Old Wisdom but still true today

My friend Simon over at Just Another Blog just posted "Old Wisdom for Preachers Today". In it he blogs some notes from his reading of Richard Baxter's "The Reformed Pastor" (available here). It always brings me a smile that this generation in our 20s and 30s are rediscovering and re-reading the Puritans - they were men of convictions and character who sought to live Christ-honouring lives.

Simon wrote the following short notes which are also applicable to those called to some form of Christian Leadership within the body of Christ.

The Oversight of Ourselves -
1. Be diligent to keep myself in a spiritually fit and healthy condition;
2. Make sure your life agrees with your teaching; and
3. Make sure you have what it takes to be a good minister of Jesus Christ.

Application - The Need for Humility
Beware of -
1. Pride;
2. That we do not give the Lord’s work all the energy it requires; and
3. The worldliness amongst us

And lastly,
The management of personal work - It is vital people are convinced of their pastors ability and love for them. If his ability is suspect they will not value his teaching. If the sincerity of his love is questionable they will not trust him. If ministers tried harder to win people’s affection their ministry would be more effective.

The last paragraph caused me to pause for reflections: Do I love the young people I've been privileged to have influence over? Do I give my all to ensure I'm competent in ministry and in the teaching of God's Word? I need to love them and lead and teach them well.

HT. Simon Murphy

_____
Grace and Peace
Ollie
Dec 2008

What is the Gospel in 60 seconds

We have started some conversations about what is the Gospel at the blog - Towards a Gospel-Centred Church. Friends, feel free to drop in and interact with us.

_____
Grace and Peace
Ollie
Dec 2008

Towards a Gospel-Centred Church

Last night I met up with four other brothers-in-Christ - Eugene, Huaizhi, Edward and Simon. Though we only knew each other for a short period of time, there was a common bond in the Gospel. We had a good discussion over dinner. I was encouraged that there are like-minded brothers who are captivated by the Gospel, passionate about the Word of God and committed to the local church. We shall be starting a blog to capture some of our discussions and reflections. We hope to see the gospel advance in Singapore (and beyond) through healthy, gospel-centred local churches that display God’s glory in the way they teach and live out the gospel. You can eavesdrop on our discussions and conversations here.

Ollie
Dec 2008

Love and Labels!

I've just had a week of Youth Camp (from 7 to 12 Dec 08) - 6 days and 5 nights of living in camp with a bunch of 70 active and noisy youths and young adults - and I'm still a little tired from the experience. For this camp we decided to focus on the Gospel and emphasize the exposition of 1 John, resulting in more time in the Word of God compared to previous camps. Contrary to what many believed about the young people of today, many of them sat through and were taking notes diligently during the expositions which sometimes lasted an hour. And the youth leaders in preparation for the camp were doing devotions from CH Spurgeon who they found to be solid and deep, prompting them to think harder and moving them to live rightly. Who can imagine older teens reading from a 200 year old dead pastor and theologian and loving it!? When the Gospel and God's Word is faithfully declared; transformation occurs. The relationships in this camp were markedly different; being characterised by a love response and gratitude that God first loved us and that He demonstrated that through Jesus. We had one conversion and it was amazing to see the transformative effect of the Gospel - the countenance and posture of the youth was noticeable changed after repenting and believing into Christ. I am again in awe of what God can do when we seek to place the Gospel centre of our lives and Faith. Lastly, thank you to all those who kept us in prayer.


Ollie
Dec 2008

Grace Baptist Church Youth Camp 2008

Grace Baptist Church
Youth Camp 2008
8 - 12 Dec
@ MOE Diary Farm Adventure Centre
30 Diary Farm Road.
Singapore 679058.

This will be my ninth Youth Camp that I'll be involved in. The past camps have seen me play different roles - as part of the organising committee or conducting a workshop or giving a talk or simply visiting to encourage the youths and the youth leaders. This year I've again the delight and privilege of serving the youths in Grace Baptist Church by working closely together with a team of younger youth leaders. This will be my last youth camp before I head out to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to pursue a graduate course in Christian Education. In the course of preparing for this camp, I'm thankful to God for raising a team of young adults youth leaders who are passionate and committed to the Gospel and who love the next generation. I count it my joy to be able to serve and minister alongside them. God is sovereign and good; and he has raised others to continue to work with the youths here at Grace Baptist Church.

I invite you to keep us in prayer over the coming week as we run this Grace Baptist Church Youth Camp 2008. Please pray:

1. For the youth camp participants to be transformed by power of the Gospel and for them to Grow in the Lord.

2. For the camp speakers; workshop speakers; and young expositors as they prepare and share from God's Word.

3. For the youth camp leaders that they lead with servants' heart and with dependence on God.

4. For safety and good health for the youth camp participants; and a smooth running of the youth camp programme.

5. That in all things, we bring glory to God (1 Corinthian 10:31)

Ollie

Dec 2008

Serving with the Right Motives

I had the distinct pleasure of having a recent email conversation with Daphne - a promising younger sister in the Faith. She had asked a number of good questions on serving and doing God's work with the right motives. It gave me loads to think about, reflect and gave me the impetus to put it into words. I've re-posted the email with permission as follows:

Daphne (Daph) > Hi Ollie, I've been thinking about this for quite some time: being flawed people, our sacrifices (e.g.: service and striving to be holy) to God are never perfect, but because we have been atoned and justified for at the Cross, Christ's blood makes our sacrifices pleasing to Him. All this assumes that the Christian consciously submits and dedicates his life and actions to God.

Oliver (Ollie) >> Good question. Let's first look at this from the bible:

Romans 5:8-9
- Christ death on our behalf justified us, removed the penalty of sin and saved us from God's wrath.

Romans 5:19
- Christ obedience made us righteous.

Romans 8:1-11
- The flesh (or old non-believing self) cannot please God. Christ death removed our sins; His righteousness is credited to us. God's Spirit dwells in us and we can now please God.

Ollie >> Once we believe into Jesus as our Saviour and surrender to His Lordship, we are made righteous - i.e. we are justified by Faith. What this means is that all our work or sacrifices do not count for our justification, but rather our Faith in Jesus that made us righteous before God. Jesus lived and died for us. By his death he took on our sins and paid the penalty on our behalf, thereby averting God's wrath and paying the prize for our sins. Also what happens is that we also take on the life Christ lived - that is Christ righteousness from his living a sinless God-pleasing life is credited to us. This is what happened at the cross and this is substitutionary atonement - Our sins removed, and Christ righteousness credited to us. This means the act and event of salvation is all of grace through Faith because of what Christ has done not anything from us. I believe you already know all this; this leads on to the next idea which is the continual process of sanctification which I usually find most of us evangelicals are a little less clear on. ((Actually if you look in the bible, it speaks of us saved (justification); being saved (sanctification) and will be saved (future glorification) )).

