Prayer is waiting on God with our heartfelt desires.
But prayer has another waiting. It is to use our waiting moments to pray.
Consider how often we wait in life (go on, track your day). Waiting for a bus or train. Waiting in a queue. Waiting for people.
Waiting moments are often wasted moments. We sink into a semi-comatose state of mental nothingness. Or worse, waiting moments become frustration moments. Our patience is tested, blood pressure arises and we became angry at that or those who make us wait.
Why not cultivate the habit of making waiting moments praying moments?
Carry a prayer list on a notepad, electronic gadget or in your head. When its clear that this is a waiting moment, make it a praying moment.
Consider the outcomes: time well-used rather than wasted; praying ministry conducted; frustration avoided.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Power for Change
Self-improvement books and DVDs are some of the hottest items to fly off the shelves in bookshops. It seems that we all want to lift our game in some area or another and are looking for tips and techniques to help us get there.
Some of these resources are great. I’m a fan of the Dummies series with its no-nonsense approach, clear layout and plenty of practical applications. Other self-help resources dig deeper and address more basic issues such as how we see ourselves and the world (framing techniques) and especially to address the area of our attitudes.
However, there is a limit to self-help. Self-help can assist us to map the direction of change with precision and even to map the steps to getting there. But, what of the power to change ourselves, especially at the most basic and inner levels? Maybe you can identify with this. Have you set out to effect change in some fundamental aspect of who you are and how you act? Maybe you succeeded for a time by a massive exertion of the will, but then relapsed to the old default ‘you’? The direction and desire for change were there, but not the power. It’s so frustrating.
The Christian message promises power for change at the most basic level. As Paul puts it, the gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16). Let’s look at those words.
‘Salvation’ refers to the most basic change possible. It’s much wider than some narrow idea of saving a ‘soul’ from judgement. In its rich Biblical use, it is about the restoration of whole people to human wholeness in its richest and fullest sense. As Jesus said, he came to give life in abundance. That’s salvation to the max!
What kind of power is involved? It’s a massive power – our word ‘dynamite’ comes from the underlying Greek word. It’s massive power because it is God’s power. This goes way beyond the power for self-change that we find within ourselves. Instead, it’s the same power that was there when God created all things with a word and when he raised Jesus from the dead.
This power for salvation comes through the ‘gospel’. The gospel is the message about Jesus and especially how he died and was raised so that people like us can reconnect to God. All this is ours if we put our faith in Jesus. It’s not faith in faith, or faith in ourselves, but faith in Jesus who is God’s Son.
Do you want real power to change for lasting good – look to Jesus. We are dummies if we try self-help here!
Some of these resources are great. I’m a fan of the Dummies series with its no-nonsense approach, clear layout and plenty of practical applications. Other self-help resources dig deeper and address more basic issues such as how we see ourselves and the world (framing techniques) and especially to address the area of our attitudes.
However, there is a limit to self-help. Self-help can assist us to map the direction of change with precision and even to map the steps to getting there. But, what of the power to change ourselves, especially at the most basic and inner levels? Maybe you can identify with this. Have you set out to effect change in some fundamental aspect of who you are and how you act? Maybe you succeeded for a time by a massive exertion of the will, but then relapsed to the old default ‘you’? The direction and desire for change were there, but not the power. It’s so frustrating.
The Christian message promises power for change at the most basic level. As Paul puts it, the gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16). Let’s look at those words.
‘Salvation’ refers to the most basic change possible. It’s much wider than some narrow idea of saving a ‘soul’ from judgement. In its rich Biblical use, it is about the restoration of whole people to human wholeness in its richest and fullest sense. As Jesus said, he came to give life in abundance. That’s salvation to the max!
What kind of power is involved? It’s a massive power – our word ‘dynamite’ comes from the underlying Greek word. It’s massive power because it is God’s power. This goes way beyond the power for self-change that we find within ourselves. Instead, it’s the same power that was there when God created all things with a word and when he raised Jesus from the dead.
This power for salvation comes through the ‘gospel’. The gospel is the message about Jesus and especially how he died and was raised so that people like us can reconnect to God. All this is ours if we put our faith in Jesus. It’s not faith in faith, or faith in ourselves, but faith in Jesus who is God’s Son.
