Random Musings from a Doctor's Chair

Conversations with my Granddaughter (1)

2012-01-20T13:40:00.002+08:00

Welcome, little one. This is your grampa. You may find the world very disorientating at this moment – filled with bright lights, loud noises and strange sensations. Not to worry, little one. After all my years here, your grampa still finds the world disorientating! But slowly you will learn to adapt and push all these disorientating distractions into the background.

Aside from me, you will notice that there are many giants around you. These are called people. As you grow, you will become one of these big people. But that will be many years from now. Your only concern now is drinking, sleeping and pooing. Not to worry, this is your present vocation. World domination can wait.

I am sure you are very familiar with the warmth, smell and heartbeat of one of these big people. You feel comfortable and safe with her. She serves you breakfast, lunch, dinner and all the snacks in between from her breasts. That’s your Mummy and she loves you very much. There is another big person who likes to carry you, cuddle you, kiss you and sometimes feed you with a bottle. You do not smell breast milk on him but however you like his smell. That is your Daddy. He loves you very much too. He also loves your Mummy very much.

Little one, you will learn how important love is and how wonderful it is to be loved by many people. There is much joy and hope in love. There are also other big people. As you are sleepy now, grampa will tell you about them another day. Say hello to your guardian angel for me. Sleep tight, little one (and don't let the bed bug bite). We will talk more later.

Teach me to stop and listen

2012-01-06T18:11:00.001+08:00

Teach me to stop and listen,

Teach me to center down.

Teach me the use of silence,

Teach me where peace is found.

Teach me to hear Your calling,

Teach me to search Your Word.

Teach me to hear in silence,

Things I have never heard.

Teach me to be collected,

Teach me to be in tune,

Teach me to be directed,

Silence will end so soon.

Then when it's time for moving,

Grant it that I might bring,

To every day and moment,

Peace from a silent spring.

Ken Medema

A Fundamental Step

2012-01-06T18:07:00.002+08:00

As fundamental a step as we can take ... is learning to meditate

on Scripture—learning first to hear God's word, and let it

inform and take root in us. This may be extremely difficult, for

the churches have no courses on meditation, despite the fact that

it is an art that must be learned from those who have mastered

and despite the fact that the supreme task of the church is to

listen to the Word of God.

Elizabeth O'Connor

Online Reading Group reading Between Heaven and Mirth

2012-01-06T13:29:00.001+08:00

What my online reading group is reading now.

Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Introduction and Ch. 1
Jan.2 to 8. Ch. 2
Jan. 9 to 15. " A Study in Joy: Psalm 65" and Ch.3
Jan. 16 to 22. Chapters 4 and 5
Jan. 23 to 29 "A Study in Joy: The Visitation" and Ch. 6
Jan. 30 to Feb. 5. Ch. 7
Feb.6 to Feb. 12. Ch. 8
Feb. 13 to 19. " A Study in Joy: 1 Thessalonians" and catch up or read ahead
week:-)
Feb. 20 to 26. Ch.9 and Conclusion

.

A Prayer for My Grand Daughter

2012-01-05T02:30:00.000+08:00

A prayer for my granddaughter

LORD, we do thank you for this wonderful little girl,

given to us at the start of this new year.

May her mother be a fountain of love and joy,

from whom she draws nourishment and wisdom.

May her father be a pillar of strength and integrity,

from whom she draws dignity and humanity.

May her parents’ love for each other and for her provide a matrix,

in which she will grow in wisdom and stature,

and in favour with God and men.

May she always have passion in her heart and light in her eyes;

passion to give a purpose to her living,

and the light of aliveness to enjoy and appreciate life.

Protect her, O LORD, from the wiles of the evil ones,

and strengthen her to face her temptations.

May her cup overfloweth and help her to sail on the river of no regrets,

avoiding the rapids of resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness.

Give her good and faithful friends to keep her company,

and mentors and spiritual directors to guide her path.

Help her to develop the gifts and talents you have given her,

so that she will develop to her full potential as a person.

Guide her to develop a humility that comes from knowing you,

and to learn from her successes and failures.

Give her the persistence to strive for whatever is right and true,

and the courage to follow her passion wherever it may lead her.

LORD, let this precious little one come to know you,

as her Lord and Saviour, offering her life to the Father in service,

living her life in Christ, and becoming like Christ in the process.

May she bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit and,

let your light shine brightly in her so that she will draw others to you.

We humbly ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Review of Lim's Life and Ministry of John Sung

2011-12-31T15:09:00.001+08:00

Lim Ka-Tong, 2012, The Life and Ministry of John Sung, Singapore: Armour Publishing

This is a timely and much needed book in English on the biography of evangelist John Sung who played such an important part in the revivals in China and South East Asia in the 1930s and 1940s. Unfortunately, John Sung is not well known or even remembered among the contemporary churches in Asia except for a few. Among these are those who actually met Sung and whose lives were changed as a result of that meeting. Even now six decades later, these people can remember Sung clearly and with joy their remembrance of their encounter with God as a result of this meeting.

The last significant biography of John Sung was by Leslie Lyall which was written 50 years ago! Lim Ka-Tong’s biography is a distinctive improvement with more new information from Sung’s diaries and letters. Lim, presently a pastor in Texas, is a graduate of Singapore Bible College, Dallas Theological Seminary and Asbury Theological Seminary. In this book which covers Sung’s early formative years, the short 12 years of ministry and his dying years. Significantly it covers the five phases of his life; water (reimmersion, 1927-1930), door (opening, 1931-1933), dove (time to soar, 1934-1936), blood (wartime spiritual warfare, 1937-1939) and tomb (pastoral years, 1940-1944).

Lim’s book explores the impact of Sung’s ministry in the context of prewar and wartime China and South-East Asia, the Chinese worldviews and Sung’s own personal spiritual development. He does this by answering five questions:

(1) What shaped John Sung? How did John Sung become John Sung?

(2) In what ways did contextual elements contribute to the prominence of John Sung’s ministry and his lasting influence?

(3) How did John Sung’s ministry contribute to the growth and indigenization of Chinese Christianity?

(4) How did John Sung make such a great impact in so brief a time?

(5) Why has John Sung been slighted by historical scholarship, despite his pivotal influence on Chinese Christianity?

In this book, Lim has succeeded in helping us to understand this complex and driven servant of God. He shows us the constant struggles Sung had in his spiritual life and his ‘unconditional’ surrender of everything to God. It is a hard lived life of seeking God and seeking his will in making choices. These choices including a life of comfort in the United States or poverty in China, ministerial ‘success’ or itinerary wanderings, theological conservatism (fundamentalist) or liberalism, being a ‘Chinese’ Chinese or a Western educated Chinese, and living a kataphatic or apophatic Christian spirituality. It is a result of these struggles that Sung was able to have such an impact in his ministry.

