we have unity in belief of Christ as our Saviour and trust that we are just different organs in the body of Christ?
I don't know about you but I'm going to check if these coincidences translate to 4D profitability. ;)
Friday, July 15, 2005
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Singleness and Hypocrisy
One of the tasks that I believe God wants me to do with my single life, is to reflect Christ's light to my parents and siblings who I am, typically Singaporean-ly, living with.
Yet although many friends and colleagues may use these terms to describe me
"Good sister-in-christ"
"Good listening ear"
"Fun and approachable"
Always there when I need her"
I believe that my family sees me very differently.
Every night, after work and perhaps some social/church/developmental event, I will reach home, dead tired, my whole body just geared towards my bedroom and the warm bed and blanket that beckons my exhausted head and muscles.
And every night, without fail, once I set foot into the living room, my caring father will greet,"You're back." and my mother will go,"I've left some soup on the table for you. Let me heat it up for you." while she made her way to the kitchen to also blend a fresh cup of wheatgrass milkshake for me.
And what's my typical response?
"(grunt) Ermh...." to my father's greeting and
"I've eaten already leh.... wheatgrass again! I'm too bloated."
On reflection, I've come to the scary conclusion... that this indifferent, ungrateful cannot-be-bothered person is the real me.
And this is the me that will greet my future husband after a hard day of work in that misty, uncertain date called the future.
Scary isn't it? Yet more importantly to God is that by showing such negative examples, I'm not being a good personal witness to my family (which is ironical since they're my main subjects when praying for people's salvation). It really doesn't matter the efforts made to 'carelessly' leave Chinese Christian books around the house or to improve my literacy of chinese christian literature so that they may be shown that Christianity is the way to the true and international/intercultural God (not a western religion) if I'm not showing the love of Christ.
It's nearly impossible though, cause I feel so emptied out at the end of the day. There is really nothing I can do because I'm just so exhausted.
But God can.
For "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal 2:20) and although "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matt 19:23) "but with God all things are possible." (Matt 19:26).
I am looking forward to the time when I can be a good witness to my family, not just through words but through concrete actions and I pray I may be transformed through this process.
And who knows, perhaps this is God's way for transforming me, so that somewhere in that misty, uncertain future, I will be the loving (and lovely :p ), submissive wife who will be able to smile and serve my husband after a hard day's work ;) - prayerfully (to be) evidenced by my private service to my family.
Yet although many friends and colleagues may use these terms to describe me
"Good sister-in-christ"
"Good listening ear"
"Fun and approachable"
Always there when I need her"
I believe that my family sees me very differently.
Every night, after work and perhaps some social/church/developmental event, I will reach home, dead tired, my whole body just geared towards my bedroom and the warm bed and blanket that beckons my exhausted head and muscles.
And every night, without fail, once I set foot into the living room, my caring father will greet,"You're back." and my mother will go,"I've left some soup on the table for you. Let me heat it up for you." while she made her way to the kitchen to also blend a fresh cup of wheatgrass milkshake for me.
And what's my typical response?
"(grunt) Ermh...." to my father's greeting and
"I've eaten already leh.... wheatgrass again! I'm too bloated."
On reflection, I've come to the scary conclusion... that this indifferent, ungrateful cannot-be-bothered person is the real me.
And this is the me that will greet my future husband after a hard day of work in that misty, uncertain date called the future.
Scary isn't it? Yet more importantly to God is that by showing such negative examples, I'm not being a good personal witness to my family (which is ironical since they're my main subjects when praying for people's salvation). It really doesn't matter the efforts made to 'carelessly' leave Chinese Christian books around the house or to improve my literacy of chinese christian literature so that they may be shown that Christianity is the way to the true and international/intercultural God (not a western religion) if I'm not showing the love of Christ.
It's nearly impossible though, cause I feel so emptied out at the end of the day. There is really nothing I can do because I'm just so exhausted.
But God can.
For "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal 2:20) and although "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matt 19:23) "but with God all things are possible." (Matt 19:26).
I am looking forward to the time when I can be a good witness to my family, not just through words but through concrete actions and I pray I may be transformed through this process.
