REPENTANCE IS not so much a condition for forgiveness as a consequence of it. We human beings often hold back our forgiveness for some slight or hurt until we at least see signs of contrition. Not so with God: on the cross, the word of forgiveness is spoken first; it gives birth to one felon’s…
Month: February 2009
Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) Response to Conditional Use of “Allah”
The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) welcomes the confirmation by the Government of Malaysia that the word “Allah” may be used by a religion other than Islam. This is implicit in the Internal Security (Prohibition On Use of Specific Words on Document and Publication) Order 2009, (“Order”) made pursuant to Section 22(1)(c) of the…
Richard Rohr’s Reflection on Fasting
I liked what Richard said about the three ways of “de-centralizing the self” and also the focus on inner patterns which detract us from our centering process. I will be following his weekly Lenten guide here. Fasting, along with prayer and almsgiving, are the three spiritual disciplines that are taught in all of the monotheistic…
40 Days: Walking with Jesus in Lent
THE GOAL OF LENT is not to make a plan for change and follow it to the letter. Rather, the goal is to make a change that sinks deeply into life, drawing us closer to self, others, and God. Lent is about intentionally opening ourselves, preparing to receive God’s goodness. – Sarah Parsons A Clearing…
Ash Wednesday: Where we belong
THE ASH WEDNESDAY shadow on the wall, cast by my own solidity blocking light, generates deep penitence and at the same time a yearning for the “new and right spirit” that God gives. We do not search out our sinfulness in order to indulge in feeling bad but to set ourselves on the path of…
Ash Wednesday: The Beginning of Lent
(Music by Joseph Arthur. Cartoons by Si Smith) We have so much fear in all of us. In the secret places of our hearts, Only God and we know what is going on there. Sometimes, we don’t even know ourselves But we only know fear. The fear of sin taking over our lives. The fear…
Random Links 311 (“Shrove Tuesday” Edition)
Mondays with Mark I thought the relation between anger and depression was insightful. The bottom line is that the catalyst for both anger and depression is often the hurts we experience at a very deep level…experiencing feelings of being misunderstood, rejected, unimportant, powerless, and even unlovable. Out of those feelings (and the thoughts that led…
Micah Monday: Penang, Palestine,Perak and Pictures!
I love doing these interviews and introducing people to agents of change. So I’m glad this one I did with Steven Sim last year finally sees the light! Of course, there’s more updated stuff on The Micah Mandate please read on. Trusting In God’s Horticulture Some days it’s tough to seek first the Kingdom of…
Transfiguration Sunday: Rest and Remember
GRANT ME GRACE this day to rest and remember that there is nothing I have to do, nothing I have to buy or sell, nothing I have to produce or consume in order to become who I already am: your beloved creation. May your overworked creation and those who cannot rest today come to know…
New Theme for My Blog!
It’s been a long time since I’ve changed the theme for this blog. I’m happy to focus on the content 🙂 Once a while it’s good to have a change. Thanks to Bob K who is my current tech guru and the one that helps me out since I’m technologically challenged when it comes to…