Lord's Supper - Examining Our Hearts
Three Fridays ago my pastor asked if I would like to share a short communion message. I said yes immediately.
This was because something had happened the night before.
It is as if I was meant to share it.
The verse relevant to what I was sharing before the Lord's Supper was this:
1 Cor 11:28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
I play indoor soccer on Thursday nights for the last five months.
There are four teams playing on a league basis and my team was third ranked after all the pool games.
In the semi-finals, our team stunned the 2nd placed team to reach the finals.
That Thursday night final was a closely and hotly contested match and we were leading 7-6 near the end of the game. Then they equalized at 7-7. I fell down twice already in the game.
Once I was tripped by the opposing team when I went pass him.
It was a foul and the referee blew the whistle.
I injured my wrist falling down.
Then towards the end of the game, like the last two minutes - I had the ball already, shielding it from the opposing team and facing my goalie and was trying to pass to my goalie.
One of the opposing players pushed me from behind, robbed me of the ball and I fell down - breaking the fall with both my wrists including my injured wrist. That was not good.
But what was worse was that the referee didn't blow for a foul.
I haven't been angry playing indoor soccer for the last five months or for that matter for years when I play sports. But on Thursday night, I was furious with the gross injustice.
What did I do? What ran through my mind?
Well if the referee thinks it is not a foul, then I will do it to the opposing team players.
So I ran after them - waiting for an opportunity to do what they did to me because they and the referee think it was not a foul.
And after all the commotion, they scored a goal and we lost.
I was still furious with the referee after the game.
I am not normally a person who gets angry at all.
I have a high tolerance level.
I was rather surprised that I lost my cool.
I was off the mark that Thursday night.
As I examined myself as I prepared for the sharing and the Lord's Supper, I was off the mark in at least two ways:
1. I was prepared to do to others what I don't want them to do to me contravening the spirit of Luke 6:31 of doing to others only what I would have them do to me.
2. My Christian Testimony is marred - even though I was wronged and my team mates thought so too.
The reason I am sharing this, is that I have not experienced anger like this before. I thought I don't have such a problem.
Once I was driving along Triangle Road in Auckland. There were these large recycling bins along the road. I saw a teenager just kicking the bins and throwing the bins in rage. In fact, he threw a recycling bin onto the road in my path so much so that I had to swerve from that bin. Seeing that raging teenage boy was a scary and sorry sight.
I don't want to lose control like that for even 1 minute.
We may think that we are not like that and we have never done this before.
Or we may think that we are mostly alright as I thought like this of myself.
We are mostly alright.
But something happens and we find ourselves going off the mark.
And our testimony is marred.
If we think we would not be like that, then think of King David.
He was a man after God's heart.
Did he ever think that he would commit murder?
No!!! He would never have thought that he could commit murder.
That all changed when he got Bathsheba pregnant and he went on to scheme to commit the murder of Bathsheba's husband.
We are not perfect people.
And there are times when we are vulnerable.
And that's why it is good to take the Lord's Supper regularly.
Then as we come to this 1 Cor 11:28 verse, it reminds us to examine ourselves.
It may be anger, unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment.
Or it may be something that we see or read that we shouldn't do.
It may be something that we ought to do but didn't do.
Or it may be something in the inside of our hearts like our attitude - we may be critical, judgmental or proud.
As I share, the Lord will speak to our hearts.
Be like David who said:
Ps 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Ps 139:24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Normally as Christians, we do our best not to be offensive.
However, we become offensive especially when we think people offend us - as I thought I was wronged.
We are most vulnerable to becoming offensive when we are offended.
We are prone to be offensive and go on the offensive when we are offended.
This is the line that I just came up on that Saturday night before Sunday service. God is good.
Think of how we may have felt offended - sometimes even by Christians or people in the church.
They may not even have realized that they have offended us.
But we feel offended and we may go on the offensive.
As we next partake of the Lord's Supper, ask God to search our hearts and see if there is any offensive way in us before we partake of the Lord's Supper.
---------------------
God works in mysterious ways because God did not just speak to me in that incident.
God used the sharing to speak to at least two other persons in our small congregation.
After the service, one member was telling me
- "Why am I speaking about him and speaking to him."
As I shared the message about anger, it was like I was talking about him.
You see that Friday night before the Sunday service, my friend's neighbour had a party.
They were getting drunk and throwing bottles into his garden and near his car.
So he got real angry and went up to the seven of them and confronted them.
It is amazing that my friend dares to confront seven people.
My friend is a big guy.
He asked them “who did it”.
He told them that if the person didn't own up and remove the bottles he is going to give it to him.
The words used weren't as sanctified as what I am writing here ...
But the end result was that the neighbour and his friends sheepishly removed the bottles from my friend's garden.
That Sunday morning, my friend confessed to the Lord of his anger because he knew God was speaking to him
I learnt from this incident:
1. To follow the prompting placed within my heart to share about the incident. It was embarrassing for me - but it was a move prompted by God.
(see Nehemiah 7:5 "So my God put into my heart to ...")
After this incident, I followed another prompting which helped another person, a potential migrant, secure a job - what a miracle in times such as this ...
2. We are more prone to be offensive when we are offended.
e.g. How often do we sin when we take offense when a driver overtakes us recklessly?
3. Never think that we are spiritually strong and will not fall into sin.
King David - the progenitor from whom the Messiah Jesus came from - was not exempted.
1 Cor 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (NIV)
Or you may prefer the KJV of this verse:
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
4. God uses the incidents that happen in our lives to speak to us and to speak to others as we share it prompted by the Holy Spirit.
Amazing.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
How Is A Model Different From Principles?
How often have we been asked to follow a model because the model works?
A student with excellent scores or a worker with rapid promotion may sell their model for excellent grades or fast upward mobility respectively.
Likewise, a fast growing church may challenge other churches to adopt their model after all their growth is a testimony that their model works.
What is wrong with this kind of logic?
A church, a student or a worker may do well not just because they adopt one particular model or strategy but because there are a number of things they have done right to achieve those results.
A church may claim that they are growing because they are praying more, or they have great worship, leadership or cell group model or G12 model or move in the power of the Holy Spirit or belong to a certain denomination.
And sometimes it seem that the model does produce growth.
But in actuality, it is not the model itself that is producing the growth but the principles behind the model - the principles they have employed - that is producing the results for the model.
And these principles are universal and will apply to all churches whereas not every aspect of a model is universally applicable.
A top student may achieve excellent results by listening to rock music whilst he studies because he may be blessed with high IQ and multi-tasking and his teachers have already prepared him well for his exams. But the top student's model of listening to rock music whilst he studies may not apply to every student who wants to top the class.
What are the principles behind his achievement of excellent results?
We need to determine these principles and factors for they are the principles and factors that are universal and will help all other students achieve excellent results.
Likewise for a church to grow, there are certain principles that are involved rather than models.
Christian A. Schwarz, in his book Natural Church Development, sought to ascertain "What church growth principles are true, regardless of culture and theological persuasion?"
He analyzed 4.2 million responses from more than a thousand churches from 32 countries over the six continents and came out with 8 Quality Characteristics / Principles that all healthy, growing churches possess.
These are universal principles and apply to all churches.
And after reading these principles, we realize why churches that employ the cell group model or G12 model are really growing.
All healthy, growing churches will have a high rating in these 8 Quality Characteristics:
1. EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP
2. GIFT-BASED MINISTRY
3. PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY
4. EFFECTIVE STRUCTURES
5. INSPIRING WORSHIP SERVICE
6. NEED - ORIENTED EVANGELISM
7. LOVING RELATIONSHIPS
8. HOLISTIC SMALL GROUPS
Thus, when churches grow healthily, they have an integrated holistic approach whereby all eight of the above qualities are nurtured.
The cell church model which I am familiar with - can be so successful or will be very successful because plainly all eight characteristics have been carefully cultivated.
On the other hand, if any characteristic is under-developed or hampered, then whatever model is adopted will not exactly produce a healthily, growing church.
My experience supports much of the findings of Christian Schwarz.
What are your experiences? What do you think?
How often have we been asked to follow a model because the model works?
A student with excellent scores or a worker with rapid promotion may sell their model for excellent grades or fast upward mobility respectively.
Likewise, a fast growing church may challenge other churches to adopt their model after all their growth is a testimony that their model works.
What is wrong with this kind of logic?
A church, a student or a worker may do well not just because they adopt one particular model or strategy but because there are a number of things they have done right to achieve those results.
A church may claim that they are growing because they are praying more, or they have great worship, leadership or cell group model or G12 model or move in the power of the Holy Spirit or belong to a certain denomination.
And sometimes it seem that the model does produce growth.
But in actuality, it is not the model itself that is producing the growth but the principles behind the model - the principles they have employed - that is producing the results for the model.
And these principles are universal and will apply to all churches whereas not every aspect of a model is universally applicable.
A top student may achieve excellent results by listening to rock music whilst he studies because he may be blessed with high IQ and multi-tasking and his teachers have already prepared him well for his exams. But the top student's model of listening to rock music whilst he studies may not apply to every student who wants to top the class.
What are the principles behind his achievement of excellent results?
We need to determine these principles and factors for they are the principles and factors that are universal and will help all other students achieve excellent results.
Likewise for a church to grow, there are certain principles that are involved rather than models.
Christian A. Schwarz, in his book Natural Church Development, sought to ascertain "What church growth principles are true, regardless of culture and theological persuasion?"
He analyzed 4.2 million responses from more than a thousand churches from 32 countries over the six continents and came out with 8 Quality Characteristics / Principles that all healthy, growing churches possess.
These are universal principles and apply to all churches.
And after reading these principles, we realize why churches that employ the cell group model or G12 model are really growing.
All healthy, growing churches will have a high rating in these 8 Quality Characteristics:
1. EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP
2. GIFT-BASED MINISTRY
3. PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY
4. EFFECTIVE STRUCTURES
5. INSPIRING WORSHIP SERVICE
6. NEED - ORIENTED EVANGELISM
7. LOVING RELATIONSHIPS
8. HOLISTIC SMALL GROUPS
Thus, when churches grow healthily, they have an integrated holistic approach whereby all eight of the above qualities are nurtured.
The cell church model which I am familiar with - can be so successful or will be very successful because plainly all eight characteristics have been carefully cultivated.
On the other hand, if any characteristic is under-developed or hampered, then whatever model is adopted will not exactly produce a healthily, growing church.
My experience supports much of the findings of Christian Schwarz.
What are your experiences? What do you think?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
How Long?
If we are disciples of Jesus, we would invariably be following up on pre-believers.
How often do we wish they would be converted immediately?
And there are probably some whom we have been following up for years.
So we ask "how long?"
Sometimes in the process of follow up, we pressure ourselves to get those we follow up on to give their lives to the Lord or to attend church.
Sometimes churches unwittingly pressure us to bring people to church or to the cell groups.
What is worse is that we pressure those whom we are following up to go to the next level - whether attending church for the first time or attend more regularly or giving their lives to the Lord - when they are not quite ready.
If this is the case like I do sometimes, then it will be timely to read and reflect on the Parable Of The Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29).
Mk 4:26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like.
A man scatters seed on the ground.
Mk 4:27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
Mk 4:28 All by itself the soil produces grain
—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
Mk 4:29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
The parable relates to the Kingdom of God which is growing "all by itself" (4:28). The Greek for "All by itself" is from where we get the English word "automatically."
How does the Kingdom of God grow automatically?
It is when the seed is sown.
Part 1 or the start of the process is when a man sows the seed.
We sow the seed - the Word of God and our testimony - into the pre-believer's life.
The scattering of seed on the ground suggests that we speak into many lives not just one life.
