Give me this mountain!

reflection on my trip to Israel

2009-11-15T01:40:00.005+08:00

Due to the logistical consideration, this trip was done from North to South of Israel and not based on Chronological sequence.
Day 1
From Singapore to Tel Aviv
Places visited - Caesarea Maritima + Megiddo + Nazareth Biblical Village + Mt Precipice + Nazareth town
It was in interesting experience to step upon the soil of the “Holy land”.
The place helped to explain the scripture because of the references to the actual or traditional sites.
We were not supposed to visit Megiddo. But was glad that the rain helped us to take shelter there. I had always wondered how Megiddo looked like since this would be the place for the final battle.
The Biblical village was very well done up to help us appreciate the times of Jesus. The bonus was to meet my uncle and auntie with Rev Lorna here as well.
Was saddened to see the place of our faith being replaced by others.
Nazareth had been occupied by the muslim for a long time now.

Day 2
Journey to Mt of Beatitudes, Mt Beatitudes, Capernaum, Near St Peter’s Primacy,
Crossing Sea Galilee
Mt of Beatitudes was very crowded. Many came to read scriptures, worship and visit this historic place. Wondered if their acts were worship or ritual. Such a fine line.
Capernaum was a good education site to show us how close the people stayed with one another. It further reinforced the experience at the biblical village. Jesus was a next door neighbour to the people in this place. While a happening town during Jesus’ time, this place is no bigger than 2 football field.
Crossing the Galilee sea was a very nice experience. Beside, soaking in all the memories we read about what Jesus did, I was treated to an experience of casting net too. I managed to catch 1 fish! Haah. Guide told us that it was great because most could not due to the engine of the boat. Jo encouraged me that because I was teachable, God would bless me with fruits or fish! What a blessing to have jo with me to speak such wise words to me! Felt that was indeed His encouragement.

Day 3
Before Jordon; St Peter’s Primacy and Cliff, Jordon River, Journey to Jerusalem
Instead of Tabgha, we went to St Peter’s Primacy. As I stared into the sea of Galilee, I heard someone singing the song with words of Jn21. Then I heard a preacher preaching behind me about the passage. When I walked to the status, I saw “Feed My Sheep”. It was likened to Jesus telling me 3 times that if I loved Him I should feed His sheep. I felt so moved within.
Yes Lord. I am determined to grow in loving You through serving Your people!
It was not a chance event that only Primacy’s was open at that hour. It was God’s place for me at His time.
Drove past the Cliff whereby traditionally believed to be the place whereby the swine rushed down when they were possessed by the demonic spirits.
Another bonus visit.
Reached Jordon river. Decided to go down the river for personal experience. But as I went through the experience, I suddenly was awakened to the fact that I shared Jesus’ experience in Jordon river too. It was definitely not a baptism experience for me. But I believe it was God’s provision for me to rededicate and reaffirm my baptismal commitment made 22yrs ago when I was 21. After Primacy (recommissioning) to Jordon (rededicating) I felt so blessed in this trip.
AS we entered Jerusalem, i was feeling excited. Finally, we were reaching the final place of the Jesus’ earthly ministry. When I saw the dome, I was feeling very mixed and yet hopeful. Mixed because it was occupied by the muslim, hopeful because God promised a new Jerusalem.

Day 4
Bethlehem, Shepherd’s field, Holy Sepulchre, Via Dolorosa, Upper Room
Saw the words – Fear builds walls and Friendship builds bridges on the Palestine area.
Appreciated the drawings as it was the way then to communicate the story of Jesus. Yet mindful of the possible idolatry practices involved.
When through most of the 14 stations. Could not feel much because of the deep religious practices.
But was sad that it had turned out to be such. Another place was Mt Zion – the Holy Mountain of God. It had become living quarters of muslim and others. Nothing really spiritual except the traditional sites for the Upper room and David’s burial site.

Day 5
Church of St Peter in Gallicantu, Dominus Flevit, Triumphant entrance, Garden of Gethsemane, Church of all nations
The place with the greatest impact for us was when we were at the dungeon reading Ps 84. Caught a glimpse of Jesus’ pain of isolation and disappointment.
Spent considerable time there pondering on the cross…I missed You Lord.

Day 6
Garden Tomb, Damascus Gates, Western wall, Southern Wall
God provided SUN on this place (rain for Gesthsemane) and for us an ordained minister to serve us Lord’s supper – Rev Lorna.
It was great to meet my uncle and auntie and Rev Lorna there. She was so kind to administer the elements to us.
We spent some time reflecting on the significance of the place. But finally I felt the greatest point of this place was to show that He was not here anymore!
At the southern wall, appreciated the other guide who told his group about the significant of the place ie Peter preached to 3000 and baptised them there. And the reference to Mt of Olive during Jesus’ ministry. Again God provided.

Day 7
Free and easy
Saw Zechariah’s tomb and the dial with all the places marked. Jerusalem was truly a place for bible study and understanding.
Home

Overall
Thankful to God for the trip, for the chance to share my life, for His provision throughout.
Personally felt recommissioned, rededicated and renewed to start His ministry.
Also during the last few days, the call to cancel the family trip was made because of H1N1. Was sad and worried about losing the money involved. God assured me with His reminder that He had provided. True enough, Korea Air refunded us in FULL.
Praise God for He is truly our Provider!

Schooling for the service of Love - reading 3

2009-06-27T19:22:00.002+08:00

Educator B.V. Hill has suggested “teaching as reconciliation” as a way to approach the question of teaching Christianly.
- child in relation to society
- education of thinking and feeling
- educational decision making
The key issue standing in the way of reconciliation in schooling is the dominant value that is given to autonomous human mastery in contemporary schooling. Unless we address this issue anything else we do will be no more than a token gesture.

The secular values of mastery
The knowledge that is most valued in schooling is the knowledge that facilitate this autonomous mastery.
Knowledge as power for mastery is the priority value in schooling because mastery is the priority value in life.
They are admired because they symbolise that most important of human values in this world, the power of human mastery.
The idea of mastery in the value system of the modern secular world is an idolatrous distortion of the biblical calling to rule and subdue the earth. The biblical calling is a calling to a rule over creation in the service of love. The chief end of human life is loving God with all we are and have and our neighbour as ourselves.
In the biblical calling power is a trust to be exercised on behalf of another. This means that the power is used rightly only as it is used to advance the interests of love as revealed by the God who is love.

In the biblical calling all exercise of power is valued only as it serves the ends of love.
The idolatrous secular idea of mastery all too often prevents us from living out the words of Jesus;
- we overlook the simple fact that “mastery” is the equivalent of “lordship”.
- The dominance of the idea of mastery as an educational and life goal stands in the way of reconciliation because it represents life as a contest, a battle, to be won.
- I may have the most sincere desire for reconciliation but if the manner of my living is governed by a motivating principle that generates alienation (mastery/lordship) it will remain a frustrated desire.
- Abandoning mastery as a (ultimate) life value will transform the whole of our educational practice.
- We will want to assess how effectively these concepts and skills have been integrated in a wisdom that shows understanding and appreciation leading to responsible action.
- By rejecting mastery as a life value we refuse to recognise the power that comes with knowledge as having value in itself, but only as equipment for the service of love.
- The practice of competition has been distorted by the idolatrous idea of mastery.
(competition in itself may be neutral)
- The healthy ingredient in competition is the kind of rivalry in which the achievements of one spur others on to similar or even greater achievement.
- The secular ideal of mastery perverts this good thing by changing the direction of rivalry from the attainment of a common goal to the outdoing of the other person.
- A healthy rivalry is not directed towards winning against others who become losers, or also-rans, but towards achieving a common goal together.

Serving God in love
To be human is to shape and control our world.
The goal of human life we understand to be the service of God in love; Matt 20:28, 22:37-38.
Every attempt to exercise mastery that is divorced from this loving service is inevitably distorting in its effects.
What the school can do, and what it is uniquely fitted to do, is provide the knowledge base that will enable is students to develop a fullness of service in love. This will provide its students with invaluable preparation for life, regardless of the spiritual direction they take. It will bear its richest fruit in those students who go on to live their lives in a personal commitment to God by faith in Jesus Christ.
To achieve so; we need to recognise the 3 major goal for schooling;
Learning for understanding
Learning for appreciation
Learning for responsible action

Learning for understanding
One of the great failure of modern secular schooling is its failure to give serious attention to the questions of meaning that are given implicit answers in the ordering systems taught to students.
- meanings are taught as part of the hidden curriculum with the result that students adopt these meaning without critical testing.
Humans may find it important to find a higher meaning for life but this is an issue that is beyond the scope of science.
- the assumption of a science free of religious questions is itself a religious assumption.
- We must do this in a way that makes it plain that these are not questions external to science but are fundamental to an understanding of the nature of science itself.
- Christian schooling that aims for learning with understanding will not allow the questions of meaning that are implicit in every area of learning to remain part of a hidden curriculum or implicit, untested assumption.
Education for understanding also affects the choice of what to include in the school curriculum and what priority to give to what is included. We will surely not only include areas of learning but give them high priority if they enhance students’ understanding even if they contribute nothing to their ability to control the world.

Learning for appreciation
Much of the riches of creation that God has given to us to enjoy is passed by or despised as valueless, or of little value, because it does not advance the cause of human mastery.
We value it, not because of what we can do with it, but because of the riches of God’s gift to us.
We know we cannot serve God in the fullness of love if we fail to appreciate and enjoy in thankfulness the riches of his gifts to us – to lead our students to know this world with appreciation of its diverse riches so that they will be equipped to enjoy this world to the full in thankfulness to God (Ps 145,147,148, Act 14:14-17, 1Tim 4:25,6:17).
Students need to be led by teacher who directs attention to the wealth that is to be found in the experienced world.
The development of this breadth of appreciation is not be regarded as an extra – it is not a program of personal enrichment added to basic knowledge.

Learning for responsible action
We want students to develop a knowledge base that enables them to exercise a dominion over the world that controls their environment for good.
However the goal of acquiring this knowledge is responsible action, not autonomous mastery.
It is only by doing so that learning for mastery can be what it ought to be, learning for responsible action in the service of love.

2009-06-14T02:17:00.001+08:00

What have I learnt over these few days?
As I pause and thank God for the life He has blessed me with, I am caught with the awareness of how times have flown by…I am now 43yrs old.

I joked that every birthday is another notch downwards to the end of the burning candle. We are closer to our ends….Jo reminded me that it was also closer to our new beginning in heaven.

What a difference in perspective!

Interestingly, I am also reminded that I should be heaven-focused - longing for heavenly home more than earthly habitat by Edmund.

Today, I went to CHC for their celebrity outreach service. I was blessed by the many changed lives among all the artistes and celebrities.

Yet within me, I asked if I had past my prime, my best years, my best contribution. Jokingly I reminded myself I could not sing nor dance like them. And it was within second, God reminded me that I had offered to the painful world, not through singing nor dancing, but through His enabling in my life. He “rewinded” the video of my life and showed me the times He used me to bless His people, teach His flock, challenge His leaders.

My place is not on the stage of this world! Nor politics! Nor business!

My place is in the house of God. I am and have been called to be His pastor, His shepherd, His servant.

Yes, I can lay down the approval of man, the applauds of the audience, the affirmation of the world. I can lay down the limelight, the media, the flashy world. Because my soul longs for the courts of the Lord…..I miss the time of godly contemplation, the time of repentance at the altar, the time of worship, the time of being with God…..for such is what I am made for.

God, I miss you Lord. I miss Your Intimacy, Your closeness, Your healing presence, Your convicting works, Your amazing grace…Lord I miss You.

Forgive me for choosing the broken cistern of the world instead of the beautiful fountain of life. Forgive me for giving in to worldly pleasure rather than heavenly joy.
Forgive me for giving up…..

Thank you Lord for not giving up…
Thank you Lord for still loving me…
Thank you Lord for grace still amazing…

By Your Grace, I will arise…..

Reading 3 : Stuart Fowler - schooling for the service of love

2009-06-06T23:48:00.002+08:00

A letter i can resonate with...

2009-05-08T23:58:00.003+08:00

I am attaching a letter from a concerned Christian to the Archbishop of Anglican. I think the thoughts expressed are very important for us to contemplate. The question is not to act immediately but rather to know how then shall we live in the light of the situation. Hope you find your heart resonate just as it has for me.

Dear Most Revd. Dr John Chew,
I woke up this morning with a headache and bulging goldfish eyes. Not surprising because this alwayshappens when I cry a lot.Last night, after spending more than 10 hours witnessing the battle that went on in AWARE yesterday, I tooka cab home. I was finally alone, away from the maddening crowds in Suntec City. In solitude, I cried and tearscontinued to flow even after I got home at 1 am.

First, I cried for Josie Lau and her team. Whether I agree with the way they took over theleadership of AWARE, they were nevertheless my sisters-in-Christ. It was heart-wrenching to see how theywere attacked. They fought with their hands “tied” and with little support. The church was not behind themalthough it was the very set of beliefs the church taught them that they stood up for. In the meantime, the othercamp had a lot of support from various factions of the society including certain international lobby groups.

At the EGM, Josie Lau and her team tried to show Christian love to a crowd who hated them. They werejeered and booed. No one gave them a chance to speak, throwing allegations at their faith and attacking theircompetence. Josie and her team tried to be gracious but they were not appreciated. And when they raised theirvoices for some law and order, they were criticized for being rude and unchristian. It was a lose-lose situationfor Josie and her team. They had to live out a testimony of what it means to be a Christian and they were notallowed to use the same battle tactics as the opposing team who did not come to listen to reasons nor facts.

For the first time in my life, I witnessed a “massacre” of Christians. Also for the first time, I felt it was a crimeto be a Christian. I suddenly understood how Jesus felt when he was on His way to Calvary.

Second, I cried for all Christians and for the Church in Singapore. I disagree with many church leaders' stand that Christians should not get involved in a secular organisation like AWARE.

Aren't the organisations we work for, the schools we attend secular? We cannot hold leadership just becauseour faith and beliefs belong to that of Christ? And if my Christian beliefs form the very core of who I am, whyare you asking me not to exercise them in the world I live in? How relevant then is my faith if I am asked tokeep them within the four walls of the church? And we wonder why our young people abandon the faith oncethey leave school. We haven’t figured out?

If Christians are not allowed to be involved in AWARE, who can? And since most organisations are secular,should we stay out from all of them? If not, then which secular organisations can Christians be involved inand which ones should we stay out from?

Being a Christian and holding leadership position in a secular organisation like AWARE does not mean that itwill be turned into a Christian advocacy group. Josie and her team said many times that they intended for AWARE to be fully represented but nobody wanted to listen. Why? Because the other group wants thefreedom to do anything and everything they desire, in the name of inclusiveness. They know that many oftheir beliefs and lifestyles run contrary to the teachings of Christianity. They are afraid.

Do you know what it means now that AWARE's leadership has gone to the liberalists, the secularists? Theynow have to be pro-choice. They owe it to certain activist groups for supporting them. Being pro-choicemeans they are for pre-marital sex, abortion, divorce, same-sex marriage just to name a few. Yesterday, amandate was given to them to advocate their set of beliefs.

A recognised legal body that claims to represent all women, they can go into schools, homes, institutions andeverywhere in Singapore to propagate their beliefs. In a democratic society, it means that they have the legalstatus to "infiltrate" especially now that everyone is aware that they have been "democratically" voted.2Although I am certain that the government will keep an eye on this group, it means Christians can no longerhide under the umbrella of a conservative government who is under a lot of pressure to open up. We are nowleft to fend for ourselves. A male nominated member of parliament was at the EGM yesterday. Although itwas quoted that he was there as a legal adviser to the old guards, why did he bother to get involved?

Arising from this saga, what do you think is the message to all Christians? It is to "stay away from all secularorganisations and keep your faith to yourself. Christians have no business propagating their faith". From now on, just saying that you are a Christian will immediately bring to mind the AWARE saga and just like how wesaw the liberalists toppled Josie and her team, we will be told to shut up because we are Christians and wehave no part in controversial decisions in any secular organisations we work for.

It just makes living out your faith and evangelising for Christ, a key command from God, even harder fromnow on. And unless Christians speak up and make a stand, we will be drowned and stepped all over.

As much as I understand most Churches’ position for not wanting to get involved in the AWARE saga for fearthat it would taint the reputation of Christianity or that it would tread into the realm of political controversy, Iwish our spiritual leaders have stood up in unity and spoke against some of the activities, for example, the sexuality programme used by the old guards to teach our children in the schools. By steering clear completely,it is indirectly saying that we are fine even with what they were propagating.

In my humble opinion, we have lost more battle grounds in yesterday’s saga. Perhaps we would have lostanyway but could we have lost less? We could even show our young what it means to live for Christ in afallen world through some practical actions. But did we?

Third, I cried for Singapore. The government has just allowed a powerful group to set Singapore'sagenda and this group will make their voices heard in the next election and perhaps even overturn some of our conservative laws.

To our politicians, I seek clarification on the definition of religion and secularism and how do both of theseco-exist in multi-religious Singapore. Can you actually separate one’s religious values from its expression inthe public sphere in matters that concern an individual?

How does one define religion anyway? They have relentlessly said that religion is very sensitive and canpotentially divide our nation. But can a set of beliefs, regardless of where they are derived, fervently held andwhich governs one’s life be a religion? I think so. Yesterday, I saw many people who embrace liberalismturning up in force at Suntec City in support of their beliefs. They were so united and single-minded in whatthey were fighting for. To me, some of them even seemed to be fighting for their right to live. To me, that wasreligion.

In that case, the AWARE’s saga was a fight between two religions. And in all battles, one won and one lost.We lost.

Every country in the world has to be governed by some philosophy and beliefs. Politicians subscribe to certainthinking and values and laws are formulated or amended on those values. Some sorts of beliefs have to takeprecedent over others. Going forward, what is Singapore’s? Secular? Define it.

Singapore wants to be pluralistic and accommodate everyone from all walks of life and from all over theworld in our tiny island. And they want us to live happily together. But can it? Let us not forget thatgeographically, Singapore is very small. Unlike the United States or even Malaysia where I can choose to livein Texas if I don’t like the openness in California or Kelantan instead of Kuala Lumpur if I like to raise myfamily in a more conservative state respectively, I cannot do that in Singapore. And since I like my space,would I be given a choice to reject the society’s dominant values that others determine for me and for which Imay choose not to embrace?3

Finally, I cried for our children. We all try to raise our children to become God-fearing men andwomen who can be salt and light of this world. Some of us even quit our full-time jobs to stay home so thatwe can teach our children God’s ways. To protect our children in today’s internet age, we fight off the newmedia which try to influence our children. Yesterday, I tried to fight off sexuality teachings that ran contraryto God’s words. And tomorrow, I will be fighting off gamblers, drug couriers, prostitutes and gangs. Honestly,I don’t know what kind of environment or the degree of influence and temptations our children would befaced with when they grow up and when they start raising their own children. How can we make it easier forthem to live out their faith? Or are we just making it tougher?

As Christians participating in God’s agenda and battle, what are we lacking? Practical tools. Our churcheshave done a good job teaching us the biblical truth and the word of God. Most of our children have thisknowledge in their heads. However, equipping them with knowledge alone is insufficient. We need todemonstrate to our children how to apply God’s truths, how to stand up for them and if need be, fight for thesetruths.

In short, we need to show them what it means to stand up and be counted for God in a secular world, i.e. to bein this world but not of it. We had an opportunity yesterday but we missed it.

In conclusion, I would like to state some facts that won’t be carried in our mainstream media. I wouldalso like to put forth some questions for all Christians to ponder. First and foremost, who decided to usereligion and set it as an agenda in the AWARE saga?

Constitutionally, Josie and her team were above board. They were elected during the AGM a month ago totake over the leadership. Like any organisation with a constitution, it was based on votes and they won onvotes. Neither was the takeover sneaky. Those of us who have worked in secular organisations, and AWAREis a secular organisation, know that takeovers are never friendly. When was religion ever an issue in anysecular organisational takeover?

Our mainstream media, though they tried to be objective, was unfortunately not. From the start, they alreadyknew which side they wanted to support. Why was the coverage on the event so skewed towards the winningparty? Why carry so much of the winning party’s voice and why interview so many of their supporters? I didnot see them going around just as excitedly in seeking the opinions of Josie’s supporters yesterday.

When Dr Thio was asked by MOE to validate and substantiate her statements on Tuesday, my PR team foughtagainst time to issue a statement to the press only to be told that they don’t intend to carry her side of the story.

When Josie and her team wanted to send the media their vision and philosophy that they have crafted forAWARE, the media told them that they are not interested.

Why run the churches’ stories two days and eventhe eve of the EGM?

