I love books. I love to hold a new book in my hands. I love the smell of new books and feel the texture of fine binding of leather books. Most of all, I love the sense of anticipation about what the author or authors have written. Is it a new adventure that thrills and set my heart a racing or some new facts to expand my mental horizon? Will it contain some new insight to deepen my spirit or some new thoughts that excite my sense of wonder? Yes, I confess. I am an addict. I am suffering from biblioholism (an addiction to books). When I walk into a bookstore, I look for a basket to put my new books in. I wish they provide supermarket trolleys. I buy my books at the local mamak store, small bookshops, big chain bookstores and online. I am such a good customer that Amazon.com sends me personalized Christmas greetings and presents every year! People who visit my house and see my books always ask, “Have you read all these!” “No”, I will reply, “they are for decorations.” But I do read them.
Recently I was cataloging my books. I felt a deep sense of nostalgia when I key in the name of each book into the database. Holding each book is like meeting an old friend. I remember when I read them, what reactions they evoke and also memories of my life when the book was read. I read this book when I was very homesick in Edinburgh, this book when my daughter left for Australia and this trilogy when I was in Rome.
As I thought more about this, I begin to realize that even though I love books, I love books not for its own sake. I am not a book collector who buys books to keep in its original mint condition. I buy books because I love to read. I read because I love to learn. So I discovered that a love of learning is behind my love of books. Books are to be read.
I read because I have a hunger to know. I have a type of personality that is very curious about the world and wants to know about everything. As a kid I would stay indoor to read the encyclopedia while other kids play football outside. Reading opens to me a world that I would not have known otherwise. Nowadays, Discovery Channel and the Internet help too. Even now, when I am gray-haired, I still have this hunger to know. Except now, I realized that what I am exploring and appreciating is God’s wondrous creation.
I read because I want to understand. I like to connect what new discoveries that I have found with what I already know. It is like finding pieces of a puzzle and fitting them until it all comes together. I find a deep satisfaction when I begin to understand something. I love these ‘aha’ or ‘eureka’ moments. These illuminating moments show the glorious ecology of God’s creation.
I read because I want to learn. Learning is not just knowing and understanding but also involve a change in our lives. Without assimilating what we have learnt, we are like those whom Paul described as “always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.” (2 Tim.3:7). People ask me why I am studying for a PhD (Permanent head Damage) at my age. I should be playing golf. I am doing it because I want to learn to think critically. Critical and applied learning produces wisdom.
I know where this love of books and learning comes from - my father. Even though he had just a rudimentary education, he taught himself by reading books and by observing and learning from others. I believe his hunger for knowledge and understanding has being passed onto me. We were not well off financially but there were always some books around the house and he studied them often. My father has modeled to me what the Psalmist wrote, “instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still, teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Ps.9:9-10).
I hope I have done the same for my daughters.
Soli Deo Gloria
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
On Books and Learning
I love books. I love to hold a new book in my hands. I love the smell of new books and feel the texture of fine binding of leather books. Most of all, I love the sense of anticipation about what the author or authors have written. Is it a new adventure that thrills and set my heart a racing or some new facts to expand my mental horizon? Will it contain some new insight to deepen my spirit or some new thoughts that excite my sense of wonder? Yes, I confess. I am an addict. I am suffering from biblioholism (an addiction to books). When I walk into a bookstore, I look for a basket to put my new books in. I wish they provide supermarket trolleys. I buy my books at the local mamak store, small bookshops, big chain bookstores and online. I am such a good customer that Amazon.com sends me personalized Christmas greetings and presents every year! People who visit my house and see my books always ask, “Have you read all these!” “No”, I will reply, “they are for decorations.” But I do read them.
Recently I was cataloging my books. I felt a deep sense of nostalgia when I key in the name of each book into the database. Holding each book is like meeting an old friend. I remember when I read them, what reactions they evoke and also memories of my life when the book was read. I read this book when I was very homesick in Edinburgh, this book when my daughter left for Australia and this trilogy when I was in Rome.
As I thought more about this, I begin to realize that even though I love books, I love books not for its own sake. I am not a book collector who buys books to keep in its original mint condition. I buy books because I love to read. I read because I love to learn. So I discovered that a love of learning is behind my love of books. Books are to be read.
I read because I have a hunger to know. I have a type of personality that is very curious about the world and wants to know about everything. As a kid I would stay indoor to read the encyclopedia while other kids play football outside. Reading opens to me a world that I would not have known otherwise. Nowadays, Discovery Channel and the Internet help too. Even now, when I am gray-haired, I still have this hunger to know. Except now, I realized that what I am exploring and appreciating is God’s wondrous creation.
