I am still Alive

After a bout with illness, one realises just how close we are to death where every one alive will meet one day. If I am still alive, it is because God still has a duty for me on earth. For He is the Lord over all the earth and He has His purposes for this earth, for every nation, tribe and language. When someone comments that my ministry revolves around kampung folks (village people) I felt a sense of pride, not unworthiness. Who will go and teach these kampung folks? Yes, there are many preachers and itinerants as well, but not many have the knowledge that God has given me. It is enriching for all concerned at least for someone with my background preaching to the village folks.

One Month to Go

Today I have gone past the one month's mark before I take my annual leave and move out of my apartment and await a new ministry. It is surreal. I did not particularly feel anything except a tinge of sadness as we met as a family group at noon. No one said anything when I told them one more month I shall be gone. I guess everyone has a life to live like Paul said, "many look after their own interests, but not the interests of Jesus Christ" (Philippians). With so many invitations coming my way (whole month of May is filled up) I had no time to reflect except to prepare for my classes and preaching engagements in the week-end. Might as well since I would not have much to time to feel despondent or sad that my time is cut short. Alas it is God's will and there is a greater purpose in all these.

Minimum Pay

In Malaysia it has been more than two years that RM1,500.00 per month minimum wage has been put into effect by law. But how come so many of my fellow pastors get only less than that and some of them only half of the minimum pay? I cried for them for those who faithfully serve You O Lord would You not look from heaven and help them? They do a wonderful job with 5 evening services a week which means only two nights of rest for family and self rejuvenation.

A Lifetime of Achievements

In the world it might be that a few ambitious individuals will want to live a life filled with achievements. But the vast majority of people will be content with a few highlights in their careers with few achievements to be proud of. It is called to survive in this ever challenging world. The sad fact of the matter is that most Christians will also depart this world with little fruits to show for, even among many full-time workers, pastors and the like in church. For many it will be like any other career, maybe they had the sensed of calling in their teenage years or early twenties when they entered Bible College but soon the run of the mill demands of ministry and complexity of working with people, leaders of the local church would dry up even the very persistent and only a handful can truly claim to retain its sparks and fire of God's calling in their lives and at the end of it claim to live a life filled with achievements.

Golden Triangle of Theology

To see the fulfilment of the "Golden Triangle of Theology" which I wrote in my "Tuhan Tritunggal" (God the Trinity) book, a collection of essays, I plan to visit these two places in the near future. Next year I plan to visit Sarawak our Bornean neighbour and the year after, Kalimantan to visit Indonesia's new capital and perhaps also Balikpapan and Samarinda, the twin cities of East Kalimantan. In two years' time with the new Indonesian President firmly in place in Nusantara, I pray that I will establish connections between the three major Bornean provinces, the two States of East Malaysia and Pulau Kalimantan.

Joy Inexpressible

It was exultation while it lasted.  But nothing lasts forever on this side of eternity. It went on for exactly three weeks, about mid March to 3rd April 2024. In the past couple of days I did not feel that joy inexpressible anymore. It was glimpse of heaven. It propelled me to preach 7 sermons in two weeks while having a full load of teaching on the side. Surely the joy of the Lord is my strength. We translated the passage last Monday that Jesus said “ask and you shall receive so that your joy may be full” (John 16). It was a line from the sermon on the Mount minus the part on joy.

Serving with Great Joy

I have come to a phase of ministry that I cna this sense of great joy whenever I minister, even in preparation and anticipation I rejoice greatly in the Lord. It is only three weeks ago that I received news that my brother was going to be elevated as High Court Judge and received his appointment from Malaysia’s king and swore his oath of loyalty to the Federal Constitution before a bench of Justices led by the Chief Justice and the Chief Judge of Malaya and Sabah and Sarawak.I watched the live telecast wuth pride as my brother took the oath of office and his list of work experience and qualifications were read out.

Anticipation Rises

In less than 10 weeks I am done here. It is welcomed with much anticipation as I am not meant for round the mill grind of teaching without leadership responsibilty. It is hard to imagine what I could have done only if people have eyes to see. My only sermon last July is telling. The knowledge of God is understanding but there is little of knowing God and hence the lack of understanding. Anyhow, it is no loss and no gain for the past 12 months. No loss because inevitably some students will be blessed but others are here just for the qualification.

2nd Quarter of 2024

Yesterday and today I feel a great sense of joy and hope for the 2nd quarter of the year. First, by middle of this year I shall be relieved of my duties of teaching three new courses which prevented me from writing and research. I plan to start writing at the 3rd quarter of 2024 or the start of the 2nd half of the year. I look forward to it with great relish at least to begin John 13-21, being the 2nd volume of my commentary on John’s Gospel. I may also write a book on Revelation, mainly thematic as a commentary will take too long a time.

At the foot of Mount Kinabalu

I am amazed at how my indigenous brothers live in villages, often times at valleys at the foot or sides of Mount Kinabalu the tallest mountain in Malaysia. I literally drove to the end of the road passing by a village I preached in some 5 years ago in Lingkubang. This village is just 1.5 kms further inside but there is a reasonably sized church that could seat 250 people if packed. They announced the attendance at the two services the first attended by 156 adults and 58 children and last night’s service attended by 116 adults.  I wonder where the 40 or so adults had gone, but at the end of the service I realised that 40 missing worshippers were teenage boys because many of the teenage girls greeted me in front as it is the tradition in some SIB churches that the preacher stands in front of the congregation and they come forward to shake hands and bid the preacher farewell.

Preaching Season Begins

I did not realize that my preaching season has commenced again after a month’s hiatus. I had preached three full sermons of 50 minutes and longer. Yesterday in church I preached for 53 minutes in heat without air conditioning as the power box exploded at 8.15am just after I arrived for the 9am service. We waited 15 mins for the fireman to come and they put out the slight fire at the source at 9am sharp. We managed to get the service started at 9.07am without power supply but we opened all the windows so there was plenty of light and a bit of wind blowing through. I felt myself sweating throughout but never once bothered me until the lights came on again in the last 5 minutes of the sermon.