Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Under construction...
Man, this week sucks. Well my laptop has been sent for repairs and shucks, it so darn hard not having it with me. Darn computers. Without them you just simply cant get your work done. Darn modernity. Hahahahaha. Well just till friday that is and i will be reunited with my trusty laptop. Come back to me...so i can have peace and do my work freely!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Fruit
Called for what???
Called to bear fruit that will last.
INTRODUCTION
Your parents call you in to eat…
Your resume that you sent in for that new job is greeted with a call…
You take a number in the bank, in the hospital, when you go pay your bills, and after a while, a robotic stereotype voice calls your number…
The girl or guy of your dreams, suddenly out of the blue calls you…
All these things that I mentioned above, has a no brainer answer…The call, each call requires a response. There are two responses that are needed; it’s either a positive response or a negative one.
What we read in the Theme for the whole SIB this year, the short text reads “we are called to bear fruit that lasts”. The first part of the text says that “we are called”. Jesus calls us.
What is Jesus’ call to each one of us?
Invitation to those he Chooses
He tells his disciples “come follow me” (Matt 4:19). This is an extension of invitation. He does not pull ears, bring down fire, exert force, shout out loud in your ears when he does this. He simply calls; he simply says, “come”. There are no signs of rudeness or harsh words. An invitations sounds safe and gives you time to think whether you want to follow or not. His invitation is to experience him.
One important mention, when we treat Jesus’ call in terms of invitation it talks about him being the one who chooses.
In John 15:16 “…You did not choose me, but I chose you…”.
This goes against the way disciples or rather students chose their teacher; rabbi (in their time). Just like when we watch a kungfu movie, it is the student who chooses his teacher, not the other way round.
Another thing about his call is that it is specific. He calls to “follow him”. In other words to do things the way Jesus did-Jesus way.
Jesus’ Invitation, is simply put; an invitation (especially directed to you) for change of our present way to his way:
“Are you (your name) willing to change your course of life to follow mine?”
What kind of Change
Since we know that the call that Jesus puts forth to us is an invitation for change, we want to look at the nature of the change, or what kind of change is Jesus actually talking about.
We have already discovered the first part what the text says. The second half tells us what kind of change God requires when we respond to the call to follow him. To simply put it God requires that we…
1. Bear Fruit – what is the produce of your change
It’s funny, if you think in a funny way that is. God calling us who are humans to bear fruit like trees. That is simply not how we are. But God is talking metaphorically.
Why fruit? An easy way to explain- When we look at the fruit we can know what kind of Tree. Sure we can know what kind of tree by the leaf, the trunk and the look. But are these things useful, significant, edible? For anyone the fruit explains what type of tree, whether it is good or bad.
Now can we say a tree is sour or bad just by looking at it? You must be some sort of prophet to do that. But for anyone with any type of IQ, we just eat the fruit, and true enough we can make judgment whether the tree is good or not.
The kind of change that God requires from us is that we must bear fruit. Our lives must show a change.
Lk 3:8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.’
If we say that we believe in Jesus and have responded to his call there must be change. Like Zacheus, Paul, Peter. These people are examples of people who show that they have responded to the call by showing change. We can see the fruit.
2. Fruit that will last
Sure calls us to bear fruit/ to show change, but like trees also, they don’t just bear fruit once and that is it. If they stop bearing fruit that shows that the tree is dead or of no use already. So down with the tree. Who likes trees that have stopped bearing fruits?
Jesus also requires us to continually bear fruit. Not just once but bear fruit that will last. What does this mean, fruit that will last?
It means that we continually grow in our change state to become more like Jesus. Like when we follow Jesus, we respond to his call, our lives must show change. But in a way that is gradual.
A baby doesn’t just know how to talk because it has a mouth. The baby has to learn to talk. And in that learning the continues to grow and expand the way people should talk, until we mature.
It is so with us too. We must bear fruit (show change) but don’t just stop there, we must bear fruit that will last (continue to change into the image of Jesus).
In the end the fruit will define the call.
Called to bear fruit that will last.