What happens after justification and us being made righteous before God is that God's Spirit indwells us and now we are no longer enslaved to sin - meaning we can now have the right motivation and heart to do what is pleasing to God. This process of sanctification is usually a progress of growing more Christ-like and this occurs, quoting Jerry Bridges, when we respond in dependence to God's Spirit. This means that after we believe into Jesus, we can want to please God and do things to please Him.

Daph > What about people who try to live the Christian life with the wrong motives? A person comes to church/fellowship/serves/practices spiritual disciplines for other people or for mere obligation and subsequently through the work of the Holy Spirit, comes for the "right" motive. I'm very sure all Christians experiences this in different aspects of our life (especially worship) since our motives conform more to what God desires as we grow more and more.

At a young adults camp meeting just now, someone shared that God accepts the sacrifice of a Christian, whether his motive was right or wrong. I think this is really quite fallacious because if it is so, God would have accepted Saul's sacrifice instead of deposing Him, Psalm 51:16-17 says

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

Also, our desire to joyfully live as God's living sacrifices would be something extra we do for God since wrong motives can also be accepted - the idea of claiming some merit for the Holy Spirit's work.

Ollie >> Ok. I am assuming we are talking about Christians serving God with wrong motives and the wrong heart, for as said above non-Christians though they may "do" good (afterall they are still made in God's image), they are operating in the flesh and enslaved to sin and cannot please God.

Besides Psalm 51:16-17 which said that God does not delight in sacrifice or offerings of service rendered for that matter, but rather the right heart, there are other verses in the OT and NT.

Isaiah 29:13
- God looks beyond the exterior - what is said - to the heart (or motives)

Luke 16:15
- What is deemed right before men but done with the wrong heart is detestable to God.

Acts 5:1-11
- What seemed a generous act by Ananias and Sapphira done with the wrong motives is deplorable to God, and God judged them.

Ollie >> When it comes to pleasing God, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. As God's people we may do "good" or "religious" things, but what please God is the right heart and motives. In fact, the Pharisees were the most "religious" of the Israelites during Christ time, but their religiosity fed their pride, they wanted to look good in front of others - i.e. wrong heart and motives and Jesus reserved the most scathing remarks for them. The heart matters more than the act of service or sacrifice.

Daph > My alternative, however, is that God, in His forbearance, uses the sacrifice to change the person's motive, and that's His mercy. I don't think I can decide whether God will accept his sacrifice at this moment when the motive is wrong and the believer is not keen to change (thus "right" motive) but God definitely will if the believer's heart dedicates it to God.

So the crux is the believer's dedication to God.

Am I biblical in my explanation? My friend still didn't seem to agree.

Ollie >> Let's pull everything together and look and reflect through this.

All being said, this side of heaven, we are never perfect hence the ongoing process of sanctification and we cannot judge accurately the heart if the person who is serving or making the sacrifice (though I would think that over a period of time, you can probably discern the fruits that come after). However, like you, when someone says "God accepts the sacrifice of a Christian, whether his motive was right or wrong", I am uncomfortable. As we can see from the bible, the heart or motives matter most to God; God detest sacrifices made with the wrong heart. Although I would readily admit that most times when I do things, due to my sinful nature, it would be with mixed motives - I can hardly say that everything I do is out of pure motives and with the right heart. That is why I practice the discipline of self-examination. During these times, I thank God for the things I done with the right heart and I repent for those done with the wrong motives. I remember the Gospel and continue to do what I can in gratitude of what has already been done.

What I see is that while God is not pleased with what was done with the wrong motives or heart, God is Sovereign and Good, what was done wrongly can be turned to good by God (Genesis 50:20). That is usually what I pray after repenting; that what was done with mixed motives can be turned to His Glory. The crux of the matter is God's mercy and that He is Sovereign and Good.

Lastly, I'm concerned that what your friend said, if accurately reflects his/her beliefs, is tinged with works-righteousness (I am not saying he/she does not believe in justification by Faith, but rather his/her view on living the Christian life that pleases God seems to be driven by works rather than grace). When someone says my heart and motives doesn't matter; but rather what I do, it seems to me that he/she expect his/her works to please God and gain approval of others. Kingdom living as shared by Jesus in the Beatitudes is from inside out - from the heart. This "works-righteousness" belief could stunt growth as growth in Christ-likeness or sanctification is also by Grace - God's Spirit who indwells us initiate and sustain us in our living the Christian life and doing good. When we know this, we can readily respond in gratitude due to what God has already done, with the right heart and motives, please God and glorify Him. This is as you said in your blog, quoting form Jerry Bridges, preaching the Gospel to yourself daily.

Ollie >> Just my thoughts and reflections on what you said. Please feel free to engage me on this. :)

P.S. I hope if you want to talk to your friend, it will be with wisdom and discernment. Find ways to engage and communicate rightly. Remember love in truth and truth in love. :)

--
Grace and Peace


Ollie
Nov 2008

ESV Study Bible!

I've just bought my hard-cover ESV Study Bible! I had been waiting for weeks to get it; I had previewed it online; it was also endorsed and highly recommended by many of my contemporary "heroes" in the faith. And I had been waiting in anticipation for its sales in Singapore since its released in October 2008.

I was with Debo Yap when I bought it at Bethesda Book Centre (Toa Payoh); she was browsing through it in the car while I gave her a lift to ACJC and even she was impressed by the illustrations and copious Bible Study Notes. I've just spent my lunch in the office turning over the pages and I dare say I'm quite taken with the ESV Study Bible; I believe it will set the gold standard for Study Bible for some time to come.

I'm looking forward to reading it some more this evening, and to use it in my preparation for the message for the coming Grace Baptist Church Youth Camp. :)


Ollie
Nov 2008

Powlison on Self-Pity

“Feeling sorry for yourself is one of the strongest, most addictive narcotics known to man. It feels so good to feel so bad. Self-pity arises so easily, seems so plausible, and proves so hard to shake off.”

- David Powlison, Journal of Biblical Counseling (Summer 2007, Vol. 25, No. 3) p. 7.