I read because I want to understand. I like to connect what new discoveries that I have found with what I already know. It is like finding pieces of a puzzle and fitting them until it all comes together. I find a deep satisfaction when I begin to understand something. I love these ‘aha’ or ‘eureka’ moments. These illuminating moments show the glorious ecology of God’s creation.
I read because I want to learn. Learning is not just knowing and understanding but also involve a change in our lives. Without assimilating what we have learnt, we are like those whom Paul described as “always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.” (2 Tim.3:7). People ask me why I am studying for a PhD (Permanent head Damage) at my age. I should be playing golf. I am doing it because I want to learn to think critically. Critical and applied learning produces wisdom.
I know where this love of books and learning comes from - my father. Even though he had just a rudimentary education, he taught himself by reading books and by observing and learning from others. I believe his hunger for knowledge and understanding has being passed onto me. We were not well off financially but there were always some books around the house and he studied them often. My father has modeled to me what the Psalmist wrote, “instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still, teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Ps.9:9-10).
I hope I have done the same for my daughters.
Soli Deo Gloria
Recently I was cataloging my books. I felt a deep sense of nostalgia when I key in the name of each book into the database. Holding each book is like meeting an old friend. I remember when I read them, what reactions they evoke and also memories of my life when the book was read. I read this book when I was very homesick in Edinburgh, this book when my daughter left for Australia and this trilogy when I was in Rome.
As I thought more about this, I begin to realize that even though I love books, I love books not for its own sake. I am not a book collector who buys books to keep in its original mint condition. I buy books because I love to read. I read because I love to learn. So I discovered that a love of learning is behind my love of books. Books are to be read.
I read because I have a hunger to know. I have a type of personality that is very curious about the world and wants to know about everything. As a kid I would stay indoor to read the encyclopedia while other kids play football outside. Reading opens to me a world that I would not have known otherwise. Nowadays, Discovery Channel and the Internet help too. Even now, when I am gray-haired, I still have this hunger to know. Except now, I realized that what I am exploring and appreciating is God’s wondrous creation.
I read because I want to understand. I like to connect what new discoveries that I have found with what I already know. It is like finding pieces of a puzzle and fitting them until it all comes together. I find a deep satisfaction when I begin to understand something. I love these ‘aha’ or ‘eureka’ moments. These illuminating moments show the glorious ecology of God’s creation.
I read because I want to learn. Learning is not just knowing and understanding but also involve a change in our lives. Without assimilating what we have learnt, we are like those whom Paul described as “always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.” (2 Tim.3:7). People ask me why I am studying for a PhD (Permanent head Damage) at my age. I should be playing golf. I am doing it because I want to learn to think critically. Critical and applied learning produces wisdom.
I know where this love of books and learning comes from - my father. Even though he had just a rudimentary education, he taught himself by reading books and by observing and learning from others. I believe his hunger for knowledge and understanding has being passed onto me. We were not well off financially but there were always some books around the house and he studied them often. My father has modeled to me what the Psalmist wrote, “instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still, teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Ps.9:9-10).
I hope I have done the same for my daughters.
Soli Deo Gloria
Thursday, April 13, 2006
"I thirst"
Meditation for Good Friday
Text: John 19: 28,29
28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. (NIV)
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth (NKJ)
Scripture- Psalms 69:20,21 (David)
Reproach has broken my heart,
And I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
And for comforters, but I found none.
They also gave me gall for my food,
And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (NKJ)
John is reminding us of the many prophecies concerning Jesus and that He is indeed the Messiah or Christ.
Hyssop-Exodus 12:21-22
21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.
John is calling attention to Jesus being the perfect Passover sacrifice.
“I thirst”
Such a common term. We know what being thirsty is like. Our mouth is dry. Our tongues stick to the roof of our mouth and our lips are dry. And it is such a common term. Man gets thirsty. Animals get thirsty. Does God get thirsty? Jesus who is fully God and fully man does. Jesus said, “I thirst”. His human body was dehydrated after a night of torture and the whole morning on the cross in the hot sun. He is thirsty. Jesus knows what it is like to be human. He knows about our bodily aches and pains. He knows about our worry and fears. He knows what it is to be despised. One day when Jesus sits beside the throne of God and intercedes for us, He will understand us. He will remember what it is like to be fragile human beings. One who once was thirsty will be compassionate.
“I thirst”
The end is coming and Jesus, who is the living water, knows that the river which connects Him to the Father will dry up. He will not longer receive the ‘living water.’ He will no longer receive this living water that gives eternal life and those who drinks from it will never be thirsty again. He is thirsty because the end is near.
