Sivin Kit's Adventures

Archive for March, 2007

Thanks for helping me see what’s more important.

Thanks for giving me space to let go off what I now consider “skybalon” when compared to what I encountered in Cameron Highlands.

Thanks for moving me forward …

Nowadays, Gareth initiates lots of conversations … and it usually starts with a question.

After allowing myself to “feel” or “identify” with the tragedies I’m either reading or am in touch with, it makes some other requests I see as trivial and selfish. We have so much, from the cash in our wallets to the cars we use to shuttle us around. And yet, there’s so much complaints and excuses coming out of our mouths.

Some of my friends get more emails which tell them how evil and unjust the world is. I need to pray for them so the “stuff” won’t poison them. There are other friends who are simply caught up in the rat race and they need to get some of these emails and be moved by what they read. Too many of my friends probably are in a state of “numbness”. I wonder is my patience running thin? Some go around shouting out how they love God … but …

I’m looking forward for the time 4 of us will be going up to visit the Orang Asli (or Orang Asal) companion congregation and spend some time with the lady pastor there. Can we reimagine a new way of partnership and learning? Can we be open to discern what God’s spirit is doing and saying when we are there?

Had an interesting breakfast with a stranger today. Two of us. Two religions – a Muslim and a Christian. Two races – Malay and Chinese (well according to my ID card – Hokkian?). Two occupations – a businessman and a pastor. Two sets of meals – toastbread and roti chanai. One conversation over breakfast – we talked about life, work, and family. We laughed about our common interest in photography – he’s a pro, I’m an amateur. He was surprised I am a pastor. I was surprised he has only one child. He made room for me to join the table for breakfast, I made some room for some conversation. I liked it … I need more of this.

Had supper with a couple whom I can’t remember when was the last time we ate together. Good food .. and good to catch up. so much has happened.

News of loved ones in hospital is more and more frequent these days.

Got an SMS where a friend will appear on TV tomorrow. All the best to her. She’s the best. While not everyone can be like her, but we can all learn from her. As far as those who are younger than me, I find myself challenged when I see how she is progressing. She’s a rare gem. But I pray more gems like her will emerge in due time.

While there’s a lot of news or stories which can easily weigh me down these days, but there’s always little “good gossip” which does wonders for me. For example, I found out tonight how at least 4 more BLC members went to join the games activity with one of the children’s home last Saturday. Of course, I’m glad 3 guys are following me tomorrow. I was happy to serve with two couples who were more than willing to step in when necessary to fill the gaps where our worship ministry is concerned. I think there is a ministry of filling the gaps at times .. we must affirm those who operate out of servant hood.

Yesterday, it was good to listen to two brothers talk about how they want to move forward and facilitate a way for us to move from talks to even baby steps. So often, what we have is “verbal or intellectual masturbation” where NOTHING is done. Not even a prayer.

My brief reintroduction to Chinese classics has sensitized me once again to the virtuous life. And so much of “pop Malaysian culture” today, especially the “it’s all about me” kind of culture is making me puke. Worse is when self proclaimed Christians are running around … not only washing dirty linen in public (hey we all know our imperfections) but being proud about it that is drives me crazy… now that stinks. Am I switching to a ranting mode? Restraint … breath slowly .. fresh air in the highlands will do me good.

There’s so much wrong with our world. There’s probably not much we can do to make dramatic changes but at least we can start being part of the solution than being stuck as part of the problem. We are tempted to be paralysized by our analysis … or worse without intelligent analysis .. it’s mere uninformed opinions which not only doesn’t stimulate but it’s just some sounds coming out from our teeth … or words keyed into cyberspace. If I’m going to dwell in this kind of time wasting self-loathing activity … I think I must have lost my humanity … in fact, if there’s nothing more than that load of “garbage” (skybalon?) I’m producing … it’s toxic not just for me but those around me.