HT: Tony Reinke @ Miscellanies


It is so easy to fall into self-pity; I can attest to that. Once you fall into a rut, you continue in a vicious cycle of blame and criticism - pointing an accusing finger at others, at circumstances and sometimes even at God. All the while pitying oneself, believing that you are a victim. However, if you probe deep enough you find that self-pity is the flip side of the coin of pride - both focus on the self. And the remedy to this self-centredness? The Gospel. The confession that I'm a sinner and yet the good news is that I've been forgiven because of what Christ accomplished on the cross, and the gratitude that follows lived-out will take our eyes off self to focus on Jesus.


Nov 2008
Ollie

What does it mean to think “theologically?

It is important to think theologically as all Truth is God's Truth. All of life needs to be framed theologically for the Glory of God and to fully delight in Him. By thinking theologically, we can fulfill the greatest commandment - to love God with my all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind.

Listen to Harry Reeder as he explains what it means to think "theologically".




Ollie
Nov 2008

What does the sovereignty of God mean?

"God is Sovereign; We are responsible - we are not robots." - Ligon Duncan

Among Christians, there is always a tension between God's Sovereignty and our responsibility. Listen to Ligon Duncan as he helps us make sense of this "apparent contradiction".


What does the Sovereignty of God means? - Ligon Duncan



God Sovereignty and our responsibility are coordinate truths - they are not opposing but they go together. This understanding when grasped, prevents us from falling into the ditch of passive inaction on one side where we throw our hands in the air and presume on God to act while neglecting our own responsibilities; and the drain of self-focused activism where we presume we act for God, and baptize our sometimes ego-driven actions as "doing for God". We need to adopt, as Jerry Bridges helpfully said, a response of dependent responsibility - to do what we can while dependent on God and acknowledging His Sovereignty over all things. I think this would free us to act boldly with joy and yet with a profound sense of humility and sense of our place in God's grand scheme of things.

Ollie
Nov 2008

How is Christianity relevant for today's culture?

We have often heard the remarks on how Christianity is irrelevant for today's culture, especially as we moved into a "post-modern" era of the 21st Century. Also some segments of the church - usually the market driven and seeker-sensitive, often cries out that we need to make church more relevant to the culture. How is Christianity relevant for today's culture? Tim Keller explains -

How is Christianity relevant for today's culture? - Tim Keller



It is when we follow the biblical mandate to live as salt and light where we are in society and to make disciples who do so, and not relying on programmes "relevant" to the culture, that makes Christianity relevant to the culture we are part of.


P.S. I also recommend Tim Keller's latest book - "The Reason for God". In it, he addresses the common objections to God that many non-Christians and atheist makes.


Ollie
Oct 2008

Why did Jesus have to die? What takes place on the cross?

Why did Jesus have to die? What takes place on the cross? - Thabiti Anyabwile




Ollie
Oct 2008

The Glory of the Cross

The Glory of the Cross

What wisdom once devised the plan
Where all our sin and pride
Was placed upon the perfect Lamb
Who suffered, bled, and died?
The wisdom of a Sovereign God
Whose greatness will be shown
When those who crucified Your Son
Rejoice around Your throne

And, oh, the glory of the cross
That You would send Your Son for us
I gladly count my life as loss
That I might come to know
The glory of, the glory of the cross

What righteousness was there revealed
That sets the guilty free
That justifies ungodly men
And calls the filthy clean?
A righteousness that proved to all
Your justice has been met
And holy wrath is satisfied
Through one atoning death

What mercy now has been proclaimed
For those who would believe
A love incomprehensible
Our minds could not conceive?
A mercy that forgives my sin
Then makes me like Your Son
And now I’m loved forevermore
Because of what You’ve done


Words and music by Bob Kauflin
As recorded on Songs for the Cross Centered Life
2000 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)
http://www.sovereigngracemusic.org/



Ollie
Oct 2008

Reflections from the International Church Discipleship Consultation 2008

It is my joy and privilege to participate in the International Church Discipleship Consultation (ICDC) organised by the Navigators, Singapore from 13 to 17 Oct 2008 in Kuala Lumpur. I'm currently in the midst of a "Think-Time" with my brothers and sisters from 22 participating countries - Nigeria, Kenya, Tonga, Vietnam, Malaysia, United Kingdom, America and many others spanning the globe. As I sat through many of the country reports and the talks and workshops, I was again humbled and awed at how God has worked in different contexts and different ways in different parts of His Global Kingdom, and by the passion and commitment of my brothers and sisters for the bringing the Gospel to the nations and for intentional discipleship that needs to follow. Many of them have sacrificed much in the name of Jesus.

Here as I am writing this, I am again reminded of the awesomeness of God's Kingdom and the colossal task placed before us - to take the Gospel to the nations; to disciple the whole person; and to mobilise the churches to bring to fruition what has already been established by the cross and resurrection - that is the sovereign and supreme rulership of Jesus over all. There is no place for personal pettiness or agendas; the task we are called to is just too big for a single person to accomplish. We need to put aside personal egos, work together and do what we can - there is more than enough work for each of us to do. Enough of the personal conflicts that may often plague christian ministry; and let us work together for the cause of Christ.

I think back to Mutua Mahiaini, who despite his illness, came all the way from Nigeria, to speak to us on Servant Leadership, his very presence at the consultation, serving us by sharing and speaking, speaks volumes of his heart of a servant. It is not mere talk on servant leadership, he exemplifies it. His exposition and meditation on Isaiah 42:1-4 bought home the point that servanthood and leadership goes together as part of God's redemptive calling as we "rule" over and "deliver" the people into a Kingdom of righteousness. His sharing of how if we, like Jesus, are called to be "servants" for God, then we will be upheld by the Father. There is no need for approval from others nor playing to the gallery; our sense of self is derived from God and this leads us to quietly follow the way of God. He further elaborated from the life of John the Baptist on how rather than pursuing a name for himself, he chose to be a voice - a voice for the Gospel of Christ and His Kingdom. This thought alone continues to reverberate in my soul - it caused me to examine my own motives and heart for ministry.