“I thirst”
Jesus is thirsty because as a man he was dehydrated. Jesus was thirsty because though He is the Son of God, He knows the time is coming when He is not longer connected to God the Father. The river of life will be cut off from Him.
Let us meditate on the suffering our Lord Jesus is willing to bear for us.
Soli Deo Gloria
Text: John 19: 28,29
28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. (NIV)
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth (NKJ)
Scripture- Psalms 69:20,21 (David)
Reproach has broken my heart,
And I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
And for comforters, but I found none.
They also gave me gall for my food,
And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (NKJ)
John is reminding us of the many prophecies concerning Jesus and that He is indeed the Messiah or Christ.
Hyssop-Exodus 12:21-22
21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.
John is calling attention to Jesus being the perfect Passover sacrifice.
“I thirst”
Such a common term. We know what being thirsty is like. Our mouth is dry. Our tongues stick to the roof of our mouth and our lips are dry. And it is such a common term. Man gets thirsty. Animals get thirsty. Does God get thirsty? Jesus who is fully God and fully man does. Jesus said, “I thirst”. His human body was dehydrated after a night of torture and the whole morning on the cross in the hot sun. He is thirsty. Jesus knows what it is like to be human. He knows about our bodily aches and pains. He knows about our worry and fears. He knows what it is to be despised. One day when Jesus sits beside the throne of God and intercedes for us, He will understand us. He will remember what it is like to be fragile human beings. One who once was thirsty will be compassionate.
“I thirst”
The end is coming and Jesus, who is the living water, knows that the river which connects Him to the Father will dry up. He will not longer receive the ‘living water.’ He will no longer receive this living water that gives eternal life and those who drinks from it will never be thirsty again. He is thirsty because the end is near.
“I thirst”
Jesus is thirsty because as a man he was dehydrated. Jesus was thirsty because though He is the Son of God, He knows the time is coming when He is not longer connected to God the Father. The river of life will be cut off from Him.
Let us meditate on the suffering our Lord Jesus is willing to bear for us.
Soli Deo Gloria
"I thirst"
Meditation for Good Friday
Text: John 19: 28,29
28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. (NIV)
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth (NKJ)
Scripture- Psalms 69:20,21 (David)
Reproach has broken my heart,
And I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
And for comforters, but I found none.
They also gave me gall for my food,
And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (NKJ)
John is reminding us of the many prophecies concerning Jesus and that He is indeed the Messiah or Christ.
Hyssop-Exodus 12:21-22
21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.
John is calling attention to Jesus being the perfect Passover sacrifice.
“I thirst”
Such a common term. We know what being thirsty is like. Our mouth is dry. Our tongues stick to the roof of our mouth and our lips are dry. And it is such a common term. Man gets thirsty. Animals get thirsty. Does God get thirsty? Jesus who is fully God and fully man does. Jesus said, “I thirst”. His human body was dehydrated after a night of torture and the whole morning on the cross in the hot sun. He is thirsty. Jesus knows what it is like to be human. He knows about our bodily aches and pains. He knows about our worry and fears. He knows what it is to be despised. One day when Jesus sits beside the throne of God and intercedes for us, He will understand us. He will remember what it is like to be fragile human beings. One who once was thirsty will be compassionate.
“I thirst”
The end is coming and Jesus, who is the living water, knows that the river which connects Him to the Father will dry up. He will not longer receive the ‘living water.’ He will no longer receive this living water that gives eternal life and those who drinks from it will never be thirsty again. He is thirsty because the end is near.
“I thirst”
Jesus is thirsty because as a man he was dehydrated. Jesus was thirsty because though He is the Son of God, He knows the time is coming when He is not longer connected to God the Father. The river of life will be cut off from Him.
Let us meditate on the suffering our Lord Jesus is willing to bear for us.
Soli Deo Gloria
Text: John 19: 28,29
28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. (NIV)
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth (NKJ)
Scripture- Psalms 69:20,21 (David)
Reproach has broken my heart,
And I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
And for comforters, but I found none.
They also gave me gall for my food,
And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (NKJ)
John is reminding us of the many prophecies concerning Jesus and that He is indeed the Messiah or Christ.
Hyssop-Exodus 12:21-22
21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.
John is calling attention to Jesus being the perfect Passover sacrifice.
