To member or not to member...

Membership is a very very hard topic but I guess it is still a topic that needed to be addressed. From Day-1 until today of Membership, it has brought nothing but argumentative. The fire never cease from both end.

Of course putting aside that they presented in a very bad way, I think it is worth a 2nd look. We can join membership for everything else (facebook, myspace, GSC cinema, google, flickr, plurk, twitter, friendster, msn, skype yada yada yada...) but when it comes to membership of church HOOHAA happens.

I've asked a few person why they don't want to join membership their answer is mostly, I don't see a reason why I need to become a member... What if you're required to join to become member? Would you have joined? When we join Chinese Society, Ping Pong, Leo etc, do we fill in our membership application? Yes we do. But wait a sec, I don't have to sign to show my commitment to our society. Yes we know. But we still want you to fill anyway.

Yes we can argue that the church is not a club, it belongs to God. Yes, all these are true. But there is always the legalistic side of it. If you don't already know, churches are registered as Non-government organization in Malaysia and by that we actually do need to have a legal aspect to it like constitution, rules and regulations and also members. We also need to hold an annual AGM because that is what is given by the government actually.

But that's just about it you know. We always need to look 2 side of the coins. Why can't we just worship God like in the days of old? Yes we can. Members or not we still can worship God... no? Membership makes life easier let people see that we are committed.

But I don't want la to follow the rules of men. I follow only God. Well, Jesus did tell to the Isrealites then to make thithe to God and also at the same time, pay the taxes to the romans. In a sense, can we because we are Christian ignore the government? No, we still obey their rules right? so that is why I think since it is no harm taking up membership, take it. After all, you can cancle your membership if you don't feel like it anymore.

A letter

Today, I received a letter, a picture and a drawing from my World Vision kid. The letter goes like this:

Dear brother John, (does everyone calls me that now?)

How are you? Greetings to you for this day! Thank you very much for writting letter to me. I am studying at 1st grade of primary school this year. Our summer holiday will begin soon. I have many friends. I am a head of our class.

My Mother had a baby on April. Now I have baby sister. Our family members are all happy for that. Do you have any children? Your girlfriend is very beautiful. I received the toy car you sent. Thank you very much. I am sending my photo to you. I will send you my family photo next time.

Please write many interesting letters. I will write to you too. I am writting this letter by myself. If it looks very bad please sorry.

Hmmm pretty smart kid I suppose considering he is the head of the class. I can't even write that well when I am in primary school. Of course he wrote it Mongolian and they translate to English.

I actually am considering to stop my sponsorship because the credit card keeps giving me problems and again I am spending much even though I don't see where my money goes to. But then again...

I don't know, 50 is a lot. 50 is the price of united one night only. 50 is also 5 Mcdonald meals, 50 is also one year's education, 50 can save many lives. 50 is one year's wages. Yet in our opinion 50 is still big.

Why is it that there's no action from us even when we hear sermons from the pulpit plenty of times but when American Idol sang Shout to the Lord it moves us to tears? Why is it the call to mission is so hard when a simple short clip of Simon crying while visiting Africa moves everyone to donate?

Isn't it our job? But why when compassion is mentioned, BONO, OPRAH even BRAD and ANGELINA name came 1st? Where is our people? why are we hiding? Is this Christianity?

We're call to action, uphold justice, help the helpless, feed the poor. And yet here am I wondering what I could use 50 for something else. Shame on me. I have failed and to quote - where our treasures is there our hearts WILL be. What is my decision then? Well, I am going to let him go to school, get educated continue his role as head of the class. But at the same time, I also want to ask if anyone wants to help me out as well because I believe when we give together we can achieve more in times to come.

Will to live on

If there is a lesson learned this week, that is the will to live on. Recently (more so this year) I have begun to see the importance of JUSTICE. Social justice and one of the thing we are doing is seeing in how we can help the oppressed. Many people are beginning to do their part as we as Christians are suppose to do.

Something strucked my mind. There are actually many homeless people in our area and they have a job. Their job is to beg. What struck me was their will to survive. If ever I was in their shoe I don't really know what would I do. But yet these people battle on everyday life just like that don't know when is the last meal, don't know whether will it rain in where they are staying today. But yet they did not give up hope and continue to fight.

Today's sermon was on Bartimeus. (Mark 10:36-52) The blind beggar that received his sight. I never looked at it the same way this time round. I looked at it and imagined the countless homeless people I actually turn my eyes to. And seeing how they battle life.

1) He(Barty) cried with a loud voice (don't care of his face) to the Saviour - he did not self pitied himself that he is blind and begging . For many of us, we would probably be saying - he is so high up I am so low what am I? Like he's gonna care...