I also managed to catch Uncle Toh, an elder and pioneer in the work of the Navigators, over lunch. Our conversations over short lunch break left me with three questions to reflect and ponder over. He frankly said that I'm already in my 30s, and as I go for further studies to equip me in the ministry and to make this investment of 2 - 3 years of my life, I should go with a clear vision from God. From that, the mission, ministry, strategy and people would follow. He said he expects those in the 20s to be unsure, but not someone in the 30s! Also he continued and said that with this vision and focus, we would know what to say yes to and what to say no to. So what is my God-given vision? He also stated the importance of starting a ministry with reproduction in mind for sustainability - meaning that even as I do the work of the ministry, I should be already investing in the generation yet to come. Am I doing this in my ministry? Lastly, being a true blue Navigator, he elaborated on his belief that all church members should be disciplemakers. Am I a disciplemaker? And am I equipping others in my ministry to be disciplemakers?

There were many other speakers, Gary Poole shared on "Seeker Small Groups". Stanley Mukolwe shared on "The Challenge of Disciplemaking in the Church", Philip Flores on "The Poor are the Lost". All heart-felt and thought-provoking, but not all with points I agree. Nevertheless, it definitely caused me to think and theologically reflect on what the scripture says. Furthermore, the many cheerful conversations with my Philippines brothers; the spiritual depth of my African brothers and the wisdom of my Indian brothers all left me with much food for thought. I take great delight in our fellowship with fellow brothers and sisters from many nations in the Lord, and for this foretaste of heaven.

Ollie
Oct 2008

International Church Discipleship Consultation 2008

I'll be in Kuala Lumpur this coming week - 13 to 17 October, with Kim Meng and Bobby, to participate in the International Church Discipleship Consultation organised by the Navigators. I've been told that there will be participants from Africa, Korea, India and a number of other countries. I'm looking forward to the many enriching conversations as each of the participants follow Jesus in creating and facilitating biblical communities in the countries we have been placed in. It would be interesting to see how this plays out in the different countries and contexts and to distil out common principles that guide these efforts. I'm looking forward to this as well as perhaps craving out some extended time alone for me to reflect and prepare for my leaving for studies in Southern Seminary next year.

Friends, keep me in prayer for a good time of learning and connecting to both new friends and to God. I'll try to update when I'm over in the KL.


Grace and Peace,

Ollie
Oct 2008

Ryan Ferguson recites Psalm 22

The Essentials to Keep You Going

Jerry Bridges was in Singapore for a few weeks in Aug and Sep 2008. We were privileged to hear him speak and to learn from him. Besides his talks, "The Chase - Pursuing Holiness in your Everyday Life" and "Respectable Sins", he also spoke at the Navigators, Singapore, Staff Retreat. He spoke on "The Essentials to Keep You Going".

In summary, the four essentials he described were:
1. Spending Devotional Time with the Lord;
2. Preaching the Gospel to yourself Daily;
3. Presenting your Body as a Living Sacrifice; and
4. Daily Reaffirming your Belief in the Sovereignty and Goodness of God.

You can read the article from the Navigators, Singapore here; and you can download the MP3 here. (Right click "save link as" to download the MP3)


Ollie
Sep 2008

God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Evangelism

How do we reconcile the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility, especially in the area of Evangelism and Missions? Blogger Tim Challies has written an excellent post on Calvinism and Evangelism which puts forth a biblical thinking on this matter; you can read it here.

(HT: Tim Challies)


Ollie
Sep 2008

Reflections and Musings from my Trip to Southern Seminary and Capitol Hill Baptist Church

It has been barely a week since my return from a visit to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and to Capitol Hill Baptist Church in the United States. Even now, the impact of this trip continues to reverberate as I process my thoughts and reflect on how God has taught me many valuable lessons on this trip.

I count it my distinct privilege to be able to visit Southern Seminary; this visit almost did not occur as the Seminary had been closed for the week due to a massive city-wide power blackout caused by heavy winds from the remnants of Hurricane Gustav. The power was restored to the Legacy Centre where I stayed and the Seminary that very afternoon I was due to arrive. I had a wonderful Wednesday at Southern Seminary - I was given the grand tour of the Seminary by Toby Jennings; I met some faculty, namely Dr Hal Pettigrew, Dr Tom Schreiner, and Dr Bruce Ware. I also had the joy of meeting some students - Terry Delaney and Kevin McFadden, for conversations and mutual encouragement.

I made a number of observations of which these three made the deepest impact. Firstly, there was a sense of humility and expectancy. Both staff and students strongly believed that God's Sovereign Hand was on Southern Seminary and it was not due in any part to their own ingenuity. Southern Seminary, to their knowledge, is the only institution of higher learning in America, that had turned from liberal to conservative, reclaiming the belief in the inerrancy and authority of God's Word. And they believe God is going to do greater things in their midst. Secondly, there is a deep commitment to the local church - the faculty are either Pastors or Elders of local churches or otherwise involved in ministries to local churches. Students too are actively involved with the local congregations. And thirdly, the staff and faculty are passionately involved in the transmitting of the Gospel into the next generation; they are fully aware of their own alloted years, and are concerned that the baton of the Gospel be passed into the subsequent generation.

There were other things learnt; but even as I was processing and praying through, I had to leave for Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC the following day, to join my mentor - Elder Yap Kim Meng and my pastor Bobby Lee for the 9Marks Weekender.

Unknown to me, I was in for another intense period of re-learning and thinking at Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC). Preconceptions were shaken and repentance required as I was immersed in the experience at CHBC and its 9Marks Ministry. Dr Mark Dever and his team seeks to grow biblical healthy churches; and as part of their ministry CHBC opens its doors 2 - 3 times a year to a group of 50 plus pastors, church leaders and seminarians to observe first hand their example of "doing church". They are certainly not perfect but they do take church seriously. I was, as Caleb said, smitten by the whole experience. First Southern Seminary and now CHBC - both exemplifying high commitment to the cause of Christ.

There are far too many observations made and lessons learnt at CHBC to be fully captured; those listed below are my attempts to capture a snapshot of the essentials. Firstly, all that they do is motivated by the Gospel, i.e. they are responding in humble gratitude to how Christ came to live and die for us, that by His death, our sins are removed and righteous credited if we by faith believe into Jesus. God's wrath against us has been averted, our relationship with God restored and we have been redeemed to inherit a full and eternal life. All of their ministry stemmed from this essential truth of God's grace.

Secondly, they have a high view of God's word and they take it seriously. From Church Membership and Leadership to Church Discipline to the Church Service. The word of God is central. They sought to trust and obey God's word. At their church service, all the worship proceedings were solidly Word based - from emphasis on reading scriptures to hymns with biblical contents to the sermon - all seeking to declare God's Word.

