I have always been fascinated by the book of Romans. Thus it was with great eagerness that I signed up for the course. As the end of the course is just two days away I know that I have gained some valuable insights from the various modes of learning the class has presented. At the same time I wish I had more time to review the materials and to study them more carefully.
Nevertheless, there are at least five insights I have gleaned through my journey of doing the course.
Firstly, it is important for Christians to understand the importance of spiritual Israel in the sight of God.
Many Christians are passionate about blessing the physical Israel believing that Israel is God’s chosen people and that by blessing Israel they will in turn be blessed claiming God’s promise to Abraham. Interestingly, sometimes not many Christians are as passionate in blessing the church which is the spiritual Israel. They attend church to consume. When they don’t like certain things in a particular church they will happily criticise and then leave to another church. It is important that Christians understand the importance of church in the sight of God. God’s promise to Abraham is applicable to the church today as Christians are Abraham’s spiritual descendants. Those who bless the church will be blessed while those who choose to persecute the church will receive judgment.
This understanding is not a new understanding for me. But this is a good reminder for me as I continue to serve God in a full time capacity. God has given me many opportunities to invest my time, talents and resources to build His church. I should count this as privilege knowing how important the church is in God’s sight.
Secondly, predestination is not about salvation but spiritual maturity.
The fact that predestination is not about salvation highlights that God is both a loving and just God. This is the fact that many Christians would enjoy debating about. However, I personally believe that it is important that we meditate on the fact that predestination is about spiritual maturity. God has predestined me to grow in spiritual maturity. This highlights how important spiritual maturity is in the eyes of God. This understanding should motivate me to take my character growth more seriously. This understanding should cause me to be mindful if I am actually growing to be more and more like Christ.
Thirdly, we need to take the ministry of hospitality seriously.
I was born and grew in Indonesia where hospitality is an important part of the culture. Accordingly, it wasn’t hard for me to practice hospitality. However, as I am getting busier living life in a busy urban city there are times that I choose not to practice hospitality even though it may be within my means to do so.
The discussion about hospitality through the class has encouraged me to be a more hospitable person. Even though people would generally consider me to be a hospitable person I know that I can do better. I am also praying that God will help me encourage and inspire individuals under my care to take the ministry of hospitality more seriously.
Fourthly, submission to authorities is a big thing in the eyes of God.
This is not a new lesson for me. I was taught as a young believer that submission to God-given authorities is biblical. I was convicted that it was God who appoints leaders and it is God who will remove them if they are evil. I was so encouraged by the life of David who respected Saul even though he was evil. David understood that Saul was still God’s anointed until God decided to remove him.
This was my conviction as a young believer. This was my conviction as a growing believer. The question is whether this is still my conviction as a 16-year-old believer. As a 16-year-old believer who has been very active in church life for many years I have seen many imperfections in church life. But if I still believe in the authority of the Word over my life I would need to maintain my conviction about submitting myself to the authorities that God has placed over me. This pointer has been a wonderful reminder for me.
Fifthly, God wants us to practice gracious living by accepting those who are weaker and different to us.
Through the group presentation project I gleaned some important insights about living graciously. This is indeed easier said than done. As a group we came out with various realistic scenarios on gracious living. As I look back at those scenarios it is clear that living graciously requires a real commitment in putting the welfare of others above our own welfare. I believe that a gracious Christian community is a powerful witness to our world today which is filled with strife and conflicts. I want to do my part to build that kind of community. And I know that I will need love beyond my own for it to happen.
I want to conclude my blog reflection with an insight I gleaned about Paul, the human author of Romans, as I read a commentary on the book of Romans written by F. F. Bruce. I read about how Paul for over twenty years (when the book of Romans was written) had been faithful to the calling that God had placed upon his life to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. The Romans text tells us that it was Paul’s ambition to preach the Gospel in places where Christ wasn’t known. Am I still faithful to the calling that God has placed upon my life? Is it still my sincere desire to share the Gospel in the lives of people around me where Christ wasn’t known? These are two questions that I want to be able to answer positively today and till the rest of my life, so help me God!
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
A Powerful Story
Recently, I stumbled upon a powerful story.
