Many things quickly or one thing slowly?

Many things quickly or one thing slowly?

How do you do things?

Many of us identify with the trend to do several things at once, do each of them quickly and do them at surface level.  It’s not just the teenager who talks to one friend on their hand phone while also texting another, reading a textbook, having a snack and catching a bus. This can be great for achieving several surface-demand tasks quickly, but is it changing the way our brains work and does it mean that we miss out on opportunities for deep learning and growth? Is this efficiency, or a recipe for ineffectiveness?

When words like ‘speed’, ‘efficiency’, ‘multi-task’ always replace ‘thought’, ‘meditation’ ‘mature consideration’ processing’ we are in danger.

A recent article invites a second look at how we do things:

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/oct/24/want-to-learn-faster-stop-multitasking-and-start-daydreaming?CMP=fb_gu

I confess to being an example of ‘several things quickly’. Even while drafting this blog post I worked on three major work tasks, dealt with some students visiting my office and texted someone. I recently noticed that I found it hard to read text for more than a few minutes before interrupting myself to do something else then return to the skim. Its not just reading that is affected, but it’s a more general loss of sustained and depth focus on anything. That affects Bible reading and prayer life, and so much more.

How do you do things? Are you a ‘one thing slowly’ or a ‘many things quickly’ person?

The capacity to do many things quickly has its place, and especially so in lives where there are multiples roles and demands on us. However, if its all, only and always many things quickly there’s a danger that we hurt ourselves and others and miss out on some of the rich things on offer around us. The ‘snack-attack’ approach to life means we miss the gourmet experience that only comes with investing ourselves deeply and giving time.

What can we do to recapture some ‘one thing slowly’ moments?

·       Work focus: designate a slot for a ‘focus hour’. Switch off all externally connected devices, close the door (or go to a meeting room etc), designate one task to work on and identify its outcomes. Set a timer for 60 mins and work on that one thing (and nothing else) until the timer sounds.

·       Reading focus: designate a daily (or otherwise) reading slot, turn off the devices, choose something to read, go to a quiet comfortable place, set the timer and read the one thing for that hour.

·       Writing focus: as per above re devices, place and timer. Don’t ‘just start writing’. Plan the writing in detail. Write, taking time for the right words and phrases. Let it sit overnight. Revise and revise again.

·       Bible focus: as per above re devices, place and timer. However, choose a small unit of text rather than a big slab. Read it aloud. Read it in different translations. Ask questions of it. Analyse it. Ask what difference it would make to my day if I actually lived out those words. Turn the text into a prayer.

·       Prayer focus: as per above re devices, place and timer. Pray aloud. Have a prayer diary that takes you through different kinds of prayer and which prompts big prayers on the horizons of God’s name, kingdom and will.

·       People focus: set a time boundary with this person (and tell it to them) and give them this time by shutting off devices, looking at them and keeping your mind in one place.

Okay, that’s what ‘one thing slowly’ looks like in my world. How about yours?

First thoughts on the City Harvest verdict

First thoughts on the City Harvest verdict

After a lengthy trial, the verdict is in and those charged with various fraud activities in the City Harvest trial are found guilty. The nature of the charges, the identity of those involved and the prominence of the church make this a must-follow judicial event. The text of the oral judgment is at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A-00dAvijTNXAyaGEyLUtZdW8/view

The matter remains ‘open’ until sentencing and appeals finish. However, there is already plenty of conversation and commentary. What can now be said from a Christian perspective?

Church and state

How does the relationship of church and state plays out in such matters?

At times the Christian church has sought to distance itself from the state and claim independence from its processes. The parallel legal systems of canon and civil law in the pre-Reformation church are an example of this.

This is not where the Bible takes us. It teaches that civil government is a God-given institution to which ‘every person’ is subjected (Rom 13:1a). The state is the means of God’s judgement on wrongdoers (Rom 13:4). To resist the civil authorities is to resist God (Rom 13:2). Rome’s rulers were anti-Christian when these words were written, unlike the religiously neutral authorities in Singapore.