Thirdly, quoting Mark Dever and Matt Schmucker, they do what they do for the generations yet to come. They, like the faculty at Southern Seminary, are deeply moved to transmit the Gospel into the next generation and to disciple others who will do the same. This goal motivates their internship programme and the ministry of 9Marks which seek to equip pastors and leaders.

Fourthly, the leaders, namely the Staff and Elders exhibit a deep love for the members of the church. This was clearly exemplified by the Elders spending two hours in prayer for individual members from part of their membership rolls. Also each Elder, both Staff and Lay, showed a intimate knowledge and care for the members - they knew all their names, their struggles and where they were in their spiritual growth. The interactions during the service clearly demonstrated the mutual love between the leaders and members.

Lastly, there was a sacrificial commitment to the local body at CHBC by both the leaders and members. Members commit to pray through the membership rolls each week, and to attend two services on Sunday - the main service at 10.30 am, seating through an hour sermon and a service that stretches for two to two and half hours; and yet coming back Sunday evening for a prayer and fellowship service at 6 pm. The Staff Elders open up their homes for the members for fellowship and some of the Lay Elders take up employment that either free up time for church commitments or give flexibility to do so.

All these left a indelible and deep impression of how seriously they "do church". CHBC and 9Marks believe that the main purpose of a church is to image God; and that a healthy church image God well to the world and this not only promotes evangelism but also glorify God. All that they do, as described above, worked to this end.

This experience led me to repent. True, CHBC is not perfect, however, they trust and believe in the bible, and they sought to live it out. I must admit, that while I had read about the New Testament Church in Acts, deep down inside, I thought that it was a high ideal, not actually achievable this side of heaven. The visit to CHBC has taught me otherwise. Yes, while perfection is not likely this side of heaven, but we are called to trust and obey, and to a life of radical commitment - a large part of which is to the local body of Christ which we have been called to.

You can also read Caleb's reflections of the 9Marks Weekender here as well.

(HT: Caleb Yap)


Ollie
Sep 2008

What Are The Non-Negotiables For The Gospel?

What are the Non-negotiables for the Gospel? Ligon Duncan elaborates on the essentials for a proper biblical understanding of the Gospel.


What Are The Non-Negotiables For The Gospel? - Ligon Duncan



Ollie
Sep 2008

What is the Gospel?

Definition of the Gospel from two of my favourite pastors/theologians - Mark Dever and John Piper. For those of us unclear of what the Gospel is, listen and understand - the Gospel is central to our Faith, Practice and Life. Knowing what the Gospel is, we then, quoting Jerry Bridges, have to preach the Gospel to ourselves daily, thereby growing in holiness, having the Character of Christ formed in us. We would than also be fruitful for God's Kingdom; pleasing God and delighting in Jesus.



What is the Gospel? - Mark Dever




What is the Gospel? - John Piper






Ollie
Sep 2008

Southern Seminary!

It was a distinct privilege for me to visit Southern Seminary on 19 Sep (Wed). I met with a number of students, staff and faculty - Toby Jennings from the admission office bought me on an informative tour of the campus; Terry Delaney (from Said at Southern) met with me for Christ, Coffee and Conversations; Kevin McFadden bought me to his church - Clifton Baptist Church for dinner and a prayer meeting. I even had the joy of meeting up with Dr. Pettigrew on campus and Dr Bruce Ware and Dr Tom Schreiner at a prayer meeting at Clifton Baptist Church.

A number of recurring themes emerged from the conversations. First and foremost, there was a strong conviction of God's sovereign hand on Southern Seminary and a sense of expectancy that God would continue His work at and through Southern. This was conveyed with perceptible humility and awe. In addition, the faculty were both academicians and practitioners, with a number either supporting the local church as pastors or Elders or involved in ministries that support the local churches - they would bring an integrated praxis of knowledge and practice to the classroom. Lastly, the students all mentioned the good interaction between the faculty and student; and that the faculty aim to pass the baton of Gospel work into the next generation of Christian leaders. All this convinced me that if I would to attend a seminary, that seminary would be Southern.


Ollie
Sep 2008

Off to Southern Seminary and Capitol Hill Baptist Church

It's finally here.

I've been looking forward to this trip for the past three months. I shall be in the US from 16 to 25 Sep 2008 (Singapore Time). I'll be at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 16 to 18 Sep 2008 (US Time). I hope to visit and experience what life at Southern Seminary is like and to also meet some new friends. I would also submit my application, and God wiling, enroll into Southern Seminary in Jan 2009.

From 18 Sep to 22 Sep 2008 (US Time), I will proceed to Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) (Mark Dever's Church) to attend the 9Marks Weekender. I hope to learn much - especially about growing healthy Gospel-centred churches, and also to enquire about the possibility of interning at CHBC perhaps in Jan 2010. Also, I just heard Caleb will be joining us over the weekend; I'm glad to be able to catch up with my young friend in Christ again.

Friends, keep me in prayer. I'll try to update when I'm over in the US.


Ollie
Sep 2008

"Respectable Sins"

I had the distinct privilege of attending a talk by Jerry Bridges last Friday (12 Sep) at St. John's St. Margaret Church. Jerry Bridges spoke about "Respectable Sin" - the sins we tolerate in our lives. His main text was from Galatians 5:19-21.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV)


I was again convicted when Jerry spoke. He was simple without being simplistic and his message was refreshing and straight out of God's word, going right into the heart. The outline of his talk is as follows:


I. The Denial of Sin in Society

There is an increasing failure in our culture to call sin "sin". We now live in a culture that deny the existence of sin. Politicians when caught in sexual immorality calls it a "mistake"; Sport stars call it a “moment of weakness".


II. The Denial of Sin in the Church

We Christians condemn the flagrant sins of society while ignoring our own "respectable sins”. In Galatians, the list of sins intermix flagrant and respectable sins. Ungodliness, anxiety, discontentment, not being thankful, pride, sins of the tongue etc., ALL are sin regardless of the severity.


III. The Meaning of Sin

The original meaning of sin is "missing the mark". It is not about making a mistake – we sin deliberately. Sin is also lawlessness (c.f. 1 John 3:4) or living outside the law; when we sin, we violate the law of God. Sin is also transgression or rebellion against authority (c.f. Leviticus 16:21). Even anger is sin.


IV. All Sin is Serious Sin

Sin is sinning against a holy sovereign God. In the “Sinfulness of Sin”, Ralph Venning describes sin as vile, ugly, odious, malignant, pestilent, pernicious, hideous, spiteful, poisonous, virulent, villainous, abominable and deadly. Jerry said that sin includes even gossip, pride, judgmental spirit etc. We tend to focus on flagrant sin out there; as a result is that for many morally upright believers, the awareness of personal sin has effectively disappeared from our consciences. Doing right for the wrong reasons or to look good in front of others, is sin.