Do you want real power to change for lasting good – look to Jesus. We are dummies if we try self-help here!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Pity Pakistan
Pity Pakistan
The recent monsoon has cut a disastrous swathe through Asia. China has been badly affected but seems to be handling it well. Not so Pakistan. Imagine a land area 343 times the size of Singapore under water. Imagine double the total population of Singapore being displaced by floods and now facing the danger of disease. And all this in a country ill-equipped to cope with normality, let alone a disaster on such scale.
Pity Pakistan!
Some may see the floods as God’s judgement for the increasing persecution of Christians in Pakistan. It is not our part to presume on such conclusions. Jesus rejects the grim logic that draws a necessary connection between suffering as judgement for sin (eg Lke 13:1-5; Jn 9:1-3).
Others again may see these floods as a sign that the end times are upon us and that Jesus is about to return. Well, Jesus may return any time (Matt 24:36-44). However, we have been in the end times since Jesus’ resurrection, and, natural disasters such as floods have been part of the warp and woof of human experience since the Fall (Gen 3:17b; Matt 24:6-8).
Pity Pakistan!
Donor fatigue is a real danger in situations like this. The world wearies of giving again and again to needy people in distant places. Let it not be so among the household of faith (Gal 6:10). Let us consider the unwearied love of God for his world and respond by a ceaseless care of the needy for his sake (Matt 25:34-40). Let us give as Christians: secretly (Matt 6:2-4); according to ability (2 Cor 8:3); willingly (2 Cor 8:12); generously (2 Cor 9:6); and cheerfully (2 Cor 9:7).
Let us give not just with our hands. It is good to give with our hands and we should do so. However, if we only give with our hands there is a real danger of a detached heartlessness in which we do no more than a charitable duty. So let us consider the heartfelt giving of the Lord Jesus for us (2 Cor 8:9) as we excel in the grace of giving (2 Cor 8:7). Let us give from the heart. And let us give our heart, through earnest prayer that the world will be generous to Pakistan; that the relief effort will be effective, that the donated money and supplies will get through. And let us also pray for the beleaguered Christian community in Pakistan: that it will not be discriminated against in the relief effort and that Christian people there will open their hearts and hands to their neighbours.
Pity Pakistan!
The recent monsoon has cut a disastrous swathe through Asia. China has been badly affected but seems to be handling it well. Not so Pakistan. Imagine a land area 343 times the size of Singapore under water. Imagine double the total population of Singapore being displaced by floods and now facing the danger of disease. And all this in a country ill-equipped to cope with normality, let alone a disaster on such scale.
Pity Pakistan!
Some may see the floods as God’s judgement for the increasing persecution of Christians in Pakistan. It is not our part to presume on such conclusions. Jesus rejects the grim logic that draws a necessary connection between suffering as judgement for sin (eg Lke 13:1-5; Jn 9:1-3).
Others again may see these floods as a sign that the end times are upon us and that Jesus is about to return. Well, Jesus may return any time (Matt 24:36-44). However, we have been in the end times since Jesus’ resurrection, and, natural disasters such as floods have been part of the warp and woof of human experience since the Fall (Gen 3:17b; Matt 24:6-8).
Pity Pakistan!
Donor fatigue is a real danger in situations like this. The world wearies of giving again and again to needy people in distant places. Let it not be so among the household of faith (Gal 6:10). Let us consider the unwearied love of God for his world and respond by a ceaseless care of the needy for his sake (Matt 25:34-40). Let us give as Christians: secretly (Matt 6:2-4); according to ability (2 Cor 8:3); willingly (2 Cor 8:12); generously (2 Cor 9:6); and cheerfully (2 Cor 9:7).
Let us give not just with our hands. It is good to give with our hands and we should do so. However, if we only give with our hands there is a real danger of a detached heartlessness in which we do no more than a charitable duty. So let us consider the heartfelt giving of the Lord Jesus for us (2 Cor 8:9) as we excel in the grace of giving (2 Cor 8:7). Let us give from the heart. And let us give our heart, through earnest prayer that the world will be generous to Pakistan; that the relief effort will be effective, that the donated money and supplies will get through. And let us also pray for the beleaguered Christian community in Pakistan: that it will not be discriminated against in the relief effort and that Christian people there will open their hearts and hands to their neighbours.
