29 December 2006

Blessed are the meek

Hi, I havent written for a while. Well, here it goes...

Just came back from my last bible study of the year 2006. We were studying on the verse 3 of the Beautitudes: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Personally I found the verse is really interesting as we further studied it and discussed it. I learnt that the intensity, frustration that Jesus (who is perfect) might feel when he encountered with us who are imperfect. But still then he was so patient with us, teaching, and correcting us. That description of Jesus' feelings helped me to understand the verse more.

Many times I had not been patient with one another, grumbling at the back, why the person did this and that, thinking that my way will be the correct one. To be frank, I did not find it easy to give up what I think is right. I dunno whether I have to. My problem prolly is on trying to impose my thought to the person. But, one thing I'm learning these days is to learn that an individual is allowed to be who they are and we cant impose our opinions to others. Again, tonight I was reminded by 2 Timothy 2: 24-26

And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. and that they will come to their sense and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Wonderful, the verses are clear about how do we response to those who disagree with us. We are to gently instruct which means including lots of patience but then we are doing so not without hope. We have hope that God will grant our friend, brother/sister in Christ to the truth. I reckon that's awesome! I had been worrying because people believing in false (unbiblical) doctrines are everywhere, right here in nowadays churches. But at the same time, I'm stuck with my limited biblical knowledge to filter whatever teaching I recieve (I'm working on it :P). So, I felt abit unfair to judge someone with false doctrine. But, again the Holy Spirit does give discernment to us. We are called to test the spirit, look at the fruit of the teaching, then correct and rebuke the wrong. I just dunno how to rebuke the wrong gently. Either I did not say anything (silent) or I say it harshly. I realize that I had been working things out on my own, not even remember that only the Holy Spirit can convict and change hearts.

In the past, I was not able to express my personal opinions and beliefs, afraid of rejection mostly. Now that I'm changing, I felt that I was more easily to "explode" on things. May be not on the spot but other time when asked by sumwan else. I want to have my own opinions on everything rather than taking others opinions (believe it or not, it's inspired from "Runaway Bride"). I think it is good though at times I consider myself selfish. I know that there is this "Righteous Anger" where we are angry upon sumthing is wrong. I think It is true and noble. Now I have an opinion and checking it with the bible to the best of my ability and by God's grace, I am confident that it is true. When I found sumwan has a different idea, I probably have imposed my beliefs on him because I know that they are wrong.

Hmmm

30 November 2006

First week of Working at Crop and Food

I work at Crop and Food Research for almost a week now. I'm still adapting to the work environment, the work atmosphere is really laid back, and my supervisor talks alot. Gosh, people are very talkative. The first day of work, morning tea, lunch break, and afternoon tea are very much encouraged to go. I found it very strange and funny because when I was working in Pak'N Save you have the impression that "Dont you even think of having a break!" Haha. But, you know why, they are trying to get you to be sociable, know your colleagues well, cos CFR kinda forming a bit of a community. This is really scary for me. I was not ready to say "Hi" to many "strangers" during morning tea because they are much older than me and most of them know each other very well. So first day work was not good. I was so tense, trying to get and say everything right, and not ready to open myself for others. I've listened to many people in CFR (of course, I had to say hi to a couple of people and talk a wee bit).

I really want to be myself and let them know somehow that I'm a christian and not ashamed of it. Current challenge is to say grace before my lunch. Obviously, you'll be sitting with people that you dont really know and they are your colleagues from different culture and background. There is this fear of being rejected. Last time, I managed to do that in front of my supervisor (which give me such a relief actually) because I have been stressing out if he really knows who am I, he'll probably wont like me. Though very little he knew me, suddenly a person talked about listening a radio in the morning and they got the american church broadcast. My supervisor's reaction was to say "Christians huh, these snobbish evangelists". But, I didnt get to say anything. I was so thankful If I could meet the challenge at the moment to witness Christ through saying grace.

I thought that my supervisor seems to be a carefree person. Eventhough He appears to have long years, He still pursuing career in Food industry. Just strucked by what He said last time that soon a couple of projects will fund him and it'll be the climax of his career. Last week, his mother in law was very sick and getting older. Then I said we are all getting older everyday. But, He said that he is becoming older but I still have a long years to go. I wished I say that "No, we do not know, only If God allows."

