This week has been a hot and humid week, but a new week for the history of Singapore. The opposition parties have made the voice of the people clearer during the election, and more members from the Worker's Party were elected into the Parliament at the expense of some capable ministers. At the same time, unpopular member was elected into power as well. This testifies to the strength of our democratic system as well as the weakness of the GRC system. I am optimistic about S'pore's future and I pray that the future of S'pore will be geared towards the needs and ethos of the people rather than policies benchmarked by GDP growth.
My feet have generally recovered from soreness and blisters during my six-day break from chemo. I have resumed my 3rd cycle two days ago, and I continue to ask for minimal side effect. Generally, my health has been stable in the last one week, thank God. I tried exerting myself by walking more rounds but found myself too physically tired after doing that for consecutive days. Now, I roughly know my walking limit.
On a delightful note, my Sunday school with the youths were well-received. Powerpoint slides and two-way interaction with 24 teenagers helped to enliven the 45-min lesson. I felt an immense sense of satisfaction. Praise God. I will be leading Bible study with my PRC brothers and sisters this Friday based on the Chinese translation of J.I.Packer's Knowing God. Do keep me in your prayer.
Another area of concern is my part-time teaching duty at Jubilee Sch of Missions. My students had systematic theology 1 last semester, and I do not know what they had covered. The textbook I recommended is too deep for their level, and I still lack sufficient Chinese resources to work with. The academic dean is too busy at the moment to attend to me. I feel loss and the constraint due to limited resources in Chinese ministry. Prayer for guidance and resources to pour in is much appreciated.
Lastly, I discovered these biblical texts during my youth Sunday school and while preparing for my sermon:
- Phil 1:9-10 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless,
- 1Co.1:8-9 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
My insight: Paul prays for the Philippians to remain blameless until Christ's return. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul is confident that the Corinthians will be blameless and since God is faithful, God will give them the means to remain blameless. I believe the church is instituted with every means to ensure we may be blameless till the day we meet God face to face.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Issue with religious affiliation on our identity card?
Mr. James Gomez of the National Democratic Party picked on the issue of why our identity card (IC) should indicate our religious affiliation during his rally. He asked whether this is a hallmark carried over from our colonial past, and whether this would undermine our social cohesion. I wonder whether this issue is important in the first place. So far, there has not been any religious quarrel based on our identity card since Singapore become independent. Secondly, if I were a chaplain working in a hospital or a hospital staff who just received a patient in coma, it will be helpful for me to know his/her religious affiliation so that I can direct the relevant spiritual resources to the patient until I could get in touch with his/her next-of-kin. Third, is this issue of religious affiliation on our IC related to the bread and butter of our citizens? Even if this is worth debating, I think the parliament would be a better place to examine this issue as the various religious leaders can be roped in for their opinions, rather than to present this as a hot-button issue during rally.
On the influx of foreign workers
I have been observing the arguments crafted by various opposition parties. PAP has been an easy target for opposition parties to attack, but not all opposition parties can come up with better alternative plan. The most common argument picked up by the opposition party is to blame the incumbent ruling party for allowing too many foreigners into Singapore. They argued that the foreigners took away jobs from S’porean, lowered the wages, and jacked up the property market prices.
Without the foreign workers, S'poreans will be paying more for our services. What’s more, S’poreans only go for better paid job. We are witnessing globalization on our doorstep and it is inevitable for foreign workers to come here as they are willing to work more for lesser pay. If we were to stop companies from hiring foreign workers, these companies might shift overseas to cut cost and this will impact all connected local industries. I believe PAP has pointed a way out, i.e. increase local productivity. But this will create another inherent set of problems, i.e. those who are not able to increase productivity, perhaps due various challenges such as illiteracy or physical handicapped or long-term illness, may be left further behind in the rat race.
At the same time, the influx of foreign workers has crowded our public transport system, and they are using the same public facilities as the local residents. Opposition parties have pointed out that our infrastructure is currently not able to cope with the sudden influx of foreign workers. There were an estimated 4.5 million inhabitants in S'pore in 2005, about 5 millions in 2010. In the last five years, there was an increase of 500,000 inhabitants without proportional increase in public transport system. Prime Minister Lee has also apologized yesterday for the lack of hindsight in government's planning, though he has not hinted how this problem could be rectified. Perhaps an increase in the number of our service trains and public bus services could alleviate the problem. Slowing the trickle of foreign workers through higher levied tax and setting quota limit could be another way.
With S'pore's declining birth rate, it may be necessary for us to accept foreigners to be part of S'pore story. In the earlier half the decade in our 21st century, the policy was to import foreign talents, and most S'poreans bought into that policy. In the later half of the decade, it was not much about foreign talents any more, but whoever can lower the payrolls of the employers. I know U.S. policy strictly demands employers to justify why they employ foreigners over local Americans. This suggests why highly educated foreigners are more easily employed, and the U.S. has been a magnet of talents. Yet, there is also an existing stream of undocumented workers who work for lower wages and who are willing to live in less desirable housings in the U.S. Our market demands low-waged workers, and I believe S'pore has not seen critical mass of undocumented workers yet perhaps because of the harsh punishments on dwelling owners who dare to habour undocumented workers (the punishment on employers is less stiff though). How do we accept foreign workers without concurrently lower our quality of living is a hard question. Other than controlling quotas such work permit, employment pass, and social visit pass (some undocumented workers come here on social visit pass), we may have to explore alternatives such as diversifying our talents or skills so that our industries could be encouraged to employ local workers. This implies that our industries have to shift towards skilled labours, and the manufacturing sector has to explore automation. Those sectors that are still heavily dependent on local unskilled workers such as cleaning may be here to stay but I suggest even these jobs may have to be more specialized in the long run.
It is only when our infrastructure and society as a whole can absorb foreigners that our foreigner friends can integrate better into our society and be able to relate to us and to share with us in shaping the Singapore story. This means that the rate of foreign influx though necessary, may have to slow down until our infrastructure and society can absorb them. If the living pressure in S'pore can ease a bit, and there were more rooms for different lifestyle, the incentive for having children would be higher and there will be less challenges from social integration.
