Thursday, September 8, 2011

what is the source?

While kaypohing on facebook, I saw photos of BMCF's services. Almost all the instrumentalists are women. I see photos of them huddling together with the vocalist and worship leader to pray before the service. The congregation worship with wild abandon, raising their hands, on their knees.. Why isn't FCC like that?

Where are the godly women who have the heart to serve and worship God? Sigh. A bit depressing. The best way is to pray for a revival in the heart of FCC. WE need to be less selfish, less prideful, less self-centred, more god-focused and more people -centred. We need life.

I am embarrassed to say that majority of the women who serves at FCC is not from Plush. And Plush is the one of the older all girls' CG. What is wrong?
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Time alone

I have been spending a lot of time alone these 3 days just doing my own stuff, planning for the cell group retreat, exercising, kaypohing on people's fb page, reading, praying, reflecting. And I am starting to feel a little bored. Timely that the Malacca trip is tomorrow. Maybe I am more of an extrovert than I think. Will be a good time of catching up with good pals, and a good time for physical self maintenance. :)

looking forward.
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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

about being outwardly progressive and inwardly conservative

Not so long ago, I posted a status update about me being outwardly progressive and inwardly conservative. My colleague who's gay and knows about FCC and me was surprised. He thought it was the other way. I can see how he, along with some other people who do not know me very well, would see me that way.

The context which they see me is more on the surface I guess; I am a teacher, hence closeted which forms the conservative outward part of me. But I am okay with being attracted to women and don't think God condemns same sex relationship. So that forms the inwardly progressive part of me. I guess he's not wrong. But I guess that is just the surface.

I am outwardly progressive in the way that I am very open to a wide range of values, beliefs and theology about people in general, about christianity, about faith and even about christian living. I am inwardly conservative because while I can accept what I hear, I have my set of values and principals that I follow. I guess that is what makes me me. The outwardly progressive part helps me to accept people more readily and judge people less quickly, hence I get along with people easily. The inwardly conservative me helps stabilize my randomness and seemingly frivolous nature.

This is the random part of me writing now.
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Monday, September 5, 2011

Firmed up my SOP

It's so true that a friend only tells you off in your face when they care for you. For me, I rather someone whom I call a friend tells me off rather than talk behind my back. Pui. If I know a friend for a while and she or he has been caring, what could stop me from receiving harsh remarks from them? I reckon it's only my pride. Through yesterday's sermon, I have firmed up my protocol on receiving harsh feedback. I shall humbly receive the feedback and only defend myself if I deem it untrue. And a true friend will hear me out. But if it's true, I shall also swallow my pride and tell him/her that the feedback need not be given in such a harsh manner. Iron sharpens iron. Only with feedback can we start to be better people.
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On judgements

I learnt about a month ago to look at the child holistically. Do not limit him/her. There is no need to compare with another. It's the same as evaluating people. Look at them as a whole person and how they treat people in general to really know their character and their heart. Do not let one or two incidents form your judgement of them. Even God looks at your entire book of life as you meet Him in heaven face to face. 
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Random thought from ouyang's sermon

It's the process that cleanses, purifies and sharpens us. Believe in the creator who has created you and do what you can do right now. Don't focus on what we do not have, focus on the little we have and use them well.
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The power of the cross

We may question if many things in the bible are true. But history has recorded for us what is real. Jesus is born of virgin Mary, fully man but without sin, died for us to cleanse us of our sins, crucified on the cross and rose on the third day, ascended to the right hand of God and appeared to his disciples fully flesh. Even if we do not believe that Jesus is God, it's hard to believe that Jesus died for us. Will any of our friends, our family members or even our partners die for us? Thank you for the cross, Jesus.  
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