The farmer worries about the rain (too little or too much / drought or flooding), frost, soil conditions and the pests.
But the parable makes no mention of this but instead focuses on general conditions.
Generally, when seed is sown, the farmer cannot control the rain, weather and certain conditions. There are conditions beyond his control.
So the sower goes to sleep - and yet the seed grows and sprouts even though he does not know how.
"All by itself" the soil produces grain.
This "all by itself" is actually the work of God.
God sovereignly works in nature and in our lives.
Part 2 is the work of God in producing the harvest.
So coming back to our follow up of pre-believers, it will be good for us to remind ourselves that our role is Part 1 - sow and scatter the seed.
Part 2 - The timing - when the seed sprouts or when harvest comes - is entirely in God's hands.
Then "all by itself" the pre-believer takes the next step.
The pre-believer suddenly may be more receptive to your testimony or hearing about the Word of God.
Or even attend cell group or church and
finally giving his life to the Lord.
A fine Christian was sharing with me that he had been following up on a group of youths for three years. There was like no fruit. Then "all by itself," one became receptive to attend church.
I had also co-organized the soccer ministry for just over a year now. I have been wondering like this faithful Christian why is it taking so long and I haven't seen visible fruit yet. But God is good.
I sensed a coming out of my Sabbath the previous Sunday as I was worshiping and I was invited to share a sermonette last Sunday.
I took the opportunity to invite one of the soccer players, who is an atheist, to attend the service. And he came.
And he found the message educational.
I was truly blessed and I thanked the Lord.
This is a reminder for all of us:
1. To do our part in sowing the word of God.
2. Leave the rest and the convicting to the Holy Spirit - trusting that the harvest will come "all by itself."
3. Don't pressure ourselves or the people whom we follow up to go the next stage
4. Evangelism is a process - and it can take years for some and days for others.
5. Don't measure evangelism and the success of it by the number of conversions in any of our harvest event. After all it is the Holy Spirit's sovereign work and timing. Also it is a process and people grow in stages - from being resistant, to receptive, to hearing us speaking the word of God, to attending church then accepting the Lord as Savior.
We cannot tell the apple tree to produce apples in one year when it takes a few more years to produce fruit.
6. Take time to thank all who diligently sow the seed and do the follow up even when there are no conversions - yet! Praise God for their effort.
7. This is also a challenge to all of us to be diligent in our follow up - to sow and scatter the seed, leaving the harvest in God's hands because though we may not see visible fruit yet - the harvest will come "all by itself."
If we are disciples of Jesus, we would invariably be following up on pre-believers.
How often do we wish they would be converted immediately?
And there are probably some whom we have been following up for years.
So we ask "how long?"
Sometimes in the process of follow up, we pressure ourselves to get those we follow up on to give their lives to the Lord or to attend church.
Sometimes churches unwittingly pressure us to bring people to church or to the cell groups.
What is worse is that we pressure those whom we are following up to go to the next level - whether attending church for the first time or attend more regularly or giving their lives to the Lord - when they are not quite ready.
If this is the case like I do sometimes, then it will be timely to read and reflect on the Parable Of The Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29).
Mk 4:26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like.
A man scatters seed on the ground.
Mk 4:27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
Mk 4:28 All by itself the soil produces grain
—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
Mk 4:29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
The parable relates to the Kingdom of God which is growing "all by itself" (4:28). The Greek for "All by itself" is from where we get the English word "automatically."
How does the Kingdom of God grow automatically?
It is when the seed is sown.
Part 1 or the start of the process is when a man sows the seed.
We sow the seed - the Word of God and our testimony - into the pre-believer's life.
The scattering of seed on the ground suggests that we speak into many lives not just one life.
The farmer worries about the rain (too little or too much / drought or flooding), frost, soil conditions and the pests.
But the parable makes no mention of this but instead focuses on general conditions.
Generally, when seed is sown, the farmer cannot control the rain, weather and certain conditions. There are conditions beyond his control.
So the sower goes to sleep - and yet the seed grows and sprouts even though he does not know how.
"All by itself" the soil produces grain.
This "all by itself" is actually the work of God.
God sovereignly works in nature and in our lives.
Part 2 is the work of God in producing the harvest.
So coming back to our follow up of pre-believers, it will be good for us to remind ourselves that our role is Part 1 - sow and scatter the seed.
Part 2 - The timing - when the seed sprouts or when harvest comes - is entirely in God's hands.
Then "all by itself" the pre-believer takes the next step.
The pre-believer suddenly may be more receptive to your testimony or hearing about the Word of God.
Or even attend cell group or church and
finally giving his life to the Lord.
A fine Christian was sharing with me that he had been following up on a group of youths for three years. There was like no fruit. Then "all by itself," one became receptive to attend church.
I had also co-organized the soccer ministry for just over a year now. I have been wondering like this faithful Christian why is it taking so long and I haven't seen visible fruit yet. But God is good.
I sensed a coming out of my Sabbath the previous Sunday as I was worshiping and I was invited to share a sermonette last Sunday.
I took the opportunity to invite one of the soccer players, who is an atheist, to attend the service. And he came.
And he found the message educational.
I was truly blessed and I thanked the Lord.
This is a reminder for all of us:
1. To do our part in sowing the word of God.
2. Leave the rest and the convicting to the Holy Spirit - trusting that the harvest will come "all by itself."
3. Don't pressure ourselves or the people whom we follow up to go the next stage
4. Evangelism is a process - and it can take years for some and days for others.
5. Don't measure evangelism and the success of it by the number of conversions in any of our harvest event. After all it is the Holy Spirit's sovereign work and timing. Also it is a process and people grow in stages - from being resistant, to receptive, to hearing us speaking the word of God, to attending church then accepting the Lord as Savior.
We cannot tell the apple tree to produce apples in one year when it takes a few more years to produce fruit.
6. Take time to thank all who diligently sow the seed and do the follow up even when there are no conversions - yet! Praise God for their effort.
7. This is also a challenge to all of us to be diligent in our follow up - to sow and scatter the seed, leaving the harvest in God's hands because though we may not see visible fruit yet - the harvest will come "all by itself."
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Conversation to Conversion
What is the purpose of spiritual conversation?
We all engage in spiritual conversations hoping that our friends and family members will be drawn towards God and eventually to an encounter with God thereby leading to a conversion.
Here is a unedited testimony of one of our Singapore cell leaders who attended a 3 months' intensive leadership program I helped facilitate some years ago.
==================
hi pastor
not sure if mine is considered a spiritual conversation :)
last sunday my viet fren accepted the Lord as her Savior.
actually she was married to a singaporean who is hubby's fren who was also a Christian but have not been attending church.
once in a while if i meet her i will share with her but she was not ready.
recently she has to wash away the foetus (twin) cos they have no heartbeat and she was very sad n also having some problems with her hubby.
she told me she wants to go to church and pray but her body was weak so she cant go...
last sunday she came and after the service somehow i just felt the prompting to ask her does she want to accept the Lord.
she said yes and put up her hand.
Thanks and Best Regards.
<>< <>< <>< <><
In His Love
============
My reply to her was that this certainly was a spiritual conversation (or a series of spiritual conversations) that led to a conversion.
This is ultimately what we all hope that our spiritual conversations will lead to. Hooray!!!
What is the purpose of spiritual conversation?
We all engage in spiritual conversations hoping that our friends and family members will be drawn towards God and eventually to an encounter with God thereby leading to a conversion.
Here is a unedited testimony of one of our Singapore cell leaders who attended a 3 months' intensive leadership program I helped facilitate some years ago.
==================
hi pastor
not sure if mine is considered a spiritual conversation :)
last sunday my viet fren accepted the Lord as her Savior.
actually she was married to a singaporean who is hubby's fren who was also a Christian but have not been attending church.
once in a while if i meet her i will share with her but she was not ready.
recently she has to wash away the foetus (twin) cos they have no heartbeat and she was very sad n also having some problems with her hubby.
she told me she wants to go to church and pray but her body was weak so she cant go...
last sunday she came and after the service somehow i just felt the prompting to ask her does she want to accept the Lord.
she said yes and put up her hand.
Thanks and Best Regards.
<>< <>< <>< <><
In His Love
============
My reply to her was that this certainly was a spiritual conversation (or a series of spiritual conversations) that led to a conversion.
This is ultimately what we all hope that our spiritual conversations will lead to. Hooray!!!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Testimonies - Spiritual Conversations
In response to my blog / e-mail yesterday, one of my ex-cell members in Singapore, who has now grown to be a cell leader, was also excited to share his testimonies of spiritual conversations and connections.
I was so thrilled by his inspiring testimonies and I thought it would be good if I can share them with you. He has allowed me to reproduce his e-mail which is slightly edited to preserve confidentiality.
May you be blessed and inspired ...
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Hi Pastor
Thanks for the sharing and I can envisage the excitement you and your wife had.
I too had an interesting encounter with my office colleague - rather, my landlord.
In one occasion, he asked about cell group and the discussion or spiritual conversation started from there. After about two weeks, I boldly extended an invitation to him to visit my cell group. Today, he is attending the cell group - despite the fact that he is staying at Spanish Village while our cell is some distance away at Yew Tee. There is still a some way to go in terms of spiritual development but I trust that each time he attends the cell group, he will be encouraged and the Word of God will convict him to be more serious with the things of God.
On another occasion, I had the opportunity to work with someone in China who is representing our products. When we first met, he asked if I am a Christian. Soon after that, we chatted more on spiritual matters beyond our work-related conversations. He got baptized recently and what's more, his only colleague also got baptized.
He aims to set up a company in China based on Christ culture. Frequently he would ask for my advice / direction when he is unclear about certain gray issues on business dealing. Meantime whenever I have the chance to travel to Shanghai, I would support him with Christian Chinese reading materials. Recently I managed to link him to a cell group in Shanghai which my Singapore cell group visited on a mission trip some years ago. He is learning to flow with the Spirit and pray in the Spirit.
At the end of the day, when we are willing, the Lord will open the door and opportunities.
Indeed, it brings great satisfaction in being an ambassador for Christ.
Blessings
In response to my blog / e-mail yesterday, one of my ex-cell members in Singapore, who has now grown to be a cell leader, was also excited to share his testimonies of spiritual conversations and connections.
I was so thrilled by his inspiring testimonies and I thought it would be good if I can share them with you. He has allowed me to reproduce his e-mail which is slightly edited to preserve confidentiality.
May you be blessed and inspired ...
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Hi Pastor
Thanks for the sharing and I can envisage the excitement you and your wife had.
I too had an interesting encounter with my office colleague - rather, my landlord.
In one occasion, he asked about cell group and the discussion or spiritual conversation started from there. After about two weeks, I boldly extended an invitation to him to visit my cell group. Today, he is attending the cell group - despite the fact that he is staying at Spanish Village while our cell is some distance away at Yew Tee. There is still a some way to go in terms of spiritual development but I trust that each time he attends the cell group, he will be encouraged and the Word of God will convict him to be more serious with the things of God.
On another occasion, I had the opportunity to work with someone in China who is representing our products. When we first met, he asked if I am a Christian. Soon after that, we chatted more on spiritual matters beyond our work-related conversations. He got baptized recently and what's more, his only colleague also got baptized.
He aims to set up a company in China based on Christ culture. Frequently he would ask for my advice / direction when he is unclear about certain gray issues on business dealing. Meantime whenever I have the chance to travel to Shanghai, I would support him with Christian Chinese reading materials. Recently I managed to link him to a cell group in Shanghai which my Singapore cell group visited on a mission trip some years ago. He is learning to flow with the Spirit and pray in the Spirit.
At the end of the day, when we are willing, the Lord will open the door and opportunities.