Listening to Lewis Smedes (mp3) again in the car did me much good … he reminded me of “Keeping Hope alive”. Hope and the stuff Smedes highlighted in the sermon oozes the toxic from our system … though real limits and pain are not ignored but our view of life and vision of the present is shaped by a presence and promise beyond our own inadequate selves.

I think I had too much to eat tonight …

with that .. good nite.

Listening to the Ambient Music is a regular diet for me, so I thought it would be good to get to know the father of modern ambient music a little better. Fasinating quote below:

‘Ambient Music must be able to accommodate many levels of listening attention without enforcing one in particular; it must be as ignorable as it is interesting.’ — Brian Eno (Music for Airports liner notes [1], September 1978)

The Truth Of The Matter
It’s statements like this that makes me see how Haris Ibrahim views the state of our nation and makes me re-look at how I respond :

“I am against the ‘Islamisation’ that we see

Holy Qur’an.” “

Disquiet
I read his post Why?! and wondered how the lawyers whom I know are Christians would answer the question.

Article 11: The Federal Constitution: Protection for All
Very informative and resourceful website on an issue which concerns ALL.

Hakam: National Human Rights Society
I was encouraged to know a friend will be working there … it’s personal contacts like this which makes the public issues “glare” with greater intensity.

Sisters In Islam
I’ll never forget the first time I heard one of their representatives speak at a consultation.

The Other Malaysia
I think I linked this site before but it’s worth linking again.

I’m disturbed tonight as I read about the late young Dally here in Mutilated body of 7-year-old girl shatters refugees’ dream and Stench leads to gory find. This was brought to my attention last night at one of our LiFE Group meetings by a member. And this morning I got an email with more news. It was not news I wanted to hear. But it hit me … especially after having it in my mind lingering the whole day.

I decided to send it to my church email list …not having much to say apart from “it’s tough to read this tragic news. Can we pray for the family? for mercy and also for justice?”

I just realized that the person who sent me the email was in direct contact with one of the family members. Now it’s hitting harder. God, what the hell is wrong with our country that something like this can happen?

“The bird does not sing because it has answers. It sings because it has a song.”
- Chinese proverb quoted by Margaret Somerville in the first of her lectures on The Ethical Imagination (HT: Parking Lot)

Elysia loves singing … she sings in the car, she sings when i carry her, she sings at my mom’s place, she sings in church, she sings at home .. she sings … she has lots of songs – Chinese, English, nursery rhymes, sunday school songs, folk songs, all sorts. So often we adults have lost the ability and the joy of “singing” (and this includes the metaphorical usage of the word applied to life!)

The quote above is simple and when I read it the first person of thought of was Elysia (who’s now two years old already!) … the past weeks our kids have been a wonderful source of reminders of what is important and what it means to be human (and childlike). I’ve been consciously and unconsciously drawn to reflections on my faith, growth and basic human stuff. Nothing fancy, only what is necessary.

“Holy Spirit,
giving life to all life,
moving all creatures,
root of all things,
washing them clean,
wiping out their mistakes,
healing their wounds,
you are our true life,
luminous, wonderful,
awakening the heart
from its ancient sleep.”
- Hildegard of Bingen (HT: inward/outward)

I woke up from a “fulfilling” 40 wink nap a while ago. Gareth joined me in this necessity. My voice is getting so much better after that. The nap was special because I think it included a good dose of emotional and intellectual rest. Letting go of entangled feelings is always a good thing. Allowing my bubbling brain to settle down is good for fresh thoughts. Plus, it was nice to have a little companion to be with me during this rest.

In the midst of all this, I wonder how the Holy Spirit works quietly within us. I do discern some awakening the moment I opened my eyes

The Retention Factor
Some good practical advice here, I shared some of it to people last week — > “Take the 3rd party learning approach as much as possible. This means learning and reading as if you were going to teach the same material to someone tonight.”

The Passion: The Gospel as Political Parody
Ched Myers name seems to be coming up again and again these past years.