This is a highly readable and interesting book and a must for all Christians especially for those who want to appreciate the Asian and Chinese Christian heritage.

Exert Oneself to be a Hero

2011-12-30T03:16:00.000+08:00

The lyrics of this song is my new year resolution.

"Exert Oneself to be a Hero" or "A Man should Strive"
(this is the lyrical version of the Wong Fei Hung theme, sung by George Lam for the film "Once Upon a Time in China", starring Jet Li)

Translations:

defiantly laughing at ten thousand waves (= trials and tribulations) /
with righteous ardour burning hotter than the sun
gall (=courage) forged of iron / bones (=character) of steel
broad-minded and far-sighted
I vow to exert myself to strive to be a hero
to be a great hero, one must exert oneself everyday
the zeal of a man burns hotter than the sun

I gather the power of the skies and the seas / to separate heaven and earth
that I might charge towards my ideals
look at the blue waves high and mighty,
and also at the blue skies broad and wide raising my spirit
as a man of determination

striding boldly with one's chest out, everyone should be a great man
(like beams holding up the nation)
use me to ignite a hundred spirits, shining with a thousand rays
to be a great hero / one's zeal must burn with ardour / brighter than the red sun

.

Book Gifts from Seminari Theologi Malaysia

2011-12-19T16:53:00.002+08:00

It was a pleasant surprise this morning to receive this envelope containing two books by my good friends, Dr Anthony Loke and Dr Tan Jin Huat. This is sent by STM to their friends and partners and I think it is a wonderful Christmas gift.

Thanks, STM!

.

Wind Beneath My Wings

2011-12-12T13:01:00.000+08:00

Wind beneath my Wings

The sanctifying life in the Spirit

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23

Dr Alex Tang

Text

1TH 5:16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1TH 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.

1TH 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Sermon statement

The sanctifying work of the Spirit finds its expression in rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving. We must not quench the Spirit.

Wind.beneath.my.wings

View more presentations from Alex Tang.

Soul Care: The Art and Science of Spiritual Direction Course

2011-12-10T12:50:00.001+08:00

I will be teaching a course on spiritual direction in August 2012 at the Malaysia Bible Seminary at their beautiful Kuang campus.

Course Title

Soul Care: The Art and Science of Spiritual Direction

Course Objectives:

The desired outcomes are that by the end of the course, students are able to

develop a biblical and theological basis of Christian spiritual formation and transformation

understand the psychospiritual dynamics of spiritual development

differentiate between the dynamics of spiritual friendship, mentoring, counseling and spiritual direction

listen and cultivate discernment concerning the movements of the Holy Spirit

acquire some basic skills in spiritual direction

Course Content

Defining spiritual direction and its role in spiritual formation and transformation

Biblical and theological foundations of spiritual formation

(concepts from shalom, Trinity, imago dei and missio dei)

The psychospiritual dynamics of spiritual development

The continuum of soul care: spiritual friendship, discipling, mentoring, coaching, counseling and spiritual direction.

The spiritual life of a spiritual director

The art of listening

Discernment

Guidelines in spiritual direction

Credits

3 credits

Requirements

Pre-course reading

Participation during course

One group class presentation

One reflection paper

One research paper

One practicum report paper

If you are interested to attend, please contact MBS at

Working Days : Mondays to Fridays

Off Days : Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays

Working Hours : 8 am to 5 pm

MALAYSIA BIBLE SEMINARY

Lot 728, Jalan Kundang,

48050 Kuang, Selangor Darul Ehsan,

Malaysia

Mobile Phone: 6012-223 4527

Tel: 03-60371727

Fax: 03-60371728

Honest2God

2011-11-29T17:46:00.000+08:00

Honest to God

Living the Way Everlasting

Psalm 139: 23-24

Sermon statement

The Lord knows all about us, is always with us and has lovingly guided our lives. We need to be honest to him if we are to develop spiritual intimacy and spiritual growth.

Intelligent Research and Tea of Science

2011-11-25T18:25:00.000+08:00

My blog posts on research issues provoked by the movies Captain America here and Rise of the Planet of the Apes here are picked up and published by Tea of Science - Scientist and Laboratory Network.

Intelligent Research

Dr. Alex Tang

Medical Research Network page.

What are the lines in altering the genetic code of human. Dr. Alex shares his view.

Maintaining an Authentic Spirituality

2011-11-24T17:49:00.000+08:00

Francis Schaeffer described true or authentic spirituality as “ we are to love God, we are to be alive to him, we are to be in communion with him, in this present moment of history. And we are to love men, to be alive to men as men, and to be in communication on a personal level with men, in this present moment of history”(italics his). Evelyn Underhill summarised it as communion with God and co-operation with God.

Hence authentic spirituality begins with God. It begins with a divine call, rebirth and conversion (John 3:3-8; Acts 2:38-39) and continues with sanctification. It requires divine grace and our willing co-operation. It involves our inner and outward lives. It involves the integration of ours lives as we are being restored by the Holy Spirit. The goal is to become more like Christ (Eph 4:13-16).

read more

.

Booknotes on Keller's Counterfeit Gods

2011-11-19T14:32:00.000+08:00

Keller, Timothy. 2009. Counterfeit gods: When the empty promises of love, money and power let you down. London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.

Things that dishonor God are also called “counterfeit Gods” or idolatry. Pastor Tim Keeler of Redeemer offer offers a brief list of idol categories:

Theological idols - Doctrinal errors that produce such distorted views of God that we end up worshipping a false god.

Sexual idols – addictions such as pornography and fetishisms that promise but don’t deliver a sense of intimacy and acceptance; ideals of physical beauty in yourself and/or your partner; romantic idealism

Magic/ritual idols – Witchcraft and the occult. All idolatry is in the end a form of magic that seeks to rebel against the order of transcendent reality rather than submitting to it in love and wisdom.

Political/economic idols – Ideologies of the left, right, and libertarian that absolutize some aspect of political order and make it the solution. Deifying or demonizing free markets, for example.

Racial/national idols – Racism, militarism, nationalism, or ethnic pride that turns bitter or oppressive.

Relational idols – Dysfunctional family systems of codependency: “fatal attractions”; living your life through your children.

Religious idols – Moralism and legalism; idolatry of success and gifts; religion as a pretext for abuse of power.

Philosophical idols – Systems of thought that make some created thing the problem wit life (instead of sin) and some human product or enterprise the solution to our problems (instead of God’s grace).

Cultural idols – Radical individualism, as in the West, that makes an idol out of individual happiness at the expense of the community; shame cultures that make an idol out of family and clan at the expense of individual rights.

