IN or OUT of God's Will ?

I was reminded of a simple but important lesson this morning as I do my quiet time.

Many of us are eager to know God's will for us so that we might do it. As a result, we get all anxious in life because the fact is, most of us cannot see what's going to happen to us beyond next week!

The author of my QT material suggested another perspective. He said that "if you are walking daily with the Lord, you'll not have to find God's will - you will be already in it." Yes, when we obey God day by day, we'll always find ourselves in the will of God.

I think that's cool. From now on, I need not be anxious about my future any more - because as long as I choose to obey God daily, one moment at a time, I'll always find myself in the will of God, whether it's today or 10 years down the road. Hooray!

Naming with a purpose

Recently, I was asked to provide a ‘Christian’ name for a youth. I really crack my head to think what to give. As you know, my wife and I named my four sons – Zachary, Theophilus, Barnabas & Elijah. It took many weeks for us to come out with a name. We do not want to name our child’s name just because it “sounded pretty”. We realized that Biblical names had specific meanings, so the name was chosen more for its sense than its sound.

So for those who know the meanings of the names of my sons, you can feedback to me. Correct answer to the meanings of my son’s name will be greatly rewarded!!Below are the meanings of the names of several biblical characters. Can you name the person in each case? (This isn't as hard as it looks. Except for 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9-14, all the names are found in the titles of books of the Bible. The other names are also familiar. I will post the answer soon)

1) man
2) prosperous
3) God is strong
4) God is Savior
5) help
6) great warrior
7) love's embrace
8) salvation of the Lord
9) God has helped
10) beloved
11) eagle
12) enlightened
13) the Lord sustains
14) the Lord is gracious
15) messenger
16) worshipper of the Lord
17) the Lord has consoled
18) star
19) something worth seeing
20) asked of God
21) exalted of God
22) dove
23) he that weeps
24) peace
25) honored of God
26) honorable
27) God is judge
28) the Lord is salvation
29) salvation
30) one with a burden
31) gift of the Lord
32) light-giving
33) rock
34) the Lord remembers
35) little
36) the Lord hides
37) the Lord has been gracious
38) praise of the Lord
39) festive
40) who is like the Lord
41) compassionate
42) affectionate
43) the Lord is God
44) polite
45) supplanter

(The top scorer will receive a book from me!)

Pastoral blogs...

shadow's entry on Blogging and Christian Ministry, gave 5 interesting reasons why people in Christian Ministry, especially pastors or Christian leaders should blog. I thought they were quite good, especially the one from Rev. Chris Chia, that blogging gives us a chance to go global while staying local. It is definitely a modern form of a communication tool, a conversation, really (thanks shadow). Blogging allows our youths to hear the inside stories of our pastors and other Christian Ministry leaders. It also allows us to share with them what is in our heart and mind. What makes us tick and what brings us joy. Keeping our lives transparent and real for them. We are alike in some ways, different in others. A place to connect with one another.

So, for those of you who have not been contributing to the Synod Youth Ministry blog, can i encourage you to do so soon? : )

Here are some of the blogs of our Presbyterian pastors.

Pr. Wesley Sng (A Voice from the Trenches)
Pr. Lam Kuo Yung (just lam)
Pr. Ronnie Hoh (Ron's Reflections)
Pr. Wilson Tan (The Inklings' Cafe)

Any Reverends?

The next thing we need to work on is to promote this blog to our youths? Any comments?

Gospel of Judas

The publicity given to the “Gospel of Judas” recently on the press and cable has caused some people to ask, “Are you sure the Christianity you are practicing now is the authentic one? Why is it so different from what’s written in the Gospel of Judas?”

Since some of my church's youths raised their questions, I've tried to understand the issues involved and posted my views on my blog.

If you're also one of those interested in this topic, drop by to read what I've written. I'll most appreciate if you can offer your constructive feedback so that we can together help more people see this issue clearly (yup, I don't appreciate negative critism). Of course, do keep in mind I'm not trying to come up with any in-depth thesis. So I do not apologise for not going DEEP by explaining all my prepositions, hypothesis, assumptions, etc... I also want to keep my posting very simple and jargon free, ok? Thanks!