What does this mean for churches and their leaders? Churches and leaders are not above civil scrutiny. They are to be willingly accountable and submissive to civil authorities. The state does not have a God-given mandate to interfere in the teachings or spiritual governance and ministry of a church, but it does have a mandate with criminal matters.  It is therefore right that charges of criminal activities inside churches come before civil courts to try the accused and punish the guilty.

It is not persecution for the civil authorities to try church leaders for alleged fraud.  Providing due judicial process is observed, it is God’s justice in action through his appointed servant. Even in secular Singapore, the civil courts are the instruments of God’s blessing of justice. Fraud is criminal, no matter who does it and to what end.

Church leadership

The City Harvest trial was of church leaders.

The Bible teaches that church leaders are to be honoured (1 Th 5:12-13; 1 Tim 5:17; Heb 13:7). High standards are set for them and exemplary behaviour is expected from them. They must be above suspicion and reproach and of good public reputation (eg 1 Tim 3:1-13). The welfare of a church and the reputation of Christ in the wider community depend much on the behaviour of church leaders (Zech 13:7; Ezek 34:1-6).

And there’s the problem. Church leaders are like every other Christian person. They are created in God’s image (Gen 1:26-28) and fall short of God’s glory (Rom 3:9-23). They are people who have been justified by Christ and are indwelt by his Spirit (eg 1 Cor 6:11). However, this sanctification is yet incomplete and remains so until Christ completes his work of new creation (2 Cor 5:17). The struggle recorded in Rom 7:14-25 is normal for every Christian person and this includes church leaders.

So, church leaders share in the frailty that comes to every Christian. As such they need understanding, forgiveness on confession of sin, prayer, support and accountability mechanisms. That is true for the leaders of City Harvest as much as every other believer.

Church leaders share additional temptations. It is a heady thing to lead a congregation and especially to stand before a large group of people who see you as God’s spokesperson. You are trusted with people’s lives, intimate secrets and eternal welfare. It is very easy for leaders to lose perspective, succumb to pride and to believe that they are someone ‘special’ who is above normal standards.

Given this powerful mix of human sinfulness and the leader’s position, it is clear that no church leader should be trusted absolutely, given absolute power or be exempted from accountability.

These special temptations require special preventative measures.

Plurality of leadership is an important preventative measure. Jesus trained a group of 12 leaders to be apostles together and the eldership is spoken of in the plural (eg Tit 1:5). Acts 15 shows how a difficult issue in the early church was decided by leaders meeting, discussing and deciding together. Where much authority is vested in a single leader, it is almost inevitable that they will stumble. (The history of the medieval papacy is a tragic example of this.) Plural leadership should provide a mutually restraining influence that stops any individual gaining much power and falling to its temptations.

A Presbyterian style of polity exemplifies this. The Moderator of a Session, Presbytery or Synod has very little power. The emphasis is on group decisions, not individual. The theological foundation of this is a strong belief in total depravity and a consequential refusal to trust none but Jesus absolutely. The separation of powers and bi-cameral parliamentary structures that some constitutions are built on the same principles and, in the case of the US constitution, are directly attributable to Presbyterian influences. Churches with apostolic or Episcopal structures face particular challenges here. These challenges are increased when an individual leader is further elevated and called ‘prophet’ or ‘apostle’.

Transparency is also important. It is good if the diaries and financial affairs of church leaders are open to (at least) other leaders and perhaps to a wider circle of appropriate people.

‘Appropriate’ is a key word here. A leader who has been responsible for the conversions and Christian growth of church members and has been of significant help to them has great power over them. This increases if the church has risen from small beginnings to large numbers. Who will question the leader to whom they ‘owe’ so much?

From an outsider’s view, some of these issues seem to have been factors in City Harvest’s recent problems.

What to do now?

It is one thing to say how such problems as those judicially found in City Harvest could have been prevented, but what should happen now that the verdicts are in?

Ministry to those found guilty. Those found guilty need good pastoring by people who will speak God’s truth in love, seek confession and repentance where it is needed and speak of Christ’s forgiveness. Matt 18:15-19; Gal 6:1-2; 1 Cor 5:5 are just a few of the passages that speak of this process and its goals. Good church discipline reflects God’s character in seeking truth, doing justice to the guilty, protecting his flock and showing mercy to the repentant.

