Adriana's Birthday and the Message of Christmas

Dear readers,

Last week my uncle invited us to celebrate his granddaughter’s birthday. Cute Adriana is 2 years old this year. Dozens of family members were invited to celebrate this wonderful day. Uncle, especially, was so excited that he informed me 3 days before the event. By 7pm, most of my closest family members arrived. Sound of kids pierced through the silent of the night. Conversation was so intense like they never met one another for 100 years. I was bombarded with light and heavy questions from personal matters to global issues. In one moment, I thought I was under trail in court.

After a brief prayer and blowing candles, we all enjoy the rest of the evening with delicious foods and cordial drink. Beers were served. Chatting was on the air. By this time, everyone knows who’s who in the family. Happy face on displayed. Satisfied tummy is sure… but we forget… I forget about Adriana. I forget that this is hers’ birthday. I mean, I lost the main objective of the event (I don't even shake her hand). We were so wrapped up in what this party has to offer; mouth-watery food, warm house and great hospitality that we miss the present of to whom the day was offer: Adriana. The very object of that day’s celebration had been forgotten, neglected, and nearly smothered. Similarly, many people overlook the main point of Christmas – celebrating the birth of Christ. That’s the message of Christmas!

I’m aware that Jesus didn’t really born on this particular date, I know that Christmas may have some sort of pagan religion celebration and I’m conscious that Greek mythology may inspired this event of the year. But for Christians, well-informed and mature Christians who know the TRUTH and well aware of the danger of celebrating Jesus’ Birth on specific date – know that Christmas is only a matter of time for us to honor His Birth. It’s a time for us to remember, to ponder, to meditate, to appreciate His Love for us. It’s true when someone say that we should celebrate His Birth everyday (Honestly, how many of us really done that?) but to intentionally celebrate together, every Christians around the world, all part of the globe focus their mind on Christ – the Wonderful and Mystery love of God; “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) is what matter most! That’s the message of Christmas!

As I looked at young Adriana, I thought, she is born to bring joy to his parents. Everyone around her, especially my uncle, of course, loves her very much. She’s a precious jewel in her mother’s eyes and tattoo of thankfulness on her father’s chest. Her birthday was a remembrance of the goodness of God. But that’s all I can say, she’s yet to grow in age…

Jesus was similar and different from her. He was similar. Born of a woman; clothed as an infant. He brings joy to Mary and Joseph. Angels sing heavenly songs at this Precious Jewel of the universe, shepherds praising God in thanksgiving. But He was different. He was God in human form. He was the Creator of the universe. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” His incarnation make us closer to God. Unlike Adriana; Jesus was born to die. This divine baby grew into a perfect man who willingly died for your sins and mine (including Adriana) Yes, He was born at the manger but died at the cross. That’s the message of Christmas!

When we look beyond the manger

To the cross of Calvary,

 We will know the reason Christmas

Brings such joy to you and me. (D. De Haan)

That’s the message of Christmas! 

With Love,

Richard

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Television News and the Message of Christmas

Dear readers,

“No Jesus, No peace; Know Jesus, Know peace.” (Unknown)

Watching news doesn’t usually bring peace. I turned ON the TV one time just to a get fast news on football score between Chelsea versus Valencia, but to hear them I had to went through dozen of updates on worldwide miseries. And I feel the trauma, the heartbreak, and the headache. Two teens killed themselves, heavy rain caused flood and hundreds of people left homeless, father rape his own daughter, jobless grandson steal his grandmother’s saving, politicians sued for bride case etc.

We faced fear and scary news all the time. Children, youngsters, adults and even old-timers are exposes with bitter-pills of news every day. We absorb it like sponge every hour. We drink it like coffee (Okay some of you might prefer tea). Turn ON the television, you’ll get it! Flip newspaper, you’ll get it! Surf the Internet, ya sure, you’ll definitely get it! We all face the scary tomorrow.

But God have a solution, a plan way before the world begin: “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) In the midst of ciaos – God sent His Son, Jesus Christ into the world to bring the Good News of salvation to all mankind. His Good News supersedes our fallen news with peace. He replaces fear to hope, darkness to light, chain to freedom. That’s the message of Christmas!

Understand, watching the news doesn’t bring peace; only God alone can bring you peace. Meditate on His love will bring you peace. Read and study His Word will bring you peace. Praying will bring you peace. Oh, setting your mind on things above will bring you peace. That’s the message of Christmas! 

God make Himself available for us so that while still living here on earth we can face the difficult news of these difficult days with His Good News. That’s the message of Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

With Love,

Richard

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

A Swarm of Ants and The Message of Christmas

Dear readers,

I was a naughty boy. I believe I was since my mother confirmed it. My friends also were naughty boy. You ought to believe me since I witnessed it. Home was our hotel. We came only for meals and sleep, other than that outside was our true ‘home’. Before the existence of video games (video games was unknown during our early childhood), we use to played in the jungle, create games and making toys. One of the deadliest pass time activities was torturing a swarm of ants with drops of hot-fire-melted-plastic-bags-balls. It was so cruel and cool. Children verses insects; handicap match. Winner is confirmed!