INTRODUCTION
Your parents call you in to eat…
Your resume that you sent in for that new job is greeted with a call…
You take a number in the bank, in the hospital, when you go pay your bills, and after a while, a robotic stereotype voice calls your number…
The girl or guy of your dreams, suddenly out of the blue calls you…
All these things that I mentioned above, has a no brainer answer…The call, each call requires a response. There are two responses that are needed; it’s either a positive response or a negative one.
What we read in the Theme for the whole SIB this year, the short text reads “we are called to bear fruit that lasts”. The first part of the text says that “we are called”. Jesus calls us.
What is Jesus’ call to each one of us?
Invitation to those he Chooses
He tells his disciples “come follow me” (Matt 4:19). This is an extension of invitation. He does not pull ears, bring down fire, exert force, shout out loud in your ears when he does this. He simply calls; he simply says, “come”. There are no signs of rudeness or harsh words. An invitations sounds safe and gives you time to think whether you want to follow or not. His invitation is to experience him.
One important mention, when we treat Jesus’ call in terms of invitation it talks about him being the one who chooses.
In John 15:16 “…You did not choose me, but I chose you…”.
This goes against the way disciples or rather students chose their teacher; rabbi (in their time). Just like when we watch a kungfu movie, it is the student who chooses his teacher, not the other way round.
Another thing about his call is that it is specific. He calls to “follow him”. In other words to do things the way Jesus did-Jesus way.
Jesus’ Invitation, is simply put; an invitation (especially directed to you) for change of our present way to his way:
“Are you (your name) willing to change your course of life to follow mine?”
What kind of Change
Since we know that the call that Jesus puts forth to us is an invitation for change, we want to look at the nature of the change, or what kind of change is Jesus actually talking about.
We have already discovered the first part what the text says. The second half tells us what kind of change God requires when we respond to the call to follow him. To simply put it God requires that we…
1. Bear Fruit – what is the produce of your change
It’s funny, if you think in a funny way that is. God calling us who are humans to bear fruit like trees. That is simply not how we are. But God is talking metaphorically.
Why fruit? An easy way to explain- When we look at the fruit we can know what kind of Tree. Sure we can know what kind of tree by the leaf, the trunk and the look. But are these things useful, significant, edible? For anyone the fruit explains what type of tree, whether it is good or bad.
Now can we say a tree is sour or bad just by looking at it? You must be some sort of prophet to do that. But for anyone with any type of IQ, we just eat the fruit, and true enough we can make judgment whether the tree is good or not.
The kind of change that God requires from us is that we must bear fruit. Our lives must show a change.
Lk 3:8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.’
If we say that we believe in Jesus and have responded to his call there must be change. Like Zacheus, Paul, Peter. These people are examples of people who show that they have responded to the call by showing change. We can see the fruit.
2. Fruit that will last
Sure calls us to bear fruit/ to show change, but like trees also, they don’t just bear fruit once and that is it. If they stop bearing fruit that shows that the tree is dead or of no use already. So down with the tree. Who likes trees that have stopped bearing fruits?
Jesus also requires us to continually bear fruit. Not just once but bear fruit that will last. What does this mean, fruit that will last?
It means that we continually grow in our change state to become more like Jesus. Like when we follow Jesus, we respond to his call, our lives must show change. But in a way that is gradual.
A baby doesn’t just know how to talk because it has a mouth. The baby has to learn to talk. And in that learning the continues to grow and expand the way people should talk, until we mature.
It is so with us too. We must bear fruit (show change) but don’t just stop there, we must bear fruit that will last (continue to change into the image of Jesus).
In the end the fruit will define the call.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
I have been thinking...
I've been thinking lately about authenticity...about how we as followers of Jesus are really authentic in our confessional practices. What i mean here is, in praying, in reading the bible, in church, well thats the whole context that i am talking about.
Like, sometimes when we are in a prayer meeting, and it gets really really boring. We hear people speaking of things that dont really connect, like they are going round and round. And nothing is really going on great. Does this sound normal? Ok, now we are asked to pray about something, a certain issue or a need. People looking rather dour and pale and lifeless when the explanation of the prayer matter is shared. There is no convincing stare of interest. Then when we ask to pray, people just spark with very faithful words, belief that God would answer prayer. I mean in the whole setting of boringness thare is a belief in God that he will answer prayer. That sound rather dull.