Indeed, it brings great satisfaction in being an ambassador for Christ.
Blessings
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Spiritual Conversations
Last week, my wife and I were truly blessed to meet pre-believers whom we can engage in spiritual conversations. Having spiritual conversations just thrill us because that is what we as disciples are called to do - Make friends and witness to them the reality of God's love and hope.
My wife was attending a conference and she booked into the cheapest hotel room to save her company money. Interestingly, she was upgraded and got a better room with better bed than another colleague who paid a higher price for a supposedly upgraded room.
To top off the blessing, she was staying in the same hotel with a pre-believing colleague. Then in one of those moments during dinner, her colleague asked her why she is a Christian. That was an opportunity to share how God is so ever-present in my wife's life - through her ups and downs. Her colleague was open to the gospel message. We await how the Lord works in her heart.
God is good.
As for me, I had asked a builder to do a minor repair on our bathroom ceiling lamp area.
In the course of the repair work with me chatting alongside him, he asked me what I did for work.
I told him I am a pastor on Sabbatical.
He said "Oh really!"
He shared with me that he is from Church of England / Anglican and came to NZ some 30 years ago when he was 22 years old.
I asked him which church he attends.
He was tongue-tied for a moment. He said he attends church once a year.
Then I shared with him about Mt 28:19 to go and make disciples.
I shared with him that the verse didn't say to go and make converts.
This is a great punch line to be followed with the next question.
I asked him whether he wants to be convert or a disciple.
He wants to be a disciple.
This is just like the story of my badminton mixed doubles partner - which I shared in my earlier blog.
Invariably, they all want to be a disciple.
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Nevertheless, the seed is sown.
The builder said that if he has a spiritual problem he will call me.
Although said in jest, we may never know...
May you too be blessed with thrilling spiritual conversations - with colleagues, fellow students, people whom we "happen" to bump into etc ...
Last week, my wife and I were truly blessed to meet pre-believers whom we can engage in spiritual conversations. Having spiritual conversations just thrill us because that is what we as disciples are called to do - Make friends and witness to them the reality of God's love and hope.
My wife was attending a conference and she booked into the cheapest hotel room to save her company money. Interestingly, she was upgraded and got a better room with better bed than another colleague who paid a higher price for a supposedly upgraded room.
To top off the blessing, she was staying in the same hotel with a pre-believing colleague. Then in one of those moments during dinner, her colleague asked her why she is a Christian. That was an opportunity to share how God is so ever-present in my wife's life - through her ups and downs. Her colleague was open to the gospel message. We await how the Lord works in her heart.
God is good.
As for me, I had asked a builder to do a minor repair on our bathroom ceiling lamp area.
In the course of the repair work with me chatting alongside him, he asked me what I did for work.
I told him I am a pastor on Sabbatical.
He said "Oh really!"
He shared with me that he is from Church of England / Anglican and came to NZ some 30 years ago when he was 22 years old.
I asked him which church he attends.
He was tongue-tied for a moment. He said he attends church once a year.
Then I shared with him about Mt 28:19 to go and make disciples.
I shared with him that the verse didn't say to go and make converts.
This is a great punch line to be followed with the next question.
I asked him whether he wants to be convert or a disciple.
He wants to be a disciple.
This is just like the story of my badminton mixed doubles partner - which I shared in my earlier blog.
Invariably, they all want to be a disciple.
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Nevertheless, the seed is sown.
The builder said that if he has a spiritual problem he will call me.
Although said in jest, we may never know...
May you too be blessed with thrilling spiritual conversations - with colleagues, fellow students, people whom we "happen" to bump into etc ...
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Are We Letting Semantics Divide The Christian Vote?
Words are important.
Sometimes a single word can change our theology.
The addition of one Latin word: "Filioque" to the Nicene Creed (381AD) was one of the main contributory factors that split the early church into the Eastern Orthodox and Western Churches around 1054AD.
We can surf the net to find out more of the Filioque Controversy of whether the "Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father" (Orthodox view) or the "Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son" (Latin - Filioque / "and the Son" - Western View).
Even the placing of a comma or a full stop can change our theology and doctrine.
Proponents of opposite camps use different words (semantics) to describe what the pregnant woman is carrying.
The pro-abortion / pro-choice group will use words like "fetus" or "embryo" to describe what the pregnant woman is carrying.
What does these words do?
These words depersonalize and dehumanize "it" - making it sound like just a part of the woman's body and not yet human.
Making it sound like an inanimate object.
Therefore, just as one amputates a diseased flesh, they would abort the fetus.
Those who are pro-Life, uses words like "child" or "baby" to describe what the mother is carrying. It is human, it is a life.
Why all these reflection on semantics and words?
It is because this morning (Thurs), I heard a comment on radio regarding the Citizens Initiated Referendum we are having in New Zealand.
The citizens are asked to vote on this question with a simple "Yes" or "No".
"Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"
There are those who encourage people to vote "Yes" for the following reasons.
1. They Believe That Smacking Is VIOLENCE And It Is A Crime.
This group associates smacking with Abuse and Domestic Violence.
What kind of semantics / words do they use?
If you read some of their articles, you would find them using words like "hitting a child," "assaulting," "physical violence," "domestic violence," "a good hiding - with a stick, strap, bat, belt or hosepipe" and they want to "protect the smallest citizens."
2. Some believe that good parental correction should NOT involve smacking / spanking.
We all know that good parental correction should involve other processes first like:
a. INSTRUCTION (WHAT)
Lay down guidelines of acceptable behavior (the boundaries).
Set up House Rules.
b. EXPLANATION (WHY)
Explain why there are boundaries and why certain behaviors are not acceptable.
c. POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT / REINFORCING GOOD BEHAVIOR
Encourage children whenever they behaved well.
Praise them and give positive comments and attention.
And it works for adults too as Mayo concluded in the Hawthorne Experiments.
Workers demonstrated an increased productivity first when lighting in the factory was increased but then productivity again increased when lighting was dimmed.
Mayo concluded that productivity increased because the workers were consulted and paid attention to before changes were made.
One can also Reward the children for certain good behaviors.
One can use Reward Charts whereby stickers are gained for good behavior until they attain a certain number of stickers after which they will be rewarded with an outing or something of their choice within a certain budget.
d. DISCIPLINE
di) Withholding privileges like watching TV, playing computer, if they so chose to misbehave.
dii) TIME-OUT - Make the child who committed naughty acts to sit out in one corner or in one location (naughty chair, room etc).
This "No Smacking" group, including some Christians, believes that if these processes are followed, it will provide a fail-safe methodology to raise up great kids who will exhibit good behaviors without the need to smack.
Hence, any form of smacking or "hitting" a child means that the parents have failed.
This group believes that good parental correction need not involve smacking.
And because good parental correction need not involve smacking, smacking should therefore be a criminal offence.
Let me counter these two arguments:
1. Failure To Differentiate Abuse / Violence From Discipline
One of the common perceptual problems is that of a "Weld" - a mistaken "Association" or a "Mis-association" of two close concepts.
Some of us wrongly associate or equate one idea with another.
e.g. We mistakenly associate "Firmness" as "Hard-hearted."
We mistake "Submission" for "Subjugation."
"Wives submit to husbands" does not mean they are subjugated to / subservient to their husbands.
Likewise some mistakenly associate and fail to differentiate abuse from discipline.
At certain point, the discipline will cross to abuse.
It is clear for instance if one use a belt or hard pipe to whack a child - it will be abuse.
2. God Himself Smacked and Disciplined His People
As for the second group, they miss the point on two counts.
a. The thrust of the question in the referendum is not whether smacking is good parental correction.
(Of course there are other processes to be followed first for good parental correction.)
The thrust of the question is whether smacking should be a criminal offence thus criminalizing any parent who smacks a child on the hand or the bottom.
Good parental correction would involve the processes above.
But what if the processes above fail?
Would discipline "d" above include (diii) smacking as the last resort and so used only infrequently when the above processes fail?
b. Turning to the Bible, God Himself disciplines even adults.
The heavenly Father disciplines His children.
Heb 12:6 the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.
After sending prophet after prophet to instruct, to explain, to warn Israel and Judah, and when they still disobeyed God, at the last resort He allowed Israel and then Judah to be conquered by the Assyrians and Babylonians respectively. Many people from Israel and Judah were killed in the onslaught.
Even God's temple is not exempt from destruction - first Solomon's temple then the temple of Jesus' time was destroyed by the Romans in AD70.
I was reading this today:
2 Chron 7:19 “But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them,
2Ch 7:20 then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name."
And the word of the Lord has this to say about the "rod" and the "rod of discipline."
Pr 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Pr 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
Pr 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Pr 23:14 Punish him with the rod
and save his soul from death.
Ultimately at the bottom of it all, men and children all have a sinful nature.
Ge 8:21 The LORD ... said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.
Every inclination of our hearts are evil from childhood.
God has instructed us, explained to us His commands, loved us, warned us, struggled with us. But ultimately if we do not rein in our sinful nature and walk in His ways, God will discipline us because He loves us and wants us to draw to Him.
If God is so intelligent and such a great Father with the greatest parenting skills, can He not exercise good parental correction without having to resort to smacking us?
If God smacks us, there is something to it that is godly because God is both love and righteous.
Righteousness and love meet at the cross.
Righteousness and His love also meet at the smack.
Certainly vote "no" to the referendum - smacking should not be a criminal offence.
Otherwise we are saying that God is guilty of a criminal offence for disciplining us.
Words are important.
Sometimes a single word can change our theology.
The addition of one Latin word: "Filioque" to the Nicene Creed (381AD) was one of the main contributory factors that split the early church into the Eastern Orthodox and Western Churches around 1054AD.
We can surf the net to find out more of the Filioque Controversy of whether the "Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father" (Orthodox view) or the "Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son" (Latin - Filioque / "and the Son" - Western View).
Even the placing of a comma or a full stop can change our theology and doctrine.
Proponents of opposite camps use different words (semantics) to describe what the pregnant woman is carrying.
The pro-abortion / pro-choice group will use words like "fetus" or "embryo" to describe what the pregnant woman is carrying.
What does these words do?
These words depersonalize and dehumanize "it" - making it sound like just a part of the woman's body and not yet human.
Making it sound like an inanimate object.
Therefore, just as one amputates a diseased flesh, they would abort the fetus.
Those who are pro-Life, uses words like "child" or "baby" to describe what the mother is carrying. It is human, it is a life.
Why all these reflection on semantics and words?
It is because this morning (Thurs), I heard a comment on radio regarding the Citizens Initiated Referendum we are having in New Zealand.
The citizens are asked to vote on this question with a simple "Yes" or "No".
"Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"
There are those who encourage people to vote "Yes" for the following reasons.
1. They Believe That Smacking Is VIOLENCE And It Is A Crime.
This group associates smacking with Abuse and Domestic Violence.
What kind of semantics / words do they use?
If you read some of their articles, you would find them using words like "hitting a child," "assaulting," "physical violence," "domestic violence," "a good hiding - with a stick, strap, bat, belt or hosepipe" and they want to "protect the smallest citizens."
2. Some believe that good parental correction should NOT involve smacking / spanking.
We all know that good parental correction should involve other processes first like:
a. INSTRUCTION (WHAT)
Lay down guidelines of acceptable behavior (the boundaries).
Set up House Rules.
b. EXPLANATION (WHY)
Explain why there are boundaries and why certain behaviors are not acceptable.
c. POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT / REINFORCING GOOD BEHAVIOR
Encourage children whenever they behaved well.
Praise them and give positive comments and attention.
And it works for adults too as Mayo concluded in the Hawthorne Experiments.