Are we aware that the AWARE story was the number one world story in twitters? The other camp was madeup of generally young people who are savvy with social media and they leveraged on those tools. Ninety-ninepercent of those on twitters were dead against Josie and her team.

Are we also aware that they have set up hate websites to hit out at Christians and all on Josie’s team? We allknow that Josie received death threats. Do we also know that everyone on that team had letters or calls writtento their employers asking their employers to justify their presence in the organisations? Why is it that no onespoke up about such tactics?

Further, how aware are we that the other group’s supporters comprised mainly of relatively young people?These are going to be our children’s leaders or counterparts. Josie’s camp was made up of middle aged menand women who did not dress, behave or even speak the same “language” as our young today.

What happenedto our young Christian people? Shouldn’t they be interested in what is happening?

And what about the facts regarding the sexuality programme? Are they true? For those who are unsure andwould like to know what’s been propagated, I have a copy and would be happy to lend it to you for yourpersonal reading. It contains the selected controversial pages and we can all judge for ourselves if we wantthis material taught to our children.

For me, this AWARE saga was a chance to practise and learn to stand up for Christ. Regardless of whichangle you choose to see this event, it was obvious that our faith was attacked. I am very thankful for thisopportunity and to be reminded that we are living in the last days. Come to think of it, I played a very smallrole in this whole episode. I liken myself to the soldier guarding the armoury while my comrades went out tofight. The sad thing was my armoury was filled with pistols while my foes were using machine guns. It wasvery painful to have to witness my comrades’ getting injured and knowing that there is nothing I can do aboutit. But one thing I know – God is still in charge and He is sovereign. He will bring to pass what He revealed inRevelations.

But it also means that Christians have to be ready to stand up and fight for our faith. Otherwise we would be useless in God’s army because He cannot use us. To be ready and useful, we must start to learn what it meansto be steadfast and to live out our faith. Speaking up in defence of our beliefs is a start.

In-His-Love, XXX

Summary of MI and teaching strategies by Thomas A.

2009-05-05T16:10:00.002+08:00

Reading 8 – Thomas Armstrong, 1994, Multiple intelligences in the classroom (pp 65-85)
MI and Teaching Strategies

“If the only tool you have is hammer, everything around you looks like a nail.” – Anonymous

MI theory suggests that one set of teaching strategies will work best for all students at all times.

Teaching strategies for Linguistic Intelligence
- Storytelling
Weave essential concepts, ideas and instructional goals into a story that you tell directly to students.
- Brainstorming
Give special acknowledgement to all students for their original thoughts.
- Tape recording
Collector of information in interview and reporter of information in talking books
- Journal writing
Can be kept entirely private between teachers and students…
Draws heavily upon intrapersonal intelligence insofar as students work individually and use the journal to reflect upon their lives.
- Publishing
Educator must send the message that writing is a powerful tool for communicating ideas and influencing people.
When children see that others care enough about their writing to duplicate it, discuss it, and even argue about it, they become linguistically empowered and are motivated to continue developing their writing craft.

Teaching strategies for Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
- Calculations and quantifications
Even at non-Math subject
- Classifications and categorizations
Logical mind can be stimulated anytime information is put into some kind of rational framework
- Socratic Questioning
Instead of talking at students, the teacher participates in dialogues with them, aiming to uncover the rightness and wrongness of their belief
- Heuristics
The field of heuristics refers to a loose collection of strategies, rules of thumb, guidelines, and suggestions for logical problem solving
- Science Thinking
Students can study influence of science on history and present day situations.
Science provides another point of view that can enrich student’s perspective.
Teaching strategies for Spatial Intelligence
- Visualisation
- Colour Cues
- Picture Metaphors
A metaphor is using one idea to refer to another and a picture metaphor expresses an idea in a visual image.
- Idea Sketching
Involve asking students to draw key point, main idea, central theme, or core concept being taught. Neatness and realism should be DE-emphasised in favour of a succession of quick sketches that help articulate an idea eg Pictionary
Do not evaluate the drawing themselves; instead, seek to “draw out” students’ understanding from the sketches.
- Graphic Symbols

Teaching strategies for Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
- Body Answers
- Classroom Theater
Can be one minute improvisation of a reading passage or a one-hour play that sums up students’ understanding of a broad learning theme.
Try warm up exercises for older students who maybe reluctant to engage in dramatic activities.
- Kinesthetic Concepts
Translate information from linguistic or logical symbol systems into purely bodily-kinesthetic expression
- Hands-on Thinking
Manipulating objects or by making things with their hands.
- Body Maps
Using human body as pedagogical tool.

Teaching strategies for Musical Intelligence
- Rhythms, songs, raps and chants

Inviting students to create songs, raps, or chants that summarise, synthesize, or apply meaning from subjects they are studying moves students to an even higher level of learning.
- Discographies
Supplement your bibliographies for the curriculum with lists of recorded musical selections – tapes, compact discs, and records, - that illustrate, embody, or amplify the content you want to convey.
- Supermemory Music
Students could more easily commit information, to memory if they listened to the teacher’s instruction against musical background. Baroque and classical musical selections in 4/4 time were found to be particularly effective.
- Music Concepts
Musical tones can be used as a creative tool for expressing concepts, patterns, or schemas in many subjects.
- Mood Music
Locate recorded music that creates an appropriate mood or emotional atmosphere for a particular lesson or unit.

Teaching strategies for Interpersonal Intelligence
- Peer sharing
- People Sculptures
The beauty of this approach is in having people represent things that were formerly represented only in books, overheads, or lectures. People sculptures raise learning out of its remote theoretical context and put it into an immediately accessible social setting.
- Cooperative Groups
- Simulations
Involves a group of people coming together to create an “as-if” environment.

Teaching strategies for Intrapersonal Intelligence
- One minute reflection period
Frequent “time out” for introspection or deep thinking. One min reflection periods offer students time to digest the information presented or to connect it to happenings in their own lives. They also provide a refreshing change of pace that helps students stay alert and ready for the next activity.
- Personal connection
Making connection between what is being taught and the lives of their students ie “what does all this have to do with my life?”
- Choice time
Give students choices is as much a fundamental principle of good teaching; building opportunities for students to make decisions about their learning experiences.
- Feeling-toned moments
To feed that emotional brain, educators need to teach with feeling. Educators are responsible for creating moments in teaching where students laugh, feel angry, express strong opinion, get excited about a topic, or feel a wide range of other emotions.
Educator can model, make it safe and provide experiences that evoke feeling-toned reactions.
- Goal setting session
Necessary skills for leading a successful life.

Reflection on AWARE saga as a Singaporean

2009-05-05T00:12:00.003+08:00

I have mixed feeling about the whole AWARE saga. I risked being labeled and misunderstood to pen my reflection. But i will do so because i love Singapore.

As a Singaporean, i am saddened by the display of mob behavior at the SUNTEC EGM. Granted there were pent-up emotion and feeling for "justice" to be served. But the scene of booing and shouting is definitely not the society i am proud of.I am neither for any groups in particular. i think both groups can definitely learn from the whole experience.

Another thought i have is concerning RESPECT. i dont agree that RESPECT needs to be earned. RESPECT is a basic atitude we should have in dealing with ALL of humanity. We RESPECT not because someone has done something worthwhile for us to RESPECT. Because going by this arguement, many people would not need to be respected ie beggar, HIV patients, etc. Whoever started the saying, "Respect needs to be earned", could have misused the word. I would think "Recognition needs to be earned" because recognition is given to people who earned it but not RESPECT. We RESPECT others simply because we are HUMAN. RESPECTING others need not the reflection of the other person's worth or standing.

Thus, in conclusion, we all have lost. We have lost our RESPECT for our fellow country-women, we have lost our sense of civil-mindness, we have lost our ways.....Ironically for the purpose of finding the Singapore society.

Crossroads - how to make decision?

2009-04-20T17:15:00.002+08:00

I have been thinking about how we can know the will of God for our lives. It has become quite obvious that there has not been much training in this area.
Many have been very satisfied to teach and challenge the members to live by the general will of God. This has resulted in many feeling that the church is not interested in their development or worst irrelevant to their lives.
This is not so in the times of NT. Paul prayed for the Colossians that they might know God’s specific will for their lives.

Col 1: 9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Few obvious worthy of highlighting;
- We need to know His will WITH wisdom and understanding lest we become rash and tactless (lack of wisdom) in our walk.
- Life worthy of the Lord and please Him MUST be founded on His WILL.
- We would be able to bear fruits, grow in His knowledge, strengthen with all power, have great endurance and patience, give thanks and share in His inheritance.
Such is the blessing of walking in His will.

Now the question is how can I know His will?
I chanced upon Discipleship Journal and found this very interesting guide.
There are 5 systems whereby we need to check to confirm or discern His will for our lives.

1 The bible
The bible will give us general guidance on His will and ways to show us. We will know the character of voice to confirm His leading.

2 Our unique gifts and talents – our design
Our giftings and talents are from God to lead us to His end for our lives. Thus they are good indicators of where He is leading in our lives.

3 Our Circumstances
Open doors are not necessary signs to proceed or closed doors as signs to stop. We need to ask God to reveal His purpose in these circumstances.
Remember that the devil is at works too.

4 Direct leading
Specific events or confirmation must also be checked with scripture and godly counsel.

5 Input from others
We are created in community and we need to know what the community is saying to us too.

These are not new insights for many of us. But the key difference I learnt here is that we can be more certain when all 5 systems lead to the same conclusion. And anything less would call for more waiting and weighing.

I am very blessed with this information. But I would like to see if I can develop this further so that I can be a blessing for others who are at the crossroads of their lives.

My study - How theology in Galatians can contribute to Education

2009-04-09T11:57:00.006+08:00

Living in this performance-centric society, it is very difficult to discern the subtle influence of “works” in our walk with God. Yet through the signs of many stressed out believers, tired out pastors, and unhealthy pursuit of outward conformity to the “culture” of western Christianity such as robes, church tradition, birthday blessings, and many other subtle influences, we can conclude the yoke of “distorted gospel” is at work among us. This is where the book of Galatians can help us to examine where we have fallen and how the theology highlighted earlier could help us in staying true to the “true gospel” (pun intended).

Being a pastor and leader of an education institution before, it is of particular interest to me to look at Christian Teachers Training and Development. Having the book of Galatians and the course study guide as my reference, we would explore 2 specific areas of applications – the development of teachers and the delivery of lesson. The theology discussed earlier, specifically “Union with Christ” and “Role of Holy Spirit”, will be used in this consideration.

1 Development of Teachers - Need for spiritual training for our Christian teachers
Good teaching comes from good teachers. And good teachers are good because they are good people (Palmer, 1998, p. 10). Skills alone cannot make an eternal impact in the lives of our students. It is the life in Christ that makes the teachers good (Mk 10:18). Thus, only in Christ, can the teachers become good teachers. Also it is only in Christ that Christian Teachers can live out the “cruciform life” (Gorman, 2001, p. 30). The question is who is responsible for the spiritual development of the teachers. We cannot assume that this will be taught in churches. Churches, for most part, will be focusing mainly on the general needs of the congregations. They will not be able to focus on the specific needs of any occupation. Beside, it may not have the resources to do so too. Hence, Christian Schools and Christian Teachers College must consider the spiritual development of Christian Teachers just as they do for other subject matters.

Just like the Galatians, it is very easy for the Christian Teachers to feel that “grace and good teaching performance = acceptance and approval from God” in this performance centric society. The “and …” is what causes the confusion in the Galatians church; adding anything to grace is in fact nullifies grace. For the Galatians, it is circumcision, while for the Christian Teachers, it will be ability to produce students with good grades in this performance centric society. This has caused many Christian Teachers, in Singapore, to feel discouraged with their sense of calling. On one hand, they feel the call to teach, and on the other, they feel the pressure to perform. As a result, we are seeing many resignations among the Christian Teachers or they become indifferent. Such disillusion in teachers can be minimized if the Christian Schools and Christian Teachers College make effort to educate and tutor the Christian Teachers to understand the privilege of being “in Christ”.

We are warmly received into the Kingdom of God because of grace and grace alone. It is the result of the gospel event. There is nothing we can do or add to gain acceptance and approval from God. Christ has done it all for me. It is in Christ that Christian Teachers receive the acceptance and approval from God. And this acceptance with God will allow the merits and perfection of Christ to be applied to us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Goldsworthy, 1991, p. 220).

Such truth needs to be experienced by Christian Teachers regularly so as to keep their motivation in service pure - they serve diligently not because they need that to be accepted but because they are already accepted in Christ. In this way we would have lesser disillusion teachers.

One way to do so is to schedule regular retreat for Christian Teachers to remember the gospel event. It is in the act of remembrance that allows God to illuminate their mind to this truth with freshness. This “remember” retreat approach is in much agreement with what the Bible advocates too (Heschel, 1951, p. 161). Christian Schools and Christian Teachers College can also tap into the wider Christian Community such as Christian Seminaries and Christian Churches for renowned teachers in this subject matter to come and lead the retreat. In this way we will have provided a good experience for the teachers as well as helped the larger community to be mindful of the needs of the Christian Teachers.

2 Classroom teaching - Need for relying on the Holy Spirit
The book of Galatians emphasizes a lot on being dependent on the Holy Spirit. Paul emphasizes such reliance when he exalts the Galatians to receive the Spirit (3:2), begin with the Spirit (3:3), be in the Spirit (4:6), through the Spirit (5:5), walk by the Spirit (5:16, 25), be led by the Spirit (5:18) and live by the Spirit (5:25). All these reflect the great need to be relying on the Holy Spirit in our daily walk. This reliance should apply to the classrooms for the Christian Teachers too. Many teachers are tempted to rely more on the lesson plan than the spontaneous guidance of the Spirit.

But the role of Holy Spirit is more than the exercising of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It should include both the gifts as well as the fruit of the Spirit (5:22) in the lives of the teachers. This does not imply that lesson preparation is not important. It does, however, imply that dependence on the Holy Spirit should start from the point of lesson preparation. Students are not drawn to the smartness of the teachers alone. They are looking for models who can relate and inspire them. Spirit-filled teacher will certainly be attractive teachers to the students because they would be reflecting Christ in the class through personalifying the fruit of the Spirit and exercising the gifts of the Spirit. Such teachers would be awesome.

During classroom management, students do not need to face the raw emotion of a frustrated teacher. Instead they would be managed by one who can control his emotion with a tone of spirituality. During correction, students will receive correction which reveals their weakness and yet heals their pain. During lesson time, students will be amazed by the Spirit-led lesson plan presented with the gifts of the Spirit. This is made possible because the Lord has given us His Spirit through faith (3:2).

Living out this reliance on the Holy Spirit, among the Christian Teachers, needs to be nurtured in the whole school. As in developing any habit, teachers need community to encourage the development of this intentional reliance on the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 2:2). Clustering Spirit-filled teachers with younger (in faith) teachers together will help modeling this practice as well as imparting practical ways to live out this Spirit-filled lifestyle. This will certainly help to transform the class into a Spirit-filled room for learning.

A Good Read; both as a book review and understanding of NCC

2009-03-12T10:50:00.003+08:00

I chanced upon this interesting article recently. i felt it was a rather fair and objective outsider's view of the book and NCC. I am putting this up in this blog to remind myself how to evaluate with a right posture and tone; i really appreciate the way Rev Dr Wong writes.

BOOK REVIEW – Joseph Prince’s Destined to Reign
Reviewed by Rev Dr Gordon Wong

"I recently read the book Destined to Reign (2007) by Joseph Prince, the senior pastor of New Creation Church. When I conveyed some of my thoughts on the book, one of my pastoral colleagues thought it would be helpful if I shared them with more Methodists.

Let me begin by saying that Pastor Prince’s emphasis on grace has been a great blessing from God to many. My nephew and cousin belong to New Creation church and have grown immensely in their relationship with God. My prayer is that God will use Prince’s gifts of preaching to even more blessed effect as he allows the Holy Spirit to convict him (graciously, as always) of areas that could be improved. I hope my comments below will be helpful towards that end.

1. Prince’s teaching on God’s Grace and Anger
His emphasis on grace has led some to accuse him of giving Christians a licence to sin. He vehemently rejects this criticism (e.g. p. 30) and explains that a person who has properly experienced grace is one who is inspired and empowered to turn away from sin.

What I like:
the book’s stress on the power of God’s grace is correct. The grace of God in the Bible is meant to inspire holiness, and not allow sinfulness. The book’s strong emphasis on grace is true to the Bible. Self-condemnation and guilt are real problems that afflict many people today, and the message of God’s grace is truly good news.

What I had reservations about:
In stressing grace, the book appears to suggest that God no longer gets angry with Christians. If this is what it really means to teach, then this is not biblical. On p. 41, read: “We do see God being angry in the Old Testament, and in the book of Revelation, where his anger is toward those who have rejected Jesus. But for you and me, believers in the new covenant, we are not part of the Old Testament and we will never be punished because we have already received Jesus. As believers, God is no longer angry with us because all His anger for our sins fell upon Jesus at the cross.”I suspect (and hope) that what the book really means is that God’s anger is not the type that takes delight in condemning us and pointing out how horrible we are. Also, I think (and hope) that what the book means to say is that God’s anger and punishment on believers does not result in the loss of eternal salvation. But to say the above is very different from saying that God gets angry only with unbelievers and never with true believers (p. 41), or to insist that “the Holy Spirit never convicts you of sin” (p.134). Does the Bible really say that God never gets angry with believers anymore? In the Bible (both Old and New Testaments), God is presented as getting angry with believers. For example, the letters to the 7 churches (i.e. people who profess to be believers) in Revelation 2-3 include a lot of stinging rebuke and condemnation from Jesus himself, including the use of threats of punishment and judgement. (I find attempts to say that the “churches” in Revelation do not really refer to believers as far-fetched.) God Himself seems to punish two professing believers Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. Isn’t this an example of the Holy Spirit, through Peter, convicting Ananias and Sapphira of their sins? Or must we assume the (not so gracious) judgement that Ananias and Sapphira cannot have been true believers?? For argument’s sake, even if they were not true believers, they were certainly in the church assembly. So there is place still for Spirit-inspired preaching for the conviction of sin within church walls. There may be many “believers” like Ananias and Sapphira who need the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin and our need for grace. Perhaps the book could have made a clearer distinction between divine anger at Christians that results in the loss of eternal salvation (which is what he is most concerned to speak against) and divine anger at Christians that aims to correct and discipline (which he seems to reject).

To be fair, Prince does accept the positive idea of child discipline or training (pp. 65-67), but he rejects any association of this discipline with the words “anger” or “punishment”.God’s anger was, and can still be an expression of His love and grace, just like a loving mother who sometimes scolds her child. (Prince is, hopefully, only joking when he implies, p.37, that children will become schizophrenic if parents sometimes express happiness and at other times anger!) To say that God will never get angry or punish believers anymore may promote (unwittingly or mistakenly) a distortion of the Bible’s teaching about God’s grace.

God’s anger is an expression of His love and grace towards his children. Prince would perhaps do better to speak of righteous anger (Ephesians 4:26) versus unrighteous anger. God never gets (unrighteously) angry with us, but loving grace demands a place for righteous anger as long as His beloved children still need discipline.

2. Prince’s teaching on Law

The book is very strong on rejecting the value of the Law in the OT as being of any positive help for Christians. For example, on p.120 there is a section entitled “The Ten Commandments Kill” and it says that these commandments are “the ministry of death”.

What I like:
I think (and hope) that the book is trying to say two biblical things about the Law.
Firstly, it may be warning us that the Ten Commandments can be used or preached in a condemning way that destroys the soul of people and makes them cringe in fear or turn away from God as a harsh Master. This is a good biblical warning.
Secondly, the book’s description of the Law as a ministry of death rather than life correctly describes and reinforces the biblical view that obedience to the Law cannot lead us to receive salvation. It is correct and very good of Prince to speak against those who are “trying to use the Ten Commandments to remove their sins” (p.124). We are saved by grace, not by obedience to the Ten Commandments or the Law. If these two points represent what Prince teaches on the Law in the Bible, then this is good and biblical.

What I had reservations about:
That the Law can be preached and understood in such a way as to promote soul-destroying guilt and deeper condemnation is certainly true. Prince is to be commended for eloquently highlighting this biblical warning about the danger of the Law, and stressing the wonderful grace of God that forgives us all through Christ. But while there are many who need this message of God’s grace-filled forgiveness to save them from their guilt and despair over sin, there are many others who need the message of God’s grace-filled discipline and rebuke to save them from presumption and indifference to sin. Prince’s emphasis on free and full forgiveness is very good at helping the former, but not so good for the latter. Does Prince believe that guilt is the only problem people have because of sin? If so, that would present an incomplete picture. Sin does not only imprison us in guilt; it also lulls us into indifference and presumption. The Bible addresses both these effects of sin. The book appears to suggest that there is no way of preaching the Law in a graceful manner in order to set us free from our sinful indifference and presumption.