Deep idols – Motivational drives and temperaments made into absolutes: a. Power idolatry: “Life has meaning/ I only have worth if - I have power and influence over others.” b. Approval idolatry: “Life has meaning/ I only have worth if - I am loved and respected by ____________.” c. Comfort idolatry: “Life has meaning/ I only have worth if - I have this kind of pleasure experience, a particular quality of life.” d. Control idolatry: “Life has meaning/ I only have worth – if I am able to gain mastery over my life in the area of ____________.” (p.204, n.119)

“The only way to free ourselves from the destructive influence of counterfeit gods is to turn back to the true one. The living God, who revealed himself both at Mount Sinai and on the Cross, is the only Lord who, if you find him, can truly fulfill you, and, if you fail him, can truly forgive you” (xxiv).

Medical Schools in Malaysia: 35 and counting

2011-11-17T12:28:00.001+08:00

There are now 35 medical schools in Malaysia and some of them have two programmes per year:

1)    University Malaya (UM)
2)    Universiti Kebangsaa n Malaysia (UKM)
3)    Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
4)    Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
5)    UiTM
6)    University Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)
7)    Universiti Darul Iman
8)    Universiti Sarawak Malaysia (UNIMAS)
9)    Universiti Sabah
10) Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
11) Melaka-Manipal Medical College: 2 programmes
12) Monash University Malaysia
13) International Medical University (IMU)
14) SEGI University College
15) Allianze College of Medical Sciences (ACMS): 2 programmes
16) Penang Medical College (PMC)
17) Mahsa University College
18) Masterskills University College of Health Sciences
19) Royal College of Medicine Perak (UNIKL) : 2 programmes
20) Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA)
21) Newcastle University Malaysia
22) Perdana University : Graduate Medical School
23) Perdana University : RCSI
24) Inssaniah University College
25) Quest International University Perak ( starting soon)
26) RCSI Trengganu ( starting soon)
27) KPJ University College (starting soon)
28) Cyberjaya School of Medical Sciences
29) AIMST
30) Taylor’s University College
31) Management and Science University (MSU)
32) University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)
33) University College Sedaya International (UCSI)
34) Lincoln University College( started 2011)
35) University Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia ( started 2009)

.

Pagalvan's Future Doctors: Malaysian Healthcare System for Dummies

2011-11-17T12:23:00.002+08:00

Prolific blogger Dr Pagalvan has posted some insights on the Malaysian Healthcare system. These are in his series For Future Doctors: Malaysian Healthcare System for Dummies part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4. All students who wants to study medicine and especially all parents who want their children to take up medicine should read this.

.

The Standards of Medical Education in Malaysia

2011-11-17T01:38:00.000+08:00

The Standards of Medical Education in Malaysia and Its Acceptability
Dr. David KL Quek,
MBBS, MRCP, FRCP, FAMM, FCCP, FASCC, FAPSC, FNHAM, FACC, FAFPM (Hon.)
Immediate Past President, Malaysian Medical Association (MMA)

(Lecture presented at the Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia Conference, Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, on 16 November 2011)

An insightful lecture by a previous President of the Malaysia Medical Association posted on his blog MyHealthMatters,

The standards of our medical education are falling. This is an unacceptable trend, which should not be allowed to continue. If we do not take drastic remedial steps and actions to stall this slide, we might see a deteriorating climate of healthcare services in the country, with possible lowering of our medical professionalism and our clinical expertise as a whole. We might be reduced to the standards of some of the third world countries’ health services, where excellence is a rarity than a norm.

We could see a decline in our competitiveness, our competence and a deteriorating belief in ourselves, as a developed nation—perhaps to be bogged down once again in a quicksand trap of mediocrity and ‘tidak apa’ lackadaisical mindset. We might soon be having so many poor quality doctors and medical graduates who may be unemployed, even unemployable, and not trusted to be good enough to be our healthcare providers!

Potentially, there could be greater chances of endangering of patient safety and lives, for medical mishaps and errors, and greater risks for medico-legal challenges. Finally, the quality of our health service could deteriorate so much that our routine services would be called into question, with possibly the skeptical questioning of the integrity and foundations of our health service. Instead of trust in our health service, we could see the reversed medical tourism of more and more of our own citizens to other neighbouring countries with perceived higher standards of care and excellence of service!

Alvin Ung's Barefoot Leadership

2011-11-16T16:49:00.001+08:00

Alvin Ung is one of many Christians in Malaysia whom I will like to know better because I believe we have much in common. I have just received a copy of his latest book by post which he has graciously autographed.

He also have amazing excellent handwriting (speaking as a doctor whose handwriting only his pharmacists can decipher).

I look forward to reading it.

.

Review of Dallas Willard's Renovation of the Heart

2011-11-10T15:12:00.000+08:00

Blogpastor wrote an excellent review of this book over at his blog. He brought out many points which are my concerns too when I first read this book.

The approach of breaking down all the human elements that need transformation is also a very Western and scientific approach. It helps me to understand each particular part and how it functions together and deepens my understanding, but it also overwhelms the individual with too much applications, and it feels quite cumbersome. It may be better if he had taken a more Asian or holistic and biblical approach and viewed the human being as a whole and demonstrated how Christ’s death and resurrection has provided a basis for the renewal of my whole being and how the church needs to provide a conducive context where all its members can better predispose themselves to the ongoing grace of sanctification.

Random Glimpses of My Desktop (21)

2011-11-08T17:17:00.000+08:00

Batman Black and White Stature based on the computer game Batman: Arkham Asylum
hand painted, cold cast, porcelain, limited edition 2819 of 5000
Produced by DC Comics
Sculpted by Dave Cortes
Photo by Ling Hong

.

Online Reading Group reading Shea's Starlight

2011-11-05T16:07:00.002+08:00

My online reading group has started reading this book in preparation for Advent. It is wonderful that we have spent one year reading together, with lots of discussion and sharing of lived experiences. It is sad that a member of the group passed away during this period. we all miss her.

.

Kassim Ahmad's The Road Home

2011-11-04T16:07:00.002+08:00

This interesting autobiography (2011) by Kassim Ahmad details his humble origin as a kampung boy from Kedah to his days in the University of Malaya, his four years of lecturing in the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London in the UK before returning to teach at a secondary school in Penang. It also details his intellectual development from a school boy to liberal socialism, then socialist Marxism, his eventual rejection of it and his return to Islam. His commitment to the socialist cause made him an activist and inevitably into politics. He become chairman of Parti Rakyat Malaya which he led for 18 years. He was detained under ISA for more than 5 years. Ultimately, according to Kassim, it was his disillusion with socialist Marxism that led him to resign from Parti Rakyat Malaya in 1984 and joined UMNO in 1986. In the years following, his renewed interest in Islam led to his controversial analysis of the Hadith which provoke much debate and discussion.

It is not a straight forward narrative autobiography because Kassim interspersed the events in his life with his commentaries on socialism, colonialism, political sciences, philosophy, imperialism, Islam and Malaysian politics. He seems to have a good memory for names because there is a large number of people mentioned in this book. To my delight, he also mentioned the names of books and authors that were influential in his intellectual and political development.

