Life group studying Revelations

I'm really excited that my life group - called Episode IV after a certain sci fi mega movie - is going to start studying the challenging book of Revelations.

I love bible studies, so it's ironic that this is probably going to be my first proper bible study with a group. I've always done it alone, or in my previous cell groups it has always been "discuss the pastor's sermon last Sunday" which I found an utter bore (no offence to pastors who prepare them).

What I cherish most is the format that is being used for the bible study which we used during our baptism/affirmation classes. I learnt a lot through the method, and it also taught me to think more analytically and to observe more. What we do in life group is that we list down as many questions as we can about the topic and throw it at each to answer. Of course, Sivin was there to provide us guidance. This method also lightens the load of the poor life group leader who often had to prepare so much.

Anyway, Revelations is a challenging book, thanks to its massive symbolism etc. My experience with the book is usually frought with confusion and ... charts. That's another story.

The Meaning of a Stack of Stones

After Joshua takes over from Moses to lead the Israelites into the promised land, a very cool thing happens. God stops the flow of the Jordan River so that the people can walk across on dry land (chap 3). Then God tells Joshua to have one representative from each tribe get a stone from the riverbed and pile them up to make a memorial. Why?

Chapter 4, verse 6 says, “In the future, your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing…’ ”

This got me thinking about what kinds of memorials I make and what will my children ask about. How can I make memorials that will help my children see that God is at work in our lives? I’ve always been the kind of person to keep written records of life events, of my walk with God. I hope that these will one day give my kids a picture of my journey, and an idea of where they come from.

But as I was reading, I was wondering if I could do something more visual, like the stones piled up. My writing is hidden in books and on the computer. What could I build or make that my children can see, touch or hold? I want them to know that our life is not just about the things we own that surround them. I want to give them a taste of the spiritual part of our lives through something they can see on a regular basis. Something that celebrates the miracles, the answered prayers, the gifts we didn’t expect.

My first thought is to make some kind of photo album or scrapbook. It could have pictures, journaling, drawings, letters and cards from people, etc. Anything that can tell a story of God’s work in our lives. Eventually the kids could contribute with drawings and later writing, of things that tell their own story of experiencing God.

Well, I know that the BLC folks are creative people, so maybe you can add some ideas of your own. What other kinds of things can we do to build memorials to communicate that God is faithful, that He has done great and wonderful things in our lives?

Worship Gathering Messages 2005 Part II

2005MsgSeriesApr_June_jpeg
Originally uploaded by sivinkit.

This is what's been cooking to be served on Sunday mornings. Remember, the prayer breakfast at 9.30am is open to all. We start at 10am. In true BLC fashion we welcome new comers by not asking them to stand up but show them hospitality. After being the church scattered at our respective "stations", it's wonderful to be able to come back together for a regular rhytm as the church gathered for corporate worship. See ya!

Affirmation

I was telling James last week how fortunate I am to be in a community at a time like this, when my dog fell ill. My dog means a lot to me, as some of you know, and it was difficult to have him sick. Coincidentally, my dog fell ill at about the same time last year - when I was out of church fellowship. Back then, it was hard - I've just lost two of my best friends, whom I would've normally called to back me up in prayer.

I realise, last week, when Sivin told me that the life group was praying for my situation that I was fortunate indeed. That there was someone who do care for me.

I guess that's why I'm heading towards Affirmation. It's a big step for me. In my previous church, although I was there for five years, I didn't have any urge at all to be affirmed as a member - of the church or of the denomination. I guess I really didn't feel like part of a community, so why be a member?

So, here I am heading towrads that. I'm a little nervous about it. Would I be ready for the commitment? Most of all, would I let people down if I fail somehow? I am still not of the "attend church every Sunday and lifegroup every Wednesday" variety yet. But somehow I'm taking this step because I want to declare to BLCians that I'm serious about my faith in Christ and that I'm on this road still. That's the only purpose why I want my affirmation. The fact that I'll be a church member and 'officially' a Lutheran, is a sort of side benefit. :)

I also wrote about Reaffirming my faith in my personal blog.

Truly in Control

Both Olivia & Kevin have dreaded the day of their wedding, not because they don’t love each other 8-)). They knew they would run into problems with the venue of their holy matrimony and that day to decide came. We prayed that the Catholic church would agreed to a dispensation (which is not easy to get) for Kevin & Olivia to hold a garden wedding instead of in a Catholic church (for more details, please talk to them personally 8-)).

Along came this encouraging email from Olivia.

“Dear all,

Just want to thank God and thank you for your prayers. As you know, the Catholic church no longer has an issue with our garden wedding. We want to say that truly God is in control and is gracious to our request (even though sometimes I think we don't deserve it).

Thank you once again. Hope this will encourage everyone to know that HE is there, in case you are wondering

Regards,

Olivia Loh.”

Take Time to Look at Your Life Part 3

I realize that I've only stopped at part 2 ... but where we spend most of our waking hours - 9 to 5. Or for most of us, it's more than that ... these questions are very important to us ... read on, reflect, and respond as we hear the "still small voice" prompting us.

Life in Your Vocation

What do you think is your goal or purpose in life? How do the activities of your daily life and your vision for the future align with that purpose?

Are you enjoying your studies or work? How do you respond when people ask you about school or work?

How do you meet God in your studies or work? Have you sought his guidance when you run across problems? How has he answered you? For what can you thank him in your work life?

What are you doing to understand and apply biblical concepts to your academic discipline or profession?

Maundy Thursday pics!

I know, I know...I'm way overdue and Easter's come and gone, and a few people have asked me when I was going to put these up. Well, here they are now. Enjoy! Feel free to email me if you want captions added to these photographs! And I mean you write the captions! =)

Stations of the Cross 2005

** Originally posted on 'The Hiking Path Meant For One' **


Some photographs taken from this year's Stations of the Cross.

Life Group comes to Kajang

Since I haven’t been to church or LG for a few weeks, due to the birth of Eliana, I was really excited when Sivin told us that our Life Group was going to come to Kajang to see us. Eric decided to get some famous Kajang satay for our guests and he also made his soon-to-be famous peanut butter m & m bars. I mostly sat on the couch and watched him get everything ready.

It was fun to see everyone again and to share in the joy of the arrival of the new babies, Elysia and Eliana. Other highlights of the afternoon included Takeshi’s appetite for satay as evidenced by the pile of empty sticks on his plate and Gareth’s love for sour cream dip on potato chips.

Thank you all for coming to see us!

Happy Resurrection Day ... BLC!

IMG_9480_easter2005_train
Originally uploaded by sivinkit.

Happy Birthday Bangsar Lutheran Church

... or maybe more precisely

Happy Resurrection Day!

"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe." ~ 1 Corinthians 1:20

God has indeed guided us through the last 5 years since April 1st 2000 and will continue to do so.

Golf! More Opportunities...I hope!

I am sooo excited today, will be joining a few of my department managers to play golf at the driving range this evening....first time, also may have opportunities to have more conversations on life, Christianity, etc....May the Lord lead and may friendships be stronger.