Similarly, Prince is correct to stress that the Law cannot save or justify, but his writings give the impression that the Law has no other positive function except to prove that we cannot be saved by it. But the Law in the Bible is also presented as a positive expression of God’s grace in telling us what God desires. But because Prince contrasts Law and Grace in this manner, he gives the impression of implying that the Law has only the negative value of telling people that they cannot be saved by their attempts at obedience to the Law. The Law certainly does perform that valuable function, but it does much more as well. It helps us know what is good in God’s eyes. The book is weak on emphasising the ongoing value of the Law for both Christians and unbelievers.

To be fair to this book, there are certain parts of the Bible that also speak in similarly strong negative tones against the Law (e.g. most of Galatians and parts of the books of Romans and Hebrews). But this negative view is balanced out in other parts of the Bible that are very positive about the Law (e.g. Jesus in Matt 5:19-20; James 1:25; Psalm 119 etc.). In other words, the Law as a means of salvation is spoken of very negatively in the Bible, but the Law as a means of showing us God’s pleasure or desire for our lives is spoken of very positively. The book seems to emphasise only the negative picture of the Law. Doing so would fail to do justice to the biblical balance which speaks also of the ongoing positive value of the Law for Christians. Paul, himself, could sum up the Law very positively as teaching us to love one another (Gal 5:14; Rom 13:8,10).

3. Prince’s teaching on Healing

Healing is a big topic in the Bible, and it is not the main theme of Prince’s book.
But from the little he says in his final full chapter “Good Things Happen” (pp. 287ff), Prince relates testimonies of people who were healed when they received the grace and forgiveness of God. He also states that “once you know that you have been forgiven of all your sins, past, present and future, the healing of all our diseases follows” (p.290).

What I like:
I think Prince is correct to say that the Bible speaks of a God who heals our diseases, and this is a true expression of the forgiveness and grace of God. Physical healing is taught and prayed for and experienced in the Bible.

What I had reservations about:
Whilst the book speaks of Bible passages where physical healing is expected and takes place, it says nothing about the passages that accept (without surprise or anguish) that miraculous physical healing did not take place e.g. 2 Tim 4:20; Philippians 2:25-27; 1 Tim 5:23; Gal 4:13-14. Incidentally, Galatians 4:13-14 tells us explicitly that Paul did have a bodily sickness which resulted in the greater good of the Gospel being preached contra Prince’s statement that “Paul did not suffer any sickness or disease” (p. 71). The problem is not so much with what Prince affirms viz. that healing is a blessing from a God who is full of grace; the problem is with what he omits to affirm viz. that physical illness without healing on earth can also fall within the gracious providence of God. The Bible teaches us both to pray for physical healing and to be prepared to endure illness with patient endurance. The victorious Christian life is one that remains faithful to God in both times of abundance and poverty, in sickness or in health, for richer or for poorer (cf. Philippians 4:12-13). I do not know the ministry of Prince well enough to be sure of what he really thinks about healing on earth. Perhaps if you listen long enough to his sermons, you may be able to make a fairer assessment. Does he preach to help Christians cope with the onslaught of poverty and illness, or does he speak only of removing sickness and suffering by effortless faith? We need both messages, because that is the balance we find in Scripture.

In general, most preachers are prone to partial teaching. We all tend to favour one side of the balance more than the other as a result of our personal experience of God’s dealings with us. The danger comes when we imply that the side we prefer is the only true side of biblical truth!

May God grant us wisdom and discernment as we seek to live in ways that befit those who have been saved by such a wonderful grace as that which our Lord Jesus has lavished on us.

Postscript: There are several places where I do not agree with Prince’s interpretation of the Bible verses (e.g. pp. 124f on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; p.263-65 on the cold, hot and lukewarm Laodiceans in Rev 3:15-16), but these are disagreements over the interpretation of specific phrases that can commonly be found amongst devout Bible teachers. My comments above focus on some major issues that discerning Christians should reflect on more carefully."

Gospel of the 5th Sparrow

2009-03-08T20:37:00.001+08:00

I was told of an illustration which blessed my heart greatly.

There was a boy who came to church and asked to be baptised.
The pastor interviewed him about the conversion story to make sure that the boy knew what he was about to do.
“I am the 5th sparrow!” said the boy.
“What?” exclaimed the pastor. He was puzzled by the boy’s answer as it was not a usual answer.
“Jesus assured me that I would not be forgotten even though I maybe poor and without a home” explained the boy.
He went on and described his daily job, “I catch and sell sparrows in the street. 2 sparrows for a penny and 5 for 2pennies.”
“I will give the weakest and smallest sparrow as the free sparrow” explained the boy.
“So how do you know about God and His love for you?” the pastor interrupted.

The boy explained his learning from the previous sermon he heard.
“You mentioned that in God’s word, He knew about the sparrows and not one of them will fall to the ground apart from His will.”
“And even for the 5th sparrow, it will not be forgotten by God.”
Matthew 10:29 (New International Version)
29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
Luke 12:6 (New International Version)
6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
“I am surprised that He knows about my trade and He values even the discarded free 5th sparrow.”
“I want to follow Him” affirmed the boy.

With tears in his eyes, the pastor placed his hand on the head of the boy and said, “Yes, He know all of us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Even if we are the 5th sparrow.”

Amen.

pastoral musing

2009-02-24T17:47:00.002+08:00

Resisting Activitism
Living in busy Singapore makes us feel like busyness is a badge of usefulness and even spirituality. Busy pastors are normal in many places. Busy in meetings, projects, teaching, strategising, etc. Meaningful busyness as some would say it.

But Eugene Peterson pulled no punches when he stated that "busyness is a sin!".

Busyness, through good church activities, can rob us of worship.
We can be so busy serving Him and missed relating to Him.
We can be so busy doing church and missed recognising His call.
We can be so busy solving problems and missed relying on His Spirit.

We need to stamp the tide of cultural influence and re-evaluate how we live our lives.
We need to question our need to be busy.
We need to ask soul searching questions on “where is God in our work”.
(if our work is to be truly our act of worship, God must be central and key!)
We need to make time to reflect or we will only be pushed to do what we have been scheduled to do.

Pauses in the day, breaks in the week, retreats in a year are all essential space of time we owe to God and ourselves to live life intentionally for worship.

Otherwise, we could complete our time on earth and realise that we have worshipped the church more than Christ!

pastoral musing

2009-02-20T12:40:00.000+08:00

Learning on submission and its related issues
1 Definition of submission – voluntary obedience in love
2 Control – good or bad? denial of rights or pay for the consequence?
3 Discipline – is more than punishment. It is training for maturity
4 Can a husband expect submission? Yes but not good; God loves us but did not control us into submission. Submission is our choice. Choice brings consequences.
5 Failure to submit will bring forth the consequence and the person involved must be prepared for it. Blaming the consequence is not being conscious that it is a direct result of his choice.
6 Can a leader “control” the behaviour of his members by setting the boundary of freedom? Beyond which there will be “disciplinary” action?
7 The key issue is in the spirit of the so called “control” and “accountability”. If the spirit is punitive, the effects on people is more than the intention of building but tearing. Shepherd needs to be mindful of our representation of God to followers. God disciplines us when we choose not to submit to His word and will. But His love for us is not dependent on our obedience or submission; our ability to recognise or be deceived is clouded by our sin. Yet Grace is there to bring us back. God’s way is prompting us, lovingly, to obedience and not controlled obedience, dictated obedience. Key is really in the posture.
8 On the side of the leader
- be mindful how we implement the teaching of “submission” and “accountability”. It is not how but what is the spirit within us when we do so.
- allow grace to guide our posture in dealing with our followers
9 On the side of the followers
- listen to contrary advice with a teachable heart; ask ourselves why we are not open to this advice
- test our own spirit ie are we being rebellious
- consult godly advice
- be willing to submit, not just to man, to Godly advice.
- be prepared to humble all the way including facing the consequence of your choice.
10 I am still musing on this subject…hahaha….

Personal update

2009-02-01T18:10:00.001+08:00

Attended church at Trinity.
It was a nice feeling because I was from Trinity back in the 80s. I remembered attending church at World Trade Centre and prayer meeting at Adam Road. I went to church alone for more than a year without knowing anyone there. But I felt God and His truth there for my learning.
Then my BS leader asked me to change to a more conservative church because of the charismatic issues. So I did. I went to Grace Baptist Church in 1985.
And it was not long when Lawrence Khong, then SP of GBC, was asked to leave. I followed the rest to FCBC in Aug 1986.

And now, visiting TCC, brought back much fond memories with God and the simple church life.
The message today was about the Prosperity God wants for us ie Your Adverity will be His opportunity, Your Confession will be His permission, Your emptiness will be His readiness.
It was a good reminder to thirst and hunger for His fullness in our lives.

I am glad to see this church growing well in members and ministry.

Reflection on Leadership

2009-02-01T17:52:00.003+08:00

Leadership Paradox
- The siren call of stardom (pp 37-50)

1 Philip Yancy
“We prefer a tall, handsome, and above all, slender Jesus."
2 Obedience and humility are God’s twin guardians against the plague of vain ambition resident within the heart of the leader who wants to be a star.
3 Unholy trinity of Amercia’s definition of success; size, speed and public exposure.
4 In our anxious desire to validate the fruit of our ministry, we give in to these definitions.
5 Lewis Lapham, essayist and editor of Harper’s Magazine, wrote in the 60’s:
“The previous distinct genres of journalism, literature, and theatre gradually fused into something known as media. The amalgam of forms resulted in a national theatre of celebrity….it the media succeed with their spectacles and grand simplifications, it is because their audiences define happiness as the state of being well and artfully deceived.
6 The line of separation between truth and fantasy vanishes into something called “testimony” or “vision”.
7 People want to have larger than life heros and these exaggerated claims are rationalised on the grounds that the end justifies the means.
8 Doorway of opportunity can quickly become trap doors for the leader driven to promote his ministry.
9 The enticement of success and popularity can easily deluded a leader into believing the fallacy that opportunity and guidance are synonymous.
10 Walter Wangerin, Jr
“From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus charged those who experienced His power to say nothing about it”
11 Adolph Hitler
“The great masses of the people …will more easily fall victims to a big lie than a small one.”
12 Jesus was almost oblivious to ministry momentum….by his refusal to captialise on the situation and opportunities created.
Jn 8:29 –“…..i always do what pleases Him”. Jesus lived by putting His Father’s will above His own. He dwelt in that serene place where ego, prestige, and position had no dominion.
13 We must seek to order everything in accordance with His will, even if it means forfeiting wonderful opportunities to further enhance our leadership standing. We must have the courage and conviction to say no to a coveted opening even when knowing that by doing so another leader may take our place in reaping the rewards.
14 Why we reject servant leadership?
Nature of servant leadership goes deeply against the grain of human ego.
- we offer mere lip services to the possibility of pride while denying its insidious work in our hearts.
Concentration on an American-style ethos fuels us with a tainted incentive to look good at all cost.
- making promises and announce big plans that will never come about but we look and sound successful. When challenged on such issues, we wax eloquent on the nature and calling of visionary leadership while our followers clamour for more vision talk.
- in America, appearance count more than reality.
Obsession with packaging
- we want a formula or technique that we could market as the next big revelation to solve XXXX or growth, etc.
- we have accepted man-centered, self-glorified, ego-inflating packaging as a normal part of Christendom.
15 Frederick Buechner
“One of the blunders religious people are particularly fond of making is the attempt to be more spiritual than God.”
16 Trap on Destiny and Call
“One’s destiny can become one’s test…the individual driven to act out and prove that he or she is a special chosen vessel can easily forfeit the anointing to lead. The initial calling may well have been from God, but unchecked ego will pervert the call. Vain ambition disguises itself with assertions of uniqueness. Destiny bound with ego easily degenerates into empire building, and empire builders have the unfortunate tendency to become false prophets.”
“The leader wishing to emulate Jesus resists the great temptation to build a ministry around himself. He chooses to abandon himself to the will and pleasure of God….communion takes precedence over causes, obedience over opportunity.”
16 Brennan Manning
“The imposter does not want to come out of hiding. He will grab for the cosmetic kit and put on his pretty face to make himself “presentable”.”
17 The deceitful hearts; things to watch
- status with privileges
- name dropping reveals insecurity
- defensiveness
- self promotion
- using ends to justify means

This book is a Good Read. Many important lessons for us to comtemplate ...and we need to lest we are reflecting leadership of the world more than leadership of Jesus.

If you are a leader...which kind you would rather be?

Pastoral reflection on mentoring.

2009-01-28T11:50:00.002+08:00

"Am I a good mentor?"
Someone asked this question during his visit to my place over the CNY. He was asking himself if he had been a good mentor to his boys.

What prompted him, to ask this question, was his dissatisfaction over some of the responses of his disciples.

My reflection over this question is as follow;
Expectation!
What has been the expected expectation from those he mentored?
Has this expectation been clearly defined and communicated?
Has a suitable culture and process been established to bring the expectation into reality? Or was it just an incidental approach to achieve an intentional goal?

Edmund Chan talked a lot about the certain kind of disciples. G12 spoke about G12 leaders; people who could multiple themselves 12x. Nav taught about 2 Tim 2:2.
Every one of the above did not stop at stating their end expectation. They developed a process and culture that would enhance their expectation to become a reality.
They commit EVERY resources within their disposal to ensure that the process and culture are properly established and refined over time.

Back to the question;
If there is no clear expectation, anything can also be considered as acceptable or otherwise.
If there is lack of commitment to the processes, than anything would be a bonus.

Some would raise the question about the lack of appropriate response from the disciples.
This could be resolved when we looked at Jesus and His experience. He had 4 categories of students ie core 3, group of 12, company of 72 and multitudes. And He had a Judas who betrayed Him, a Peter who denied Him, a Thomas who doubted Him, a team of 10 who left Him. By any count, Jesus would have been a failure in discipleship. But He was not. He came back to them, restored them and commissioned them afresh. Love never fails.

What does this mean for us today?
Identify who you have
Don’t expect the 72 to be as close as the 3.
Identify your present group where they are with you ie r they the core 3 or just
plain multitude?
Don’t be afraid to accept the fact that they are not your 3 nor 12.
Do give your best to raise the 3 and 12.
Challenge them to pursue their God given goals.
They must know God and God's dream in their lives
They must own their dream and pursue them.
Only when they own the dream, it will only be your doing in their lives.
The place of prayer and word life are very vital to their spirtual wellbeing; THERE IS NO SHORT CUT.
Accept their progress as your gift of worship to God.
Don’t lord over them.
Accept their progress, no matter how small, as your gift for God and not inflate ego.

My thoughts on Leadership

2009-01-22T12:49:00.003+08:00

i enjoyed reading a lot on leadership lately because of the course material i am doing. So i have attached a chapter for myself as well as all of you who wish to learn something new about leadership.

Leadership Paradox by Denny Gunderson
1 Servant – Diakonos; through the sand- The background to this word revolves the story of servant standing in the way of the sand storm to protect the master.
2 Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant” (Matt20:26)
3 The test of our spiritual life is the power to descend…. – Oswald Chambers
4 The human obsession for control and the sincere desire of a true leader to serve are mutually exclusive.
5 The test of fading influence
- how did John the Baptist cope with his decreasing influence with the advent of the Messiah?
- is leadership a position or a role?
Formal leadership overly emphasised followership
Matt 20:25-26; ….not so with you
Jesus clearly and unequivocally denounces as worldly any talk or practice that establishes hierarchical orders?
(i understand the drift of the author on the hierarchical orders but i am not sure if i can fully endorse this position....still thinking...Jethro's advice to Moses was definitely a hierarchical structure. it was meant to make things more manageable for Moses. i tend to see that the verses in Matt 20 refers to the abuse of structure rather than attacking the structure.)
Jim Peterson …..
”Thus, in doing this, our church Fathers neatly and permanently divided
God’s people into two castes; laity and clergy. We have lived with this
caste system ever since, even though the bible teaches otherwise.”

Who do we spend the most time with? People in influence or People in need? Who would Jesus spend the most time with?

Charles Colson
“The pastor or Christian leader who is constantly the object of adoring
crowds soon cant live without it and often unconsciously, begins to shape
his message to assure continual adulation.”

When ministry (noun) takes priority over minister (verb), servanthood is squeezed out.
Ministry of God does not mean my ministry; I cannot lay claims to its effectiveness or lack of….It belongs to God ultimately..
My identity should not be wrapped around my position as a leader.
Embracing one’s own failure and expendability is a major step of liberation away from the bondage of self-interest.

M Scott Peck
“The need for control – to ensure the desired outcome – is at least
partially rooted in the fear of control.”

- A true servant leader
… relinquishment of a prized position, leaving the security of a solid financial “power base”, or
voluntarily minimising one’s own importance so that someone else can have an opportunity
to rise to a place of prominence.
With nothing to prove and no vested interest, take joy in seeing others grow beyond himself.
Henri Nouwen
– The beginning and the end of Christian leadership is to give your life for
other.
Jesus Christ
“The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matt 20:28)
The goal of a leader is to work himself out of a job.
A commitment to planned obsolescence may produce inferior automobiles, but it makes for
great servant leaders.

- Questions to think
Are we willing to embrace God’s will even when His will appear to hold a deterioration of our personal place of importance as a leader?
Is our identity so wrapped up in our leadership position that the loss of position causes us deep emotional trauma?
Can we make John the Baptist’s choice to decrease?

A new beginning .... A new call

2009-01-20T12:59:00.001+08:00

Summary of past weeks learning.
I have been busy with planning for a camp, studying for my course and taking care of jo and children.
Jo has been unwell due to the wisdom tooth extraction. It is painful seeing her bearing the pain throughout the day. It has been more than 1 week and she is still nursing the pain. Sigh!
Study has been good in that my past 10 submissions for the reading assignment received distinctions. I have been very encouraged that I am moving in the right direction.
God blesses me with a pair of free tickets to London because of the frequent flyer card draw. Another person just sms me that God has spoken to her to bless us financially. Wow! More than the amount, the fact that God spoke to someone about us makes me feel very blessed indeed. God will always take care of His saints….

Lately, I have been reminded about the need to seek His perfect will for my life. John Bereve reminded us that God will hold us accountable to His will. And when we failed, He will raise someone else to fulfil it. In the 90’s, I was told that God called a church to move to Woodland. There was several intention and actions but nothing significant was done. Today, CEFE, Lighthouse and VFC are there. Has that church missed something in the process? I don’t know and I cannot judge ….. but it surely reminded me that I must raise up to do God’s call for Senglee. Otherwise, God will raise someone else to do my part.

This led me to pray and seek God for the past week.

Interestingly, God spoke to me last Sunday through Jn21.
He had called me to love Him by Feeding His Lambs, Taking care of His sheep, Feeding His sheep.
I was very touched cos this passage had been a constant reminder from God at different junctions of my life as a believer.
He has not changed His call in my life and that I have to leave my “boat” and follow Him as an expression of my love.

Yes, the leaving from my “spiritual family” had dealt a great blow in my life. Far deeper than I care to admit and know. I remembered how deeply I cried in one of the night whereby God ministered to me in my dream. In that dream, God drew me out to release my pain to Him. And I cried till I was awaken by the pain I felt. Yes I had been hurt and it was not easy to state that…

But now, I have released the pain to Him by His grace. I have been led to bless sincerely from my heart in another dream. Yes I am an old man now..hahah…”old man dreams dream, young man see vision…” In this other dream, I was led to see the pain in those who hurt me. I was shocked and saddened by what I saw. And I woke up blessing them sincerely from my heart.

After speaking to me through these Dreams, God then spoke to me through the scripture. He knew that as a ex-Navigator, I needed scripture to justify my action plan. In fact, I told God that it would be nice if He could give me another scripture to confirm His will for me. And HE DID through Jn21.

That settles it for me!

I will be a pastor for Him!

2009 - A New Beginning

2009-01-04T15:37:00.001+08:00

2009 and what it means for me

2009-01-04T14:49:00.000+08:00

God reminded me of His call in my life to desire revival more than respectability. Revival is about bringing in His presence while respectability is about cruising on His past works.

It was very easy for me to “flow” with the system and be comfortable with what was around me. But God wanted otherwise for me. He wants me to continue to pursue the revival that He has placed in my heart.

Thus the stepping out in faith…..like Abraham, not knowing where to go, I am moving on by faith that He will show.

Uncle’s death over the New Year’s Eve, helps me to see the strength or lack of in the many relational ties I though I have. I felt I had not taught the people well on relationship and love. But more importantly, I felt his death signals a new beginning for me. His health deteriorated during the times when I was seriously weighing the call from God. And I felt his “graduation into eternality” is a sign from God to me to move on to the new chapter.