I had a chat with his wife which is the lab technician. She said during the morning tea that in every organization you should come for morning tea and that's when you meet people. She then said that it is easier to ask favors to them. The thought of meeting people (socializing) is good but the thought of using others is rather selfish. I thought she'll be a kind of person that is quite perfectionist, you can tell from the way she does the experiments and handling her lab "toys". Well, today i broke seven tubes not in a row though. I tried to fit these tubes to centrifuge bucket and spin them. But, the first centrifugation resulted in two broken tubes. Because the solutions were not separated enough, the tubes were spun again and I did check the fitness of each tube in the bucket. I asked her a couple of times too before running it. After coming back from lunch time, the disaster happened. Another 5 tubes were broken after centrifugation. So, the wife was not happy at all. That's alot of tubes broken in one day. But, my supervisor comforted me, telling me not to worry and it was not my fault. I was so thankful for that cause I was nervous and feeling bad. But, I did not know what was wrong with it and If i was wrong where did I go wrong. Now, they entrusted me plastic tubes instead. We'll see how tomorrow goes.

24 November 2006

A call to persevere

Again, a great way to memorise the scripture: post it! Hehe. The Word of God is amazing and wonderful:

"Remember those earlier days after you had recieved the light, when you stood on your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes, you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; other times you stood side by side with who were so treated. You symphatized with those who are in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property because you knew that you yourself had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will recieve what he has promised. For in just a very short while,

He who is coming will come and will not delay,
But my righteous one will live by faith
and If he shrinks back
I will not be pleased with him

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (Hebrews 10:32-39)

Captivating

I have been reading the book called "Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge. In the beginning, when I read the first couple of chapters, I have a saturated mind with "Is this true?" question. So I went to their website and read their statements of faith. You can check it as well at www.ransomedheart.com

After I read their beliefs, I felt more comfortable reading the book. Most of the concepts: their view of Adam and Eve roles in creation, particularly Eve are new to me. If all that were said are true and I'm fully convinced, I think I will live a different life. I'm still reading and trying to check it with the Word whether their statements are consistent with it. Anyway, I particularly like this quote:

[Women], you are passionately loved by the God of the universe.

[Women], you are passionately hated by His Enemy.

(Eldreges, 2005)

23 November 2006

A Trustworthy Saying

I'm memorising this passage so I thought I post it which will probably help me to memorise (obviously without looking at my bible or any online/audio bible! :D).

Paul also said that these things (he is refering to the passage) are excellent and I remember in Phillipians 4:8 that we ought to think such things. So here is our amazing hope:

"At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, decieved and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But, when the kindness and love of God our saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our saviour. So that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:3-7, NIV)

22 November 2006

Learn to be humble

Just a couple days ago, God made it clear that I messed things up. Haha. I was surprised and finally understood that without His grace I can not do what is right. I am really thankful that I "saw" it and can truly ask God to take control over things and rely on Him. Previously, I have been trying really hard to make things perfect and some things had gone well but I just did not see that it was God's power to be frank. I gave the credit to God but I actually dont think that God's power had been working and of course, I am tired after striving. But now, I wanna acknowledge God all my incapabilities and ask His grace to bring me to His standard. Because that's the only way, allowing Him to work so that His power may be seen.

20 November 2006

"Tim Tim" @ SLC 06

I have been to SLC for three times now. It has always been great to come to conference to be strengthened by other brothers and sisters. During SLC, I always looked forward to "Tim Tim", the small group in the afternoon studying 2nd Tim and Nigel's talk in the evening.

It was so awesome to study the passage with others because you just learn so much. We went bak to the book of Acts, other Paul's letters, and some bible dictionaries trying to understand how was back then and there. We had so many questions abt d passage and helping each other to answer them. Personally, I was amazed to identify the history and culture behind the letter and how the letter became sensible. It's really exciting.

Going back to the persecutions that Paul suffered in Iconium, he and Barnabas were almost stoned but they found out and fled. In Lystra, Paul was stoned but then he managed to survive and went back to the city. After all this, Paul acknowledged that God rescued him from all the troubles which was true. He wasnt freed from all troubles, he went through it and was saved from it.

