When a promise is broken ... (Part 2)

If you wonder whether God can be trusted and why ... here is the reason. God can be trusted all the time because God is an eternal God. In the Bible, we can see God’s faithfulness is interwoven with His eternity, “Before the mountains were born (or you brought forth the whole world), from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Ps 90:2). God’s eternal nature provides stability and consistency. We know when a new government / political party comes to power, or when there is a new boss / CEO, we can doubtless expect changes in the way things are done. If you are in university, you can expect different styles of lecture if the lecturer changes. This is however not the case with God. God is forever God. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (He 13:8). So, He won’t say, “what I said previously would not count, it’s under new management”. No, God would not do that.

God’s intention is to bless people from everlasting to everlasting (Ge 1 - Re 22)

From chapter 1 of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, to the last chapter of Revelation, we are told of the depth and the breadth of God’s desire and intention to bless. You don’t have to believe me. You can look it up yourself. He is eternal and has decided to bless from everlasting to everlasting.

When a promise is broken ... (Part 1)

In our world today, we see lots of lies, broken promises, and betrayals on a daily basis resulting in great hurts and irreparable relationships. One of the news highlights of the past week would undoubtedly be the confession of a world-class athlete who won the Tour de France seven times in a roll, Lance Armstrong. Lance confessed that he doped in order to win yet he maintained that doping was necessary and helped leveling the playing field because almost everybody out there is taking performance enhancing drugs. He argued that of the 200 who have competed, only 5 had not taken drugs. One of the most disgraceful things he did was that he not only lied during all those past investigations, he went on to sue people he knew were actually speaking out the truth. 

In the business world, we can clearly see most businesses would be concerned about profit-making or providing shareholders good returns on their investment. They do not mind bluffing. In advertising their products and services, they magnify the half-truth or the non-truth, and put a tiny clause of the truth somewhere that is hardly readable. People suffer because of that.

Recently Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department released data about marriage and divorce. 30 years ago, there were some 2,000 marriages ending in divorce. Now, that’s a 10 times increase to almost 20,000 couples who fail to honour their promise.

All these broken promises, lies and false pretenses often come from people who are impacting us – top athletes, political leaders, big corporations and sometimes our loved ones. Can people be trusted? Can Christians be trusted? This not only erodes our trust for one another, but for God too. These days, people are getting more negative towards church and Christianity on the whole particularly with the mounting child abuse scandals one after another. The image that Christian Church has portrayed about God to the society has been deteriorating. People have been asking – can God be trusted after all? What can we trust Him for?  

If these questions echo what has been in your heart, stay tuned as we will look at if God can be trusted and why. 

我們不過是塵土？！

最近心靈內欠缺一份扎實感，常是有點 restlessness，在反省一番後，發覺歸根究底是自覺不夠生產力 (productivity)。每每一天過後，總是覺得自己沒有完成過甚麼「可見的」或「有明顯果效的」事情，這跟最近閱讀Marva Dawn在俗世中的安息日操練一書所談到的很相似。

感謝主的是在今早的靈修親近主的時候，當我看到詩103:14時，心內突然冒起一股感恩，因為詩篇提醒我，神知道我們的本體 -- 塵土，我們本來就不是甚麼，所以也不能作成甚麼。雖是如此，神卻看我們為寶貴 (太6:26-31)，祂知道及了解我們現今身在的處境，祂對我們滿有憐憫及恩慈。

原來作塵土是可以很喜樂的！

I'm hungry ... BUT I'm hungrier for You

Today I've started to feel a bit dizzy. As I went out for a short prayer walk, I felt the heat of the sun and the temperature which possibly was not suitable for a walk without any shade. Then the picture of Jesus' fasting came into my mind.

What puzzles me is not how Jesus has managed to fast for 40 days, but how he did it in the "wilderness" or "desert" not just for a short lunch-time prayer walk, but for 40 days. The Bible does not tell us in great details what He did, but I expect this may be what has been going on inside His mind/heart: "I'm hungry, but I'm hungrier for you Father; it's hot like burning out there, but my heart is burning like fire for you."

This is what I'm praying today, "Let me have the same hunger and passion for you Lord!"