Thus, as a deliberate act to move on, I will no longer be blogging on this site as the original intention of this blog was to disciple online readers from FCBC.

This will be my last post!

Meanwhile, I felt the need to clarify that I am not in City Harvest Church.

I have said to many that I am giving myself time to visit churches in Singapore to see the bigger work of God in this city. I have since visited City Harvest Church, Church of Our Savior, Riverlife, Christlite Methodist, Dawn, Lighthouse Woodlands. I will like to visit a couple more before putting all the learning together. I know that as a visitor we do not see the “true” picture of the church. But it helps to see the distinctiveness in every church ie how they are different from one another, etc. I celebrate the diversity of giftings that I have discovered in the Body of Christ so far.

Particularly, I have visited City Harvest more because this church is amazing. Many are drawn to the worship climate of the service and the preaching of Ps Kong. He is very down to earth and yet very engaging and faith stirring.

Personally, I had visited CHC in the past too during the initial period of starting the youth service. I don’t see anything wrong in visiting churches if you have cleared with your leadership and you are clear in your purpose of doing so.

Meanwhile, I am availing myself to schools and organisation to teach because there is a need to bring “bread to the table”. I have no intention to compete with the friendly organisation which I have “grown” up with. Just to meet practical needs for the family.

But guess every action of mine could be interpreted negatively if people choose to be negative. For that, there is nothing much I could do.

I should never live life to please man but God.

Farewell…..

A fresh perspective

2008-12-31T18:16:00.000+08:00

Much has been said about the financial crisis and recession. Retrenchment and more bad news abound. How should a believer response in times such as this?

I believe this is the best time for the gospel message.
Beginning with believers, we must anchor our hope in God.

Even if we are part of the retrenchment group, we must believe God that it is His sovereign act to move us to somewhere BETTER.

Life is simple. But not simplistic. We must not treat retrenchment as “suai” or bad luck and being spared from retrenchment as “lucky” or “God is good”. We need to see that whatever life brings to us, it is still within God’s perfect will for our lives. We, owe it to God and ourselves, to understand His ways and agenda for us. God is always GOOD regardless of what happens to us.

Meanwhile, we need to counter the trend and be truly light and salt in this challenging time.
- Instead of playing safe with our money and resources, GIVE! Give to those who are in need.
- Instead of focusing on personal needs, self preservation, LOVE! Love is demonstrated and not just with mere words.
- Instead of being fearful, FAITH! Faith to step out and usher in the greater thing He will do in and through us!

Leadership Perspective - a new understanding

2008-12-23T16:32:00.000+08:00

Segment 9: Leadership within a learning community

This segment reading started with Stronk and Bloomberg reminding us the type of leadership needed in school planning. We need to put in place a certain rhythm in ensuring that everyone involved in the process and not “top down”. The suggested framework is very useful especially the emphasis for total involvement, team building and putting peers together in the teaching and learning journey.

The leadership function continues beyond the planning to shaping a covenantal learning communities as learning had been structured to a private and personal journey in most schools. The ingredients of covenant learning community ie need for vision, atmosphere of love and trust and ethos of leadership for service are important focus for the leadership to emphasis and work on to ensure that school can be transformed into such learning communities.

With postmodernity, leadership is evermore needed to bring about changes “because of the human carving for stability especially on the part of those in power positions and those who benefit most from the existing order, nothing will give way in the fabric of existing institutions until the strife and discontent build beyond some threshold” (Lambert, 2004). Leadership in this brave new postmodern world demands that we encourage our learning communities to play with ideas and pray for grace to be faithful in obedience to the heavenly vision, whether as maverick or monk.

And to do so effectively and refreshingly, leaders must make time for self care. The ability to “make time” or time management is very well explained by Rush. He reminded us that “Time is our most important resource. It cannot be saved or stored. It can only be used.” And we must use it intentionally to ensure that our lives are moving toward the God given mandate as followers, leaders and teachers. Brain explained how the importance of self care can benefit pastors. Leaders can share in the benefit too as schooling is very much the same as ministry in that both are very people intensive and Godward focus.

Servgiovanni ended this segment reminding us that context played a key role in deciding whether certain approaches to leadership will be effective or not. There is a real danger of blind adoption of past successful model into the school context.
School needs special leadership and that could be found in moral leadership framework because it emphasises bringing diverse people into a common cause by making the school a covenantal community. Leadership in such context is neither hierarchical nor interpersonal but cognitive which draws its authority from shared goals, purposes, values, commitments and other ideas that provide the basis for followership. Linking leadership directly to the construction of meaning, facilitation of learning and the development of collective responsibility links leadership directly to the lifeworlds of schools. That is very important as it helps to achieve the balance of having the lifeworld driving the systemsworld of school.

Finally the leadership within the learning community needs to be ethical lest it becomes manipulation rather than empowering and enabling.

Reviews on my study notes

2008-12-21T16:53:00.000+08:00

Rush – time management; a biblical approach

1 Quotes
Will Rogers
It is not so much what you do each day – it is what you get done that counts.
Paul
Eph 5:15-16 – be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Dawson Trotman
The greatest time wasted is the time getting started.

All agree that time is to be used and not wasted.

2 What is time?
Time is the passing of life.
Problems managing time is actually a reflection of problems managing our lives.
What you are and what you possess are the result of how you have used the time allotted to you.
All of us have the same amount of time – the difference is on how we use the time we have.
The secret to time management is how we use the 60min in every hour wisely.

3 Time robbers - Activities that take us away living purposefully.
Identify personal time robbers and systemically work at eliminating them.

4 How to identify your personal time robbers?
- time management is unglamourous hard work; most of us are unwilling to pay the price to work on it.
- using the time inventory sheet
Be specific in recording activities ; vague statement will not help.
Deal with controllable and uncontrollable time
Controllable; work at eliminating them
Uncontrollable; factor unscheduled time slot into our weekly plan

5 How to set priorities
Learning to set priorities is one of the most important and difficult aspect of effectively managing one’s time
We need to deter our emotion from interfering with reality.

6 Avoid the activity trap
Part of the problem can be traced to the activity trap which gets people involved in numerous tasks that do not contribute to the predetermined goal or objective.
Many Christian leaders work from morning till night but they never seem to get the important things done.
Mary and Martha – Lk 10:38-42
- Overlook what is important
- Unaware that she had lost sight of the goal
- Criticised other
- Busy activities produced stresses and tension which stimulate more activity

We must eliminate activities that make little or any contribution to our goal.

7 How to stay on schedule?
- develop priorities and communicate them
- learn to say “no” to things that do not contribute to goal
- maintain a high level of commitment to managing your time

The greater the priority the more frequent the need to say no.
We cannot meet all the needs of all people at all times.
We must focus on the most important things God has planned and called us to do.
Time management is not about schedule but accomplishing established life goals and priorities.

8 The important role of timing
The effective use of time consists of doing what God wants at the time He wants it done.

9 Time is our most important resource. It cannot be saved or stored. It can only be used.

10 CSL’s thoughts
I have only 1 life; total amount of time given from God to me.
I must live intentionally to fulfil His purpose and calling in my life.
I need to identify the time robbers in my life and eliminate them.
DO not give in to soulish excuses.

G12 and me

2008-12-17T01:00:00.000+08:00

Someone asked me if i am still for G12 since i left FCBC.
My answer is yes!
Yes in that i affirm the principles which i have observed in my times with the G12 movement.
I made a trip to Bogota in 1999 with KC, EL and PW. We were impressed with what we had observed. Together with KC, we implemented some principles we observed into the district. We put in place our own version of encounters and equipping track. i had one of my zone pastors, then, to pilot the full G12 principles in his zone. We saw tremondous growth in that zone. As a whole, the district benefitted from the process too. We emphasised on Prayer, Deliverance and Equipping. But i did not implement the structure as i was waiting for FCBC to make an official position in regards to G12.
In 2001, i made another trip with the FCBC team to Bogota.

There are many good aspect of G12 that i would like to highlight ie permanence of discipleship relationship, releasing of woman into ministry, intentional discipleship, etc.

But as in all changes, there would be mistakes or over-simplistic approaches which compromised the overall intent of G12. And i believe the leadership in FCBC will continue to refine the process.

What about me?
I have always believe in discipleship since my conversion. i was properly followup by the Navigators in Singapore Poly in the '80. And in the process, was encouraged to find a home church to settle in.

Even now, as i enjoy my sabbatical and visit churches, i am studying to deepen my foundation so that i could be involved in discipleship again.

My mission is to develop a team of people who could continue to make disciples for the glory of God.

For Isabel - to share our beijing memories

2008-12-13T14:59:00.000+08:00

the 2 friends

the 4 friends

the 2 friends again

the cool guy

Rachel with the wonderful hostess. Rachel trying to catch up with her piano lesson. haha.

What is your Passion? Dream? Calling?

2008-12-12T21:40:00.000+08:00

What is your passion? Your dream? Your destiny?

I have been asking people these questions. And I have been helping people to uncover the answers to these questions for themselves.

Then recently, I realised that I have “lost” my own answer!

When I was asked of these questions recently, I could not really articulate an appropriate answer. I could give an answer to satisfy the questioner or even myself for a while. But deep inside, I realised I have “lost” my answer.

I began to do what I did with others ie listing down all my thoughts and interest, past encounters with God, interesting experiences in life etc. All were well placed before me…but I just could not make sense of them ie I could not find the “voice” that unite them all.

Then…..in my quiet moment with God……..He helped me to sort out all the questions. I realised that all through the years, I had buried my calling and passion through the “good works” that I was doing. I had tried to “position” my answer to suit the various platforms and works I was involved that, unknowingly, I lost my “voice”.

In that sacred moment with God, I found my voice again.
I found my calling afresh!
I FOUND MYSELF!
I FOUND GOD!

more pictures

2008-12-09T21:06:00.000+08:00

Driving past the Olympic Stadium

Buying chestnuts from the roadshow...don't eat while it is hot!

corridor of the world longest art gallery

Great Wall (view from Mutian Yu)

Taking a picture facing the sun...haha tough.

Hoilday Pictures

2008-12-08T00:00:00.000+08:00

Queuing for tickets at Mutian for Ropeway to top of Great Wall.

Attention! Security!

The Largest LCD screen in the world. This is about 100m long screen at the ceiling...what a sight!

Holiday in Beijing

2008-12-07T23:43:00.000+08:00

I give thanks to God for this special holiday. it was very special because God provided the means, family enjoyed ourselves very much, blessed by friends who cared.

I have selected some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Learning from last weekend conference

2008-12-03T16:25:00.000+08:00

Learning from the Global Social Innovation Forum 2008
There are many nuggets of wisdom that I would like to pen down both for myself and my fellow comrades in this journey of life.

1 The need to question the status quo. Pamela Hartigan liked to use the word “unreasonable” to challenge us to be “discontented” with what has been reasonable in standards etc. Only discontented people can push the existing boundary. She also challenged the use of the word “empower”. She felt that we could only provide the means and opportunity for people to choose. And in choosing, people are empowered. We cannot possibly empower people directly.

2 Jet LI gave a very interesting perspective on why we should give back to the society. He highlighted that the 2 chapters of life ie from birth to 10yrs old and the remaining 10yrs of one's life, we need people to care and support us. Thus the remaining middle portion of our lives, we should care and support others. That is what essentially being human means. Compassion and good works must not be a result of hype or loud promotion, it must stem from within every human being ie our nature to give back. I am impressed with his insight of life and commitment to change the world through his foundation. I only lament that we are not seeing much from the Christian world. The world is needful of such people who are not afraid of personal loss in exchange for global change. They would use all within their means to impact society. We must challenge the next generation of believers to do likewise…It is time for the light and salt to shine and influence!

3 Robert Chua, media owner, made an interesting insight about the media in the future. He shared that it would be about cross platform ie we could see “live” input from internet to media content to media programming. It is not about just 1 medium anymore. People are seeking “live” infoentertainment. Also he felt that mass media should be responsible to educate and entertain and not promote wrong habits and values and fear. Very refreshing voice in the media world.

4 Claire Chiang lamented that despite the mammoth growth in wealth, there is no change in the quality of life around the world. There is something fundamental wrong in the way business are run. She predicted that future jobs must have both the motivation of money and meaning to attract and retain Gen X and Y workforce. I cannot agree more!

5 Zainudin reminded us the future of high technology. We could be seeing nano and super nano technology that would allow technology to be implanted into human. The pages of Revelation are coming to past.

6 Amit shared that while youth is lacking in experience and knowledge, youth could start with building relationship and networking.

7 CSL - How to start a SE?
Identify our passion, concerns, interest or even skills.
Clarify purpose and mission; SE is one possible outcome.
Assume a possible attitude for change; attitude is everything
Develop business model for sustainability; details determine destiny
Craft a pitching approach
Engage stakeholders
Take the 1st step!

8 Personal Applications
- Read “Doing good doing well” by willie cheng
- Research on global needs ie Clinton initative and high noon
- Reason the need for YOUTHSOUL – giving the soul to the youth through challenging them to believe God to MAD

Busyness is a sin!

2008-12-02T14:47:00.000+08:00

Eugene Peterson made this bold claim in one of his books.
This statement stuck in my mind for a long time because I struggled with its touch on my weakness ie busyness. I was very busy for a long time ie balancing 3 different jobs at 1 time.

What is wrong with busyness?
It robs God of our worship!

We can be busy with serving God that we missed Him out totally in the picture.
We can be doing this and that for Him and yet losing our affection for Him.
We can be integrating all we want and it is not worship if He is not central in our focus.

Worship is when we give due recognition and attention to Him.

In Deut, we are reminded that God called to Pharaoh to “set My people free…that they may worship Me”. This call was given to Pharaoh at least 7 times ie depending on your version of the bible.

In NASV, “worship” is also translated into “serve”. This helps to clarify that worship is more than singing songs from Hillsongs. It is about living a life of service to the King ie in the labour of our hands, meditation of our mind, expression of our bodily means (vocal, hands, body etc).

In these times of financial meltdown, natural disaster, wars and rumour of wars, we are forced to recognise that we are living in the LAST DAYS. We must not live as per normal. We must ask “what are we busy with?”. We must take time to reflect and worship God afresh.

Someone said that the only constant thing in life is change.
I disagreed!
The only constant in life is GOD.
He changes NOT.
All the changes in this world is actually part of the bigger work of God to draw men back to Himself, to worship Him.

Application;
Remember – busyness is sin!
Time to rework your schedule.
Put in time for worship!

What is the Lord saying in these times?

2008-11-27T19:03:00.000+08:00

Economical recessions, Employment woes, Earthquakes….what is happening?

Financial experts would advise us that this is normal financial cycle ie 6-8yrs we would expect some form of recessions, etc.
Geologist could explain the dynamics involved in earthquakes, etc.

BUT why are they happening?

I think in this season, it is important for Christian to pause and listen to the agenda of God.
Why is God shaking up the financial system of the world?
Why is there instability in job markets?
Why is nature being shaken up?

Personally I believe it is a wakeup call from God.
Man has resought to build our security in the things of this world that we have neglected our reliance on God.
We have more faith in the means of this world more than the Master of our lives.
We are worshipping our jobs more than making our jobs part of our total worship to God.
We are occupied with activities more than the Almighty.

It is time to slow down and align our hearts to the Object of our faith. We must not harden our hearts lest we miss His voice.

Application:
Take a proper break this Dec to reflect on the year and recommit every area to the Lordship of God. God must be the Lord over them and not be a divine rubber stamp.

My Silence

2008-11-20T22:02:00.000+08:00

Just in case some of you wondered why the silence.....
- i am currently in Beijing with my family. This trip was a blessing from an old Victoria School friend. Am always thankful to God for this holiday as well as my Victoria School experiences and friends made.
- been thinking about many things ie my failing in discipling my disciples, the lack of true authentic Christian relationships and community life, the shallowness of love, etc
- personally, i believe it is important that we beginning our processing of conflicts, of interest or expectations, by examining how i have failed rather than how others have failed me. in this way, i switch from a blame game to a learning posture for everybody. BUT i have seen many leaders blaming others without doing a just examine of personal failing. Thus, i am determined to live out a God pleasing life by being a godly leader; nothing more, nothing less. It is time to be godly in all my ways. beginning with my processing......in silence.

Thinking aloud

2008-11-10T22:06:00.000+08:00

Was reminded again by Ed Silvoso's (@ CHC) -
"if you want to see something you have never seen before, you must do something you have never done before. Or you will continue to see what you have always seen before as you continue in what you have always been doing."

This reminder was very reassuring i knew i had done something NEW in faith.

Also, there was a song which was sung with these few lines -
"..greater things that are yet to come. greater things that are yet to be done..."

Felt it was an assurance from our Father that He would be doing something new and great (or greater) in the coming years and i would be part of it as i had moved out in faith.

Words failed to express the sense of gratitude i felt in the hall.

As i reflected over this season, i was and am thankful that God is doing a much bigger thing than i realised. I have also found the Body of Christ much more gracious, kind and understanding.

Many people, outside my usual circle, came and offered help, love and listening ears (even when i chose not to speak). They heard, from others, and were concerned for me. Some even offered jobs for me. But I have turned them down because i know this is a season of studying, listening and seeing. It is not time yet to be engaged in anything more permanent.

But through their love expressed, i found GRACE. Grace amazing ....
That God is bigger than all my mistakes.
That God is greater than all the assessments i received.
That God is interested in all my dreams and fantasies.
That God is always around..
in my peaks....
in my pits...

Above all,
He loves me...
He cares for me...
He wants to use me...

To usher His greater things
To witness His greater acts
To celebrate His greater works

He loves me eternally! Such GRACE.

My part....i must respond to His grace by loving Him.
I have been reminded what i have taught about LOVE.

Love is not love till it is expressed.
Love is not just an emotional word.
Love is an action word.
Love acts in good faith and intention.
Love is not afraid of wrong.
Love is not afraid of opinions of others.
Love is not afraid.

Even though this was taught for christian love, it is even more so for me to live out to God.

"Evil persists because good man does nothing!"
There are too many such good man who do nothing in the face of wrong.
I have acted to the best i know.
i pray, by His Grace, i will continue to do so and reduce the evil around us.

something greater is yet to happen, something greater is going to happen!

what do you mean by submission?

2008-11-07T19:52:00.000+08:00

to be posted...

Pastoral musing - over priority of teaching

2008-11-04T14:42:00.000+08:00

In Stronks and Blomberg's "vision ; school for responsive discipleship", we are reminded the Christian schools have these roles -

Conserves and passes on biblical story and worldviews

Discerns spirits of our times

Inquires how the tradition it is conserving leads to reforming society

And in carrying out these roles, biblical schooling or Responsive discipleship would call us into these 3 priorities for teachers;

1. Unwrapping God’s gift

We need to nourish lifelong playful and thoughtful learner out of our students. there must be fun in learning (motto of JC Edu Park). In so doing, we must not limit ourselves to nurturing of just intellectual gift. We need to help our students to discover their hidden God's given gifts. We must also help them tap into creativity and imagination within thhem as they are made in the image of God.

2. Sharing burden and joy

School is more than producing scholars. It is about producing learners, learners who are human. This means we must guide them to offer their gifts to serve the body of Christ and society. As guide we must help them to counter the tide of individual gratification and self fulfilment and develop character of perseverance and resilience. i am thinking that we have neglected much about developing resilience in our youth lately. There is much to think about this.

In order to share burden and joy, we must grow to accept all as image of God and not the "naughty boy in my class". It is not easy but we all need to grow in this.

While expressing care and concerns, this caring covenant communities are not soft; forceful and demanding when necessary yet resilient. We must also teach personal failures as new learning opportunities, while endured. All these need not be done only in CIP or YEP. it must be cultivated in class as well.

3. Seeking Shalom

Shalom is biblical peace and justice that heals brokenness and restores creation to what God intends it to be. Shalom peace means both rests in and brings about restored relationship between God and man, community and world. as such, our pedagogy reflects tactfulness and trust, curriculum fosters justice and harmony, discipline redirects to discipleship, evaluation foster self reflective growth. We must Celebrate God's Lordship in creation and lament power of sins in our world. We lament in order to challenge our youth (and ourselves) to action.

It is theological!

2008-11-02T14:00:00.000+08:00

Following a single charismatic leader, aligning everyone in the process and making things happened - all these are popular proven method both in organisational and church world.
But what is the problem with this?

Efficiency is up, productivity is high, success is almost guaranteed.

The subtle challenge is we have moved from a communal structure (of a family) into a hierarchical structure (of an organisation). We have replaced people as mean to achieve goals. We have skipped the necessary step for relational development for corporate effectiveness. And the deception of it all, we do get what we want as a result. But at what cost?

People feel used.

Relationship is abused and functional.

Personal aspiration is denied, at best, to be redefined.