And who knows, perhaps this is God's way for transforming me, so that somewhere in that misty, uncertain future, I will be the loving (and lovely :p ), submissive wife who will be able to smile and serve my husband after a hard day's work ;) - prayerfully (to be) evidenced by my private service to my family.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Evangelism and Coincidences
In my efforts to bring my friends to heaven with me, it is definitely awesome to see how God works in bringing people to know Him without my effort and how coincidences are lined up so that His purpose can be advanced. Prayerfully, their first steps into my church will be "One small step into church, one giant leap towards Christ."
What are the chances of a new friend making a prior lunch appointment with me who just so happens to be in the perfect position to bring my unsaved friend to my church to listen to God's word at the exact moment when I need it?
Yet this was what happened and because of my meeting with a new Christian friend, my unsaved friend (to be named 'S' here) got brought by her to church to listen to God's word faithfully preached. Although S' greatest impression of the sermon was to add 'dependability' to her checklist of her soulmate, I am not without hope.
If God can change the heart of me, a previously proudly self-professing anti-Christian 15 years after my 1st encounter with the knowledge of the person of Christ and 3 years of hard praying for my salvation by my very, very good friend (it's obvious why she's a true friend right?), He can touch anyone's heart. I believe in the power of prayer and that He can bring to Him any person He had predestined to salvation.
Isa 55:10-11:
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
What are the chances of a new friend making a prior lunch appointment with me who just so happens to be in the perfect position to bring my unsaved friend to my church to listen to God's word at the exact moment when I need it?
Yet this was what happened and because of my meeting with a new Christian friend, my unsaved friend (to be named 'S' here) got brought by her to church to listen to God's word faithfully preached. Although S' greatest impression of the sermon was to add 'dependability' to her checklist of her soulmate, I am not without hope.
If God can change the heart of me, a previously proudly self-professing anti-Christian 15 years after my 1st encounter with the knowledge of the person of Christ and 3 years of hard praying for my salvation by my very, very good friend (it's obvious why she's a true friend right?), He can touch anyone's heart. I believe in the power of prayer and that He can bring to Him any person He had predestined to salvation.
Isa 55:10-11:
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
In His heart man plans his course...
but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9).
It was only recently in reading through my diary that I realized how true it is in my life.
I had always thought that I had chosen to regularly attend ARPC because of my foolish arrogance in thinking that I wanted to attend a biblical church.
But look what my diary revealed to me:
Mid Nov 2003: Attended ARPC, not too impressed with it
9th Dec 2003: Read 'The Great Divorce' by CS Lewis. Discovered I'm reading the bible to appear more intellectual and knowledgeable about the bible than others. Prayed for biblical church so that I may know God more
23rd Dec 2003: Decided ARPC is the best place because it is biblical and because I'm tired of drifting without church (still wanted to be baptised by immersion at that point). Superciliously believe that my fresh ideas would be a great contribution to the church
Feb 2004: Joined JFN of ARPC
May 2004: Fell in love with my JFN-turned-DG/ Attended ARPC's membership class (still turning up my nose at baptism by sprinkling which I superciliously believe to be inferior to baptism by immersion *still believe this up to this point!*)
11 Jul 2004: Got baptised 7 days after birthday
Regularly attending church and DG since then
It's only in reading that I realized I've been led to this church by God's grace, not by my choice - who gave me ARPC as a choice even before I realize I need it.
Isn't it wonderful that the God we serve give us what is best for us even before we knew it's good for us?
Doesn't it give us a great sense of assurance that the God we serve works for the good of those He predestines?
It was only recently in reading through my diary that I realized how true it is in my life.
I had always thought that I had chosen to regularly attend ARPC because of my foolish arrogance in thinking that I wanted to attend a biblical church.
But look what my diary revealed to me:
Mid Nov 2003: Attended ARPC, not too impressed with it
9th Dec 2003: Read 'The Great Divorce' by CS Lewis. Discovered I'm reading the bible to appear more intellectual and knowledgeable about the bible than others. Prayed for biblical church so that I may know God more
23rd Dec 2003: Decided ARPC is the best place because it is biblical and because I'm tired of drifting without church (still wanted to be baptised by immersion at that point). Superciliously believe that my fresh ideas would be a great contribution to the church
Feb 2004: Joined JFN of ARPC
May 2004: Fell in love with my JFN-turned-DG/ Attended ARPC's membership class (still turning up my nose at baptism by sprinkling which I superciliously believe to be inferior to baptism by immersion *still believe this up to this point!*)
11 Jul 2004: Got baptised 7 days after birthday
Regularly attending church and DG since then
It's only in reading that I realized I've been led to this church by God's grace, not by my choice - who gave me ARPC as a choice even before I realize I need it.