Without the foreign workers, S'poreans will be paying more for our services. What’s more, S’poreans only go for better paid job. We are witnessing globalization on our doorstep and it is inevitable for foreign workers to come here as they are willing to work more for lesser pay. If we were to stop companies from hiring foreign workers, these companies might shift overseas to cut cost and this will impact all connected local industries. I believe PAP has pointed a way out, i.e. increase local productivity. But this will create another inherent set of problems, i.e. those who are not able to increase productivity, perhaps due various challenges such as illiteracy or physical handicapped or long-term illness, may be left further behind in the rat race.
At the same time, the influx of foreign workers has crowded our public transport system, and they are using the same public facilities as the local residents. Opposition parties have pointed out that our infrastructure is currently not able to cope with the sudden influx of foreign workers. There were an estimated 4.5 million inhabitants in S'pore in 2005, about 5 millions in 2010. In the last five years, there was an increase of 500,000 inhabitants without proportional increase in public transport system. Prime Minister Lee has also apologized yesterday for the lack of hindsight in government's planning, though he has not hinted how this problem could be rectified. Perhaps an increase in the number of our service trains and public bus services could alleviate the problem. Slowing the trickle of foreign workers through higher levied tax and setting quota limit could be another way.
With S'pore's declining birth rate, it may be necessary for us to accept foreigners to be part of S'pore story. In the earlier half the decade in our 21st century, the policy was to import foreign talents, and most S'poreans bought into that policy. In the later half of the decade, it was not much about foreign talents any more, but whoever can lower the payrolls of the employers. I know U.S. policy strictly demands employers to justify why they employ foreigners over local Americans. This suggests why highly educated foreigners are more easily employed, and the U.S. has been a magnet of talents. Yet, there is also an existing stream of undocumented workers who work for lower wages and who are willing to live in less desirable housings in the U.S. Our market demands low-waged workers, and I believe S'pore has not seen critical mass of undocumented workers yet perhaps because of the harsh punishments on dwelling owners who dare to habour undocumented workers (the punishment on employers is less stiff though). How do we accept foreign workers without concurrently lower our quality of living is a hard question. Other than controlling quotas such work permit, employment pass, and social visit pass (some undocumented workers come here on social visit pass), we may have to explore alternatives such as diversifying our talents or skills so that our industries could be encouraged to employ local workers. This implies that our industries have to shift towards skilled labours, and the manufacturing sector has to explore automation. Those sectors that are still heavily dependent on local unskilled workers such as cleaning may be here to stay but I suggest even these jobs may have to be more specialized in the long run.
It is only when our infrastructure and society as a whole can absorb foreigners that our foreigner friends can integrate better into our society and be able to relate to us and to share with us in shaping the Singapore story. This means that the rate of foreign influx though necessary, may have to slow down until our infrastructure and society can absorb them. If the living pressure in S'pore can ease a bit, and there were more rooms for different lifestyle, the incentive for having children would be higher and there will be less challenges from social integration.
Attending a rally by NSP at Jurong West stadium on 2May
Singapore General Election is going to take place on 7 May'11. This election takes place once every five years, and I am really excited to be able to vote again. I was not able to vote in 2006 because my residential zone was part of West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) represented by five members of parliment. As they had no opposition party to contest against them then, they walked through the election. This happened for many residents of the GRC ward for many years. This year is really different as the opposition parties are able to form their teams to compete both in the GRC and in the Single Member Constituency (SMC) ward (SMC ward is represented by a member instead of a team).
My residential zone is no longer under West Coast GRC but standing on its own as Pioneer SMC. Mr. Cedric Foo of the incumbent ruling party (i.e. People's Action Party, PAP) will be contesting against Mr. Steve Chia of the National Solidatry Party (NSP). I attended a rally held by NSP last Sunday at Jurong West (JW) Stadium.
The whole stadium was packed, and emotions were running high. The NSP knew how to fan people’s emotion. What impressed most is that Mr. Chia was able to utilize statistics and hard facts to support his arguments. The presence of foreign workers is a sore sight in Pioneer neighbourhood. Some of them would gather as groups in the void deck, drinking beer and eating together, while some of them would venture into the parks using the facilities there. Mr. Chia personally witnessed foreign workers leaving litters behind and urinating in the public while he was in the neighbourhood. To enhance the safety of the local residents, Mr. Foo advocated for security camera to be installed outside the lift of every block. However, Mr. Chia pointed out that the cost will come from the town council, and the maintenance cost will be likely added to our monthly conservatory services charge, and does not solve the problem. He suggested regular patrolling making up of MP and volunteer residents to remind these foreign workers not to litter or to urinate in public space. He put forth a 2nd viable suggestion, i.e. to shift these workers’ dormitory from to Joo Koon, which is further away from the residential area. Among these two different approaches to handle the presence of foreign workers, I think Mr. Chia’s proposal is more proactive, and put the elected MP closer in touch with the residents.
Mr. Chia also shared his response from the prime minister when asked about the ministers' high pay (in fact S'pore's ministers are one of the highest paid in the world). Minister's pay is written in their contract and cannot be amended. Mr Chia then compared why our Central Provision Fund savings (equivalent to U.S. social security) withdrawal age can be amended, and the minimum cap amount can also be amended. While I do not understand why minister's pay in S'pore is pegged to fifteen top earning industries in S'pore, I do understand the government's initiative in revising the CPF's minimum cap and withdrawal age to reflect the older retirement age and higher cost of living in S'pore. I can see how relatively easy it is for the political opponents to find fault with government's policy and incumbent ruling party, and to raise the stake of the issue by hinging upon people's emotions.
It may not easy to differentiate what is at stake in this election. I do pray for the wisdom of my fellow citizens in electing our candidates to represent us in the parliament.