Other questions I had was how Paul knew that his time of departure has come. I was reminded that paul was in prison that time and the caesar ruling was Nero which was threathened by Paul's message. At that time, Caesar was worshipped as god and to preach persuasively about worshipping Christ was regarded as a crime. Paul had escaped his first trial and sensed that his life on earth was near the end. These are some of the answers I got during Tim Tim group.

06 November 2006

EXAMS! Aiks!


I've still got two exams to go. But, I have got so many distractions following me around. Most of them are worries. I want to go to SLC. I hope my dad will be happy for me to go and learn the bible. That's all I want. That will mean alot.... lots lots to me. I guess I should go back to do my study. I've got a couple of lecture notes that need reviewing and now it's five to eight pm....

- Sign off -

28 October 2006

Recent favorite quotes

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead

"I wish more Christians would have the confidence that God will reward their desire to know Him better through a study of the Bible." - Ex Jehovah witness

18 October 2006

Indonesia


This photo was sent by one of my indo fren. I really like it. They came to perform one of the Indonesian dance at OCF concert Night. It was much fun. We used to have Indo group at Massey but because the leaders went home and I started to get involved with OCF, the group did not continue. But, most of them now come to OCF which is a real blessing. Last semester, it used to be only one Indonesian in OCF which is me. Hehe. But, God sent four extras this semester. I hope they have learnt alot from the Word as I have gained so much knowledge about God in the past two years. I pray that we all grow to know God and have an intimate relationship with Him.

16 October 2006

Mission Minded

God is really loving, wise, and understanding. These are glimpse about Him that He has shown to me. I went to a mission talk up in Kingston chapel and learnt alot especially from Jason birkin. he was sharing his experience of being called by God for long term mission. He and his wife went to the Phillipines on 1980. I was strucked by his answer regarding hearing God's call. He said just know God, enjoy Him, cherishes Him and then you will know for He will share His will for us. He used the illustration of friendship. A friend will only share his secret to the closest one. That is how we too may know our calling by getting to know God more.

He also shared when deciding to do mission, just remember that it is not God that is so incapable of reaching out to those people. It is not that you need to go there or else these people are going to hell. God could use others if you do not go. You will miss out things though. Other interesting point was that they as a young married couple went to the middle of the jungle and proclaiming the gospel so the people may believe. It was very difficult to understand but these people mostly much older than them and had kids did come to know Christ. It must be the extraordinary work of the Holy Spirit.

Another speaker shared about her experience of staying in Afghanistan for 10 years. She said the cost of becoming a believer is dear. A lady with six kids in this Ramadhan (a month of fasting for moslems) were caught up not to cook at the dusk. When asked if she was a believer (christian), she answered 'yes'. Then, this guy that found out about her belief told the local dairies not to supply her bread anymore and not allowed to get water. He even urinated her well. When I heard this, I was so troubled. How could a human did such a thing to others.

One of the lady who spoke about short term mission also shared ten commandments for short term missionaries. I found the list was very smart and funny. I'll type it up sumtimes. She shared about International students who have become a christian in New Zealand were afraid to go back home because fear of persecution. She was sharing about the idea to train these students so they may be strong and confident to reach out their community. As International student myself, persecutions from family is very real. Coming from a non-christian family, I have experienced many oppositions which until now still haunting me. I long for God to change my heart towards it. For He is so much able to work out things for me, much better than I could think of. I dare not to lose my faith in Him eventhough the waiting and uncertainties are very much painful. I have nothing else to lean on.

It is ok. My God will do as He pleases. He will calm me and lead me.

~ Only one Life twill soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last ~ J. Piper

18 March 2006

My Father's world

How perfect is your works o God. Sorry because we aint responsible in taking care of it. All of us have been very selfish and when this world became so crappy, we blamed you. But, thanks for the day. Beautiful sunny palmy. Time to write up and finish my kinetics report.

Yours Kinetically,

eLaI

25 January 2006

G prime and Yield Stress

Today I started my report. It was really hard to recall what I've done a couple of months ago. It's really boring. Hiks. I dunno why. Oh dear Lord. Help. Distractions are everywhere, starting from e-mails to friendster. I'm doing a research in finding whether it's possible to get a yield stress from storage modulus measurements