BLC's Community Blog - the Gatherings, Life Groups, discipleship, social issues, prayers, worship experiences, insights into the Scripture... no random statements of who we had lunch with and what our dogs ate for breakfast. The place where strangers get to know us as a community, who we are, what we're like, how we function, and to experience what it'll be like to be a part of us.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Moving with the Messiah ... again


Here's how our thoughts and feelings, impulses and imaginations can be united together through the Scriptures - and most of all the Story of Jesus!

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

How to Have a Cellphone and still remain a Christian

I found myself guilty of breaking more than one rule here .... makes me reflect once again, technology is supposed to help us "connect" better with people right (remember the Nokia slogan?) but maybe we are now actually more "disconnected" with what's and who's in front of us ...

I read Prof. Ben's thoughts here in "How to Have a Cell Phone and still remain a Christian"
hearing a call to "change my ways." I offer them to you ... please read slowly.

Cellphones are ubiquitous now, spreading like Kudzu throughout the land. And unfortunately it plays right into and exacerbates the inherent narcissicism or self-centeredness of our culture. We have people having private phone conversations in planes, elevators, in class (!),during worship services, and in a host of other inappropriate places. They don't seem to care. Everyone loves to get mail, and everyone loves to be called, and that takes precedent over all else, including civility, and being considerate of others. In light of this blight on the land, I offer a few non-negotiable rules Christians should live by when it comes to cellphones lest they violate their Christian witness and certain minor commandments like "Each should look not to your own interests, but rather the interests of others. Have the same mind in yourself that was in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2.4-5).

I offer here the 10 commandments of cellphone use!

1) Under no circumstances except an actual and extreme emergency should you ever drive a car and talk on a handheld cellphone. This is incredibly dangerous and has already cost many people their lives. Just ask your insurance agent. There are reasons why whole states are banning this self-centered and dangerous activity.

2) Let private phone conversations be private. Don't have them in a public place. Place your phone on vibrate, and unless you are expecting an urgent call, do not answer it during: 1) another conversation with a live person; 2) another conversation with someone on a phone; 3) during a public event like a class or a worship service.

3) Turn off the cellphone unless you are in a place and at a time where it is appropriate to have a private chat. This means no cellphones on in concerts, movies, lectures, etc. You get the picture.

4) Stop wasting time and money on frivilous phone calls, sending useless pictures etc. This is bad stewardship of your money. I do not say there is never a time to use it in these ways (e.g. on a birthday to send a picture or a special message) but it should be a special occasion.

5) A cellphone, except when you are in an emergency stranded because your car died or the like is a luxury item, not a necessity. This being so, you should treat it like other luxury items. It should not become a way of life for you or your children. If you are using only a cellphone to do all your calling, then use it like a phone with a land line except in emergencies. Don't use it as an excuse to make unnecessary phone calls from anywhere anytime just because you can. That's pure narcissism and is hardly a Christian practice.

6) Don't buy a lot of useless or unnecessary extra features or package items in your cellphone plan. This is just a gimmick to get you to spend more money.

7) Stop checking your messages incessantly. This is obsessive compulsive behavior, and it prevents you from spending time with others, focusing on your current tasks etc.

8) In general don't use your cellphone to send messages. Take the time to write a proper note via email or snail mail, unless there is some good reason to send someone a brief note.

9) You are not so desperate that you need to watch TV on your cellphone. The picture is absurdly small, hurting your vision.

10) Too much use of your cellphone is actually a health risk because of the shortwave frequencies. Do without your cellphone except when you actually need to make a call.

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Eugene Lau says "Hi!"


wow! United Voice (UV)has two centers now. The older one in Shah Alam (where some of us went with Indiana Joo for the opening) and now a new one nearer to us at SS17 PJ!

I managed to catch Eugene Lau (whom we at BLC are supporting) before he heads off for a holiday and captured him on my Canon A70 video :-) which I hope to show all of you soon (perhaps one of the worship gatherings or BLC anniversay which has a new date - August 6 Saturday evening!)

Swee Lan (our old friend of BLC) shared of some immediate needs for UV, please contact David Berry if you hear the "call" to help.

1. New Web design for the UV site (for FREE if possible)
2. Artist (those pretty good and simple drawing - raw stuff is fine .. raw and simple) to touch up some of the cards they are doing for sales. I'll show you more photos later.
3. Monthly commitment (at least 6 months) to spend an afternoon with them just to be their friend at SS17 or Shah Alam during their special gatherings. They need at least 2 people.
4. Swee Lan and I also talked about an outing we coud take them out as a church just for fun!