Sivin Kit’s Garden

Amen!

(HT: Dave Walker)

Gareth, Elysia and I sat down with a candle lit for special time of prayer before they slept and we talked about Advent and what it means.  Gareth got it right when he said it was about “coming”.  But who or what’s coming I asked?  The kids giggled and mentioned presents and all. Of course, their pastor father had to use this teachable moment to talk about the Messiah Jesus. They accepted my explanation.

And we then moved on to the possibility of spending less money on buying presents especially for themselves! (I got the idea of including my kids more proactively this year from Sample AC Newsletter for Families and Kids). I proposed how about saving the money and give it to a project that we as a church will be supporting (BLC will be focusing on supporting United Voice this year - indeed a different kind of “water” project! We’re adapting to what we discern to be a local need).

Gareth leaped for joy and said he had lots of coins in his piggy bank! I confess I was a little stunned. At least the conversation has started . and the movement towards our convictions and actions will come in due time.

Click Advent Conspiracy for more information.

To me the Christian year has indeed become part and parcel of my own spiritual formation, I pray it is for people part of our church as well. For what it’s worth, Happy New Christian year tomorrow the first Sunday of Advent! I welcome you to join the conspiracy!

MY MINISTRY RADICALLY CHANGED when I realized that what we call our negative sides - anger, anxiety, complaining, criticizing, procrastinating, controlling, and so on - are usually deep inner cries for help. Perhaps they are cries from early childhood, rising from emotional wounds that never healed. We were told so often to get over them, rise above them, forgive and forget, concentrate on the positive, that we thrust down these unhealed wounds below our conscious level.

But wounds do not just go away. If unhealed, they cry like abandoned children in the dark, forgotten places within us. The only way they can make their presence felt is through our negative attitudes, our addictive escapes, all symptoms of pain.

- Flora Slosson Wuellner
Miracle: When Christ Touches Our Deepest Need

(via Upper Room Daily Reflections)

I deleted a “random thoughts” post because before I pressed the publish button I felt drawn to check on some Upper Room Daily Reflections.  Maybe it’s more like transferring those thoughts and feelings into another space - a more appropriate sacred space - where The Potter can do his work.

Somehow the world wide web might have too many hands which is not that helpful. Well meaning, articulate, educated, but band aid stuff which is nothing compared to the deeper healing which comes from Christ himself.

Will there be anyone who will understand and come alongside those who take the courage to face the “negative sides”? Not many can, most are not able for numerous reasons, few are suitable, but there will be at least someone who will be there for us. We will be forever grateful for them. Their hands do not interfere with God’s hands, in fact very often they have their hands off, it’s not so much about interfering than being supportive and a fellow companion. Perhaps more like fellow pots who are a little bit ahead, or relaxing by the side waiting for their turn, either cheering us on or giving us a simple smile of comfort that it will be ok.

This Advent Season starting on Sunday would be a good time for those of us who are celebrating the move of God to put things right in this world which has so much going wrong, to give our “presence”  even before we start thinking about “presents” for the Christmas season. The Anti-ISA PJ Vigil (now with a police permit!) is every Sunday (8pm - 9.30pm), at MBPJ Civic Centre.

My friend Steven Sim wrote something to encourage pastors and church leaders (as well as the younger generation - hope in includes me ) to take part in peaceful gatherings like this. He used the word priests to describe us, I’d prefer the word pastor and would be terrified with the word prophet.

For me, when I light a candle and stand with fellow Malaysians and friends to stand against what I see as unjust, I’m also practicing praying on my feet and with my eyes wide open.  It’s a form of silent witnessing which complements the need for us to speak out against injustice, and speak for fairness available to all (even those we may disagree with).  At this stage of my own Christian journey and understanding, I hear the quiet call of Jesus inviting me to follow him in this way as part of what it means to be a Christ-follower in Malaysia.

The end goal is not just reactive to the current context we are in, that maybe a beginning but what is needed is a glimpse, a dream and a vision of what can be, and that means we’re standing for a world that is characterized by justice, peace, mercy, respect and harmony. I believe this is in line with the vision of the Kingdom of God Jesus was talking about and inaugurating by his coming.

Apart from a little faith perspective above, the fact is there are many who have walked before us. This struggle with the ISA and related acts which results in many detained without trial has been a long and lonely journey. Those like Kak Laila who blogs at Merah Hitam would give us a realistic picture of what the struggle really means, less we slip into some romantic idea when it comes to civil disobedience and peaceful dissent (I overheard someone say “civilized disobedience”!).

So, while I’m encouraged and challenged by Steven’s words below. I’m also cautious that we do not and must not turn our participation into a “pat on my back I achieved something” or worse any self-serving interest of glamour and fame. It’s a little terrifying to have the spotlight on us pastors who are often seen by many as “six days invisible and one day incomprehensible” For what it’s worth, I find myself humbled by Steven’s piece.

Our participation is only part of the bigger piece where educational improvements , legislative reform, grass-root movements, spiritual input, political changes, etc,  all converge towards the change that we seek.  Every small step, every prayer, every blog post :-)  and every effort big or small, visible or invisible counts! And perhaps more importantly, my hope is our presence  as pastors would open up the channels for us to hear the gentle whisper saying to the world that the God of Justice has not abandoned us! He continues to call us to walk in his will and his way today!