One night a man is sleeping in his room when suddenly his room is filled with light, and God appears. God tells the man he has a work for him to do. God shows him a large rock outside his house. God asks the man to push against the rock with all his strength. The man obeys thus he does it day after day.
For many years the man toils from sunrise to sunset. He pushes and pushes but the massive rock seems to be immovable. Each night the man returns to his room sore and worn out feeling that his whole day has been spent in vain.
Now, knowing that the man begins to feel discouraged, Satan decides to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man’s tired mind. "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't moved. It is actually an impossible task. Why kills yourself over it? Just give your minimum effort and it will be enough."
The man ponders upon those thoughts and plans to do just that as he is feeling very tired. But to his credit he decides to talk to God about it.
The man prays, “God, I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even moved that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”
Then God replies, “My son, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it.
You think that you have failed. But is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have.
It is true that you haven't moved the rock. But your calling is to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. And now that you have done this, I will move the rock."
Indeed, there are times in our lives where we keep praying over the same thing again and again over a long period of time. After awhile we wonder if we have been praying in vain.
During that time Satan would tempt us to give up praying.
And it is exactly during that time that we must choose to trust in God’s wisdom.
God asks to pray.
Thus we will keep praying.
God asks us to pray with faith and persistence.
Thus we will keep praying with faith and persistence.
We must choose obedience.
We must choose faith in God’s wisdom.
We must choose faith in God’s timing in moving the rock.
One night a man is sleeping in his room when suddenly his room is filled with light, and God appears. God tells the man he has a work for him to do. God shows him a large rock outside his house. God asks the man to push against the rock with all his strength. The man obeys thus he does it day after day.
For many years the man toils from sunrise to sunset. He pushes and pushes but the massive rock seems to be immovable. Each night the man returns to his room sore and worn out feeling that his whole day has been spent in vain.
Now, knowing that the man begins to feel discouraged, Satan decides to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man’s tired mind. "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't moved. It is actually an impossible task. Why kills yourself over it? Just give your minimum effort and it will be enough."
The man ponders upon those thoughts and plans to do just that as he is feeling very tired. But to his credit he decides to talk to God about it.
The man prays, “God, I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even moved that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”
Then God replies, “My son, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it.
You think that you have failed. But is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have.
It is true that you haven't moved the rock. But your calling is to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. And now that you have done this, I will move the rock."
Indeed, there are times in our lives where we keep praying over the same thing again and again over a long period of time. After awhile we wonder if we have been praying in vain.
During that time Satan would tempt us to give up praying.
And it is exactly during that time that we must choose to trust in God’s wisdom.
God asks to pray.
Thus we will keep praying.
God asks us to pray with faith and persistence.
Thus we will keep praying with faith and persistence.
We must choose obedience.
We must choose faith in God’s wisdom.
We must choose faith in God’s timing in moving the rock.
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Friday, 1 January 2010
Friday, 25 December 2009
Blessed Christmas to You!
Lean Choo and I would like to wish our families (natural & spiritual), relatives and friends a very blessed Christmas. May God fill your hearts with peace, joy and hope this season of Christmas and beyond!
Thank you for being part of our lives. Wherever you are, whether we have caught up with one another recently or not, you are in our thoughts and hearts.
And for those who are looking for a Christmas reflection you may find one below:
Christmas Reflection: Behold Your God!
Many people spell Christmas without Christ, the glory of a Holy Day being supplanted by the glitz of a holiday—a problem that reaches back to the days of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis was born in 1182 in central Italy, son of a rich merchant. After a scanty education, he joined the army and was captured in war. He came to Christ shortly after his release, and soon he began traveling around the countryside, preaching the gospel. At a February 1209 Mass, Francis was gripped by words being read from Matthew 10: As you go, preach this message: “The kingdom of heaven is near.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff … (NIV).
Francis felt that Christ himself was speaking directly to him. He decided to obey those words as literally as possible, preaching the kingdom and possessing nothing. It is as though a 1,200-year bridge were crossed, putting Francis in the shoes of the original wayfaring apostles themselves.