My residential zone is no longer under West Coast GRC but standing on its own as Pioneer SMC. Mr. Cedric Foo of the incumbent ruling party (i.e. People's Action Party, PAP) will be contesting against Mr. Steve Chia of the National Solidatry Party (NSP). I attended a rally held by NSP last Sunday at Jurong West (JW) Stadium.
 |
| Scene from the stand at NSP rally in JW stadium |
Mr. Chia also shared his response from the prime minister when asked about the ministers' high pay (in fact S'pore's ministers are one of the highest paid in the world). Minister's pay is written in their contract and cannot be amended. Mr Chia then compared why our Central Provision Fund savings (equivalent to U.S. social security) withdrawal age can be amended, and the minimum cap amount can also be amended. While I do not understand why minister's pay in S'pore is pegged to fifteen top earning industries in S'pore, I do understand the government's initiative in revising the CPF's minimum cap and withdrawal age to reflect the older retirement age and higher cost of living in S'pore. I can see how relatively easy it is for the political opponents to find fault with government's policy and incumbent ruling party, and to raise the stake of the issue by hinging upon people's emotions.
It may not easy to differentiate what is at stake in this election. I do pray for the wisdom of my fellow citizens in electing our candidates to represent us in the parliament.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
John Calvin on the church and the poor in Institutes, Book IV
Just as I was pondering the relationship between social concern and the church, I came across the following passages in my reading of John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion (translated by Ford Lewis Battles, PA: Westminster Press. 1960):
Book IV, Chapter 4, Section 7 Fourfold division of revenues
...Gregory speaks even more clearly: “It is the custom of the apostolic see to command the bishop, once ordained, to divide into four portions all the revenue that comes in: that is, one for the bishop and his household, for hospitality and maintenance; another for the clergy; a third for the poor; and a fourth for the repair of churches.” Therefore, the bishop was not allowed to take anything for his own use, except what was sufficient for moderate and frugal food and clothing…
[Note: Clergy here refers to all other employed staff in the church.]
Section 8 Church treasure distributed to the poor
… Acacius, bishop of Amida, when a great multitude of Persians was well-nigh dying from famine, calling together his clergy, delivered this famous speech: “Our God needs neither plates nor cups, for he neither eats nor drinks.” Then he melted the vessels to obtain both food and the price of ransom for the pitiable folk… Ambrose states about himself, for when the Arians reproached him for having broken the sacred vessels to ransom prisoners, he used this wonderful excuse: “He who sent out the apostles without gold also gathered churches without gold. The church has gold not to keep but to pay out, and to relieve distress. What need to keep what helps not? Or are we ignorant of how much gold and silver the Assyrians carted off from the Temple of the Lord [2 Kings 18:15-16]? Would it not be better for the priest to melt it to sustain the poor, if other aid is lacking, than for a sacrilegious enemy to bear it away? Will not the Lord say, ‘Why have you allowed so many needy to die of hunger? Surely you had gold with which to minister sustenance. Why were so many prisoners carried off and not ransomed? Why were so many killed by the enemy? It were better for you to preserve vessels of living men than of metals.’ To these you cannot give reply, for what would you say? ‘I was afraid lest the temple of God lack ornament.’ He would reply: ‘The sacraments do not require gold, nor do those things please with gold that are not bought with gold. The ornament of the sacraments is the ransom of prisoners.’” To sum up, what the same man said in another place we see to be very true: “Whatever, then, the church had was for the support of the needy.” Likewise: “The bishop had nothing that did not belong to the poor."
[Note: Ambrose was bishop of Milan, the capital city of Western Roman Empire, from 374-397 C.E.]
Calvin points out two kinds of deacons, "one to serve the church in administering the affairs of the poor; the other, in caring for the poor themselves" (Calvin, Institutes, 4.3.9, p. 1061).
Calvin reiterates "the care of the poor and the distribution of alms were committed to the deacons" (Calvin, Institutes, 4.4.1, p. 1069).
It looks like the early church and at least the Geneva church during Calvin's time were concerned about the less privileged and there were structures to ensure the church does not neglect the poor. This made me ponder why spirituality in most churches today is concerned only about spiritual growth and evangelism, and even if there were call for additional pledges, these were earmarked for church expansion project or overseas missionary trips. How about additional pledges for the poor in the church and in the society?
Book IV, Chapter 4, Section 7 Fourfold division of revenues
...Gregory speaks even more clearly: “It is the custom of the apostolic see to command the bishop, once ordained, to divide into four portions all the revenue that comes in: that is, one for the bishop and his household, for hospitality and maintenance; another for the clergy; a third for the poor; and a fourth for the repair of churches.” Therefore, the bishop was not allowed to take anything for his own use, except what was sufficient for moderate and frugal food and clothing…
[Note: Clergy here refers to all other employed staff in the church.]
Section 8 Church treasure distributed to the poor
… Acacius, bishop of Amida, when a great multitude of Persians was well-nigh dying from famine, calling together his clergy, delivered this famous speech: “Our God needs neither plates nor cups, for he neither eats nor drinks.” Then he melted the vessels to obtain both food and the price of ransom for the pitiable folk… Ambrose states about himself, for when the Arians reproached him for having broken the sacred vessels to ransom prisoners, he used this wonderful excuse: “He who sent out the apostles without gold also gathered churches without gold. The church has gold not to keep but to pay out, and to relieve distress. What need to keep what helps not? Or are we ignorant of how much gold and silver the Assyrians carted off from the Temple of the Lord [2 Kings 18:15-16]? Would it not be better for the priest to melt it to sustain the poor, if other aid is lacking, than for a sacrilegious enemy to bear it away? Will not the Lord say, ‘Why have you allowed so many needy to die of hunger? Surely you had gold with which to minister sustenance. Why were so many prisoners carried off and not ransomed? Why were so many killed by the enemy? It were better for you to preserve vessels of living men than of metals.’ To these you cannot give reply, for what would you say? ‘I was afraid lest the temple of God lack ornament.’ He would reply: ‘The sacraments do not require gold, nor do those things please with gold that are not bought with gold. The ornament of the sacraments is the ransom of prisoners.’” To sum up, what the same man said in another place we see to be very true: “Whatever, then, the church had was for the support of the needy.” Likewise: “The bishop had nothing that did not belong to the poor."