To me, personally, sometimes when i am in these situations i find it more truthful to what i feel and truthful to God that i just ask him questions. Because i just dont feel like i should fake it. We do that all the time when we are asked to pray aloud! I mean it would look a funny and pethetic sight if we were in God's position and see that. Sometimes i think its something that we just down play. Like we always have to do it like that, we always have to pray like that. CAnt we actually pray with truth? I mean when we are doubting we tell God, when we feel weak we tell him, when we are confused we let him know. WE dont do that often. Why?
We say that God knows how we are inside but its more of a show now. So that peole get fooled at how believing we are although we dont mean what we pray. HOw shoud we combat this untruth? Can there be an enviroment where we can create to encourage authenticity? I want to see that happen...
Like, sometimes when we are in a prayer meeting, and it gets really really boring. We hear people speaking of things that dont really connect, like they are going round and round. And nothing is really going on great. Does this sound normal? Ok, now we are asked to pray about something, a certain issue or a need. People looking rather dour and pale and lifeless when the explanation of the prayer matter is shared. There is no convincing stare of interest. Then when we ask to pray, people just spark with very faithful words, belief that God would answer prayer. I mean in the whole setting of boringness thare is a belief in God that he will answer prayer. That sound rather dull.
To me, personally, sometimes when i am in these situations i find it more truthful to what i feel and truthful to God that i just ask him questions. Because i just dont feel like i should fake it. We do that all the time when we are asked to pray aloud! I mean it would look a funny and pethetic sight if we were in God's position and see that. Sometimes i think its something that we just down play. Like we always have to do it like that, we always have to pray like that. CAnt we actually pray with truth? I mean when we are doubting we tell God, when we feel weak we tell him, when we are confused we let him know. WE dont do that often. Why?
We say that God knows how we are inside but its more of a show now. So that peole get fooled at how believing we are although we dont mean what we pray. HOw shoud we combat this untruth? Can there be an enviroment where we can create to encourage authenticity? I want to see that happen...
Saturday, February 9, 2008
SALT...LIGHT
Mt 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. v A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
14 “You are the light of the world. v A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Just today, i got this light bulb moment, reflecting on these two things. We who are followers of Jesus, are told that we are to be salt of the earth and the light of the world. These entail with them responsibility, engagement and being at some sorts change agents.
But in order for us to function effectively as salt and light requires that we be in places that are deprived or have none of these substances. We only loose the effectiveness of salt and light when they are not in places where salt and light are needed. Neither can we fuction as salt and light in a box, deprived of engagement with the world.
We can only be effective and functional salt and light when we are let loosed in a world where there are none of these substances. If we only mix around with our kind alone how can we be salt. Salt just staying in a jar is useless until one mixes the salt with meat, vegetables or food stuff. The same goes for light, we dont use torch lights in the day light, only when darkness falls, we take out our lights or put on our lights at home.
The only way that salt and light work as they are ment to work are when they are engaged in a situation where they are needed. Where the place has no salt and no light.
Lets reflect on this...so that we bocome what we are called to be. We are only effective witnesses when we are around those who don't know the person we are witnessing of. What use is a witness in a group of people who already know???
Preparation
Right now or a couple of hours ago, i was doing my sermon(s) preperation to Bintulu. And both of them would cover different topics. I haven't got the hang of it yet but i do home some day i would be able to have my own method of 'how to prepare sermons'. I just get a kick out of it!!!
Well anyway, for the first sermon im preparing it will be directed to the youths (speaking for the district youth meeting, which is not something that i would have expected but the challenge is embraced!). I gonna be talking on God calling us to bear fruit that will last. I got the rough idea but still working on it. Going through i learnet something; that God chooses us. In God's call, he is the one who makes the choice. According to the study note in my bible, disciples, or before they are called disciples, they are the ones that dicide on who will teach them. They make the choice. Just like when we learn in mentoring, mentors do not seek their prote'ge', it is the prote'ge' who seeks their teacher. Like Luke Skywalker seeking a Jedi master, Yoda. Well for Jesus, he prays and calls people specifically. It is his choice. That is surely profound. Imagine someone brilliant that you have always adimred coming up to you and say that they want to train you! That would be mind blowing.