V. The Root Cause of our Sin

The root cause of our sin is residual depravity -the remaining corruption of our nature called the “the sinful nature (NIV) or flesh”. We live in a tension between flesh and Spirit. However, remember that God is holy; and sin is sinful. We should not sugarcoat sin; sin is sin against a holy sovereign God.


VI. The Remedy for Sin… is the Gospel

The Gospel is:
Forgiveness of our sins – Christ death for us canceled our record of debt and its legal demand and nailed it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)
Credited Righteousness – Through faith in Christ, God credits Christ' righteousness to us (Philippians 3:9); our best deeds counted as rubbish (Philippians 3:8)
Power – Through Jesus, we can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)

Jerry goes on to say that the only sin you can deal with is forgiven sin; and you need to preach the Gospel to yourself everyday in order to pursue holiness and have victory over sin.


There was then a 20 minutes of Question and Answer; two of Jerry's answers stood out as particularly insightful and convicting.


VII. Q&A

1. Do we need to confess our sins?
All sins, be it past, present and future are forgiven through faith in Jesus and what he had done. This is the legal aspect. However, when we sin, this impacts the relationship aspect. God will discipline us when we sin; and He favours a contrite heart and a broken spirit. Therefore, we need to confess our sins to restore our relationship with God - we are to be the chief "repenter".

2. Respectable Sins also includes:
Judging others by our own convictions in areas not spelt out in scriptures (Romans 14:23); and violating our conscience. Our conscience is the voice of the Holy Spirit (Romans 14) that which you cannot do with a clear conscience is sin.

Jerry Bridges definition of the Gospel and the comment on "Preaching the Gospel to ourselves everyday" continues to resonate in my mind, as I seek in dependent discipline to do just that in my pursuit of holiness and following hard after Jesus.



Ollie
Sep 2008

Jerry Bridges to talk about Respectable Sins

“…those of us whom I call conservative evangelicals may have become so preoccupied with some of the major sins of society around us that we have lost sight of the need to deal with our own more ‘refined’ or subtle sins.” - Jerry Bridges


Jerry Bridges will be speaking this coming Friday on the topic of Respectable Sins. I highly commend this talk - go and listen and be challenged!

Details are:

Date:	Friday, September 12, 2008
Time:	7:30pm - 9:30pm
Location:	St John's St Margaret's Church
Street:	30 Dover Avenue, Singapore 139790

Admission is Free.

For more information, you can visit the Navigators Singapore website here.



Ollie
Sep 2008

Reflections on the Gospel

Daphne gave an insightful reflection on the Gospel in her blog post. In it, she reflected on why it is the pivot and foundation of the Christian Faith.

To read her insightful account, you can access Daph's blog here.

(HT: Daphne Tan)

I am encouraged by the vibrant faith of the young rising generation here in Singapore who are willing to think hard, are not afraid to take up the challenge of working through tough theological and philosophical issues, and to glorify God with their minds.


Ollie
Sep 2008

The Spirit of God present through the Word of God

A post by Terry at the Blog "Said at Southern" pointed me to the sermon by Dr David Platt. I read Terry's post and was struck by the sense of awe and conviction. I proceeded to download and listen to the sermon. In it, Dr Platt spent the the first half or more of his sermon just reciting Romans Chapter 1 - 8. I listened, awe-struck, as he spoke with conviction, deep passion and humility. It is true that not being present, I would not be able to capture nor understand the fullness of what happened. However, even then, I was silent and listened intently. It gave me a renewed conviction of the power of the pure word of God declared.

The MP3 can be found here. (Right click "save link as" to download the MP3).

The account by Terry Delaney of the chapel service in which Dr David Platt spoke can be access here.


(HT: Terry Delaney (Blog: Said at Southern))


Ollie
Sep 2008

Jerry Bridges Seminar: The Chase - Pursuing Holiness

I had the privilege of attending a seminar last Saturday (30 Aug 08) where Jerry Bridges spoke on the "Pursuit of Holiness" and the "Discipline of Grace". Author of nearly 30 books, Jerry has been on staff with the Navigators since 1955. This almost 80 year old Bible Teacher is still working in ministries for college students in the US. This is the second time Jerry has been to Singapore and during the seminar, he spoke to close to 550 people at True Way Presbyterian Church.

For the first talk, Jerry spoke on the "Pursuit of Holiness" with the main text being from Ephesians 4:17-5:5. He said the pursuit of holiness is in response to the Gospel, that we do so in grateful obedience; and that pursuit connoted concentration and diligent effort. In pursuing holiness, there is the concept of putting off and putting on - we are to put off sinful traits and to put on Christ-like Character. He went on to elaborate on specific applications in the areas of integrity, sexual purity and inter-personal relationships. The power to pursue holiness, he said, was given by the Holy Spirit, both to will and to work it out. Our part is to respond with dependent responsibility. In this expression, Jerry reconciled the tension between God's Sovereignty and Man's free-will. It is our responsibility to pursue holiness; but this is in dependent response to God's sovereignty and what He has already done for us through Christ.

He proceeded after a tea break to speak on the "Discipline of Grace" with the main text being from Titus 2:11-12. His definition of Grace is quintessentially Gospel-Centred - Grace is God's unmerited favour and blessings through Christ to people who deserved God's curse. This definition alone was well worth attending the seminar. Once we believed into Jesus, it is as if we never sinned; and as if we always obeyed i.e. though Christ life and death, God forgives our sins and counts us as righteous. He proceeded to elaborate that salvation in its fullness comprises justification, sanctification and glorification. And that in Titus 2:11-12, there is a two fold expression of grace in that through Christ, God declares us righteous and He proceeds to train us in holiness. God initiates and sustain the process of sanctification.

There was a time for Question and Answer and one of the questions asked was on how do we teach the next generation - young Christians, the pursuit of holiness? I sat up alert; this too was the thing that preoccupied most of thoughts and directed the work I do. Jerry replied that the first is to teach them the Gospel - this is the foundation. In doing so, they would then obey in gratitude in pursuing holiness; and secondly, that we are to pray, model and teach them - in that order.

A young friend I spoke to remarked after hearing Jerry speak, that he was simple without being simplistic and what he shared, cut straight to the heart, building convictions. That is the power of God's Word declared. I am inspired to dust off my old copy of the "Pursuit of Holiness" and re-read it again.