Pity Pakistan!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Tending Seedbeds: Educational Perspectives on Theological Education in Asia
Tending the Seedbeds. Educational Perspectives on Theological Education in Asia. ed. Allan Harkness, Asia Theological Association, Quezon City, Philippines, 2010. 306 pages.
This volume is a series of various papers published to recognise the 40th anniversary of the Asian Theological Association.
Allan Harkness has done a fine job of commissioning these papers and then sequencing and introducing them as a coherent whole.
The publication of the papers is a symbol of two things. First, the emerging sophistication and strength of the church in the Asian part of the two-thirds world. Secondly, the ongoing western impact on the Asian scene. As Harkness notes, six of the 12 contributors (including this reviewer) are western males.
The papers in this book are all written within a broadly Asian perspective and to an Asian audience. However, there are universals here and these give the book a currency beyond its immediate context.
This volume is a series of various papers published to recognise the 40th anniversary of the Asian Theological Association.
Allan Harkness has done a fine job of commissioning these papers and then sequencing and introducing them as a coherent whole.
The publication of the papers is a symbol of two things. First, the emerging sophistication and strength of the church in the Asian part of the two-thirds world. Secondly, the ongoing western impact on the Asian scene. As Harkness notes, six of the 12 contributors (including this reviewer) are western males.
The papers in this book are all written within a broadly Asian perspective and to an Asian audience. However, there are universals here and these give the book a currency beyond its immediate context.
Heroes and coaches
We need a hero.
Jesus is the hero who goes out to win for us and do what we can never do for ourselves.
Our part is to recognize our need of Jesus as hero and to accept his heroic act on the Cross.
We also need a coach.
The Holy Spirit is the coach who comes alongside to cheer us on, encourage, say the sharp truths in love, empower, enable and push us to growth rather than infantile dependence.
Our part is to accept his coaching; to lean on him and to grow in him.
Hey … this is also a role we have to give other people and to accept from others.
To ‘accept’ means facing our need of others to do things for us and being humble enough to accept their service as they do that thing that God puts them there for, be it hero or coach,
To ‘give’ means knowing whether the hero or coach role is needed at this moment. And, not to stroke our own ego by being a hero when we should be a coach. Nor: to duck the need of the hour by not giving ourselves as a hero when that is called for.
‘Lord, give me the insight to know the difference between a hero and a coach. Give me the wisdom to know which is needed in the moment. Give me the wisdom to k now when I should be hero or coach. Give me the humility to let others serve me as my hero and coach.
Jesus is the hero who goes out to win for us and do what we can never do for ourselves.
Our part is to recognize our need of Jesus as hero and to accept his heroic act on the Cross.
We also need a coach.
The Holy Spirit is the coach who comes alongside to cheer us on, encourage, say the sharp truths in love, empower, enable and push us to growth rather than infantile dependence.
Our part is to accept his coaching; to lean on him and to grow in him.
Hey … this is also a role we have to give other people and to accept from others.
To ‘accept’ means facing our need of others to do things for us and being humble enough to accept their service as they do that thing that God puts them there for, be it hero or coach,
To ‘give’ means knowing whether the hero or coach role is needed at this moment. And, not to stroke our own ego by being a hero when we should be a coach. Nor: to duck the need of the hour by not giving ourselves as a hero when that is called for.
‘Lord, give me the insight to know the difference between a hero and a coach. Give me the wisdom to know which is needed in the moment. Give me the wisdom to k now when I should be hero or coach. Give me the humility to let others serve me as my hero and coach.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Choosing a church
I am sometimes asked for help in choosing or evaluating a church.
Here are some questions that may be useful. Of course, they need to be modified depending on just what kind of church is under consideration.
1. Is Christ effectively central to all aspects of church faith and life?
2. Is apostolic and historic Christian doctrine maintained, especially with respect to Trinity, Christology and the means of salvation?
