A Christian leader from Romania was asked, "Why is it that the church in the Western world has lost its power with God and man?"
He said, "The church has substituted commitment for surrender."
The committed life centres on doing; the surrendered life centres on our being.
The committed life emphasizes what we can do for Christ; the surrendered life realizes that we can do nothing apart from Christ.
The committed life exalts competence; the surrendered life exalts character.
*Excerpt from Edmund Chan's Growing Deep In God*
Nothing wrong in commitment per se. Commitment is good. Commitment is needed. It's a practical outworking of surrender. But I believe surrender needs to happen first before the commitment can be of any real value. Otherwise my commitment will be misplaced.
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Showing posts with label reflections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflections. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Twenty Ten
2010 was filled with quite a few significant moments...
From a fear experience in an underwater sandstorm, to the passing of my dear music teacher, Agnes Yong.
From seeing Guatz learning to swim, to talking to people facing extreme persecution & risk of death because of faith in Jesus Christ.
From experiencing my first time speaking at a church youth camp, to playing the piano at a choral production in personal memory of Aunty Agnes.
From sitting & struggling through issues with people, to seeing them enlightened by God's truths & finding meaning in Christ.
All moments tailor-made by The Grand Designer - no accidents, all very purposeful.
On a lighter note, here's my 2010 summarised in facebook statuses:
2011 started with me getting 11 warts on my left foot lasered, burnt, scrapped off and removed. Yup, 11 warts, 2011, go figure :) So I'm just bumming at home for a week, resting it out, confined to the house because limping is all I can do for now. And Nurse Guatz is doing a great job! :D With the kind of weather we're getting these days, it's great to just be in bed :) Heehee.
A blessed new year to you all!
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From a fear experience in an underwater sandstorm, to the passing of my dear music teacher, Agnes Yong.
From seeing Guatz learning to swim, to talking to people facing extreme persecution & risk of death because of faith in Jesus Christ.
From experiencing my first time speaking at a church youth camp, to playing the piano at a choral production in personal memory of Aunty Agnes.
From sitting & struggling through issues with people, to seeing them enlightened by God's truths & finding meaning in Christ.
All moments tailor-made by The Grand Designer - no accidents, all very purposeful.
On a lighter note, here's my 2010 summarised in facebook statuses:
2011 started with me getting 11 warts on my left foot lasered, burnt, scrapped off and removed. Yup, 11 warts, 2011, go figure :) So I'm just bumming at home for a week, resting it out, confined to the house because limping is all I can do for now. And Nurse Guatz is doing a great job! :D With the kind of weather we're getting these days, it's great to just be in bed :) Heehee.
A blessed new year to you all!
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Servant King
The King became a Servant. Instead of being treated royally, He was treated dreadfully.
Rich, but made poor. Even the clothes on His back were stripped of Him at the cross. The grave in which He was buried was not even His own.
No sin, but made sin.
The extent to which Jesus Christ went from one to the other shows the extent of how much we have fallen, and the extent of our need for forgiveness.
We can search all we want, but there is only one Person big enough to fill that extent: Jesus Christ.
Rich, but made poor. Even the clothes on His back were stripped of Him at the cross. The grave in which He was buried was not even His own.
No sin, but made sin.
The extent to which Jesus Christ went from one to the other shows the extent of how much we have fallen, and the extent of our need for forgiveness.
We can search all we want, but there is only one Person big enough to fill that extent: Jesus Christ.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
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Monday, May 17, 2010
Caste Violence
I read an article which highlighted briefly a recent incident in Haryana, India where an inter-caste marriage took place without the consent of the parents. This led to a so-called "honour killing", where the couple were mercilessly hacked to death in full view of the entire village. And no one came forward to save them. No one. Such is the stranglehold of the caste system.
The article also continued to talk about overhauls that are trying to be done to laws and even education to address the issue of caste violence.
Theodore Roosevelt once said that "a man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad." I believe we are all aware that laws, education and the like can only do so much. It only addresses the symptoms, not the cause. What we really need is a change of heart.
I'm not saying that if we all change our hearts, the world will immediately be a better place. With such deep-rooted problems, it will be a process of healing. But only with a change of heart can we BEGIN to address such problems at its roots.