Over time, people decided for a change; be it in church or workplace.

Leadership alignment is something i did and taught in the past. i don't think it was wrong. but i felt i (together with others) might have overused it.

Thomas Sergiovanni challenged the over use of leadership. By that, he meant the over-emphasis of leadership and leadership methods which would inevitably deny any personal ownership and development among the masses. In fact, he made a bold claim that when leadership is absent, true authentic (personal) leaders will arise. People will take more personal responsibilities when there is lesser top-down intervention. There is much to chew about.

Interestingly, while the above was a simple summary of my educational reflection, Elder Freddy Boey of Riverlife made the same challenge this Sunday too. He was also addressing the over-reliance of secular method adopted by churches.

Personally i have always wondered why the church is turning to the world for wisdom while the world is turning to Jesus as a model? My humble conclusion is that we have not invested in biblical christian thinking. We, like Singapore, prefer to be pragmatic rather than ideological in our views of life.

Elder Freddy made a personal stand against this tide by recognising that it was not a call for management efficiency that the church should be bothered with. Rather the church should stand for what is theologically sound and biblically right.

Amen to that!

What will i be doing?

2008-10-31T17:27:00.000+08:00

Many have asked me this questions ????? a lot over the last weeks.

I am just as excited to know too...because i sense in my spirit God will reveal soon.

But i know that i need to guard my human heart. There is always a human desire to attempt great things, good things for God. But as i walk with God, i want to do GOD's thing in my life more than great or good.

Some one commented that every pastor that have left FCBC did not achieve much in their ministry. His reference was to the size of the ministry. I was, for a moment, shaken with such an observation. Other than one dialect pastor, who planned and brought a group out, most who resigned and decided to start ministries or churches later, failed to hit the 200 mark. Of course there are others who joined other ministries or churches and have taken a sizeable ministry.

God reminded me NOT to compare. It is more important that everyone of us are faithful to God's call rather than focus on the size of our ministry as a measurement of our success. For the size of ministry is a decision on God's part. My part is faithful to His call.

Jo and i hope to go away, locally, to seek confirmation of God's revelation. We believe our time of ministry will start soon.....

A new dawn is coming!

Who are you?

2008-10-27T12:48:00.000+08:00

Who am i?
Most of us will have a rather defeated mindset of who we are. Maybe it is our oriental upbringing, we tend to think negatively or poorly of ourselves.

What would God's answer be if we ask Him how He thinks of us?
From my little OT knowledge, He never answer such question. In Exodus, when Moses asked Him, He only assured him that He would be with him.
In NT, God assured us, that He will be with us, when He gave us the great commission.

Ps Derek Hong, Church of our Savior, made an interesting link to both texts that the devil always attack our perception of God and us. He used other texts to reinforce that the devil's scheme is to create distortion in our mind of who God is eg Genesis (temptation of Eve) and Matt (temptation of Jesus)

Thus, it is very important for us to know who God is and who we are in Him.

Who am i?
Bibilically speaking, i am someone God hangs around with. Cool isnt.
He loves me so much that my identity is tied, always, with Him and His presence.

In fact, when He died for me, He died for ALL my inquities and sins. All my mistakes and faults and sins are all paid for. He did not select which part of me that He would redeem. He redeemed me fully. I am totally forgiven, forever loved and completely fulfilled in Him.

The key is for me to stay in Him.

I am very thankful for this visit to COOS. It was not easy as we had to settle some spiritual attack before we could reach the church. Even so, we were told that the carparking problem was very real. We asked for a sign ie that we would have a lot. And we did.

This visit opened my eyes to see how this church focused on people and the supernatural work of God. There was a place setup for everybody to help themselves to get a drink or some food (FOC). A place to chat and meet the pastoral staff. During service, time was set aside to ensure those who were not well were prayed for.

1 interesting statement from Ps Derek i held dear as well. When the spirit of prophesy was released, we must intentionally catch it and wait to see God unfold.

I am waiting to see how God unfold the destiny of my life.

Tribute to Rev Henry Khoo

2008-10-26T00:14:00.000+08:00

It was a blessed time!

Standing outside the packed hall, among the cars, singing praises to God.

The hall was packed with pastors, believers and people in authority.

I was moved in my spirit as i worshipped the Lord under the sky. Thanking God for the home-going of one of the great saint of God i know.

I came to know Rev Henry Khoo back in the '80. It was when Jackie Pullinger came to minister to FCBC and requested to visit the Changi Prison. I was blessed to be among the small group that went with her and met Henry. The meeting marked the beginning of my involvement with Prison and Prisoners. And since i was serving the Campus and Combat Ministry then, i focused on the detention barrack for the soldiers.

Then in 2000's, my wife and i visited Henry to discuss on how we could really serve the prisoners. He led us to serve the Changi Woman Prison. The rest was history.

But through those times, Henry had come across to both jo and i as a very humble man despite his wealth of experiences and seniority in ministry.
He never made us feel small or inexperienced in his presence. He encouraged us all through the times we served the prisoners.

Queuing through the throngs of people, i heard many ex-prisoners recalling their encounters with Henry and how special they felt when he baptised them. Personally i felt the crowd to be very different. Different in that all who came had been personally blessed and touched by God through the very personal ministry of Henry. Not that he was not a popular preacher but it was his personal time with people that left a deep impression and impact. it was so for both jo and i.

Thank you Henry!
For giving to the Lord! We have been blessed by your life!
Your support through your listening ears,
Encouraged us through the years.

Your humble disposition,
Disarmed all confusion.
Your fatherly smile,
Brought strength to go another mile.

Your unswerving commitment to love the prisoners,
Reflected Jesus' love to the commoners.

Your life is indeed a legacy,
For all generation to see.

Thank you Henry!
I have been blessed by your life story!
May more "Henry"s rise to your shoes,
Even if we don't know who

To continue to love the unlovable,
To show us it is possible,
For in Christ we will always be able!

Have a blessed rest in Him.

He is my Provider!

2008-10-20T18:36:00.000+08:00

The recent finanical crisis made me wondered if i had resigned at the wrong time. But God has spoken again and again that this is indeed His time for me.
Suddenly it hits me that it is precisely in such occasion that He will be glorified as my Provider.

The earthly perspective would be bad timing and poor market for whatever i intended to do. i should have resigned later so that i could at least collect my 13th mth.

But faith perspective sees that when all else looks bleak, it will set a great backdrop for His light to shine through!

And shone through He did!

Over the last 1mth, i have received :

daily prayer and scriptural promises from an angel (overweight one; hahah you said so),
family holiday to Beijing (from an overseas friend) in Nov
family holiday to Malaysia (from a family friend) in Dec
business for JC Edu Park,
saving from NICE discount + currency exchange
NICE text books (from overseas friend)
friendships and support from the community.

I have been blessed by His provision!
In fact, by faith, i am believing that i can give, despite being not-employed, to those in need or as lead by God. It is always more blessed to give than to receive for God is no man's debtor.

God is my Provider!
He will be for all who trust in Him (finanical crisis or otherwise)!

Be a 4th dimensional man!

2008-10-20T18:13:00.000+08:00

Be a 4th dimension man!

You will not be limited by the lack of resources.

You will not be limited by the support of man.

You will not be limited by the constraint of time.

This was essentially the theme of Ps Kong's message this week. We were reminded of the power of positive words, pictures and even feelings over water and crystal (the work of Prof Emoto).

Ps Kong brought us to examine the scripture on how visual can impact the type of youngs produced by the flocks. Jacob brought the flocks to the place whereby he had prepared with branches which revealed both the white and stripes. And when they drank and mated in front of the branches. they bore youngs which were speckled or spotted (Gen 30:39).

Such is the power of visual impact on the lives of the flocks.

He challenged us to focus on the 2 branches - the cross!

Thus, there is a need for us to think, speak and feel good about what we ask of God. We must not ask in fear or doubt. We must not pray just against bad things; we ended thinking bad things.

I learnt to move in faith again.

I must pray believing and expecting the best from God; He desires the best for my life.

I must not doubt that.

Application - I must move into the 4th dimension. I must not be logical or rational in the realm of the spirit. I must dare ask again - Make My Life A Miracle!

My God reigns!

2008-10-12T23:29:00.000+08:00

My God reigns!

This truth meant a lot more during this season of my life. I enjoyed affirming this truth during the worship session at City Harvest Church. Somehow, God used this truth to prepare me for the message to come.

My God is greater! My God is over all!

i was invited this week to attend the saturday service with Elim. She hosted my family throughout the service and dinner. Thank God for friends like her.

Ps Kong reminded us to find HOPE in God during this finanical crisis. We must not allow the media and news to cause anxiety to fill our hearts. we must continue to trust in Elohim.

He explained that God redeemed us for a purpose - to be like Him (esp in the beginning before sin entered.)

And in Gen 1, we will be reminded that He is a creator God - Elohim.

God's desire is for us to move beyond heal me-feed me-encourage me - mentality to one of an overcomer through God's creative power.

It was a timely challenge for me to move beyond trusting God for His provision to using His provision to generate miracles for God.

I must not be passive in my faith ie just waiting for provision to come. i must rise up and move knowing it will come. and i must be good steward of it when it comes.
Also, i must learn to be creative in my stewardship of God's provision of contacts, connections, competency, cash. I must use them to demonstrate what a great God He is.

i am glad that God has been speaking weekly (even daily) to me during this painful period. Paiinful because i am not really letting go of my rights and past. His Word has been a great encouragement to my soul.

The secret to experiencing God:
Build His altar
Bless my family
Be connected in His work/call for me.

By His grace, i WILL!

Teachers and Students

2008-10-07T11:42:00.000+08:00

This is a part of my submission for 1 of my study unit.

It is about developing a biblical community with our students.

I have attached this portion for the Christian teachers who are reading this blog.

Recommendations for Christian Teachers
In order embrace our God-given roles and responsibility, even in public school, Christian teachers should consider the following;

1 Renew our mind
When there is no renewal of mind, there is no transformation of life (Rom 12:1-2). Our life in God is the basis for which we can bring transformation to the students. Thus there is a need for Christian teachers to have our mind renewed regularly in the Lord. Part of the renewal of mind would require the new teachers to attend some basic units of Christian Education by National Institute of Christian Education. Especially, for units such as ED 500 and ED 501 which deal with Biblical Foundation and Worldview. This would open the eyes of the teachers to understand the relevance of their faith in their sacred calling as teachers.

Unless the teachers recognise the subtlety of the devil’s scheme, their relationship with the students could become mere humanistic effort to show love and acceptance. There is no lasting power in such endeavours. Human effort, on its own, could lead them to discouragement, disillusion and even depression. This could explain why many teachers left the teaching forces. From the website of ABC News, it was reported that a quarter of new teachers left the teaching profession within a year. In Singapore, it was reported that about 1000 teachers resigned every year (Ministry of Education, 2006).

These reports heighten the need for Christian teachers to deepen their walk with God through developing a biblical mindset. With a renewed mind, they can have the strength to persevere in their sacred calling.

2 Review our teaching practises in the light of biblical worldview
2.1 Your position in class
Teachers in Singapore are taught to maintain a professional distance between teachers and students. This is rooted in our Confucius’ worldview whereby teachers are learned people thereby making them to be always right. Flowing from this worldview, and the fear of promoting favouritism, teachers are expected to maintain a distance with his students.
Noddings (1984) commented that this distance is a sense of “narrow professionalism” (p. 184). She further commented that teachers need to recognise the common humanity we are all part of. This is very true and necessary if we are serious to nurture a learning community with our students.

Edlin (1999) mentioned that the effective Christian teacher does not just “teach from the head, but from the head and the heart” (p. 125). If we are too distance from our students, they cannot hear our heart. We cannot nurture a community from a distance.
Thus we should review this practice of distance and seek to enter into the community of our students with them.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) website, under the “purpose of teaching”, highlighted that “we will be purposeful in what we do and our passion to care for our pupils and education them will be our source of motivation”. The students would only know if we care if we are willing to step into their community and not teaching from a distance.

2.2 Your layout of class
The layout of our class is a reflection of our worldview about our students and their learning. Individual seating arrangement would promote individualism and thereby destroy the very community we seek to nurture. Van Dyk (2000) promoted the idea of “a multifunctional classroom” (p. 222). Essentially it is still a collaborative classroom. But this idea helps to meet the communal and individual needs of the students.

In order for us to be able to fully implement this well, we need to start with an extensive inventory work of knowing our students. This would include details like their spiritual dimension, social relationship, physical/physiological strengths and weaknesses, emotional status, learning styles. For the purpose of nurturing community, all these information should not be collected through scientific means. We should attempt to collect them through our personal interaction with them during both formal and informal settings.

2.3 Your approach to teaching
Many of the lecturers who I came into contact with, viewed teaching as transference of information. They do not see the students as the focus of their vocation. Thus getting them involved in Service Learning with the trainee teachers was met with much resistance. They could not agree to spending time with their students to process their learning and being. This was what I advocated in my conduct of Service Learning Course for the hundred plus lecturers. It is, therefore, no surprising that many in-service teachers do not see value in nurturing community let alone to process the learning with their students.

This calls for us to recognise that we are not teaching academic subjects. We are teaching students. This idea was very well promoted by Doud (1988), in his “Teacher of the Year” audio CD. It was precisely the focus on teaching students that led him to become the “Teacher of the Year 1986-87”.

Christian teachers must review our approach to teaching and ensure sufficient attention be given to the being of our students rather than just communicating the importance of the subject matter. People do not care how much we know until they know how much we care. Nurturing community requires us to pay attention to the individual and not just our insights to the lesson plan.

We can draw inspiration from Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians. In 1 Thess 2:8, Paul shared that he went beyond the gospel of God (subject matter) to share even his life with his students because they had become so dear to him. We must grow in our compassion for our students.

2.4 Your strategies in teaching
Edlin (1999) highlighted that “best teachers are enthusiastic about their vocation and subject” (p. 125). This is very true because enthusiasm is contagious. And so it is with the lack of it. If you are not interested in what you are teaching, your students will pick that up from you too. Thus, it is important for Christian teachers who seek to nurturing community, to be enthusiastic about and the subject they are teaching.

And one of the ways of expression is to enhance your understanding of the students through the knowledge of educational psychology. Van Dyk (2000) encouraged teachers to keep ourselves abreast of the “latest theories about learning styles” (p. 116). We should examine every theory through our biblical worldview and apply those consistent to our faith into our lesson plan. In this way, we could make our lesson more “know-able” to the diverse groups of students in our class.

2.5 You confidence in teaching calling
Many Christian teachers would struggle with much of what have been suggested because of the fear of man within us. This is a very Singaporean worldview because of our colonial past and the Japanese occupation. The whole nation was brought up to fear authority.
But the root of fear is the lack of love. 1 John 4:18 explained to us that “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Christian teachers need to learn to receive this perfect love daily and release daily to the students. Fear will limit both the teacher and students from learning and growing. For a learning community to nurture and flourish, Christian teachers need to be the bearers of God’s perfect love to the community. When the students receive this unconditional love, they may be willing to try and achieve beyond our expectation. This perfect love would also help Christian teachers to lovingly correct or confront the students’ unhealthy habits or behaviours without fear of losing the community.

This perfect love would also restore the much needed confidence in the teaching professions to dare make a difference.

3 Realign the ultimate objective of community life
Community Engagement is not an end in itself. Christian teachers must work hard at nurturing community within the teachers and community sphere so that learning could take place. But the end of all learning must be to prepare the students for living in the real world. The goal of Christian Education is empower students to live life as intended in the real world (Fennema, 2006, p. 39). And the real world is not the secular world we are seeing. The real world is God’s world (Ps 24). Thus the final intent of the community is to bring this learning community into the kingdom life in Jesus.

And it is not through human effort or strategies. It is by the work of His Grace. Thus, we need to commit our learning community daily before our loving Heavenly Father who wants and will answer our prayer when we humbly ask of Him in Jesus’ name (Matt 7:7).

Conclusion
Community Enhancement Strategies are humanistic effort apart from the wisdom and grace of God. Thus, Christian teachers must daily bathe ourselves in the presence of our loving Heavenly Father and seek His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added upon us (Matt6:33).

My 1st day as a "jobless man"

2008-10-05T17:43:00.000+08:00

5th of Oct is very special.

It is my first day as an unemployed man. haha.

i have worked since 1988 after NS till 4th of Oct 2008.

Being a Sunday, it has certainly helped to cushion the impact.

I woke up very unwilling to go to church. It is part of the denial process of not wanting to go to a different church; in transition, we faced 3 constant challenges - emotional, relational and esteem. Yet i know I cannot deny God of my worship. Thanks to my wife, I obediently brought my family to Christalite Methodist Church. We decided to go somewhere nearer our home because this is exam period for the kids. We wanted to get back asap to continue their revision.

It was a pleasurable experience being in the Kingdom of God and celebrating the Lord's supper.

I need to constantly remind myself to focus on God and not on "operation" within the service i.e. I see myself looking out for things to improve etc... haha... ome habits take a while to change.

The worship was simple but needful for this broken man. Knelt before God and affirmed that Jesus is my firm foundation. I will lift my face to the King of Glory. He will forever be my King.

The message is interesting for me at this junction of my life ie "Forgiven to Forgive". While it is not new to me, it is timely to remind myself to forgive all who have hurt me during this period of change. Both Jo and I are determined to live our lives without any bondage and bitterness. We are committed to TOTAL FORGIVENESS.

We are reminded that we can only forgive if we have experienced true forgiveness from God. And that required me to come before God and receive His forgiveness afresh and extend His forgiveness. I must surrender any feeling or needs for revenge or vindication.

Amen and I did so during the time of prayer.

Met some friends in this church; Singapore is really small.

Rachel gave a very insightful comment i.e. God had been speaking to us - from Accepting People (in Muar Church) to Forgiving People (today). I am thankful God has been speaking and affirming us. I had a wonderful time with God in my dream this morning ie He affirmed His pleasure over me. And He further reminded me that today is a day of new beginning as I reflected on the birth of Hannah (Evan's and Mabel's new born).

Not bad for my 1st day.

Must get back to my study soon. Trying to submit my assignment by this week.

Reminder of His Call

2008-09-30T18:08:00.000+08:00

I read an old post and draw much reminders of His call.

Monday, May 21, 2007
My reflection from the JP’s Seminar

I was blessed!
I had not cried so much for so long.
It was not tears of sadness nor self pity.
It was not tears of loss nor lack.
It was tears of knowing Jesus afresh.
I never knew Jesus in the level that she did.
I never knew grace and compassion so deeply.
I never knew….
I found myself …
so shallow in my knowledge of God,
so superficial in my understanding of Grace,
so simple in my concept of incarnation.

I had been so careful in my affection that I had taught myself not to care at all.
I had been so “wise” in my investment of love that I did not love at all.
Sigh… Such paradox of mindset… so important to think biblically.

But I am thankful.
Thankful that God sent Jackie to SCREAM
wisdom into my soul,
insight into my mind and
compassion into my heart.
I have been revived.

My heart has been softened towards God and His people.
My mind is clearer about what truly matters.
My soul yields for more of Him.

I will move on…
not quickly to respond to the rhema word,
not immediately to do something,
not instantly…
WHY? (Read on...)

I have learnt to move at His pace and space.
I have come to realize how easier to move in the flesh again.
God does not need my speed…
He wants my soul!
God does not need my action alone ..
He wants my compassion in it.

Thus, I want to center down and distill His specific word to Chua Seng Lee.
I want to run my race which God has marked out for me.
I don’t want to run the race of others.
I don’t want to be 2nd in their race.
I want to be 1st in my race – God’s race for me.

In summary, the 3 most important learning that I have made:
1. Serve the Poor because Jesus had chosen to be poor and broken.
- God’s call to remember the poor; Gal 2:10
- Ministry to the Poor is not dependent on budget.
- It is about exercising the heart of Jesus in us; don’t give handouts…give myself...
- Don’t shut my heart to their cry.
- We serve not because the poor can change or pay us back. We give because Jesus gave.

2. Ministry of Incarnation;
- Jesus came and met needs personally.
Not through a medium or agent; otherwise He could have send a video!
- Words are cheap.
It must be backed up with action; don’t tell someone to take a break unless I am prepared to fill their place.
- Power through human weakness/brokenness; 1 Cor 1:22-24.
End of our human hearts is the beginning of His heart.
- If you don’t forgive, you don’t know God… If you don’t serve the poor, you don’t know God… If you don’t imitate Christ, you don’t know Christ; Prov 21:13
- Death in the giver before life to the receiver! It is a biblical model in ministry; 2 Cor 4:10
- Sow Kindness > Soul Hunter. Go to love and not to complete a target.

3. Issue of difficult times
– issue of direction;
- We need to know where we come from and
- Where we are and
- Where we are going.