3. Is there a well-balanced doctrine and practice of the Spirit, or is there a neglect of the Spirit or an undue emphasis on certain aspects of his work?
4. Is the Bible warmly regarded as God's Word and well-taught, or is it undermined by an emphasis on interpretive traditions or by human reasoning?
5. Are the sacraments administered in a way that keeps focus on Christ as the source of grace, or do the sacraments effectively become the means of grace?
6. Is the church mission-minded in reaching out with the truth and love of the gospel?
7. Are the opportunities for fellowship with people who will accept you as you are and promote your Christian growth?
8. Is there opportunity for you to serve with the gifts with which God has endowed you?
9. Is there a pattern of healthy relationships within the church, especially between leaders and led?
Here are some questions that may be useful. Of course, they need to be modified depending on just what kind of church is under consideration.
1. Is Christ effectively central to all aspects of church faith and life?
2. Is apostolic and historic Christian doctrine maintained, especially with respect to Trinity, Christology and the means of salvation?
3. Is there a well-balanced doctrine and practice of the Spirit, or is there a neglect of the Spirit or an undue emphasis on certain aspects of his work?
4. Is the Bible warmly regarded as God's Word and well-taught, or is it undermined by an emphasis on interpretive traditions or by human reasoning?
5. Are the sacraments administered in a way that keeps focus on Christ as the source of grace, or do the sacraments effectively become the means of grace?
6. Is the church mission-minded in reaching out with the truth and love of the gospel?
7. Are the opportunities for fellowship with people who will accept you as you are and promote your Christian growth?
8. Is there opportunity for you to serve with the gifts with which God has endowed you?
9. Is there a pattern of healthy relationships within the church, especially between leaders and led?
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Singapore Idols
Idols are ever-present in human affairs, but they take many forms.
Jeremiah and others mock the folly of hand making an earthly object then worshipping it. As he says, the idols are like scarecrows in a melon patch - there is nothing to be scared of for they can do neither good nor harm (Jer 10:5). That’s something to ponder as we see plenty of old-fashioned idols around us in Hungry Ghost month. The problem with this kind of idolatry is the attempt to render the immortal and invisible in mortal and visible form.
Greed gives an extra dimension to idolatry (Col 3:5). Consider greed for pleasure (hedonism) or possessions (materialism). Both these idols are well-represented in our local pantheon. In both cases the object of greed becomes a God-substitute. This is an underlying problem with all idolatry. God is pushed from his place as the object of our worship, dependence, centre of our life, source of truth and values.
There is yet another form of idolatry which is the idolatry of people. We first idealise someone into a flawless being and then we make them an idol. In our eyes they can solve every problem and do no wrong. Their every move is photographed and their every word is fawned on.
This may be a sporting or entertainment identity, or someone who is famous for nothing more than being famous. Or maybe we idealise and idolise our beloved. All this takes a more sinister form if the human idol is an influential leader. This idolatry can happen to a Christian leader, be they a pope or a persuasive pastor, and it even happened to Paul (Acts 14:11-15). It can also happen to statesmen when they set themselves up against the Lord of heaven (Dan 5:22). This happened to the all-conquering Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar who reigned around the time of Jeremiah (Dan 4-5).
A moment’s reflection exposes the folly of this. The celebrity, religious leader or statesman is just a person. They may have remarkable ability, discipline, strategic focus, vision and drive but they trim their toenails like the rest of us, will grow old and die, will make mistakes and will sometimes be wrong. They are mortal, finite and fallible. Further, our idolisation may inflate their hubris and hasten their decline – as happened with Nebuchadnezzar.
Let us remember who our God is and what he has done, then resolve that we will have no other god alongside or before him and make no idols of him or anything and anyone else (Ex 20:1-6).
Jeremiah and others mock the folly of hand making an earthly object then worshipping it. As he says, the idols are like scarecrows in a melon patch - there is nothing to be scared of for they can do neither good nor harm (Jer 10:5). That’s something to ponder as we see plenty of old-fashioned idols around us in Hungry Ghost month. The problem with this kind of idolatry is the attempt to render the immortal and invisible in mortal and visible form.