“I thirst”
Such a common term. We know what being thirsty is like. Our mouth is dry. Our tongues stick to the roof of our mouth and our lips are dry. And it is such a common term. Man gets thirsty. Animals get thirsty. Does God get thirsty? Jesus who is fully God and fully man does. Jesus said, “I thirst”. His human body was dehydrated after a night of torture and the whole morning on the cross in the hot sun. He is thirsty. Jesus knows what it is like to be human. He knows about our bodily aches and pains. He knows about our worry and fears. He knows what it is to be despised. One day when Jesus sits beside the throne of God and intercedes for us, He will understand us. He will remember what it is like to be fragile human beings. One who once was thirsty will be compassionate.
“I thirst”
The end is coming and Jesus, who is the living water, knows that the river which connects Him to the Father will dry up. He will not longer receive the ‘living water.’ He will no longer receive this living water that gives eternal life and those who drinks from it will never be thirsty again. He is thirsty because the end is near.
“I thirst”
Jesus is thirsty because as a man he was dehydrated. Jesus was thirsty because though He is the Son of God, He knows the time is coming when He is not longer connected to God the Father. The river of life will be cut off from Him.
Let us meditate on the suffering our Lord Jesus is willing to bear for us.
Soli Deo Gloria
Monday, April 3, 2006
Henri Nouwen on Being Alone with God
Why is it so important that you are with God and God alone on the mountain top? It's important because it's the place in which you can listen to the voice of the One who calls you the beloved. To pray is to listen to the One who calls you "my beloved daughter," "my beloved son," "my beloved child." To pray is to let that voice speak to the centre of your being, to your guts, and let that voice resound in your whole being.
Henri Nouwen
Henri Nouwen
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Simon and Garfunkel: Scaborough Fair
Are you goin' to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Without no seams nor needlework, then she'll be a true love of mine
Tell her to find me an acre of land, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the salt water and the sea strand, then she'll be a true love of mine
Tell her to reap it in a sickle of leather, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And to gather it all in a bunch of heather, then she'll be a true love of mine
Are you goin' to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine
.
Simon and Garfunkel: Scaborough Fair
Are you goin' to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Without no seams nor needlework, then she'll be a true love of mine
Tell her to find me an acre of land, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the salt water and the sea strand, then she'll be a true love of mine
Tell her to reap it in a sickle of leather, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And to gather it all in a bunch of heather, then she'll be a true love of mine
Are you goin' to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine
.
Monday, March 27, 2006
The Book of 7 Truths
The above book by Calvin Miller (New York: HarperCollins, 1997) gave 7 interesting truths.
1. Following only the guide who's been where you want to go.
2. The task ahead of you is not as great as the power within you.
3. You cannot help people if you are always with people.
4. Happiness is a choice, misery an option.
5. Wisdom lives only on the other side of pain.
6. Never love life more than the reason it was given to you.
7. Stop living only when you die.
Stop and meditate on these truths. It will make all the difference in how you live.
Shalom
1. Following only the guide who's been where you want to go.
2. The task ahead of you is not as great as the power within you.
3. You cannot help people if you are always with people.
4. Happiness is a choice, misery an option.
5. Wisdom lives only on the other side of pain.
6. Never love life more than the reason it was given to you.
7. Stop living only when you die.
Stop and meditate on these truths. It will make all the difference in how you live.
Shalom
The Book of 7 Truths
The above book by Calvin Miller (New York: HarperCollins, 1997) gave 7 interesting truths.
1. Following only the guide who's been where you want to go.
2. The task ahead of you is not as great as the power within you.
3. You cannot help people if you are always with people.
4. Happiness is a choice, misery an option.
5. Wisdom lives only on the other side of pain.
6. Never love life more than the reason it was given to you.
7. Stop living only when you die.
Stop and meditate on these truths. It will make all the difference in how you live.
Shalom
1. Following only the guide who's been where you want to go.
2. The task ahead of you is not as great as the power within you.
3. You cannot help people if you are always with people.
4. Happiness is a choice, misery an option.
5. Wisdom lives only on the other side of pain.
6. Never love life more than the reason it was given to you.
7. Stop living only when you die.
Stop and meditate on these truths. It will make all the difference in how you live.
Shalom
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Newton Juice: Angel of the Morning
There'll be no strings to bind your hands
not if my love can't bind your heart.
And there's no need to take a stand
for it was I who chose to start.
I see no need to take me home,
I'm old enough to face the dawn.
Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
then slowly turn away from me.
Maybe the sun's light will be dim
and it won't matter anyhow.
If morning's echo says we ve sinned,
well, it was what I wanted now.
And if we're the victims of the night,
I won't be blinded by light.
Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
then slowly turn away,
I won't beg you to stay with me
through the tears of the day,
of the years, baby baby baby.
Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby
.
Newton Juice: Angel of the Morning
There'll be no strings to bind your hands
not if my love can't bind your heart.