The awe factor of God

Recently I started reading (actually listening to the audio version of) Francis Chan's book "Crazy Love". Some people think that he's extreme and crazy, but he has strived to live his life according to God's call. One of the radical things he did is to leave the church he founded some 16 years ago without a clear plan of what's next. With a family of 6, the Chan's have been waiting for God's guidance of their next step. After a few months, they are now departing for Asia without knowing what they will do actually.

In the first chapter of the book, he talks about the awe factor of God, which I believe is the main source of his faith and out of which comes his unique response to God's call in a radical way. I'd just like to share the clip from his book's official website about the awe factor (also available through this link).

Why was the "Transfiguration" between Moses, Elijah and Jesus only?

In preparing my message for this Sunday talking about faith, I will mention Elijah and Jesus. My research has given me a unique and interesting observation why Moses and Elijah (but not others) appeared in Jesus' transfiguration.

It is commonly believed that Moses represented the Law, and Elijah the Prophet, and that is why they appeared in such an important moment pointing out that Jesus is more superior than any of the prophets and/or law givers. I would be querying why Abraham or David wasn't there because they each are a party in which God has entered into a covenant with.

Much like Elijah, Enoch has not seen death. In addition, Elisha has performed more miracles than his predecessor, Elijah. Other prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah have contributed tremendously to the understanding of God's will and what the future might hold. The list can go on as we query ....

Yet there remains 1 thing (or 1 experience) that all these 3 have attempted. Guess what?!

Moses, Elijah and Jesus were the only 3 people recorded in the Bible that have fasted for 40 days (Ex 34:28; 1 Ki 19:8; Mt 4:1-2)!!! This is the most unique as well as common thing among the 3. It may not suggest that everyone ought to fast (& pray) so that we can be lining up for transfiguration, but I do see a uniquely significant relationship between fasting and divine encounter.

Have you fasted before? Do you know much about fasting? What can you do to enable an intimate yet magnificent encounter with the living God?

The Death of the Five-Year Plan

I am very much amazed by what Lifechurch.tv senior pastor (Craig Groeschel) wrote about long term planning - "no idea". Long-term or mid-term plans do not always eventuate as planned. Here the bottom line that church leaders need to be flexible and be prepared to move when God leads and guides. That is we plan to be "without" plans, which is hard for many.

Are we prepared to let our 5-year plan die? Are we prepared to be moved and touched by God in ways surpassing our expectations? And just how well are we prepared to be led by the Spirit of God?

The Spirit of God (Day 10 & 11)

This morning (6/4), my heart was powerfully stirred (yes, I chose to use this adverb powerfully because of the nature of the message received) when I read Joel Ch 2. It talks about God's punishment, His commands, people's desired response, God's blessings in return (including the pouring out of His Spirit). It's so powerful that I was moved in tears, breathed more heavily, and didn't want to believe what was impressed on me because it's so radical.

These last few days, again and again I have been reminded about one simple truth - the Holy Spirit and His work in God's people:

- After Jesus' resurrection, He commanded His disciples, "receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22);

- The Spirit of God will be poured on His people (Jo 2:28-29);

- Jesus' followers will be empowered when the Holy Spirit comes on them to enable them to be effective witnesses for Him.

I don't believe these verses have come to me out of co-incidence. Rather I believe God intends to speak to me and His church about this.

This is something I will share this Sunday, so be prepared to listen to what God is saying.

Hungry physically, but hungrier spiritually (Day 3)

Interestingly (unlike the previous experiences), this time I have started to have some craving for food on Day 3. Most of the day, I've been thinking about food. Perhaps that is the need of the body, because in the last couple of days, it has already lost some 3 kgs of weight.

Thankfully, the "urge" of the body and the craving for food reminds me what I'm doing and why I'm doing it - a hunger and desire for God. That has actually been helping me stay focus. Whenever I'm hungry, I pray, "Lord, I'm hungrier for you!"

Another noticeable change in my heart is the spirit of prayer in me. I've followed closely the church prayer bulletin in the last few evenings. To my amazement, my mouth (& my spirit) just prays fervently like never before and I have enjoyed praying!!! That is amazing. Wow, I want more of this, Lord!

Shall I take this opportunity to encourage those who are on the same journey, that you are not alone, and I want to remind myself that I'm not alone either. Let's remember one another in prayer, ok?

FREE "Desiring God" Audio Book (by John Piper)

The guys at ChristianAudio.com offers a FREE download of John Piper's classics - desiring God. It seems to be the special of this month only N0v 2009.