Workers demonstrated an increased productivity first when lighting in the factory was increased but then productivity again increased when lighting was dimmed.
Mayo concluded that productivity increased because the workers were consulted and paid attention to before changes were made.
One can also Reward the children for certain good behaviors.
One can use Reward Charts whereby stickers are gained for good behavior until they attain a certain number of stickers after which they will be rewarded with an outing or something of their choice within a certain budget.
d. DISCIPLINE
di) Withholding privileges like watching TV, playing computer, if they so chose to misbehave.
dii) TIME-OUT - Make the child who committed naughty acts to sit out in one corner or in one location (naughty chair, room etc).
This "No Smacking" group, including some Christians, believes that if these processes are followed, it will provide a fail-safe methodology to raise up great kids who will exhibit good behaviors without the need to smack.
Hence, any form of smacking or "hitting" a child means that the parents have failed.
This group believes that good parental correction need not involve smacking.
And because good parental correction need not involve smacking, smacking should therefore be a criminal offence.
Let me counter these two arguments:
1. Failure To Differentiate Abuse / Violence From Discipline
One of the common perceptual problems is that of a "Weld" - a mistaken "Association" or a "Mis-association" of two close concepts.
Some of us wrongly associate or equate one idea with another.
e.g. We mistakenly associate "Firmness" as "Hard-hearted."
We mistake "Submission" for "Subjugation."
"Wives submit to husbands" does not mean they are subjugated to / subservient to their husbands.
Likewise some mistakenly associate and fail to differentiate abuse from discipline.
At certain point, the discipline will cross to abuse.
It is clear for instance if one use a belt or hard pipe to whack a child - it will be abuse.
2. God Himself Smacked and Disciplined His People
As for the second group, they miss the point on two counts.
a. The thrust of the question in the referendum is not whether smacking is good parental correction.
(Of course there are other processes to be followed first for good parental correction.)
The thrust of the question is whether smacking should be a criminal offence thus criminalizing any parent who smacks a child on the hand or the bottom.
Good parental correction would involve the processes above.
But what if the processes above fail?
Would discipline "d" above include (diii) smacking as the last resort and so used only infrequently when the above processes fail?
b. Turning to the Bible, God Himself disciplines even adults.
The heavenly Father disciplines His children.
Heb 12:6 the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.
After sending prophet after prophet to instruct, to explain, to warn Israel and Judah, and when they still disobeyed God, at the last resort He allowed Israel and then Judah to be conquered by the Assyrians and Babylonians respectively. Many people from Israel and Judah were killed in the onslaught.
Even God's temple is not exempt from destruction - first Solomon's temple then the temple of Jesus' time was destroyed by the Romans in AD70.
I was reading this today:
2 Chron 7:19 “But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them,
2Ch 7:20 then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name."
And the word of the Lord has this to say about the "rod" and the "rod of discipline."
Pr 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Pr 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
Pr 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Pr 23:14 Punish him with the rod
and save his soul from death.
Ultimately at the bottom of it all, men and children all have a sinful nature.
Ge 8:21 The LORD ... said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.
Every inclination of our hearts are evil from childhood.
God has instructed us, explained to us His commands, loved us, warned us, struggled with us. But ultimately if we do not rein in our sinful nature and walk in His ways, God will discipline us because He loves us and wants us to draw to Him.
If God is so intelligent and such a great Father with the greatest parenting skills, can He not exercise good parental correction without having to resort to smacking us?
If God smacks us, there is something to it that is godly because God is both love and righteous.
Righteousness and love meet at the cross.
Righteousness and His love also meet at the smack.
Certainly vote "no" to the referendum - smacking should not be a criminal offence.
Otherwise we are saying that God is guilty of a criminal offence for disciplining us.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
ARE WE STRUGGLING WITH GOD?
Gen 35:7 There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
Sometimes in our darkest moments, like Jacob when he was fleeing from his brother Esau, God reveals Himself to us.
Treasure our darkest moments because God can speak to us.
Gen 35:9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
Gen 35:10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel. '” So he named him Israel.
Sometimes we need to change our name and personhood to lay hold of the blessing that God has in store for us.
“Jacob” means “he grasps the heel” and it means “a deceiver.”
What a name to have!!!
We don't want such a name because we don't want such an identity and character.
We want to be and believe that we are a different person - a different being.
“Israel” means “he struggles with God.”
At least, Israel has an encounter with God.
And oftentimes we are struggling with God.
And Israel did have huge struggles and disappointments with God even though he was promised this huge blessing in Gen 35:11-12.
Ge 35:11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body.
Ge 35:12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.
Wow … Won't we feel very blessed if God were to promise us these blessings - the blessing of many descendants, nations, land and not only that, our descendants are kings.
This is a repeat and expansion of God's promise to Jacob / Israel when God first spoke to Jacob in a dream in Gen 28:13-15.
But Israel, as his name (“he struggles with God”) suggests, was to struggle with many huge disappointments - especially within his family - as the blessing unraveled.
1. CHEATED & DECEIVED
Jacob worked for 7 years to get Rachel - but got Leah instead.
He needed to work another 7 years to marry Rachel.
Laban deceived him just as Jacob deceived Isaac to receive Esau's birthright.
2. BARRENNESS
When Jacob finally married Rachel after working for 14 years, she was barren.
How can God's promise be fulfilled?
But God ultimately remembered (Gen 30:22) and Joseph was born in Jacob's old years (when he was 78-80 years old!!!).
3. RAPE
Jacob's daughter, Dinah was raped (Gen 34:2).
Imagine the immense pain Jacob and Leah and the rest of the family must have suffered.
What are our struggles compared to this struggle that Jacob faced?
4. REVENGE & MURDER
Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi, then tricked the Shechemites into believing that Shechem could only marry Dinah if the villagers circumcised themselves (Gen 34:13, 25). Then when they were in pain recovering from the circumcision (Gen 34:25), Simeon and Levi murdered everyone in the village and looted it.
5. DEATH
Soon after the blessing was repeated in Gen 35:11-13, Israel's favorite wife, Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin (Gen 35:18).
What are our struggles compared to this?
6. CHILDREN PROBLEMS / RAPE? / ADULTERY
Reuben, the eldest son, slept with Israel's concubine (Gen 35:22).
Do we have to struggle with such travesty of morality in our family?
7. CHILDREN PROBLEMS / SIBLING RIVALRY & JEALOUSY / ATTEMPTED MURDER / MURDEROUS THOUGHTS / DECEPTION
Jacob's sons conspired to almost murder his favorite son, Joseph, and sold him as slave.
What are our children challenges compared to this?
Israel was promised a huge blessing by God with many descendants.
But ironically those descendants are causing huge problems and disappointments to him.
The immensity of his grief and disappointment is found in Gen 37:34-35.
Ge 37:34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days.
Ge 37:35 All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son.” So his father wept for him.
Israel didn't know that Joseph was alive until many, many years later
[some 23 years later since Joseph was 17 (Gen 37:2) when he was sold as slave, became prime minister of Egypt at 30 (Gen 41:46) and revealed himself to his brothers 2 years into the famine after 7 good years (Gen 45:6)].
All those lost years that he could spend with Joseph…
Imagine it took Jacob 23 years later to understand why God allowed what happened to Joseph and to see his son again.
How long has it been since we suffered a loss and have been struggling to understand God?
FOR REFLECTION
What blessings have God promised us?
Does this mean that there are no struggles and disappointments coming along the way?
What kind of struggles and disappointments are we facing now?
How can I, relying on God, handle those struggles and disappointments?
Gen 35:7 There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
Sometimes in our darkest moments, like Jacob when he was fleeing from his brother Esau, God reveals Himself to us.
Treasure our darkest moments because God can speak to us.
Gen 35:9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
Gen 35:10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel. '” So he named him Israel.
Sometimes we need to change our name and personhood to lay hold of the blessing that God has in store for us.
“Jacob” means “he grasps the heel” and it means “a deceiver.”
What a name to have!!!
We don't want such a name because we don't want such an identity and character.
We want to be and believe that we are a different person - a different being.
“Israel” means “he struggles with God.”
At least, Israel has an encounter with God.
And oftentimes we are struggling with God.
And Israel did have huge struggles and disappointments with God even though he was promised this huge blessing in Gen 35:11-12.
Ge 35:11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body.
Ge 35:12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.
Wow … Won't we feel very blessed if God were to promise us these blessings - the blessing of many descendants, nations, land and not only that, our descendants are kings.
This is a repeat and expansion of God's promise to Jacob / Israel when God first spoke to Jacob in a dream in Gen 28:13-15.
But Israel, as his name (“he struggles with God”) suggests, was to struggle with many huge disappointments - especially within his family - as the blessing unraveled.
1. CHEATED & DECEIVED
Jacob worked for 7 years to get Rachel - but got Leah instead.
He needed to work another 7 years to marry Rachel.
Laban deceived him just as Jacob deceived Isaac to receive Esau's birthright.
2. BARRENNESS
When Jacob finally married Rachel after working for 14 years, she was barren.
How can God's promise be fulfilled?
But God ultimately remembered (Gen 30:22) and Joseph was born in Jacob's old years (when he was 78-80 years old!!!).
3. RAPE
Jacob's daughter, Dinah was raped (Gen 34:2).
Imagine the immense pain Jacob and Leah and the rest of the family must have suffered.
What are our struggles compared to this struggle that Jacob faced?
4. REVENGE & MURDER
Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi, then tricked the Shechemites into believing that Shechem could only marry Dinah if the villagers circumcised themselves (Gen 34:13, 25). Then when they were in pain recovering from the circumcision (Gen 34:25), Simeon and Levi murdered everyone in the village and looted it.
5. DEATH
Soon after the blessing was repeated in Gen 35:11-13, Israel's favorite wife, Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin (Gen 35:18).
What are our struggles compared to this?
6. CHILDREN PROBLEMS / RAPE? / ADULTERY
Reuben, the eldest son, slept with Israel's concubine (Gen 35:22).
Do we have to struggle with such travesty of morality in our family?
7. CHILDREN PROBLEMS / SIBLING RIVALRY & JEALOUSY / ATTEMPTED MURDER / MURDEROUS THOUGHTS / DECEPTION
Jacob's sons conspired to almost murder his favorite son, Joseph, and sold him as slave.
What are our children challenges compared to this?
Israel was promised a huge blessing by God with many descendants.
But ironically those descendants are causing huge problems and disappointments to him.
The immensity of his grief and disappointment is found in Gen 37:34-35.
Ge 37:34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days.
Ge 37:35 All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son.” So his father wept for him.
Israel didn't know that Joseph was alive until many, many years later
[some 23 years later since Joseph was 17 (Gen 37:2) when he was sold as slave, became prime minister of Egypt at 30 (Gen 41:46) and revealed himself to his brothers 2 years into the famine after 7 good years (Gen 45:6)].
All those lost years that he could spend with Joseph…
Imagine it took Jacob 23 years later to understand why God allowed what happened to Joseph and to see his son again.
How long has it been since we suffered a loss and have been struggling to understand God?
FOR REFLECTION
What blessings have God promised us?
Does this mean that there are no struggles and disappointments coming along the way?
What kind of struggles and disappointments are we facing now?
How can I, relying on God, handle those struggles and disappointments?
Monday, August 3, 2009
Are We A Convert, A Believer or A Disciple?
I was doing my quiet time reading Luke 5 about Jesus calling his first disciples.
And I was reading this passage just days after I had a chat about this with a badminton teammate playing in the Veterans (over 50 years old) Inter-Association / City / Club Badminton Tournament. It is as if there is a re-affirmation of the message.