2) He leap to his feet and went to Jesus - again not a self pity move, he could have sat there and think that this person is really too much. Can't you see that I am blind? How can you ask a blind man come to you when you who can see can reach me easily? And you call yourself a Saviour? That is having faith and being humble at the same time. So it is indeed faith that cured him.

3) Jesus asked him to go after he healed him but he went on and follow Jesus becoming one of his disciple. - Showing gratitude after what you received

Some of us always seems to have bad luck (I say it right... luck) or it is just the way we see things to be bad. Always the negative is prominent never the positive. Well if ever negative stuff keeps happening, remember these homeless people. And how they had the will to fight for the day. Yet we who have home, family, handphones rather dwell ourself in 'emoness' and hope and see if someone would save us.

why not stand up and fight? (for the right cause)(of course)

I am not legend

Well. There are many ways my church settings is like the movie I AM LEGEND.

There's only few character in the movie so I guess it is easy

1) Robert Neville = 20% workforce in church
(He is the only few survivor of the virus and gives his all to find a cure for it)

2) The zombies = seemingly soulless bodies in church giving you the (0_0) look
(They are just alive but without a soul)

3) Anna & Ethan = People who don't want to take responsibility
(They are also human survived the virus. But not only does nothing to help it but runs away from it. self-centered)

Which are you? who can you relate to? Today during worship, I tried #2 since most of them always stare at the screen as if the lyrics were in Tibetan and gave an expressionless face. I tried to stay still and open my eyes and stare. It is hard. I don't know how they can NOT sing and stone there. I can't do it.

I am restless. I can't stand doing church anymore. This is not right. I would like to push on like Dr. Robert. But I am fading and ending up in the 3rd category. WHY? I don't know I dislike doing church but nobody wants to be church.

What happens after that is sadder, well its a classic case of parents and church issues which is nothing special. I have heard countless accounts of parents stopping children from church activities especially serving. Countless parents are doing that because for whatever reason. More studies than not that's for sure.

I can't help but wonder. What if coming to church the more you serve the more credits and merits you get in your CV / Resume? count it as an extra curriculum. Would parents still stop children to serve?

But what we quickly forgotten is that serving does increase our merit and also adds to our CV (IMHO) in heaven. Maybe its just not tangible enough to convince people? Then why faith? Why Christianity in the 1st place? Why?

What is church to you? Is it a meeting place, is it place to increase our deals and swap more cards? Is it a superficial place where you hope your sins are forgiven? or is a community that supports one another in spirit and soul with kingdom minded mindset?

Answer...

Leadership Conference @ Holiday Villa

Got invited by my girlfriend to the annual leadership conference in Holiday Villa yesterday. The conference is mainly for Leaders and the night sessions are free. But all was well as I normally attend things like these until someone asked me. "Which centre you from?" I was like hmm "I am from other church." "Are you planning to join HOPE?" "er -_-"

Well it was great teaching stuff, I was a little too exhausted for the night as I did not have enough rest. But nonetheless, it is great teaching for leaders. Simple, Effective.

But what I liked was the worship... It reminds me how it felt like to worship... (YES HPA we have lost 'worship' a long time ago') There aren't loud, fancy, trendy songs to sing. Just a few familiar songs and that's it. Worship kicks in. It is the heart of worship. It is the attitude of people when it comes to worship. Everyone just worships. It is hard to keep quiet. Once you're in. All you want to do is open your mouth.

I know worship is not about the songs singed, not the music play etc etc etc its about the lifestyle. But yet even the simplest of form of worship (singing) we can't achieve sometimes. There is a spiritual deadness. Dragging our feet trying to beat the service time. Hope the next song is the last worship song, sit through service and dash out the door right away. Is this the life that we're living? Routine based Christians?

Week in week out hearing the same jargon - "let's move on to the next part of service" or "God is here" became deaf to the ears and while it(church) suppose to be a charging station on weekends it is not so. It looks as if the charger's is plug into the socket yet the switch isn't turn on. As I see it, everyone is just sitting in the charger dry and empty and hope someone turn on the switch. "Well its not my responsibility to turn on the switch" or "Let someone with more energy turn it on" is more of a common term.

Change is what we need. A change from the inside out. A change bottom up is possible. Don't point finger at people living upstairs. Remember the main switch box is always at the ground floor. What's the real deal of Christianity? What are we living for? Are we ready to change or are we living in our small space of comfort. Which is stronger? Gravity or Heaven?

So we have a choice to make. To stay as it is, or to move on and change. Let's bring worship back. Let's bring revival back. Let's turn on the switch.

Culture or Habit, Keep or Throw?

I know I know, its our culture to be late or is it? Things you have to see for yourself instead of reading me blog about it. Honestly.. don't you feel weird being late? I do. Every single time I am late, I felt horrible for it.