And there's no need to take a stand
for it was I who chose to start.
I see no need to take me home,
I'm old enough to face the dawn.
Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
then slowly turn away from me.
Maybe the sun's light will be dim
and it won't matter anyhow.
If morning's echo says we ve sinned,
well, it was what I wanted now.
And if we're the victims of the night,
I won't be blinded by light.
Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
then slowly turn away,
I won't beg you to stay with me
through the tears of the day,
of the years, baby baby baby.
Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby
.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Thomas Merton on Love
Love seeks one thing only: the good of the one loved. It leaves all the other secondary effects to take care of themselves. Love, therefore, is its own reward.
Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton
The Last Seven Sentences of Jesus of Nazareth
The First Sentence
Luke 23:33-34 -- "Forgive them, Father! They know not what they do."
In this time of pain and suffering, it is striking that the first “sentence” of Jesus from the cross is of forgiveness. Who is ‘them’ that needed forgiveness? Peter later explained that though it was the Jewish and Roman leaders which crucified Jesus, they acted out of ignorance because they did not know he is the Messiah. He also explained that this happened because God planned it - the ‘them’ that need forgiveness is every single one of us (Acts 3:17-18).
As we take time to reflect upon the forgiveness Christ offers to each and every one of us through his sacrifice, may we not forget to forgive one another. If Jesus is willing to forgive those who crucified him then we should also be willing to forgive others who had hurt us.
The Second Sentence
Luke 23:39-43 -- "I tell you this: Today you will be in Paradise with me."
The second sentence is of grace. Jesus did not promise only that the crucified man would be in Paradise, but that he would be with Jesus in Paradise. So the thief, who is a sinner, received grace which he did not deserve. Grace was freely given. If we know that, beyond this life, we’ll be with Christ, then we need not fear. The grace of Christ cannot be earned. It is given freely to all.
The Third Sentence
John 19:25-27 -- "Woman, here is your son."
Jesus is entrusting the care of his mother to John so that she will be well looked after when he is gone. It is heart warming to note that Jesus still thinks of his mother’s welfare in this moment of excruciating pain.
As we reflect upon the meaning of Christ’s death, Mary’s presence at the cross reminds us that God is deeply involved in the human drama that we are daily living. It reveals a God that is caring in the smallest details of our lives.
The Fourth Sentence
Mark 15: 33-34 -- "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Jesus quoted from Psalm 22:1 as he is being crucified. In his moment of greatest anguish Jesus drew upon the Psalms to express how he felt. Jesus isn’t simply a man crying out to God as he is being tortured. This is also the divine Son of God crying out to God the Father. Through the fourth sentence from the cross we enter into the essence of Christ’s sacrifice. God is forsaking his Son in that he is allowing Jesus to bear the sin of the world. God is regarding his Son as if he were sin itself!
The Fifth Sentence
John 19:28 -- "I thirst."
The thirst of Jesus reminds us that he is human like the rest of us. He feels pain and he is thirsty. Jesus had to be fully human in order to save humans from sin and death. Because he is human, Jesus understands our weaknesses and our sufferings.
The Sixth Sentence
John 19:29-30 -- "It is finished."
What is finished? Jesus is dying. With his death, Jesus knew his passion will be over. His time of pain and suffering on the cross is finished. On another level, Jesus is proclaiming that God’s great plan for salvation has been completed. The penalty for human sin has been paid. The gap between sinful humanity and a holy God has been bridged by the sinless Son of God who was fully God and fully human. Now, because of what Jesus has done, we can be reconciled to God and be saved from eternal damnation.
The Seventh Sentence
Luke 23:46 -- "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!"
Jesus again quoted from the Psalms. By quoting from Psalm 31, Jesus is not only entrusting his spirit to God, but also affirming his ultimate trust in God, even the God who has laid upon him the sin of the world. It is affirming that in spite of all that has happened, Jesus still uses the word, Abba/Father to show the close relationship they have.
As we meditate on the seven last sentences of Jesus of Nazareth during this Lenten season, let us again be reminded of forgiveness, of grace, of care and concern, of sacrifice, of being human, of the completeness of God’s plan of redemption and of our trust in God.
Soli Deo Gloria
Luke 23:33-34 -- "Forgive them, Father! They know not what they do."
In this time of pain and suffering, it is striking that the first “sentence” of Jesus from the cross is of forgiveness. Who is ‘them’ that needed forgiveness? Peter later explained that though it was the Jewish and Roman leaders which crucified Jesus, they acted out of ignorance because they did not know he is the Messiah. He also explained that this happened because God planned it - the ‘them’ that need forgiveness is every single one of us (Acts 3:17-18).