The other sermon that i'd be preaching would be on getting our christian life out of the box. In other words spirituality out of the box. Looking at it three measures; 1.that we often define spirituality to fine tune what we think it is/ to make it fit us and a no pain approach, 2.we compound spirituality, and 3.we compartmentalize spirituality. When we work out spirituality/ christian life in this manner we box it up, because we don't want to make it look messy. We want to control rather them let the Spirit control how we should live the Christian life.
Well anyway, for the first sermon im preparing it will be directed to the youths (speaking for the district youth meeting, which is not something that i would have expected but the challenge is embraced!). I gonna be talking on God calling us to bear fruit that will last. I got the rough idea but still working on it. Going through i learnet something; that God chooses us. In God's call, he is the one who makes the choice. According to the study note in my bible, disciples, or before they are called disciples, they are the ones that dicide on who will teach them. They make the choice. Just like when we learn in mentoring, mentors do not seek their prote'ge', it is the prote'ge' who seeks their teacher. Like Luke Skywalker seeking a Jedi master, Yoda. Well for Jesus, he prays and calls people specifically. It is his choice. That is surely profound. Imagine someone brilliant that you have always adimred coming up to you and say that they want to train you! That would be mind blowing.
The other sermon that i'd be preaching would be on getting our christian life out of the box. In other words spirituality out of the box. Looking at it three measures; 1.that we often define spirituality to fine tune what we think it is/ to make it fit us and a no pain approach, 2.we compound spirituality, and 3.we compartmentalize spirituality. When we work out spirituality/ christian life in this manner we box it up, because we don't want to make it look messy. We want to control rather them let the Spirit control how we should live the Christian life.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Busy...
I would have to say that last week was a 'crazy' week. I felt my time sucked dry and being sapped out of my energy. Man was it busy crazy kinda week. It's like, go to work in the morning and then go back, rest a while and then off to a meeting. It's crazy man. Responsibilities...they never get done and get finished.
I wonder, is that why pastors get burn out?
Well it is one h### of a ride. Haha. Well last night was somewhat disappointing. Well we hade some sort of continued leaders meeting and boy was it embarassing. The whole group of adults were laughing at the term young adults. I just dont get it. They were saying that the term does not exist and if i were to interpret, the term was irelevant and somewhat dumb. I just cant understand that there is such a perseption. It is crazy. How can you possibly mould teens, collage students, and younger adults who are working together in a teaching setting. I feel, if you want to cater specifically to a group you will always have to consider their seperations regardless of what. I dont mean that they cant mix together, i just mean that if we really want to reacha group, we have to know where they are. Is that so difficult????
Mabey for them it is. No wonder the christian doctrine can never be deeply ingrained in the people, because we just want the net to be as wide as possible. We like large nets. We can catch all sorts of things with a big net. But would a one type net be able to catch smaller fish? Are they used to catch crabs? Come on and wake up!!! We need all types of nets or traps.
Man just feel like ranting my frustrations!!!
I wonder, is that why pastors get burn out?
Well it is one h### of a ride. Haha. Well last night was somewhat disappointing. Well we hade some sort of continued leaders meeting and boy was it embarassing. The whole group of adults were laughing at the term young adults. I just dont get it. They were saying that the term does not exist and if i were to interpret, the term was irelevant and somewhat dumb. I just cant understand that there is such a perseption. It is crazy. How can you possibly mould teens, collage students, and younger adults who are working together in a teaching setting. I feel, if you want to cater specifically to a group you will always have to consider their seperations regardless of what. I dont mean that they cant mix together, i just mean that if we really want to reacha group, we have to know where they are. Is that so difficult????
Mabey for them it is. No wonder the christian doctrine can never be deeply ingrained in the people, because we just want the net to be as wide as possible. We like large nets. We can catch all sorts of things with a big net. But would a one type net be able to catch smaller fish? Are they used to catch crabs? Come on and wake up!!! We need all types of nets or traps.
Man just feel like ranting my frustrations!!!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Friday
I will be entitling the posts with the heading "Friday" on our Young Adults Cell. So next time you see this post you'll know the idea i have in mind. Just something i want to do in organizing the labels of the posts i'm doing. tsk tsk.
