Excerpt from Grace@work
Still there is one factor that helps us feel more at home as we journey through this life --- friends. As Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton remind us:
"Great relationships lead to a significant increase in life satisfaction. Noted psychologist Ed Diener found that 'the happiest people have high-quality social relationships.' On the other hand Deiner and other researchers found that lonely people suffer psychologically."
(How Full is Your Bucket? New York: Gallup Press, 2004, p. 96)
The destructive nature of loneliness was appallingly highlighted by the recent killings in Virginia Tech. Why did Cho Seung-Hui shoot 32 people before turning his gun on himself? Sharon Begley suggests various factors that led to Cho's madness including the reminder that "Rates of criminal violence are higher in mobile and heterogeneous societies where it is hard to put down roots and establish the social glue that binds people into a community." (The Anatomy of Violence, Newsweek April 30, 2007, p. 30)
In the same article Begley refers to "the competitive, individualistic aspects of American culture." (p.30) She could have been talking about Singapore or Kuala Lumpur or any major urban centre in the world. With globalisation so many of us are moving out of our communities to live and work in other parts of the globe. How many of us are therefore bereft of the life giving nurture of friends? And even if we stay put how much time does the modern "competitive, individualistic" workplace allow for us to build and sustain friendships?
Way back in 1981 Henri Nouwen already observed:
"Boredom, resentment, and depression are all sentiments of disconnectedness. They present life to us as a broken connection. They give us a sense of not-belonging. In interpersonal relationships, this disconnectedness is experienced as loneliness. When we are lonely we perceive ourselves as isolated individuals surrounded, perhaps, by many people, but not really part of any supporting or nurturing community. Loneliness is without doubt one of the most widespread diseases of our time."
(Making All Things New, New York: HarperCollins, 1981, p.32)
If loneliness was widespread in 1981 it is pandemic today. My "lostness" also serves as a reminder of its violence.
How will I move beyond my present sense of "lostness?" I have to work at rebuilding my network of friends. I have a number of good friends in Singapore. And some new relationships are promising.
Still, there is no instant connectedness. I have to take the first steps to connect and to reconnect. I will. I am. I have to. Like the disciples on the Emmaus road discovered, sometimes, when you walk with a friend, Jesus comes along side and walks with you (Luke 24: 13-15).
And that's home.
Your brother,
Soo-Inn Tan
E Mail: sooinn@graceatwork.org
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sunday Re Cap (22nd April 2007)
The Second Coming of the LORD
By Rev Albert Jebanayagam
Rev 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
But we say “not too soon!” as we have many more things to be accomplished and set right with the FATHER.
Mt 24 gives us several signs of the last days especially
Mat 24:24-25 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (25) Behold, I have told you before.
2 Tim 3:1-5 describes the last days even further.
Mt 23:13-39 especially
Mat 23:36-39 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! (38) Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. (39) For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Rev 13:16-18 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.
How do we respond?
1. Build a strong foundation of the Word of God.
2Ti 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2. The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
Pro_1:7; Pro_1:29; Pro_2:5; Pro_8:13; Pro_10:27; Pro_14:26; Pro_14:27; Pro_15:16; Pro_15:33; Pro_16:6; Pro_19:23; Pro_22:4; Pro_23:17; Pro_29:25;
3. Preach the Gospel.
Rom 10:13-17 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." (14) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (15) How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" (16) However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" (17) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
By Rev Albert Jebanayagam
Rev 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
But we say “not too soon!” as we have many more things to be accomplished and set right with the FATHER.
Mt 24 gives us several signs of the last days especially
Mat 24:24-25 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (25) Behold, I have told you before.
2 Tim 3:1-5 describes the last days even further.
Mt 23:13-39 especially
Mat 23:36-39 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! (38) Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. (39) For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Rev 13:16-18 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.
How do we respond?
1. Build a strong foundation of the Word of God.
2Ti 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2. The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
Pro_1:7; Pro_1:29; Pro_2:5; Pro_8:13; Pro_10:27; Pro_14:26; Pro_14:27; Pro_15:16; Pro_15:33; Pro_16:6; Pro_19:23; Pro_22:4; Pro_23:17; Pro_29:25;
3. Preach the Gospel.
Rom 10:13-17 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." (14) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (15) How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" (16) However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" (17) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Speaker on 22nd April 2007
PRAISE THE LORD!
We're having ALBERT V. JEBANAYAGAM ministering at our church this Sunday. Don't miss it!
We're having ALBERT V. JEBANAYAGAM ministering at our church this Sunday. Don't miss it!