Come on guys... Its just 9-16minutes. Eat faster, brush faster, or simply, wake up earlier. Of course my time lapse went all the way till 10:20, There are difference, but it is very minor. People stop coming in after about 10:20.

I also did take the back seat where all the youth sat. Want me post it up too?

Plastic People

"The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart"

This was written by casting crown. One of the few band which I had hard time listening to because it is just true to deny. But the question remains (after long reminders) Are we doing church? What is church? What are Christians? Sometimes it feels as if the non-believers have better character than church. Can we tolerate that?

Who are we fooling? where's the genuine character of Christian gone to? We are sometimes too caught up with getting the church beautiful, doing this perfectly well. These chairs have to be comfortable. We need this, we need that. It is as if we're faking it all too well, when met with new visitors we give them coffee and cake. After that is another story.

An analyze of the bible shows that church sometimes is that way too. People comparing who can speak in tongues the loudest. Who can perform miracles who can't. But Apostle Paul always put things back into perspectives by following CHRIST. Enough of felony. If things aren't well, don't pretend nothings happened. Be real.

Recently I walked into a Christian bookstore and look at some book. They have interesting titles. But one book caught my attention. 10 lies that the church tells the woman. I am sure you seen similar books like this. To me it is really a conflict. Think about it. if your friend got saved 2 hours ago, would you give this book? "Hey it is great you got save. I really think you should read this to avoid being tell a lie" Books like this should never exist. They exist because maybe it is a real situation. And if it is, It is really sad. What we have become?

A recent podcast hears Tim Hughes being interviewed about worship of course. and one remark is made was important to recognize. He says sure we have better equipments and things like that, the musician is very skillful and professional. But he is afraid that the element of being led by the spirit is dying off. Going place never gone before.

So are we challenging our own and keep our faith intact, our vision clear or are we becoming legos?

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain

Picking my favourite food

I am not finding for fault or anything. I have received really a lot of comments from the worship experience post. No offense to anyone really. I am just letting my point of view run a lil.

Today an adult worship led. I am not saying there is nothing to learn from them. Being a worship leader I have learned a lot since I first step up for main sanctuary. I was naive and young and do everything I always been doing things that I am familiar.

Then I learned a trick to kick in the right gear and people would start singing. All you got to do is sing their song. It is nothing wrong. But whatever happen to bringing a new tunes to God? Sure we can all keep our EMO keys songs (Songs with minor are good to bring eerie / bone chilling effect) (songs like Take me past the outer courts)

Worship to me is not just getting people to sing, It is the whole experience. I know of a lot of songs that can get people to sing right away. I always say "When in doubt, sing How Great is our God" that's true. No matter how quiet the crowd is or how 'potong' your song list is, Just start singing How Great is our God. All around the church you'll see hand raised. Many still uncertain but majority are risen hands.

That speak of something don't they? This might sound a little harsh, but don't take it personally. Like children always get scolded "Why are you so picky about food. Must eat everything"; isn't it the same way everyone is reacting towards songs? I sing only Hillsong.

Nonetheless. I saw the same effect today. I won't speak much about it. But today we introduce some 2 new songs with a totally out of the world tunes. Maybe it is hard to catch it since it is the 1st time. But we'll see.

My Church

I know I sound bad by talking bad about my church, but I am not that kind of person. But I am saying ENOUGH! how long would you stand and fold your arms? how long would you look at nothingness?

There are zones in my church. And after a while it is very easy to tell. Which kinda look like this

BATSUKH, Ochir

"You must finish your food! Do you know that the children in Bosnia have nothing to eat."

These are the familiar chorus being said over and over again to me when I was young, It is a tale probably told to many kids in many family. Being young and foolish, I simply chose to ignore those words.


Somehow when I grew up and in the recent years, I felt really compassionate towards food-less, shelter-less, kids. I begin to think to myself, why am I living all for myself? I hated education yet now I regret not using it fully.

I struggle actually to get this post posted. I am not bragging and not showing off. But this is an awareness that I think we as humans (what more as CHRISTIANS) should all work towards. In recent sermons that I've heard, I can't remember who exactly but it was said soemthing like this

"We call ourselves Christian, but why is Hollywood and Bono doing all they can to help the society?"

It is time for action! I recently participated in sponsoring a kid program from World Vision. I got a boy, his name is in the title of this post; his picture at the end of this post. It cost only Rm50 a month. Easily 5 less Macdonald's a month.

Alright so you don't really have that money to spend. Alright why not share with someone else? Share it with me, Then we can take action in sponsoring more kids ensuring they have a brighter future.

Here's a short writeup I've got about the area he lived in.