I had played mixed doubles with this veteran kiwi lady earlier in May in Whangarei (North of Auckland). I remembered in that game I told her to cover the front of the court and exhorted her to run for one play. After the game back in Auckland, one of the organizers told me that the lady is 74 years old!!! Wow!!! isn't it amazing that this lady can still run and play badminton at this age. This challenges us to keep fit and get running even up to our 70's and beyond. After that revelation, I am now more careful in encouraging my partner to go for the shuttle.
We had another tournament just the previous weekend in Palmerston North (south of Auckland and nearer to Wellington) and I had the opportunity to chat with her.
I think she asked me what I was doing and I shared with her that I am a pastor.
Then the conversation led to her sharing with me that she is a protestant.
So I obviously will ask the next question: Which church do you attend?
She mentioned that she has not attended church since she migrated from Scotland years ago - having to take care of her children.
She asked "Must a Christian go to church?"
I asked her what is God's commission for all of us.
She pondered and waited for me to answer.
I shared with her the gist of Matt 28:19 - go and Make Disciples.
Did Jesus say "Go and make Converts?" or "Go and make Believers?"
No. Jesus said "Go and make Disciples."
So I asked her whether she wants to be a convert or a disciple.
She said "Disciple."
So I asked the next question - "What is a disciple?"
She knows it well - "A disciple is a follower."
Mt 28:19-20 gives us some pointers of what a disciple is like.
A disciple is a follower who is willing to be taught to obey everything Jesus have commanded us.
So coming back to her question, "Must a Christian attend church?"
What does the Bible say about this?
Today we think of church as a physical building.
But in the early days, Christians gathered together in houses.
The home gathering is the church.
e.g. 1Cor 16:19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
e.g. Rom 16:5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
So I mentioned to her that she could always a attend a home group if church (on Sundays) is inconvenient for her.
So I asked the lady, what does she want to be - a convert or a disciple?
She had earlier nodded that she wanted to be a disciple.
That gave her something to chew upon as she stood up and went on with her matters.
As she went, she said that I was a good pastor.
I was worried that I had offended her.
But with her parting words, I felt so privileged to be able to share this with her.
Sometimes we go on doing what we do but God has a purpose for us all to be at a certain place and a certain time.
God has placed us where we are for His divine purposes.
On this Badminton trip, I was privileged to be able to know another Laotian player who is not yet a believer. But whis son and daughter in law are Christian leaders in an Auckland church and had studied in a Bible college in Singapore. I look forward to sharing life together with him.
Coming back to Luke 5 and other verses like Matt 28:19-20, what are the marks of a disciple?
1. Willing to be taught - Teachable and humble (Mt 28:20)
2. Have a teacher (Mt 28:20)
3. Follower of Jesus and obey everything that He commands (Mt 28:20)
4. Prepared to leave everything to follow Jesus
This is repeated twice in Luke 5 and found only in Luke 5 - 5:11 and 5:28.
e.g. Luke 5:11 So they (Simon Peter, James and John) pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Are we prepared to leave everything to follow Jesus when called to do so?
5. Make disciples
Just as our spiritual father / leader make disciples of us, we continue the process of making disciples (Mt 28:19-20).
So looking at the marks of a disciple
- are we a convert, a believer or a disciple?
I was doing my quiet time reading Luke 5 about Jesus calling his first disciples.
And I was reading this passage just days after I had a chat about this with a badminton teammate playing in the Veterans (over 50 years old) Inter-Association / City / Club Badminton Tournament. It is as if there is a re-affirmation of the message.
I had played mixed doubles with this veteran kiwi lady earlier in May in Whangarei (North of Auckland). I remembered in that game I told her to cover the front of the court and exhorted her to run for one play. After the game back in Auckland, one of the organizers told me that the lady is 74 years old!!! Wow!!! isn't it amazing that this lady can still run and play badminton at this age. This challenges us to keep fit and get running even up to our 70's and beyond. After that revelation, I am now more careful in encouraging my partner to go for the shuttle.
We had another tournament just the previous weekend in Palmerston North (south of Auckland and nearer to Wellington) and I had the opportunity to chat with her.
I think she asked me what I was doing and I shared with her that I am a pastor.
Then the conversation led to her sharing with me that she is a protestant.
So I obviously will ask the next question: Which church do you attend?
She mentioned that she has not attended church since she migrated from Scotland years ago - having to take care of her children.
She asked "Must a Christian go to church?"
I asked her what is God's commission for all of us.
She pondered and waited for me to answer.
I shared with her the gist of Matt 28:19 - go and Make Disciples.
Did Jesus say "Go and make Converts?" or "Go and make Believers?"
No. Jesus said "Go and make Disciples."
So I asked her whether she wants to be a convert or a disciple.
She said "Disciple."
So I asked the next question - "What is a disciple?"
She knows it well - "A disciple is a follower."
Mt 28:19-20 gives us some pointers of what a disciple is like.
A disciple is a follower who is willing to be taught to obey everything Jesus have commanded us.
So coming back to her question, "Must a Christian attend church?"
What does the Bible say about this?
Today we think of church as a physical building.
But in the early days, Christians gathered together in houses.
The home gathering is the church.
e.g. 1Cor 16:19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
e.g. Rom 16:5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
So I mentioned to her that she could always a attend a home group if church (on Sundays) is inconvenient for her.
So I asked the lady, what does she want to be - a convert or a disciple?
She had earlier nodded that she wanted to be a disciple.
That gave her something to chew upon as she stood up and went on with her matters.
As she went, she said that I was a good pastor.
I was worried that I had offended her.
But with her parting words, I felt so privileged to be able to share this with her.
Sometimes we go on doing what we do but God has a purpose for us all to be at a certain place and a certain time.
God has placed us where we are for His divine purposes.
On this Badminton trip, I was privileged to be able to know another Laotian player who is not yet a believer. But whis son and daughter in law are Christian leaders in an Auckland church and had studied in a Bible college in Singapore. I look forward to sharing life together with him.
Coming back to Luke 5 and other verses like Matt 28:19-20, what are the marks of a disciple?
1. Willing to be taught - Teachable and humble (Mt 28:20)
2. Have a teacher (Mt 28:20)
3. Follower of Jesus and obey everything that He commands (Mt 28:20)
4. Prepared to leave everything to follow Jesus
This is repeated twice in Luke 5 and found only in Luke 5 - 5:11 and 5:28.
e.g. Luke 5:11 So they (Simon Peter, James and John) pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Are we prepared to leave everything to follow Jesus when called to do so?
5. Make disciples
Just as our spiritual father / leader make disciples of us, we continue the process of making disciples (Mt 28:19-20).
So looking at the marks of a disciple
- are we a convert, a believer or a disciple?
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Divine Surprises
Have we ever thought that we had missed the bus and that was it and we had to wait another long while for the next bus?
That happened to me after we were at the Singapore airport to send someone off. We were crawling to the bus stop rather slowly as we had to wait up for our elderly parents. And there we saw our bus go by us.
I'm glad that I did not lose my cool as the bus passed us.
However, after reaching the bus stop, I was pleasantly surprised that the next bus came almost immediately.
In life, sometimes we think we missed the bus and we have missed some opportunity in life. But God is good to us.
Like the bus situation, the missing of the bus was a blessing in disguise as the next bus was empty and our whole group had seats all the way home from the airport to Ang Mo Kio.
I was pleasantly surprised too when my dentist suggested that instead of doing a bridge (or two bridges for two missing tooth - one on the left and the other on the right), I should do implants. The pleasant surprise was that nearly $1,000 could be deducted from Medisave for each implant and the price per implant came to about that for a bridge. And the implant doesn't damage the adjacent teeth. So that was a great idea.
My main idea of travelling to Singapore was to do dental work since the cost of doing it in Auckland will cost just as much as the travel to Singapore plus the cost of doing similar dental work in Singapore. That gave me an opportunity to see my son and my family members. I didn't have much time to visit with my friends.
But one night, whilst waiting for the MRT train, I saw an old friend from my previous church. Imagine not seeing someone for more than seven years and God caused us to cross paths at the MRT station. It was like a divine appointment. We had a great chat on the train heading in the same direction and I felt that I needed to talk to him again. Later, owing to my son's appointment one night, it freed me to have dinner with this long lost friend. We were a blessing to each other and God surprised me when this person agreed to be my prayer intercessor. Wow!!! from a divine appointment / meeting at the train station and following up on our promptings. And a partner in prayer.
Earlier, there was another person who had been praying for me. And she too agreed to pray for me.
As I came back to Auckland, I felt truly blessed because when I visited Singapore, I didn't think about meeting anyone. But instead, God has blessed me we with two intercessors.
As I reflected on the situation, I re-collect what a visiting prophet told me. Any ministry will need to be birthed through a group of prayer intercessors.
This episode is indeed thrilling.
God does have pleasant surprises for us.
Have we ever thought that we had missed the bus and that was it and we had to wait another long while for the next bus?
That happened to me after we were at the Singapore airport to send someone off. We were crawling to the bus stop rather slowly as we had to wait up for our elderly parents. And there we saw our bus go by us.
I'm glad that I did not lose my cool as the bus passed us.
However, after reaching the bus stop, I was pleasantly surprised that the next bus came almost immediately.
In life, sometimes we think we missed the bus and we have missed some opportunity in life. But God is good to us.
Like the bus situation, the missing of the bus was a blessing in disguise as the next bus was empty and our whole group had seats all the way home from the airport to Ang Mo Kio.
I was pleasantly surprised too when my dentist suggested that instead of doing a bridge (or two bridges for two missing tooth - one on the left and the other on the right), I should do implants. The pleasant surprise was that nearly $1,000 could be deducted from Medisave for each implant and the price per implant came to about that for a bridge. And the implant doesn't damage the adjacent teeth. So that was a great idea.
My main idea of travelling to Singapore was to do dental work since the cost of doing it in Auckland will cost just as much as the travel to Singapore plus the cost of doing similar dental work in Singapore. That gave me an opportunity to see my son and my family members. I didn't have much time to visit with my friends.
But one night, whilst waiting for the MRT train, I saw an old friend from my previous church. Imagine not seeing someone for more than seven years and God caused us to cross paths at the MRT station. It was like a divine appointment. We had a great chat on the train heading in the same direction and I felt that I needed to talk to him again. Later, owing to my son's appointment one night, it freed me to have dinner with this long lost friend. We were a blessing to each other and God surprised me when this person agreed to be my prayer intercessor. Wow!!! from a divine appointment / meeting at the train station and following up on our promptings. And a partner in prayer.
Earlier, there was another person who had been praying for me. And she too agreed to pray for me.
As I came back to Auckland, I felt truly blessed because when I visited Singapore, I didn't think about meeting anyone. But instead, God has blessed me we with two intercessors.
As I reflected on the situation, I re-collect what a visiting prophet told me. Any ministry will need to be birthed through a group of prayer intercessors.
This episode is indeed thrilling.
God does have pleasant surprises for us.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
WORSHIP - JUL 2009
Here is what I am listening to and worshiping God with.
I bought Chris Tomlin's latest album "Hello Love" and most of the songs are really great. However, the two most inspiring songs for me are:
1. God Of This City
2. I Will Rise
When I was in Singapore in June, I attended City Harvest Church.
They were worshiping with songs like "You Lifted Me Out" and I think "Sing, Sing, Sing."
I like "You Lifted Me Out."
The words are meaningful and the music is vibrant and youthful.
As I get older, I find myself loving the youthful worship. So full of energy and spontaneous worship.
The other two songs I recommend which we can find on YouTube are:
Matthew West - The Motion
Newsboys - In The Hands Of God.
Matthew West's "The Motion" is currently No. 1 on the Christian charts.
Are we just going through the motions of our life and religion and find nothingness in life?
