The reflecting theologian

Americans who described God as "Friend" in 1984: 29 percent Americans who did so in 2008: 18 percent Americans who described God as "King" in 1984: 18 percent Americans who did so in 2008: 23 percent

Everything is permissible—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible —but not everything is constructive. - 1 Cor 10:23 Paul said this in the context of decision making. I have been thinking about this since the shepherd meeting on Monday and I think I have some views into this verse regarding how we make our decision. Permissible? One question we often want to ask is whether the decision that we are going to make is permissible under the authority of God's word. The bible listed in the OT and the NT that there are certain things that are not permissible Yet Paul said that everything is permissible. A lot of times, even as I listened to the teaching about deciding what is beneficial, I wondered why Paul said this, that everything is permissible. My only explanation is, in very summarised form, that under the covering of the new covenant through the sacrifice of Jesus, everything that we do is being covered by His grace and mercy. That's why 'everything ...

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. I was reflecting upon this verse while I ran the marathon on Sunday. As I enter into my 4th year in Christ, I realised that this verse applies a lot to my own spiritual life and my own philosophy as a believer and a disciple of Christ. I consider my life worth nothing to me. I have a tendency to think about my own life and all that I can do and achieve in my career, even as I start my career in MOH, if I ever have a career there. I was thinking what's my CEP and how far I can go in MOH or even the civil service. Yet, I have to keep reminding myself that my own life is worth nothing and I need to consider all things rubbish. Coming 4 years, I have to admit that compared to God and His presence in my life, the rest seems rubbish in comparison with that. It often came across my mind what I could ha...

I love this worship song. It's in Malay, and I think it's better than most English worship song that I have heard. And it's meaningful. Betapa kumencintai How I love Segala yang t'lah terjadi All that has happened Tak pernah sendiri jalani hidup ini I have never been alone in this walk of life Selalu menyertai But always protected Betapa kumenyadari How I realised Di dalam hidupku ini In my life Kau slalu memberi rancangan terbaik You have a wonderful plan Oleh karena kasih Because of love REFF (CHORUS): Bapa, sentuh hatiku, ubah hidupku Father, touch my heart, change my life Menjadi yang baru To be anew Bagai emas yang murni Just like pure gold Kau membentuk bejana hatiku You have shaped my heart Bapa, ajarku mengerti sebuah kasih Father, teach me to understand a kind of love Yang selalu memberi That always gives Bagai air mengalir Let it be like a flowing stream of water Yang tiada pernah berhenti That never ends

I have been going for our Hope international conferences and this time, it had been no exception. The conference was held in Putrajaya, at PICC, and I had the privilege of attending it with 1700 other brothers and sisters from other Hope churches all over the world. I met quite a lot of old friends from Hope Malaysia, it was only a pity that none from Hope HK appears. It has been an inspiring few days. I would not blog what happened in the conference, but I will want to share some thoughts here that I have been thinking about. The first thought from the conference is that there is no way I can settle down in God's presence. Let me explain that. It was during the first PnW when I just felt overwhelmed by God's presence. Just then, I realised that no matter what I do, this sense of being overwhelmed is always there, regardless where I am, just that I was a bit more overwhelmed in this instance. Just like David likes to dwell in His presence, I realised that I can never get too ...