Kassim Ahmad's blog Kassim Ahmad

The Sounds of Silence

2011-11-03T19:23:00.003+08:00

What are the sounds of silence? What can we hear in silence? I believe there are three possible sounds of silence and I am sure there are more. These sounds of silence are
(1) language of God
(2) mindfulness
(3) absence of Truth

I have often pondered the meaning of Paul Simon’s song, The Sounds of Silence. This was the original title. Later, it was released as The Sound of Silence. Simon himself indicates that there is no deeper meaning in these lyrics. However I believe that this song, which was written shortly after the assassination of President John. F. Kennedy, had profound effect on the American psyche and therefore on his. This is my own meditation on this song.

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

Firstly, God speaks in silence into the void in the act of creation. Sound is only possible if there is an atmosphere. In space there is no sound. That is why many spiritual writers teach us that silence is the language of God. The holy Trinity who is outside the created order communicates in silence. God speaks to us in silence and in words. In his silence and word, God reveals himself driving back the darkness that is a familiar companion to most of us. Where not everyone hears the word of God, God’s silence reaches all, planting seeds of a vision that this world is not our home and we are all on a journey to our true home. The sound of silence awakens the homesickness in our souls and makes us long to hear the familiar language of our home. Our true home is to be with God.

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

Secondly, the sound of silence is mindfulness. Often known by its other name, awareness, it denotes the self-awareness of us as conscious beings. If we sit quietly alone in a quiet room, within minutes we will become aware of how chaotic our thoughts are and how we hold our bodies in the constant tension of our stressful lifestyles. Mindfulness is the process of examining our thoughts, emotions and spirit to discern what is happening in our lives. Enlightenment often comes as a ‘flash of neon light’-the ‘aha’ moment when we discern the truth on things that defines our existence.

"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence

Finally, the absence of Truth resounds loudly as a sound of silence. This happens when people do not speak the Truth into their lives. Often people are fearful of embracing Truth because of the darkness within them. They refuse to acknowledge Truth because Truth will bring them out of their comfort zones. Instead they prefer to live in the delusions offered by materialism, wealth, glamour and power. They worship at the altars of these false ‘neon’ gods. Truth is all around us if we have eyes to see. It is found in the commonplace of ‘subway walls’ and ‘tenement halls’ which we pass by everyday on our daily commute.

The sounds of silence enable us to hear voice of God, bring mindfulness into our existence and reveal the absence of Truth. Most of us know this instinctively. So we fill our world with all kinds of sounds – so as to drown out the sounds of silence. It is no wonder that the Psalmist encourages us to ‘be still’ (and silent). Only then can we know God.

.

Nathan Greene's Paintings

2011-11-02T17:13:00.001+08:00

I love these three paintings by Christian artist Nathan Greene.

Chief of the Medical Staff

An original oil painting commissioned by the Versacare Corporation to demonstrate the care of Jesus in human suffering.

Difficult Case Paper

In Good Hands

view more of his works here

SFI seminar on Spiritual Formation

2011-11-02T16:50:00.000+08:00

SFI Seminar 2011/4

Christian Spiritual Formation

-The journey in Christ to Christ

What is the Christian spiritual life or spiritual formation? How can we grow spiritually in the midst of increasing demands of family and work, the busyness of life and in the loud jarring noise of contemporary culture? Deep within us, many of us feel dissatisfaction with our spiritual life, longing to connect more intimately with God and achieve a balance in our personal life, church and workplace/home/school. The Spiritual Formation Institute was started in 2003 with a seminar on Christian Spirituality by Dr Alex Tang. Come and join him eight years later with this anniversary seminar to revisit Christian Spirituality in the context of Christian spiritual formation.

Date : 2.00pm- 9.30pm, Saturday 12 November 2011

Place : Berea, Holy Light Church, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Programme: Session 1 : The Mind of Christian Spiritual Formation

What is Christian spiritual formation, Christian education and discipleship? This session defines these terms and gives a biblical and theological basis for them.

Session 2 : The Heart of Christian Spiritual Formation

What drives our spiritual life and growth? This session give insight
into the drives and motivations of Christian spiritual formation.

Session 3 : The Soul of Christian Spiritual Formation

How is spiritual formation worked out in our personal life, workplace, family and church? This session deals with spiritual formation and the Kingdom of God.

Speaker:

Dr Alex Tang is a senior consultant paediatrician in a private hospital and a ‘practical theologian’ with a deep interest in the spiritual life. His PhD research is on spiritual formation in congregations. He is a spiritual director, Bible teacher, preacher, blogger, socialmediorater (facebook, twitter), avid reader, cultural observer, lousy poet, and a fanatical Trekkie. Alex is the author of many books and his latest publication is Tales from the Monastery (2011). Check out his website Kairos Spiritual Formation and his blog.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Registration Form (Seminar cost RM20.00 includes refreshment,dinner and seminar notes).

Spiritual Formation Institute Seminar 2011/4

Christian Spiritual Formation

Name: …………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………….. Church…………………………………………

Tel : …………………………………………………………………………………. Email:………………………………………………………………………………………..

Please register with Sister Grace Soon of HLCE (Tel:07-2243285)

.

Online Lectures on Augustine

2011-11-02T13:12:00.000+08:00

Here is a good collection of online lectures on Augustine compiled by Marc Cortez, Theology Prof at Western Seminary posted on the blog Scientia Et Sapientia

David Calhoun, Augustine’s Confessions
David Calhoun, Augustine & the Pelagian Controversy
David Calhoun, Augustine’s Theology of History
Steven J. Lawson, The Church Fathers: From Clement of Rome to Augustine of Hippo
Thomas Lizo, The Mystical Theology of St. Augustine
Thomas Lizo, St. Augustine’s Theology of History
Nick Needham, Augustine and the City of God
John Piper, The Swan Is Not Silent: Sovereign Joy in the Life and Thought of St. Augustine
Philosophy Talk, John Perry, Ken Taylor and James O’Donnell – Saint Augustine
Mike Reeves, Introducing Augustine, Pt. 1
Mike Reeves, Introducing Augustine, Pt. 2
Cornelius Van Til, St. Augustine

Healthcare and Hospitals in Christian History

2011-11-01T12:14:00.001+08:00

The wonderful announcement appeared in Chris Armstrong's blog Grateful to the Dead.
Enjoy reading this free issue! I have download it to read on my iPad.

The Christian History editorial team is celebrating the printing of Issue #101: Healthcare and Hospitals in the Mission of the Church. Full access to this full-color issue here.

The issue tells the fascinating story of how early and medieval Christians pioneered the healthcare institutions on which we now rely, including the modern hospital.

.

Chocolate Heaven

2011-10-30T20:27:00.000+08:00

Tides of the Spirit in the Christian Life

2011-10-30T20:16:00.000+08:00

There has been an explosion of interest in classical Christian spirituality over the past 50 years. While a great deal of work has been done on the history of Christian spirituality, there has been no full-scale theological and pastoral treatment of Christian spiritual life since before the Second Vatican Council.

