Marked By Faith

TGIMB

2009-07-11T10:23:00.000+08:00

Thank God It's My Birthday. =]

Book Review: The Hole in the Gospel

2009-07-07T11:01:00.004+08:00

The Hole in our Gospel offers readers an opportunity to get inside the head of Richard Stearns, President the humongous aid organization World Vision, and former CEO of multiple companies. This was reason enough for me to read the book, but Richard spoke not only to the head but also to my heart.

The Hole in our Gospel is another book that recognizes that the Church is not what it is supposed to be, and contains a healthy realism of the implications of this unfortunate reality.

Going a full circle, it manages to offer hope and much optimism for the individual’s ability to make a difference. Coupled with messages about the seriousness of the poverty, hunger, sickness, water, sanitation, mentality, illiteracy and more; is World Vision’s reminder “Don’t fail to do something just because you can’t do everything”.

Richard emphasises 3 points, a) Every one of these hurting people is created in God’s image and loved by Him, b) Every one of these challenges has a solution, c) Every one can make a difference.

“Who is my neighbour” Richard asks, when we are made aware of the humanitarian concerns through news and new media, when we have access to many of these humanitarian sites, and when we have the financial, technological, or personal ability to care for the poor and needy?

Apart from speaking to the individual, he also makes a case for the Church’s ability to change the world as a collective. To message is clear – God has empowered now go meet the need!

You would not expect anything less from the President of World Vision, but Richard’s message was more comprehensive and well thought than I expected and is written exemplarily.

The book contains a healthy dose of narratives, some biblical which he gives depth in expression and others from Richard’s own experiences including stories about how he came to work at World Vision and his own salvation account. He speaks of these experiences humbly even though his actions are often commendable.

He does not simply tell of the great humanitarian crisis but puts the responsibility firmly on the shoulders of each individual to play his or her own part. The message encourages, challenges, and convicts without pointing fingers.

This book breaks down mental barriers that prevent regular Christians from taking action. Like the Little Engine That Could, it will leave you not only willing, but desirous, and singing “I think I can” over this seemingly impossible task.

Book Review: The Crescent through the Eyes of the Cross

2009-07-06T18:21:00.003+08:00

While the message of the gospel never changes, there is wisdom in communicating it in a way that hearers will be open to receiving it. Yet this elementary principle is often not practiced.

Dr. Nabeel T. Jabbour’s book The Crescent through the Eyes of the Cross speaks of the ineffectiveness of the Church to share the love of Jesus to the world’s Muslim population. It is a straightforward book written for Christians (particularly American, but relevant for other multi-religious societies) who have difficulty deciding & understanding how best to relate to them.

Reflecting on his own experiences of relating to Muslims and living in the Middle East, he breaks the book down into 3 sections, the setting, message, and receiver.

From the outset he challenges the reader to expand his perceptions of Muslims as people, and to rethink the assumptions often made in sharing Christ or doing Church in the western context.

This is one of his major themes, as can be seen throughout the book, and the rhetorical challenge is the book’s strongest focus. I will not reveal too much, but one example is the discerning what is absolutely essential for a non-believer to become a follower of Jesus – the gift, as he calls it; from the wrapper or non-essentials that is helpful in one context but inappropriate or even harmful in another.

Nabeel first uses more abstractions to help us understand behaviour, followed by the gritty operational aspects of relating to Muslims, such as the selection of words & actions and use of conceptual frameworks they are familiar with. He offers wise and reasonable observations on working with Muslims.

It is a simple book, not a teach-all. But a teach-all would not be possible to write without being overly judgemental and rigid. It feels incomplete even, perhaps because the last section of the book is made available only via email (for free) in the form of an addendum. But it does serve its purpose of giving an introduction and context for Christians to start working learning more and witnessing from.

It is a quick read, and I found the reflection questions found after most chapters to be genuinely helpful to check both by understanding and self. These are question that I suspect will facilitate reflection even if you have worked with Muslims for many years.

If you live in a multi-religious society, or work with Muslims, you may find this book a relevant read.

Remember the Lord

2009-06-30T00:18:00.000+08:00

Nothing has meaning when I sin against the Lord,
Not love, not time.
No, nothing at all.
If only I would remember always.

I forget that He is the Master.
Not you, not I.
No, to behave so is pride.
If only I would remember always.

My spirit cries “You foolish man!”
Who seeks death, not life?
No treasure on earth truly satisfies.
If only I would remember always.