Prayer: This is a time to pray. Pray for those found guilty that they will be open to God’s dealings with them and not hide behind the language of ‘persecution’. Pray for City Harvest Church as it rebuilds and for its members who are apt to feel a mixture of confusion, betrayal, defensiveness and more. Pray also for the reputation of Christ in Singapore – that his name is not shamed by the misbehaviour of some of his followers.

Reframe: It is a dismal truth that any person and any church leader can let us down. The only leader who will not do so is Jesus. He alone perfectly bears God’s creational image and exercises kingly stewardship without being prone to sin (eg 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15). He alone is worthy of unquestioning loyalty and trust.

Mindfulness in Christian view

-->

 A Christian friend working in mental health asked about a Christian view on mindfulness techniques which are used to help with anxiety and depression. Here is the response ....

Dear ….,

Thanks for your query re mindfulness in which you asked for a Christian view. I'm encouraged that you are trying to think as a Christian about this as I guess its use is widespread in your field of mental health.

As mentioned in our earlier chat, mindfulness has its roots in eastern religion (Buddhism) and is a form of traditional meditation. Meditation overlaps with thinking - although thinking tends to move forward whereas meditation more typically stands still and goes deeper.

'Mindfulness' is the term used for meditation in its secular form. As you know, its means a focus on this moment and inner state, typically using breath-awareness as the entry point. Mindfulness techniques typically look to hold and deepen that state in which one becomes unmindful of the world and thus able to declutter anxieties etc.

What can we say as Christians?

Something that pushes us to stop being anxiously busy and preoccupied with the present noisy world has value.

Something that pushes us to 'be' rather than to 'do' is also good (in balance).

Mindfulness represents a momentary escape from reality. That's fine up to a point, but it can only ever be temporary as our calling is to live in the world and engage with it, not escape from it (whether in a monastery or through meditation). Jn 17:15-18 is relevant.

Mindfulness takes us to an inward gaze. That can lead to self-idolatry (where we make gods of ourselves) or to despair (as we face our creaturely limitations and sinfulness).

The Scriptures urge God's people to meditate (eg Ps 4:4). Meditation is different to thinking (see above) and to prayer (although it overlaps with both and we may find ourselves slipping between these modes of relating to God). I have included a form of Christian mediation below. You will notice similarities and differences to mindfulness techniques.

Biblical meditation typically takes our gaze to God himself  (eg Ps 46:10), to Jesus (eg Heb 12:2), to God's word (eg Ps 119:15) and God's works (eg Ps 145:5). Below, there is a list of passages where the Bible mentions meditation.

When Christian meditation is focussed on God, it has power for extended usefulness as it takes us from our limitations to God in whom we live and move and have our being (Rom 11:33-36) and whose willingness and ability to help is unlimited (Ps 121:1-2).

All this being said, a form of secular mindfulness involving breathing exercises can be of some usefulness in helping a person calm down and gain perspective to re-engage with life.

A form of Christian meditation

Find a place to be still and quiet. It can be helpful to set an electronic timer, more to push you to stay in a meditative mode for the chosen period, rather than limit your time.

Sit in a comfortable pose, close your eyes and be still. Pray for God to meet you here, such that you are in the Spirit (Rev 1:10).

Notice your breath. Observe it go in and out. Ponder that it is God who gives the first breath (Gen 2:7), along with every breath, every beat of your heart, every proper functioning of your body. Ponder the wonder of him as your creator and sustainer and be aware that in everything you are dependent on him.

Keep noticing your breath. As you exhale, bring to God the things you want him to remove from you (eg anxieties, sadness, fruit of the fallen nature in sinful attitudes, thoughts and habits). As you inhale, bring to God the things you want him to bring into your life (eg fruit of the Spirit, Christ-likeness).

Slowly recite a short Bible passage, chosen to put your focus on some aspect of God's being and works. Look especially for passages that focus you on Jesus as the redeemer and the one whose coming again is your hope.

Dwell on this text. Ponder the words and phrases. Let them take you where word and Spirit lead.

As your time draws to an end, notice your breathing again. Thank God for that physical breath which is his gift and for the breath of his Spirit which calls you to Christ, enables you to pray and which illumines your reading of his word.