Application
1. Why do I serve/give?
I serve and give because Someone has served and given to me.

2. How do I serve/give?
Not from the mind alone. More importantly, from my heart (His heart in me) to love one person at a time.

3. Where do I serve/give?
It starts from where I am… Do I know the “poor” around me?

4. What is serving and giving?
It is doing what Jesus would.

5. When is the time to serve?
Anytime, every time.

6. Who do I serve?
The next person I meet.

My Being...

2008-09-30T17:03:00.000+08:00

Many have asked why?
Answer them not i try.

Many have advice.
I have thrice.

But they mean no harm.
I mean no arm.

Fight not.
Cross not.

Cos we are in the same family of God.
Doing what we believe is of God.

Moving on i must.
Wearing not a mask.

Believe in being True
To my conscience and Truth

Disappointment, Discouragement, Disillusion gather at my door.
Deny them is my call.

Looking to God in my heart.
Lest to Depression i start.

Leaving the people i love,
Disappointing the leaders above,
Are not my intention!
Nor my ambition!

Many memories
Many histories
2 and 22 years in this family ; GBC + FCBC
1 and 15 years of service; GE + FCBC

Truth be told.
I would not be sold.
To a standard i behold,
Contrary to that i hold.
All are subjective,
Subjective are all.
Heaven call beckons me.
To Thee i'll meet.

To part with earthly friends,
To gain my heavenly ends.
Painful yet needful.
Temporary yet seems so Permanent.

When will it ends?
When will i reach the other end?

Father i called.
Help thy son.

Bless all in pain
Honor them with gain
A glimpse of Yourself
A taste of Eternal Health.

Show us Your way,
Glory All The Way!

journey of faith

2008-09-08T14:00:00.000+08:00

In life, nothing is static. even after 16yrs...things can change. the redemptive way to see change is to know that God is involved and He is at work beyond our comprehension.
but change will bring disstability and tensions not forgetting misunderstanding and all.
the important part for me is to maintain a God-honoring posture. never to return evil for evil, anger for anger. instead, eat the humble pie, look up to God, press in on Godliness till i reach the other end.
He is my King. My magificant Obssession.

Reflection on youthwork

2008-08-18T19:18:00.000+08:00

This week, I want to share about the important of involving the youth and young people in your cell. I counselled a member and she shared that she finally felt part of FCBC because she was involved in TYL project. Through volunteering, she came to know more members of FCBC, SJ tribe etc. and THAT made she feel belonged. Yet interestingly, she wondered if she was being canal because her sense of belonging was due to people / friends.

3 important points to note:

1. The importance of involvement
If you do not engage your youth to do something for the cell or church, you are denying them the chance to feel part of the family. Just think of the 1st time you are give responsibility at home and school (carry text books for teachers, etc) and how that made you feel good. It is a very normal human need – the need to be able to contribute. And when they can see themselves doing something, they feel more for the group or thing. Of course, in SL language, the task must be age appropriate bearing in mind their competence too.

2. Is coming to church because of friend is wrong?
Of course NOT!
We should be the walking signboard for God. If you are not one of the reasons why people come to church, you need to check your life. We are called to be witnesses for Him. We are His ambassadors, we are His fleshy representations to the lost world. People are drawn to God because of the messenger first. So we need to ensure our lives are clear reflection for God. Meanwhile, it is normal for some new members or even non Christians come to church because of you and your members. There is absolutely nothing wrong in that. Of course, over time, we need to build into their lives so that they come because of God…we should not be too idealistic that people come just because of the unseen God. They all need to see God in you.

3. G12 vision
Most of our members are very free and not engaged in church. That is because they are NOT in the vision of discipling someone. They are not in the G12 vision.
Why?
Our defective discipleship. We are not producing the RIGHT kind of disciples. We are not producing well because we are growing well. We are all consumed by our life pressing issues, which are legitimate, but neutralised our effectiveness to be a fruitful vine. We need to return to God and cry for a renewed passion to make disciples again.
Go for 12 and not settle with the few you have in your cell. Make them disciple-makers and not just mere cell members

2008-08-16T18:25:00.000+08:00

Dear family,
I will like to start a new series of reflection ie purely on youtwork. Between ps jo and I, we have more than 40yrs of youthwork experiences. It will be poor stewardship for us NOT to share or teach all of you our beloved in the Lord.
Yet in doing so, I must be careful not to lock your learning into our times and context.
AS such, I will try and distill our experiences into Principles as much as I can for your application in your context.

In this 1st reflection, I will like to draw on 2 counselling experiences recently to highlight my learning;

1 Dealing with sexual temptation
It is normal for us to see our youth struggle in their sexual attraction with their partners. If they are not sexually attracted, I will be of great concerned – because we are created as sexual beings.
The correct perspective is to see this as necessary process to develop the fear of God in them. They must not run away from us because of this struggle (have not sinned) and sin (when they aroused one another intentionally). The temptation to run from us or God is the scheme of the devil to condemn them further through self pity and further sinning. God’s grace is always more than enough for us.
The priority in ministering to youth in this journey, is to inspire them to consider God’s destiny for their lives. They need to know that they are created for GREAT thing because God is Great. Despite of their sins and struggles, God can use them if they are willing to return and repent. The way I find that helps is the way of God. When I was younger, and struggled more with sexual temptation, I did not see God condemned me and sentenced me to uselessness in Christendom. Rather, I was shown grace – I was accepted, I was loved, I was affirmed, I was given the joy to serve….
How could I deny such GRACE through our sins….Grace melted my hearts and I was changed.
Thus, when we help couples over these areas, draw them to focus their energy/passion towards serving God and seeking God’s destiny (which is both doing and being; there is no clear separation).

2 Dealing with discipline
I was shocked by how some leaders react violently to discipline of words of rebuke or correction. They reacted with bad attitude and improper manner towards leadership.
Their actions only further revealed a lack of character. Remember we are in character formation and not behavioural modification. As such, I will like us to grow in this when we are corrected by leadership. Accept the correction and see if there are areas of change. Acceptance is not necessary equal to agreement. You can accept and change because you are accountable to God over your action towards leadership. Yet there is nothing stopping you in praying for wisdom to understand the purpose of God over the situation that you cannot agree with. In all things in life, we need more than knowing the facts or truth (theory) …we need to grow in understanding.

SO when you are corrected unreasonably by leadership, accept it and seek to be understanding.

3 Dealing with accountability with youth; speed and reminders
In working with youth, we need to know that they do have a lot of time; more than you think. They can sleep much lesser than us, doing msn, surfing, gaming, etc. Thus, everyday is a full 24hrs availability for things that matters to them eg BGR, interest and hobby and study. While this is not true for us, working adults have a lot more other things to do etc, it will NOT be prudence to respond to youth ONLY at your convenience or preference. If there is a need for accountability, call them immediately or asap and not when you can. If they are thinking about someone or doing something foolish, don’t wait till you can. Do it asap or regret knowing they have done the very thing you know they should NOT. Thus SPEED in responding is very vital.

Talking about reminders, we cannot use our adult practice and expect youth to respond accordingly. You cannot set a time for cell meeting and expect your youth to remember. They may not because they have many options and interesting distraction. If you don’t call or sms them about your cell meetings, you should not be surprised that they don’t turn up. Or they say they forget. But because you call or sms, it will help them to remember their commitment to you and cell, and they MAY turn up. Such is youth work.

That is all for this week.
Do drop me a line or mail if you have some questions or thoughts to add.

Growing with you in growing the next generation.

what am i doing with my cell?

2008-08-05T18:16:00.000+08:00

I was pondering this question because it is important to know how are we spending our time together. it is important to realise that our cell is not just a time for catchup and announcement. Cell time is a time for Life touching life, Truth impacting life, Way for living. Yes, it is Jesus' time. it is important that we achieve all these ie concept for living, perspective for interpreting and action for applicating.

How to do?
Guess that comes to your perference. i will like to create experience to achieve all these.

The end outcome of the meeting - people should leave refreshed and ready to press on in their place of service/work.

coming back to my blog

2008-08-05T00:07:00.000+08:00

yes i am coming to my blog. sensed the need to revive this blog for myself as well as for friends who want to know about my being.
hope to be away for some time of reorientation and evaluation of life.
see you soon on this blog.

Chapter 9 - Evangelising Youth: A Singapore Story

2007-11-02T01:25:00.000+08:00

Rev Kong Hee is popularly known as the evergreen youth pastor of Singapore. Leading a mega church of more than 23,000 at the time of this writing, he is passionate in reaching the youth for Jesus. Just enter his church website, you will discover all form of outreach strategies. Through community services, sports, singing, dancing, studying - you name it they have it. Every domain there is to reach the youth, they are there excelling in almost all of them.

But this is not how the story began in Singapore. Youth work came through different agencies in the 1950s-70s - Youth for Christ, Boys' and Girls' Brigade, Navigators, Campus Crusade for Christ, Christian Fellowship, etc. These agencies went for the youth market via the institution route. We saw many fruits through these ministries. In fact many of the church leaders in Singapore today are the fruits of these ministries.

All these work climaxed at the late 80’s . Then came the mega churches which went into these institutions with their own campus and school ministries. Conflicts were real whereby members of the agencies had to take sides, i.e. whether to stay in their local church or leave so as to stay in these agencies.

Things improved with the Love Singapore Movement. Churches and parachurches came together for concerts of prayer and reconciliation. It was indeed a glorious time for youth work too. It was also during this period that churches were reminded to sow among the youth again. Rev Kong took hold of the call and went with it. The rest is history.

Looking forward, I believe more churches must plow more into youth work. We need more mega churches like City Harvest Church. Singapore could be reached in 1 day, if the youth is won!

(Thus, this little attempt of mine in penning down my memory and experiences in this e-book to encourage more youth workers to embrace the call.)

Photo taken from City Harvest Church website.

Chapter 8 - Parents and Youthworkers – Parentsconnnect

2007-11-02T01:19:00.000+08:00

The BIGGER Picture.

In working with youth or children or any special people group, it is very likely that we could become very focus in developing our expertise. While this is a strength, it tends to limit us from multiplying the effects of our labour. We failed to see the whole picture.

I found that for change in the lives of the youth to be lasting, we need to consider the bigger environment and the other influences in their lives.

Thus the need to know the families, the parents, the schools.

Especially the family. I noticed the power of subtle conditioning in our family life. While we could vow not to behave like our parents, yet, we may soon discover that we have the very expression we don’t like. Thus, for effective youth ministry, we need to engage the parents of our youth. We see, hear and understand them. We may not be able to change the parents. But with the prior knowledge, it would help us to better influence and disciple our youth.

Chapter 7 - The challenging 20s, the restless 30s, the giving 40s, the covering of the 50/60s.

2007-11-02T01:08:00.000+08:00

Working with young people is the same as working with other age group. We need to know their needs and style/culture so that we can be effective in discipling them.

I discovered that in each different age bracket, the person has different aspirations.

Questions asked:-
Can I love? 20-30
Can I make my life count? 30-50
Is it ok to have been me? >50

While these are the questions, the expressions are very different. The 20-30 would be the age group that expresses themselves by challenging the norms. They would express their value to us readily. Do not be fearful of these expressions. It is their way of finding and discovering themselves before they pour themselves into loving the things they question. This is the time to love them and affirm them of their identity in Christ.

30-40 While asking life purpose, they would be rather restless. The sense of restlessness comes from the “anxiety” to define life-meaning and purpose. As such, this is the time to challenge them to exercise faith, in venturing out, and in experimenting new ideas.
This is also known as the second-half for some people.

40-50 As they sailed through the turbulent 30-40, they have more or less sorted out their purpose. As such this is the good age group whereby life coaches appeared. These are the people who would like to give back to the next generation.

50-60 They know the influence they have over others. They do not have to run as fast as before. They would give by leveraging on relationships they have built over the years through their influence.

Chapter 6 - What Really Matters to the Youth & Youth Development?

2007-05-01T10:20:00.000+08:00

a. Research on adult leaders who has been impacted by youth ministry

What really impacted you then? Most would cite their teachers, mentors etc. But what would be constant among these people would be their act of belief in the person that resulted in conversion and transformation.

When Peter came before Jesus, Jesus saw beyond “Simon” – a name related to seaweed ie someone unstable or inconsistent. Instead Jesus saw “Cephas” – a name related to stablility ie rock. Jesus knew that Peter would betray Him. But yet He declared Peter as a rock! Jesus saw beyond the humanity …Jesus saw God’s design in Peter.

Similarly, in youth development, it is very key for us to see beyond the present and immediate. We need to see God in the person and what God could do in and through the person. We need to declare that so that spirit of the person could be edified.

What was instrumental in your growth? An environment of trust and thrust. Just like a seed, environmental factors are key to growth.

Environment of trust; people are willing to try when they are assured that failing is ok. Failing is part of total growth. People are willing to believe in themselves when they realized that we are so willing to believe in them.
Environment of thrust; people are like muscles …they need to be stretched. Not too much …not too little…but enough to grow outside our comfort zone. Enough to be more than yesterday…

If you were a youth leader then, what else would you do?
(to be answered)

b. Chronos study – why youth are where they are.

Behind every youth are their parents. Thus what shaped and influenced the parents have direct influence over the youth. Youth (born in the 80s) Parents (born in 50s)

Challenges of the various decades 1940s, 1950s, 1960s. 1970s, 1980s.
40s - children were dispensable due to the war and problems
50s - children were hands to bring in the food. It was a tough life.
60s - children were welcomed but neglected
70s - children were welcomed but neglected
80s - children were welcomed but pampered

Parents born in the era of 50s-70s would want to make up for the poverty and neglect in their lives by pampering their children. Yet, they do not have good role models nor parenting skills. Thus, while they dote on the teens and young adults today, they are not able to express their affection or parenting skills well.

From Chronos study, we can see that parents are influenced by their upbringing thereby affecting their parenting with their youth. Thus it is important for youth workers to see through the youth issue to see the parents and parenting issues confronting us today.

c. Felt needs and real needs

The felt needs of the youth are quite predictable;

Using Erik Erickson’s Model, we can understand these needs better.

Youth are at the stage of “Who am i? What can I be?” stage

And in this stage, the sense of FAMILY is important. See chart below.

Thus in this chapter on “What really matters to the youth & youth development?”, we need to know that:

1. Environments of Trust (I believe in You) and Thrust (You can do it!) are important for youth development.

2. Family System affects youth. We can know more through Chronos study.

3. Identifying needs are vital; both felt and real

With all these in mind, we are ready for the next part of the journey….

Chapter 4 - History of Youth Work (Singapore)

2007-02-10T12:49:00.000+08:00

Incidential to Intentional to Integration

During the 1960s, the youth movement started in Singapore through the various youth ministries Youth For Christ, Campus Crusades, Navigators, etc. which were predominantly para-church organisations.

The church then, was not ready for such intense youth work. As such, many released their youth to serve in these para-church groups. Then came the 80s where we saw big churches rise up in our landscape. They were able to organize themselves and began their targeting of the campus and youth (typically Pre U and Sec Sch) ministries. Of course in this turbulent period, parachurches and church groups were caught on each other toes; both trying to figure out what was best for the Kingdom of God.

By the 90s most medium to big size churches are able to establish their own unique bland of youth work in campuses and schools. This trend of church formed groups causes the parachurch to redefine their roles and mission.

I was first converted and followed up in a parachurch organsiation in the 80s. I shifted to serve in a local church in the 90s till today. But I still have fond friendships with many parachurch groups because we “grew” up through the processs of change.

Through my teaching ministry as well as interaction, I saw many wonderful changes and growth in the church youth groups.

I have seen how we have moved from doing youth work incidentially (i.e. because we had to rather than we wanted to) to intentional youth work (i.e. we want to). It was an era of exciting growth in the 80s-90s, seeing churches rising up to own the discipling of their youth. Since then, the churches have matured in their views of youth work, from taking a glorified baby sitting role to intentional discipleship. Many youth leaders and pastors have come forth through this change.

Yet I am sensing and seeing a new trend is arising. I believe we are about to see youth work moving from not just being intentional but to an integrated formation. Integration would be a key word for the next lap. Youth work, in the 21st century, cannot be done apart from the rest of the church ministries. It, together with the rest, must be integrated to the total church.

I will liken this to a normal growth process of a child. When they are younger, they are taught to master one or two skills. But as they mature, they are expected to be able to do it intentionally. Then the day will come when they need to be multi-tasking.

This is not to be misunderstood as from a specialist (like a doctor) to become a general practitioner – that would be regressing. Instead it is like being able to be both a specialists as well as a CEO at the same time. Yes, it would mean more demands on the church as well as church pastors. But we need to be so to ensure that the total body (the church) would harness the full potential of the BODY and not every parts doing their own things.
It is challenging and I have not seen a fully functional type yet. But I know that would be the reality in the near future for any church and church youth group to thrive.

May God grant us wisdom to do so.

Chapter 3 : Youths - Leaders of Today!

2007-02-05T23:25:00.000+08:00

Often we hear these slogans, “Youths are the Leaders of Tomorrow!”, “Youths hold the key to tomorrow!” etc.

They are true and right. But often inherent to these slogans, we assume that youth could only make meaningful contribution to the society when they grow up! i.e. they can only start to lead when they are older, wiser, more mature etc.

No wonder we see youths not being challenged to rise up at all; especially those in churches!

In schools, a 15-yr-old is expected to lead a uniform group (eg Co-Curriculum Activities), run projects, execute plans. They are not treated as a liability! They are treated as an individual who is able to contribute. They are expected to model, lead the way, be trustworthy and demonstrate responsibility.

Yet, in churches, they are meant to be seen not heard. They are expected only to receive and learn. In most situations there is nothing structured or intentionally designed to engage them with their PRESENT abilities. What a pity!

Youths are often looked down in churches.

However, 1 Tim 4:12 says, "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."

Even in the days of Timothy, the “habit” of belittling youth existed. Paul challenged Tim NOT to allow such perceptions to limit him. Rather, Tim must, through his life, model as an example to all who believed.

Youths are the leaders TODAY! We should not wait till they are older to engage them in meaningful contribution or service. We need to learn how to tap into the potential and energy within them and stretch them towards maturity.

Yes. They are youthful, immature and easily influenced. There is a limit to how much they can do. Hence there is a need to give to them age-appropriate means to disciple and deploy them.

Youths are the leaders TODAY! We need to allow God to show us how best to engage the 13-16, 16-20, 20-25….

Personally I have seen many youths being “discipled and deployed”. And they delivered what were expected of them. I mentioned that was done in Schools Co-Curriculum activities. I have also seen such examples in Community Service as well.

What could we learn from these examples of engaging youths as leaders today?
I believe there are several principles that we can learn and adapt into our church discipling programs for the youths.

Principle of Environmental Factors - Authority and Discipline (Guidance)
I choose the start with authority and discipline because young people need to know that there is a clear boundary. Unfortunately many grow up without a proper boundary system in their lives. They are used to do what they want, when they want. Apart from existing family systems which are cracking in many homes (Christian families included), schools are also failing in setting good boundary system due to workload, etc.

Thus, there is a great and urgent need to establish such environments from the start. An environment where boundaries are set up to respect authority and instill discipline is necessary for proper learning and growing to take place.

Principle of Affirming Culture - Award and Recognition (Motivation)
Environmental factor (external) and culture (internal).
We need to develop a healthy affirming culture. Notice the word “healthy”. We need to be affirming but our affirmation MUST be healthy lest it becomes mere flattery.
In many circles where affirmation is commonly practiced, I have found them to be human flattery (too much usage of superlative) more than affirmation.

What then is healthy affirming culture?
Firstly we need to know the purpose of Affirmation. It is to endorse, highlight, confirm the positive. Thus there is a need to define what is the positive action, gesture, attitude, etc. A mere statement ie “you are great” means nothing! You need to describe the part which makes you think that the person is great ie “Your selfless giving to the poor is great! I am touched.”

Secondly, we need to promote such affirming action. Youths need to know what is acceptable and what is not. Thus, promoting affirming action done by them is in itself an affirming act. In the process, we are also communicating our values as demonstrated in their actions. Common activities would be “end of camp appreciation” for the youth leaders. We use such moments to highlight what they have done well.

Thirdly, we need to redefine our culture. As in all things good, even good affirmation can erode due to neglect or overuse. Thus the need to revisit and reshape our culture. Culture is defined as the way we do things as a result of our values.

Principle of Meaning and Passion (Motivation)
How do we get the youths to stay connected and committed?
We need to help them to draw meaning from their actions. All of humanity is looking for meaning in life. We are such because God has created us for meaningful passion. We are created for Him. Thus, showing them how the outcome of their action contributes to LOVE (God is love) would spur them on.