I must go before Him with fear and trembling,
I will not run. I could not hide.
Why would I? No God provides grace in Jesus Christ.
If only I would remember always.

Answering God's Calls

2009-06-28T07:06:00.004+08:00

The secret to a life of significance does not lie in asking "What singular purpose does God have for me?", nor "What great things will He lead me to do?" but is answered in "What am I doing with my life?" God calls us to Christian responsibility, to Christ-likeness, and this humble common purpose is undoubtedly most glorifying to God.

Prayer mirrors the gospel.

2009-06-18T17:58:00.001+08:00

“The gospel, God’s free gift of grace in Jesus, only works when we realize we don’t have it all together. The same is true for prayer. The very thing we are allergic to—our helplessness—is what makes prayer work. It works because are helpless. We can’t do life on our own.

Prayer mirrors the gospel. In the gospel, the Father takes us as we are because of Jesus and gives us his gift of salvation. In prayer, the Father receives us as we are because of Jesus and gives us his gift of help. We look at the inadequacy of our praying and give up, thinking something is wrong with us. God looks as the adequacy of his Son and delights in our sloppy, meandering prayers.”

—Paul Miller, A Praying Life (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress 2009), 55

Bear fruits in keeping with repentance

2009-06-17T22:31:00.002+08:00

a cry of apology
agony, aching sorrow
God save me.

a cry of need
without love, no good thing
God save me.

grace abounding, hope restoring
faith astounding, power transforming
God save me.

Faith is...

2009-06-13T00:02:00.009+08:00

Faith is being fully persuaded that there exists a being who in his nature is always lovely, faithful, and the very epitome of perfection. It is the willingness of the heart to hope and thus believe that a perfect being must exist outside our imperfect world. Only a God, perfect in love, would sacrifice Himself and die. Only a God, perfect in holiness, could pay our ransom - trading His perfection for our sinfulness. And though Jesus died in the flesh, death could not contain God who is perfect in power; Rising from the dead, He promises a new life: salvation at the cross and the restoration of sweet communion with His Spirit. This is the gift of perfection to those who believe.

Hearing God

2009-06-10T10:37:00.008+08:00

Mat 2:9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.

Matthew 2 makes it clear, God speaks to us. Via external circumstances, albeit seemingly not as supernatural as a shooting star. It might be helpful to remember that the account is reportedly supernatural as Matthew writes about the past with great retrospective coherence. It is likely the wise men also questioned if God's hand was at work until the star came to rest over Jesus. When it did, their faith, exhibited through following the star, was made sure.

Our generation is a faithless one. We seldom live as though God's hand is actively shaping the circumstances and situations He places us in. Instead we live as though God no longer speaks. We do our own thing, our own way, until the Lord convicts us in a sermon, a prayer or conversation. But these inner convictions are also of little use if we refuse to be open to them. The wise men and Joseph did (v12-13), and it made all the difference.

We should not wait for an audible voice, an inner conviction, to begin to live a life of love and obedience to his words in the Bible. Like the wise men we must begin to journey in faith.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I want to hear from you. I need to hear from you. With my Bible open, your servant waits.

Star-struck Love

2009-06-10T09:55:00.004+08:00

Matt 2:9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.

We are not to suppose that it was what we commonly mean by a star. The stars are vast bodies fixed in the heavens, and it is absurd to suppose that one of them was sent to guide the wise men. From this it appears that the star was a luminous meteor, perhaps at no great distance from the ground. It is not unlikely that they lost sight of it after they had commenced their journey from the East. It is probable that it appeared to them first in the direction of Jerusalem. They concluded that the expected King had been born, and immediately commenced their journey to Jerusalem. When they arrived there, it was important that they should be directed to the very place where he was, and the star again appeared. It was for this reason that they rejoiced. They felt assured that they were under a heavenly guidance, and would be conducted to the new-born King of the Jews. And this shows (that) God will guide those who are disposed to find the Saviour. Even if for a time the light should be withdrawn, yet it will again appear, and direct us in the way to the Redeemer.

- Albert Barnes, Notes on Matt 2:9-10

He will save his people....

2009-06-09T23:37:00.002+08:00

"...from their sins." (Matt 1:21)

We have no evidence that we are his people unless we are saved from the power and dominion of sin. A mere profession of being His people will not answer. Unless we give up our sins; unless we renounce the pride, pomp, and pleasure of the world, we have no evidence that we are the children of God. It is impossible that we should be Christians if we indulge in sin and live in the practice of any known iniquity. See 1 John 3:7-8.