He spent his remaining days making Christ real to everyone he met—a passion leading to history’s first living nativity scene. On December 24, 1223 Francis found a cave near Greccio, Italy, and brought in animals traditionally associated with the birth of Christ. (Francis loved animals and sometimes even preached to them.) He built the crib, arranged the hay, and finished the scene. Crowds gathered full of curiosity and wonder; and there on Christmas Eve Francis preached the wonder of God made man, born a naked infant and laid in the manger. “Behold your God,” he said, “a poor and helpless child, the ox and donkey beside him. Your God is of your flesh.”
Glitz gave way to glory that evening as the people of Greccio learned afresh how to spell the word CHRISTmas.
She gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn. That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you … a Savior was born.” Luke 2:7-11a
Source:
Morgan, Robert J.: On This Day : 265 Amazing and Inspiring Stories About Saints, Martyrs & Heroes. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, c1997, S. December 24
Thank you for being part of our lives. Wherever you are, whether we have caught up with one another recently or not, you are in our thoughts and hearts.
And for those who are looking for a Christmas reflection you may find one below:
Christmas Reflection: Behold Your God!
Many people spell Christmas without Christ, the glory of a Holy Day being supplanted by the glitz of a holiday—a problem that reaches back to the days of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis was born in 1182 in central Italy, son of a rich merchant. After a scanty education, he joined the army and was captured in war. He came to Christ shortly after his release, and soon he began traveling around the countryside, preaching the gospel. At a February 1209 Mass, Francis was gripped by words being read from Matthew 10: As you go, preach this message: “The kingdom of heaven is near.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff … (NIV).
Francis felt that Christ himself was speaking directly to him. He decided to obey those words as literally as possible, preaching the kingdom and possessing nothing. It is as though a 1,200-year bridge were crossed, putting Francis in the shoes of the original wayfaring apostles themselves.
He spent his remaining days making Christ real to everyone he met—a passion leading to history’s first living nativity scene. On December 24, 1223 Francis found a cave near Greccio, Italy, and brought in animals traditionally associated with the birth of Christ. (Francis loved animals and sometimes even preached to them.) He built the crib, arranged the hay, and finished the scene. Crowds gathered full of curiosity and wonder; and there on Christmas Eve Francis preached the wonder of God made man, born a naked infant and laid in the manger. “Behold your God,” he said, “a poor and helpless child, the ox and donkey beside him. Your God is of your flesh.”
Glitz gave way to glory that evening as the people of Greccio learned afresh how to spell the word CHRISTmas.
She gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn. That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you … a Savior was born.” Luke 2:7-11a
Source:
Morgan, Robert J.: On This Day : 265 Amazing and Inspiring Stories About Saints, Martyrs & Heroes. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, c1997, S. December 24
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Some Great Christmas Events
There are many great Christmas events in town tomorrow.
Unfortunately, I do not have all of their details.
Here are some of them:
Unfortunately, I do not have all of their details.
Here are some of them:
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Devotional: Consecrated, Lord, to Thee
Frances Ridley Havergal received Christ at a young age but struggled for years with Christian victory.
I had hoped that a kind of tableland had been reached in my journey, where I might walk awhile in the light, without the weary succession of rock and hollow, crag and morass, stumbling and striving; but I seem borne back into all the old difficulties of the way, with many sin-made aggravations. I think the great root of my trouble and alienation is that I do not make an unreserved surrender of myself to God; until this is done I shall know no peace. I am sure of it.
She struggled throughout her twenties and thirties, pulled in one direction by the acclaim of great London crowds who loved her singing, and in another direction by the Holy Spirit. Then one day at age 36 she read a booklet entitled “All For Jesus,” which stressed the importance of making Christ King of every corner and cubicle of one’s life. Frances made a fresh, complete consecration to God. Years later her sister asked her about it, and she replied: Yes, it was on Advent Sunday, December 2, 1873, I first saw clearly the blessedness of true consecration. I saw it as a flash of electric light. There must be full surrender before there can be full blessedness. God admits you by the one into the other. He showed me this most clearly.