Click on the image to download your free audio book now.

I contemplate therefore I am .... .... more than an Evangelical?!

When asked what "devotions" are at a men's group last week, this came into my mind very naturally - a book opened with paragraphs of words.

Did you know what characterizes this? Yes the typical evangelical mindset (at least true for me) - the Word of God. I am not ashamed of my spiritual upbringing as an evangelical, but I'm getting more dissatisfied lately. Something in me just doesn't feel right or contended, and I have a sense of inadequacy when it comes to knowing, experiencing and relating to God. Is being a good Christian just about reading His Word? Or even faithfully proclaiming and sharing the good news with others? Is that it about being a Christ follower?

In my recent study, reading and reflection on spirituality (it's part of my post-graduate course), I have come to a particular appreciation of what the Charismatic and the Contemplative had and can offer us today. There are certainly perils and pitfalls within any of these traditions (so are we of the evangelical). Of those I've studied in a little more depth, I feel drawn to the Contemplative in particular. Indeed, the Contemplative is very appealing to people with N and F (N= iNtuition, F=Feeling; from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) in their temperament. I understand why I'm drawn because I myself am an INFJ!

The Contemplative stresses inner spiritual depth, and it talks about love and fire for God which is very much needed for busy ministers and lay people alike.

The way to it? Well ..... silence, solitude, meditation, prayer and even fasting are some of the most effective disciplines (references: Dallas Willard and Richard Foster) that the Contemplative usually resorts to for spiritual growth.

Are you aware of a spirituality tradition you've come from or are currently with?

Why every Christian should fast (longer) & pray

First things first:

1. you will generally have a closer relationship with God (because you spend more time with Him)

2. you will minister/care/nurture people more effectively because of #1

3. you may experience something like a "heart surgery" where your heart of stone be replaced with a new heart of flesh (Ez 36:25-26 結 36:25-26)

4. contrasting to what most believe, you will actually stay more awake on the whole (eg, free from "fatigue" after meals)

5. you will experience the care and support from others (because you are generally physically weaker)

6. you will witness firsthand God's work in people's lives and in those seemingly hopeless situations - even a glimpse of what revival is like

7. you have more $$$ to give to the needy, as this is what God wants from those who fast (Is 58:6-7 賽 58:6-7)

Secondary but +ve side effects:

1. you will say goodbye to your "spare" tyre (at least true for me, my waistline has gone back to when I was still a slim teenage boy)

2. you have more time for other things (because you don't need to cook or think about what/when/where to eat, except for those who have to care for the family or others)

Interested in fasting & prayer, read this (for Bill Bright's teaching on the subject) and this (for 7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting).

I'm coming back (Day 25-27)

After a full day of ministry on Sunday - baptism class, service, and wedding, I got some time to be alone with God while a crowd was celebrating at the marriage banquet (incl my family) 2 kms away from where I was - a tranquil road with vineyards on both the left and right. 

God's presence was so real even though I was sitting in the car as I worshipped Him, confessed that He's the Lord and King of my life. 

That's when I found the scenery was so stunning, and I took a few pictures of the sky. Indeed the pictures cannot tell how amazing that moment really was, as somehow it couldn't capture the true colour and magnificence of it.

   

SOS! I'm going downhill .... (Day 23 & 24)

其實，打從這星期開始，自己內心覺得不妙，禁食前和禁食初期的火熱和對神的渴慕到現在好像減退了！

我不是沒有繼續禱告，也不是沒有靈修 ... 但內心深處，我實在是 feel 到那份熱減退了不少。心中所想的多半是「禁食完結後會食乜食乜？」「還有多少日便完成禁食？」我甚至在想：「是否禁食到此為止？」

當我昨天看書的時候，當中一位完成禁食者的分享正是我現今所面對的。不過，他有這樣的提醒，我們必須要儆醒，心態要正確，禁食是讓我們更謙卑，而不是說我們 achieve 了甚麼偉大的事工！在神面前，禁食幾餐有甚麼大不了？算得上甚麼偉大的功績？

「主呀，請幫助我，叫我不要看見我有甚麼 achievement，乃要叫我看見你在我和教會當中偉大的 achievement！」

Now my heart's desire is to know you more (Day 3)

Today, God revealed to me the fact that I don't know Him that well. 人們會認為你是傳道人，知好多聖經，知好多神的事情。我撫心自問卻認為我對神其實不太認識，無怪得我仍然有很多弱點、盲點等。

"Knowing You" 這首歌裡面的其中一節："now my heart's desire is to know you more" 變成我的目標和方向。

A silent retreat (with Labyrinth walk) - Part 1

I came back to Perth from HK feeling weary (partly due to the mid-night flight ... or because of the draining holiday in busy HK). Anyway, the first thing I wanted to do therefore is getting some rest in a divine way - retreat.