- Albert Barnes, Notes on Matt 1:21

No Other Place to Be

2009-06-06T15:33:00.008+08:00

God
  makes a promise;
faith
  believes it,
hope
  anticipates it,
patience
  quietly awaits it.

Stricken by God

2009-05-28T15:10:00.007+08:00

When your mind has become convinced that life makes little sense without God, the strength and wiles of temptation and the world become more clearly defined. You can no longer blame unbelief. The battle has become harder because you can no longer feign ignorance and deny Him. Perhaps then you'll recognize that all of your will is insufficient to stem the sinful nature. Perhaps in that moment, you'll realize why Jesus Christ had to die. He is both grace and power, and the only hope of salvation.

God, forgive!

Study the Bible 1.0

2009-05-28T09:30:00.012+08:00

This is not an advertistment, but I use e-Sword, a free Bible software which is a great tool for self-study. You can download it here, and add on commentaries and dictonaries also for free. You can pay to include your favourite translation (AMP, Message, NASB, NIV, NKJV, NLT, NRSV) but the purpose of this post is to teach you how to make the most of e-Sword as a free tool.

e-Sword improves your Bible Study

The standard e-Sword installation comes with KJV and Strong's Numbers. Strong's is a Bible Index. Each original-language word has a number, and the number can be looked up to reveal the literal meaning of the word. This can also be helpful in cross-referencing to see how the same original-language word is used in different places in the Bible, or the reverse, how the same english word is actually translated from different original-language words. A tutorial of how to look up words is on e-Sword's website. A good complement for Strong's is Nave's Topical Bible, also freely available as an e-Sword dictonary.

I have found downloading other free translations helpful. You might want to grab CEV or Good News as a thought-for-thought guide and ESV for study. I also downloaded KJV without Strong's for easy reading & ASV and RV (translations that date back about 100 years) for fun.

e-Sword saves you Money

E-sword allows you to compare translations side by side like a Parallel Bible and has Strong's numbers like the Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible which could set you back SGD $150.

e-Sword makes study Easy and Effective

There is a decent search tool that lets you search for words or phrases in specific books or the whole bible. You can only search one translation at a time though. In addition, there is a notepad feature for you to make quick study notes.

e-Sword has Goodies

This include maps, devotional material, a scripture memory tool, and even a couple of Christian classics.

Try it out... there's no harm. If it works for you, use it. If it doesn't, dump it.

Mission: Back Home

2009-05-27T21:58:00.012+08:00

In Singapore, we have mega-churches with 30,000 attendees, and sometimes churches on both sides of the street. Our Christian sub-culture is strong. There are national prayer movements, stadium & exhibition events, Christian schools, theological colleges and even CCM artists coming almost every other month!~

You might be surprised to hear that only 14.6% Singapore's population knows Jesus. Only 14.6% knows the love of Christ. Sure, it's an old statistic but very valid in approximation; In 1990, the Christian population in Singapore was 12.7%. In 2000, it was 14.6%. Have we shot up exponentially in the last 10 years? Most unlikely.

What is clear is that advancing the gospel in Singapore is slow work. It may sound old and cliche, but unless we move out of our comfort zone, out of our Christian sub-culture... We are unlikely to make a serious impact.

We have a part to play in making this nation a better place. A part to play in telling Singapore about Jesus. That is our responsibility as Christians. We are called to love our neighbor. That is our responsibility as Christians. To stop talking about love and start loving.

In the video below, Ed Stezer talks with Steve Miller about planning a church in Rome, Italy. He coves many realities that are relevant for use (but are often absent) in our local context. Two needs include 1) raising up indigenous leaders in every harvest field, I would add; And 2) long term vision and great perseverance.

Who is taking a serious look at reaching Singapore for Christ? Please tell me... I'll love to know.

Are you?

Defeating Poverty

2009-05-27T17:25:00.001+08:00

What are you going to do?

10 Days of Global Prayer (Day 4)

2009-05-24T21:44:00.001+08:00

Never to late to get started.