Your sponsored child lives in Nalaikh, Mongolia It has a population of 21,237. 40% of whom are Khazaks. Average income is Rm95 a month. Many people are chronically ill or disabled, and there are a number of unemployed widows with children

Another reason why I got was because of the book I have yet to finish (the one you can see now on the right - God's Gravity) It is about living Christian life, do your part in helping the society and yada yada yada. One sentence really struck me to the core of my bones. Because I am somewhat guilty of it. It is a chapter talking about selfishness being a rich Christian. The sentence goes like this.

"Rich Christians travel all around the world and always wants to be where laughter is"

To put it bluntly, Don't we always seek for revival in different places? Oh that church on fire let's go visit it. Oh this conference here cool. That cool. Not to say all is like that. But if you're whole purpose of being Christian is to seek where laughter is, aren't we missing the mark?

what would make you Q?

With the 50th independence celebration, Malaysian government sure does know how to spend huge amount of money to promote tourism to Malaysia. One of it is the International Fireworks Competition happening from one day to another.

I went for it twice now, and it is absolutely fantastic, but to get there means you'll be going at 8 pm jam with them, walk a kilometer away and yeap you're there. Not to mention you'd have to jam for an hour plus to get back home.

After the my 1st night "Team Australia" I decided to haul some friend with me for Team Italy. So when we went there some friends complaint "JAM" while others "I DON'T LIKE CROWDS" and yea blalering all the way. But things were different after the show.

It was a crowd puller, Even when you see the same fireworks for a few times. Same patterns same flare, and not to mention jams. But what would make you Q for hours? and hours after that? The chance to see something beautiful? Magnificent? I don't have the answer. But one thing is for sure... It definitely beats us Christians who seems to find more excuse to 'Q' for skipping church, for coming late and for yawning in church.

Shrugs.

We have fireworks in church. Really. You just got to pay more attention.

New method learned late.

I just got hit in the head massively last night... No, I am not talking about physical hit on the head, but more like a realization. It is odd that I caught it late.

I was at Joleen's church for their function yesternight. I wasn't invited, but since I had nothing to do, I decided to go anyway. I don't know what function, I don't know anything. Hah! I was greeted with an empty hall with some stalls.

The entire service was casual, it is indeed an event for the July intake students around that area, about 10 uni in total, to just invite them and get to know them. I was lost of course since I am working and decided to drop by. But the meeting was casual, no real praise and worship just some bunch of sunday school songs, YMCA dance and just eating and playing game.

That's the rest of the night. it puts me to think... that's a good method to use, I mean not to say throwing the whole service into chaos. We're youths man... it doesn't have to be like some mundane sunday service. Here is like neverland. oh yes!

My love will get you home

Have you ever listen to a CD and here is as if God is speaking to you? Well I have. My colleague pops in her collection of love songs and this song started playing. A deeper research shows that she is well a Christian artist but not well known and not in the business anymore. But when she sang, it is mostly acapella, I felt the song is speaking to me.

Whether or not this song speaks from her own self or singing a gospel lyrics, I felt so much in tune with the song. I wish she continue in the entertainment business because God has blessed her with a unique voice.

You probably heard it before. But here it is

My love will get you home
Christine Glass



If you wander off too far, my love will get you home.
If you follow the wrong star, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.

If the bright lights blinds your eyes, my love will get you home.
If your troubles break your stride, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.

If you ever feel ashame, my love will get you home.
If its only you to blame, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.

SELAH

I am having one of the selah moments in life. Well it ought to happen sooner but it did not URGH.
Selah meaning pause and think about it. Think about what you say? think about anything. Just anything at all right now I am just thinking about church and youths and where we are heading.

I had a hard time constructing the words that I want to say, the things the feelings, the emotion that just runs through my mind. I was flipping my bible one evening during camp the evening I did not join any of the fellowship. I was reading my all time favourite 'THE MESSAGE' bible, and I read Isaiah Chapter 001 (v.10-17) Indeed this is what we are facing now, exactly like the children of Israel.

10"Listen to my Message,
you Sodom-schooled leaders.
Receive God's revelation,
you Gomorrah-schooled people.

11-12"Why this frenzy of sacrifices?"
God's asking.
"Don't you think I've had my fill of burnt sacrifices,
rams and plump grain-fed calves?
Don't you think I've had my fill
of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats?
When you come before me,
whoever gave you the idea of acting like this,
Running here and there, doing this and that—
all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?

13-17"Quit your worship charades.
I can't stand your trivial religious games:
Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—
meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
You've worn me out!
I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion,
while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,
I'll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
I'll not be listening.
And do you know why? Because you've been tearing
people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.
Go home and wash up.
Clean up your act.
Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings
so I don't have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong.
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless.