Return

Return, O wanderer, now return,

and seek thy Father's face
Those new desires which in thee burn

were kindled by His grace.

Return, O wanderer, now return,

and wipe the falling tear:

Thy Father calls, - no longer mourn;

Tis love invites thee near

William Benco Collyer

Mystery and Victory

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep. But, we shall all be changed, in a momemnt, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall all be changed.

For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

Death is swallowed up in victory

O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But, thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Contemplating the cross

A nominal Christian is content with proving the way of salvation by a crucified Redeemer. But the true christian loves it, delights in it, glories in it, and shudders at the very thought of glorifying in anything else...

Let all your joys come from the contemplation of the cross.

Charles Simeon

Doing good with self interest?

I have been reading Desiring God, particularly the chapter about Love. It has been quite challenging as I read, I had to read and reread. It was about loving others but not quite selflessly but with self interest which is gaining joy as we do God commands. I think this is really new concept for me. As I grow in my spiritual journey, I have once been taught that when I cant love others (say helping them), just help them anyway and the love will gradually grow. I have always adopted that concept which I think it is fair because one do not have any capability to love as all of us are naturally selfish. The concept of Love without self interest, loving selflessly was argued to be unbiblical in the light of 1 Corinthians 13:1. It was said that one can give their own body to be burnt but if the person had not love, the person gain nothing. It seems that paul was suggesting that gaining something from loving is good. Micah (chapter and verse I forgot) said that we are to love kindness.

Love is not mere doing sacrificial action and yet Love is not only feeling either. It is a combination of both, having feeling in doing sacrificial action. The feeling of joy and delight as we do God's commands. Joy is given by God, and thus we should ask God if we do not have joy when loving others, when we dont feel like doing it. God will certainly give, God had answered my prayer. God delights when He saves us, loves us. If God just do those things without joy or delight then I think His love is dead.

Just a side thing, I am actually in the middle of running experiment for my project. Today's results did not agree with last time, at least for half of the samples that I have to test. I am really disappointed. I wish I was still excited because the result might tell me something new that I had not known before. However, I am really running out of time and I have to obtain good reproducible data from my replicates and now my replicates are showing a different result compare to the other days. Can you understand what I feel? I would just have to take a deep breath. Anyhow, I have managed to invite more friends to our dialogue lunch for Jesus Week. I'm really glad at least :). I hope they would consider to come.

Last semester begins

In Christ alone, My hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone this solid ground

firm to fiercest drought and storm...

Nyanyian dan doaku

I just read andy's blog on their day 4 at IFES World Assembly. It was very inspiring, hearing that few new student movements were built despite extreme persecution. They sang this beautiful hymn and so I pray:

Take my hands and let them move,
at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my silver and my gold,
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thy shalt choose.

Segala kemuliaan hanya bagi Tuhan. Soli Deo Gloria.

I miss them...

Food from muara karang

Gado gado Boplo

(Salads with peanut sauce)

Mie ayam (chicken noodles)

Pempek Bing

(deep fried fish cake with egg in sweet vinegar sauce)

Nasi Tim ayam Muara Karang

(Muara Karang chicken steamed rice)

Thanks to Jenz_corner for photos. You reminded me of home :).

Thinking...

I dont really feel like writing, in fact I made myself to do it because I'm really bad in writing so I need to practise. Anyhow, I had been reading to someone's blog who have been thinking about the folly of religions. He himself is leaning towards buddhism. Well, I was just wanting to write down my chain of thoughts and some questions.

I know you have had bad experience with evangelical christians particularly with those who claim to know everything and forcing you to believe in Jesus. I know it is bothering you when they say drink the poison and you will never die if you believe in Jesus. They are quoting:


"Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it." (Mark 16:14-20).

Well, I think when this passage is talking about "who believe" are people that believe the good news and the signs are with those who are going to share it. The signs are only to accompany, not the main thing. The main thing is the good news. It looks like what God has said to the disciples, God had confirmed (it's in the past) it by allowing the signs to happen just the way He had said it. I guess the signs are still continually happen nowadays, I mean people can get healed, but again these signs are just to accompany the preaching of the good news.


But when you tested them to drink it, they scared away. How can such faith make sense? I must say that I do not agree with them challenging you to accept Christ using the verse saying new believers in Jesus will not die with poison. Jesus did not use that verse to challenge people to accept him. I am glad that you are thinking about it and happy for you to challenge the evangelists.


Certainly, they miss the whole gospel, the good news, where Jesus God came to this earth to reconcile human and God. He died for our sins. You may think that you are a good person, you are not a sinner. But, the bible said that we are all have sinned against God.

If you look at a woman in lust you have committed adultery.

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28).