Listen to this great song.
Happy Worshiping then and be inspired.
Here is what I am listening to and worshiping God with.
I bought Chris Tomlin's latest album "Hello Love" and most of the songs are really great. However, the two most inspiring songs for me are:
1. God Of This City
2. I Will Rise
When I was in Singapore in June, I attended City Harvest Church.
They were worshiping with songs like "You Lifted Me Out" and I think "Sing, Sing, Sing."
I like "You Lifted Me Out."
The words are meaningful and the music is vibrant and youthful.
As I get older, I find myself loving the youthful worship. So full of energy and spontaneous worship.
The other two songs I recommend which we can find on YouTube are:
Matthew West - The Motion
Newsboys - In The Hands Of God.
Matthew West's "The Motion" is currently No. 1 on the Christian charts.
Are we just going through the motions of our life and religion and find nothingness in life?
Listen to this great song.
Happy Worshiping then and be inspired.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
WHAT IF I AM ASKED TO GIVE A LOAN OR TO STAND AS GUARANTOR?
It's been about a month since I shared a reflection.
So here's a thought to keep in touch and to encourage all of us to reflect on how God's Word can be applied in our lives.
Recently a Christian friend of mine was approached for financial help from another Christian.
And this triggers the question: What is the Christian response If I Am Asked To Be A Guarantor Or To Give A Loan?
Reflect on how the following verses apply to the situation and how we can reconcile them.
Prov 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
Deut 15:10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
Deut 15:11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
And we are to give and don't turn anyone away as in Mt 5:42!???
Mt 5:42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Yet …
Prov 17:18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
Prov 11:15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.
Are Proverbs general or applies to every specific situation?
Have we guaranteed for a family member or someone we know “in contradiction” to this proverb?
What is the rationale?
Is Matt 5:42 a hyperbole - an exaggerated statement to add emphasis?
- much like “if your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out” (Mt 5:29).
Would a blinded person have no lust?
How would different circumstances yield different responses for financial help?
E.g. Those who buy a simple home (need) and loses a job versus those who invest in a second property dependent on rental to service the loan - and the rental market takes a dive because of the recession.
Is there a difference between helping the poor versus those who suddenly become poor?
God commands us to be openhanded to the poor. What will the poor need?
What principles can we arrive at from the many Bible verses to guide us in answering the Subject question - to lend / guarantee or not to lend / guarantee?
May God grant us discernment in applying His Word ...
It's been about a month since I shared a reflection.
So here's a thought to keep in touch and to encourage all of us to reflect on how God's Word can be applied in our lives.
Recently a Christian friend of mine was approached for financial help from another Christian.
And this triggers the question: What is the Christian response If I Am Asked To Be A Guarantor Or To Give A Loan?
Reflect on how the following verses apply to the situation and how we can reconcile them.
Prov 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
Deut 15:10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
Deut 15:11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
And we are to give and don't turn anyone away as in Mt 5:42!???
Mt 5:42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Yet …
Prov 17:18 A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
Prov 11:15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.
Are Proverbs general or applies to every specific situation?
Have we guaranteed for a family member or someone we know “in contradiction” to this proverb?
What is the rationale?
Is Matt 5:42 a hyperbole - an exaggerated statement to add emphasis?
- much like “if your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out” (Mt 5:29).
Would a blinded person have no lust?
How would different circumstances yield different responses for financial help?
E.g. Those who buy a simple home (need) and loses a job versus those who invest in a second property dependent on rental to service the loan - and the rental market takes a dive because of the recession.
Is there a difference between helping the poor versus those who suddenly become poor?
God commands us to be openhanded to the poor. What will the poor need?
What principles can we arrive at from the many Bible verses to guide us in answering the Subject question - to lend / guarantee or not to lend / guarantee?
May God grant us discernment in applying His Word ...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Chicken A La Carte
Someone sent me this link to a short film submitted for the 2006 Berlin International Festival (Short Film) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=993rZrfLBjg
For us who are privileged enough to own computers or have access to it, we sometimes forget how blessed we are.
Watch this video with our children and we will realize:
1. How blessed we are
2. We would think twice about wasting food
3. There are many who are poor and would be happy for our leftovers.
4. But do we give our leftovers? Or give more than leftovers ...
Friday, March 27, 2009
Silent Majority
Reflect: Are we part of the silent majority?
Someone sent me a succinct article below and I counter-checked it out at several websites and the website below.
I thought the article thoroughly makes sense.
The author is:
Dr. Emanuel Tanay, MD Wayne State University Ann Arbor, Michigan
http://holocaust.umd.umich.edu/tanay/
Article
A German’s point of view on Islam
by Dr. Emanuel Tanay, Psychiatrist
A man whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism.
‘Very few people were true Nazis ‘he said,’ but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories. ’
We are told again and again by ‘experts’ and ‘talking heads’ that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the spectra of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history.
It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honor-kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. The hard quantifiable fact is that the ‘peaceful majority’, the ‘silent majority’, is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. China’s huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people.
The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel, and bayonet.
And, who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery.
Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were ‘peace loving’?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points:
Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence.
Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don’t speak up, because like my friend from Germany, they will awaken one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.
Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghanis, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late.
As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts:
the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
* * * * End of Article * * * *
Coming back to Biblical History and the History of Christianity, Christians and God-fearing Israelites too let the course of the country run even into rebellion and not trusting God when they keep silent. Gradually the minority become the majority.
Isaiah preached to Israel not to rely on Egypt to defend against the threat of Assyrian attack (Isa 30:2). But soon enough, the leaders and the counselors of the king would make a very human decision. Make alliances (i.e don't trust Isaiah's prophecy; probably not from God they thought).
Some would have listened to Isaiah. But their voices were powerless and drowned out.
And Israel was ultimately destroyed as a nation.
Our faith would have deviated much from the biblical idea of faith had not Martin Luther raised his concerns that salvation cannot be gained by works and that buying indulgences is not necessary to go to heaven.
By God's grace, he did not remain silent - even though he is the minority.
Thought For Reflection:
Do we remain silent when we notice a deviation from morality and biblical truth?
What ungodly trends in our society and culture do we notice? Are we speaking up?
What actions can we take to arrest the flame of fanaticism that lurks around us that can destroy our way of living?
Reflect: Are we part of the silent majority?
Someone sent me a succinct article below and I counter-checked it out at several websites and the website below.
I thought the article thoroughly makes sense.
The author is:
Dr. Emanuel Tanay, MD Wayne State University Ann Arbor, Michigan
http://holocaust.umd.umich.edu/tanay/
Article
A German’s point of view on Islam
by Dr. Emanuel Tanay, Psychiatrist
A man whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism.
‘Very few people were true Nazis ‘he said,’ but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories. ’
We are told again and again by ‘experts’ and ‘talking heads’ that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the spectra of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history.
It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honor-kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. The hard quantifiable fact is that the ‘peaceful majority’, the ‘silent majority’, is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. China’s huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people.
The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel, and bayonet.
And, who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery.
Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were ‘peace loving’?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points:
Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence.
Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don’t speak up, because like my friend from Germany, they will awaken one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.
Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghanis, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late.
As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts:
the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
* * * * End of Article * * * *
Coming back to Biblical History and the History of Christianity, Christians and God-fearing Israelites too let the course of the country run even into rebellion and not trusting God when they keep silent. Gradually the minority become the majority.
Isaiah preached to Israel not to rely on Egypt to defend against the threat of Assyrian attack (Isa 30:2). But soon enough, the leaders and the counselors of the king would make a very human decision. Make alliances (i.e don't trust Isaiah's prophecy; probably not from God they thought).
Some would have listened to Isaiah. But their voices were powerless and drowned out.
And Israel was ultimately destroyed as a nation.
Our faith would have deviated much from the biblical idea of faith had not Martin Luther raised his concerns that salvation cannot be gained by works and that buying indulgences is not necessary to go to heaven.
By God's grace, he did not remain silent - even though he is the minority.
Thought For Reflection:
Do we remain silent when we notice a deviation from morality and biblical truth?
What ungodly trends in our society and culture do we notice? Are we speaking up?
What actions can we take to arrest the flame of fanaticism that lurks around us that can destroy our way of living?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
IS PRAYER A CHORE?
1) Are we struggling to spend time in prayer?
2) Has prayer become a chore or a drudgery?
I won't be surprised if the majority of us answer "yes" to these questions because I too struggle at times to be consistent in my prayer life.
When a prayer meeting is organized - just work out the percentage of members attending.
Just do a quick survey of members who spend at least 15 mins in prayer every day.
If the numbers are high, it is not too surprising because pastors too are having difficulty in this area.
Peter Wagner conducted a survey of 572 American pastors and found that 57 percent of them prayed less than 20 mins a day (Source: Prayer Shield, 1992, pg. 79).
American pastors on average spend 22 minutes in prayer daily (this is not counting Bible Study, reading devotional books, worship - for which the pastor will spend additional time daily).
Why has prayer become a struggle and for some become a chore?
This reflection came to my mind as I happened (another word for divine appointment) to meet a visiting professor from Pakistan. He has since given up his profession in lecturing and is now called by a variety of names - a prophet, an evangelist and a teacher - depending on where he travels. He prophesies, he speaks miracles and healings to people, calls out names, teaches systematically. He really is a PHD both academically and spiritually. The other PHD - Preach, prophesy, heal and delivers. And the basis of it all is that he hears God. And he prays.
To him prayer is not a chore.
So why has prayer become a struggle and even a chore for some of us?
We have forgotten that as we pray, we are also hearing God.
For some of us or perhaps for many of us, because we haven't heard God speaking to us much, prayer has become primarily a time of petitioning and presenting requests to God.
And even then we are not sure if God hears our prayers.
Some who are going through difficult times now think that prayer is "useless."
That is one reason why prayer has become a chore.
But if we see prayer in a different way ...
What if I tell you that God will speak to you and you will hear God today if you pray.
What will we do?
We will immediately pray because we all want to hear God.
I want to tell you that God does speak to us and we will hear God.
We may not be so good at hearing God at first and we may not even be sure we are hearing God.
But practice.
Some twelve years ago, I thought I heard God wrongly in one prophecy / word for me.
And I went against the prophecy because it didn't seem to be happening and I bought a condominium one year before the peak of the property market. And we were caught.
But twelve years later, my wife and I heard the word of the Lord and we are now more certain.
We sold the property at the peak of the market. We were so blessed.
I must share that I don't hear God all the time and that is why I can share the predicament with all of us.
But the visiting prophet was sharing with me - practice.
Practice the spiritual gifts that have been bestowed on us and the fundamental gift of hearing Him.
He loves to speak with us and for us to hear His voice. (I am saying this by faith).
So join me in this learning journey of practicing to hear God in prayer.
Reflect:
Will our prayer life be markedly different if we see our prayer time as a time of hearing God when God speaks to us instead of just presenting our requests and petitions?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Blessing To The Community
After stepping down from the challenging role of a pastor, I was asking the Lord for His new direction. The initial word was to take a Sabbath after six years in the ministry here in Auckland.
And that allowed me to just spend time clearing the house, studying the Word and playing soccer during weekends. You see when I was a pastor, the weekends are the busiest time of my week (e.g. preparing messages till late Sat night). But now, I can start to regain my fitness playing soccer. I remember in my first game of playing 6-a-side indoor soccer, I was puffing away after 5 minutes of intensive running. But now, I can last almost the full game of 24 minutes. (The times seems short but it is like running the 400m - one will be totally out of gas at the end of 400m). That takes care of my Sunday exercise.