Shortly after, Frances found herself spending several days with ten people, some of them unconverted, and others of them Christians not fully surrendered. “Lord,” she prayed, “give me all in this house.” Before she left, all ten were yielded Christians. On the last night of her visit, Frances, too excited to sleep, wrote her “Consecration Hymn,” the song that became her life’s theme. She took its words seriously and prayed earnestly over them every December 2nd, making changes to her life and lifestyle as needed. The first verse says:
Take my life and let it be,
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. (Galatians 2:19b,20)
Source: Morgan, Robert J.: On This Day : 265 Amazing and Inspiring Stories About Saints, Martyrs & Heroes. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, c1997, S. December 2
I had hoped that a kind of tableland had been reached in my journey, where I might walk awhile in the light, without the weary succession of rock and hollow, crag and morass, stumbling and striving; but I seem borne back into all the old difficulties of the way, with many sin-made aggravations. I think the great root of my trouble and alienation is that I do not make an unreserved surrender of myself to God; until this is done I shall know no peace. I am sure of it.
She struggled throughout her twenties and thirties, pulled in one direction by the acclaim of great London crowds who loved her singing, and in another direction by the Holy Spirit. Then one day at age 36 she read a booklet entitled “All For Jesus,” which stressed the importance of making Christ King of every corner and cubicle of one’s life. Frances made a fresh, complete consecration to God. Years later her sister asked her about it, and she replied: Yes, it was on Advent Sunday, December 2, 1873, I first saw clearly the blessedness of true consecration. I saw it as a flash of electric light. There must be full surrender before there can be full blessedness. God admits you by the one into the other. He showed me this most clearly.
Shortly after, Frances found herself spending several days with ten people, some of them unconverted, and others of them Christians not fully surrendered. “Lord,” she prayed, “give me all in this house.” Before she left, all ten were yielded Christians. On the last night of her visit, Frances, too excited to sleep, wrote her “Consecration Hymn,” the song that became her life’s theme. She took its words seriously and prayed earnestly over them every December 2nd, making changes to her life and lifestyle as needed. The first verse says:
Take my life and let it be,
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. (Galatians 2:19b,20)
Source: Morgan, Robert J.: On This Day : 265 Amazing and Inspiring Stories About Saints, Martyrs & Heroes. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, c1997, S. December 2
Monday, 14 December 2009
1414 Praying & Fasting Campaign
Today is the first day of our 1414 praying & fasting campaign. This campaign is for AG1 leaders. However, others are welcomed to join in if they want to as well.
1414 simply means 14 December 2009 to 14 January 2010.
One reason we are fasting and praying together is to cry out to God for Him to move powerfully in our midst (in every single care group in AG1) as we are reaching out to our friends and loved ones with the love of Jesus during the Christmas outreach season.
Even before we started the praying and fasting campaign I have started to hear powerful testimonies happenning in different care groups including one visitor who decided to receive Christ around a week ago. (He joined our movie night some two weeks ago)
I want to fast and pray seriously during this season of time. I want to see more of God in our midst. I want to see many transformation of hearts and lives in our midst. I want to see every single care group in AG1 experiencing mighty breakthroughs and victories. I want to see more people experiencing the love of God for people really matter to God.
Would you join me in this journey? :)
1414 simply means 14 December 2009 to 14 January 2010.
One reason we are fasting and praying together is to cry out to God for Him to move powerfully in our midst (in every single care group in AG1) as we are reaching out to our friends and loved ones with the love of Jesus during the Christmas outreach season.
Even before we started the praying and fasting campaign I have started to hear powerful testimonies happenning in different care groups including one visitor who decided to receive Christ around a week ago. (He joined our movie night some two weeks ago)
I want to fast and pray seriously during this season of time. I want to see more of God in our midst. I want to see many transformation of hearts and lives in our midst. I want to see every single care group in AG1 experiencing mighty breakthroughs and victories. I want to see more people experiencing the love of God for people really matter to God.
Would you join me in this journey? :)
Monday, 30 November 2009
The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry
An interesting movie is coming to Singapore just for one day."The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry" will be screened for your viewing pleasure in a nice, comfortable auditorium right in the centre of Orchard Road.