[Note: Ambrose was bishop of Milan, the capital city of Western Roman Empire, from 374-397 C.E.]
Calvin points out two kinds of deacons, "one to serve the church in administering the affairs of the poor; the other, in caring for the poor themselves" (Calvin, Institutes, 4.3.9, p. 1061).
Calvin reiterates "the care of the poor and the distribution of alms were committed to the deacons" (Calvin, Institutes, 4.4.1, p. 1069).
It looks like the early church and at least the Geneva church during Calvin's time were concerned about the less privileged and there were structures to ensure the church does not neglect the poor. This made me ponder why spirituality in most churches today is concerned only about spiritual growth and evangelism, and even if there were call for additional pledges, these were earmarked for church expansion project or overseas missionary trips. How about additional pledges for the poor in the church and in the society?
Prayer updates 28 Apr'11
I am now into my 2nd week of 3rd chemo cycle. God has continued to sustain my health in the last one week. I did not vomit, neither did I suffer any physical pain (due to back or chemo side effect). Sometimes, I forgot that I am a cancer patient if not for my daily chemo, my limited stamina and the large scar across my abdomen. I think my Ambrotose health supplement by Mannatech has helped to boost my immune system and improve my digestive system. My past prayer to partake in the church ministry has slowly been answered. I will be teaching youth Sunday school on 8 May, leading fellow brothers and sisters from PRC in a Bible study on 13 May, facilitating a topical study for my church's elders, deacons and pastoral staff on 31 May. I was also asked to consider a longer commitment by teaching systematic theology at Jubilee School of Missions (禧福宣教学院) in Chinese language once a week for ten weeks starting from 27 Jun. The school focuses on equipping laity, missionaries, and pastoral staff for grassroots ministry. I am really excited at the avenues God has opened up for me, my only concern is the stability of my health.
At the same time, I am also excited to be living in such a time in Singapore, where election is round the corner and the opposition parties have come up strongly against the ruling party. I finally have the chance to vote again. Yes! The Worker's Party has formed a formidable team at Aljunied, and Singapore People's Party has a credible team at Bishan-Toa Payoh. I believe it is good for the opposition parties to form proficient teams to challenge the status quo. Ever since I came back from Boston last August (I was away for almost three years), I have become conscious of the much higher cost of living, and the tighter squeeze on the lower and middle income group. The percentage of those living in private housing (condos and landed properties) has jumped from 11.3% to 16.9% between 2000 and 2010 (refer to Department of Statistics Singapore to compare type of dwelling in 2000 and 2010). If not for the recent cooling measure on the property market, those who hold property will hoard more properties while those who do not hold any property face more challenge in owning the first one. Though S'pore has recovered fast from the world recession, part of the GDP's growth comes from the integrated resorts. I have been hearing stories about social problems related to the casinos and have seen increased loan sharks' activities.
As my theological school (i.e. Boston University School of Theology) is known as the school of the prophets, I have become more sensitive to social issues after being trained there for three years. I am not sure whether religion has become so private that we can only talk about spiritual growth and evangelism in church, as if social concern is not spiritual at all. I know the importance of segregating religion and politics, and S'pore is an official secularized country; at the same time, our God is also concerned about the less privileged. I am not a Marxist, a capitalist or an aspiring politician. I am a Singapore Christian, and I seek to live my faith in context of the wider society. I wish there are more concerns for the less privileged in church, and more things could be done to narrow the widening gap between the needy and the rich. In fact, I think the spirit of Christ does encourage us to invite the less privileged to the fellowship table, and to care for the needy in church and society.
I invite you to join me in prayer for:
1. My health to continue stabilizing. I do wish my cancerous cells are shrinking, and God does give me more years to serve in ministry;
2. If my health continues to stabilize in the coming one week, I will be researching and compiling resources for my systematic theology class. Please pray that I will have sufficient Chinese language resources, and God does give me sufficient energy and time to prepare for the class;
3. The electoral campaigns to expose Singaporeans to fair and sound arguments for a better society together whether from the opposition parties or the ruling party, and the elected party to be committed to the promises made to the residents;
4. More energies and resources to be dedicated to the less privileged in the church and society, rather than to church expansion project. It would be wonderful if different denominations could unite in an effort to organize financial literacy class or job fair for the less privileged. May the less privileged see the Christ in us.
At the same time, I am also excited to be living in such a time in Singapore, where election is round the corner and the opposition parties have come up strongly against the ruling party. I finally have the chance to vote again. Yes! The Worker's Party has formed a formidable team at Aljunied, and Singapore People's Party has a credible team at Bishan-Toa Payoh. I believe it is good for the opposition parties to form proficient teams to challenge the status quo. Ever since I came back from Boston last August (I was away for almost three years), I have become conscious of the much higher cost of living, and the tighter squeeze on the lower and middle income group. The percentage of those living in private housing (condos and landed properties) has jumped from 11.3% to 16.9% between 2000 and 2010 (refer to Department of Statistics Singapore to compare type of dwelling in 2000 and 2010). If not for the recent cooling measure on the property market, those who hold property will hoard more properties while those who do not hold any property face more challenge in owning the first one. Though S'pore has recovered fast from the world recession, part of the GDP's growth comes from the integrated resorts. I have been hearing stories about social problems related to the casinos and have seen increased loan sharks' activities.
As my theological school (i.e. Boston University School of Theology) is known as the school of the prophets, I have become more sensitive to social issues after being trained there for three years. I am not sure whether religion has become so private that we can only talk about spiritual growth and evangelism in church, as if social concern is not spiritual at all. I know the importance of segregating religion and politics, and S'pore is an official secularized country; at the same time, our God is also concerned about the less privileged. I am not a Marxist, a capitalist or an aspiring politician. I am a Singapore Christian, and I seek to live my faith in context of the wider society. I wish there are more concerns for the less privileged in church, and more things could be done to narrow the widening gap between the needy and the rich. In fact, I think the spirit of Christ does encourage us to invite the less privileged to the fellowship table, and to care for the needy in church and society.
