Isaiah 40:31

It's amazing how the first 4 months of the year has swiftly flew by. I've been pretty relaxed since completing my thesis in early September last year. Things have not paced up. And honestly, I'm pretty bored being so relaxed. A little here & there will probably keep many satisfied but not me. I must see loads of task to be satisfied. Last weekend was the first field trip for the BM. Dept. We went to Perlis and it was a wonderful trip. Most important was the opportunity to know the students better. Several other field trips are planned for the year. The next small-scale one is in October. Next term, the missions term, will see many trips to various locations. And I'm travelling with a team to Northern Sumatra.

I read the Isaiah verse this morning and it sort of reminded me again of how we find strength in the Lord. Remembering this verse & observing the uphill task for a spiritual awakening refreshes my soul to persevere. I thank God that He always speaks at the right moment & knows just how to "revitalize" the weary. I want to keep pressing on for my beloved country, Malaysia. God will visit us & Penang will be His gateway to touch the nation.

Isa 40:31 But those who trust the LORD will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.

I'm Accesible, I'm not

It pretty much amaze me how some people who are in ministry, or at least they claim to be, can be so selfish. Perhaps it's the time I spent as a pastor that instill in me that ministers must be accessible to those we minister. What bothers me is to know that our newly elected ADUNs and MPs are publishing their contacts even in the papers but there are "so-called" Christian ministers who selfishly refuse to avail themselves to those they minister. Don't email me, don't call/sms my handphone, don't call my home...unreachable beyond office hours? Wow! Need to make sure any problem cropping up must happen during office hours. What breed of ministers is emerging these days? Seem to be like dead bolders that prevent mobilisation of the church!

I think Malaysians are still very caught up with political developments. I know I am. I've never been so interested in politics before, although I did a course in "Politics in Anthropology and Sociology" during my undergraduate years. The developments in the political arena has somehow affected every aspect of the Malaysian lifestyle. It somehow reveals to us that God's Spirit is moving in a "tangible" manner. I'm glad I have the opportunity to be living in Malaysia in such a time as now to witness "these." And I invite fellow Christians to keep pressing on.

SB

Outstaying our usefulness

Every Malaysian is still very caught up with the unexpected change of political landscape. Rumors abound and talks of uncertainty are the main topics of discussion practically everywhere. One important lesson that we should all learn is not to overstay in our positions. It is true that some individual possess outstanding abilities and we want them to stay on a long time. But we should remember that no one is indispensable. I believe the task for all of us is to recruit replacements. What I mean is, we should always have the goal of raising new potentials and then move on. The problem with staying where we are for too long is the danger of complacency, laziness, comfort, and being too rooted that our perspectives/opinions become too narrow. My problem is for those who stay in the same position 20, 30 years. I mean, move on. Raise people and move on – that’s the real test of capability. However good you are in your area of expertise, it will amount to nothing if you fail to raise a successor. People are always afraid to loose control/power when they give away authority but as John Maxwell mentioned in one of his books, the opposite is true. I believe it is true because the more authority you give out, the more effective you’ll be. The illustration is a bar of soap. It is more useful when it is used. The more it is used, the more effective it is in fulfilling its purpose.

I think the church needs to learn this too. The church needs to adopt the vision to raise successors. No one can turn into an expert over-night. Even from this very day, we need to raise successor. We need to source potentials and invest in them to take over the rein as the next generation emerge. I pray that more will catch this vision. Old things must past. This is a spiritual pilgrimage – we journey through a life that is temporal on earth. There should always be the pilgrim’s mindset. May we all learn to be spiritually discerned to understand the times.

A Cloud of Uncertainty

The General Election is just around the corner. I know many who are like me – politically ignorant. Besides that, we ask ourselves how to cast our votes wisely? We hardly know the candidates who claim to represent us. In fact, we seldom see even the shadow of them at any other times besides the few short days prior to election. The danger here is the emotional high preceding every election and human as we are, tend to be influenced by those emotions.

Uncertainty is one thing that most if not all of us are confronted with each moment. We live in the present with no certainty of what the next moment may bring. As Christians, we have a hope in the future and it is this hope that is keeping us focused; that gives us purpose and meaning; that gives us a faith to persevere the present.

For me, each time I feel discouraged or faced with some uncertainty, I turn to God’s word. In particular, I listen again to the prophecies proclaimed over my life. After all, it is these promises that had kept me going through the tough times of ministry. Yet, there still are times I question God; there are times I got angry at God; there are times I doubt God – all because I am limited within my perspective & not able to see the big picture of how God is putting things in place. Just a little while ago, I asked the Lord whether He has forgotten me. He gave me a promise but it seems like He has forgotten all about it & left me alone in a stagnant environment. I cannot understand & I feel frustrated, not willing to be comforted. Sure the head has all the right answers but the heart still refuses to accept them.

Actually, I’m pretty bored. I am someone some people would label as “workaholic.” Challenging tasks give me excitement & fulfillment. So right now, having completed my ThM, being asked to take a year’s break before proceeding to PhD, confronted with tasks I’m accustomed to for about 3 years now…I’m bored. I’m too relaxed and that’s the reason for the boredom. I’m not a person who can relax, lay back & “take it easy.” Honestly, I just do not know how to adapt to such a relaxing lifestyle. It’s just not me. Thus, I’ve been praying hard for more opportunities of challenging ministries. Pray together with me. After all, we are made to work (Gen. 2:15).

Here comes Mickey Mouse…

Chinese New Year is fast approaching & I’m still able to claim my right to receive “ang-pow.” Somehow, that excitement is fast fading as I grow older. I stopped counting my age after my 33^rd birthday assuming that the following years are bonuses for me because my Lord died at 33 years of age when He hung from a cross in Calvary. Well, I’m approaching 40 and as it has been said, “Life begins at 40.” I’m waiting to see if it really does.

