Book Reflection – Life of the Beloved

I don’t quite fully comprehend the significance of the Lord Supper. Some call it the Holy Communion or Eucharist.

Until I read this book …

I have just read this book –Life of the beloved by Henri Nouwen.

It is a very short book, about 119 pages but with a very insightful way of explaining how a person should live in this world.

Henri use four words to describe how life with the Holy Spirit is like – Taken, Blessed, Broken and Given. We may be familiar with this verse every time we partake the Lord’s Supper: (Lk 22:19)

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

Taken
Life with God began when He take us to be His beloved. The movement of the Spirit of Love began when we are taken into His Kingdom. It is important for a Christian to be constantly aware that He is child of God. Our identity is in Christ, not what we do, not how successful we are; not how many medals we won, not how many scholarships we attained. …

Blessed
To be in His Kingdom is being blessed. We then in turn now bless others. Start by exercising gratitude in life. Always give thanks and say “thank you” as an expression of that blessing.

Broken
Although we are in Christ, we are still in this world but not of this world. Suffering and pain are part of this world. That is what broken means. Christ also lived in this world, suffered and experienced the broken life. Be in touch with the common and suffering people, empathize and be with them.

Given
Having experienced the brokenness within and without, we are then the salt and light of the world. We give the love of Christ. We give the light and hope to the hopeless.


Each time you take the Lord Supper, remember these 4 words – Taken, Blessed, Broken, Given.

Mrs, Ms or Madam??

It puzzles me how a married lady calls herself as Mrs, Ms or Mdm.

I was born in the era where we address our female school teachers as Mrs, Madam or Miss, never Ms. There is no ambiguity of their status. Why and when the sudden of this Ms thingy?

In ancient time, a married woman is the property of her husband and hence even her maiden name (surname) has to change to that of her husband. Whatever vow she had previously made can be nullified by her husband

This puzzle all starts when I observe how my wife sometimes uses her maiden name (Ms Tan) or her married name (Mrs Lim) in letters or conversation. Being a choleric and assertive woman, she would use her maiden name in normal situation. However, on strategically situations, like talking to parents of children in her Sunday school classes, she will likely use her married name.

This prompts me with a theory of Mrs or Ms for a married woman. When a married woman calls herself Mrs So and So, she is not only talking about her marital status, she is actually saying that I am submissive to my husband (when in this world, I can still choose to use my own name, yet I use my husband name). Secondly, she is pro-family rather than individualistic (Just like the card game – Happy Family, the wife is Mrs., not Ms). Also, she is not an evasive person to keep you in suspend whether she is married, single or …

I usually have a higher regard and respect for married lady who call herself Mrs rather than Ms. Maybe; it was the school teacher’s instinct where we call them Mrs. Or maybe; it was their transparency. Most likely, it is because I believe in Eph 5:22-33; about husbands to love their wives and wives to be subject to their husbands.

Why the sudden of this thought?

The recent spate of leadership tussle (women versus women) just triggers this puzzle again when I look at the names of the women in contention.

(1) Mrs Constance Singam – she is much older than me and probably in the older era of “Mrs and Mdm, no Ms” period.

(2) Mrs Claire Nazar – president of AWARE for a few weeks before she resigned. Her face shows that she is a Chinese but choose to use her husband name.

(3) Ms Josie Lau – president of AWARE.

If you are given these 3 names and their faces, without further information, what impression would your derive?

OK, so wives, “want to help me piece up this puzzle?”

What about man? Not fair leh!!

Well, for man, see whether he has his wedding ring. But that is any puzzle of mine, probably another Share-A-Thought.

AWARE leadership coup – Learn from Martin Luther & Christ

We Christians have been indirectly dragged into AWARE’s leadership coup. All because a group of Christian women who is against AWARE’s view on homosexuality and lesbianism.


Yes, the practice of homosexuality is biblically wrong. You can easily check this up in the Bible. I don’t support homosexuality but homosexuals are still people we have to accept and befriend them. It’s like “hate the sin but love the sinners”.

But, to stage a "coup" and taking over leadership in such a planned manner is like tricking Eve into eating the fruit of Knowledge of good and evil. This was what happened. Accordingly, the planner knows that AWARE’s annual general meeting usually has a poor turn-out (about 29 in one AGM according to her words) This is in ST report on April 25 page A22.


