Sivin Kit’s Garden

Pastor Naomi and I were wondering what we could get for BLC’s Mother’s Day this Sunday … this ad does inspire

The Micah Mandate is quick to get us ready just in case busy bees like us are forgetful!

Mothers Day

In conjunction with Mothers Day this Sunday, we have two articles about Mothers:

Reflection

Extolling Mothers by Goh Keat Peng

Read the article…

Reflection

YOU SURPASS THEM ALL, MOTHER by Bob Teoh

Read the article…

speechless … and yet soothing!

We can pray, we can give, we can act … here are two channels for those who are looking for connections.

MYANMAR CYCLONE: WV RESPONDS

Cyclone Nargis has killed at least 22,000 and rendered tens of thousands homeless.

World Vision has been working in Myanmar for the past 40 years and has begun a rapid response to the affected.

For updates, please visit: http://www.wvasiapacific.org/

To contribute, please click here.

Note: World Vision Malaysia’s project in Myanmar was not affected as it is situated in the northern region.

APPEAL - Humanitarian Relief for Myanmar

CCM is calling upon all Churches to pray for the thousands of children and families affected by the Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.

The death toll continues to rise and currently estimated to be 22,000 with over 1 million left homeless.

Secular and church relief agencies are working with the government authorities to rush aid to affected areas.

CCM has been informed that Action of Churches Together (ACT) is working with the Myanmar Council of Churches and local churches to assist in the emergency distribution of food, plastic sheeting for shelter, blankets, tents and water purification tablets.

CCM, along with other churches in the region are raising funds to sustain the humanitarian relief work.

All congregations are invited to make generous donations so that short and long-term relief work will be implemented during this critical time.

Please send the cheques to “Council of Churches of Malaysia” and write “Myanmar Relief Fund” behind the cheque.

For a copy of the Myanmar Appeal, Right Click here and Save As

Here’s one of the events I’ll be participating on this Saturday before my own church event Beyond Labels: Don’t Ask What, Ask Why: Information Session On Neuro Development & Learning Efficiency.

IMPACT MINISTRY presents

Impact Forum on Transforming Society

GCF Impact is a ministry for Christians with 3 or more years of marketplace experience, below the age of 40. We seek to actively engage our world and make an impact for Christ in the marketplace, where the daily business and economics of life take place.

Theme:

Transforming Society:

How Christians Can Impact the Public Square

Speakers:

• Rev Sivin Kit (Pastor, Bangsar Lutheran Church)
• YB Edward Lee (State Assemblyman for Bukit Gasing constituency)
• Tricia Yeoh (Director, Centre for Public Policy Studies, Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute)

Brief Programme:

4.00pm-4.15pm: Registration

4.15pm-4.30pm: Praise & Worship

4.30pm-5.30pm: Talk

5.30pm-6.00pm: Q&A

We have asked Rev Sivin to provide the biblical perspective for Christian socio-political involvement, Mr.Edward to share about his community services and Ms.Tricia on her advocacy and research work on public policy issues and how they think they can make a difference through their respective vocations, with the focus of encouraging the participants to be more aware of social issues and involved in current affairs in order to impact society.

Please join us for the GCF Impact Forum on Transforming Society.

Date:  
10 May 2008 (Saturday)
Time:  4.00-6.00pm

Venue:
People’s Park Baptist Church 
14, 1st Floor , Jalan SS 4D/14 
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Directions:

[Please refer to the map]

Note : A small fee [RM5] will be charged to cover the cost of  the forum. Pay on forum day.

Please RSVP before Saturday 3^rd May 2008 or contact any of us for more details:

1. John Chung at jcfaye98@yahoo.com
2. Lee Hwok Lok at hwok.lok@gmail.com
3. Sui Lan at marlene_agari_wse@yahoo.com
4. Jimmy Lee at jimmylee_79@yahoo.com

Slipstream: Leaders in Formation (HT: Jason Clark)

Looks like an interesting development from UK Evangelicals …

Pastor’s Wisdom: Kent Anderson

I’m a little late on this but thanks Scot for a great series. Great questions: "If you knew then what you know now, what would you have focused on? Or, in light of what you now know, what would you advise young pastors to focus on? "

Hindsight is 20/20 but it often comes at less than productive moments but sometimes it does make a difference. I have served churches in Iowa, Michigan and Illinois; in rural, small town and suburban environs. I have dealt with everything from murder to suicide to sexual abuse to goofy boards to cranky members to bats in the church to you name it. Knowing this - the one thing I would make sure of if I was starting over again is this – read the Bible.

…

Why do this? In every other element of my position I know that there are people in the church who know more about leadership and vision casting, finances, building construction and maintenance, pedagogy and the care and feeding of copiers. But I need to know the Bible. I need to know it intimately, its themes (large and small) the people who populate it and its flow. I need to know it personally to be able to carefully use it professionally. The more I read it the more I am drawn to it. And I discover more about myself in reading the Bible. I love Leviticus and its lessons. Judges is the most contemporary book for our land. David is always in trouble in Psalms. The personalities of the gospels are amazing, and Revelation can be breathtaking.

Pastor’s Wisdom: Cindy Nicholson

Another one … good for the soul.

When I reflect on that time, the one thing that I would have focused on more has nothing to do with the art of pastoral ministry – and everything to do with it! I would have more diligently protected my times set aside to sit quietly before God, scriptures in hand, and to listen, to think long, slow thoughts and to let him inform my mind, soften my heart, and open the doors of my spirit to be filled again with the Holy Spirit .