Well, I did the introduction of our study on Jesus Creed: Love God, Love Neighbour. As you can see the book "Jesus Creed" has a big influence on me. It's something that i have been thinking about for the past year. I've been revisioning the things that i have been believing and restructuring the road of my spiritual formation. So in a way this year is sort of like an experimental and practical passageway of what i believe. So i guess you can say for this year a resounding theme would be constantly Experimentation.
Back to the study...
We were discussing on how a christian looks like, something about image. I believe that we project certain images as christians and we were asking the question what image should a christian project. Following that we asked the question what forms us or what helps us conform to this image. Stuff that influence us enough to form us to an image.
I believe that each image we project is the product of the things or stuff we do to influence us.
So, we moved to a passage in Mark 12:28-33.
This is what Scot Mcknight calls Jesus Creed. In a nut shell; love God, love neighbour. For Jesus this is the thing that we should use to form us to the Christian image. The emphasis is love and that is loving God and Loving neighbour. Love is the epitome of what marks us as Christians: John 13:34-35.
Now we must not stop there. When we say the creed's vision is love, and that loving God means loving other people as well, we have to understand that left to our own vision or interpretation we might practice it in a different way. So for this to work, Following Jesus is the way of the creed. If we are to understand the creed properly we have to take it by Jesus' way.
To end it, we challenged each other to recite the creed daily and whenever we think about it as we go along through the day or weeks or whenever we remember it. And to top it off we all agreed that having a creed for reciting is a good thing! And that is from a church tradition (SIB) that does not have creeds.
To me this is a sign of Emerging Church or Emergent thinking. I am for that.
Below is a sample of the study that i did. Needs some revisions though.
1. How should a Christian look (image) like?
2. According to your answer, what are the things that help form us into this ‘look (image)’?
Shema: Jewish Creed found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. This is the first creed that Jewish children are taught to recite every day.
Jesus’ vision for what forms us (Spiritual formation)
[Mark 12:28-33; Luke 9:57-62]
“Hear O Israel, The LORD our God, the LORD is One.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart,
With all your soul, with all your mind,
And with all your strength”
The second is this, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
There is no commandment greater than these.
Here Jesus amended the shema (the first part of the commandment above) but revised it by adding “love your neighbor…” (Leviticus 19:18). So for Jesus loving God means or is equivalent to love others as well. (Check out these verses Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:5-6; James 2:8-13; 1 John 4:19-21)
Do you think that we separate loving God and loving others (in a way that loving God is defined as another thing and loving others means another thing)? Why?
What are your thoughts on having a creed for recitation to help you in spiritual formation?
The creed’s main content and emphasis is LOVE. Though recitation is a main characteristic of a creed/ any creed, the intent of reciting a creed is not merely meant for vain repetition without life. The recitation should inform, remind and form us to the creed’s vision: To Love God, Love Neighbor.
Well, I did the introduction of our study on Jesus Creed: Love God, Love Neighbour. As you can see the book "Jesus Creed" has a big influence on me. It's something that i have been thinking about for the past year. I've been revisioning the things that i have been believing and restructuring the road of my spiritual formation. So in a way this year is sort of like an experimental and practical passageway of what i believe. So i guess you can say for this year a resounding theme would be constantly Experimentation.
Back to the study...
We were discussing on how a christian looks like, something about image. I believe that we project certain images as christians and we were asking the question what image should a christian project. Following that we asked the question what forms us or what helps us conform to this image. Stuff that influence us enough to form us to an image.
I believe that each image we project is the product of the things or stuff we do to influence us.
So, we moved to a passage in Mark 12:28-33.
This is what Scot Mcknight calls Jesus Creed. In a nut shell; love God, love neighbour. For Jesus this is the thing that we should use to form us to the Christian image. The emphasis is love and that is loving God and Loving neighbour. Love is the epitome of what marks us as Christians: John 13:34-35.
Now we must not stop there. When we say the creed's vision is love, and that loving God means loving other people as well, we have to understand that left to our own vision or interpretation we might practice it in a different way. So for this to work, Following Jesus is the way of the creed. If we are to understand the creed properly we have to take it by Jesus' way.