Jesus Christ was also against the ways of the Pharisees and the religious leaders during His time. On many occasions He spoke against them: “Woe to you! Scribes and Pharisees …”. But never once did He plan to take over the offices of the temple and Synagogue. Not only did He receive death threat, He died for it.

Yes, when Aware plan for such leadership takeover, likewise death threat is no surprising.

When we see something wrong, speak up! Talk about it! Write about it! Talk about the issues but don’t stage a division. God unites, Satan divides. Do things in the light, not in the dark.

The church during the 16th century also faced a lot of corruption. Martin Luther, who was a Catholic Monk and professor at Wittenburg in Germany spoke against it. His famous 95 Theses landed him in “hot soup”- imprisonment, assassination and expulsion from the church. Being branded as Protestant, that was how we Christians came to be.

Doing something Relaxingl!!

Some people like food. Some people like music… I like jogging

Manage to catch the sunset this evening!!

Today, I decided to leave office slightly after 6pm, the official closing time for work. Keziah and I went for a jog to the Pasir Ris Beach.

There's seldom an opportunity to jog during weekday as work and other demands take up most of my time.

There is this saying: (not sure who said it, or I make up myself)

“Life is a journey. Enjoy the roses along the way”

Your “roses” may be food, or music.

Mine is jogging.

My Writings … my weariness

Finally, I decide to pause from my writing.

Since the end of last year, I started to pen down my thoughts and understanding on Bible Stories (or more accurately, it should be Bible Narratives). This is something I have always been fascinated about – how God chooses to reveal Himself to us through stories.

Then I started to write about Understanding Narratives. To write, I need to read and I need to study. I read many books. I study many Bible passages and Bible stories. In the cause of writing, I also sense the presence of God. Many a time, I woke up with “prompting” on certain issues I need to address in my writing. Till now, I have covered about 34 pages. Not much.

But I am tired. I want to read other books. Not academic or theological books but books that are more in tune to the soul. Books from Henri Nouwen, John Maxwell, Joyce Huggett, maybe C.S. Lewis.

So, I finally stop writing, leave a few Bible passages not completely analyzed.

Writing keep me discipline and make wise use of my time. Yah! I still have to work, family, children studies, personal jogging, etc. But writing has also occupied another space in my life. I am a bit exhausted.

As I closed my mind to pause, I remember the Wise guy who says this:

Be warned, my son, …. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. (Ecc 12:12)


HOW TRUE!!

AWARE makes me more aware

It reminds me of my duty as a member.

Yes, as a member of the Kingdom of God.

Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) has been on the news everyday for the past week. A new Ex-Co has been voted in and the old members are crying foul. The newspaper report was quite bias and stated that the new group came in and usurps leadership. It seemed that many old members did not turn up (only 30 to 40 came), while most of the new members came (more than a 100 of them) and outnumbered them. Now, the older members are calling for an EOGM.

Which make me wonder. Why didn’t you do your duty and turn up at the AGM and vote for your preferred Ex-Co? If you don’t come and vote, now that a new committee is formed, why cry foul and ask for an EOGM?

Previously, I was vaguely aware of what AWARE is, except that they represent women rights, and fight for women equality. Now, the new committee has made us more aware!!

Yah! Even went into their website. Kay poh a bit mah!

Many of us Christians too behave this way. We just want to be passive, and leave the work of the Heavenly Kingdom to the Pastors, Elders and church leaders. Then one fine day, when we find something in the church that is not done according to what we desire, we would probably then want to act.

But the Kingdom way does not allow for passiveness. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23)”. It is a daily process of denying self and follows Christ.

Are you doing that – deny self, following Christ?

The behavior of AWARE old members makes me more aware of my duty as a member of the heavenly kingdom.

13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil. (Ecc 12:13,14)

Planning Ahead

“Oh no! I forgot my Guides’ T-shirt!!”

We were already travelling along the Pan Island Expressway to school yesterday morning when my eldest daughter suddenly realized that she had left her clothing at home.

“Can we turn back?” She pleaded.

Doing so will get everybody late for school. Not a very good idea. Knowing that she needed it only in the afternoon, I told her I will go home and get it for her during lunch.