I invite you to join me in prayer for:
1. My health to continue stabilizing. I do wish my cancerous cells are shrinking, and God does give me more years to serve in ministry;
2. If my health continues to stabilize in the coming one week, I will be researching and compiling resources for my systematic theology class. Please pray that I will have sufficient Chinese language resources, and God does give me sufficient energy and time to prepare for the class;
3. The electoral campaigns to expose Singaporeans to fair and sound arguments for a better society together whether from the opposition parties or the ruling party, and the elected party to be committed to the promises made to the residents;
4. More energies and resources to be dedicated to the less privileged in the church and society, rather than to church expansion project. It would be wonderful if different denominations could unite in an effort to organize financial literacy class or job fair for the less privileged. May the less privileged see the Christ in us.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
反思华人长老会的崇拜会秩序
老会的崇拜内容通常会包括：1）奉上帝的名聚集，2）宣讲上帝的话，3）向上帝献上感谢，及 4）奉上帝的名差遣。这是一般华人长老会的主日崇拜会秩序：
1. 序乐 (Prelude)
2. 默祷 (Prayer to prepare for worship)
3. 宣召 (Call to worship)
4. 唱诗 (Worship songs/hymns)
5. 祈祷 (Prayer for the congregation)
6. 启应 (Encouragement from Scripture)
7. 唱诗 (Hymn)
8. 读经 (Scripture reading)
9. 证道 (Sermon)
10. 回应诗 (Response hymn)
11. 奉献 (Offering)
12. 报告 (Announcements)
13. 唱诗 (Hymn)
14. 差遣与祝福 (Charge and Benediction)
15. 阿门 (Amen)
16. 殿乐 (Postlude)
17. 茶叙 (Fellowship)
当牧者要系统的归纳崇拜会秩序的时候，通常会把崇拜会纳为四部：恭候上帝的话，恭受上帝的话，恭答上帝的话，及恭行上帝的话。这或许能帮助敬拜者集中注意力，更好的投入敬拜。以下是一间长老会的崇拜会秩序：
恭候上帝的话 (Awaiting Word of God)
1. 序乐 (Prelude)
2. 默祷 (Prayer to prepare for worship)
3. 宣召 (Call to worship)
4. 唱诗 (Worship songs/hymns)
5. 祈祷 (Prayer for the congregation)
恭受上帝的话 (Receiving Word of God)
6. 启应 (Encouragement from Scripture)
7. 唱诗 (Hymn)
8. 读经 (Scripture reading)
9. 证道 (Sermon)
10. 回应诗 (Response hymn)
恭答上帝的话 (Responding to Word of God)
11. 奉献 (Offering)
12. 报告 (Announcements)
13. 唱诗 (Hymn)
14. 差遣与祝福 (Charge and Benediction)
15. 阿门 (Amen)
16. 殿乐 (Postlude)
17. 茶叙 (Fellowship)
恭行上帝的话 (Living out the Word of God)
这样的归纳很好，但有些部分不理想。通常<序乐>的时候不就是在聚集信徒吗？我认为<序乐>不该归纳为“恭候上帝的话”。还有<回应诗>不就是在回应上帝的话吗？归纳在 《恭答上帝的话》会不会更适合？若我是透过回应诗与奉献恭答上帝的话，那之后的<报告>纳在《恭行上帝的话》对我来说比较逻辑。因为会务报告是在通知崇拜者如何透过肢体生活在教会里恭行上帝的话。牧师的<差遣与祝福>是在差遣与祝福我们回到工作岗位上，家庭里，与日常生活里去执行上帝的话。随后的茶叙也该纳在《恭行上帝的话》。所以我提议一下的归纳模式（包括圣餐）做参考：
聚集 (Gathering)
1. 序乐 (Prelude)
2. 默祷 (Prayer to prepare for worship)
恭候上帝的话 (Awaiting Word of God)
3. 宣召 (Call to worship)
4. 唱诗 (Worship songs/hymns)
5. 祈祷 (Prayer for congregation)
恭受上帝的话 (Receiving Word of God)
6. 启应 (Encouragement from Scripture)
7. 唱诗 (Hymn)
8. 读经 (Scripture reading)
9. 证道 (Sermon)
恭答上帝的话 (Responding to Word of God)
10. 回应诗 (Response hymn)
11. 奉献 (Offering)
恭与上帝契合 (Communion with God)
12. 邀请 (Invitation)
13. 祷告 (The Prayer of thanksgiving)
14. 宣告 (The Words of Institution)
15. 圣餐 (The Communion of the People)
16. 祷告 (Closing prayer)
恭行上帝的话 (Living out the Word of God)
17. 报告 (Announcements)
18. 唱诗 (Hymn)
19. 差遣与祝福 (Charge and Benediction)
20. 阿门 (Amen)
21. 殿乐 (Postlude)
22. 茶叙 (Fellowship)
我认为<序乐>与<默祷>应该另外归纳。默祷之后，领诗或主席宣召我们一起来敬拜，正式恭候上帝的话。
若有圣餐主日，圣餐不应属《恭受上帝的话》也不属《恭答上帝的话》。根据威斯敏斯德信条的阐述，“圣礼是恩典之约的圣洁标记和印证（罗4:11;创17:7，10），由上帝亲自设立（太28:19；林前11:23），代表基督及其恩惠，并证实我们与祂有分（林前10:16；11:25－26；加3:27）”；“在每一圣礼中，在标记和其所表征者之间，都有一种属灵的关系，或圣礼上的联合” (http://www.crca.com.cn/show.aspx?id=925&cid=78)。
我请教过陈业玉牧师 (Rev. May Tan) 的意见，她认为圣餐应该另外归纳。我另外提议圣餐礼仪在秩序单上划分为：邀请，祷告，宣告，圣餐，及祷告。这样能帮助信徒们认识圣餐是个圣礼，预备领圣餐原来也有分步骤。以上，是我经过反思的提议。若我的提议经过种种考量后不被接纳也没关系，至少我的提议已助于读者也去思考敬拜的秩序。
1. 序乐 (Prelude)
2. 默祷 (Prayer to prepare for worship)
3. 宣召 (Call to worship)
4. 唱诗 (Worship songs/hymns)
5. 祈祷 (Prayer for the congregation)