Grace Cathedral Forum: Dave Fleming: The Seeker’s Way (mp3)
I have a leadership book by Dave Fleming so this is an interesting interview where I could hear more of his faith journey and perspectives. It also adds insight to the USA context which often washes their debris over here.

The Evolving Church Conference 2007 Blows My Mind
Nice to hear from one of the speakers for a change.

The gospel of shalom for both haves and have-nots
I continue to deepen my understanding of the “Gospel”.

Inside the Missional Matrix
I’m downloading away!!!!!!

This week has been quite a week indeed. Coming back from a memorial service for Brother Eric Kirton created some space for me to reflect on significant issues.

A number of days earlier I was watching and walking with a member of my church losing his mom was hard. It’s hard to be professional about the reality of grief that comes with the losing of a loved one. I don’t think it was meant to be “professionally” handled. A lot has been going through my mind in between these memorials , during and after them.

And yet, there were also moments of celebration on Saturday, where one of our church couples celebrated the full moon for the second child . The chance to be part of my good friend Sherman Kuek’s engagement was very meaningful … the little conversations at Seremban was especially precious. It made the drive to and fro worthwhile.

Then looking at Bangsar Lutheran Church through my good friend Paul Long’s eyes again was nice. Brought my unsettled mind to some calmness, and mixed emotions to some concrete pictures. I do miss Paul and the magic he brings.

Oh yes. .. suddenly on Thursday I lost my voice .. doctor told me I had a swollen larynx and gave me some medication. My voice was hardly recognizable but thankfully I managed to pull through the Friday night replacement class for affirmation and baptism candidates. Then on Saturday 11am, I survived speaking at ATC Christian Fellowship (which closed with a decent lunch and extra bonus conversations over some pretty good wan tan mee!). And this Sunday morning, I still could speak and sing during the worship gathering (the Lord has been merciful to me). The fun part was I persevered through the catechism class introducing and explaining ideas and pictures for holy communion, and the “Word of God”. So, vocally it’s been a pretty full weekend with severe coarse limitations.

I’m hoping to sleep well after this … and have a good break from talking the whole day on Monday while being papa on deck so my in laws can have a break. Important time for bonding for papa and Gareth (and later Elysia). Coming back from the memorial tonight, a deep impression was on how I’m spending time with my kids. That will be the thought I’m taking with be while I slip into horizontal meditation.

William Wilberforce as Evangelical Leftist?
Good challenge — > “How many evangelicals–or any of the rest of us–recognize that the long haul is the only way to get things done politically? Yes, things do eventually come to exciting crises, but the way those crises “break” has a lot to do with the processes that precede them that determine both the shape and outcome of those crises.”

The Dream of Pastoral Leadership
I’m starting to slowly get this .. “Most contemporary accounts of leadership imply that the leader is the one who asks questions, moves toward answers, and clarifies where we are and what we are doing. However, Lewis Parks and Bruce Birch note that the Christian leader may be the one who helps us live with mystery, to follow the Dream, to find meaning and direction, even when our final destination is left up to God”

Some Reasons Why the Lone “Senior Pastor” Might Not Make Sense Anymore
I have reasons why I don’t see myself as a “senior pastor”

Prayer Regarding Critics and Enemies by Serbian Orthodox Bishop
I think Brian McLaren was the one who brought this prayer to my attention. Apparently, it’s re-emerging in the blogosphere again. which is a good things.

Jesus and the Eyewitnesses – Outline of forthcoming posts
I need to sit down one day with a cup of coffee (and some chips) and catch up with all these excellent posts.

DashHouse on the Evolving Church Conference
Some excellent blogging here which I would like to follow.

A DIFFERENT SORT OF CHURCH LEADER by John Buckeridge
I confess, I havent’ read any Rob Bell books … I’ve seen his Nooma videos at local bookstores, and interestingly his name came out when I met a friend at a Buddhist wake last week … apparently, there are people in Malaysia reading him and influenced by him. So, I decided to read this interview.