Beloved Dust takes a realistic, contemporary view of human being as entirely physical (dust) and shows it immersed in three great tides of the Holy Spirit, the traditional threefold rhythm of conversion, transfiguration, and glory. What is unique about Robert Hughes's approach is the effort to root spiritual theology in the doctrine of the Spirit, an outgrowth of the renewed interest in the Trinity among both Catholics (Karl Rahner) and Protestants (Robert Jenson). Also striking is Hughes's emphasis on "ordinary life". Here as a married Episcopal priest/theologian who brings a distinctly "Protestant" perspective to a traditionally "Catholic" enterprise for so long the preserve of celibate priests. What he achieves is a new presentation of the traditional teaching in the light of contemporary knowledge and practice.

Autographed Books

2011-10-30T19:29:00.001+08:00

Bought these two books at the National Association of National Counsellors Malaysia and have them autographed by the authors. Edmund Ng is the new Chairman of the association and John Court is the principal speaker. Am proud and privileged to attend the inaugural conference of the newly minted organisation in Malaysia.

.

Expanding my Digital Library

2011-10-28T15:01:00.002+08:00

bought this 238-volume digital Catholic Library Builder for USD $395 from Logos.

Early Church Fathers Collection (37 vols.)—retail price: $249.95
Catholic Theology and Dogma Collection (8 vols.)—retail price: $199.95
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica (30 vols.)—retail price: $249.95
Catholic Spirituality Collection (12 vols.)—retail price: $119.95
G.K. Chesterton Collection (11 vols.)—retail price: $179.95
Collected Works of John Henry Newman (31 vols.)—retail price: $299.95
And much, much more… with a total retail price of over $6,100!

The Catholic Library Builder enriches your library in several important categories.

History

Spanning from the Church Fathers to the Second Vatican Council, from St. Thomas Aquinas to Dr. Scott Hahn, this collection covers the full scope of church history.

The Ancient World was the cradle of Christianity. The enduring insights of St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, St. Jerome, St. Basil and so many others deserve a revered place in every Christian’s library, as the great edifice of Christian scholarship was built upon their work.
The Middle Ages were at one time maligned as the “Dark Ages,” but modern scholarship has revealed their rich intellectual, artistic, and spiritual achievement. The writings of Thomas Aquinas, Anselm of Canterbury, Bernard of Clairvaux, and many others will add the profundity of medieval thought to your library.
The Reformation is the most contentious period in church history. Ignatius of Loyola’s and Teresa of Ávila’s writings, the canons of the Council of Trent, and many other important texts—shed light on the Catholic dimension of the period, illuminating both modern Protestantism and modern Catholicism.
Modernity was a period of great struggle for the Catholic Church as it confronted secularization, industrialization, and atheistic ideologies. From Pope Pius IX’s “Syllabus of Errors,” to the First Vatican Council’s declaration of papal infallibility, the Catholic Library Builder provides the essential documents of Catholicism’s attempt to arrest the decline of its influence.
Post-Modern Christianity is diverse and decentralized, but with its over one billion members and rapid expansion (especially in the Global South), the Catholic Church remains important and influential. The epochal Second Vatican Council was the springboard for this evangelical movement and an understanding of it is a necessary component of an understanding of world-wide Christianity itself.

Spirituality

There are few parallels in the history of Christianity to the great mystics and spiritual writers of the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period. The Catholic Library Builder includes St. John of the Cross’ The Dark Night of the Soul, Thomas à Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ, the writings of Thérèse of Lisieux, and many more classics on the soul’s search for God.

Theology and Exegesis

The Catholic Library Builder includes works from such prominent scholars as Scott Hahn, Raymond Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and John P. Meier. Their insights and scholarship will greatly enrich your Bible study.

.

Random Glimpses of my Desktop (20)

2011-10-27T13:53:00.001+08:00

Limited edition hand painted, cold cast porcelain stature 1327/5000
Produced by DC Comics
Designed by David Finch
Sculpted by Mike Locascio
Photograph by Ling Hong

(note: Batman costume first revealed in Batman Incorporated)

.

A Really Cool Cat

2011-10-27T02:59:00.003+08:00

Happy Deepavali to my readers

2011-10-26T04:44:00.001+08:00

This beautiful kolam made of coloured rice grains is on display at City Square Shopping Mall in Johor Bahru.

Review of A Silent Action by Rowan Williams

2011-10-25T15:19:00.000+08:00

What has the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Anglican tradition has in common with a Cistercian monk from America? There is much in common between these two men who has never met face to face. This 2011 book is a compilation of various engagements of the Anglican theologian and the writings of the religious catholic in a series of lectures and journal articles over a period of time which was written by the Archbishop. I believed that Thomas Merton will be bemused if he is aware of the interest the Archbishop has bestowed upon him.

There is much to reflect upon in this slim book which reveals the spiritualites of these two men and their journeys on the contemplative path. During their journeys, they involved and engaged many other theologians into their dialogue which includes Reformed theologian Karl Barth and Orthodox theologian Vladimir Lossky. Mostly they have interacted with each other. What stands out in the dialogue is their conviction of God as the ground of their being and their commitment to the contemplative path as the journey in the silence of the soul from the false self or what Thomas Merton refers to as the 'delusory self image' to the real self.

A good read for fans of Rowan Williams and Thomas Merton.

note: The water color of Canterbury Cathedral on the book’s cover is by Owen Merton. In The Seven Storey Mountain, Merton refers to his father painting in the Cathedral Close at Canterbury during his Easter vacation from Oakham in 1929.

Review of The King Jesus Gospel

2011-10-24T13:09:00.001+08:00

Prof Scot McKnight is a theologian, proliferate blogger and writer who has published several books such as The Jesus Creed (2004) and One.Life (2010) which are worth reading especially for those who are interested in spiritual formation. In this latest (2011) book, McKnight put forward the thesis that the contemporary North American Protestant churches are stuck in a 'salvation culture' mode when they should be in the 'gospel culture' mode. Being in the 'gospel culture' mode will ensure that these American Christians become disciples of Jesus Christ.

The key to his argument is the definition of the gospel. McKnight defines the gospel as the good news of God's plan for a people of God worshiping Him in 'cosmic temple ' in Gen 2 to the 'new Jerusalem in Revelation. This includes fulfilment and completion of Israel in Jesus' coming, death and resurrection. The emphasis will then be also on Jesus as Lord and King in the kingdom of God in the post-resurrection era. He compares this to some understanding of the gospel as the good news for personal salvation. He attributes this 'salvation gospel' and its resultant 'salvation culture' to be the result of Augustine and the Reformation influences.