6. 启应 (Encouragement from Scripture)
7. 唱诗 (Hymn)
8. 读经 (Scripture reading)
9. 证道 (Sermon)
10. 回应诗 (Response hymn)
11. 奉献 (Offering)
12. 报告 (Announcements)
13. 唱诗 (Hymn)
14. 差遣与祝福 (Charge and Benediction)
15. 阿门 (Amen)
16. 殿乐 (Postlude)
17. 茶叙 (Fellowship)
当牧者要系统的归纳崇拜会秩序的时候，通常会把崇拜会纳为四部：恭候上帝的话，恭受上帝的话，恭答上帝的话，及恭行上帝的话。这或许能帮助敬拜者集中注意力，更好的投入敬拜。以下是一间长老会的崇拜会秩序：
恭候上帝的话 (Awaiting Word of God)
1. 序乐 (Prelude)
2. 默祷 (Prayer to prepare for worship)
3. 宣召 (Call to worship)
4. 唱诗 (Worship songs/hymns)
5. 祈祷 (Prayer for the congregation)
恭受上帝的话 (Receiving Word of God)
6. 启应 (Encouragement from Scripture)
7. 唱诗 (Hymn)
8. 读经 (Scripture reading)
9. 证道 (Sermon)
10. 回应诗 (Response hymn)
恭答上帝的话 (Responding to Word of God)
11. 奉献 (Offering)
12. 报告 (Announcements)
13. 唱诗 (Hymn)
14. 差遣与祝福 (Charge and Benediction)
15. 阿门 (Amen)
16. 殿乐 (Postlude)
17. 茶叙 (Fellowship)
恭行上帝的话 (Living out the Word of God)
这样的归纳很好，但有些部分不理想。通常<序乐>的时候不就是在聚集信徒吗？我认为<序乐>不该归纳为“恭候上帝的话”。还有<回应诗>不就是在回应上帝的话吗？归纳在 《恭答上帝的话》会不会更适合？若我是透过回应诗与奉献恭答上帝的话，那之后的<报告>纳在《恭行上帝的话》对我来说比较逻辑。因为会务报告是在通知崇拜者如何透过肢体生活在教会里恭行上帝的话。牧师的<差遣与祝福>是在差遣与祝福我们回到工作岗位上，家庭里，与日常生活里去执行上帝的话。随后的茶叙也该纳在《恭行上帝的话》。所以我提议一下的归纳模式（包括圣餐）做参考：
聚集 (Gathering)
1. 序乐 (Prelude)
2. 默祷 (Prayer to prepare for worship)
恭候上帝的话 (Awaiting Word of God)
3. 宣召 (Call to worship)
4. 唱诗 (Worship songs/hymns)
5. 祈祷 (Prayer for congregation)
恭受上帝的话 (Receiving Word of God)
6. 启应 (Encouragement from Scripture)
7. 唱诗 (Hymn)
8. 读经 (Scripture reading)
9. 证道 (Sermon)
恭答上帝的话 (Responding to Word of God)
10. 回应诗 (Response hymn)
11. 奉献 (Offering)
恭与上帝契合 (Communion with God)
12. 邀请 (Invitation)
13. 祷告 (The Prayer of thanksgiving)
14. 宣告 (The Words of Institution)
15. 圣餐 (The Communion of the People)
16. 祷告 (Closing prayer)
恭行上帝的话 (Living out the Word of God)
17. 报告 (Announcements)
18. 唱诗 (Hymn)
19. 差遣与祝福 (Charge and Benediction)
20. 阿门 (Amen)
21. 殿乐 (Postlude)
22. 茶叙 (Fellowship)
我认为<序乐>与<默祷>应该另外归纳。默祷之后，领诗或主席宣召我们一起来敬拜，正式恭候上帝的话。
若有圣餐主日，圣餐不应属《恭受上帝的话》也不属《恭答上帝的话》。根据威斯敏斯德信条的阐述，“圣礼是恩典之约的圣洁标记和印证（罗4:11;创17:7，10），由上帝亲自设立（太28:19；林前11:23），代表基督及其恩惠，并证实我们与祂有分（林前10:16；11:25－26；加3:27）”；“在每一圣礼中，在标记和其所表征者之间，都有一种属灵的关系，或圣礼上的联合” (http://www.crca.com.cn/show.aspx?id=925&cid=78)。
我请教过陈业玉牧师 (Rev. May Tan) 的意见，她认为圣餐应该另外归纳。我另外提议圣餐礼仪在秩序单上划分为：邀请，祷告，宣告，圣餐，及祷告。这样能帮助信徒们认识圣餐是个圣礼，预备领圣餐原来也有分步骤。以上，是我经过反思的提议。若我的提议经过种种考量后不被接纳也没关系，至少我的提议已助于读者也去思考敬拜的秩序。
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Disappointment with 5 Apr CT scan
My CT scan done on 5 Apr'11 shows that my tumours did not shrink, neither did they spread further; except for both my hip bones, to be more precise, my report says "New bony metastasis involving the left ischial tuberosity and the right inferior pubic ramus." Currently, my liver, peritoneal cavity, left kidney, and hip bones show signs of metastasis. I was also informed that Sutent (i.e. my chemo drug) has brought my condition under control. Strangely, though the tumours on my liver did not shrink, my liver function is almost back to normal according to the blood test. My previously low haemoglobin level is now back to normal. Thank God.
Frankly speaking, I was disappointed when I knew my CT result. I was hoping the tumours would shrink since I have regained some physical strength. Now, I really do not know what God has in store for me. Since the onset of my illness, I have been undergoing some emotional strain. This strain is being shared by my family members as well. I know that " … we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet, without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:15-16). I draw comfort knowing God is able to sympathize with my illness and trials, and I can ask boldly from Him. But how will I emerge from this illness? Will I experience recovery in this life or only during the resurrection?