To end it, we challenged each other to recite the creed daily and whenever we think about it as we go along through the day or weeks or whenever we remember it. And to top it off we all agreed that having a creed for reciting is a good thing! And that is from a church tradition (SIB) that does not have creeds.
To me this is a sign of Emerging Church or Emergent thinking. I am for that.
Below is a sample of the study that i did. Needs some revisions though.
Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others
1. How should a Christian look (image) like?
2. According to your answer, what are the things that help form us into this ‘look (image)’?
Shema: Jewish Creed found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. This is the first creed that Jewish children are taught to recite every day.
Jesus’ vision for what forms us (Spiritual formation)
[Mark 12:28-33; Luke 9:57-62]
“Hear O Israel, The LORD our God, the LORD is One.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart,
With all your soul, with all your mind,
And with all your strength”
The second is this, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
There is no commandment greater than these.
Here Jesus amended the shema (the first part of the commandment above) but revised it by adding “love your neighbor…” (Leviticus 19:18). So for Jesus loving God means or is equivalent to love others as well. (Check out these verses Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:5-6; James 2:8-13; 1 John 4:19-21)
Do you think that we separate loving God and loving others (in a way that loving God is defined as another thing and loving others means another thing)? Why?
What are your thoughts on having a creed for recitation to help you in spiritual formation?
The creed’s main content and emphasis is LOVE. Though recitation is a main characteristic of a creed/ any creed, the intent of reciting a creed is not merely meant for vain repetition without life. The recitation should inform, remind and form us to the creed’s vision: To Love God, Love Neighbor.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
We're Adults!!!
It's a strange thing. Well maybe in the context where I am living in (Malaysia...pin point that to Miri). Let me tell you, people still view someone like me, 28 years old (to make it clearer, twenty eight years old, TWENTY EIGHT YEARS OLD) a youth. Or worse people still think people like me children. Man!!! I'm 28 for goodness sake. To make it more clearer, i'm almost thirty!!!
Why are most people in my generation shoved up in this category? Why are we labeled youths?
I keep thinking in some cases it's because the adults and some parents don't want to let us grow and take up responsibilities. Well that is one of the reasons. Another could be, people think that we are incapable of handling responsibilities.
Both are true in a sense. So if adults think we are not capable, mentor us, help us, show us how it is done, supervise in minimal dictator spirit. I'm gasping for air.
Do you know, people in my generation, or those close to mine are the most lost crowd in Church? Well this is just a general observation. It's not true of all young adults but in general for me that's how i see it. I mean when i turned 20 things started to change. Alienation crept in. I was neither a youth or adult (or accepted in the adult group). But i made it through going into that transition but i think there are many casualties lost in transition.
I mean we are loosing our next church leaders and people. If we don't do anything we are not going to see these people anymore or those in the younger generation because if we don't do something about it we are going to loose out on a whole generation.
I just urge, all those young adults to rise above the transition and be an adult. Lets show the older adults that we also can contribute to society and to church as well. Make drastic measures. Lets do something about it.
My urge, Let us go...
Why are most people in my generation shoved up in this category? Why are we labeled youths?
I keep thinking in some cases it's because the adults and some parents don't want to let us grow and take up responsibilities. Well that is one of the reasons. Another could be, people think that we are incapable of handling responsibilities.
Both are true in a sense. So if adults think we are not capable, mentor us, help us, show us how it is done, supervise in minimal dictator spirit. I'm gasping for air.
Do you know, people in my generation, or those close to mine are the most lost crowd in Church? Well this is just a general observation. It's not true of all young adults but in general for me that's how i see it. I mean when i turned 20 things started to change. Alienation crept in. I was neither a youth or adult (or accepted in the adult group). But i made it through going into that transition but i think there are many casualties lost in transition.
I mean we are loosing our next church leaders and people. If we don't do anything we are not going to see these people anymore or those in the younger generation because if we don't do something about it we are going to loose out on a whole generation.
I just urge, all those young adults to rise above the transition and be an adult. Lets show the older adults that we also can contribute to society and to church as well. Make drastic measures. Lets do something about it.
My urge, Let us go...