I am also enjoying playing outdoor soccer on Saturdays. It is rather difficult to find "kaki" or companions to play soccer in a country that is rugby mad and it is difficult to have a game with 3 players. Furthermore, when the weather is so great in summer like now (heading into autumn), not many play soccer because strangely, soccer is a winter season game here. But for migrants and the international community - quite a good number of us are passionate about soccer. Perhaps not as passionate as Beckham who will pay great sums to stay at ACMilan. But still passionate enough to look for an avenue to expend our energy and meet our passion. There is an unmet need or more biblically - not a need but a desire to play soccer. I know a good percentage of the international community would like to play this beautiful game. I was blessed to join this small group of players just having fun on Saturday.
Then God open my eyes to see that we can book soccer fields for free here in Auckland after all we are rate payers. Praise God for this beautiful country with many fields and parks. When I was living in Singapore, it was difficult to find space to play soccer and soccer fields are not free. So I volunteered to arrange to book the fields and arrange other teams to play with us. One thing led to another and viola, the community soccer group just grew and we can now form two or more full soccer teams.
During this time, I just volunteered my time because I wanted to be a blessing to the community. I hoped to provide an avenue to meet their "needs" and to encourage the international community to interact with one another to make friends - Just to be a blessing. I realize God is opening doors. More and more of the international community joined us, including international students and kiwis. And amazingly in my fifties, I am getting better at the game. I even played goalie and by God's grace made some amazing saves that the opposing team goalie and players gave me credit. In my mind, this is not me.
We are now organizing a Commuity Soccer Festival which will be held soon. There are five teams participating. We have players coming from all over - like the United Nations. Zimbabweans, Iraqis, Kurds, Chinese, Koreans, Malaysians, Singaporeans, Indians, Fijians, Mauritius, Brazilians and kiwis all playing together. The Community Soccer Fest is organized with the aim to make Friends, have Fun, keep Fit, promote Family / Father & Son relationships through Football. Interesting - 5 "F's." We truly have five pairs of fathers and sons playing together.
In the process of doing all this, I am reminded of the Abrahamic blessing:
Gen 12: 2 "I will make you into a great nation .... and you will be a blessing."
I realize we are being a blessing to the nations like Abraham was to the nations.
We too can be a blessing to the community - and to the nations.
And it is great for God to mobilize us in the area of our passion.
We after all will enjoy doing it anyway.
For me - it is soccer.
What about you?
Reflection
As you can see, it is sometimes easy to be a blessing to the community.
What then is your passion that God can mobilize you into which you will greatly enjoy anyway and still be a blessing to the people around you?
After stepping down from the challenging role of a pastor, I was asking the Lord for His new direction. The initial word was to take a Sabbath after six years in the ministry here in Auckland.
And that allowed me to just spend time clearing the house, studying the Word and playing soccer during weekends. You see when I was a pastor, the weekends are the busiest time of my week (e.g. preparing messages till late Sat night). But now, I can start to regain my fitness playing soccer. I remember in my first game of playing 6-a-side indoor soccer, I was puffing away after 5 minutes of intensive running. But now, I can last almost the full game of 24 minutes. (The times seems short but it is like running the 400m - one will be totally out of gas at the end of 400m). That takes care of my Sunday exercise.
I am also enjoying playing outdoor soccer on Saturdays. It is rather difficult to find "kaki" or companions to play soccer in a country that is rugby mad and it is difficult to have a game with 3 players. Furthermore, when the weather is so great in summer like now (heading into autumn), not many play soccer because strangely, soccer is a winter season game here. But for migrants and the international community - quite a good number of us are passionate about soccer. Perhaps not as passionate as Beckham who will pay great sums to stay at ACMilan. But still passionate enough to look for an avenue to expend our energy and meet our passion. There is an unmet need or more biblically - not a need but a desire to play soccer. I know a good percentage of the international community would like to play this beautiful game. I was blessed to join this small group of players just having fun on Saturday.
Then God open my eyes to see that we can book soccer fields for free here in Auckland after all we are rate payers. Praise God for this beautiful country with many fields and parks. When I was living in Singapore, it was difficult to find space to play soccer and soccer fields are not free. So I volunteered to arrange to book the fields and arrange other teams to play with us. One thing led to another and viola, the community soccer group just grew and we can now form two or more full soccer teams.
During this time, I just volunteered my time because I wanted to be a blessing to the community. I hoped to provide an avenue to meet their "needs" and to encourage the international community to interact with one another to make friends - Just to be a blessing. I realize God is opening doors. More and more of the international community joined us, including international students and kiwis. And amazingly in my fifties, I am getting better at the game. I even played goalie and by God's grace made some amazing saves that the opposing team goalie and players gave me credit. In my mind, this is not me.
We are now organizing a Commuity Soccer Festival which will be held soon. There are five teams participating. We have players coming from all over - like the United Nations. Zimbabweans, Iraqis, Kurds, Chinese, Koreans, Malaysians, Singaporeans, Indians, Fijians, Mauritius, Brazilians and kiwis all playing together. The Community Soccer Fest is organized with the aim to make Friends, have Fun, keep Fit, promote Family / Father & Son relationships through Football. Interesting - 5 "F's." We truly have five pairs of fathers and sons playing together.
In the process of doing all this, I am reminded of the Abrahamic blessing:
Gen 12: 2 "I will make you into a great nation .... and you will be a blessing."
I realize we are being a blessing to the nations like Abraham was to the nations.
We too can be a blessing to the community - and to the nations.
And it is great for God to mobilize us in the area of our passion.
We after all will enjoy doing it anyway.
For me - it is soccer.
What about you?
Reflection
As you can see, it is sometimes easy to be a blessing to the community.
What then is your passion that God can mobilize you into which you will greatly enjoy anyway and still be a blessing to the people around you?
Friday, February 13, 2009
Seduction - Film Review Of "The Devil Wears Prada"
(Caution: Gives plot away)
Some of us Christians are like me.
We switched off and don't watch anything to do with or has in its title the word, "devil."
I didn't want to watch this film, released in 2006, until it was aired on NZ television recently. I thought I just gave it a chance and see how it goes - after all it is supposed to be a comedy. But after watching the movie, I must say that it has lots of lessons for Christians. If you are thinking of borrowing the DVD, you may just want to fast forward the start of the DVD.
The movie starts with a naive, not so fashion conscious, young recent graduate of journalism, Andrea "Andy" Sachs (Anne Hathaway) going for an interview to be the Second Personal Assistant to the Managing Editor of a high fashion magazine, "Runway." Being the Managing Editor of a top fashion magazine is no easy task. It takes a certain kind of steely person. Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) must not only ensure her team meets the deadline for print out of the magazine, she needs to ensure that styles and fashion are fresh. They are the trendsetters. When end consumers like Andrea see a "blue" sweater, they just don't realize the process of how it gets to the end consumer. It sometimes isn't just blue or turquoise or lapis but cerulean (blue) that Paris designer Oscar de la Renta introduced to the catwalks in 2002. And this color then attracted the attention of other designers and then the mass market. So when Andrea, who was wearing a blue sweater, laughs at how Miranda and her team are so picky about clothings and accessories, Miranda retorts that the very sweater Andrea wears is in fact chosen for her by people like Miranda.
Anyway, Miranda has thus far found that all her Assistants sent to her by her First Assistant, Emily (Emily Blunt) failed in this demanding job even though they worship fashion. So for a change, Miranda hires a not so fashion savvy Andy to be her Second Assistant. Andrea is like a fish out of the water working in that place. This film does connect with us, the audience, because I remember working in my first job after graduation. There were so many things I didn't know. And I was afraid to ask questions thinking because if I were to ask questions, it will only confirm my ignorance. But on hindsight, we realize that it is okay to ask questions. Sometimes things are a matter of procedures, policies and preferences of the boss and everyone who is new to a company will not know it. So ask if in doubt. Emily tells Andrea what to do - not necessarily because she is a helpful person by nature - but more because if Andrea fouls up, then she will jeopardize Emily's chances of going to Paris with Miranda for an annual fashion show - the highlight of her career.
Reflection 1
When we "help" someone - whether in our workplace or in school or even in church, are we helping because it is our nature / character to be helpful or is it because it is going to help ourselves like Emily did?
Andy gets better at what she is doing - getting coffee, answering phone calls, fixing appointments, running errands, getting her boss lunch in 15 minutes which was then thrown away because Miranda is off to the next meeting in a hurry etc.
It is a lot of hard work and busyness. But there are fringe benefits to this job.
In the first place, it is a glamorous job that "a million girls will kill for this job."
Secondly, Andy is the happy beneficiary of lots of fashionable hand-me-downs from Miranda, which Andy in turn passes on to her friends who happily receives all the expensive presents.
But is there a cost to all these?
Miranda wants an assistant who can do everything. Andy is only considered qualified to be Miranda's assistant if she can get hold of the latest Harry Potter book for Miranda's twins. Not the latest published book - but the unpublished manuscript. Is this demand reasonable? Also when airports are closed because of a storm, Miranda expects Andy to get a flight out for her.
Do we have bosses from "hell?" Miranda is like a boss from hell. The boss is like the devil. And hence the title of the movie. How many of us think our boss is like the devil from hell - possessing all the evil qualities - unfair, unreasonable, expects us to do things beyond what we can reasonably do, controlling and sometimes gets staff to engage in unethical practices?
Reflection 2
How do we as Christians respond to bosses from "hell?"
a) What if we are asked to engage in questionable practices like bribing / giving under the table money, bringing clients to dodgy places for entertainment, using friends to get business?
b) What if the practices are not dodgy but just that the demands are just too much in terms of sacrificing most of our weekends and time with family?
c) What if our bosses are just demanding and pushy / push us to our limits?
How do we respond to such bosses from "hell?"
So far Andy has been struggling to keep up to the demands and expectations of her job and her boss. But to get the unpublished manuscript is the ultimate straw. Andy wants to quit her job and spend more time with her boyfriend Nate (Adrian Grenier). Her relationship with her boyfriend has been much strained as Andy works so much overtime. Her schedule is dictated by the demands of Miranda and Andy had to miss Nate's birthday dinner with some of their closest friends.
Reflection 3
What can we do if we have a glamorous job like Andy - but it involves so much work that it strains our relationships - with our spouse and children?
(The glamorous job can be fashion for girls or being a lawyer or millionaire businessmen for guys or whatever that seems to command our attention and worship.)
Just as when Andy loses hope of securing the manuscript and is about to quit her job to spend more time with her boyfriend, a handsome renown author she recently met - Christian Thompson (Simon Baker) is able to get hold of a copy of a manuscript from a friend. Andy is then able to perform to Miranda's expectations and perhaps exceed her expectations. Miranda promotes Andy to First Assistant whilst Emily assumes the role of Second Assistant. And Miranda wants Andy to accompany her to Paris bypassing Emily even though Emily had clearly been waiting for this trip. Ironically perhaps cruelly, Miranda charges Andy with the first task of informing Emily that Andy is the one to accompany Miranda to Paris. Andy doesn't want to dash Emily's dream of going to Paris. Andy protests strongly but Miranda said that the choice is hers. Does she want to remain her Assistant?
So she goes to Paris and Nate breaks up with her. Andy is happy for Runway's designer Nigel (Stanley Tucci). He is slated to be the partner of a new design house. Andy learns that Miranda's husband wants to divorce her. Thompson meets Andy in Paris and Andy, against her better instincts, spends the night with him.
Reflection 4
How vulnerable are we to adultery and fornication when:
a) we have a recent break-up or quarrel with our spouse or partner?
b) we travel for business?
c) we are lonely?
Andy learns from Thompson that Irv Ravitz (Tibor Feldman), the owner of Runway, is about to replace Miranda with the younger Jacqueline as the Managing Editor to provide freshness to the magazine. Andy rushes to tell Miranda about this and finds her in a meeting with Irv. Was she too late to warn Miranda?