The following quotation from Minnie Louise Haskins best describes my prayer at the moment:
And I said to a man who stood at the gate of the year: 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied: 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light, and safer than a known way.'
Frankly speaking, I was disappointed when I knew my CT result. I was hoping the tumours would shrink since I have regained some physical strength. Now, I really do not know what God has in store for me. Since the onset of my illness, I have been undergoing some emotional strain. This strain is being shared by my family members as well. I know that " … we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet, without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:15-16). I draw comfort knowing God is able to sympathize with my illness and trials, and I can ask boldly from Him. But how will I emerge from this illness? Will I experience recovery in this life or only during the resurrection?
The following quotation from Minnie Louise Haskins best describes my prayer at the moment:
And I said to a man who stood at the gate of the year: 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied: 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light, and safer than a known way.'
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
End of 2nd chemotherapy cycle
I completed my 2nd cycle of daily oral chemotherapy yesterday. I was given Sutent, 37.5 mg for six consecutive weeks as I did not suffer any side effect during my 1st cycle. A normal cycle consists of four weeks Sutent followed by two weeks break. However, during my 6th week of the 2nd cycle, I developed Hand-Foot syndrome. The blisters on my feet multiplied at the pressure points with each passing day, and my feet felt sore. Needless to say, every step I took was painful. Wearing house slippers, socks and applying moisturizers help to alleviate the pain. I read online how some of the caner patients coped with their pain and I felt comforted knowing that something can be done to cope with the syndrome. Coping with physical pain is one thing, seeing my loved ones in pain for me is a much deeper pain that cuts through my heart. Cancer is indeed a dreadful illness, particularly when it extends for months and years. Creating hope and garnering will in the journey of coping with this illness are important not just for the patient, but for his/her loved ones and friends.
I miss the days when I could take a leisure walk in a park near my place.
The shot above was taken during one of my walks somewhere during my 4th week of the 2nd cycle. Ever since I started my chemo cycle, I seemed to catalog events with reference to my chemo cycle. I know that during each cycle, the body might respond differently. It therefore seems wise for me to capture shots during my better days. Below is a shot of the clouds nearing sunset in my neighborhood, taken the following day after my walk in the park.
Such scenery reminds me of God's good creation. I wish God would give me many more years to enjoy God's creation. I am now taking a one week break from my chemo cycle, in the hope that my blisters would heal.
I miss the days when I could take a leisure walk in a park near my place.
 | |
| Taken from the pathway between Jurong Park and Japanese Garden |
 | |||
| Fast approaching sunset in my neighborhood |
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Wisdom from Ecclesiastes in the midst of calamity
There have been some speculations why a big earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster have hit Japan. Some religious figures claimed to know God's will in this calamity and took on the role of being God's spokesperson. Their followers assumed that since their leader or spokesperson is more pious than they are, their leader ought to know God's purpose better than them. However, this is a HUGE fallacy. It looks like we need wisdom in the midst of calamity. Ecclesiastes written within the Israel's Wisdom tradition has much to teach us. A chapter from J.I.Packer's Knowing God ("Chapter 10: God's Wisdom and Ours", Knowing God, 2nd ed. Reading, Berkshire: Cox & Wyman Ltd, 1993, pp.111-121) summarizes the gist of Ecclesiastes well. Packer probes the readers to examine what is wisdom:
"...the mistake that is commonly made is … that the gift of wisdom consists in a deepened insight into the providential meaning and purpose of events going on around us, an ability to see why God has done what he has done in a particular case, and what he is going to do next." (pp. 114-5)
In other words, it is a mistake to assume that the pious person with the most wisdom would be able to discern God's purpose in calamity, whether in the form of natural disaster, illness, or accident. In fact, the preacher in Ecclesiastes is telling us true wisdom is acknowledging that life is not neat, reality is not so ordered after all, and more often than not, we are not able to make sense of God's purpose in everything or to find meaning in calamity. J.I.Packer further points out,
"It is to this pessimistic conclusion, says the preacher, that optimistic expectations of finding the divine purpose of everything will ultimately lead you (cf. Eccl 1:17 f.). And of course he is right. For the world we live in is in fact the sort of place that he has described. The God who rules it hides himself. Rarely does this world look as if a beneficent Providence were running it. Rarely does it appear that there is a rational power behind it at all. Often and often what is worthless survives, while what is valuable perishes. Be realistic, says the preacher; face these facts; see life as it is. You will have no true wisdom till you do." (p. 118)
To try to understand the purpose or meaning in everything eventually leads one to despair because one may be more inclined to conclude the world is not governed by a beneficent Provider. Look at the various natural disasters happening around the world, at how randomly disease or accident can strike a person, the way things are that should not be (such as the righteous not being rewarded, and the wicked not being punished). I am not trying to insult God, but I want to put out that sometimes, even as a staunch believer in God the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, I simply do not have an answer. To be able to say "I don't know why this is happening" is to be honest. Packer continues,
"For the truth is that God in his wisdom, to make and keep us humble and to teach us to walk by faith, has hidden from us almost everything that we should like to know about the providential purposes which he is working out in the churches and in our own lives." (p. 119)
It is simply arrogant and if I may use the word "impious" to claim to know the meaning and God's purpose in Japan's disaster. If believe in a powerful and loving God, how can I explain the disaster? I can't. However, I practise walking by faith by trusting in the same God and by standing in solidarity with the survivors. To walk by faith means that even though I do not have an answer, and even if things do not change for the better, I still believe in the God who has the power to create the world and who cares so much about each and everyone of us. The preacher in Ecclesiastes does not mean taking a laissez-faire attitude in life and let everything runs its course. Instead the preacher is very pro-active about life,
"Seek grace to work hard at whatever life calls you to do (Eccl 9:10), and enjoy your work as you do it (2:34; 3:12 f.; 5:18 ff.: 8:15). Leave to God its issues; let him measure its ultimate worth; your part is to use all the good sense and enterprise at your command in exploiting the opportunities that lie before you (11:1-6)." (p.120)
I do what is within my means and leave the meaning and issues of the calamity to God. This implies that I can stand in solidarity with the survivors through praying with them, and contributing to their needs within my means, even though I do not know the "why" of the calamity. To stretch this implication further and apply it in my illness, even though I do not know why I have cancer, I continue to trust in God's deep and unbroken love for me, and live each day with whatever grace God has given me. To recognize that life can be messy sometimes, and to acknowledge that God is wise, the source of life, and to live in awe of Him is the beginning of wisdom. Packer puts a succinct conclusion to the lesson the preacher wants to impart us,
"For what is this wisdom that he [God] gives? As we have seen, it is not a sharing in all his knowledge, but a disposition to confess that he is wise, and to cleave to him and live for him in the light of his word through thick and thin. Thus the effect of his gift of wisdom is to make us more humble, more joyful, more godly, more quick-sighted as to his will, more resolute in the doing of it and less troubled (not less sensitive, but less bewildered) than we were at the dark and painful things of which our life in this fallen world is full … the kind of wisdom that God waits to give to those who ask him, is a wisdom that will bind us to himself, a wisdom that will find expression in a spirit of faith and a life of faithfulness." (p.121)
Let us continue to trust in God the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer in the midst of calamity, and to act on the faith given us. Even though we do not have an answer to the Japan's disaster, let us stand in solidarity with them, and pray for God's presence with them. A brother shared with me recently his meditation on Ps 46:1-2, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea" (Ps 46:1-2, NRSV). I pray that God may indeed be the refuge and strength of all those in the midst of calamity.