You may have cheated in the exam/assignment or being proud and selfish. All these hurts God. If someone hurts you, only you that has the right to forgive, am I correct? so it is God. You hurted him by your actions, only Him that has the right to forgive. Indeed, He does want to forgive you by sending Jesus. Now, God is not the same as a just another person. He is perfect, He sets the standard not the wisest or kindest person on the earth, it is God who sets the standard. No matter how wise or kind a man is, they are not perfect, they are not in control of everything, they have their hopeless time, and they may not truly happy with the way they are. Now, Jesus is perfect. When you meet God, Jesus is your shield because He is perfect. God will look to Him not you, your imperfection and so you may stand face to face.

You argued about praying to a statue, in your case, the statue of Buddha. It was said that you are not asking or praying to Buddha but rather remembering all that he has done and taught you, his wisdom, and meditating through his examples and how you may too follow the example. I accept your disagreements of being called a baal worshipper because you do not plead or pray to him. You do not consider him as God anyway. My challenge to you is asking you why do you settle with a good, wise, loving and kind, thoughtful man, Siddharta Gautama (forgive me If I spelled his name wrongly). I know you do not have faith and you only believe what you can see and where there are evidences. I would say sometimes we do not see what we ought to see. Things that we could not see, it does not mean that it is not there. Do we have the right to see God who is perfect and in control, with us being little puny creature and much imperfections? Do we dare to demand? only by God's grace. Who are we to claim that we are to comprehend God so that we may believe though I must say He does not leave us totally without knowledge about Him. If we are able to comprehend God fully, then we are God, not him.

You also mention about doing good without the fear of going to hell. Well, I'm glad you understand the joy of doing good, not doing good for the sake of its wages which is heaven. I'm not sure whether you think that hell exists. If you do, why do you think hell exist? Who decide someone to go to hell? the person must be more powerful than humans, must at least at higher level, higher standard than human can do. If you cannot see God, it does not mean that there is no God.

You also talked about the ultimate goal of human is to be happy. But, I thought buddhism taught that desires bring a lot of misery, so it is better to deny desire, not to have desire. What about the desire to be happy? to do good? Do you expect to experience your true happiness in this world, as the result of your good deeds? because I do not think happiness is always a cause and effect thing. If you are looking for the realization of your true happiness on this earth, I dont think that your good deeds are always going to result in happiness e.g. success, health, fame, wise, etc.

"Patung bukanlah kriteria ajaran kami. Ada atau tidak ada patung tidak menjadi masalah. Guru besar kami sama sekali tidak mengajarkan pemujaan patung guna menuju kebahagiaan sejati. Tindakan melalui pikiran, ucapan dan jasmani yang senantiasa terkendali serta jauh dari keserakahan, kebencian dan kebodohan batin merupakan syarat mutlak untuk merealisasi kebahagiaan sejati. Setiap mahluk mengharapkan kebahagiaan, namun kebahagiaan tidak dapat muncul karena berdoa, meminta-minta.
Kebahagiaan merupakan akibat, dan akibat akan muncul apabila ada sebab tepat yang mendahuluinya. Sebab yang baik pasti akan menimbulkan akibat yang baik; sebaliknya sebab yang buruk akan menimbulkan akibat yang buruk pula. Proses sebab akibat ini akan berlangsung selama kondisi-kondisi penunjangnya terpenuhi; mereka berproses secara alamiah. Pengertian yang benar mengenai proses inilah yang menyebabkan saya secara sukarela berusaha melakukan kebaikan tanpa tergiur oleh janji/iming-iming surga dan secara sukarela pula
berusaha tidak melakukan kejahatan, tanpa diliputi rasa takut akan ancaman neraka. Semoga uraian kenyataan di atas dapat meredakan kesalahpahaman antar penganut religius." [Slamet Rodjali] [Buletin Dharma Manggala Mei 2007]

Oh and we pray before we eat is not to show off, that we are holier than you are. It is to express our gratitude to God the ultimate provider. If you argue that our non-christians parents may grawl at us by not thanking them of their hard work to provide for us, well I think we should thank God for them, for the success that God gives to them in their work, their ability to work and in so doing to provide for us. You see, God is still the ultimate provider, not dependent on my parents ability to provide.

Yes, some of the tele-evangelists committed adultery and were not transparent in handling money. You are also aware of prosperity doctrines being taught. I dont like what they do or what they preach. I challenge you to challenge what they say and not just taking it like that, or totally discard christianity. I know...sadly I have to say that it is hard to ask you not to look at them as christians representatives. They bore Jesus name everywhere they go. But, yea trust me not every christian is like that. I do not agree with prosperity doctrines, not for the sake of having arguements with people but I question that it is biblical. I found prosperity doctrines contradict with what Jesus said

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Titus 6:10).

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 (Matthew 19:24)

So yeaaa...have a think.