Greed gives an extra dimension to idolatry (Col 3:5). Consider greed for pleasure (hedonism) or possessions (materialism). Both these idols are well-represented in our local pantheon. In both cases the object of greed becomes a God-substitute. This is an underlying problem with all idolatry. God is pushed from his place as the object of our worship, dependence, centre of our life, source of truth and values.
There is yet another form of idolatry which is the idolatry of people. We first idealise someone into a flawless being and then we make them an idol. In our eyes they can solve every problem and do no wrong. Their every move is photographed and their every word is fawned on.
This may be a sporting or entertainment identity, or someone who is famous for nothing more than being famous. Or maybe we idealise and idolise our beloved. All this takes a more sinister form if the human idol is an influential leader. This idolatry can happen to a Christian leader, be they a pope or a persuasive pastor, and it even happened to Paul (Acts 14:11-15). It can also happen to statesmen when they set themselves up against the Lord of heaven (Dan 5:22). This happened to the all-conquering Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar who reigned around the time of Jeremiah (Dan 4-5).
A moment’s reflection exposes the folly of this. The celebrity, religious leader or statesman is just a person. They may have remarkable ability, discipline, strategic focus, vision and drive but they trim their toenails like the rest of us, will grow old and die, will make mistakes and will sometimes be wrong. They are mortal, finite and fallible. Further, our idolisation may inflate their hubris and hasten their decline – as happened with Nebuchadnezzar.
Let us remember who our God is and what he has done, then resolve that we will have no other god alongside or before him and make no idols of him or anything and anyone else (Ex 20:1-6).
Thursday, August 5, 2010
National Day 2010
First of all then I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may live a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way . This is good and it is pleasing in the sight of God who desires all people to be saved .. (1 Tim 2:1-3).
As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of independence it is natural for Christian people to pray for the nation. Is there any better way to be good Singaporeans than to pray for the Lord’s blessings on the nation?
The above Bible passage focuses our prayers on our President, Prime Minister, cabinet and other senior leaders.
Why pray to the Lord in this matter?
• Because government is too important to be left just to politicians.
• Because God is sovereign over all earthly rulers, even over those who do not acknowledge him.
• Because God is the source of all blessings and it is from his hand that we must seek further national blessings.
• Because prayer is our consolation and remedy when governments are bad or take bad decisions.
How should we pray in this matter? We are urged to two kinds of prayer.
We are to give thanks. The history and progress of Singapore since 1965 is breathtaking and we should thank God for it. Let’s thank him for this and for the leaders in all sectors of national life that have enabled such progress.
We are to intercede. The object of this is that we may leave peaceful and quiet lives. In context, this is a prayer that Christian people will have a free and stable environment in which to do the gospel work of encouraging one another in the faith and commending it to others. This prayer is important in the light of some recent measures affecting Christian groups in Singapore.
Let’s indeed bless Singapore this National Day – by praying as we are told to.
As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of independence it is natural for Christian people to pray for the nation. Is there any better way to be good Singaporeans than to pray for the Lord’s blessings on the nation?
The above Bible passage focuses our prayers on our President, Prime Minister, cabinet and other senior leaders.
Why pray to the Lord in this matter?
• Because government is too important to be left just to politicians.
• Because God is sovereign over all earthly rulers, even over those who do not acknowledge him.
• Because God is the source of all blessings and it is from his hand that we must seek further national blessings.
• Because prayer is our consolation and remedy when governments are bad or take bad decisions.
How should we pray in this matter? We are urged to two kinds of prayer.
We are to give thanks. The history and progress of Singapore since 1965 is breathtaking and we should thank God for it. Let’s thank him for this and for the leaders in all sectors of national life that have enabled such progress.
We are to intercede. The object of this is that we may leave peaceful and quiet lives. In context, this is a prayer that Christian people will have a free and stable environment in which to do the gospel work of encouraging one another in the faith and commending it to others. This prayer is important in the light of some recent measures affecting Christian groups in Singapore.
Let’s indeed bless Singapore this National Day – by praying as we are told to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)