It's absolutely FREE! (Yes... it can happen in Singapore)
4 DEC 2009 (FRIDAY)
7:30 PM
NEXUS AUDITORIUM
Movie Synopsis
Best buddies Dustin (Jansen Panettiere), Albert (Frankie Ryan Manriquez), and Mark (Allen Isaacson) are twelve year old boys looking forward to a summer of fun in 1970. When Dustin mows the lawn of seventy-five year old Jonathan Sperry (Gavin MacLeod), a man he has seen at church, a unique friendship develops. What happens the rest of this summer is something Dustin and his friends will never forget!
http://www.sperrymovie.com
Best buddies Dustin (Jansen Panettiere), Albert (Frankie Ryan Manriquez), and Mark (Allen Isaacson) are twelve year old boys looking forward to a summer of fun in 1970. When Dustin mows the lawn of seventy-five year old Jonathan Sperry (Gavin MacLeod), a man he has seen at church, a unique friendship develops. What happens the rest of this summer is something Dustin and his friends will never forget!
http://www.sperrymovie.com
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
From CCK to Punggol
Finally, we have moved out from our CCK flat after 7 years of staying there. Lean Choo was feeling a little bit sad over it. But I guess it was really time to move on.
We didn't really have much time to pack and move. It was pretty miraculous that we managed to finish packing and moving out in time. Actually, it was barely. We kept clearing our stuff till the very last minute.
It felt so good that we didn't have to throw away many of our stuff at all. We were able to give away many of our stuff to different individuals. Even our used newspaper and papers could bless one of our neigbours.
From CCK we hope to be able to move to Kallang. We have balloted for a flat in Kallang area. We will know our queue number pretty soon.
Temporarily we are now staying with my youngest brother and his wife, Agung & Merlyn. They live in Punggol. We are grateful for their hospitality.
Punggol is a pretty a nice area. Interestingly, we are now just a walking distance to Ps Ben and Ps Lawrence's flats.
It is faster to get to church office from Punggol. It would be even faster from Kallang. :)
We will be in Punggol probably for around 2 months. We will use this opportunity to explore the North Eastern part of Singapore. Punggol, here we come. :)
We didn't really have much time to pack and move. It was pretty miraculous that we managed to finish packing and moving out in time. Actually, it was barely. We kept clearing our stuff till the very last minute.
It felt so good that we didn't have to throw away many of our stuff at all. We were able to give away many of our stuff to different individuals. Even our used newspaper and papers could bless one of our neigbours.
From CCK we hope to be able to move to Kallang. We have balloted for a flat in Kallang area. We will know our queue number pretty soon.
Temporarily we are now staying with my youngest brother and his wife, Agung & Merlyn. They live in Punggol. We are grateful for their hospitality.
Punggol is a pretty a nice area. Interestingly, we are now just a walking distance to Ps Ben and Ps Lawrence's flats.
It is faster to get to church office from Punggol. It would be even faster from Kallang. :)
We will be in Punggol probably for around 2 months. We will use this opportunity to explore the North Eastern part of Singapore. Punggol, here we come. :)
Friday, 11 September 2009
three uncles and one nephew
Have you ever watched "Three Uncles And One Nephew" before?
Actually, there is no such movie. :)
But the below picture is what it looks like in our family. I just like this photo.
Actually, there is no such movie. :)
But the below picture is what it looks like in our family. I just like this photo.
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
submitted - within three days
I just submitted my final assignment. I didn't manage to do within 2 days. But within 3 days is not bad as well. :)
Thank you Lord for helping me through. I commit it into Your hand. Help me bring glory to You through it. Amen!
Thank you Lord for helping me through. I commit it into Your hand. Help me bring glory to You through it. Amen!
Monday, 31 August 2009
a research report within two days?
The month of August has been really full with assignments to do, people to host, conference to serve and stage duty every weekend.
It's not over yet. Within these two days I need to produce a research report on a relatively difficult topic.
Can I produce 25 pages of quality report and submit it before Tuesday midnight? (So that I will not lose to many marks. the deduction of marks are happenning every single day after last Friday)
Well, I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. Please, help me God! :)
It's not over yet. Within these two days I need to produce a research report on a relatively difficult topic.
Can I produce 25 pages of quality report and submit it before Tuesday midnight? (So that I will not lose to many marks. the deduction of marks are happenning every single day after last Friday)
Well, I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. Please, help me God! :)
Friday, 24 July 2009
A Powerful Story
This weekend is an important weekend for those in Adults services to share the love of God with our friends and family members.
May the following story inspire many hearts especially those who are doing their best in sharing the love of God with others but often wonder if it is making any difference at all.