I find his distinction between the gospel announcement and personal salvation a little disturbing. And also the lower role of justification by faith he assigns in the gospel message. In his excellent exegesis of 1 Corinthians 15:1-5, 20-28, he tries to separate them but instead of either/or, I wonder if it should be and/plus. The gospel message aside from the telling of the Israel and of Jesus should also include personal salvation and justification by faith. It will be useful if McKnight examines other Scriptures that explain the gospel message and share his thoughts on them.

I agree with McKnight in most parts but at times, I am left wondering at how did he arrive at his conclusions in others. It is a thought provoking book about our basic understanding of the gospel and salvation. Again as in many 'theological' discussion, I am left with a 'so what.' How does a gospel culture helps us to become committed disciples? Here, McKnight refers us back to his book One.Life. One.Life, like his Jesus Creed describes what we should do as disciples rather than how do we motivate people to intentionally become disciples. I believe that is the foundational question facing the church today. The debate about the gospel and salvation is a symptom rather than the issue. Christians know all about discipleship and following Jesus. The issue is how to get them to intentionally become one.

.

The Unclean

2011-10-23T14:24:00.001+08:00

The Unclean

There was a time when I was clean,

had family, friends, relatives and a man.

Sunshine, joy, happiness, life was serene,

vanished when my bleeding began but not end.

O God, Thou creator of worlds without end,

why do Thou decree that I suffer so?

By my body issue cause that my life rend,

did I offend Thee that Thou afflict such sorrow?

Thou decree that woman with menses be unclean,

temple ceremonially so but contaminable too.

But Thou did created woman to bleed in between,

weeping of a womb disappointment accrue.

My bleeding did not stop continually unclean I remain,

Social outcast fled family, friends, man I hold dear.

Seek physicians and priests my misfortune to unchain,

Not spared prayers, cash, effort that I become clear.

Twelve years of loneliness longing for a human touch,

O God, Thou compassionate merciful wherefore are Thou?

Twelve years of darkness only to Thee I clutch,

O Lord, Compassionate and Merciful One, heal Thou me now!

(Mark 5:24-34; Matthew 9:20-22; Luke 8:43-48)

Desiderata Revisited

2011-10-20T12:40:00.003+08:00

Desiderata
by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career
however humble;
it is a real possession in the
changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you
to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham,
drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

by Max Ehrmann
©1927 (renewed) Bell & Son Publishing, LLC

The Language of Friendship

2011-10-19T14:14:00.002+08:00

The Language of Friendship

View more presentations from Alex Tang.

The Christian Contemplative Path of Silence

2011-10-18T14:04:00.002+08:00

Just finished reading these two powerful books about the Christian contemplative path of silence. In his first book (2006), Martin Laird, spiritual director and professor in the department of theology and religious studies at Villanova University shares on the contemplative path of silence and dealing with distractions. Five years later (2011), he publishes his second book which is meant as a companion to the first in which he explores further the distractions and how that help to bring awareness to God as the ground of our being.

.

Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God

2011-10-17T17:42:00.000+08:00

What my online reading group is reading. Yes, we are an adventurous lot!

On the back cover

'Since the middle of the twentieth century,' writes Elizabeth Johnson, 'there has been a renaissance of new insights into God in the Christian tradition. On different continents, under pressure from historical events and social conditions, people of faith have glimpsed the living God in fresh ways. It is not that a wholly different God is discovered from the One believed in by previous generations. Christian faith does not believe in a new God but, finding itself in new situations, seeks the presence of God there. Aspects long-forgotten are brought into new relationships with current events, and the depths of divine compassion are appreciated in ways not previously imagined.'

This book sets out the fruit of these discoveries. The first chapter describes Johnson's point of departure and the rules of engagement, with each succeeding chapter distilling a discrete idea of God. Featured are transcendental, political, liberation, feminist, black, Hispanic, interreligious, and ecological theologies, ending with the particular Christian idea of the one God as Trinity.

Value of Fortified Infant Formulas

2011-10-17T11:16:00.000+08:00

At the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) in Boston which is being held in 14-18 October 2011, this question was asked:

Infant Formulas: Are We Making Smarter, Healthier Children?.

Frank Greer, MD, FAAP: ‘There are no studies showing long-term benefits for supplemental DHA/ARA in human infants.'

The claims are generally legal, said Frank Greer, MD, FAAP, University of Wisconsin, but none are supported by robust data..."The trend today is toward boutique formulas with a single brand name covering a family of different formulas with different additives aimed at different market niches," Dr Greer said during "Infant Formulas: Risks and Benefits — Are We Really Making Smarter and Healthier Children?" "All of these formulas are safe and all of them at a basic level will support growth. However, breastfeeding is still the best choice for smarter, healthier babies."..."I don't know of any real advantage to giving growing up formula to a child between 13 and 36 months," Dr Greer said....The same criticism applies to other substances added to infant formula, he said. All have a reasonable rationale, such as adding DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) to grow smarter babies with better vision. Both substances are important to prenatal and postnatal brain development, and both are found in breast milk but not in cow's milk.

Nevertheless, strong data is also lacking on the benefits of supplementing formula with these nutrients..."There are no studies showing long-term benefits for supplemental DHA/ARA in human infants," Dr Greer said. "The most convincing short-term benefit was seen in visual acuity at one year, which results in a one-line improvement in vision on the standard Snellen eye chart. There are no known advantages beyond one year of age."

Spiritual Formation Institute Seminar on Christian Spiritual Formation

2011-10-13T00:59:00.008+08:00

SFI Seminar 2011/4

Christian Spiritual Formation

-The journey in Christ to Christ

Date : 2.00pm- 9.30pm, Saturday 12 November 2011

Place : Berea, Holy Light Church, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Programme: Session 1 : The Mind of Christian Spiritual Formation

What is Christian spiritual formation, Christian education and discipleship? This session defines these terms and gives a biblical and theological basis for them.

Session 2 : The Heart of Christian Spiritual Formation

What drives our spiritual life and growth? This session give insight
into the drives and motivations of Christian spiritual formation.

Session 3 : The Soul of Christian Spiritual Formation

How is spiritual formation worked out in our personal life, workplace, family and church? This session deals with spiritual formation and the Kingdom of God.

Speaker:

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Registration Form (Seminar cost RM20.00 includes refreshment,dinner and seminar notes).

Spiritual Formation Institute Seminar 2011/4

Christian Spiritual Formation

Please register with Sister Grace Soon of HLCE (Tel:07-2243285)

.

Science and Christianity in Perspective

2011-10-13T00:05:00.000+08:00

The questions about whether science and religions are compatible is never ending. This interesting article by
Edward B. (“Ted”) Davis is Professor of the History of Science at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania offers Christianity and Science in Historical Perspective.