Isn't it wonderful that the God we serve give us what is best for us even before we knew it's good for us?
Doesn't it give us a great sense of assurance that the God we serve works for the good of those He predestines?
Thursday, December 30, 2004
《锵锵! 三人行》讨论海啸 / Pheonix TV's "3 way Conversation" on the tsunamis
华文原版：
刚刚看了《锵锵！三人行》谈海啸觉得他们谈到了三大重点， 这里做个简介：
1。 这一次的海啸破灭了“人定胜天”的狂想。
不知从几何时，人开始有这个“征服大自然”/“控制大自然”的想法。这个事件完完全全提醒了我们，大自然不是我们的宠物，任由我们摆布。我们应有的想法应该是这样和大自然和睦相处，知道与时并进，尊尊敬敬的使用它，谋生。
2。 海啸时间破灭了“自私往上爬/自我”的心理。
叙述了一个故事：一对夫妇，海啸冲进来的时候还睡在床上。丈夫把妻子推到屋顶，自己没机会爬上就被海水冲走。妻子觉得没了丈夫，活着也没意思，所以决定跳 下去和她丈夫一起死。侥幸的，妻子捉到双人床褥，丈夫捉到双人床褥的木板。它们不停的对对方互相喊鼓励。妻子还拉了三个人一起上床褥，丈夫也救了一个生患 者。在那事件时，所有人的财产也被淹没了，只剩一毛几块的。他们也毫无顾忌的，我借你一毛打电话给你的家人，你给我几口水喝，同舟共济，不分你我。在这时 刻，人放下了自我，*神的光芒才显现出来。
3。 圣经叙述的世界末日真的有可能吗？
在这个事件，虽然只局限于南亚地区，但也显示了全球性的灾难降临的可能性。试想想，才一个印度海洋的地震就有这么大的灾害，为什么不会有可能全球性的灾难 呢？在那个时候，谁又能抵得过呢？在那个时候，也只能把自己抛在真神的面前，抛弃所有自尊，跪地求饶，而这也是最好的假设。要是没这个机会，或者早已入土 了，又或者神降临的太快，你根本没机会，你觉得这时凭你各人功德，真的能够站立在神圣、真神面前吗？
*《三人行》里头，是说所显现了“人性本善”的真理，但从圣经里，我们已经知道了人性是本恶的。不信明天去下办公室，看看真的社会有没有给你“人情”。
English version:
Just watched SCV's Channel 50, Pheonix TV's "3-way Conversation" which revolves around the recent tsunami incident. They discussed 3 main points which are summarized below:
1. The tsunami incident broke the mindset of human technology overcoming nature.
It is not apparant when this mindset starts but people had always have this ambition to conquer/control nature. This natural disaster is a rude awakening that nature is not our toy, to be manipulated according to our whims and fancies. What our focus should be on is living in harmony with nature, to work in accordance with its rhythm, to use it respectfully for our daily living.
2. The tsunami helped us to overcome our innate selfishness.
This is a true story: A couple was still sleeping on their bed when the tsunami swept into their room. The husband pushed his wife to the rooftop but he himself was swept away by the waves before he had a chance to climb up. The wife, feeling that life is meaningless if her husband is dead decided to jump back down to join her husband in death. Blessedly, the wife got onto a double-bed mattress while her husband caught onto a driftwood belonging to the same double bed. They continually shouted encouragement to each other throughout the whole ordeal. The wife was still able to pull 3 more people to safety on the mattress while the husband managed to save one more life. In that same disaster, every material possession was swept away or destroyed, only leaving a dollar here, some spare change there in total. Yet without a second thought, somebody would lend you ten cents to call home, while another party would give some water, everyone sharing freely whatever they had. At this moment, it was only when men threw away their selfish pride was God's glory revealed.
3. Judgement Day, as stated in the bible became a real possibility.
Even though this disaster was only restricted to the south asian region, but it fearfully showed the possibility of a worldwide calamity. Think about it, just an earthquake in the Indian Ocean had caused such great devastation, isn't a worldwide destruction a real possibility? When that moment arises, who can stand against it? We can only throw aside our stupid pride and entrust ourselves into the hands of the true and living God to beg for mercy - and this is only the best assumption. If we are not given this mercy by God, or if we are already dead, or even if God descends too fast - you just simply did not have a chance to beg Him for mercy, do you really think, based on your own good works, your personal morality, you really are able to stand in front of the true, holy God?
