Prejudice & Bias

Prejudice & bias abound in human society. They stem from certain impressions that we perceive about a certain group of people, often they are generalisations, which may not be true.

I too, am bias and make generalisations about people. I have come to realise that in the NS ministry especially, it is really important that these bias and prejudice be broken down. There are all sorts of people in NS that we will meet, the rich & the poor, the degree holders & those with just secondary 2 education. There will be bias, but let's overcome them.

Holy Spirit, help me to see through God's eyes, that they are people who you also want to reach out too, they are also your lost children & they need you. Help me to love even more.

Come to think of it NS is a place where the segregation of social & education status is at its lowest. It is where there is interaction between the different echelons of society, whether they want to or forced to.

Lord, help to make the best of this. I want to approach each & everyone with a fresh clean sheet in mind.

Different Denominations

The reason there are different denominations within Christianity is because the Bible allows for us to have differences of opinions. However there are a few essential doctrines that is central to the Christian Church.

These essential doctrines are,
Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4).
Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14).
Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4).
The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9).
There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8)
God exists as a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (nature of incarnation)

If your church teaches otherwise, it isn't a Christian Church.

Holiness

There is a misconception that good Christians must be 'Holy', do only 'Holy' things & mix with 'Holy' people.
Holiness is not a outward behaviour, but an inward change of your spirit.
Those who focus to be 'Holy' outwardly, will just end up like the Pharisees in the bible, people who are devoted and extremist in very limited parts of The Law, and have a skewed view of Christianity. Pharisees build walls with the rest of the Jews by their overly strict adherence to the law; self-righteousness.

It is possible to be Holy without 'holy isolation'.
Daniel, a man of God stayed in Babylon, a place of idolatry and evil and served king nebuchadnezzar, who wasn't a follower of God. Jesus himself went to live & dine with sinners.
We as Christians are called to be in this world, yet not of this world, so that we may be a beacon of light to those around us.
When God's love change you, you'll become more & more like Jesus. There's no need for a 'pretentious holiness', Holiness will pour forth naturally in action & speech.

Christians are humans too. We too have fun, laughter, outrageous and crazy moments.
Let's serve with Joy and not out of pretense or false holiness.

Commitment

What does Commitment mean to you?

We have unlimited wants but limited resources. Time is always a constrain, everyone has the same 24 hours a day. As humans, we can learn ways to manage our time better, and hopefully apply them in our daily lives. Some will have more free time than others to play around with.

Yet, when you manage the time you have available to you, what do you prioritise 1st?
Is it more for self-centred purposes or for the Kingdom?

There is no right or wrong answer in prioritising. How you want to manage your time, is your choice. But from how you spend your time, I can tell what matters to you.

Early in the morning...

"As long as the river flows, as long as the wind blows
My heart belongs to
As long as the seasons change, as long as the farmers need the rain
My heart belongs to You
Lord, I know I don't deserve the grace You give
So I will give my heart to You that I might live
You are my God, early in the morning will I
Rise to meet You, rise to meet You
You are my Lord, early in the morning will I
Rise to meet You, rise to meet You"

It's just so wonderful to wake up on a weekday morning, knowing that you dont have to report to camp. I basked in the sunlight that streamed through my window, it's really rare for me, because I usually wake up at 5.30am to go to camp.
I am quite a choleric person, usually seeking to do something humanly productive. However, I chose to just spend time with God on this beautiful morning.
The unhurried time available, to just worship God with my guitar and read his word is just so refreshing to me. I really must spend such kairos time with my Father whenever I can.

Now back to my choleric nature. What should I do today? All the NS guys are in camp, Jiehui & Daniel have just left for the Thailand church camp...
I thought of going back to AJC, to visit my ex-teachers, and perhaps chit-chat with some of the J1 hoppies there. But come to think of it I dont even know the current J2s, I'm 2 years their senior. Though some may still remember from my short relief teaching stint last year. :p
Or maybe I should go to Xinmin sec and visit my ex-students... (I hope to relief teach there again next year after NS.)
Or I could just go disturb freedy prajitna but he is really serious about completing his assignment, better not...
Then again, I think that I should do some caregroup visiting today: I have 2 in mind, Jinqi's cg & my ex-sheep Thaddeus's... Ok I'll ask them about it. :p

But 1st, I should just go for a haircut before lunch. My RSM told me that my hair is getting long yesterday. hahazz

EASTER SPECIAL

As Easter 2006 draws to a close, let us once again be reminded of the extent of God's Love and what it means to us.

Watch the presentation in the website below:
http://www.hechosethenails.net/

What do you value?

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl Matthew 13:
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

What do you truly value?
Where & how you spend your most valuable resources will tell. What is most valuable to you right now? For most it will be time & money.
It becomes especially clear, when your resources are greatly limited.
A change in environment happens & all of a sudden, u feel that the time you have is cut back. This is so true in NS. When you only have 1.5-2 days a week of freedom out of camp, what do you do? The same goes for students, when you change schools, there are new friends, activities & distractions. Where do you spend your time?
It is easy to commit time to the Kingdom before enlistment, for you have plenty. Now your time is restrained. It is a good time to reflect on this & perhaps you'll find the answer to what you truly value. If there is a need to change the way you spend your time, please do. Your shepherds and leaders will be glad to work out a schedule with you to help you manage your time.

On a side note, someone commented that I now live & breathe for the Kingdom. I'm not regretting it, for I see the value in God's Kingdom. :)

I'm restarting my driving lessons.

Restarting blogging

Now that my guys are all in bmt, guess there's no reason for me not to find time to blog...
I'll try to blog regularly again. For all those who complain that I dont update my blog, here goes... enjoy reading. :)

Growth Points 1

Why am so easily affected by negative things that happen to me in camp? Extra duties, work stress, people-pressure... It is normal for one to be affected, but yet what will my response to it be? Will I be like a boat tossed around in the ocean? Like one who doesn't have an anchor?

No, this must not be.
Lord my strength is in You. You are my rock. You are my fortress. You are my refuge.
Help me to find peace in You in the midst of adversity and discouragement.

Psalms 23:
1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me

Father, also help me to learn to trust in you no matter what may come. All these happened for a reason, that I may grow in character & stature.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.


I may be inadequate, but God annoints me to lead His flock.
Drawing a parrallel, the SAF gives me authority over the rest of my branch. Though I am younger & less experienced than some of my colleagues in branch, I am appointed to be the admin supervisor. It is time that I take responsibility of this appointment. It won't be easy, I dont have the rank, and domineering colleagues & deep-seated 1st impressions exist. Still, I will try.

Lord, help me in this, to lead with your Spirit living in me. Not only within the walls of the Church, but also in my camp & my sphere of influence. Annoint me Father, for You have called me to be victorious.