Where else can we bring about such a change other than in Jesus Christ and His gospel, where He explains the need to be "born again"? This is God's desire for the people of India. This is God's desire for all mankind.
The article also continued to talk about overhauls that are trying to be done to laws and even education to address the issue of caste violence.
Theodore Roosevelt once said that "a man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad." I believe we are all aware that laws, education and the like can only do so much. It only addresses the symptoms, not the cause. What we really need is a change of heart.
I'm not saying that if we all change our hearts, the world will immediately be a better place. With such deep-rooted problems, it will be a process of healing. But only with a change of heart can we BEGIN to address such problems at its roots.
Where else can we bring about such a change other than in Jesus Christ and His gospel, where He explains the need to be "born again"? This is God's desire for the people of India. This is God's desire for all mankind.
Friday, January 08, 2010
2009 Moments
Memorable moments of 2009, in no particular order.
I thee wed
They say a man isn't complete until he's married. When he is, he's finished. Last year, I was finished...errr, I mean, completed :) God brought two imperfect people together who fit each other perfectly. Been a great journey so far, going to be a great journey, and I'm enjoying every second of it.
Then she fell ill...
My poor wife contracted tuberculosis (TB). Thank God for His grace in seeing her through the healing period. I speak for both of us when I say that much good has come out of this episode.
So I went & planted corals...
I learnt much in the process of participating in Mabul Marine Week (July 2009), particularly in coral transplanting. I wonder how my lil' acropora's doing...
Gone diving...
Kaleebso (Pulau Sembilan), Weh, Tenggol (so glad that there's an east coast island still rich in marine life) and Sipadan....the underwater world never ceases to amaze me. How great Thou art!
Whoever said turtles were slow?
Volunteering with WWF in their turtle conservation programme was a highlight. I've seen turtles swimming smooth & quick underwater, but man, I saw with my own eyes on this trip how quick they can be on land as well when in the thick of danger. To find out more about WWF's turtle conservation programme in Malaysia, click HERE.
Two From Galilee
Being involved in this musical drama with The Canticle Singers was indeed an enriching experience.
Getting to know you...
Getting to know the three girls better...Aeslinn, Ariadne & Anishea...and watching them grow is a great blessing.
Berkat Tuhan
Seeing how the Indonesian domestic helpers hunger for God's word, witnessing them deciding to follow Jesus, watching them grow, talking through their struggles...so thankful to God for being able to share in this ministry.
If Bethlehem were today...
Such was the title of our church's Christmas play, which I had the privilege of being involved in. Great to see the audience understanding the message & enjoying the play...and also a blessing to see the youth getting themselves involved & committed to something like this, which will hopefully be an enriching experience for them.
Here's to a blessed new year ahead!
I thee wed
They say a man isn't complete until he's married. When he is, he's finished. Last year, I was finished...errr, I mean, completed :) God brought two imperfect people together who fit each other perfectly. Been a great journey so far, going to be a great journey, and I'm enjoying every second of it.
Then she fell ill...
My poor wife contracted tuberculosis (TB). Thank God for His grace in seeing her through the healing period. I speak for both of us when I say that much good has come out of this episode.
So I went & planted corals...
I learnt much in the process of participating in Mabul Marine Week (July 2009), particularly in coral transplanting. I wonder how my lil' acropora's doing...
Gone diving...
Kaleebso (Pulau Sembilan), Weh, Tenggol (so glad that there's an east coast island still rich in marine life) and Sipadan....the underwater world never ceases to amaze me. How great Thou art!
Whoever said turtles were slow?
Volunteering with WWF in their turtle conservation programme was a highlight. I've seen turtles swimming smooth & quick underwater, but man, I saw with my own eyes on this trip how quick they can be on land as well when in the thick of danger. To find out more about WWF's turtle conservation programme in Malaysia, click HERE.
Two From Galilee
Being involved in this musical drama with The Canticle Singers was indeed an enriching experience.
Getting to know you...
Getting to know the three girls better...Aeslinn, Ariadne & Anishea...and watching them grow is a great blessing.
Berkat Tuhan
Seeing how the Indonesian domestic helpers hunger for God's word, witnessing them deciding to follow Jesus, watching them grow, talking through their struggles...so thankful to God for being able to share in this ministry.
If Bethlehem were today...