Tambourine Dancers for PCS 125th Anniversary Celebration Worship

TambourineDance_9Apr2006 063, originally uploaded by synodym132.

9Apr2006: These dancers are really making great leaps of improvement! They look very professional yesterday during the practice. Next Sunday (2pm at True Way PC) will be their last practice before the combined rehearsal on 22nd Apr 2006, 6pm at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and the actual 125th Anniversary Celebration Worship on 23rd Apr 2006, 10am at SIS.

Visit flickr.com (click on the photo above or on the sidebar on the right) for more photos!

125th Anniversary of PCS - Back Page

Scan10075, originally uploaded by synodym132.

Here is the promotional brochure for our upcoming celebration.

125th Anniversary of PCS - Front Page

Scan10074, originally uploaded by synodym132.

Date: 23rd Apr 2006
Time: 10am
Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium

See you there!

Seating Plan for Churches in SIS

Seating Plan for Churches with names
Originally uploaded by synodym132.

Here is the seating plan for the participating churches. Also in two versions for your convenience.

Locality Map of Singapore Indoor Stadium

SIS location map updated
Originally uploaded by synodym132.

Here is a locality map of Singapore Indoor Stadium, to help us get there for the 125th Annivesary on 23rd Apr 2006, 10am. There are two versions for download at flickr ("TIFF" for print or presentation; "JPG" for emails).

The Day Supercop Fell

Cops are ever so smart in their uniform. If my St John uniform was half as impressive, I’m certain I would have won over half-a-dozen girls in my secondary school… So much for my wild imagination… back to the real stuff!

Just 2 weeks ago, I went to Malacca for a self-help holiday. Everything about the trip was nice and smooth until I came to the last stop of my tour – the Malaysian custom.

Just when I was driving away from the custom, I noticed a burly Malaysian policeman signaling to me to pull over. I thought immediately that he wanted to check my car boot for illegal stuffs. So I stopped, opened the boot and stood beside it in my usual humble stance.

The impressive cop strode towards me and asked for my driving license. After receiving it, he asked me whether I knew I did not put on my seat belt. I said, “yes” and “sorry”. So he said he could fine me for RM120. Naively, I pull out my wallet to see if I’ve got enough money to pay the fine.

On seeing the wads of cash in my wallet, Mr Policeman got all thrilled and excitedly commanded me back to my driver’s seat. At that moment, I understood him. How silly of me. Our Mr Nice never wanted to fine me. He just wanted to share MY money with me.

For a moment, I thought to myself, “Is RM20 enough to dismiss him?” But our good old H.S. interrupted immediately, “Dear PASTOR, I look forward to your sharing to your congregation that you just bribed a policeman in Malaysia.” I realized this must be some form of “suffering for Christ sake” that the Bible talked about.

What happened subsequently was almost comical. While I tried to act blur, the cop tried his utmost to hint to me his need for a bribe. Finally, in his frustration, he said, “Don’t you understand? You just need to give me some coffee money!” At that, I have to come into the open too. I replied, “I can’t do it. It’s wrong. Please issue me a summon.”

He was taken aback. I could see his struggle on his face. A few seconds later he passed my license back to me. Then he gave me a verbal warning and asked me to move on. I said “thank you” humbly and flew away!

What is the moral of the story? You might suggest something like: “When you honor God, God honors you in return!” I guess that’s not wrong. You might have thought I would be elated about the “escape”. But I was actually sad, very sad.

The smart-looking policeman’s behavior reminded me of how deeply mankind is bonded in sin. Who has the power to save us ?! Our Lord Jesus Christ! He has broken the chains of sin and brought us into victorious living. We saved ones have the duty to bring this news to all who bother to hear! Woe to us if we slack on this duty!

The rest of my journey home, I was praying for that poor policeman. I pray that he would be convicted of his sins and be given an opportunity to hear the good news. Salvation is at hand, we need not wallow in our sins no more…