Principle of Youth Development (Knowledge, Skills and Values)
For effective discipleship and deployment, we need to ensure that our youths are given the right knowledge and skills (through exciting means). It is important to note that there must be relevance and use (this reinforces the principle of meaning and passion) for the knowledge and skills taught. The lesser the amount we use, immediately, the least the motivation to learn.

Recently, I was reminded that in some under developed countries, how youths were called upon to lead. Eg. a 15-yr-old daughter of a senior pastor preached powerfully to more than a 15,000 -strong crowd; an 18-yr-old lady in China could be leading more than 10,000 members in an underground churches.

What is my point?
Youths are the Leaders TODAY!
Engage THEM!

Email List

2007-02-05T04:30:00.000+08:00

Include your email address in the comments section below and I will put you on my mailing list. You will receive an email from me each time I post a new chapter.

Cheers!
CSL

Stepping Stones 2007

2007-02-05T04:01:00.000+08:00

I have taken some time to think through how I would like to write this online book. Below is a possible framework which I feel will allow me to adequately share my thoughts and experiences on Youth Leaders. I guess, you could take it as the content page of this online book!

While I will be following closely to this format, this is a work-in-progress and hence your feedback and sharing of experiences will add to this book in a very precious and valuable way. I hope those of you who read my posts will take some time to contribute your thoughts in the comments section. I would really love to hear from you. Along the way, if there is a particular topic that you would like me to share and write about, feel free to let me know. I will try to work it in or even dedicate one more chapter to it, if enough of you feel strongly about it.

Lastly, I must apologise if the Chapters do not get posted on a regular basis. While this is something that I am putting my heart and soul in, I also have other commitments at work, family, ministy etc. What I can do however, is to set up a mailing list for those of you would like to be updated when I post a new chapter. Click on Mailing List under the Categories column and post your email in the comments section. I will get back to you asap.

I hope my sharing will bless you indefinitely and spur you on in your journey as a christian Youth Worker/ Youth Leader in the ministry that God has led you to.

CONTENTS FOR STEPPING STONES

Intro
1 Why stepping stones;
2 Why youth work?
3 Youth – leaders of today!
4 History of Youth work – from incidental to intentional to integration

Youth workers
5 Youth worker is king-maker!
6 What really matters to the youth & youth development?
a. Research on adult leaders who has been impacted by youth ministry
b. Chronos study – why youth are where they are?
c. Felt needs and real needs
7 The challenging 20s, the restless 30s, the giving 40s, the covering of the 50/60s.
a. Challenging 20s; conflict of values
b. Restless 30s; esp upper 30s because of the need to exercise faith, experimenting ideas, exerting authority
c. Giving 40s; desire to give back to the next generation, need to create an environment for growth for the teens to 20s to 30s. guard the truth and provide foundation. Nurturing
d. Covering of the 50/60s; providing umbrella for the next generation to try new things

Encouraging
8 Parents and Youthworkers – parents connnect

The Bigger Picture
9 Evangelising Youth – a Singapore story
10 I HAVE A DREAM!

Why Youth Work?

2007-01-03T08:19:00.000+08:00

A preacher challenged a graduating class, "There is still room in the list of spiritual giants (like that of DL Moody, George Whitefield...) for the kingdom of God." 1 young man responded to that challenge. He was then 22 yrs old. Years later, Billy Graham became one of God's finest evangelist in the last century.

What is my point?

God delights in using youths for the expansion of His kingdom!

WHY are we reaching the youth generation (13-25); is this a ministry of convenience or conviction? Some might say it is convenient because working with people in this age group brings forth the easiest results. Others might say it is convenient because we have many leaders in this age group. Still others will say it is convenient because many of our church members are in this age-group. The truth is, if you serve out of convenience, you will produce people of negligence - people who neglect the cost of following Jesus, neglect living a pure life, neglect living out the many essential biblical principles as Christians.

If you serve out of convenience, you will hardly make an impact. Take for example, ministering among the military community. Several para-churches started off with serving the military community but changed their course after seeing more results among the campuses. Today, we no longer have any para-churches serving the military with the exception of MCF - Military Christian Fellowship.

The church of God is never formed out of convenience of Conviction.
When you serve out of conviction, you can win NATIONS for the Lord.

"The World has yet to see a man fully consecrated to him - a man of conviction." DL Moody, a revivalist at the end of 18th century, resolved to be that man and by the end of 3 yrs, he brought England, Scotland and Ireland to their knees.

The church needs people of conviction not convenience. As a pastor, I have learnt that I would rather have 50 leaders whose hearts are set for God than 1,000 who serve out of convenience and therefore whose lives never made any significant impact in the world.

WHAT SHOULD OUR OUR CONVICTIONS BE THEN?

I would like to share with you my own convictions which I have formed through understanding what the Word of God says about our service to Him. These have been the driving force in my own journey of serving God's as a youth pastor. However, it is one thing to know, yet another to own these convictions for your own life. It is my prayer that as I share, God will impress upon you a similar passion/conviction for this work.

(PRAY)

Whenever we read the Great Commission, we often are guilty of the Great Omission - mentally, by and large as a church, we left out the children and the youth, in our stategy in building the church .

Unfortunately, because this age range is between the YOUTH and adults, it is often left unaccounted for in many churches.
In military term, it is similar to the "NO MAN"S LAND". A space between 2 group of forces that no one owns. Yet, often in military operation, it is in this NO-MAN's LAND that decisive battle are fought and won.
I believe it is the same in the spiritual realm, where spiritual battle are found. If we, the church could maximise the potential in this age-group, we could establish a significant stronghold in the spiritual climate of the nation.
Let me share with you 5 beliefs that ungirded our conviction in this ministry.

1. Transitional people group with great potential

1.1 Transition needs = coping with special needs
They will face problems that people not in these situations will not or hardly face. eg Choice of courses, studies, boy-girl relationship (see slide), greater sense of self-awareness (who am i? who do i want to be? or to be seen as?). Hence, a need to have a specific focus to meet their needs.

1.2 Transition period = more open and receptive to the gospel due to change
Billy Graham crusades recorded that 95% of the decision are below the age of 25 - the most responsive group of people to the gospel fall with the age-group of 18-25yr old. (that incl. ,most of you here). And because they are more receptive to the issue of faith in this period, especially in colleges, we must take advantage of these period, otherwise the world would. (see slide)
1 example can be seen in the Japan Doomsday Cult group; the team that developed the gas, that was used to poison the train station, was all graduates and some were recent graduates. There is an uprise of evangelistic fervor also targeting this people group from other faith. Muslim and buddhism.
This period is also vital to the cultivation of values. If we could harnass and develop them properly during this period, they would pass out of the ministry as an effective witnesses and labourers for the Lord.

2. Effective for outreach
(3 reasons why it is better to group them together for outreach purpose)

2.1 Clear defined boundary; well-contained within a set perimeter
(restricted access areas)

2.2 Clear defined target
Apart from proximity, their needs are quite similar.

2.3 Maximise the common needs and interest
The geographical district outreach plan will be relatively too generally and that the needs of these special people may be overlooked. And also this age-group people has more energy and availability for activities that the working and married people may not have. (major moving exercise for a retreat vs just a bag).

3. Responsibility of the Church (not just the para-Church)
Especially in campus environment; the responsibility towards our sheep cannot be handled over to someone else when you could be in the position of influence (not like when they go overseas; even that it is still possible). i think it is time for the church to take direct responsibilty for its people. i am not playing down the role of para-church, but awaking the bride of Christ to the task assigned by God to us. For us, to ensure that the college students come to church even during exam time, we, as well as the lay supervisors, would work on catering a public transport to transport them to and fro church; even when it is about 18miles apart.

4. Continuity and Integration
it is easier when you have been operating under the same structure. there is much similarity under the same leadership within the church framework and unlike transfering from a parachurch to church.

5. The youth sector is one of the major keys in winning the nations for Jesus Christ
(not the only one, but 1 of the major key in winning the nation)

There are 5 majors centres that influence the nations. They are as follow:
Government Centres;
Commercial Centres;
Communication Centres (mass media)
Spiritual Centres (churches and others)
Educational Centres

The educational centres include all the schools and colleges in the nation. Important to note, most of the graduates of the campus or colleges will move up the corporate ladder in these other centres. So, if we are able to reach them during their student days, indirectly or directly, we are influencing the nations. The values we impart to these people will shape the value system of the nation and even for our next generations too.)

With these 5 beliefs about this age group, we know that our labour among them would not be in vain. There are times of testing and trials, diappointment and let-down, releasing people you have groomed and developed, losing a part of you every year, etc - is not an easy experience.
BUT, we could continue because I know God is in this with me. And we, by the grace of God, are in the process of constructing the church for the 21st century., building great pastors and missionaries of tomorrow, discipling the christian leaders for the church of the next century. Come and join us in this extraordinary venture - life will never be the same again!
(sermon preached June 13 1996)

Intro to Stepping Stones

2006-12-09T15:15:00.000+08:00

Do you know who helped Billy Graham to discover his gifting in preaching? Who helped Benny Hinn to move in the supernatural healing gifts of God? Who was instrumental in shaping the life of Mother Theresa?

The three Christian servants are well known for their service to humanity. Billy Graham preached to millions and saw great numbers of salvations. He was used by God to stir up faith within the body of Christ to believe in evangelism. Benny Hinn preached salvation and healing. Many wonderful miracles were released in his meetings. He was an inspiration to many in the healing power of God. Mother Theresa was an icon of Christian love. When the world looked for an icon for love, they turned to the wrinkled face of Mother Theresa. She was well known to the whole world as a nun who served the poorest of the poor, those whose lives were least valued.

While these are the servants of God, I wonder if you have ever paused to think of the many who obeyed the prompting of God, and came to inspire them, to guide them, to affirm them, to correct them, to release them into God’s wonderful destiny for their lives. These are the unsung heroes of God in His kingdom. These are the many who served not in limelight but simply for His delight. These are the unknown faces of the multitudes, some who are now among the many witnesses in heaven cheering us on, some who are still here on earth, motivating us on to finish our race heavenward in Christ.

These, are God’s “Stepping Stones”.

They came to serve God by lifting us up on a higher plane so that we could see God and reach out for His destiny in our lives. They are happy just to be that step which we could step on to reach our higher destination. They are not known, not remembered, not around when we reach the next level. They could be our primary school teachers, our Sunday school teachers, our seniors, our parents and most definitely our youth pastors!

To many, the term “Stepping stones” is not a nice description to describe people who have mattered in our lives. It gives a negative connotation that they have been used for our selfish gain. But yet in a sense, every mentor, disciple-maker, youth worker ARE Stepping Stones. They came and allowed us to step on them to reach our highest potential (not selfish gain).

As I turn 40, after serving God for more than 14yrs in full-time ministry as a pastor, I feel it is time to pen down my thoughts to thank the many stepping stones of God in my life as well as those in the lives of many of you out there. They deserve our appreciation!

time to revamp my blog

2006-11-10T17:23:00.000+08:00

i have been travelling a lot this past months.
i have been passing my article to be posted at MOLMAN.blogspot.com rather than here.

But soon...i will want to start a new series here just on this blog. it would be a book i hoped to publish when i was younger. it would be about my reflection on my last 20years on youthwork. i have entitled the book "Stepping Stones". And instead of publishing it on paper, i think blog would be the more suitable media for this new generation of youth and youth worker.

It is my intention to bless the youthworker of old and new about the challenges and blessings of youthwork.

Should you know someone who is a youthworker, you can invite him on my behalf to come and share this journey with me.
Intro
1 Why stepping stones;
a humble call to youth work; forgettable group of workers among church team. Youth worker does not retire they just fade away.
Youth Ministry
2 Why youth work? U
nique grace; openness to gospel, Holy Spirit and readiness for radical commitment. They are leaders of tomorrow but what kind?
3 Youth – leaders of today!
4 History of Youth work –
from incidental to intentional to integration
Youth workers
5 Youth worker is king-maker!
6 What really matters to the youth & youth development?
a. Research on adult leaders who has been impacted by youth ministry
b. Chronos study – why youth are where they are?
c. Felt needs and real needs
7 The challenging 20s, the restless 30s, the giving 40s, the covering of the 50/60s.
a. Challenging 20s; conflict of values
b. Restless 30s; esp upper 30s because of the need to exercise faith, experimenting ideas, exerting authority
c. Giving 40s; desire to give back to the next generation, need to create an environment for growth for the teens to 20s to 30s. guard the truth and provide foundation. Nurturing
d. Covering of the 50/60s; providing umbrella for the next generation to try new things, Encouraging
8 Parents and Youthworkers – parentsconnnect
The Bigger Picture
9 Evangelising Youth – a Singapore story
10 I HAVE A DREAM!

i will expand on all these in the coming months....please feel free to share your thoughts with me and other fellow youthworkers/stepping stones.

2006-10-03T23:02:00.000+08:00

Psa 127:1 A pilgrim song of Solomon. If GOD doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If GOD doesn't guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap.
Psa 127:2 It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?
Psa 127:3 Don't you see that children are GOD's best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Psa 127:4 Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth.
Psa 127:5 Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.

Flowing from the sermon from Sunday, I meditated upon the verses again and this is my reflection.
I noticed 2 very key words ie useless and giving.
It is useless to toil apart from God. All our effort would be wasted even if they yield some temporary results.
On the other hand, God gives. He gives rest and protection. There is no need to worry. Worry is a lack of trust in God. We need to learn to look beyond our perspective and see God. Thereby allowing ourselves to do what He does and not what more not less.
Burnout and every other stresses and failure come when we work beyond what God has for us.

Jesus said – I only do what I see My Father is doing in Heaven!

Faith or risk

2006-09-26T23:14:00.000+08:00

Pastor Eugene shared an interesting insight about faith and risk. Faith is about God while risk is about us. Thus, if we are risk centred when we exercise faith..we are really focusing on what we would lose if the action failed to produce the outcome. On the other hand, faith in God is about obeying and trusting the outcome to God.
very interesting insight. we need to know and move by faith - because the righteous shall walk by faith.

Obedience

2006-09-12T15:29:00.000+08:00

As i reflected more about this season of God's word...i felt that the key word is OBEDIENCE...only in obedience can we truly lived out Jesus as Lord of all in our lives. We need to know that only in obedience to the Truth that we are building our lives on strong foundation. Foundation is not built overnight. it requires true commitment to follow / obey His Word. Have you obeyed today?

Monday Church

2006-09-12T15:18:00.000+08:00

I like the term "Monday Church". We are reminded that church is not meant to be only on Sunday. Instead we must live out our faith on Monday to Saturday. I want to encourage all of you to seek out the plans of God for your "Monday Church", the community you are in, and pray for wisdom to establish His will.

You can be another "Daniel" which brought about a change in his high school because he believed and acted with his faith. God can use another vessel who truly believed.

And for those of you who came forward to be commissioned....start praying...i will available together with my 12 to help you discern God's will and start your Monday Church. It is time to Pastor the City!

reflection at pre planning

2006-08-24T17:09:00.000+08:00

we are reminded again about the need to pause and reflect on the sermon lest we, pastors, are mere "professional" without authencity. how can we be challenged about the Lordship of Jesus without making some changes in our lives; be it inner life or our manner in speech and action. so often we can justify our actions and speeches but when we come before His Lordship, the appropiate response should be repentance.
questions; who am i when no one is looking? why am i responding the way i am? how is Jesus reflected in my words and actions?
IS HE LORD?

My children, i pray that when u read this entry, that you too will allow the Holy SPirit to shine into the inner recess of your heart. Allow Him to show you where we have "fallen" whereby He is not given the reign in our lives.

Jabez's Prayer

2006-06-26T18:05:00.000+08:00

God bless me. Enlarge our territory! Let Your hand be upon me and deliver me from evil!

Where is our territory?
I am asking about your personal territory?
This prayer is meaningless if you are not mindful of what you pray ie where is your territory.
Start asking God and believe Him for that territory!

Miracle Catch and G12

2006-06-26T17:58:00.000+08:00

We are thankful to the God for the experience of miracle catch. as a church, we saw 33% increase in total attendence, we saw more salvations than last MOL in december 05, etc.

But i agreed with the poem from our tribe, this is just THE BEGINNING. we need to be good parents to the new converts. we need to go beyond these new converts and continue our sacred tasks of making disciples and not counting decisions.

In fact, i am appreciating more of the call to make disciples and see every harvesting events as ways to increase the pool for discipleship. Thus, leaders and members, if you are reading this blog, return back to lead your group/people to Jesus. Send them to consolidation. Pray real hard that they encounter Jesus. Help them to grow under your care and through the LOS. Fast and lay hold of God till they become leaders/disciples in God.

Don;t waste time, we have only 5 more months to see the growth God desired to bless us. Go and make disciples!!

Life is simple. Life is complex. Life is NOT Complicated

2006-06-13T16:10:00.000+08:00

I find myself explain this very often. Thus i decided to blog this for all my readers. Life is not complicated! This means that Life is not so intertwined that we cannot make sense or meaning out of it. Life is complex! This means that life is interrelated to other factors of life. But because Life is interrelated, it can be untangled. Let me illustrate with "body soul and spirit". Our body can influence our soul eg if you are sick, you can feel down and depressed. This can happen the other way around too. Thus, by sleeping, you can untangle depression within. While sleeping (physical) is not directly related to emotion (arena for depression), the physical dimension of our lives can bring wholeness to our emotional dimension of life. Thus, when dealing with life, make sure you are not compromising Physical, Emotional, Intellectual and Spiritual dimensions of life. They are all interrelated and thus bring complexity to your life. But if you are not developing them systematically, you will be able to live life simply. it is that SIMPLE.

The necessity for reflection

2006-06-13T15:57:00.000+08:00

Only the wise reflects!
Since reflection is not natural, the normal canal side of us would choose to flow with the events of life and not make sense out of them. We allow days to flow through our lives only to be awaken occasionally by crisis, supernatural encounters, etc.
The bible called us to live life wisely. Wisdom, as defined in scripture, refers to the art of living well under the hand of God. The Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Why? Fear of God helps us to be conscious of God regularly. Reflection, or biblical reflection, calls us to be conscious of God. Reflecting on daily moments by seeking out God's agenda and lesson for us, helps us to be conscious of God. Thus making one wise.
Fools, on the other hand, said in their own hearts there is no God. They are not stupid people. They are just people who sincerely live lives without any consciousness of God. They may even profess with their mouths that there is God but their lives are lived without such consciousness. Often it is not what we say but how we live in private that truly reflect who we are.
SO are you wise or fool? Reflect about this!

Mt K challenge

2006-06-10T23:52:00.000+08:00

We came we saw we conquered. As a family!(italic mine)
It was indeed a faith stretching exercise for me and my tribe to attempt this challenge.
Out of the 39 of us who attempted, 34 summitted (1 summitted at the 8km mark. we counted him because he could have made it to the top if not for the closing timing)
2 sisters chose not to go, apart from some physical conditions, did so to take care of the others. Their actions spoke volume of love to us. Not forgetting Cindy and Nicole who chose to come and stayed at the Park Ranger’s office to pray for the entire team as well.

Lessons learnt;
1 The Pleasure of God was what we sought throughout the trip. We lived out our professed love for one another throughout the challenge. We did so because we wanted His pleasure to be with us. Many carried the load of others to empower them to move one more step literally.
2 The Passion of God kept us going even at the toughest moment. At the final ascend, every step was met with great physical constraint – it remembered us of Jesus on His road to Calvary hill. Ours climb is nothing compared to His.
3 The Plans of God must be what we live for! Beyond Mt K, we need to conquer the rest of mountains He has in store for all of us. Conquering Mt K is only a physical rehearsal to the actual “mountains” in our lives. We need to press on and transfer the learning; the assurances of God, the power of family love, into our daily walk within God’s plan.
4 The Power of God’s love is what we really need! We need to go beyond living out our professed love, we need to strengthen our motivation to love. I realised while we can act on LOVE to one another…but our motivation could be weak or superficial. It is easier to show love by doing something for others, but it takes another level of love to honestly loving someone in our hearts. I believe God is showing me some cracks in the family love and that I need to repent (on their behalf) and return to model genuine love (to my 12 and 144).

DVC - final installation

2006-05-30T00:03:00.000+08:00

I think the movie has come and would be gone very soon...based on the reviews i am hearing.
But still i have received feedback that some of our faith have been challenged.
I decided that this would be my last blog on this matter.

DVC has many false claims. Among those is the claims that all the history and facts are real. They were quoted from historians....yet upon further checking, you would find that NO historian was consulted...those he quoted were all authors and conspiracy theoists.

Further, his understanding of Christian history and findings were erratic. He is very novice in his understanding of even basic Christianity and historic finding. And for us to allow our faith to be challenged by man who is not even proper tutored in our faith only get to show how shallow we are in our faith itself.

So if this apply to you, time to enrol yourselves in LOS. Go to church regularly and ask questions to your leaders...they would be stronger in their faith when they are able to find and answer your questions.