Transform …and may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…

Praise be to Your Name, O God of the heavens, for ever and ever. Wisdom and power belong to You. You change times and seasons. You set up kings and depose them. You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. You reveal deep and hidden things. You know what lies in darkness, and light dwells with You. Your will is that none should perish but all come to the knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ. Remove from our hearts all fear of man for wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. We pray for all those who are in authority. Remove wicked council from governments and authorities. Let righteousness and truth again be the foundation of our justice systems. Open the doors for believers to influence and bless every aspect of commerce, arts, education and governance in ways that will impact and release the fear of God in our societies. Let peace prevail in our nations so that the gospel of truth may be preached to every person on this earth. Transform our hearts through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit so that the righteousness, peace and joy of Christ's kingdom will be demonstrated in and through the Church.

A Very Large List of Accountability Questions

2009-05-23T10:22:00.008+08:00

Have you the forgiveness of your sins?

Have you peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ?

Have you the witness of God’s Spirit with your spirit that you are a child
of God?

Is the love of God shed abroad in your heart?

Has no sin, inward or outward, dominion over you?

Do you desire to be told of your faults?

Do you desire to be told of all your faults, and that plain and home?

Do you desire that every one of us should tell you from time to time whatsoever is in his heart concerning you?

Consider! Do you desire we should tell you whatsoever we think, whatsoever we fear, whatsoever we hear, concerning you?

Do you desire that in doing this we should come as close as possible, that we should cut to the quick, and search your heart to the bottom?

Is it your desire and design to be on this and all other occasions entirely open, so as to speak everything that is in your heart, without exception, without disguise, and without reserve?

- The Works Of John Wesley, Volume 9 (The Methodist Societies History, Nature,
and Design), Edited by Rupert E. Davies, Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1989,
pp.77-78.

Band Meeting Questions

The following questions were asked of every member at every meeting.

What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?

What temptations have you met with?

How were you delivered?

What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin
or not?

Have you nothing you desire to keep secret?

- Steven W. Manskar’s book Accountable Discipleship: Living in God’s
Household, Nashville, Discipleship Resources, 2000, pp. 90-97.

Source: Ruach's Journey

Have you been consistently pursuing the Lord through scripture reading and prayer?

Have you diligently pursued your wife/husband this week?

Have you seen any persistent patterns of sin in your life recently?

When you gave into [insert sin], what were you believing about God in that moment?

What were you believing about yourself?

What is the truth that you need to believe in this situation?

When you had the conflict with [insert person], what were you craving
at that moment?

Source: 7 Tough Questions to Ask Your friends

John Wesley’s Small Group Questions:

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass onto another what was told me in confidence?
4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work , or habits?
5. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
6. Did the Bible live in me today?
7. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
8. Am I enjoying prayer?
9. When did I last speak to someone about my faith?
10. Do I pray about the money I spend?
11. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
12. Do I disobey God in anything?
13. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
16. How do I spend my spare time?
17. Am I proud?
18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisee who despised the publican?
19. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I going to do about it?
20. Do I grumble and complain constantly?21. Is Christ real to me?

Source: John Wesley’s Class Meetings: a Model for Making Disciples, by D. Michael Henderson, Evangel Publishing House, 1997, pp. 118-9

Chuck Swindoll’s Pastoral Accountability Questions:
In his book, The Body, Chuck Colson lists seven questions used by Chuck Swindoll and a small group of pastors.

1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?
3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?
4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
5. Have you given priority time to your family?
6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?
7. Have you just lied to me?

Renovare Questions:
James Bryan Smith and Richard Foster have compiled a list of questions for accountability to spiritual disciplines which is one of the Renovare resources.

1. In what ways did God make his presence known to you since our last meeting? What experiences of prayer, meditation and spiritual reading has God given you? What difficulties or frustrations did you encounter? What joys or delights?
2. What temptations did you face since our last meeting? how did you respond? Which spiritual disciplines did God use to lead you further into holiness of heart and life?
3. Have you sensed any influence or work of the Holy Spirit since our last meeting? What spiritual gifts did the Spirit enable you to exercise? What was the outcome? What fruit of the Spirit would you like to see increase in your life? What disciplines might be useful in this effort?
4. What opportunities did God give you to serve others since our last meeting? How did you respond? Did you encounter injustice to our oppression of others? Were you able to work for justice and shalom?
5. In what ways did you encounter Christ in your reading of the Scripture since our last meeting? How has the Bible shaped the way you think and live? Did God provide an opportunity for you to share your faith with someone? How did you respond?

Phil Helfer's “Five Basic Questions”:
1. How have you experienced God in your life this week?
2. What is God teaching you?
3. How are you responding to His prompting?
4. Do you have a need to confess any sin?
5. How did you do with your reading this week?