Picture of the Labyrinth in Nathanael's Rest, Mundaring WA Australia

I was hoping to bring to God myself, yes my true self, in the hope that God would continue to break me and mold me for His use. I've got a simple purpose - "Lord, show me what is not pleasing to you", as I prepared for the 1st labyrinth walk of the retreat.

After the 1st labyrinth walk, God has very quickly revealed to me 3 things that come between us. My bad temper towards others (mainly my family) made me guilty and ashamed. My discontentment has driven me to think about how to obtain more wealth. My pursuit of personal fame (both academic and professional achievement) has put all my strength and focus on ... me, me, and me.

I'm sure God isn't pleased as these things have kept coming back haunting me year after year. I realize these are the little yet powerful demons in my heart which I don't have a quick fix to.

Here I am ... I need a heart surgery Lord. Please help me.

從未見過的柏斯 (Perth) 男士聚會

剛過去的星期一 (1/12) 晚上令我好感動，約60位來自不同教會 (雖然主要都是宣道會) 的弟兄，參加了「澳洲家新」舉辦的弟兄聚會，當晚嘉賓講員為播道會同福堂的主任牧師何志滌。

除了信息/見證精彩外，令我最感動的是，在過往十多年的柏斯華人教會圈子裡，從來未曾試過有華人男士/弟兄聚會；所以，該晚可算是史無前例，當一班弟兄唱著詩歌時，我心裡真的受感動到想哭出來。

聚會的最後部分，我們弟兄們分成4人小組，彼此學習交心，把心裡的爭扎和難處都說出來，之後，互相代禱才結束聚會。

真的，弟兄當中需要更多這方面的交往，祈求主繼續在我們當中行奇事，藉著我們的順服，去影響柏斯，而至澳洲更多的弟兄/男士，領他們歸向神！

Day 5 (of 7)

As my stomach is getting smaller, my heart is actually getting "bigger". I don't understand, but these few days, I've just got a sense of openness and sensitivity to things, issues and people around me. It seems that God really has opened my eyes tremendously to see and be aware of the surroundings.

This is truly amazing, and you know what, I'm really enjoying "it" now.

Day 3 (of 7)

I agree to what late Bill Bright, ex-president of Campus Crusade for Christ, shared years ago, as I found the experience strikingly similar, "I sensed the presence of the Lord. The Holy Spirit refreshed my soul and spirit, and I experienced the joy of the Lord as seldom before. Biblical truths are leaped at me from the pages of God's Word."

Another thing that came up is with the thoughts of the closeness of Christ, not just as King, Saviour, but also my brother walking a little ahead of me and yet beside me. This is extremely encouraging for my walk with Him.

7-day "Spiritual Journey"

2 weeks have passed and it's now 15/10/08. Things haven't changed much particularly concerning what I "do" at church. This is my bottom line, and ultimately I don't want to see any change in effect because of my "part-time" capacity.

Yet strange things have happened even with financial uncertainty facing me and my family - I started to think MORE about God, MORE about my relationship with Him, MORE about the Church and her people. Even stranger than this, I've started to desire about a revival (which has seldom been in my heart or mouth in the past 14 years as a Christian) in me and in the church.

The thought about a 7-day spiritual journey was then conceived during this period where I will engage myself in an ancient spiritual exercise. I feel extremely excited about it. I want to see a personal revival in regards to my relationship with God and His people. In a humble prayer, I want to see, feel, and experience God like never before.

「這稱為我名下的子民，若是自卑、禱告，尋求我的面，轉離他們的惡行，我必從天上垂聽，赦免他們的罪，醫治他們的地。我必睜眼看、側耳聽在此處所獻的禱告。」 - 代下7:14-15