Have FUN!

gnostic and gospel of judas

2006-05-10T00:03:00.000+08:00

i did my teaching on Christology. And in the process, i did some study on the gnostic bible. i discovered that the gnostic is more interested in the hidden revelation of God than dealing with the fleshly issues of marriage or intimacy with Mary. such revelation or knowledge is for selfish gain. Anyway, the claims by Dan Brown, that Jesus married/had sex with Mary as "mentioned in the gnostic" is really baseless. He, knowingly or unknowingly, was attacking the deity of God through his conspiracy theory. I pray that he would see the Light and repent of his stumbling works.

As for the gosepl of judas, i was told that we should appreciate Judas. The reason was that without him, there would be no betrayal, no cross, no redemption.
This arguement had been around for ages. The truth is with or without Judas, God's plan of redemption would still be done. Jesus had no need to convince Judas to betray Him as opposed to what the Judas Gospel suggested. If we need to appreciate Judas because of the indirect contribution to salvation....we need to thank the devil too.

God is much more power than to need mere human to help Him to complete His redemption.
Actually, Devil was caught off guard, in the redemption plan. And wanted to kill Jesus at all possible cause. as such, even without judas, the devil would still move his armies in the human to capture Jesus. Only to fall into the greatest conspiracy of all....the redemption via the cross.

Sigh...if only we could make effort to know the bible and be impressed with God's surprise move, conspiracy work, wonderful miracles.....we would always find the wordly information interesting.

Personally, i am praying for a time next week to avail myself to handle all enquries about Da Vinc code and judas gospel. i would be flying back from beijing....but i felt the need to do...any comments...,,,,

Are you there?

2006-04-28T16:42:00.001+08:00

I have been busy with many projects coming up.....starting with preaching at the baptism service tonight, preparing for my China trip + teaching there, leading PnP next friday, teaching Christology next Sunday, completing my M Ed project, organising GCYC and NCTC...

So i may not be writing anything pastoral over the next few weeks.

However, i am open to response to any questions you may have about our faith....just drop that into "comments". i will then enter my response into this blog. i will wait for 3-4 comments before i make my entry.

Till then, do pray for me.

Are you there?

2006-04-28T16:42:00.000+08:00

Gospel according to Judas and Da Vinci Code

2006-04-17T15:32:00.000+08:00

I was very amused that National Geographic would make such a big wave about Gospel according to Judas. Upon further thoughts, i was no longer amused. They are all trying to cash in on the waves of the Da Vinci Code and the Easter weekend. But more than that, they were fulfilling the prophesy in Revelation that more false prophets and wrong teaching would abound in the end times.
The more i think of this, the more i looked forward to teaching my people about Christology and Revelation. I want to make sure all my people are informed of the schemes of the devil and thus be able to stay FAITHFUL WITH THE TRUTH till the END.
Gospel according to Judas cannot be taken seriously just as would you take someone, 200years later in the future, who would write about me? or would you take the writing of someone closer to me like my wife or children or even my immediate disciples? the choice is obvious, we would take the writing of those who had been with Jesus and who was closer to Jesus (the 4 Gospels book in the Bible) more seriously than those who wrote 200yrs later (ie Gospel according to Judas; which by the way, was not written by Judas).
Anyway, the Gnostic Bible has been around as a cult-teaching since the 200-300 AD. we should not be surprised that they are back in this End Times. So if you are reading this blog..consider yourself informed!

2006-04-17T14:06:00.000+08:00

sydney Uni Blue Mountain Nature

GOH speaking
Opera House

P's mum witnessing to youth

Principal of NICE and wife @ graduation centre.

Beyond mere study

2006-04-17T14:01:00.000+08:00

i had time to visit the great ocean road and of course to see the 12 (7) apostles and the London Bridge.

Worldviews - my learning in M Ed

2006-03-31T10:53:00.000+08:00

Dualism
This is a view that all of life can be splitted in 2 ways eg Secular and sacred split.
This is promoted by Plato which taught about the body (can be seen) vs soul (cannot be seen). Of course, the further addition was that what could be seen is evil and what could not be seen is good. This kind of worldview crept right into the church father as well. St Augustine classified things as eternal vs temporal. ANd given his past, he condemned sex as always an act of lust; he could be see sex as from God ie a Fall-Redemption mindset. Aquinas added to St Augustine with Nature vs Grace. When this thinking flowed into the Institutional Church, grace was exalted above all of life. Nature was reduced and removed from the church agenda. As a result the church lost touch with the rest of the world and became inward looking.

Rise of Secularism
Interest in Nature (actually a God-given interest) was widespread and soon secularism became more exciting for people. And the institutional church was left into the private domain of one's life. In fact, it was viewed that only the weak need to have faith. But our gospel is a gospel of All things; we should never have left secularism to rob the nature out of the domain of our faith.
Schaeffer – “Nature began to eat out grace”.

Rise of Science
Science came into the forthfront since it was able to explain and empower man to provide "dominance over creation again". only this time, it is done without God's intention.
This god-less movement brought forth Empiricism and Rationalism – science revolution. there is nothing wrong with Science. But when Science beame Scientism (absolute claim over nature) it became a worldviews that set us apart from true worship of God.
(Worldviews are incarnated in our lives. They are more than mere concept.)

Affirmation of Creation
Renaissance – glory of man
Reformation – glory of God

Idols of Modernism
Scientism – omniscience ; There is nothing I cannot know
Technicism – omnipotence; There is nothing I cannot do
Economism – sovereignty; There is nothing I cannot have
We are encouraged to bow down to these “idols”.

Worldview Crisis
Attack from post-modernism
Modernism reduces humanity; that man is only rational
The dream has failed. “Worldview” of despair.
It’s all about power and coercion of people.
No Worldview is true.
Opportunity for Christian
We need to leave reservation ; time to claim that there is absolute
“the world can now put up with Christian so long as we stay in reservation. The moment we step out of reservation and speak, the world benign smile to savage stare.” – RC Sproul

Pastoral reflection

2006-02-27T16:58:00.000+08:00

I read the many nice cards given to me since the tabernacle weekend. they are very encouraging indeed. but upon further reflection, i realised that i should be very wise in handling such affirmation and praises.
why?
they can create a false sense of spiritual accomplishments. i have come to know, after 14yrs of serving, that the person who praises you today can curse you tomorrow. thus, cards and notes are good for the moment but they are not representative of effective ministry.
what then is?
The heart of obedience.
The litmus test of an effective ministry is to see if your people truly obey the teaching you gave in the Lord. some can cleverly cover their disobedience with excuses and delay. others can be swamped by personal struggles and preferences. some simply bo-chap.
Thus, as a leader, we need to exercise obedience to the Leaders over us...we must also discern the heart of obedience in the lives of our members. if we have to make verbal demand for obedience, it will only mean that we are not there yet with them relationally and spiritually....The best outcome will be they obey you when you teach/challenge/admonish/correct/inspire in the LORD.
Thus enjoy your cards when you do receive ...especial when your friends or leaders had watched "I not stupid too". But don;t let them get into the head....discern the heart > than the cards...

2006-02-11T01:43:00.000+08:00

Multiply us LORD!

Praise God

2006-02-10T00:00:00.000+08:00

The Lord is my provider!
I heard about how someone decided to start giving back his tithing that he owed the Lord and how God provided twice the amount back. I was very happy for the member.
But God is a God of humor...he asked if i dare believed Him for that too. i was hesitant..yes hesitant but i trusted and gave. The Lord showed me that He is indeed my provider. within a week, someone surprised me with a gift more than 50times of what i gave. it was an answer to a prayer for family overseas trip. but what blessed me more was that the Lord prepared the person 2mths back to give! Meaning God knew there and then i would be skeptical and i would be giving still....and He would be ready to surprise me. I am very humbled and blessed to know this God...who loves me despite my human weakness and ever so ready to show me His love....do you know Him as such? Ask God for a miracle for your lives and start to give/bless Him. you will be surpised and blessed.
The righteous shall live by faith......stretch your Christian experience....move in faith.

i want to encourage all of you to stretch your faith to believe God for lives to be given to you to disciple. If you are discipling nobody yet, ask God for your 12 by Dec. If you have 2-5, ask for 12 still. But don;t evaluate your goal only at Dec 06. Set a goal by end of March....close enough for personal evaluation and mid course correction if need be.

Meanwhile, we have also establish our tribe blog at www.makeourlivesmanymiracles.blogspot.com.
Go and post your remarks or comments or photos or whatever that is edifying. my blog will be link to this as well.

SO much for now....sow in Faith....

it is February - a time to sow

2006-02-07T07:50:00.000+08:00

So quickly we have entered Feb 06. i was blessed to be reminded that we will have a NEW beginning last week at the service.

i was also been reminded separately that God will give us a new anointing ONLY when He is giving us a new assignment. We don’t need a new anointing for an old assignment. We may need a fresh anointing to continue an old assignment. ….. BUT the rhema word is NEW…God is giving us a NEW chapter, a NEW anointing for a NEW assignment….and a NEW YOU! I pray that God will have His ways in your life and that you will be indeed NEW (relative to now) in Christ by Dec 06.

Let's continue to sow in tears before God for both personal and corporate revival. We want to see the EXTRAORDINARY POSSIBILITIES OF GOD BY DEC 2006. BUT the process must start NOW........

So…start sowing….
“Teach me to pray with groanings so that there are earth quakes in hell.
Teach me the groaning of the Spirit until angels stand in awe.
Teach me Spirit-born intercession that changes history.
Teach me the birth pangs of the Holy Spirit until hell shaking revival is born.
Lead me into travail that will hold back divine judgment from the nations for a little season.
Let me be the living sacrifice on the altar of prayer, “bleeding to bless”, until flood tides of mercy sweep the nations.
Lord break my heart in intercession until my eyes, like those of Jeremiah, are a fountain of tears weeping for the slain of an educated, but spiritually dead, people.”
- Leonard Ravenhill”

The biblical principle is that when we sow in tears we will reap with joy. We cannot expect to reap in joy without any sowing; there is no reaping if there is no sowing.

Start S.......O........W.........I.........N..........G! We want to see our tribe reach 2000 Lord!
(picture is from GCYC. a picture to remind us about the nations...about expansion for His kingdom!)

a pastoral concerns - The Da Vinci Code

2006-01-29T20:15:00.000+08:00

I did a simple teaching about what was wrong about this book sometime last year. i was surprised by so much interest among our students at LOS. we literally packed the room. Since then, we knew about the production of the movie, more illustrated books, etc to promote this distorted fiction book to the readers.
Do we just sit and let Dan Brown has his "distorted" say about our faith?
Certainly NOT!
I am glad that Campus Crusade for Christ and Covenant Evangelical Free Church have come together with several other concerned agencies to launch the DVC project. We were invited to participate so that the Body of Christ can turn the movie into a time for TRUTH to prevail.
As a stater, i will encourage all of you who are reading this blog to go to www.davincicode.org.sg
to read more for your personal information. We in Youthnet will work out something for all of you soon. Have a Blessed Chinese New Year.

Pastors' Summit 06

2006-01-23T01:01:00.000+08:00

Dear family,
You would have heard pieces of news here and there…I thought I will write some for your prayer direction.

Indeed this is a summit of difference….not so much solid teaching but solid call for us back to prayer.
We are reminded to return back to prayer habit of our past ie prayer walking, warfare prayer, personal prayer.

But personally, I was encouraged that the word I released about multiplication and focusing on leadership development for our 12/144 was reaffirmed many times in the summit.
Yes, we need to talk more….essentially, we need to believe that God wants us to be fruitful and that includes bearing fruits through birthing and building of our 12/144. what it means for all of you is that we need to believe God that you can be a leader of 12/144. don’t give discount and make excuses…but ask God for wisdom and His ways to see this Extraordinary Possibilities for everyone of us in SJ tribe.

Go for God’s Glory.

MOL outcome

2005-12-29T00:07:00.000+08:00

MOL Network Salvation Assurance Re-Dedication Others TOTAL Grand Total
Men 81 7 14 13 115

Women 140 10 12 28 190

Youth 163 14 34 30 241

TOTAL 384 31 60 71 546

What does these numbers mean to you?
It means something BUT not everything. The greater issue is what are we doing with who we have build relationship. Harvesting and consolidating are both equally important agenda in our quest for discipleship. we cannot be merely absorbed in the numbers and failed to see the constant needs to service and care our prebelievers and new believers into Christlikeness.

So if you are in my tribe, praise God for what He has done...but we need to press on in what we need to do ie continue to build relationships and point people back to God. for those who happened to read this blog, go and make disciples.....for this IS God's commission for all.

Blessed New Year to all readers.

praise items for Big Move and Max Pavilion

2005-12-17T23:37:00.000+08:00

I am glad we have moved and we are ready for the 2nd service. in this last 7 days, i have heard great reports of God's working over the weekend. From miracles of healing to breakthrough in Christian walk, from feeling of stagnation to revival again. WoW!
i am happy for the many positive reports for the 1st week.

Of course from the church end, we saw great growth in term of numbers ie from usual 9000- (in previous year) to 10 800 just for this week. More than the numbers, i am excited about the change in the climate. People are more excited about God and His business.

If you are there, and God has blessed you somehow, please drop me a mail.
REALLY! HELP me to know what God is doing can? PLEASE.....
Haha. Give glory to God la.

what is next after the 1st move

2005-12-13T10:17:00.000+08:00

We are reminded, at staff worship, that beyond the physical move, we need the personal revival! In Neh 8, we are reminded of the need to ;
Return to the assembly of the saints; promote unity, let the faith of others spur us.

Restore the priority for the Word; one read and one interpreted. the people cried upon hearing the word. the word cleansed us.

Rediscover the feast of tabernacle; what is the feast about? 2 harvests celebrated by feast of pentecoste (former rain-spring time) and tabernacle (latter rain-) - it is about the Holy Spirit.

Thus personal revival - call to community, to the Word and to the Holy SPirit.

We need personal revival because there is a difference between going out faith and going ON faith. We cannot rest on the fact that we have gone out. we need to going ON through Prayer. There must be prayer of Agreement - in the Assembly.
There must also be prayer of Appropiation - Apply (> hear) the Word
There, finally, must also be prayer of Anointing - joy (celebration) of the Lord is our Strength; Act with the Spirit.

The season is on....we need to ENTER the season! Don't stay out! Don't just observe! Jump In!

Specific Applications for my tribe;
Come early for service; be @ Max Pavilion by 1.15pm
Gather for processing of word; after service
Do BIG (believe in God) with HS.

Activities or the Almighty? part 2

2005-12-11T23:16:00.000+08:00

i decided to comment further on this because of my pastoral concerns. i have seen and known of many pastors, leaders and serious christians who gave their lives in service but failed to take time to reflect on God and His dealing in our lives. I cannot help but remembered the life of Martha. She was busy looking into how to make Jesus comfortable but missed out the one thing that is most important! to be with Jesus. She is in the bible not for us to feel that she was a reflection of someone else. i believe God wants to warn all of us that we are potentially a Martha. we can serve, give, work, commit and fulfil many many more Christian's challenges... and yet miss the very heart of Christian life. We are called to worship! We are made for worship! We are destined to be worshipper. Yet, we can be excited about the music and missed the Master, aborbed by the mood and missed the Maker, consumed by the lyrics and missed the Lord (for which the words decribed). Why? How so? BEcause we are caught by the activities and missed the Almighty! We are interested in the task rather than the heart. It is easier to deal with the "no brain" activities rather than to face up with the ugliness within our soul. the heart is not a nice place to be at. sometimes, we are appalled by our heart conditions. sometime, we are so sick of our sickness in our heart. sometimes, we cannot believe we are so evil in our hearts. and precisely for reason like this....we need to ask God to help!
We all need a new heart! Change my heart O Lord!

Activities or the Almighty?

2005-12-08T01:29:00.000+08:00

I enjoyed a few conversations lately.
they were not about great accomplishments or great signs and wonders....
they were about reflection....................
reflection on our hearts intent. our motivation in service, our struggle with sins, with selfish desires, with lust......
authentic confession. real people. real struggles. real GOD that they were conversing with. WE came out of the meetings, refreshed....we knew God was there with us in our conversation, our confession.
Authentic Discipleship is about dealing with the matter of the heart. the heart of the matter is always the heart! So Take HEART my reader!

ARE YOU READY FOR EXPO

2005-12-03T00:12:00.000+08:00

8 more days to EXPO. 8 more days to experience EXtraordinary POssibilities. 8 more days to see more of God.
EXPO is big, we are small but God is BIG!
EXPO is far, we are inconvenienced but God came from Heaven to Earth!
EXPO is new, we are unfamiliar but God's way is always new to human!

Am i ready for EXPO? are you?

Beyond the physical move, God wants to deal with our spiritual state. He does not want us/FCBC to stay the way we are! He wants to stretch our faith to believe in the Big God who came near and dwelt among us.

The option for all of us, to flow/obey with God! It will be foolish to try something else when God has specific journey for us. it will be like Jonah running in the opposite direction only to be eaten up by the whale of God.

So what are you waiting for? it is a time for change! time to flow! time to obey! time to see the BIG MOVE OF GOD!

Back from MOL

2005-11-17T04:02:00.000+08:00

It was a good trip travelling with SP and Ps ES. Learning a lot from their lives of service to the nations. SP was stretched at all ends; from performance to FCBC matters to marketing of the show, etc. Yet, his spirit was always uplifted when servicing the King. Ps ES was back from Sri Lanka and took the next flight out to Beijing just to support SP. He was just as overwhelmed with work and all....but he went nevertheless to SERVE.
I was inspired and humbled. There were many BAD incidents in dealing with the local. They were so different from us. It was easy to judge and feel more superior. But God reminded me of service. We came to serve. We came and understood "incarnation"; God became flesh to dwell among sinful men. The Word was not read but lived in our world so that we could touch, see and understand. The world, the local included, was lost without HIM. Hence their responses and reactions were "justified" to be so. That was why we were there...to declare the Magic of His Love that could enrich and empower them to live differently.
I was inspired and humbled.....by God and His godly servants. I desired to live out as His "incarnated" word among the lost!

just returned from Beijing

2005-11-13T12:06:00.000+08:00

i noticed that many have come to check out this blog. I hope you have enjoyed reading and pondering over the content thus far. i will be writing again sometime this week as i am trying to recover from my MOL trip.
Till then, keep looking to Jesus............................................

perspective again

2005-10-25T13:30:00.000+08:00

Why do we see God as a performance based God?
It is more than the environment we are in....although our environment played a very significant role in reinforcing this view of God.
Essentially, it is due to the fallen nature of man and the scheme of the devil.
The fallen nature of man thrived in "doing something about it". This nature is an offshoot from sin. Sin is choosing to be (self) in control. Sin (self control) opposed the call to surrender (God's control).
Thus, fallen men like us believe that we can do something to please God, to merit His approval, etc. And we WANT to do something..... to be con't...
The scheme of the devil is essentially to distort the picture of God in our mind. When we have a distorted picture of God, it would inevitably affect our faith in God. On the extreme end, when our picture of God is faulty, we may not even be worshipping the right God!
Thus the need for us to return back to the bible and believe the God of the bible.
Let the bible "dictate" the picture of God in our mind...and not our feelings or experiences.
When the image of God in your mind is BIG, the size of your problem will be SMALL!

Perspective

2005-10-21T23:28:00.000+08:00

From the cup illustration, many have left comments for me to think and/or laugh over other versions or perspective.
i am happy that my thoughts have triggered some reflections from you.
This week, i was reminded again about our perspective of God or rather our wrong perspective of God. Many times i found myself reducing God to a very performance based God; whose blessings are dependent on my works. Also i tended to reduce His blessings to what i would "give if i am God" - much less than Who He really would.
I was challenged to re-focus my view of Him. And i suspect i am not the only one in this journey.....

what a response!

2005-10-20T16:05:00.000+08:00

I was very surprised by the way my blog went public. 130+ post in less than a week. need to guard my heart lest that becomes my mean of significance in the cyberworld.
i was also amused by many comments that came with my last post. i would certainly like to know what were in some of your minds when you read my post. i am reflecting on some of your comments and would be most glad to share my view in due course.

my thoughts

2005-10-16T16:08:00.000+08:00

Often i heard people said that "the cup is half filled vs half empty".
I know that the emphasis is on Potential vs Problem. But i thought about it recently and i felt the question should be "Why is the cup there?" The issue of PURPOSE. We need to ask what is God's purpose in our lives before we could effectively view the potential within us. We exist NOT to fulfil our potential. We exist to worship God with our potential.

My first post

2005-10-15T14:43:00.000+08:00

I have entered the cyberworld!
I want to use this to reach out to my friends and spiritual children out there with this tool.