The Highway Community in Palo Alto, CA:
1. Did I invest the proper quality/quantity of time in my most important relationships?
2. Did my life reflect verbal integrity?
3. Did I express a forgiving attitude toward others?
4. Did I practice undisciplined or addictive behavior?
5. Was I honorable in my financial dealings?
6. Was I sexually pure?
7. Did I spend time with the Lord this week, completing the Bible reading for the week?
8. Did I pray for my pre-Christian friends? Did I talk with someone about Christ?

Florent Varak, a French pastor in Lyon:
1. What have the Scriptures revealed in your life this week:- In terms of specific sinful behavior?- In terms of specific sinful thoughts?- In terms of specific sinful words?
2. What errors or lies that you once believed have now been corrected by your reading of the Scriptures?
3. What encouragement have the Scriptures given you in your daily walk?
4. What do you need to ask the Spirit of God to reveal to you that you have not yet understood?

Neil Cole's less specific questions:
1. What is the condition of your soul?
2. What sin do you need to confess?
3. What have you held back from God that you need to surrender?
4. Is there anything that has dampened your zeal for Christ?
5. Who have you talked with about Christ this week?

Dave Guiles, director of Grace Brethren International Missions:
1. How have you sensed God’s presence in your life during this past week?
2. Have you received a specific answer to your prayers? What was it?
3. Have you spoken with a non-believer about your faith in Jesus Christ? With whom?
4. To whom have you shown God’s love during this past week?
5. What have you learned about God in your personal Bible reading this past week?
6. As a result of your Bible reading this past week, how have you determined to better obey God?
7. Specifically, what area of your life do you feel that God most wants to change? Have you taken specific steps to make those changes?
8. What good habit do you feel God wants to form in your life? Have you taken specific steps to develop that habit?

J. Paul Klawitter, a church planting missionary in France:
1. What worries or other issues are you currently facing?
2. Is there an area that God is working on in your life or any sin that you would like to pray about?
3. For what non-Christian friends can we pray?
4. In your reading of the Bible: Who is God? What does Jesus expect of you? What do you think he is saying to you? How do you think you should respond?

Neil Cole's Basic Questions:
1. What is God telling you to do?
2. What are you going to do about it?

Source: LTG Sample Character Building Questions

Who's praising who?

2009-05-23T00:43:00.007+08:00

God will praise me.

Does that sound untheological to you?

It's not.

The Bible says, "...each will receive his praise from God". 1 Cor 4:5.

Do you grasp this concept?

If you do, are you applying it?

If you don't, what difference might applying this verse make in your life?
(Hint: Read 1 Cor 4:3-5 to understand the context)

Guilty and Free

2009-05-18T18:59:00.004+08:00

God tempts no man to sin. This is beyond dispute. Sin is an offense to Him, He would not have it. But when Man does sin and is ashamed of his guilt, it presents an opportunity for reflection. Thus recognized, sin serves the LORD, and reminds the Christian that he is but a man in much need of grace.

The Worship Service: Introduction

2009-05-11T22:45:00.006+08:00

Many Christians attend Church (service) without giving much thought to the Church Service itself. In reality, very often Church services are carefully orchestrated. Preachers prepare the sermon, Musicians attend practices. And the Ushers, Greeters, Light and Sound crews faithfully serve week-in week-out.

It is easy to understand the need for preaching, worship, and even hospitality; But not all components receive equal attention. Some components receive less attention (and thought). This includes some very traditional aspects of doing Church. Such as....

Sacraments

What is a Sacrament? Seasoned Church-goers will probably identity the Sacraments as Holy Communion and Water Baptism. But what are the Sacraments about, and what makes them different from other Christian practices?

Doxology

What is the Doxology? Praise God from Whom all blessings flow? According to Wikipedia, the words 'doxology' comes from the Greek doxa, belief or opinion + logos, word or speaking. What does this reveal about the Doxology and how we should approach it?

Benediction

What is the Benediction? Is it just a closing prayer?

Your service might not have these three components. This is just an introduction to get you thinking. Your Church service might also include others (e.g. Invocation, Call to Worship, Tithes and Offering, Prophecy and Tongues, etc).

What do you do? Why do you do what you do? Are they really necessities? Does the order matter? These are all questions that can make a difference in how we commune with God as a Church body.

There are also historical Christian terms that we are unlikely to move away from. Here are three to get you started:

Hosanna... Hallelujah.... Amen!

What is the meaning of these words? Do we use them the same way the Bible does? And what do we understand when we use them in song?