As we take time to reflect upon the forgiveness Christ offers to each and every one of us through his sacrifice, may we not forget to forgive one another. If Jesus is willing to forgive those who crucified him then we should also be willing to forgive others who had hurt us.
The Second Sentence
Luke 23:39-43 -- "I tell you this: Today you will be in Paradise with me."
The second sentence is of grace. Jesus did not promise only that the crucified man would be in Paradise, but that he would be with Jesus in Paradise. So the thief, who is a sinner, received grace which he did not deserve. Grace was freely given. If we know that, beyond this life, we’ll be with Christ, then we need not fear. The grace of Christ cannot be earned. It is given freely to all.
The Third Sentence
John 19:25-27 -- "Woman, here is your son."
Jesus is entrusting the care of his mother to John so that she will be well looked after when he is gone. It is heart warming to note that Jesus still thinks of his mother’s welfare in this moment of excruciating pain.
As we reflect upon the meaning of Christ’s death, Mary’s presence at the cross reminds us that God is deeply involved in the human drama that we are daily living. It reveals a God that is caring in the smallest details of our lives.
The Fourth Sentence
Mark 15: 33-34 -- "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Jesus quoted from Psalm 22:1 as he is being crucified. In his moment of greatest anguish Jesus drew upon the Psalms to express how he felt. Jesus isn’t simply a man crying out to God as he is being tortured. This is also the divine Son of God crying out to God the Father. Through the fourth sentence from the cross we enter into the essence of Christ’s sacrifice. God is forsaking his Son in that he is allowing Jesus to bear the sin of the world. God is regarding his Son as if he were sin itself!
The Fifth Sentence
John 19:28 -- "I thirst."
The thirst of Jesus reminds us that he is human like the rest of us. He feels pain and he is thirsty. Jesus had to be fully human in order to save humans from sin and death. Because he is human, Jesus understands our weaknesses and our sufferings.
The Sixth Sentence
John 19:29-30 -- "It is finished."
What is finished? Jesus is dying. With his death, Jesus knew his passion will be over. His time of pain and suffering on the cross is finished. On another level, Jesus is proclaiming that God’s great plan for salvation has been completed. The penalty for human sin has been paid. The gap between sinful humanity and a holy God has been bridged by the sinless Son of God who was fully God and fully human. Now, because of what Jesus has done, we can be reconciled to God and be saved from eternal damnation.
The Seventh Sentence
Luke 23:46 -- "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!"
Jesus again quoted from the Psalms. By quoting from Psalm 31, Jesus is not only entrusting his spirit to God, but also affirming his ultimate trust in God, even the God who has laid upon him the sin of the world. It is affirming that in spite of all that has happened, Jesus still uses the word, Abba/Father to show the close relationship they have.
As we meditate on the seven last sentences of Jesus of Nazareth during this Lenten season, let us again be reminded of forgiveness, of grace, of care and concern, of sacrifice, of being human, of the completeness of God’s plan of redemption and of our trust in God.
Soli Deo Gloria
The Last Seven Sentences of Jesus of Nazareth
The First Sentence
Luke 23:33-34 -- "Forgive them, Father! They know not what they do."
In this time of pain and suffering, it is striking that the first “sentence” of Jesus from the cross is of forgiveness. Who is ‘them’ that needed forgiveness? Peter later explained that though it was the Jewish and Roman leaders which crucified Jesus, they acted out of ignorance because they did not know he is the Messiah. He also explained that this happened because God planned it - the ‘them’ that need forgiveness is every single one of us (Acts 3:17-18).
As we take time to reflect upon the forgiveness Christ offers to each and every one of us through his sacrifice, may we not forget to forgive one another. If Jesus is willing to forgive those who crucified him then we should also be willing to forgive others who had hurt us.
The Second Sentence
Luke 23:39-43 -- "I tell you this: Today you will be in Paradise with me."
The second sentence is of grace. Jesus did not promise only that the crucified man would be in Paradise, but that he would be with Jesus in Paradise. So the thief, who is a sinner, received grace which he did not deserve. Grace was freely given. If we know that, beyond this life, we’ll be with Christ, then we need not fear. The grace of Christ cannot be earned. It is given freely to all.
The Third Sentence
John 19:25-27 -- "Woman, here is your son."
Jesus is entrusting the care of his mother to John so that she will be well looked after when he is gone. It is heart warming to note that Jesus still thinks of his mother’s welfare in this moment of excruciating pain.
As we reflect upon the meaning of Christ’s death, Mary’s presence at the cross reminds us that God is deeply involved in the human drama that we are daily living. It reveals a God that is caring in the smallest details of our lives.