Bible passages mentioning 'meditate' and related words

  to meditate in the field toward evening;      Gn 24:63     
  you shall meditate on it day and night,      Jos 1:8     
  Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and      Ps 4:4     
  the LORD And to meditate in His temple.      Ps 27:4     
  I meditate on You in the night watches,      Ps 63:6     
  I will meditate with my heart,      Ps 77:6     
  I will meditate on all Your work And muse      Ps 77:12     
  I will meditate on Your precepts And      Ps 119:15     
  So I will meditate on Your wonders.      Ps 119:27     
  And I will meditate on Your statutes.      Ps 119:48     
  But I shall meditate on Your precepts.      Ps 119:78     
  watches, That I may meditate on Your word.      Ps 119:148     
  I meditate on all Your doings;      Ps 143:5     
  on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.      Ps 145:5     
  Your heart will meditate on terror:      Is 33:18     
  And in His law he meditates day and night.      Ps 1:2      1897
  me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes.      Ps 119:23  

  
  And hinder meditation before God.      Jb 15:4     
  and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable      Ps 19:14     
  And the meditation of my heart will be      Ps 49:3     
  Let my meditation be pleasing to Him;      Ps 104:34     
  It is my meditation all the day.      Ps 119:97     
  For Your testimonies are my meditation.      Ps 119:99

Some material to read

·       For a somewhat positive view: http://www.mindandsoul.info/Articles/339737/Mind_and_Soul/Resources/Articles/Mindfulness/A_Christian_perspective.aspx

·       This article gives a more cautious view: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/doinglifetogether/2011/07/the-christian-practice-of-mindfulness.html

·       This article links mindfulness to Christian mysticism (a movement with its own problematic side): http://www.emptybell.org/articles/christian-mindfulness.html

Note: there is a lot of Christian material discussing the problems in eastern meditation. I am confining myself here to mindfulness, which is not quite the same as this, although derived from it.

The cross of Christ and his people

Seen today - a living enactment of the cross as part of an act of worship.

After the Lord's Supper was celebrated, the leader had the group stand and take a cruciform shape. 

They first turned to face the table where the bread and wine had rested - this represents the foundations of all else in the death of Christ.

Next, the group remained in cruciform shape and turned into pairs such that each person looked into another's face to see the image of God renewed in Christ.  This represents the fellowship that believers have as the body of Christ.

Finally the doors of the meeting room were opened and the living Cross turned to face the open door symbolising the outside world. This represents the call to mission which lies on the people of God.

Was Lee Kuan Yew the Lord’s anointed?

-->

Was Lee Kuan Yew the Lord’s anointed?

Much is being written in warm memory and earnest appreciation of Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) who was Prime Minister of Singapore 1959-1990. However, he was much more than a long-serving prime Minister. He made nothing into something. He inherited a small island that was a former British colony (the ‘little red dot’ of President Habibie) and which was soon to be on its own after separation from the new Malaysian federation.  This little red dot is now a nation that punches above its weight in just so many ways.

It is no surprise that the death of LKY drew a large response both locally and internationally. He was a leader who deserves respect, even from those who do not agree with his every word and deed. I am personally glad for the opportunity to live as an expatriate in Singapore for 11.5 years and enjoy the fruits of his nation-building. Had I been in Singapore, I would have been glad to queue and pay my respects.

For Christians, the death of LKY is an event to ponder.

One question is easy to answer. LKY did not profess to be a Christian and should not be spoken of as one.

In his own words:

Different societies have different philosophical explanations for life and the hereafter.

…

I wouldn't call myself an atheist. I neither deny nor accept that there is a God. The universe, they say, came out of the Big Bang.

But human beings on this earth have developed over the last 20,000 years into thinking beings, and are able to see beyond themselves and think about themselves. Is that a result of Darwinian evolution? Or is it God? I do not know.

So I do not laugh at people who believe in God. But I do not necessarily believe in God - nor deny that there could be one.

(http://ionsg.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/lee-kuan-yews-views-on-life-and-death.html).

