Mercy and I went over to take care of Apostle yesterday after church and had a good time chatting with Apostle. Apostle still has his unique sense of humour and of course, the usual chatty person before his present predicament. We enjoyed his jokes totally and for the first time, I realised how much this family has to go through especially Pastor Sally, the living examples of how much they’ve given for the body of Christ without expecting anything in return except continuing to serve the Lord faithfully. In contrast, i am like the worst sinner compared to them, the saints. Yet, they are completely transparent even with their flaws, but it makes them all the more, real and human.
With my decision to quit the cell group, i had a chat with Pastor Sally and of course Mercy was there to join in the conversation why i shouldn’t quit cell group. And of my decision to go to Singapore Bible College next year. Well the responses were simply hillarious – Apostle came out and said, “Go there sure die.” I could understand how the puffing of knowledge without the actual application of it in one’s life makes a conceited person and knowledge won’t translate to living one right before God. Like Pastor Douglas once said, the longest journey is 1 feet down from the head (knowledge) to the heart (application and living it out). Am i going to stop pursuing knowledge and start giving? I’ve asked myself the question that what’s stopping me from investing into someone’s life, probably that it is hard work and a hell lot of sacrifice. It is time to give, perhaps with the view that am i ready to do that? For a start, i am going to help Pastor Sally looking through the materials for the Basic Christian Class which is the fundamentals of Christianity that a young Christian in the church has to go through. I will be taking small baby steps in investing what i’ve learnt and prayerfully, the passion and the love of God’s Words will be passed on to the younger generation to carry it on to influence their generation for God. Isn’t that all about discipleship? I guess it is.
Kudos to ur “baby steps”.
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Dear SBC Graduates,
I could be stereotyping. I might be outdated. I most likely am over the hill. But please, give me some old-fashioned servants of God.
I agree with Thomas Friedman that The World is Flat and Jim Collins that we need to move From Good to Great. While Jack Welch expounds on Winning and church growth experts churn out more techniques and how-to seminars, I still want my “old-fashioned” ministers of the Gospel!
Yes, you are exposed to the amazing power of information technology. All that you need are at your fingertips. A quick browse on the internet will take you to the latest development, images, and happenings around the world. Your problem is information overload to the point of indigestion and confusion. You have more duplication, less creativity. You have less time to understand, much less to reflect or analyze.
Yes, it is a globalized world. There will be more choices for you to consider for your future ministry. “The world is my field” is at its truest sense today! But will you be able to have the staying power and long-term commitment for a lasting ministry? Can the people count on you to be there for them when the going gets tough?
Yes, modern transportation will take you anywhere at an increasingly affordable price. But do you know where you are going? I mean, are you at the right place where God wants you to be? Does it matter? Do you care if it is God’s will or do you care more about your paycheck and comfort?
Yes, it matters today to dress smart, think big, and talk positive. Image is everything and look is more important than substance.
Strategic planning and vision casting do make a difference in setting a clear path. Leadership and management do make things less complicated and causes change for the better. But is the Holy Spirit consulted? Are you becoming orators without conviction, preachers who are too relevant to be challenging in your message?
Like the rain forests in the Amazon delta giving way to development and expansion, the “old-fashioned” servants are diminishing at an alarming rate! Rare today are servants who whine less and do more, who clean up their own mess and own their responsibilities, who focus less on finding excuses and more on solving problems, who don’t mind the work but mind being abandoned by God.
They are not calculative; so expect them to be poor in mathematics. They have every intention to stay in the ministry for the long haul; so expect them to be, shall I say, not very efficient.
They stress faithfulness above success, fearing God above fearing man, integrity above attention, character above competence. So expect them to spend long hours in God’s Word and prayer.
How I miss those “old-fashioned” servants of God! As you move on, carry and develop some of the “old-fashioned” ways. It will not tarnish your image. It will only add value to your ministry. (Add value? I thought we are talking about being “old-fashioned”!)
Your “old-fashioned” principal,
Dr Albert Ting
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 October 2007 )
http://www.sbc.edu.sg/content/view/97/1/lang,en/
hi pasrtor,
i like to worship with you and also have a personal discussions with you.
please reply
i am a 45 year old mother, who was in a accident 8 years ago, i survied being pull by a car 1 1/4 miles, i got a tni, had to have my leg amputated from the knee down and also a stroke, i’m fine tru gods grace i have a good attitude i hold no hate, i’m just striving for life i am a mother of 5, 4 girls and one boy, one of my girls turn out to be homo, b ut in my heart, i know its not right in gods eyes, but i let her know i didnt agree with her life style, but i’m moma and i still love her, the promblem is my mother, i have took my daughter to the bible and show her where it was a abomination to god, my mother hAS VERY STRONG FEELING ABOUT THIS BUT HER BELIEF IS IF SHE STAND UP AGAINST MY DAUGHTER AND NOT GIVE HER WAY, IT WILL CHANGE HER,but i know it’s going to just push her away from me, and i don’t want that to happen