The Fourth Sentence
Mark 15: 33-34 -- "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Jesus quoted from Psalm 22:1 as he is being crucified. In his moment of greatest anguish Jesus drew upon the Psalms to express how he felt. Jesus isn’t simply a man crying out to God as he is being tortured. This is also the divine Son of God crying out to God the Father. Through the fourth sentence from the cross we enter into the essence of Christ’s sacrifice. God is forsaking his Son in that he is allowing Jesus to bear the sin of the world. God is regarding his Son as if he were sin itself!
The Fifth Sentence
John 19:28 -- "I thirst."
The thirst of Jesus reminds us that he is human like the rest of us. He feels pain and he is thirsty. Jesus had to be fully human in order to save humans from sin and death. Because he is human, Jesus understands our weaknesses and our sufferings.
The Sixth Sentence
John 19:29-30 -- "It is finished."
What is finished? Jesus is dying. With his death, Jesus knew his passion will be over. His time of pain and suffering on the cross is finished. On another level, Jesus is proclaiming that God’s great plan for salvation has been completed. The penalty for human sin has been paid. The gap between sinful humanity and a holy God has been bridged by the sinless Son of God who was fully God and fully human. Now, because of what Jesus has done, we can be reconciled to God and be saved from eternal damnation.
The Seventh Sentence
Luke 23:46 -- "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!"
Jesus again quoted from the Psalms. By quoting from Psalm 31, Jesus is not only entrusting his spirit to God, but also affirming his ultimate trust in God, even the God who has laid upon him the sin of the world. It is affirming that in spite of all that has happened, Jesus still uses the word, Abba/Father to show the close relationship they have.
As we meditate on the seven last sentences of Jesus of Nazareth during this Lenten season, let us again be reminded of forgiveness, of grace, of care and concern, of sacrifice, of being human, of the completeness of God’s plan of redemption and of our trust in God.
Soli Deo Gloria
Luke 23:33-34 -- "Forgive them, Father! They know not what they do."
In this time of pain and suffering, it is striking that the first “sentence” of Jesus from the cross is of forgiveness. Who is ‘them’ that needed forgiveness? Peter later explained that though it was the Jewish and Roman leaders which crucified Jesus, they acted out of ignorance because they did not know he is the Messiah. He also explained that this happened because God planned it - the ‘them’ that need forgiveness is every single one of us (Acts 3:17-18).
As we take time to reflect upon the forgiveness Christ offers to each and every one of us through his sacrifice, may we not forget to forgive one another. If Jesus is willing to forgive those who crucified him then we should also be willing to forgive others who had hurt us.
The Second Sentence
Luke 23:39-43 -- "I tell you this: Today you will be in Paradise with me."
The second sentence is of grace. Jesus did not promise only that the crucified man would be in Paradise, but that he would be with Jesus in Paradise. So the thief, who is a sinner, received grace which he did not deserve. Grace was freely given. If we know that, beyond this life, we’ll be with Christ, then we need not fear. The grace of Christ cannot be earned. It is given freely to all.
The Third Sentence
John 19:25-27 -- "Woman, here is your son."
Jesus is entrusting the care of his mother to John so that she will be well looked after when he is gone. It is heart warming to note that Jesus still thinks of his mother’s welfare in this moment of excruciating pain.
As we reflect upon the meaning of Christ’s death, Mary’s presence at the cross reminds us that God is deeply involved in the human drama that we are daily living. It reveals a God that is caring in the smallest details of our lives.
The Fourth Sentence
Mark 15: 33-34 -- "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Jesus quoted from Psalm 22:1 as he is being crucified. In his moment of greatest anguish Jesus drew upon the Psalms to express how he felt. Jesus isn’t simply a man crying out to God as he is being tortured. This is also the divine Son of God crying out to God the Father. Through the fourth sentence from the cross we enter into the essence of Christ’s sacrifice. God is forsaking his Son in that he is allowing Jesus to bear the sin of the world. God is regarding his Son as if he were sin itself!
The Fifth Sentence
John 19:28 -- "I thirst."
The thirst of Jesus reminds us that he is human like the rest of us. He feels pain and he is thirsty. Jesus had to be fully human in order to save humans from sin and death. Because he is human, Jesus understands our weaknesses and our sufferings.
The Sixth Sentence
John 19:29-30 -- "It is finished."
What is finished? Jesus is dying. With his death, Jesus knew his passion will be over. His time of pain and suffering on the cross is finished. On another level, Jesus is proclaiming that God’s great plan for salvation has been completed. The penalty for human sin has been paid. The gap between sinful humanity and a holy God has been bridged by the sinless Son of God who was fully God and fully human. Now, because of what Jesus has done, we can be reconciled to God and be saved from eternal damnation.