Sunday Re Cap (22nd April 2007)
THE THRONE OF GOD
By Rev Gilbert Carthigasu
By Rev Gilbert Carthigasu
Rev 1:1 It is PRIMARILY the REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST.
Rev 4:1-11 Has numerous mention of “throne” and “thrones”. Why the THRONE?
Rev 1:12-17 In exile, John saw a new JESUS; THE ONE WHO IS TO COME.
The current popular eschatology is that we will be in heaven with JESUS forever (John 14:23; 1 Thess 4:13-17).
The eschatology according to the book of Revelation is that we will rule and reign with JESUS on the earth in HIS kingdom. (Rev 11:11-16; esp v15).
II. THE THRONE ON EARTH
God’s ultimate desire is to dwell with man. (Rev 21:3).
God has A THRONE ON EARTH where this can happen (Ex 25:21-22)
The TABERNACLE on Earth was a copy of heaven. (Hebrews 8:3-6)
That THRONE is in
III. THE EFFECT OF THE THRONE IN THE WORLD
NO THRONE (605-515 BC) and
IV THE STRUGGLE FOR THE THRONE
Satan wants GOD’S THRONE! (IS 14:12-15).
There are 12 gates around the new JERU
Which is THE GATE that JESUS will return? Ez 43:1-5; Zech 14:4-5). THE EASTERN GATE which is also called The GOLDEN GATE.
The region facing this gate is one of the most turbulent places in the world (Terrorism, pestilence, bombings, etc).
THE LAND belongs to the LORD (Lev 25:23-24; Joel 3:1-2) and HE promised it to
WHAT MUST WE DO?
- Give JESUS the Throne in our lives by
- RECOGNIZING who He is through His ATTRIBUTES (Revelation 4:8-11).
- FEAR the LORD.
- WORSHIP HIM by living our daily lives as pleasing unto Him.
- Give Jesus The Throne In The Church
- Give Jesus The Throne In The Nation.
- Work for unity – Psalm 133, Acts 2:1
- Connect with
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Sunday Re-Cap (8th April 2007)
Resurrected Power
by Rev Phillip Jayabalan
Click Here to listen to this message.
We don’t just celebrate the resurrected power one day a year but each and every day.
Is it manifesting in and through our lives?
by Rev Phillip Jayabalan
Click Here to listen to this message.
Easter is the experience of the resurrected power in our life.
One word in our mouth can change and transform people’s lives. Ex “Auto-Raja’s” life in Bangalore, India was transformed by one girl's word.
Our life must change, can change.
Peter called by the LORD, walked on water.
And the last year of the ministry, Peter committed to follow Jesus even to prison and death. Lk 22:33
- Lk 22:54-60 the same Peter denied Jesus.Many of us make commitment to the LORD and don’t keep it.
- Js 1:22 says, "Be doers of the Word".
- Everyone has problems and this is time to see whether or not we have the resurrected power in our lives.
- Before we have Christ we don’t have resurrection power but after we have Jesus we have the resurrection power.
- Jn 21:2-3 Peter and disciples went back to fishing. Many run away from the ministry saying we can’t serve. Go back to share market, 4 digit, TOTO etc.
- Acts 2:14-17 (Joel 2:28) After Easter things happened. Are we BE (Before Easter) or AE (After Easter) Christians?
- The same Peter after the resurrection power was not afraid to proclaim Jesus.
- Acts 1:8.When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive the resurrection power.
- Without resurrection power, we cannot reach out to the lost.
We don’t just celebrate the resurrected power one day a year but each and every day.
Is it manifesting in and through our lives?
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Sunday Re-Cap (1st April 2007)
The Name Of JESUS
by David Lai
Mt 16:15-18 These signs shall follow those who believe…in HIS Name…
Mt 8:5-10 The healing of the Centurion’s servant.Col
by David Lai
- ALL authority and power in the Name of JESUS.
- Evangelism in the Name of JESUS.
Mt 18:19-20
Mt 16:15-18 These signs shall follow those who believe…in HIS Name…
Mt 8:5-10 The healing of the Centurion’s servant.
v8: …but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed....
- When we say IN THE NAME OF JESUS…JESUS is there personally.
- The Centurion, like Adam only had authority in the natural realm. However, the Name of Jesus has authority over all realms i.e. the natural and the spiritual realms.
How did Jesus get this NAME?
- He received this Name by INHERITANCE. (Lk 1:31; Jn 6:32-35).
- He was CONFERRED this Name (Phil 2:9).
- By CONQUEST (
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