Many Christian scientists today continue to place science in a larger theological context, while still keeping both ways of understanding reality in focus. In my view, no one has done this more effectively than John Polkinghorne, a former mathematical physicist at Cambridge who is now an Anglican theologian. Polkinghorne sees science and Christianity as ‘cousinly’ enterprises that are both trying to establish ‘motivated belief’. His recent book, Theology in the Context of Science, stresses the crucial point that larger questions of meaning and purpose go well beyond science – in other words, science cannot make sense of itself: why is science possible at all? The universe ‘is not only rationally transparent’, he argues, but also ‘rationally beautiful, rewarding scientists with the experience of wonder at the marvelous order which is revealed through the labours of their research’. The laws of nature ‘have a character that seems to point the enquirer beyond what science itself is capable of telling, making a materialist acceptance of them as unexplained brute facts an intellectually unsatisfying stance to take’ (pp. 90-91). The fact that science is possible at all ‘is not a mere happy accident, but it is a sign that the mind of the Creator lies behind the wonderful order that scientists are privileged to explore’ (p. 37). In short, ‘the activity of science is recognised to be an aspect of the imago dei’ (p. 13). This is a robust theism, and Polkinghorne gives it an explicitly Christian content. Recognizing that the Resurrection is ‘the pivot on which the claim of a unique and transcendent significance for Jesus must turn’ (p. 135), he searches for motivated belief in such an event, sifting carefully through the evidence to conclude (with N.T. Wright) that a genuine miracle is the best explanation for the stories of the empty tomb and the post-crucifixion appearances of Jesus.

Rohr's Falling Upward

2011-10-12T04:59:00.000+08:00

Some comments I have shared with my online reading group reading this book.

********
I am amused and challenged by Richard Rohr’s comment that he has “prayed for years for one good humiliation a day, and then [he] must observe what [his]reaction to it” (128). He said this in the context that as he became more well known in his writings and in his ministry, there is an element of pride always hiding in the shadows. He adds that “spiritual leader” or “professional religious person” is “such a dangerous and ego-inflating self-image” (128). Spiritual growth, he emphases, takes place when we struggle with our shadow self.

I agree fully with the danger of the ‘ego-inflating self-image”. I am very lucky because the people I minister to and my patients and their parents are very affirming (I am a paediatrician). Asians in general gives a lot of respect to their elders especially if they are in leadership positions. These can be very ego-inflating and one of my constant struggles is with the sin of pride. It is so easy to give into your shadow self and believe your own hype. However, I will not go as far as Rohr to ask the Lord for a good humiliation a day. I guess I am not there yet and my ego-self-image is still very fragile. One day, I hope I will be able to do so.

********

This week's (Chapter 6-8) reading forms the bridge between the two parts of the life journey he has been advocating. So far he has been describing the first half of life's journey which he liken to achieving or building-identity, career, family etc. I find that Rohr is very influenced by faith development theories of Eric Erikson, James Fowler, Lauwrence Kohlberg whic details human development which consists of a number of stages and one needs to overcome a crisis before one can attain the next year. It is fascinating that Rohr draws from mythology
and the great classics to reinforce the stage development theories such as loss, deep, falling and getting up. I have my doubts about faith development theories and I think Rohr is reading too much into it.

I am not comfortable with the way he brings in the Bible to support his theory. One glaring mistake is on page 49 where he writes "You will feel similar to Isaiah before he was sent into exile in Babylon.." Actually Isaiah was never exiled to Babylon. Isaiah lived during the Assyrian period. And the quote "In the noontime.." (Isa. 38:10) was spoken by King Hezekiah, not Isaiah as implied.

In spite of my misgivings about his theory, I find that there are many gems in the book. I am glad that he brought in the True Self and delighted that he points it to William Wordsworth's poem. I agree with Rohr that these few lines are pure theology in motion.

*********

I have enjoyed the autobiographic sharing by Richard Rohr in the chapter Necessary Suffering especially in his experience with the Roman Catholic Church. There is much there that is between the lines in what he shares but the final result is that he has developed a great understanding of the catholic church which he named “incarnational mysticism” – “Once you get it, there is no going backward, because nothing is any better” (76).

Basically I agree with him that Christians need a stronger and deeper ecclesiology. I say this as an Evangelical and a Presbyterian. I admit that our ecclesiology is rather thin and shallow. As Rohr notes, our ecclesiology must be linked to the Mystery of God. That is why I am so taken by his term incarnational mysticism. It reminds me of what Karl Rahler said that all Christians are mystics. It also resonates with my reading of Karl Barth which is drawing me more and more to appreciate the Mystery of God.

Free Online Theological Library

2011-10-11T13:32:00.006+08:00

It is one of my fondest hope that there should be free sharing of information and knowledge. Unfortunately much information and knowledge is locked up in books and journals that are jealously guarded by their publishing companies and only accessible by paying large fees. Some journal databases used to have accounts for individuals like ATLA but for some reasons, they have removed the individual accounts and now have only institutional accounts. This means that one has to belong to an established institution and that institution must have a library with such accounts. Otherwise, one will not have access to these books and journals. It is always my fervor wish that some organisation will set up a digital library that is accessible for all. Globethics.net which has a free ethics library has just set up a free theological library.

The aim of Globethics.net is to ensure that people in all regions of the world are empowered to reflect and act on ethical issues. In order to ensure access to knowledge resources in applied ethics, Globethics.net has developed its Globethics.net Library, the leading global digital library on ethics. Globethics.net took this initiative to ensure that persons - especially in Africa, Asia and Latin-America - have access to good quality and up to date knowledge resources. The founding conviction of Globethics.net was that more equal access to knowledge resources in the field of applied ethics will enable persons and institutions from developing and transition economies to become more visible and audible in the global discourse on ethics. There is no cost involved in using the library. Individuals only need to register (free of charge) as participants on the Globethics.net website (www.globethics.net) to get access to all the full text journals, encyclopedias, e-books and other resources in the library.

So click link and get your access to a free theological library.

.

A Sick Woman and a Dead Girl

2011-10-11T01:39:00.009+08:00

Sermon statement

Faith in believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus reintepretes the Levitical laws and introduce a new way of living by faith.

A Sick Woman and a Dead Girl

View more presentations from Alex Tang.

Thirsty for God

2011-10-10T17:13:00.003+08:00

Sermon statement

Jesus offers the ‘water of life’. To receive this water, we have to avoid distractions, acknowledge Jesus as Saviour and Lord, and become a disciple of Christ.

Thirsty for God

View more presentations from Alex Tang.

read more

My Favourite Seafood Restuarant in Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

2011-10-09T01:49:00.000+08:00

The Poverty of the Church

2011-10-06T00:48:00.000+08:00

Poverty-striken as the church is today in many things, she is most striken here, in the place of prayer.
We have many organizers, but few agonizers;
many players and payers, few pray-ers;
many singers, few clingers;
lots of pastors, few wrestlers;
many fears, few tears;
much fashion, little passion;
many interferers, few intercessors;
many writers, but few fighters.
Failing here, we fail everywhere

-Leonard Ravenhill

.