The Intercessory Prayer meeting in campus is progressing well thus far. We have over 10 participants so far with a few regular & some intermittent participants. But it’s good to know that God brought intercessors into campus with a burden to see a spiritual revival happening here. It’s about time we awake from spiritual slumber! I can’t wait as I anticipate the opportunity to ride upon the wings of God’s Spirit as He comes visiting our nation. I’ve had my share of “spiritual attacks” lately. Maybe it’s a good sign that the Intercessory Prayer meet is a threat to the enemy. Maybe it’s because I “activated” my spiritual gift of prophecy. While I can say

^{ECC 3:11} He has made everything beautiful in its time.

…it’s still no fun when you are in the midst of the “attack.” Yet, I am comforted with the promises of God,

^{ISA 54:17} no weapon forged against you will prevail,

and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,

and this is their vindication from me,"

declares the LORD.

…and His wisdom,

^{ISA 55:8} "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,"

declares the LORD.

^{ISA 55:9} "As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

After the CNY break, it’s back to work. For a start, there’s the Adult Bible Class in church. Then, there are several books (in BM) due for publications; there’s a preaching engagement end of April; teaching assignments in July & October. I have sometimes quietly wish that God would let me pastor a small, closely knitted church in some sub-urb but I know that is not my calling. I can’t say that I don’t like what I’m doing which in fact, I’m having fun here dealing with Christian leaders of various denominations and missions organizations all around Asia. Yet, there’s some silent wish for a more “quieter ministry,” maybe that’s a sign of aging…where you wish for something more subtle, less turbulent, and easy-going. Because of that when I was asked to consider a part-time pastorate in a church located in the main land, I cannot just brush it aside. Instead, I did some considerations over it. Yet, the truth is, I know…my calling is to serve the universal church of God. Everything else at the local church level is the side line.

Some weeks ago, I was preaching at a church that comprises mostly of members of a church where I was a youth pastor. I’m glad of this “re-connecting” network. More glad is to know that they are still keen on missions.

So, as we welcome Mickey Mouse in this Chinese New Year I’d like to greet everyone of you, my prayer partners & friends a very Kong Xi Fa Cai.

Spiritual Revelation…of seeing and dreaming

It is a big challenge to be in Christian ministry. On one hand, we see the evil around us in the world and on the other hand is the Bible that teaches us everything good. The big challenge is reconciling these two through the person of Jesus Christ. Fallen human being as we are, even upon conversion into children of a holy God, we continue our imperfect nature along the process of sanctification to Christ-likeness. Many times we face the temptation to return to our old ways. To some, they believe that when the going gets tough the tough gets going but to others they simply succumb that if you can’t beat them, join them.

I realized that it’s been a full seven years I’m in the so-called full time Christian vocation. There’s been a lot of ups and downs, moments where I came so close to giving up on full-time ministry; moments also when I came so close to giving up being a Christian. Should the Christian pilgrimage be so turbulent a journey? I don’t think so. And as I’ve discovered, it’s only for “a chosen few.” Sounds so “privileged”? As I sought after God for an understanding to this “bumpy ride,” I received an affirmation regarding a spiritual gift accorded to me. I have often foolishly believed that when one is in ministry long enough, one should naturally have spiritual wisdom/discernment. Apparently, this is not so because it is a gift that God will give to those He divinely selects. The gift of spiritual discernment and subsequently of prophecy carries huge responsibilities. To me, there is a super-thin fine line between discernment and being judgmental, and I’ve been too cautious in practicing this spiritual gift. But I’m ready to take a further step of faith to exercise the gift. I realize that I can only go further when I actually take the first step. The so-called “bumpy ride” journey as I discovered is just part and parcel of that special “calling.” Simply because, as the prophet Amos said,

^{AM 3:7} Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing

without revealing his plan

to his servants the prophets.

It’s “scary” to see through the eyes of God. Especially on matters that are not too right happening in His church. It’s no “fun” to feel the grief of God over matters close to His heart that His under-shepherds cause a mess. Yet, and surprisingly so to our limited human understanding, it is so much a privilege to be “chosen” by God to hear His heart-beat and share in His grief. In fact, it’s an honor to be “chosen” by God to “see” what others cannot, to “feel” what others can’t, to “grief” while others “rejoice,” and to stand in the gap for my fellow believers in the faith besides teaching & preaching what the Lord lays upon my heart to convict His church.

Thus far as the Lord has taken me, I’m still being molded in the hands of the Master who is carefully “re-constructing” me into the image of His Son, Jesus. A glance through the turbulent Christian faith journey has always revealed a sense of awe at the greatness of God because,

^{Ecc. 3:11a} He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Entering 2008

For almost seven years, my off day was on Monday. I took the liberty to do every possible task on Mondays. The crowd is always small on the first day of the week. However, from this year, I'm returning to be "normal" with a regular Monday-Friday work schedule. It's difficult to get use to this. I have to "learn" to join the crowd and get used to long waits.

I doubt if anyone like changes. But if we do not change, we do not grow. Besides, maintaining the status quo will only lead to being too comfortable in our comfort zones which is ideal to breed complacency. I remember one important principle from the workbook "Experiencing God," by Henry Blackaby. This Bible Study material was so very popular in the middle and late 1990s. It says we just can't remain where we are and join God. We need to move as the Spirit of God moves. And this definitely requires change, constantly.

Joh 5:17 But Jesus said, "My Father has never stopped working, and that is why I keep on working."