Thursday, January 10, 2008
I am Legend
I must say that this is one cool movie. Sure it has these cool effects and all that but the most important thing for me watching a movie is the message behind the story. I was turned off reading a comment/ rather a review about the movie (It went something like, "...if you don't mind watching a movie with just one character...Will Smith...", not in the exact words). But anyway Rachel told me it was cool so i took her word for it and watched it. And i must say, some reviewers are such lame fellows (probably because the sit and watch a lot of movies and the get tired at some point and wrap up some cheesy review...well sort of).
But anyway back to the movie. Its has a kind of apocalyptic theme embedded in the story. Something like the end of the world is coming. The story revolves around New York being the main location hence, the scientist (i think) Will Smith's character who has not given up hope in finding a cure. A cure for a virus that has infected the whole city and the whole world. People turned into Zombie like creatures that roam only in the dark, something to do with their condition (they cant stand the UV rays; the sunlight).
Well anyway there was this scene, where Smith's character talked or rather explained about Bob Marley. Something about his vision or message of peace through music. Anyway Marley, in one of his concert, he was attacked (did he get shot??? I'm not sure, i didn't pay attention),anyway after that incident the next day he did another concert!!! Some reporter (or something like that) asked him why he was still doing a concert, not fearing of another attack. He answered, that there are a lot of people out there doing evil and they don't seem like stopping, taking a break, not taking a rest (just to get the meaning clear), so we who want to spread good, peace should do like wise!
That's a wow factor to me. I mean, since Evil is not taking a break in spreading its effects, Good on the other hand cannot give up. Good cannot afford to take a rest, and work to nullify evil. I like that. It gives us motivation, that even when evil is marking its territory and stamping its credentials that it is here to stay, Good must do the same as well. Because ultimately Good will triumph. Like the movie's message, a cure was found. And it was found because someone believed and kept on working and working the extra mile.
But anyway back to the movie. Its has a kind of apocalyptic theme embedded in the story. Something like the end of the world is coming. The story revolves around New York being the main location hence, the scientist (i think) Will Smith's character who has not given up hope in finding a cure. A cure for a virus that has infected the whole city and the whole world. People turned into Zombie like creatures that roam only in the dark, something to do with their condition (they cant stand the UV rays; the sunlight).
Well anyway there was this scene, where Smith's character talked or rather explained about Bob Marley. Something about his vision or message of peace through music. Anyway Marley, in one of his concert, he was attacked (did he get shot??? I'm not sure, i didn't pay attention),anyway after that incident the next day he did another concert!!! Some reporter (or something like that) asked him why he was still doing a concert, not fearing of another attack. He answered, that there are a lot of people out there doing evil and they don't seem like stopping, taking a break, not taking a rest (just to get the meaning clear), so we who want to spread good, peace should do like wise!
That's a wow factor to me. I mean, since Evil is not taking a break in spreading its effects, Good on the other hand cannot give up. Good cannot afford to take a rest, and work to nullify evil. I like that. It gives us motivation, that even when evil is marking its territory and stamping its credentials that it is here to stay, Good must do the same as well. Because ultimately Good will triumph. Like the movie's message, a cure was found. And it was found because someone believed and kept on working and working the extra mile.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
still awake...
It's getting late but I'm still awake. It has become a habit for me to sleep late. I guess habits are hard to undo...well some are i guess. I'm getting some thoughts of dissatisfaction at the moment. It feels like life is meaningless. Well that's how i just feel sometimes, and as you know (that's if you don't know) life is not a bed of roses.
There are a lot of ups and downs in life. But the trick is (if there is any for that matter) to maintain a rhythm. We have to deal with the fact that a person cannot be all ups everyday, and neither can a person be down 24/7. There are extremes from time to time but mainly, we tend to move constantly up and down. It's a fact.
I'm not into believing that a christian is the most happiest person alive. To me that is a myth. We all, people who live under the sun, go through the same ups and downs, joy and sadness, triumph and defeat. Lets not be too 'spiritual' and say that Christians feel good all the time.
To me, as soon as we accept reality, the ups and downs and all that, the sooner it is for us to build on a rhythm. A rhythm that is stable and does not move too much in extremes.
There are a lot of ups and downs in life. But the trick is (if there is any for that matter) to maintain a rhythm. We have to deal with the fact that a person cannot be all ups everyday, and neither can a person be down 24/7. There are extremes from time to time but mainly, we tend to move constantly up and down. It's a fact.