Such was the title of our church's Christmas play, which I had the privilege of being involved in. Great to see the audience understanding the message & enjoying the play...and also a blessing to see the youth getting themselves involved & committed to something like this, which will hopefully be an enriching experience for them.
Here's to a blessed new year ahead!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Personal highlights of 2007
In random order...
License To Go Deep
Became a certified scuba diver (finally) after years of postponement (thanks Guatz, for the birthday gift!). Three unforgettable trips to Redang Island (twice) and Tioman Island. God willing, looking forward to more of His marine jungle.
Surfacing To The Stars
The last night dive that we did during my second trip to Redang was unforgettable: bumped into a turtle while doing safety stop (it just appeared from out of the dark), and we surfaced to darkness illuminated by a sky full of stars, stars and stars. Breath-taking.
View From The Top
My second climb up Mount Kinabalu, Sabah...this time via the longer but more scenic Mesilau route. Compared to the first climb, I stopped so many more times to just admire stuff and take photos.
Men & Women Overboard
Our boat capsizing at a rapid aptly named Washing Machine, while white-water rafting at Padas River, Sabah. It all happened in a split second: one moment we're rowing through Washing Machine, in the next instant I'm swirling under the rapids. After surfacing, I body rafted along with the current. Thrilling! The cool waters was really an extra bonus to just stay in the water :P
Mulu National Park, Sarawak
The biodiversity of the jungle never ceases to amaze me. God is really a creative Creator.
Falling
Bungy jumping in New Zealand...indescribable thrill.
Super Fresh
After diving for abalones and mussels, we cooked them, barbecued them....seriously, nothing beats fresh-out-of-the-sea seafood. So sweet, so delicious....what more those that you got with your own hands.
Passage Through India
My trip to India, where my main responsibility other than sharing was to conduct a tricks/illusions workshop for workers of CMCT. This was my second trip...there's just something about India. So much to not like about India, but yet there's such a strong pull. So rich yet so poor. So much need, so overwhelming.
Mum Goes To Church
Yes! Mum finally makes her way to church! Although she only does so when either of her sons are home, it's a start.
The Little Moments
The many simple moments shared with Guatz....the drives, the walks, the movies, the computer games, etc....all the little moments that makes life that much better.
~I will remember the deeds of the LORD...I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:11-12 NIV)~
Happy new year everyone!
License To Go Deep
Became a certified scuba diver (finally) after years of postponement (thanks Guatz, for the birthday gift!). Three unforgettable trips to Redang Island (twice) and Tioman Island. God willing, looking forward to more of His marine jungle.
Surfacing To The Stars
The last night dive that we did during my second trip to Redang was unforgettable: bumped into a turtle while doing safety stop (it just appeared from out of the dark), and we surfaced to darkness illuminated by a sky full of stars, stars and stars. Breath-taking.
View From The Top
My second climb up Mount Kinabalu, Sabah...this time via the longer but more scenic Mesilau route. Compared to the first climb, I stopped so many more times to just admire stuff and take photos.
Men & Women Overboard
Our boat capsizing at a rapid aptly named Washing Machine, while white-water rafting at Padas River, Sabah. It all happened in a split second: one moment we're rowing through Washing Machine, in the next instant I'm swirling under the rapids. After surfacing, I body rafted along with the current. Thrilling! The cool waters was really an extra bonus to just stay in the water :P
Mulu National Park, Sarawak
The biodiversity of the jungle never ceases to amaze me. God is really a creative Creator.
Falling
Bungy jumping in New Zealand...indescribable thrill.
Super Fresh
After diving for abalones and mussels, we cooked them, barbecued them....seriously, nothing beats fresh-out-of-the-sea seafood. So sweet, so delicious....what more those that you got with your own hands.
Passage Through India
My trip to India, where my main responsibility other than sharing was to conduct a tricks/illusions workshop for workers of CMCT. This was my second trip...there's just something about India. So much to not like about India, but yet there's such a strong pull. So rich yet so poor. So much need, so overwhelming.
Mum Goes To Church
Yes! Mum finally makes her way to church! Although she only does so when either of her sons are home, it's a start.
The Little Moments
The many simple moments shared with Guatz....the drives, the walks, the movies, the computer games, etc....all the little moments that makes life that much better.
~I will remember the deeds of the LORD...I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:11-12 NIV)~
Happy new year everyone!
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