Human has a tendency to forget things, people, and also a whole lot of others. Most of the time, we too forget about God. In our “busy and hurry” society and work, we loose sense of the Almighty, only to come to Him when help is needed and prayer to be done. That is what I want to show her. I can help rescue her forgetfulness. But she too needs to learn to be alert, watchful and plan ahead. This is not the first time it happened. Previously, it was when we just drove off one street away then she remembered something she did not bring along. It’s going to get habitual, would it?

Would she remember this lesson?

As for me, I will help her to remember by asking before we drive off: “Have you forget anything?”

PLAN YOUR WORK, WORK YOUR PLAN

All things have a life span

Recently, a lot of things start going “dead” almost at the same time.

About a few weeks ago, the heater finally died on us. It tripped the whole house electricity when we switched it on. It has been serving us faithfully since day one, about 17 years ago. Finally, it decided to call it a day. We have yet to get it fix. So, no hot water for now until the plumber is free to get it done.

Then, the fan starts giving way. No, it is still not fully dead. Just making a lot of noise when we turned on the power. Something likes a motor boating sound. I guess, it will soon say bye-bye to us. Another faithful equipment, also serving us since day one.

There is another faithful household item that finally calls it a day – the mirror light. My wife last weekend told me about it. I have forgotten about it as I don’t use the lamp. I will try to find a time this week to change the bulb.

The not so faithful one is the printer cable. I have changed it so many times. Why, oh why, it looses connection so often!!! I have just bought a new cable.

What will “die” next?

Then, a verse came to my mind (Ecc 3):

A time to born and a time to die;
…
A time to weep and a time to laugh
…

Yep, one day, you and I will be dead.

The question is: “Have I been faithful in fulfilling God’s purpose while I am alive?”

Reflection: My “Year of Jubilee”

Officially, I am 50 years old today!

Little girl just like to be funny!!

50th year is also known as the year of Jubilee. Lev. 25:11

The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. 12 For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields.

The year of Jubilee is the year to make redemption of property and slaves and also rest for the soil.

What does the year of Jubilee mean to me? Reading Leviticus Chapter 25, here are my impulse thoughts:

1. REJOICE
The words jubilee and jubilation mean rejoicing. Yah! It is important to have a joyful heart. This verse in Proverbs just came to mind:

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. ( Prov 17:22)

2. REVITALISE
Thank God for life. He is the giver and sustainer of all lives. (Act 17:28). I have seen quite a number of people died without passing this age. It is time to say as Apostle Paul said: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” As in Lev 25:12 – “The year of Jubilee is to be Holy for you”, the way I live must reflect my walk with God. It is time to be recharge and revitalize for the LORD.

3. RELATIONSHIP
We all heard the Good Friday message, when Jesus asked his disciple “Do you love me?” This is the most important question. In the year of Jubilee, restoration and redemption of things, property and relationship were made. It is the time to make peace with people and rebuild relationship.

Happy Birthday!!!

Recalling My Baptism Experience

Today is a very Good Friday,
It’s also my “Spiritual” Birthday.
Born Again on 10 April One Nine Seven Seven
I am now all ready to go to heaven!!

My Baptism was on an Easter Sunday
At the East Coast beach, a lot of people play.
The beach then was very crowded,
Noise, song and sound of wave were very loud.

Before the baptism, I had to share a testimony,
With the crowd listening, I had to speak clearly.
I shared about how I met the LORD,
And what I learnt by reading HIS WORD.

My past then was a lone lost world,
I would follow others where they go.
To cheat in exam, did my friend taught;
But by God’s grace, I was not caught.

However, the guilt of wrongdoing remained;
Even though any further sin, I had refrained.
I tried to seek repentant by studying hard;
Though I excel in studies, my guilt never departed.

Then I read that Jesus Christ was crucified,
How He even forgave others before He died.
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Drove me to pray and the forgiveness I pursue.

After testimony, I was baptized in the sea;
Rising from the water, I found a “new” me.
The sun was blazing hot that day,
But my faith soars and continues to stay.

Looking into the sea, I saw many ships;
Into His service, I’ll learn to feed His sheep.
If ever He will extend His call to me,
Will I then say: “Here am I, send me!”?