Links in the Chain
Edward Kimball was determined to win his Sunday school class to Christ. A teenager named Dwight Moody tended to fall asleep on Sundays, but Kimball, undeterred, set out to reach him at work. His heart was pounding as he entered the store where the young man worked. “I put my hand on his shoulder, and as I leaned over I placed my foot upon a shoebox. I asked him to come to Christ.” But Kimball left thinking he had botched the job. Moody, however, left the store that day a new person and eventually became the most prominent evangelist in America.
On June 17, 1873, Moody arrived in Liverpool, England, for a series of crusades. The meetings went poorly at first, but then the dam burst and blessings began flowing. Moody visited a Baptist chapel pastored by a scholarly man named F. B. Meyer, who at first disdained the American’s unlettered preaching. But Meyer was soon transfixed and transformed by Moody’s message.
At Moody’s invitation, Meyer toured America. At Northfield Bible Conference, he challenged the crowds saying, “If you are not willing to give up everything for Christ, are you willing to be made willing?” That remark changed the life of a struggling young minister named J. Wilber Chapman.
Chapman proceeded to become a powerful traveling evangelist in the early 1900s, and he recruited a converted baseball player named Billy Sunday. Under Chapman’s eye, Sunday became one of the most spectacular evangelists in American history. His campaign in Charlotte, North Carolina, produced a group of converts who continued praying for another such visitation of the Spirit. In 1934 they invited evangelist Mordecai Ham to conduct a citywide crusade. On October 8th Ham, discouraged, wrote a prayer to God on the stationery of his Charlotte hotel: “Lord, give us a Pentecost here. … Pour out thy Spirit tomorrow. … ”
His prayer was answered beyond his dreams when a Central High School student named Billy Graham gave his heart to Jesus.
And Edward Kimball thought he had botched the job!
I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. John 17:20,21a
[1]
[1]Morgan, Robert J.: On This Day : 265 Amazing and Inspiring Stories About Saints, Martyrs & Heroes. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, c1997, S. June 17
May the following story inspire many hearts especially those who are doing their best in sharing the love of God with others but often wonder if it is making any difference at all.
Links in the Chain
Edward Kimball was determined to win his Sunday school class to Christ. A teenager named Dwight Moody tended to fall asleep on Sundays, but Kimball, undeterred, set out to reach him at work. His heart was pounding as he entered the store where the young man worked. “I put my hand on his shoulder, and as I leaned over I placed my foot upon a shoebox. I asked him to come to Christ.” But Kimball left thinking he had botched the job. Moody, however, left the store that day a new person and eventually became the most prominent evangelist in America.
On June 17, 1873, Moody arrived in Liverpool, England, for a series of crusades. The meetings went poorly at first, but then the dam burst and blessings began flowing. Moody visited a Baptist chapel pastored by a scholarly man named F. B. Meyer, who at first disdained the American’s unlettered preaching. But Meyer was soon transfixed and transformed by Moody’s message.
At Moody’s invitation, Meyer toured America. At Northfield Bible Conference, he challenged the crowds saying, “If you are not willing to give up everything for Christ, are you willing to be made willing?” That remark changed the life of a struggling young minister named J. Wilber Chapman.
Chapman proceeded to become a powerful traveling evangelist in the early 1900s, and he recruited a converted baseball player named Billy Sunday. Under Chapman’s eye, Sunday became one of the most spectacular evangelists in American history. His campaign in Charlotte, North Carolina, produced a group of converts who continued praying for another such visitation of the Spirit. In 1934 they invited evangelist Mordecai Ham to conduct a citywide crusade. On October 8th Ham, discouraged, wrote a prayer to God on the stationery of his Charlotte hotel: “Lord, give us a Pentecost here. … Pour out thy Spirit tomorrow. … ”
His prayer was answered beyond his dreams when a Central High School student named Billy Graham gave his heart to Jesus.
And Edward Kimball thought he had botched the job!
I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. John 17:20,21a
[1]
[1]Morgan, Robert J.: On This Day : 265 Amazing and Inspiring Stories About Saints, Martyrs & Heroes. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, c1997, S. June 17
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
"Faith Like Potatoes"
I am excited about our YA movie night this Friday. This is our third time in two years we have been doing movie night. And we hope to do many more times in the future.