(Thanks to Pat Lu for the photo)

*  *  *

The Collared Ones by Steven Sim

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
   and your young men shall see visions,
   and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
   in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.”

Priests at rally.

“Thus saith the LORD.” sermon in front of the city council building, reminds me of Jim Wallis and friends at the Capitol

A white priest and a black priest, yin yang harmony to counter the chaos of the world

Hot, but not MBPJ Idol. Joel did say, “.your daughter will prophesy”.

The collared ones have dedicated their lives as servants of the Most High, choosing a path of discipleship and servant-leadership as pastors of the people of God. At times, wearing the collar means taking a counter-culture stance of obedience to god than to the socio-economic or political trends of the day.

When the collared ones walk the street in public protest of a certain issue they are not advocating any party’s political biases, but rather, they speak as prophets of the Most High, condemning by their presence and words the injustice, the indignation done to fellow humanity by the powers that be. Their message is not socialism or laissez faire, neither left nor right, neither liberal or conservative, but rather, their cries were those of Jeremiah, who spoke on god’s behalf,

“Why do you contend with me?
   You have all transgressed against me, declares the LORD”

And their proposal is not to overthrow one form of government for another, at least that’s not the focal point, but rather, again speaking as god’s mouthpiece,

“Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts and I will return to you.”

That is, not a coup de etat, but an offer of a new lease of life, a second chance with god the One that matters the most. And at times, with so many choices on the menu of political ideologies, perhaps this is what we needed the most, a fresh word about politics without party, justice without vengence, love without a price-tag and life, life in abundance.

March on collared ones.

Lord, I pray for the collared ones as they live their lives in obedience to you in their vocation. May Your servants prosper, Amen.

(The priests shown in this post are the Reverend Anthony Loke and the Reverend Sivin Kit. The lady speaking behind the mike is Trisha Yeoh. These photos were taken at the PJ Anti-ISA Vigil on the 23rd November 2008 - by taken from the Reverend Sivin Kit)

*  *  *

I know there’s a lot of more insider jokes here. For someone like me who’s still following the conversation from a distance, it’s really funny (even though I didn’t make it in the subtitles!!) (HT: Tony Jones)

Go here for more. The need to understand maybe closer than we think. I’m in a zone where our responsibility towards children as a society needs to be strengthened overall.

JESUS SAID THAT THE WAY through all difficulties was walking the path of mercy, justice, and humble cooperation with the Source of this world’s life. . If we walk that way, Jesus promises, even now the kingdom can be “at hand,” so close we can taste “the powers of the age to come” (Heb. 6:5), the time of full and complete triumph.

- Robert Corin Morris
Provocative Grace: The Challenge in Jesus’ Words

(via Upper Room Daily Reflections)

When I first heard the news, I was burning with anger!  How could this happen?  What happened to protecting and giving children a safe environment where they can play and grow?  I felt crushed.  I was speechless.

Last Saturday, sitting through the training by Protect and Save the Children already evoked feelings and memories of stories heard or hinted. Then later I had a conversation with someone who brought to my attention how the powers who are responsible for protecting our children have not shown true commitment to carry their promises through. And now, the news of a little one invaded, violated and crushed in a most horrible way was too much to bear  . . . what if I’m the parent or family member holding her now?  What should we do?  What on earth is wrong with this world?

The path of mercy is not pity, it’s not saying, “How fortunate it’s not happening to me?”  It’s not just trying to ignore it and get on with the day.  I think something is seriously wrong with me if I can blot the monstrosity out of my mind.  The path of mercy means I not only will face the mixed feelings which has been evoked, it means I will look beyond myself to feel with those who are hurting, those who are in pain.  It’s not from a position of power or privilege, it’s taking the pain seriously . . . even shouldering the pain if possible.

The path of justice is not senseless  retaliation, it’s hard to even think about what revenge looks like right now. But the evil must not be swept under the carpet.  Evil must be confronted.  There’s no excuse. We must not hide and evade our responsibilities.  People must be held responsible. Trust is broken. The one who has chosen to hurt the vulnerable one must be brought to justice. The question of forgiveness is not ignored, but it is not cheapened either. The process is going to be painful and even long. No one can dictate how another can or should respond.  Whether it’s the victimizer or the survivor. It’s a mess, so to put things right is going to take a lot of effort and time.  God help us and guide us.

The path of humility is not pretending to be what we are not, it’s digging deeper into the resources available within  us or outside of us to step back and discern what’s next. It’s surrendering our feeble attempts in walking the paths of mercy and justice, stumbling forward and learning to pick ourselves up again. It’s dealing with the anger.  It’s confronting the hate and blame.  It’s working through the emotions.  It’s reexamining our thoughts and actions.  It’s not walking alone.  Whether we need a hand to hold us, or clinging on to the humble king our God who’s a God of justice and mercy and in our weakest moment, even to be carried by Him.

The story is not over yet, the final chapters are yet to be written. We will get there somehow . . . one day.

After more than two weeks of hard work (with thanks to Bob Kee who designed the site and did the technical work which I have no idea how it works! :-)), we are delighted to reintroduce The Micah Mandate to the world

Go there, read, reflect, interact and engage in conversation over concerns which matter to all of us. Our desire and prayer is ultimately we would love mercy, act justly and walk humbly!

Keep a watch on the link below the next one week!

Shane, OUCH! and thanks .