- Lim Teng Lye

(Baptism Certificate)

Reflecting Aloud: Palm Sunday Sermon

Imagine the following scenes:

Scene #1
A Christian youth is talking to his non-Christian friend about Jesus Christ:

Non-Christian Friend: Why must Jesus Christ die on the cross?

Christian: Oh! Let me give you a hypothetical analogy.

NC Friend: Like what?

Christian: It is like God and Satan are playing a game of chess.

NC Friend: God and Satan playing chess?

Christian: Yah! You know, sometime in a chess game, you need to make a strategic move and sacrifice the most precious and important piece in order to checkmate you opponent. So God sacrifice Jesus Christ to die on the cross and checkmate Satan!! Brilliant move!?

NC Friend: What the !!@%#????

Christian: Actually, I heard that in last Sunday Sermon in Church.

Scene #2
Two angels are in the church service and listening to the sermon on Palm Sunday.

Angel #1: These theologians think that God is playing chess with Satan.

Angel #2: If it is just a game of chess, God would rather lose the game than sacrifice His Son. It is the whole world’s sin and doom to hell that is at stake.

Angel #1: Yah! Don’t play play ok!

I am not poking fun at the analogy used in the sermon last Sunday. The analogy is used because of the word “triumphant” used in Zechariah 9:9. So triumphant is seen as “victorious” over someone. Who is that someone? Hence, the analogy is used to explain that God triumphant over Satan in a chess game. But, can someone triumph without another loosing? Like running in a marathon race? Everyone who complete the run "triumph". (Not sure, leh!)

The two imaginary scenes described above just flashes through my mind during the sermon as I think theologians use such analogy to explain Christ triumphant entry and death on the cross.

Actually the explanation is already given in the Bible. There is no need of such dilution of analogy to the most important event in God’s work. It is found in Leviticus 16:5-22. The Daily bread on today devotional text explains it all.

http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/04/08/devotion.aspx

Differences between Sexes!

Seem to me the wives need to put in effort to keep the marriage healthy, while the husbands just “cruises” along.

That was the feeling after the “Strengthening Family Relationship” forum last Sunday.

Hope I am wrong.

Brother Chee Seng was one of our panelists. He shared mostly from the man’s point of view. Man needs “accessories”, even in a marriage. He cited an analogy of a man spending time to fix a sport rim on his car and fancy over car gadgets. So when a man does not find those “accessories” in his marriage, he looks elsewhere for them. When a relationship has problem, “wife talks, while man runs”.

That prompted the female panelist to remark: “It’s not fair! …”

Yes, I agree. It seems men are always at fault.

But why are men like that? As the moderator in this forum, I asked the 2 husbands present to comment. Aahh! Switch topic to father versus children.

I wish I was a participant so that I could speak up for the men. So, here, I will share why men are like that. Just look at what a man is thinking most of the time. LOOK AT THE MALE BRAIN

Ladies, I will give you a few minutes to digest that.

“When the man can’t find the “accessories”, he will look elsewhere”, that is what Brother Chee Seng said. So do you know what accessories Brother Chee Seng are talking about now? And do you know now why man has a problem in listening? Look at the male brain again.

Now, let’s look at the FEMALE BRAIN

See the differences?

OK. I must state here that these pictures are given to us by Rev Dr Rick Griffith, lecturer of Singapore Bible College (SBC) when we are studying the Role of Women in Old Testament Background. Dr. Danny Goh, Dean of Pastoral Counselling in SBC also showed us these pictures when I was studying in his class on Building Strong Family. The point here is that we, husband and wife need to know the differences and adjust ourselves to one another’s need.

Of course, not all men let their sex drives run wild like Edison Chen. But most would operate it at the threshold of legal and “trouble-free” limit. But sometime it goes off limit, like King David and King Solomon. Also, I believe God makes men this way so that the human races do not go extinct after a few generations. But it swings to the other extreme because of the evilness of heart, and so need be self-controlled (fruit of the Spirit). Certainly the wife can help the husband if they know the male brain.

It is appropriate at this juncture to quote the Apostle Paul’s

4The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
(guess while it is found)

So, husbands, now that you have seen what the female brain is, don’t just cruise along in your marriage!!