Praise the Lord

Immortal, Invisible God only wise

in light in accessible hid from our eyes

Most blessed, Most glorious, The Ancient of Days

Almighty, victorious, Thy great name We praised

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small

In all life, Thou livest, the true life of all

We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree

And wither and perish but naught changeth Thee

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light

Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight

All praise we would render, O help us to see

'Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Amen

"Immortal, Invisible" and "Doxology"

Amazing grace

Amazing grace,
How sweet the sound,
that save a wretch like me,
I once was lost,
But now am found,
Was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught
My heart to fear
and grace my fears relieved
How precious did
That grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Amazing grace by John Newton

Thank you Jesus for bringing me to your throne of grace, allowing me to stand boldly before you everyday. I give up striving to the perfection and accept what you have done for me.

"When sin abounded, Grace did much more abound." (A.W. Tozer)

TSCF Conference "Eternity" 07

I thought I should leave a blurb about the conference that just ended today. It was awesome!! I had a wonderful time at the conference and really thank God for encouraging me once again. Now, I'm back in the battlefield...Palmy, NZ.

Some 'Aha!' from the conference:

The Thessalonians were people that were not only turn to God but determined to make resolution for their life. What you would do when no one is watching? In other words, the true you will be revealed in what you do when no one is around.

A big one that God was speaking and challenging me throughout the whole week was about Boldness. Andrew shared quotes from J. Piper:

“Why are we often not bold?

1. The love of human acceptance and praise
2. The love of comforts and security that money can buy”

I found that’s very true. He said that they are like diseases that paralyze men. I was silent when I supposed to say something, too caught up with what people are going to say or think. I plead to God, I want to change. I am learning to receive acceptance and praise from God alone, and soaking my mind with the truth of the scripture everyday.

Other quotes that I like from Andrew:


"A person who is always available is not worthy when he/she is available."

A person who never make a time for solitude, to think things through, to made amends with God, they are not worthy to listen to, “not fully there” when he/she is available.

Andrew also stressed about the importance of community. Satan hates it when people gather together, showing love and kindness to one another. He is trying to destroy it through TV, computers, things that cut off people’s contact with each other.


"A trial is not as crucial as how you respond to it".

"To live without suffering is to die without glory."

“Suffering...we are destined for them. Your hard times have been placed there by God.” (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4)

Job saw his suffering as coming from God, not from Satan. I was struggling about the issue of pain and questioning God’s sovereignty over suffering. Andrew shared that Satan uses two weapons to test us: pain and pleasure. Our pain makes God appears powerless. But, God remains sovereign over suffering that we went through. God was able to use the wickedness of Joseph’s brothers and turned it for Joseph’s good. Joseph realized that and did not regret it.

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim 3:12)

Verses above confirm that we Christian sooner or later in our walk with God will definitely face persecution which means pain and not pleasant moments. In fact, these verses ridicule the pursuit of being well, healthy, comfortable, trouble-free, and prosperous in this earth especially for those who are in Christ. Does God promise all that? Though if you have one of them you are not sinning, it is a gift from God.

But, are we to be discouraged to know this?
Paul said that these momentary troubles are not comparable to the coming glory that we are going to receive. Paul prayed that He may learn the meaning of sharing in the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. We should cultivate deep consciousness moment by moment, our dependency on Christ and prepare for adversity and death.

I was really inspired by Nigel's closing talk, was disappointed that Andrew did not touch the coming of the Lord the last chapter in 1 Thessalonians...I was expecting to hear coming to the conference. But, God did challenge me through his talks. I dont really like the way Dave presented the evening talk, was rather difficult to follow. But, one of his stories was really challenging and inspiring...showing grace to young Sharne.

Being Asian

"The Equation that causes Heart abrasion (or Ingredients for a potion That causes a huge commotion)

Ingredients:
1 part of Confucian thought
1 part of Western thought
1 part incredibly high parental standards
1 part Model Minority

Toss into an unbreakable mixing bowl. With a blender, mixed at high speed for about 20 years.
Makes 1 large serving of Driven, Perfectionistic, Schizophrenic Young Person. Best served with side dish of kimchi, sushi, or jiao zi. Caution: sweet first bite may be followed by bitter aftertaste." - Following Jesus without dishonoring your parents

I think we should recognise the philosophy we are living (if you are not an asian, it may give some insights about your asian friends). Drive and perfectionism are so rooted in us Asians that we may not realize it (what I mean is not realizing the detrimental effects). We use them in our study and God's ministry. We continually strive for the best not realizing when we are heaping ourselves with unnecessary burdens. Jesus Christ has brought acceptance, grace, and forgiveness. We do not have to take the burden to become perfect and always on top of everything. We should learn to accept and expect failures, made by self and others. Be patient with one another.