Besides being excited about the movie I am also excited that there is now a team taking care of the entire event including the sourcing out of movies and securing the licenses. I want to commend CN and Gabriel for serving the YA group in this capacity.
This time the movie is "Faith Like Potatoes" which is based on a true story. It was awarded the Audience Choice award at The 2006 Sabaoth International Film Festival (Milan, Italy), and won Best Feature at the 2006 Mumbai International FICTS Festival.
Below are the synopsis of the movie, the link to access the movie's trailer and the e-invite for the Friday event.
Based on a true story, this inspiring film tells the story of Angus Buchan, a South African farmer who suffers a series of seemingly insurmountable losses, but through an unlikely friendship with his Zulu farmhand and divine interventions, discovers the key to healing himself and learning to accept others lies in his unwavering belief in the power of faith.
Check out the trailer of the movie here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG0VCYYwziw
Besides being excited about the movie I am also excited that there is now a team taking care of the entire event including the sourcing out of movies and securing the licenses. I want to commend CN and Gabriel for serving the YA group in this capacity.
This time the movie is "Faith Like Potatoes" which is based on a true story. It was awarded the Audience Choice award at The 2006 Sabaoth International Film Festival (Milan, Italy), and won Best Feature at the 2006 Mumbai International FICTS Festival.
Below are the synopsis of the movie, the link to access the movie's trailer and the e-invite for the Friday event.
Based on a true story, this inspiring film tells the story of Angus Buchan, a South African farmer who suffers a series of seemingly insurmountable losses, but through an unlikely friendship with his Zulu farmhand and divine interventions, discovers the key to healing himself and learning to accept others lies in his unwavering belief in the power of faith.
Check out the trailer of the movie here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG0VCYYwziw
If you are reading this blog entry and in Singapore consider this as an invitation to join us this Friday night. By the way, admission is free. :)
I also want to encourage all Christ followers in YA group to invite our friends and family members for this event. Let us also spend a few minutes every day this week to really pray for the success of the movie night. We long to see hearts strengthened, hope renewed and lives transformed in a significant way.
Thanks in advance for the partnership and see you on Friday.
Monday, 13 July 2009
Persist
Two days ago I was browsing my notebook to look for a specific document. As I was doing that I stumbled upon a poem that I wrote in 2004.
Today I sent out the poem to a group of precious people. The poem is rather amateurish thus I was a little embarrased to share it with others. But I pray that its message will be able to encourage some hearts.
Here is the poem:
Persist
It was Monday morning
And I wondered why the going gets tough
When doing the right things was all I wanted to do
I couldn’t help but feel discouraged
I couldn’t help but feel like giving up
But before I said “I do” to giving up I paused and pondered
Then I saw
I saw the sun faithfully shine its light
Over the righteous and the evil it never failed to rise and set
It dawned on me
The sun persisted because it was its DUTY to do so
I saw a colony of ants working hard carrying bread crumbs
They were storing provision for winter which was to come
It dawned on me
The ants persisted because they had the FUTURE in mind
I saw a runner competing in a world marathon event
His leg was crammed and his throat was dry
Still he kept running
It dawned on me
The runner persisted for the HONOUR of his country
I saw Jesus, the Son of God, walking towards Golgotha
His body was soaked in blood and His flesh was torn out
He was weary due to pain, hunger, thirst and no rest
Still He walked, walked and walked
I saw Jesus being nailed to the cross
The physical pain was excruciating
Insults and mockeries inflicted Him with emotional pain
Humanity’s sins placed on Him inflicted spiritual pain
That He cried “My God My God why have You forsaken me”
Still He remained and remained on that cross
It dawned on me
Jesus chose to keep walking
Jesus chose to remain on the cross
Jesus chose because of LOVE
I am sure glad that I paused and pondered
Now I know that I can choose to persist and not give up
I can persist because it is my DUTY to do so
I can persist because God promises a good FUTURE for me
I can persist because it is for the HONOUR of my God and His Kingdom
I can persist because of my LOVE for Him and His people
Today I sent out the poem to a group of precious people. The poem is rather amateurish thus I was a little embarrased to share it with others. But I pray that its message will be able to encourage some hearts.
