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