http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKmdIdQg3Ks
(Father's Love Letter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRRUqhGcuqc
(Franky Sihombing: Bapa Yang Kekal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT1JWhDOJos
(Franky Sihombing: JanjiMu Seperti Fajar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPdQPJFwW4Y
(Nikita: Seperti Yang Kau Ingini)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fseg2sww6R8
(Jeffry Tjandra: Seperti Yang Kau Ingini)
Friday, September 28, 2007
Ministry Update
The days are passing by so fast. Could it be that we have too many things to attend to that time seems to fly faster? I enjoyed the three mission trips the last 3 months. Those were times that brought significant insights into the ministry I am involved. I've completed all study requirements and I'm pretty free now. Besides having a lot of time to myself, I also have time to reflect, to relax, and to consider the next phase in life and ministry.
In the last few weeks, several incidents shook the world. Well, literally we witnessed another strong earthquake in Indonesia. That was another devastating natural disaster. Another wake-up call, I would consider-for Christians to awake from their complacency. The incident took place close enough to Malaysia so that the church can discern the urgency of time. I wonder whether Christians can guard their spirituality to with-stand tremors when the storms of life threaten our faith. Malaysian Christians have it too easy. Many of us do not possess tested faith and indeed it is tested faith that grows us into spiritual maturity.
We observe how Myanmar is thrown into disorder from civil protests. That's political instability that threatens the peace of the nation. And again, Myanmar is close enough to Malaysia for us, Christians to ponder: do we have the peace of God in our hearts if there isn't peace around us? If there is constant instability surrounding us, is the peace of God reigning in us to offer us comfort and assurance?
I believe many Malaysian Christians realize the need to be revived. We take a look around us, around the Christian community and we ask why we have lost our first love. We question why we have lost that fervency to chase after things of God. We wonder why we are not praying as hard. We cannot understand why so few of us are in active service in church and ministry. I believe many of us fear that we need a huge disaster to wake the church. God's trumpet call seems too soft for us to hear when the noise of the world quickly drown every trumpet call of God. Yes, truly I hope to see spiritual revival in Christian organizations all over the nation. Yet, I also know that the first step need to begin right here-that revival should start from me and in me. Thus, my prayer is that God will awake my spirit with a renewed passion, a renewed desire, and a fresh fervency to chase after things of God.
So, my call this time is for Christians to pray for personal revival. If all of us capture that desire, I believe the church will be revived.
SB
Jer33:3 (NIV)`Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
In the last few weeks, several incidents shook the world. Well, literally we witnessed another strong earthquake in Indonesia. That was another devastating natural disaster. Another wake-up call, I would consider-for Christians to awake from their complacency. The incident took place close enough to Malaysia so that the church can discern the urgency of time. I wonder whether Christians can guard their spirituality to with-stand tremors when the storms of life threaten our faith. Malaysian Christians have it too easy. Many of us do not possess tested faith and indeed it is tested faith that grows us into spiritual maturity.
We observe how Myanmar is thrown into disorder from civil protests. That's political instability that threatens the peace of the nation. And again, Myanmar is close enough to Malaysia for us, Christians to ponder: do we have the peace of God in our hearts if there isn't peace around us? If there is constant instability surrounding us, is the peace of God reigning in us to offer us comfort and assurance?
I believe many Malaysian Christians realize the need to be revived. We take a look around us, around the Christian community and we ask why we have lost our first love. We question why we have lost that fervency to chase after things of God. We wonder why we are not praying as hard. We cannot understand why so few of us are in active service in church and ministry. I believe many of us fear that we need a huge disaster to wake the church. God's trumpet call seems too soft for us to hear when the noise of the world quickly drown every trumpet call of God. Yes, truly I hope to see spiritual revival in Christian organizations all over the nation. Yet, I also know that the first step need to begin right here-that revival should start from me and in me. Thus, my prayer is that God will awake my spirit with a renewed passion, a renewed desire, and a fresh fervency to chase after things of God.
So, my call this time is for Christians to pray for personal revival. If all of us capture that desire, I believe the church will be revived.
SB
Jer33:3 (NIV)`Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Friday, August 31, 2007
Ministry Update
I survived STCM 2007! It was filled with activities but we at MBTS survived through another STCM, all by God’s grace. The hiccups were lessons for improvement next year. Praise God for it all…
I enjoyed the 3 consecutive mission trips, one a month for 3 consecutive months. They were great. Culminating at the end was the trip to Indonesia, at a place were we were restricted to use any Christian jargon. That was a challenge…for many of us to experience a C4, C5, or even C6 context. What it taught me was to re-define “work.” My team members and the host team were great. They were such fantastic people who love God so much, it overflow through their lifestyles.