At her company's dinner that night, Miranda announced that a partner has been found for the new design house. Nigel was beaming expecting his name to be announced. Instead, Jacqueline will be the new partner. Miranda had in fact saw what was coming and told Irv that she had a list of designers, editors, writers and models found by her and nurtured by her who all had promised to follow her if she ever chooses to leave Runway. So Nigel was sacrificed in the process in order that Jacqueline can be diverted away.
Reflection 5
In a time of financial crisis like this, many sacrifices are made.
a) Is it different when we sacrifice ourselves compared to when we sacrifice others as Miranda had done to Nigel?
Or when Caiaphas, the high priest, said "it would be good if one man (Jesus) died for the people" (John 18:14)?
b) Who (like the Nigels) have we sacrificed to protect ourselves - our jobs, our positions?
c) How do we respond if we are the ones being sacrificed like Nigel?
The most pointed lesson of the movie comes at the end.
Miranda "complimented" Andy saying that "I see a great deal of myself in you."
But Andy of course protests that she is not like that and she won't do what Miranda did to Nigel.
Miranda said "You already did. To Emily."
To Andy, she had no choice.
But Miranda said she had a choice.
She chose to get ahead. If you want life, those choices are necessary.
Andy said: What if I don't want this?
Miranda replied: Don't be ridiculous Andrea. Everybody wants this. Everybody wants to be us.
As the movie ended, I thought about how Andy was like Miranda.
1. Work consumes their lives.
2. Relationships fail. Miranda experienced two failed relationships with her ex-husband and her present husband and has no time with her family. Andy's relationship with Nate breaks up.
3. Sacrifices are made to move ahead or even stay ahead in a career. The Nigels and the Emily's.
Reflection 6
Who are we becoming like?
Are we becoming like Miranda, our boss from hell - the devil that wears Prada - or are we being transformed to the likeness of His Son more and more (Rom 6:29)?
I will like to end with this final reflection.
Reflection 7.
This film so aptly shows us that the "devil" does not necessarily come in all its awfulness of visible sins. There is no violence, no great hatred. But Andy slowly changes.
The glamour of a profession and the career gradually seduces us.
We know about the seduction of Greed (Money) and Girls (Sex).
They are the obvious seductions of the devil.
But the glamour of a position or a profession has a certain seductive force.
It seduces people to make choices - even without us realizing it - sacrificing relationships (Nate and Miranda's family), sacrificing people (Emilys and Nigels) - for exceeding excellence in our production of services or products like Runway Magazine.
So watch out. The devil does not wear a fiery suit carrying a poking fork.
The devil wears Prada inviting us. seducing us to go for the Prada and the Chanel, seducing us to work more and more in a glamourous job to have more glamourous clothes, sacrificing our values, sacrificing not ourselves but other people.
(Caution: Gives plot away)
Some of us Christians are like me.
We switched off and don't watch anything to do with or has in its title the word, "devil."
I didn't want to watch this film, released in 2006, until it was aired on NZ television recently. I thought I just gave it a chance and see how it goes - after all it is supposed to be a comedy. But after watching the movie, I must say that it has lots of lessons for Christians. If you are thinking of borrowing the DVD, you may just want to fast forward the start of the DVD.
The movie starts with a naive, not so fashion conscious, young recent graduate of journalism, Andrea "Andy" Sachs (Anne Hathaway) going for an interview to be the Second Personal Assistant to the Managing Editor of a high fashion magazine, "Runway." Being the Managing Editor of a top fashion magazine is no easy task. It takes a certain kind of steely person. Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) must not only ensure her team meets the deadline for print out of the magazine, she needs to ensure that styles and fashion are fresh. They are the trendsetters. When end consumers like Andrea see a "blue" sweater, they just don't realize the process of how it gets to the end consumer. It sometimes isn't just blue or turquoise or lapis but cerulean (blue) that Paris designer Oscar de la Renta introduced to the catwalks in 2002. And this color then attracted the attention of other designers and then the mass market. So when Andrea, who was wearing a blue sweater, laughs at how Miranda and her team are so picky about clothings and accessories, Miranda retorts that the very sweater Andrea wears is in fact chosen for her by people like Miranda.
Anyway, Miranda has thus far found that all her Assistants sent to her by her First Assistant, Emily (Emily Blunt) failed in this demanding job even though they worship fashion. So for a change, Miranda hires a not so fashion savvy Andy to be her Second Assistant. Andrea is like a fish out of the water working in that place. This film does connect with us, the audience, because I remember working in my first job after graduation. There were so many things I didn't know. And I was afraid to ask questions thinking because if I were to ask questions, it will only confirm my ignorance. But on hindsight, we realize that it is okay to ask questions. Sometimes things are a matter of procedures, policies and preferences of the boss and everyone who is new to a company will not know it. So ask if in doubt. Emily tells Andrea what to do - not necessarily because she is a helpful person by nature - but more because if Andrea fouls up, then she will jeopardize Emily's chances of going to Paris with Miranda for an annual fashion show - the highlight of her career.
Reflection 1
When we "help" someone - whether in our workplace or in school or even in church, are we helping because it is our nature / character to be helpful or is it because it is going to help ourselves like Emily did?
Andy gets better at what she is doing - getting coffee, answering phone calls, fixing appointments, running errands, getting her boss lunch in 15 minutes which was then thrown away because Miranda is off to the next meeting in a hurry etc.
It is a lot of hard work and busyness. But there are fringe benefits to this job.
In the first place, it is a glamorous job that "a million girls will kill for this job."
Secondly, Andy is the happy beneficiary of lots of fashionable hand-me-downs from Miranda, which Andy in turn passes on to her friends who happily receives all the expensive presents.
But is there a cost to all these?
Miranda wants an assistant who can do everything. Andy is only considered qualified to be Miranda's assistant if she can get hold of the latest Harry Potter book for Miranda's twins. Not the latest published book - but the unpublished manuscript. Is this demand reasonable? Also when airports are closed because of a storm, Miranda expects Andy to get a flight out for her.
Do we have bosses from "hell?" Miranda is like a boss from hell. The boss is like the devil. And hence the title of the movie. How many of us think our boss is like the devil from hell - possessing all the evil qualities - unfair, unreasonable, expects us to do things beyond what we can reasonably do, controlling and sometimes gets staff to engage in unethical practices?
Reflection 2
How do we as Christians respond to bosses from "hell?"
a) What if we are asked to engage in questionable practices like bribing / giving under the table money, bringing clients to dodgy places for entertainment, using friends to get business?
b) What if the practices are not dodgy but just that the demands are just too much in terms of sacrificing most of our weekends and time with family?
c) What if our bosses are just demanding and pushy / push us to our limits?
How do we respond to such bosses from "hell?"
So far Andy has been struggling to keep up to the demands and expectations of her job and her boss. But to get the unpublished manuscript is the ultimate straw. Andy wants to quit her job and spend more time with her boyfriend Nate (Adrian Grenier). Her relationship with her boyfriend has been much strained as Andy works so much overtime. Her schedule is dictated by the demands of Miranda and Andy had to miss Nate's birthday dinner with some of their closest friends.
Reflection 3
What can we do if we have a glamorous job like Andy - but it involves so much work that it strains our relationships - with our spouse and children?
(The glamorous job can be fashion for girls or being a lawyer or millionaire businessmen for guys or whatever that seems to command our attention and worship.)
Just as when Andy loses hope of securing the manuscript and is about to quit her job to spend more time with her boyfriend, a handsome renown author she recently met - Christian Thompson (Simon Baker) is able to get hold of a copy of a manuscript from a friend. Andy is then able to perform to Miranda's expectations and perhaps exceed her expectations. Miranda promotes Andy to First Assistant whilst Emily assumes the role of Second Assistant. And Miranda wants Andy to accompany her to Paris bypassing Emily even though Emily had clearly been waiting for this trip. Ironically perhaps cruelly, Miranda charges Andy with the first task of informing Emily that Andy is the one to accompany Miranda to Paris. Andy doesn't want to dash Emily's dream of going to Paris. Andy protests strongly but Miranda said that the choice is hers. Does she want to remain her Assistant?
So she goes to Paris and Nate breaks up with her. Andy is happy for Runway's designer Nigel (Stanley Tucci). He is slated to be the partner of a new design house. Andy learns that Miranda's husband wants to divorce her. Thompson meets Andy in Paris and Andy, against her better instincts, spends the night with him.
Reflection 4
How vulnerable are we to adultery and fornication when:
a) we have a recent break-up or quarrel with our spouse or partner?
b) we travel for business?
c) we are lonely?
Andy learns from Thompson that Irv Ravitz (Tibor Feldman), the owner of Runway, is about to replace Miranda with the younger Jacqueline as the Managing Editor to provide freshness to the magazine. Andy rushes to tell Miranda about this and finds her in a meeting with Irv. Was she too late to warn Miranda?
At her company's dinner that night, Miranda announced that a partner has been found for the new design house. Nigel was beaming expecting his name to be announced. Instead, Jacqueline will be the new partner. Miranda had in fact saw what was coming and told Irv that she had a list of designers, editors, writers and models found by her and nurtured by her who all had promised to follow her if she ever chooses to leave Runway. So Nigel was sacrificed in the process in order that Jacqueline can be diverted away.
Reflection 5
In a time of financial crisis like this, many sacrifices are made.
a) Is it different when we sacrifice ourselves compared to when we sacrifice others as Miranda had done to Nigel?
Or when Caiaphas, the high priest, said "it would be good if one man (Jesus) died for the people" (John 18:14)?
b) Who (like the Nigels) have we sacrificed to protect ourselves - our jobs, our positions?
c) How do we respond if we are the ones being sacrificed like Nigel?
The most pointed lesson of the movie comes at the end.
Miranda "complimented" Andy saying that "I see a great deal of myself in you."
But Andy of course protests that she is not like that and she won't do what Miranda did to Nigel.
Miranda said "You already did. To Emily."
To Andy, she had no choice.
But Miranda said she had a choice.
She chose to get ahead. If you want life, those choices are necessary.
Andy said: What if I don't want this?
Miranda replied: Don't be ridiculous Andrea. Everybody wants this. Everybody wants to be us.
As the movie ended, I thought about how Andy was like Miranda.
1. Work consumes their lives.
2. Relationships fail. Miranda experienced two failed relationships with her ex-husband and her present husband and has no time with her family. Andy's relationship with Nate breaks up.
3. Sacrifices are made to move ahead or even stay ahead in a career. The Nigels and the Emily's.
Reflection 6
Who are we becoming like?
Are we becoming like Miranda, our boss from hell - the devil that wears Prada - or are we being transformed to the likeness of His Son more and more (Rom 6:29)?
I will like to end with this final reflection.
Reflection 7.
This film so aptly shows us that the "devil" does not necessarily come in all its awfulness of visible sins. There is no violence, no great hatred. But Andy slowly changes.
The glamour of a profession and the career gradually seduces us.
We know about the seduction of Greed (Money) and Girls (Sex).
They are the obvious seductions of the devil.
But the glamour of a position or a profession has a certain seductive force.
It seduces people to make choices - even without us realizing it - sacrificing relationships (Nate and Miranda's family), sacrificing people (Emilys and Nigels) - for exceeding excellence in our production of services or products like Runway Magazine.
So watch out. The devil does not wear a fiery suit carrying a poking fork.
The devil wears Prada inviting us. seducing us to go for the Prada and the Chanel, seducing us to work more and more in a glamourous job to have more glamourous clothes, sacrificing our values, sacrificing not ourselves but other people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)