Just for fun, here's how the Compact OED describes them,

Hosanna: exclamation, a biblical cry of praise or joy.
Hallelujah: exclamation, God be praised.
Amen: exclamation, said at the end of a prayer or hymn, meaning ‘so be it’.

Cheers & Happy thinking.

This post is cross-posted from About Me or God?

*Helpful addendum*
Hosanna is often interpreted as a cry for salvation, "God save me" or "Save, now!"

Not all battles are WORTH fighting.

2009-05-10T16:46:00.004+08:00

I remember one time in 2001 my wife and I were driving from Dallas to Colorado Springs for the ETS conference. There was a sign that said “50 Miles to Colorado Springs.” She said that we were almost there. I said, “No, not really. The sign does not refer to the city limits, but to the central office within the city.” She responded with a surprise and smirk on her face, “No it doesn’t.” I don’t know why, it was just one of those days, but we argued for the next hour about this. The argument became so severe that we did not talk to each other for quite some time (seriously!). And you know what? I did not really know if I was right. But her reaction and distrust to my “knowledge” on this issue caused me to defend something that I was not even sure about.

Why do we do this?

Michael Patton explains it in The Problem I Have with Apologists.

It is also good relationship advice. ;)

Lord Jesus Christ!

2009-05-10T15:50:00.004+08:00

Is Christ your Lord? Is he your Master?

“The key difference between a Pharisee and a believer in Jesus is inner heart motivation. Pharisees are being good but out of a fearful need to control God. They don’t really trust him or love him. To them God is an exacting boss, not a loving father. Christians have seen something that has transformed their hearts toward God so they can finally love and rest in the Father. . . . Jesus Christ, who had all the power in the world, saw us enslaved by the very things we thought would free us. So he emptied himself of his glory and became a servant (Philippians 2). He laid aside the infinities and the immensities of his being and, at the cost of his life paid the debt for our sins, purchasing us the only place our hearts can rest, in his Father’s house.”

- Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God, 86-87.

HT: Of First Importance

Manners

2009-05-09T23:53:00.001+08:00

From Interesting Singapore:

According to the OED, "courteous" comes from an Old French corteis or ‘having manners fit for a royal court’. This quality is largely absent in our context.

Just take a look at public transportation! On buses, we cluster near the center where the exit is located. Often unable to motivate passengers to move to the rear, the driver has no choice but to move off. Those unable to board are left at the bus stop, indignant because they can clearly see room through the bus windows.

We shouldn't need motivating. Refusing to move in is plain selfishness. We expect buses to come on time, we expect to get to our destination on time, and we expect to be able to board the bus. But until we recognize that other people's transportation needs are just as important as our own, should we really expect so much?

Polished manners, Gallantry, Polite, Respectful, and Considerate. These are words used to describe the courteous. This is our country. Our competitive advantage is supposedly human. The role of the individual has much to do with our ability to distinguish ourself from the rest of the world.

A middle-aged lady became my hero when she gave up her seat on the bus for an elderly man. She didn't stop there... Noticing other elderly people standing, she went on to encourage strangers around her to do likewise. Each person asked promptly gave up their seat. After witnessing this infectious act of selflessness, my attitude towards traveling on public transport has never been the same.

Cultural change may be progressive, but making an effort will make you stand out in your personal and professional life. I believe you can make a difference.

What do you EXPECT from fellowship?

2009-05-09T21:56:00.000+08:00

Elvin recently made a great statement that was hidden in the comments. I am reproducing it here for all to see. May it bring a fresh perspective and edification to your mind...

In our natural self, I think we all have an expectation of an ideal fellowship and we get hurt if it is not up to our expectation. The problem is different people have different expectations of what an ideal fellowship is, and rarely do the different expectations converge to be one. The root cause is that when we are expecting something from others, we are still centering on self when in fact we should all die to self and serve others. We need to die to personal expectation, opinion, preference, pet doctrine etc. The only cure to self, is in Christ who is our everything (satisfies all our needs so we could do likewise unto others) and in whom we find empowerment to love others as Christ as love them because He is the Source of Love. It's a lifelong journey, but definitely Christ is worth pursuing.

And when we are in tune to the Spirit, the Spirit will lead the group of believers to love another, minister one another etc. And perhaps then, we will start to appreciate not only the Christ in me, but also the Christ in others speaking and ministering to me in the fellowship.

Elvin blogs at Spiritual Journey with God.