I have completed my thesis. Praise the Lord for His grace. However, the final assignment on youth missions is still in progress. It’s hard to get back to work so soon after a major “accomplishment” of the thesis. But I just have to discipline myself…and should not let the momentum slow down!
Today is Malaysia’s 50th Independence Day. I’m truly glad for the freedom of worship and opportunities we have to develop many sectors of society. Yea, there are hiccups here & there, but where can we find a perfect government here on earth? I’m proud of Malaysia & I’m proud to be Malaysian. Last night, I attended a special Merdeka Day Service held in a church across the bridge. It was a new experience. It actually was a prayer & cultural service leading to the countdown to merdeka. There were praises, worship, prayers, and performances from various Peninsular and East Malaysian ethnic groups. I look forward to similar future services. It exhibited the true spirit of Malaysia and proves the patriotism of the Malaysian church. What touched me significantly was the singing of the national anthem at midnight. When I was in Indonesia, I witnessed how their national anthem was sung in such a patriotic manner in a home group. It touched me so deeply and made me so embarrassed because for the almost 20 years of my being a Christian, I cannot remember a single moment where we sing our national anthem in church or in a home group. So, it was especially significant when I joined in singing Negara-ku in church, right on the golden anniversary of my country’s independence. I pray that the church will jointly pray for the true independence of the spiritual sense for all individual Malaysians.
Please remember me in prayer. The new and final term of the year in MBTS will begin the week after next. There are preparations to be done leading to the Convocation service in early November. And as usual, December will be pretty relaxing before we meet the challenge of another new academic year. Pray for the graduating students (me included) and also prospective students.
PHP 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
SB
I enjoyed the 3 consecutive mission trips, one a month for 3 consecutive months. They were great. Culminating at the end was the trip to Indonesia, at a place were we were restricted to use any Christian jargon. That was a challenge…for many of us to experience a C4, C5, or even C6 context. What it taught me was to re-define “work.” My team members and the host team were great. They were such fantastic people who love God so much, it overflow through their lifestyles.
I have completed my thesis. Praise the Lord for His grace. However, the final assignment on youth missions is still in progress. It’s hard to get back to work so soon after a major “accomplishment” of the thesis. But I just have to discipline myself…and should not let the momentum slow down!
Today is Malaysia’s 50th Independence Day. I’m truly glad for the freedom of worship and opportunities we have to develop many sectors of society. Yea, there are hiccups here & there, but where can we find a perfect government here on earth? I’m proud of Malaysia & I’m proud to be Malaysian. Last night, I attended a special Merdeka Day Service held in a church across the bridge. It was a new experience. It actually was a prayer & cultural service leading to the countdown to merdeka. There were praises, worship, prayers, and performances from various Peninsular and East Malaysian ethnic groups. I look forward to similar future services. It exhibited the true spirit of Malaysia and proves the patriotism of the Malaysian church. What touched me significantly was the singing of the national anthem at midnight. When I was in Indonesia, I witnessed how their national anthem was sung in such a patriotic manner in a home group. It touched me so deeply and made me so embarrassed because for the almost 20 years of my being a Christian, I cannot remember a single moment where we sing our national anthem in church or in a home group. So, it was especially significant when I joined in singing Negara-ku in church, right on the golden anniversary of my country’s independence. I pray that the church will jointly pray for the true independence of the spiritual sense for all individual Malaysians.
Please remember me in prayer. The new and final term of the year in MBTS will begin the week after next. There are preparations to be done leading to the Convocation service in early November. And as usual, December will be pretty relaxing before we meet the challenge of another new academic year. Pray for the graduating students (me included) and also prospective students.
PHP 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
SB
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Ministry Update August 2007
Wow! I didn't realize we have reached August. The last two months, I went to visit the OA Settlements - up north & down south. It has been great adventures & experiences. I'll be going beyond the border later this month. Please pray for my team & I. STCM in campus is drawing to an end. The next phase of busyness is preparations for convocation. I hope most if not all of you are able to drop by & share with us the goodness of God. It's on Nov 9 at the Caring Complex in Penang.
Will be updating you appropriately; God is sustaining us...we are in good hands.
SB
Will be updating you appropriately; God is sustaining us...we are in good hands.
SB
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Ministry Update – July 07
I’m writing a response to my earlier entry where I mentioned a topic that some consider “taboo.” I questioned the spiritual discernment of some Christian leaders I know and some friends offered a lot of wisdom and it really helped me confront this issue better. But I still am finding it difficult to reconcile several obvious aspects. Before I go any further, perhaps I need to attempt to “clear the air” a bit. I was referring to an outreach work across the bridge in the main land.