For all his remarkable achievements, LKY was a man like any other. He was created in the image of God and his life held great value even before any of his great deeds (Gen 1:26-27). Like every person, LKY was a sinner who rebelled against God and who fell short of his glory (Rom 3:23). Like every person, he needed a saviour and, like every person, he had the invitation to believe in Jesus who is the only one who has opened the way to eternal life (Jn 3:16; 14:6; 1 Tim 2:5). So far as the world knows, he never accepted that invitation. There is no reason to say (as was seen on social media): Heaven has opened its door to receive him our Great Leader. God bless his soul.

It is immeasurably sad that so great a man appears to have died without believing in the far greater One who alone could save him.

What assessment then can Christians make of LKY? If he is not a hero of faith (Hebrews 11) is he then to be dismissed of no particular interest to Christians? No!

The Old Testament figure of Cyrus gives a lens through which to form a positive Christian view of LKY.

Cyrus (d529BC) founded the Persian empire and led it to the status of a great power in the ancient near east (http://www.iranchamber.com/history/cyrus/cyrus.php). He respected the local customs and religion of his subject peoples and enabled the return of the Jews from exile with a large treasure trove in 538BC. He is mentioned 23 times in the Jewish and Christian Scriptures (2 Chron; Ezra, Isaiah and Daniel).

The Isaiah references are especially significant:

                .. who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd,

and he shall fulfill all my purpose’;

                        saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’

and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’ ” (Is 44:28)

And again:

 Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,

whose right hand I have grasped,

                        to subdue nations before him

and to loose the belts of kings,

                        to open doors before him

that gates may not be closed:

                ²         “I will go before you

and level the exalted places,

                        I will break in pieces the doors of bronze

and cut through the bars of iron,

                ³         I will give you the treasures of darkness

and the hoards in secret places,

                        that you may know that it is I, the Lord,

the God of Israel, who call you by your name.

                ⁴         For the sake of my servant Jacob,

and Israel my chosen,

                        I call you by your name,

I name you, though you do not know me. (Is 45:1-5)

Note the terms used of Cyrus: he is the Lord’s shepherd and anointed before whom the Lord goes to subdue nations, open doors, level places receive treasures. These are high titles and this is strong language for an earthly king. Shepherd and anointed are titles that Christians more commonly think of as applying to King David and to the Lord Jesus. Anointed is especially striking, for the underlying Hebrew word in Messiah and the Greek equivalent is Christ. Cyrus is given the same titles that were later applied to the Lord Jesus.

What is the Bible saying of Cyrus? It is not saying that he was a worshipper of the Lord. The mostly likely guess about his religion is that he was a Zoroastrian who followed the magi of his court (http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/History/hakhamaneshian/Cyrus-the-great/cyrus_the_great.htm). However, Cyrus was used by the Lord to achieve his purposes for a time. These purposes included judgement on the Babylonians and freedom for the Hebrews to return from exile. When the Lord’s purposes through Cyrus were achieved, he too died and his empire was replaced by that of the Greeks.

God providentially used Cyrus for both common and special grace. In common grace, he brought a large measure of stability to the geopolitics of his day. In special grace, he was used in the transition from the old covenant centred on national Israel and the anointed shepherd-king David to the new covenant centred on the greater anointed shepherd-king Jesus and the new Israel of Christian believers. This is so even though Cyrus did not participate in either the old or new covenants and their blessings.

I believe that it is right to speak of LKY as the Lord’s shepherd and anointed in the same sense of Cyrus.

Through LKY the Christian church found a safe place in Singapore, with a large measure of religious freedom, social stability and economic prosperity. Indeed, through LKY, the prayer of 1 Tim 2:1-2 has been generously answered. This has enabled the gospel to flourish both within Singapore and in its regional role as a ministry-training and missionary-sending nation. In all this, civil peace and quiet in Singapore has served the plans of God who desires that all people should be saved through knowledge of the one mediator Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:3-6).

It is therefore right for Christian people to mourn the death of LKY and to thank God for his anointed shepherd. To do this is not to deny LKY’s own words of disbelief in God and make him some kind of Christian believer with a secure place for eternity. However, it is right to give thanks, to acknowledge and to mourn this man whom God gave to Singapore for such a time as this.