Who is a “minister”? Pastors are. They practice the ministry of identity. Their work is among believers. They are called to help us learn about our potential in Christ. I need this ministry to prevent amnesia— that disease of the mind that causes me to forget who I am as a Christian. But I am…
The other side of Bush
DJ Chuang ended with this in his post …on passion for compassion “Why does it all have to be so political?! :(“ Politics can be so complicated … because humans are complex beings, we’re such a mix bag of influences, ideas and impulses (trying to alliterate *grin*). After talking with two Americans last week, I…
The Bible Jesus Read
While preparing for my book of Job messages, I found some interesting info and insights in this book that helped me along the way. First, the interesting bits. The book of Job so fascinated John Calvin that 159 of his 700 sermons centred on it. p. 47 I mentioned Job here and there and this…
Michael’s Mobile Blog
With his permission my “old” friend Michael Foong has allowed me to link his site “the the rest of the world” that’s connected to this blog. Introducing …. the baby inspired Michael’s Mobile Blog! (made in Malaysia … heheh) Like Chee Leong, Mike and Pheik Kin go way back with May Chin and I during…
The Ministry of Inconvenience
Thanks Paul Tan for making this available … I’ve know Dr. Goh Chee Leong since we were teenagers serving as Christian Fellowship Presidents in our respective schools. Now, he’s a psychologist and I’m a pastor. Both of us learning these precious lessons he so well put in his article. ________________________ The following episode from Jesus’s…
The “unofficial” Todd Hunter Journey
Todd Hunter has in some “ordinary” and yet “not so ordinary” way been very significant in my own journey as a Christian, a church planter, a pastor, a human … etc. I’ve been following his thoughts, reflections and developments pretty closely from this side of the earth. Todd’s willingness to RISK (I remember John Wimber…
The Koo Family
In my preparation for the “JOB” messages, I couldn’t help but think of the late Justus Koo (my uncle – pastor – social worker … etc). And surprisingly searced through google and found this Chinese article written by my auntie – Grace Koo in the USA. 古 家 — 古 尤 彩 霞 我 參…
Suspicion & Hope
“There is no hope where suspicion is king.” ~ Jacques Ellul Charles Ringma elaborates a bit more in his reflections found in Resist the Powers with Jacques Ellul (May 28): “Hope can be born in the seemingly most impossible of situations. But it does not arise in the context of fear and suspicion.” There’s a…
What African Theologians can teach the Emerging Church
Thanks Geoff Holsclaw for the following posts which I’ve printed to read. Wonder how the Asian Theologians are doing … heheh, and I’m in Malaysia … part of Asia. Anyway, nice to see a North American draw from African contributions. This mutual learning (we read you, you read us, we read ourselves, you read yourselves,…
Random Thoughts after Hospital Visit
It’s strange when the pastor now is the one being visited and prayed for when normally he is the one who does the hospital visitation. I actually got an email from his church staff to stop visitors because he needed the rest and constant “entertaining” of visitors got his blood-pressure shot up! Not good for…