Most Christians would think that to question spiritual authority is an act of non-submission. I agree to a certain extent. I’ve been in the pastoral ministry before and I’m well aware of how leadership is often bombarded with criticism from all sides. But we need to differentiate helpful criticism from harmful criticism. There is no place for spectators in the Christian journey, only participants. Because of that, I consider an opinion is only of value if it comes from a participant, not an observant (in any ministry). And through my few limited years of Christian pilgrimage, I have acquired quite a bit of discernment to distinguish spirit-controlled ministry vs. human-abled work. I think most Christians who seek after God would have similarly acquire such “ability.” I doubt any of us can feel nothing when confronted with something that is spiritually not right. All of us should re-act. It’s a matter of how we re-act. God did not make us to be like robots, instead, we are created in His image. I can be honest to question Him and raise my doubts because I am limited in my understanding. And I see no reason not to raise similar doubts concerning other fellow creators.
I believe that when God gave us brains, we are meant to be thinkers. And to think Christianly is no easy task when we are surrounded by worldliness. This is a challenge for the church today. This is a challenge for the maturing church in Malaysia…to think for ourselves, and to self theologize so that the Malaysian church is authentically Malaysian. Christians must definitely learn to think Christianly or the world is going to do the thinking for the church!
Most Christians would think that to question spiritual authority is an act of non-submission. I agree to a certain extent. I’ve been in the pastoral ministry before and I’m well aware of how leadership is often bombarded with criticism from all sides. But we need to differentiate helpful criticism from harmful criticism. There is no place for spectators in the Christian journey, only participants. Because of that, I consider an opinion is only of value if it comes from a participant, not an observant (in any ministry). And through my few limited years of Christian pilgrimage, I have acquired quite a bit of discernment to distinguish spirit-controlled ministry vs. human-abled work. I think most Christians who seek after God would have similarly acquire such “ability.” I doubt any of us can feel nothing when confronted with something that is spiritually not right. All of us should re-act. It’s a matter of how we re-act. God did not make us to be like robots, instead, we are created in His image. I can be honest to question Him and raise my doubts because I am limited in my understanding. And I see no reason not to raise similar doubts concerning other fellow creators.
I believe that when God gave us brains, we are meant to be thinkers. And to think Christianly is no easy task when we are surrounded by worldliness. This is a challenge for the church today. This is a challenge for the maturing church in Malaysia…to think for ourselves, and to self theologize so that the Malaysian church is authentically Malaysian. Christians must definitely learn to think Christianly or the world is going to do the thinking for the church!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Ministry Update
The previous month was one busy month. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were continuous activities in campus, dinners with church friends and colleagues, preaching engagements, and a short mission trip. I’m now preparing for the next module of STCM. The BM school will start a week later. There will be weekend activities at every weekend, culminating with another short over-the-weekend mission trip (last month was up north but this month it’ll be down south). At the close of STCM, there will be several missions teams traveling to various missions locations. I’m participating in a team to Indonesia.
I hardly have time to work on my thesis. I’m revising the first draft & seem to be stuck at the concluding chapter. Anyway, my supervisor will be away to Africa for the next 3 weeks, so it doesn’t matter if I drag it a bit. But in a week’s time I’ll be attending the last classroom course. Yeah! Then no more classroom courses…as a student that is?!
There is one issue that I’ve been confronted with recently. If any of you can lend some wisdom, I will greatly appreciate it. I can’t elaborate publicly this matter but I’m questioning the lack of spiritual discernment on the part of several Christian leaders I know. I don’t know whether it is because I’m too idealistic, too futuristic, or too naïve myself but when a situation contradicts the Biblical mandate (or advice) I think it’s extremely foolish to pursue that matter. I believe the church should be influencing the world, however, many circumstances in the church today reveal that it is the world that is influencing the church! If God prompts you to think along this line, do share your thoughts with me.
Updating you briefly this month…SB
I hardly have time to work on my thesis. I’m revising the first draft & seem to be stuck at the concluding chapter. Anyway, my supervisor will be away to Africa for the next 3 weeks, so it doesn’t matter if I drag it a bit. But in a week’s time I’ll be attending the last classroom course. Yeah! Then no more classroom courses…as a student that is?!
There is one issue that I’ve been confronted with recently. If any of you can lend some wisdom, I will greatly appreciate it. I can’t elaborate publicly this matter but I’m questioning the lack of spiritual discernment on the part of several Christian leaders I know. I don’t know whether it is because I’m too idealistic, too futuristic, or too naïve myself but when a situation contradicts the Biblical mandate (or advice) I think it’s extremely foolish to pursue that matter. I believe the church should be influencing the world, however, many circumstances in the church today reveal that it is the world that is influencing the church! If God prompts you to think along this line, do share your thoughts with me.
Updating you briefly this month…SB
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