Here is the poem:
Persist
It was Monday morning
And I wondered why the going gets tough
When doing the right things was all I wanted to do
I couldn’t help but feel discouraged
I couldn’t help but feel like giving up
But before I said “I do” to giving up I paused and pondered
Then I saw
I saw the sun faithfully shine its light
Over the righteous and the evil it never failed to rise and set
It dawned on me
The sun persisted because it was its DUTY to do so
I saw a colony of ants working hard carrying bread crumbs
They were storing provision for winter which was to come
It dawned on me
The ants persisted because they had the FUTURE in mind
I saw a runner competing in a world marathon event
His leg was crammed and his throat was dry
Still he kept running
It dawned on me
The runner persisted for the HONOUR of his country
I saw Jesus, the Son of God, walking towards Golgotha
His body was soaked in blood and His flesh was torn out
He was weary due to pain, hunger, thirst and no rest
Still He walked, walked and walked
I saw Jesus being nailed to the cross
The physical pain was excruciating
Insults and mockeries inflicted Him with emotional pain
Humanity’s sins placed on Him inflicted spiritual pain
That He cried “My God My God why have You forsaken me”
Still He remained and remained on that cross
It dawned on me
Jesus chose to keep walking
Jesus chose to remain on the cross
Jesus chose because of LOVE
I am sure glad that I paused and pondered
Now I know that I can choose to persist and not give up
I can persist because it is my DUTY to do so
I can persist because God promises a good FUTURE for me
I can persist because it is for the HONOUR of my God and His Kingdom
I can persist because of my LOVE for Him and His people
Thursday, 9 July 2009
It's no 15
Last Sunday, Lean Choo and I went to my second brother's house to watch our "friend" in action.
Yes, Roger Federer was playing in the final of Wimbledon. We had a fun time together rooting for our "friend".
We left my brother's house at the end of the fourth set.
When we reached home the fifth (final set) wasn't over yet. We continued to support Federer.
At the end, Federer won, to our delight.
History was made that day. Federer was now officially the male player with the most number of grand slam titles.
Here is a great video clip summarising his incredible journey:
Yes, Roger Federer was playing in the final of Wimbledon. We had a fun time together rooting for our "friend".
We left my brother's house at the end of the fourth set.
When we reached home the fifth (final set) wasn't over yet. We continued to support Federer.
At the end, Federer won, to our delight.
History was made that day. Federer was now officially the male player with the most number of grand slam titles.
Here is a great video clip summarising his incredible journey:
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Remember the Wonders
This week is a very packed week for me. Among other things I have CLC2 teaching, one wedding to conduct, a weekend sermon and a Sunday afternoon sharing to prepare.
I was sharing this to several individuals through an e-mail. Steven Yeoh then replied my mail by giving me his personal work. (Thanks Steven) It's a beautiful work. The message of the poster is very similar to the rhema word that God gave me recently about clinging to Him.
Friends, if you are out there being overwhelmed by deadlines, challenges, projects, circumstances, etc, we must do one thing. We must remember God's wonders in our life and cling to Him. And if we do that the following is my conviction: We will be just fine :) .
I was sharing this to several individuals through an e-mail. Steven Yeoh then replied my mail by giving me his personal work. (Thanks Steven) It's a beautiful work. The message of the poster is very similar to the rhema word that God gave me recently about clinging to Him.
Friends, if you are out there being overwhelmed by deadlines, challenges, projects, circumstances, etc, we must do one thing. We must remember God's wonders in our life and cling to Him. And if we do that the following is my conviction: We will be just fine :) .
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
my first blog entry of 2009
Wow, it has been so long since I last blogged. I am happy to be back.
I want to restart slowly but hopefully steadily. :)
Recently, I stumbled upon a great quote by Alexander Graham Bell.
"When one door closes another opens; but we often look so long upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."
How true! It saddens my heart to see people I care going in circles in life because they refuse to let go of their past. I pray that God will help them to let go and embrace the door that God has opened for them.
I want to restart slowly but hopefully steadily. :)
Recently, I stumbled upon a great quote by Alexander Graham Bell.
"When one door closes another opens; but we often look so long upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."
How true! It saddens my heart to see people I care going in circles in life because they refuse to let go of their past. I pray that God will help them to let go and embrace the door that God has opened for them.
Friday, 19 December 2008
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