The Seventh Sentence
Luke 23:46 -- "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!"
Jesus again quoted from the Psalms. By quoting from Psalm 31, Jesus is not only entrusting his spirit to God, but also affirming his ultimate trust in God, even the God who has laid upon him the sin of the world. It is affirming that in spite of all that has happened, Jesus still uses the word, Abba/Father to show the close relationship they have.
As we meditate on the seven last sentences of Jesus of Nazareth during this Lenten season, let us again be reminded of forgiveness, of grace, of care and concern, of sacrifice, of being human, of the completeness of God’s plan of redemption and of our trust in God.
Soli Deo Gloria
Friday, March 17, 2006
Recovering the Doctrine of the Trinity for Christian Living
Spiritual Formation Institute Seminar: "Recovering The Doctrine of the Trinity For Christian Living Today"
Date: Saturday 8 April 2006 (public holiday in Johor)
Time: 2.00-10.00 pm
Venue: Holy Light Church
11-C, Jalan Gertak Merah
80100 Johor Bahru Tel:07-224 3285
Synopsis:
The doctrine of the Trinity is often acknowledged but not understood. Its relevance to the Christian life seems minimal because its importance and impact are seldom articulated and taught.
This seminar is an introduction to the doctrine of the Trinity to show its importance and relevance for the spiritual formation of Christians. The seminar will be divided into three main sections.
(1) The first will be a study of Scripture to set out the biblical evidences for a doctrine that God has been involved with humankind as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
(2) The second session will be a historical and theological survey of how the early Church Fathers worked through these scriptural evidences to formulate a cogent view of a God who is One in essence and yet exists as three distinct Persons.
(3) In the last section, we will work out the implications of the doctrine of Trinity for our spiritual formation. How will our understanding of the life of God living in us, i.e. the life of the Trinity impact personal and corporate spirituality?
Seminar Leader: John Chong Ser Choon
Ser Choon is the currently the Retreat Director of Trinity Life Centre. This is a ministry that he started in July 2004. His vision is to serve the Christian community through conducting spiritual retreats, teaching seminars on spiritual formation and holistic Christian living by drawing upon the richness of the spiritual traditions of the Christian Church down through the centuries.
Ser Choon is a graduate of Regent College (Vancouver, Canada) where he studied and has completed his Master in Theology degree in Spiritual Theology under Dr James Houston.
His ministry experience included pasturing as well as serving as a missions mobilizer with OMF Singapore. Prior to setting the current ministry, he served for four and half years in Singapore Bible College as the Dean of Students where he also taught courses on Christian Spirituality.
Do come and join us if you are in the area. Also invite your friends who are in the area to come and join us.
Date: Saturday 8 April 2006 (public holiday in Johor)
Time: 2.00-10.00 pm
Venue: Holy Light Church
11-C, Jalan Gertak Merah
80100 Johor Bahru Tel:07-224 3285
Synopsis:
The doctrine of the Trinity is often acknowledged but not understood. Its relevance to the Christian life seems minimal because its importance and impact are seldom articulated and taught.
This seminar is an introduction to the doctrine of the Trinity to show its importance and relevance for the spiritual formation of Christians. The seminar will be divided into three main sections.
(1) The first will be a study of Scripture to set out the biblical evidences for a doctrine that God has been involved with humankind as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
(2) The second session will be a historical and theological survey of how the early Church Fathers worked through these scriptural evidences to formulate a cogent view of a God who is One in essence and yet exists as three distinct Persons.
(3) In the last section, we will work out the implications of the doctrine of Trinity for our spiritual formation. How will our understanding of the life of God living in us, i.e. the life of the Trinity impact personal and corporate spirituality?
Seminar Leader: John Chong Ser Choon
Ser Choon is the currently the Retreat Director of Trinity Life Centre. This is a ministry that he started in July 2004. His vision is to serve the Christian community through conducting spiritual retreats, teaching seminars on spiritual formation and holistic Christian living by drawing upon the richness of the spiritual traditions of the Christian Church down through the centuries.
Ser Choon is a graduate of Regent College (Vancouver, Canada) where he studied and has completed his Master in Theology degree in Spiritual Theology under Dr James Houston.
His ministry experience included pasturing as well as serving as a missions mobilizer with OMF Singapore. Prior to setting the current ministry, he served for four and half years in Singapore Bible College as the Dean of Students where he also taught courses on Christian Spirituality.
Do come and join us if you are in the area. Also invite your friends who are in the area to come and join us.
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