Solid, sure foundation.

Isaiah 28:16

So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. 

Much as I love flying about for business trips, I really dislike turbulence. It spooks me because I'm never one for those amusement rides and have a low threshold for any body roll that happens in the sea and on air. I'm really a lover of terra firma since I can succumb to being sea-sick and air-sick once I'm in wave/bumpy conditions.

The business flight landing into Manila was really scary for me as the plane went up and down during the last 10 minutes descent. For those who love roller coaster rides, like Daniel, that would have brought much cheer and joy. In my case, you would see me chickening out, turning a bit pale and all I can do is grip the pillow and arm rest and close my eyes while attempting to think positive thoughts.

It was at this cowardly moment that I realised that in the physical, everything can buffet us around. Even terra firma can be shaken by earthquake and that is definitely of no consolation to me since I like my feet/body to be on firm, unshakable environment. 

Then in the midst of the turbulence and my mind racing to wonder if we will ever land, this hymnal rang out in my head "On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand". How true indeed. 

Often, only in times of panic do we comprehend that nothing can be relied on except on God because He is unshakable and unmovable. (now I pray my flight back tonight, with the ongoing typhoon conditions, will be smooth as silk)

M. 

An acknowledgement of God

Hosea 6:6

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

It has been an incredible month of May and I have stepped into 5 countries due to a packed schedule of 3 work and 2 personal trips. So busy have I been that I have lost track of life since the post work trips days in office are often jam-packed with picking up all the slack and issues.

After I landed from Amsterdam, I went home and rested for 5 hours before packing off to Johor for the RR national staff retreat. The most enjoyable part of it was the 1 hour personal time we were given to spend with God.

After the days of jet setting and being given the chance to see parts of the world on a paid business trip, it was a good moment to be still and just reset myself. I read through Hosea and this verse meant much to me and more so as it was a time to reset my thoughts and perspectives.

In a few hours time, I'm off to Manila for another business trip, and possibly my last given the many changes at work that is happening. Even as I enjoy seeing the world and in all I strive to accomplish at work, nothing beats a moment where I am asked to spend before God and acknowledge God as the center of my life.

M.

A reminder.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

As I stood in the pantry and dipped my green tea bag into the mug of hot water, the very action triggered a memory of a friend who has since gone before me. Jessica. We were  friends first and colleagues subsequently.

She was an ardent health and beauty freak who believed in the benefits of drinking  lots of Japanese green tea at work. I on the other hand was facing a serious case of puffy eyes at work because I could not cope well with adjusting my life to starting work and having a disciplined sleep routine. So, she highly recommended me to use cold tea bags to put onto my eyes every morning when I awoke.

Our close friendship at work provided me with the benefit of collecting from her the used tea bags (she would store them for me in a ziplock bag daily) and then I would bring them home to use the next morning. Sadly, Jessica departed 4 years ago. 

Even as the rich memories of our friendship flooded my brain as I prepared my beverage, I am reminded of the fact that she has gone to heaven and someday, I too will depart. However, with her up in heaven, I must remind myself to live worthy of the time given to me. Not squander it away living the rat race, worried about making ends meet or in the worst case, heading anywhere but towards heaven.

Time to remind myself that my end goal is heaven, because a multitude of friends and family are there awaiting for me to complete my life well and make it there to rejoice with them someday.

M. 

An engaged leadership

Romans 13:1

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Tomorrow, the election results will be revealed and we will know if there are any significant changes in our political scene and government. Much has been talked and shared (perhaps too much) and everyone is now wondering what the polls will show.

One of the most interesting fact unearthed during this election was how out of touch the ruling party was of the electorate and it was not just the feelings but how antiquated their methods of engaging the people they governed. Even as I vote tomorrow, I'm convinced that God purpose will prevail and the authorities placed to govern this land will be established in His purposes.

On a separate note, as I witness the overwhelming amount of communication via the new digital world, I realised that the current church we have is also facing a similiar situation as what the ruling party is facing in this election. The digital and advent of technology is changing ever so fast and has changed behavior of the younger generation, myself included. Yet all we have done in church is minimal. We seem to just stick with the old, somewhat dreary, means of the regular sit at the pews and be told what to do. But during the week, little is done to communicate and engage them online. Therefore, it is imperative that in the time we have as leaders of this generation, we need to evolve to engage evangelistically those under our watch. 

Sure, we have other things to do, but time is ticking on and we don't know how much time we have to be there for the younger ones or how long will they be before they leave our covering. Just as the government is elected to serve the citizen, it is also the same of us in church leadership. Christ demonstrated that we are to be servant leaders. That itself is a good reminder for us to master the required the right skills and attitude to communicate with those under us. Not to talk down, impose a one way command or disengage from the new technology trends. Lest we find oursleves at a loss because we do not know how to commuicate or engage with the sheep we are to tend.

M.

Needs

Luke 12:23
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

It is election time and boy are we all inundated with different massages and angles to consider. The funny thing is most angles have an iota of truth and all the debates and protest that happens is really escalated by the quality of life everyone aspires for.

Sure, costs of living have indeed gone up a fair bit, so everyone who is anyone is talking about it. But it also does not help that we are constantly measuring ourselves if we are well-off that results in an endless, unnecessary pursuit of more.

Over the past weekend, I've had the pleasure of going to Bangkok for a short holiday and even though I clearly went there with no intentions to shop, the moment I walked through Chatuchak market, boy did the shopper in me awaken. Suddenly there was so many things to see, look and even consider buying. So many endless wants, none of them were needs. Fortunately, I was saved by my heavy box of mangoes that reduced the amount of cash I had and had to physically lug about.

One of the little jokes we had in Bangkok was the need to buy what is needed. My point is if everything is based on needs, we won't need to spend much money or shop. We probably won't even need to go Bangkok for a holiday. (except for the spa and relaxing massages that I'll love to classify as a need of life - haha, kidding.)

In the sunday service I attended in the Bangkok church, their last week of mission month was to be spent out doing community work. Why? because instead of regular church service, they prefer to learn to serve as a church. How novel an idea because the moment we put the needs of others before us, our own needs and wants can become inconsequential. 

After-all, how much clothes, food and enjoyment do we need to maintain our human bodies? There are others with real needs that we should prioritise ahead of ourselves.

M.