Finding Your Center

2011-10-05T23:56:00.001+08:00

The soul's center is God. When it has reached God with all the capacity of its being and the strength of its operation and inclination, it will have attained to its final and deepest center in God.

-St. John of the Cross

.

Corollaries of Christian Spiritual Formation

2011-10-03T17:15:00.000+08:00

I have been thinking about Christian spiritual formation the last few days and suggests the following corollaries.

(1) Growing into Christlikeness is the spiritual formation process of the restoration of the imago Dei.

(2) Building relationships is the spiritual formation process of being in communion to the triune God and relating to others.

(3) Becoming missional is the spiritual formation process of embracing shalom and expanding the kingdom of God

(4) Intentionality or the human response is a continuing partnership in spiritual formation.

(5) Spiritual learning with the heart and mind guided by the framework of the Bible is the human role in spiritual formation.

(6) Spiritual formation and transformation are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

(7) Faith communities are the context and matrix (container) of spiritual formation.

(8) Spiritual formation are enhanced by participating in faith communities.

Amazing Grace

2011-09-29T01:31:00.002+08:00

O THOU GIVING GOD,
My heart is drawn out in thankfulness to thee,
for thy amazing grace and condescension
to me
in influences and assistances of thy Spirit,
for special help in prayer,
for the sweetness of Christian service,
for the thoughts of arriving in heaven,
for always sending me needful supplies,
for raising me to new life when I am
like one dead.
I want not the favour of man to lean upon
for thy favour is infinitely better.
Thou art eternal wisdom in dispensations
towards me;
and it matters not when, nor where, nor how
I serve thee,
nor what trials I am exercised with,
if I might but be prepared for thy work and will.
No poor creature stands in need of divine grace
more than I do,
And yet none abuses it more than I have done,
and still do.
How heartless and dull I am!
Humble me in the dust for not loving thee more.
Every time I exercise my grace renewedly
I am renewedly indebted to thee,
the God of all grace, for special assistance.
I cannot boast when I think how dependent
I am upon thee for the being and every act
of grace;
I never do anything but depart from thee,
and if ever I get to heaven it will be because
thou willest it, and for no reason beside.
I love, as a feeble, afflicted, despised creature,
to cast myself on thy infinite grace and goodness,
hoping for no happiness but from thee;
Give me special grace to fit me for special services,
and keep me calm and resigned at all times,
humble, solemn, mortified,
and conformed to thy will.

-The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions

Emotions and the Spiritual Life

2011-09-28T15:01:00.000+08:00

I posted this on 11 October 2006 and is reposting here because it is so insightful.

Emotions and Spiritual Direction

Kathleen Fischer, Working with the Emotions in Spiritual Direction: Seven Guiding Principles, Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction. Vol.12. No.13. September 2006

Fisher, obviously a very experienced psychotherapist has given us seven guiding principles for working with emotions in spiritual direction.

1. Emotions belong at the center of spirituality, not at its edges.

It has taken us a long time but finally we have come to the realization that a holistic spirituality has emotions at the center of spirituality. I agree fully with Fisher in this. In many traditions, especially the Evangelical tradition, we value the intellectual, treating the emotions as unreliable guides. It has become a major stop for us to acknowledge that we are emotional beings. Donald Coggan, the 101st Archbishop of Canterbury once said that the longest journey in our spiritual life is from the head to the heart.

2. Emotions are not opposed to reason, in fact, they are a mode of knowing.
“The heart has its reasons that reasons does not know”. I agree with Fisher here that emotion is a way of knowing. If we learn to acknowledge and name our emotions and trace it back to the cause, it often gives us new insights into a lot of issues. That is because of the mechanism of denial that blocks our reasoning sequence. Fisher also formed a few questions to help us in our prayer reflection:
· What is the feeling in me like and how do I picture it?
· Does my anger issue in a sense of resolve and creative direction, or is it eating away at body and spirit, alienating me from others and interfering from prayer?
· Am I choosing to hold tight to feelings of hurt and sorrow in spite of the grace that keeps me from fully using my gifts in the ministry, or should I risk moving past it?
· Do feelings of guilt undermine my trust in God and myself, or can I make peace with my finitude and the limits of life?
· Can I celebrate the joy and peace I experience this day as God’s gift? (p.29)

3. Naming emotions accurately and exploring their relationship to the Spirit requires patient, attentive listening.

Fischer notes that emotions often come as “interwoven clusters”. Thus it is the role of a spiritual director to carefully untangle the whole clusters. Often anger may come together with the fear of death, shame or dearth.

4. Bringing hidden and unacknowledged emotions to awareness frequently leads to breakthroughs on the spiritual journey.
It has been noted that sometimes we have feelings about our feelings. “We are ashamed of our sexual desire, guilty about our jealousy, afraid of our anger-and sometimes the feeling about the feeling is worst than the initial feeling itself.” (Italics author’s). This is where careful listening and providing a safe space comes in. A safe space is where a directee can feel secure to explore his or her own emotions without the feeling or being judged by the director.

5. Tracing emotional memory, the history of how we came to feel the way we do, often liberates a person spiritually.
We have emotional memories. The smell of cherry blossoms may bring back memories of a holiday in Japan. Emotional memories offers the director many opportunities to strengthen or weaken the hold the past. I strongly support Fischer’s statement that we allow the memories to surface rather than to probe for them. When a memory, especially a negative memory surface by itself, the directee may be ready to deal with it. Prematurely bringing out negative memories may be harmful to the directee.

6. Praying with the imagination and incorporating the arts into spirituality leads to insight and conversion.
The arts have always had a highway into our heart. Hence the spiritual director must be familiar with ways of using the arts; creative paintings, music, icons, mandala to help their directees identify and deal with their emotions. Imaginative praying especially using bible stories is a powerful tool.

7. Spiritual directors need to pay prayerful attention to their own emotional experience, inside and outside the time of direction.
Spiritual directors must always be doing their own emotional work so that they will know where they stand with themselves. Aside from that, they must be listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. Sometimes, issues may be hidden from the director by the skilful psychological defenses of the directee. In such cases, the Holy Spirit will uncover the deception and fgo to the heart of the matter.

This is an informative article contain the distilled wisdom from Kathleen Fischer who has been a psychotherapist and spiritual director for more than twenty years.

Glimpses of Las Vegas

2011-09-24T14:27:00.000+08:00

Eating Fresh Seafood in the Desert

2011-09-22T02:15:00.000+08:00

Glimpses of the Grand Canyon (3)

2011-09-21T03:47:00.004+08:00

Erosive forces continue to shape the Grand Canyon today, millions of years after it began to form. Normal channel erosion alone, however, cannot explain the many kilometers that separate its rims. The strongest explanation holds that the major factor in the widening of the canyon has been activity from tributary drainage systems -- the side streams, rivulets, and gullies outside the main river channel. The greatest erosive force in these tributaries is the fast-moving landslide called a debris flow.