PS: The pictures are meant as a joke. http://www.wolfescape.com/Humour/MedPicts/BrainMaleFemale.gif

On the Dean’s List

Being on the Dean’s list does look good on paper, but …

Employers look more than just academic results.

You may be the creme de la creme of your cohort but academic results is just that.

I was conducting interviews in my company the whole of yesterday afternoon, looking for an Engineering Assistant to replace one of my staff, who has tendered his resignation.

There is this polytechnic fresh graduate. He came with impressive engineering results and on the Dean’s list. Being a China national, he could hardly express himself even though he had studied in Singapore for 3 years. But the candidate before him was also another China National and could speak fluent English.

What a contrast!!

To test his engineering knowledge, I asked him to tell me what he has studied for Electronic Communication, a subject he got distinction. It is my favorite subject, which I also got distinction in polytechnic and university.

Me: Tell me anything about Electronic Communication.

Fresh Grad: (look blur)

Me: You got distinction for this subject. Can you remember any topics or anything about electronic communication?

Fresh Grad: (still silence)

Me: Do you know AM and FM?

Fresh Grad: Don’t know

Me: FM is about radio. 93.3MHz FM?

To my surprise, he couldn’t name me a single topic. His excuse was that the subject was taught in 2007/2008 semester and he has not made use of anything from this subject since then.

(Not sure he deserves to get DISTINCTION, man!!)

So I tried with a more recent subject which he got an A – Radio Frequency Engineering. Again, he couldn’t tell me anything or any topic that he had learned from RF Engineering. Not even the simplest equation: frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength. The constant is the speed of light.

I tried the same Radio Frequency question on another candidate, who got a lot of F in her grades. Surprise, surprise, she could even tell me that the speed of light is 3 X 10(exponential 8) m/s. Yes, all who have studied RF Engineering will know the speed of light and frequency versus wavelength equation. You don't need to be on the dean’s list to get that equation right.


So, what's so special to be on the Dean’s list?

Letters from NKF – old versus new

Mr. T. T. Durai taught me to be more "personal" in my writing,

And also the courage to write.

Yes, Mr. Durai, the man we love to hate.

(Just don’t quite like NKF leh!)

About 2 weeks ago I received a letter from the New NKF and was too busy to read it. I was in a better mood the last weekend to read what NKF have to say.

The way the new Chief Executive Officer of the New NKF wrote was very different from Mr Durai. It was a letter to thank and update us donors of what NKF has done, no different from any charitable organization. This set me thinking about Mr. Durai. Oh how I like to receive his old NKF letters.

Mr Durai’s letters addressed you personally. Reading his letters is like hearing him talking to you. There is this personal touch and emotional grieve for the suffering patients (sometime names are mentioned, and you know they are real people in real needs) when he wrote in his letters. Words like, “Mr. Lim, I am sure you …”; Mr. Lim this and Mr. Lim that … connects me to the cause of the NKF.

I became a donor through reading his letters way back in 1994 or 1995. (It was such a long time; I may have mistaken it by a year or two). Thereafter, I even volunteered to be an ambassador of NKF. The NKF ambassador approaches people and encourages them to donate to NKF.


Perhaps it was his style of writing that I feel for the patients in NKF. Also, there were frequent updates of newsletter and invitation from NKF.

I use to keep his letters until the NKF saga in 2005. Then I threw them all away. Still, I continue to support the NKF financially. Givers never quit. But I am disappointed about NKF management.

His writings may have influenced the way I write and blog. I try to make it personal, like talking to you. You know, my greatest phobia is composition. I never passed any composition in school. Blogging is the last thing I will ever do. After every post, I think I make a fool of myself.

(Still learning to write properly, leh!)

Mr. Durai, thank you.


PS: NKF = National Kidney Foundation (for those who are blur)

Chiastic Writing

My next post will be in Chiastic structure. Can you detect it?


A Mr. Durai taught me to write
B .....He gave me courage to write
C .......Don’t quite like NKF
D .........Received New NKF letter
E ...........Style of Old NKF letters
X .............I became an NKF donor & Ambassador
E' ...........Develop a feeling for NKF patients
D’ .........Keep Old NKF letters
C’ ........Disappointed with NKF
B’ .....I had phobia in composition
A’ Mr. Durai, thank you