For more gleanings you can visit Caleb's blog here.

(HT: Caleb Yap)



Ollie
Sep 2008

That which will last

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past;
Only what's done for Christ will last.
- C. T. Studd

Ollie
Aug 2008

Relearning yet again: Lessons on Faith

I've posted this in Jun 2007 one year ago; and I've realized that I'm still learning to live by faith, so I've reproduced this below again.


I realized that there on some things on the way of Christ that you'll relearn again and again. It is the doing again of the simple things that characterize faith and builds into your character. I've quoted Buechner again below on his poetic definition of Faith.

"Faith is homesickness. Faith is a lump in the throat. Faith is less a position on than a movement towards, less a sure thing than a hunch. Faith is waiting. Faith is journeying through space and time.

So if someone (and this frequently happens) were to come up and ask me to talk about my faith, it's exactly that journey through space and time I'd have to talk about. The ups and downs of the years, the dreams, the odd moment, the intuitions. I'd have to talk about the occasional sense I have that life isn't just a series of events causing other events as haphazardly as a break shot in pool causes billard balls to go off in many directions, but that life has a plot the way a novel has a plot - that events are somehow leading somewhere.

- Frederick Buechner, Going on Faith"

Lord grant me the grace and strength for each new day, as I, in the face of my many weaknesses, respond once again to follow hard after you on this journey through time and space. Help me to believe that events are somehow leading somewhere.

Ollie
Jul 2008

Seeing and Savouring Jesus Christ

"Seeing and Savouring Jesus Christ. When we see Jesus for who he really is, we savour him. That is, we delight in him as true and beautiful and satisfying. That is my goal, because two things flow from such an experience of Jesus Christ: He is honoured, and we are freed by joy to walk the narrow way of love. Christ is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. And when we are satisfied in him, we are crucified to the world. In this way, seeing and savouring Jesus will multiply the mirrors of his presence in the world. As the apostle Paul said, "We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18 (RSV). Beholding is becoming. Seeing Christ saves and sanctifies." - John Piper in "Seeing and Savouring Jesus Christ"


John Piper says it so well - beholding is becoming; seeing Christ saves and sanctifies. In our process of growth, it appears from 2 Corinthians 3:18, that the key is to behold Jesus - knowing Jesus for who he really is. And to do this, we need to look and gaze at God's Word - the bible which is God's special revelation. The Old Testament points to the promise of Christ; the Gospels gives the account of Christ; the Epistles and Letters explains Christ; and Revelation shows Christ victorious. All of scripture testifies of Jesus. We can behold Jesus primarily from the bible. So that by beholding we are becoming like Christ; and seeing Christ we are saved and are continuously being sanctified.


Ollie
Jul 2008

Radical Grace

Radical
1: of, relating to, or proceeding from a root;
2: of or relating to the origin : fundamental;
3 a: marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional : extreme
b: tending or disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions
c: of, relating to, or constituting a political group associated with views, practices, and policies of extreme change
d: advocating extreme measures to retain or restore a political state of affairs;
4: slang : excellent, cool

Grace
1 a: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification
b: a virtue coming from God
c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace
2 a: approval, favor graces
b: archaic : mercy, pardon
c: a special favor : privilege grace, shall rule his heritage — Rudyard Kipling
d: disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency
e: a temporary exemption : reprieve
3 a: a charming or attractive trait or characteristic
b: a pleasing appearance or effect : charm grace of youth — John Buchan
c: ease and suppleness of movement or bearing
4: used as a title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop
5: a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks
6: plural capitalized : three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty
7: a musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura
8 a: sense of propriety or right grace not to run for elective office — Calvin Trillin
b: the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful


Ollie
Jun 2008

Roy Robertson's Memorial Service - 22 Jun 2008 @ the Navigators, Singapore

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ..." Philippians 1:27 (ESV)


I was at the Roy Robertson's Memorial Service held at The Navigators, Singapore HQ. Close to 150 people turned up (my estimate). It was a tribute to Roy and a testimony to the man that he was. Those present were evidence of Roy's labour bearing fruit; the product of the first Navigator Missionary to Singapore.

I've only met the man at the previous Goforth Missions Conference where he autographed my book - "The Timothy Principle", so I shall let the various peaks into his life from testimonies and videos speak of the man that Roy was.

#1
When Roy first came to Singapore to set up the Singapore Navigators, he read from Genesis 13:17 - "Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” (ESV), and he undertook to walk and pray around the island of Singapore. He walked 30+ km, and when he saw the cargo ships leaving the port of Singapore to all reaches of the world - he prayed, "Lord, may these ships one day carry Singapore Navigators to all parts of the world!"

- Roy was a man of frevent prayer who believed on the promises of God.


#2
When Roy was with Dawson Trotman in Taiwan for one of the Billy Graham Crusades - there were close to 10 000 soldiers who profess faith in Jesus. The Navigators were tasked to do the follow-up - it was a challenging task. Roy went to Daws to express his concern, and Daws said "Do what you can!" Roy went back to his team, did what he could and came up with a 10 questions follow-up based on the book of John. The team mailed that out to all the soldiers and within the month close to 3000 - 4000 soldiers responded via mail, resulting in the post box overflowing.

- Roy did what he can, even in challenging circumstances - he preservered in the tasks he was called to.


#3
Roy during of of his evangelistic rallys in Malaysia was approached by one of the man he mentored who was on the team. This young man confided that there were problems in the operation of the events, to which Roy promptly but lovingly responded, "Problems? All of us have problems. Problems are opportunities for us to work it out and grow!"

- Roy had faith in God; and faced problems as opportunities for growth.


The Navigators, Singapore has a rich spiritual heritage passed on from this man of God. May his memories inspire others to live fully and faithfully for the Glory of God and for Christ sake.


Ollie
Jun 2008

Remembering my Angel without Wings

My pet cat Missy just passed away.


I remember an author once wrote that cats are angels without wings. Missy was certainly one. She was my constant companion, a warm purring ball of fur by my feet for 16 years. I will miss her.

She was a reassuring friend who showed affection during some of my darkest time. She was there when my father passed away; she was there during the period of my relationship turmoil and upset; she was even around when I was suffering from severe sleep apnea and probably had borderline depression. She was even present to wake my mother up when my mother fell, broke her arm and fainted. Missy was faithful to us and a gift from God; in a small way, arranged by God to be a companion to my family through some of our toughest times.