刚刚看了《锵锵！三人行》谈海啸觉得他们谈到了三大重点， 这里做个简介：
1。 这一次的海啸破灭了“人定胜天”的狂想。
不知从几何时，人开始有这个“征服大自然”/“控制大自然”的想法。这个事件完完全全提醒了我们，大自然不是我们的宠物，任由我们摆布。我们应有的想法应该是这样和大自然和睦相处，知道与时并进，尊尊敬敬的使用它，谋生。
2。 海啸时间破灭了“自私往上爬/自我”的心理。
叙述了一个故事：一对夫妇，海啸冲进来的时候还睡在床上。丈夫把妻子推到屋顶，自己没机会爬上就被海水冲走。妻子觉得没了丈夫，活着也没意思，所以决定跳 下去和她丈夫一起死。侥幸的，妻子捉到双人床褥，丈夫捉到双人床褥的木板。它们不停的对对方互相喊鼓励。妻子还拉了三个人一起上床褥，丈夫也救了一个生患 者。在那事件时，所有人的财产也被淹没了，只剩一毛几块的。他们也毫无顾忌的，我借你一毛打电话给你的家人，你给我几口水喝，同舟共济，不分你我。在这时 刻，人放下了自我，*神的光芒才显现出来。
3。 圣经叙述的世界末日真的有可能吗？
在这个事件，虽然只局限于南亚地区，但也显示了全球性的灾难降临的可能性。试想想，才一个印度海洋的地震就有这么大的灾害，为什么不会有可能全球性的灾难 呢？在那个时候，谁又能抵得过呢？在那个时候，也只能把自己抛在真神的面前，抛弃所有自尊，跪地求饶，而这也是最好的假设。要是没这个机会，或者早已入土 了，又或者神降临的太快，你根本没机会，你觉得这时凭你各人功德，真的能够站立在神圣、真神面前吗？
*《三人行》里头，是说所显现了“人性本善”的真理，但从圣经里，我们已经知道了人性是本恶的。不信明天去下办公室，看看真的社会有没有给你“人情”。
English version:
Just watched SCV's Channel 50, Pheonix TV's "3-way Conversation" which revolves around the recent tsunami incident. They discussed 3 main points which are summarized below:
1. The tsunami incident broke the mindset of human technology overcoming nature.
It is not apparant when this mindset starts but people had always have this ambition to conquer/control nature. This natural disaster is a rude awakening that nature is not our toy, to be manipulated according to our whims and fancies. What our focus should be on is living in harmony with nature, to work in accordance with its rhythm, to use it respectfully for our daily living.
2. The tsunami helped us to overcome our innate selfishness.
This is a true story: A couple was still sleeping on their bed when the tsunami swept into their room. The husband pushed his wife to the rooftop but he himself was swept away by the waves before he had a chance to climb up. The wife, feeling that life is meaningless if her husband is dead decided to jump back down to join her husband in death. Blessedly, the wife got onto a double-bed mattress while her husband caught onto a driftwood belonging to the same double bed. They continually shouted encouragement to each other throughout the whole ordeal. The wife was still able to pull 3 more people to safety on the mattress while the husband managed to save one more life. In that same disaster, every material possession was swept away or destroyed, only leaving a dollar here, some spare change there in total. Yet without a second thought, somebody would lend you ten cents to call home, while another party would give some water, everyone sharing freely whatever they had. At this moment, it was only when men threw away their selfish pride was God's glory revealed.
3. Judgement Day, as stated in the bible became a real possibility.
Even though this disaster was only restricted to the south asian region, but it fearfully showed the possibility of a worldwide calamity. Think about it, just an earthquake in the Indian Ocean had caused such great devastation, isn't a worldwide destruction a real possibility? When that moment arises, who can stand against it? We can only throw aside our stupid pride and entrust ourselves into the hands of the true and living God to beg for mercy - and this is only the best assumption. If we are not given this mercy by God, or if we are already dead, or even if God descends too fast - you just simply did not have a chance to beg Him for mercy, do you really think, based on your own good works, your personal morality, you really are able to stand in front of the true, holy God?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)