"...the mistake that is commonly made is … that the gift of wisdom consists in a deepened insight into the providential meaning and purpose of events going on around us, an ability to see why God has done what he has done in a particular case, and what he is going to do next." (pp. 114-5)
In other words, it is a mistake to assume that the pious person with the most wisdom would be able to discern God's purpose in calamity, whether in the form of natural disaster, illness, or accident. In fact, the preacher in Ecclesiastes is telling us true wisdom is acknowledging that life is not neat, reality is not so ordered after all, and more often than not, we are not able to make sense of God's purpose in everything or to find meaning in calamity. J.I.Packer further points out,
"It is to this pessimistic conclusion, says the preacher, that optimistic expectations of finding the divine purpose of everything will ultimately lead you (cf. Eccl 1:17 f.). And of course he is right. For the world we live in is in fact the sort of place that he has described. The God who rules it hides himself. Rarely does this world look as if a beneficent Providence were running it. Rarely does it appear that there is a rational power behind it at all. Often and often what is worthless survives, while what is valuable perishes. Be realistic, says the preacher; face these facts; see life as it is. You will have no true wisdom till you do." (p. 118)
To try to understand the purpose or meaning in everything eventually leads one to despair because one may be more inclined to conclude the world is not governed by a beneficent Provider. Look at the various natural disasters happening around the world, at how randomly disease or accident can strike a person, the way things are that should not be (such as the righteous not being rewarded, and the wicked not being punished). I am not trying to insult God, but I want to put out that sometimes, even as a staunch believer in God the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, I simply do not have an answer. To be able to say "I don't know why this is happening" is to be honest. Packer continues,
"For the truth is that God in his wisdom, to make and keep us humble and to teach us to walk by faith, has hidden from us almost everything that we should like to know about the providential purposes which he is working out in the churches and in our own lives." (p. 119)
It is simply arrogant and if I may use the word "impious" to claim to know the meaning and God's purpose in Japan's disaster. If believe in a powerful and loving God, how can I explain the disaster? I can't. However, I practise walking by faith by trusting in the same God and by standing in solidarity with the survivors. To walk by faith means that even though I do not have an answer, and even if things do not change for the better, I still believe in the God who has the power to create the world and who cares so much about each and everyone of us. The preacher in Ecclesiastes does not mean taking a laissez-faire attitude in life and let everything runs its course. Instead the preacher is very pro-active about life,
"Seek grace to work hard at whatever life calls you to do (Eccl 9:10), and enjoy your work as you do it (2:34; 3:12 f.; 5:18 ff.: 8:15). Leave to God its issues; let him measure its ultimate worth; your part is to use all the good sense and enterprise at your command in exploiting the opportunities that lie before you (11:1-6)." (p.120)
I do what is within my means and leave the meaning and issues of the calamity to God. This implies that I can stand in solidarity with the survivors through praying with them, and contributing to their needs within my means, even though I do not know the "why" of the calamity. To stretch this implication further and apply it in my illness, even though I do not know why I have cancer, I continue to trust in God's deep and unbroken love for me, and live each day with whatever grace God has given me. To recognize that life can be messy sometimes, and to acknowledge that God is wise, the source of life, and to live in awe of Him is the beginning of wisdom. Packer puts a succinct conclusion to the lesson the preacher wants to impart us,
"For what is this wisdom that he [God] gives? As we have seen, it is not a sharing in all his knowledge, but a disposition to confess that he is wise, and to cleave to him and live for him in the light of his word through thick and thin. Thus the effect of his gift of wisdom is to make us more humble, more joyful, more godly, more quick-sighted as to his will, more resolute in the doing of it and less troubled (not less sensitive, but less bewildered) than we were at the dark and painful things of which our life in this fallen world is full … the kind of wisdom that God waits to give to those who ask him, is a wisdom that will bind us to himself, a wisdom that will find expression in a spirit of faith and a life of faithfulness." (p.121)
Let us continue to trust in God the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer in the midst of calamity, and to act on the faith given us. Even though we do not have an answer to the Japan's disaster, let us stand in solidarity with them, and pray for God's presence with them. A brother shared with me recently his meditation on Ps 46:1-2, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea" (Ps 46:1-2, NRSV). I pray that God may indeed be the refuge and strength of all those in the midst of calamity.
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