Now, as I move forward and keep my eyes looking upward, responding to God's irresistible call on my life; I know I'll be alright. I've now a strong sense of calling that grips me; and as of recently, I've tasted true community and belonging which I have searched for in vain for a long time. So I'll be fine. Missy, go, go in peace. We'll be alright. And I'll see you again, when God re-creates a new heaven and a new earth. I'll have my mug of coffee, with my favourite book, seated comfortably under a tree by the river of life, gazing at the distant hills. And you will sit by my feet, a warm purring ball of grey fur - my faithful little companion.


Ollie
Jun 2008

The Sacrament of Living

"One of the greatest hindrances to internal peace which the Christian encounters is the common habit of dividing our lives into two areas - the sacred and the secular. As these areas are conceived to exist apart from each other and to be morally and spiritually incompatible, and as we are compelled by the necessities of living to be always crossing back and forth from one to the other, our inner lives tend to break up so that we live a divided instead of a unified life.

Our trouble springs from the fact that we who follow Christ inhabit at once two worlds - the spiritual and the natural. As children of Adam we live our lives on earth subject to the limitations of the flesh and the weaknesses and ills to which human nature is heir. Merely to live among men requires of us years of hard toil and much care and attention to the things of this world. In sharp contrast to this is our life in the Spirit. There we enjoy another and higher kind of life - we are children of God; we possess heavenly status and enjoy intimate fellowship with Christ." - A W Tozer in the Pursuit of God

Shalom in the Hebrew language means more then just peace as it is often translated in the English Bible - it also means completeness, wholeness and soundness. So when we often wished someone in church the peace of God or shalom, it means more then just an absence of conflict or peace in the heart; it carries with it the idea of a life that is complete, whole and integrated in God.

One of the hindrances of living a complete, whole and sound life is as Tozer rightly writes it; it is that we tend to separate our life and activities into the secular and sacred. This frame of thinking tend cause us to live divided rather than a unified, integrated lives. Bible reading, prayer, worship or church service is considered "sacred", while work, household chores, or other mundane necessities of living is deemed "secular".

The key to living a integrated and whole life is that all things are sacred, if we but, as Tozer says it, sanctify God in our hearts. Thereafter there is no common act - everything is sacred and every common bush a burning bush. All of life will be sacramental, and every activity an act of worship, as we savour the supremacy of Christ.

"The 'layman' need never think of his humbler task as being inferior to that of his minister. Let every man abide in the calling wherein he is called and his work will be as sacred as the work of the ministry. It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. The motive is everything. Let a man sanctify the Lord God in his heart and he can thereafter do no common act. All he does is good and acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. for such a man, living itself will be sacramental and the whole world a sanctuary. His entire life will be a priestly ministration. as he performs his never-so-simple task, he will hear the voice of the seraphim saying, 'Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.'" - A W Tozer in the Pursuit of God

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)


Ollie
Jun 2008

Unseen Reality

"At the root of the Christian life lies belief in the invisible. The object of the Christian's faith is unseen reality" - AW Tozer in The Pursuit of God

"And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)


Christians in Singapore are sometimes deemed as foolish and un-realistic, as we try to live out our lives in faith, hope and love in the increasingly materialistic and competitive society we find ourselves in. I think I've been deemed foolish at times, sometimes even by those within the institutionalized church.

Coupled with the tension of living the Christ-life, juggling family, work, church and life, it is tough to keep my eyes fixed on the unseen. However, Tozer said "The object of the Christian's faith is unseen reality"; though it may be unseen, it is REAL. And it is this reality and the occasion glimpse of the eternal things made common and visible that spurs me onwards.


"O God, quicken to life every power within me, that I may lay hold on eternal things. Open my eyes that I may see; give me acute spiritual perception; enable me to taste Thee and know that Thou art good. Make heaven more real to me than any earthly thing has ever been. Amen." - AW Tozer in the Pursuit of God


Ollie
May 2008

Discovering the highest possible fulfillment

"To seek God does not narrow one's life, but brings it, rather to the level of highest possible fulfillment." - describing A. W. Tozer's discovery in the Introduction to "The Pursuit of God" (Tozer Legacy Edition).

Participants in Ongoing Creation

"From Genesis to Revelation creation themes abound. God is always renewing things; He is always making things new. Our understanding of who we are as people inhabiting this planet is not simply that we are people who have been created. We should understand ourselves as participating in an ongoing creation which culminates in an ultimate new creation, something that has started but has not yet been fully consummated." - Dr Douglas Stuart - Old Testament Survey (Foundations) @ www.biblicaltraining.org


God is not done with creation yet; He did not just created (as recorded in Genesis) and left the world to run on its own, obeying Natural Laws. God created and is creating; God is always renewing things and making things new.

We exist between two bookends - Genesis and Revelation; and we as Christians and the Church have the privilege of participating in God's ongoing creation. To restore and mend that which is broken, to restore and make new what is not right, to be a part of this creative process. From issues of salvation and redemption, to mending the broken and brokenness present, to social justice and serving the poor, to creative arts and music that declare the creative beauty of God, we should be participants.

It is my prayer that the Church Universal and especially the church local rise up to this privilege and calling.

Ollie
May 2008

Praying the Prayer Again

I realized that I've been echoing the same prayer I prayed in June last year. I guess God is not done with me praying this again as the Spirit works this in me.

God, grant me a broken and humble spirit so that your Spirit can work in and through me.

God, grant me a heart that overflows with love so that it vanquishes my fears and insecurities.

God, grant me an attitude of working in unity so that your local body can fulfill its calling in this city.

God, grant me the courage to walk worthy in response to your calling.

Above all, God, grant me grace and strength daily, allowing me to live in this tension – between what is and what it should be.

Ollie

Apr 2008

Life in the Arena

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."

- Theodore Roosevelt

Small things with Great Love...

We can do no great things, only small things with great love.

- Mother Teresa

Small things with great love. I remember Paul writing in his letter to the Corinthian Church, "So now faith, hope , and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13. The challenge for us then remains: Are we able to continue to do small things with great love, or are we enamored by the pursuit of big programmes and goals (which may actually be our ambition to fulfill our own egos and find our significance in our works)?

Ollie
Apr 2008

Do it Anyway!

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.

- This version is credited to Mother Teresa, found written on the wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta. Original version “The Paradoxical Commandments” by Dr Kent M Keith.

A timely reminder, a creed to live by. :)


Ollie

Apr 2008