Wednesday, August 27, 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

Saturday, July 19, 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

Thursday, July 3, 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

Monday, June 30, 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

Sunday, June 29, 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




Thursday, June 19, 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

Tuesday, June 17, 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

Wednesday, May 21, 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

Friday, May 2, 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).


Thursday, May 1, 2008

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

Sunday, April 27, 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



Friday, April 25, 2008

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

Thursday, April 24, 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

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Rest

Fatigue setting in... time to rest.

Rest is the antidote to pride; You realise that the world does not really need you and your efforts - things still get done; events move forward; and people live their life as best they can. Rest is learning to let go and trust God to accomplish what you cannot. Mostly rest is reclining at the feet of Jesus like Mary, choosing the one thing that is important.

Time to rest.


Ollie
Apr 2008