I'm not into believing that a christian is the most happiest person alive. To me that is a myth. We all, people who live under the sun, go through the same ups and downs, joy and sadness, triumph and defeat. Lets not be too 'spiritual' and say that Christians feel good all the time.
To me, as soon as we accept reality, the ups and downs and all that, the sooner it is for us to build on a rhythm. A rhythm that is stable and does not move too much in extremes.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Beliefs and the part of Incarnating them
How do we relate these images to...
...to These???
The birth
What he did
His death
His resurrection and ascension
Sometimes our saving religion doesn't know what to do/how to help the poor...we are too quick to say Jesus loves you without even showing that we love them too.
ACTS 2:41-47
ACTS 2
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church—about three thousand in all. 42 They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer.
The Believers Meet Together
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.
This is one of the most powerful verses or passage that can be found in the bible. (well also the whole bible that is). There is such a strong sense of bonding embedded inside the very core of the passage. Pastor Winston was preaching and was focusing on the topic: A year of Building. He stressed 5 points with the emphasis pointing on building, hence
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church—about three thousand in all. 42 They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer.
The Believers Meet Together
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.
This is one of the most powerful verses or passage that can be found in the bible. (well also the whole bible that is). There is such a strong sense of bonding embedded inside the very core of the passage. Pastor Winston was preaching and was focusing on the topic: A year of Building. He stressed 5 points with the emphasis pointing on building, hence
- Building bible centered people
- Building a praying people
- Building a caring community
- Building a worshipful people
- Building an increasing membership
Good points i should say, and definitely in line with the vision of my Church. The challenge of course will be how are we going to achieve these points above? They look so good that we cant even picture what they look like. Like the first point, "how do we build bible centered people?". It is easier said than done.
This is the challenge that we all have after hearing the word preached. How do we apply what we have heard and not stop at "what a good sermon" and then relax ourselves on our Sunday couches and doze off to sleep?
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
This is one of the books that i'm currently reading at the moment. I've just started and i'm getting the hang of the subject of the book and the way the writer writes. Although some of the word are somewhat technical but i find the way he writes understandable. So, maybe at some juncture, there are going to be posts about what i am reading here. Some people may find the cover of the book to be lame but as a self professed 'geek', the cover seems great to me (not to mention the subject matter).
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Books
I just got some books that i ordered yesterday and that means i'll be doing alot of reading soon and ver soon. I'm a geek so i love books. Let me show u what I got...
- NEW TESTAMENT & THE PEOPLE OF GOD- N T WRIGHT
- MORAL VISION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT- RICHARD B HAYS
- DRAMA OF DOCTRINE- KEVIN VANHOOZER
- A COMMUNITY CALLED ATONEMENT- SCOT MCKNIGHT
- EXCLUSION AND EMBRACE- MIROSLAV VOLF
These are all cool books and some are very thick so see how i cope reading them. Hahahahahahaha.
A new year...
Saying goodbye to yesteryear and saying hello to this year 08!!!
Man is it getting weird. I'm getting older (ouch). Well we always rant about age, but I'm all for maturity. I hope as i enter the new year, not only am i aging, but i hope maturity follows.
The new year sure does smell new and a lot of new things are gonna crop up. A lot of new challenges and hear aches, disappointments and triumphs. God help us all face the newness of 2008 and stand firm in you at all times.
I'm taking a step now...
Man is it getting weird. I'm getting older (ouch). Well we always rant about age, but I'm all for maturity. I hope as i enter the new year, not only am i aging, but i hope maturity follows.
The new year sure does smell new and a lot of new things are gonna crop up. A lot of new challenges and hear aches, disappointments and triumphs. God help us all face the newness of 2008 and stand firm in you at all times.
I'm taking a step now...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Hopeful Theo
- Tremonti
- OIL TOWN, SWK, Malaysia
- I'm a student of Theology (currently and will always be one). I'm a student of culture and a student of music as well. I guess you could say life is a never ending journey of learning. Because of that we never stop being students. Just a little something about this blog: Deconstructing The Monkey is all about being a safe space for emerging conversations