Is the political enterprise a result of the Fall?

This would be handy for the forum I’m involved in on Saturday!

I think that the role of government is not simply the negative task of restraining evil (which is true because of the Fall), but also the positive task of working for the common good (which would have been the case with or without the Fall).

Post Charismatic?

I can relate to this. Interesting comments.

my understanding of what counts as ‘prophecy’ has changed somewhat. I would understand particularly socio-political theological engagement (e.g. aspects of liberation theology, and books like Colossians Remixed) to be sometimes profoundly prophetic, for me more so than the ‘I had a picture but don’t know what it means’ variety. But through whatever manner God chooses to speak I want to be ready to hear (1 Thess. 5:20 ‘don’t despise prophecies’; 1 Cor. 14:1 ‘Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy’).

Another awesome accidental discovery … a pleasant one.  It’s been a good week musically.

I’m living one day at a time.  One hour at a time.  One second at a time.

I miss swimming.  Maybe I might have a chance to do that tomorrow.  We’ll see.

May Chin and I had an interesting conversation during dinner.  In short, we pay tribute to those more senior and mature Christians who have gone before us and still have so much to contribute.  One thing for sure especially for younger folks like us who easily dish out ideas and opinions, some grandiose while others dreamy.  At the end of the day, the older folks get the job done and actually produce something for us to take it further then mere words.

Humbling.

Most of us are unable to distinguish the process of creative construction verses critical engagement in our thinking and planning together.  It takes a lot of discipline to allow the creative juices to kick in, and then an honest openness to be critical in a healthy way.  Ways that move the agenda forward rather than being stuck, or retreat.  That requires a lot of energy.

But once a glimpse of it happens … it’s rewarding and we feel a sense of accomplishment.

The road ahead is a little scary.  And I foresee a lot of energy spent necessarily, the cost will not only be great in terms of finances, but attention especially to detail.  It’s better when we’re working in a team for these matters then we help each other out. Focus on where we are strong at and then support where we are weaker.

Dreaming is fun … deciding is harder … and details tend to be tedious.   But all of these practices are part of the bigger picture.   All play a part.

Tomorrow will be another full day.  Tried to get some rest today so I could go full swing tomorrow.  Physically it’s demanding, especially when I’m not really fit as I should be.

I hear the pool calling me to swim.  And more …

And yet, now I also hear the stomach whispering …

for a bite!

My favorite guitar player for the week … it’s been so refreshing and inspiring!

The Micah Mandate is the "result of the concerns and aspirations of a group of Christians who are praying that all Malaysians in general and Christian Malaysians in particular will be more constructively engaged in matters of social conscience, public service and nation building rather than to only remain in comfortable armchairs criticising other people and institutions".

Please allow me to introduce the initiators of this effort through their own words. And a glimpse of what they look like.  We’ll start with the most energetic ones first (Pictures taken at our first meeting)! The two younger ones after that …

Commentary
MICAH 6.8: JUSTICE, MERCY, HUMILITY by Peter Young

The Bible contains many brief instructions concerning the conduct which God, the Father of Jesus Christ, both expects and demands of his followers. One of these is given to us in Micah 6:8
Read more…

 

 

Reflection
GETTING INVOLVED by Goh Keat Peng

The principle remains true. If I want something or believe in a cause, I must put my shoulder to the plough and join with others to make it happen.
Read more…

Commentary
Apology: Our Future lies in redeeming our past by Bob Teoh

Apology, I’m sorry to say, is a troublesome word indeed. The word takes on an extended nuance and is associated with other synonyms. Hence, “apology” applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault. Which definition does Hisham fall under?
Read more …

Reflection
DO SOMETHING by Sivin Kit

All little "do somethings" is part of the bigger puzzle and hopefully a chain reaction of hopeful change that’s so needed in a time where empty promises are in the air.
Read more …

Reflection
THE WORD BECAME FLESH by Ting Moy Hong

It was 1988. I was doing my chambering when the Malaysian Bar called for an emergency general meeting in response to the dire judicial crisis facing our nation.
Read more …

The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility (cf. Micah 6:8, The Holy Bible).

We believe that every individual person is made in the image of God and should be held in high esteem regardless of social status, political affiliation, gender, race, creed, or religion.

We subscribe to a participatory constitutional monarchy where fundamental civil liberties and the human rights of every individual are respected and safeguarded.

We want to encourage a citizen-based brand of journalism whereby individuals and groups of individuals of all walks of life will find space to express their views and concerns and be engaged in a dialogue with others.

We uphold the Rukunegara, or our five canons of nationhood, as our national philosophy:

• Belief in God
• Loyalty to King and Country
• The Supremacy of our Constitution
• The Rule of Law
• Civility and Morality

In pursuit of these aims, we seek to partner like-minded Civil Society groups and individuals to contribute to a transformation of our nation. We believe this is possible when ordinary individuals begin to desire first to be transformed themselves.

The initiators of Micah Mandate are:

(Rev) Peter Young, Bob Teoh, (Rev) Sivin Kit, (Rev) Ting Moy Hong and Goh Keat Peng.

These individuals are involved in Micah Mandate in their own individual capacities. Like all others, if and when their writings and comments are posted on Micah Mandate, they alone are responsible for their respective views and in no way are they representing other institutions which they may be associated with.