Years after that, we stopped playing this game. “Too hazardous”, mom said. (Translate: You waste my plastic bags!) I on personal level thought it would be appropriate to say sorry to them, I mean, to ants. So I whispered, “Ants, I’m sorry for what I’ve done [pause] I hope you understand.” If you think that talking to swarm of ants is weird, hoping that they would understand would be weirder. But the weirdest thing ever is this: in my childish mind, I thought that I could ever have a communication with ants. I didn’t say that I was stupid since I was a kid, but I say it is weird because I’m trying to do the unthinkable. Plus, at one time – I try to teach them how to avoid the ‘fire-ball’!

Richard, what is your point? You might ask. Either you ask or not, since you already read this article thus far, I would like to lay out my point anyway. Here it is,

It is impossible for a human being to communicate, to be intimate in emotional level and to teach an ant. To convey my thoughts and all of the above, I would have to become an ant – that’s the only way [as far as I can think of logically]. That is it exactly; [even beyond human logic] the God of the Universe, infinitely high as He is above us in His being and in His thoughts, had to become a man to teach man to know Him, and to know His thoughts. In order for us to understand God, it is necessary that He come down to our level and reveal Himself. That’s the message of Christmas!

About the birth of Jesus Christ, John Chrysostom comment, “What shall I say! And how shall I describe this birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of Days has become an infant. He who sits upon the sublime and heavenly throne, now cannot be touched, who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He, who has broken the bonds of sinners, is now bound by an infant’s bands. But He has decreed that ignominy shall become honor, infamy be clothed with glory, and total humiliation to be measure of His goodness.” That’s the message of Christmas!

“The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) writes by human author about the Son of God, Jesus Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit edited by God the Father. Isn’t that wonderful? That ‘the Son of God became the Son of Man so that sons of men may become sons of God.’ (C.S. Lewis) That’s the message of Christmas! 

Merry Christmas!

With Love,

Richard

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Your Deepest Need and The Message of Christmas

Dear readers,

The message of Christmas affects each of us in different ways at different times, for it deeply concerns our whole humanity. It never loses its power. Men and women whose hearts are untouched by other great facts of Divine revelation, those who might not get a chance to hear the story of Nativity might find that Christmas is their only encounter with the message. Well, some of my less-educated men and women in my village (especially the old-timers) and children that didn’t go to Sunday school (like I was) – feel strangely thrilled as their ears catch the angels’ tidings of the birth of the Virgin’s Son.

Christmas appeals to touch our deep longing of humanity; it meets man’s deepest needs – though some I believe try to prove the Bible wrong; “It’s a myth”; “It’s a fake story”; “It never happen”, but they can’t comprehend their amazement about the Message. Some doubt, yes, some deny, yes, some in disbelief, yes. Yet for those who are willing to consider this great act of God; the Incarnation which is simply mean, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14) could never hide their inner joy.

This is our deepest need: a personal relationship with the Almighty God.

This is our mortal incapability: reaching Heaven where God dwells.

This is our downgrade handicaps: we can’t do anything about it.

So, God comes down for us. He came near. He was ‘made Flesh and dwelt among us’.

Surely, as we consider the message of Christmas and realize all that that means, we find in it not only a gospel of infinite joy but also the greatest love story ever happened throughout humanity where God in all His Holiness touch dirty sinner’s hearts like you and me. We want nothing to do with God, but God wants everything to do with us. We run away, He comes near. We long for His gift but He gives Himself to us; “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He was laid in a manger. He became flesh. The Incarnation has brought a new way to apprehend God. We are not able to see God in His essence with our normal human sight, thus, Jesus became flesh and made Himself dwelt among men.

In this Christmas message – a child was born; God came near. This year, Christmas might not be the same for you if you come to Him in faith and repentance. Your deepest need will meet His greatest Gift of All: Himself. Hey, God came near. Emmanuel! 

With Love,

Richard

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Week 70: Justice - Let it Roll on like a River

Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

A glimpse of Injustice

Picture taken from: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/

The government has recently introduced a law which would further tighten the country’s excessive restrictions on peaceful protest. If enacted, the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 would effectively prohibit street protests. At this writing, the Bill was passed by parliament on 29^th November 2011. "This bill is a legislative attack on Malaysians’ right to peaceful protest,” said Sam Zarifi, Asia-Pacific director at Amnesty International. “The Malaysian parliament should firmly reject this legislation.”

On a personal note, I’m totally against the Peaceful Assemble Bill (though they make it sounds so ‘righteous’ by using the word 'peaceful') because it is an open violation for people’s right to speak and thus, making us, Malaysian generally, aliens stricken by power-craze laws in our own homeland! This is not right! I’m totally against the Peaceful Assembly Bill!

This issue and many more are but a glimpse of injustice that happens around us...

Agent of Justice in an unjust World

We are living in the world where things are not what they should be. In our world, things are turned inside out and upside down. But as people who are aware of all these injustice, we should not be quiet about it. We should make ‘noise’, get busy with our ‘hand’ and on our ‘knees’ often. God throughout the Bible calls to His people to be agents of justice in the world. The Micah’s great requirement for justice is this;

“What does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8NIV)

What Justice may look like

If we submit to God’s great commission; “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” and obey to His great commandment; “love God and your neighbor as yourself” – in the light of Justice: we would be responsible to God and others is what we say or do, we would be a good steward of what we own, we would enthuse to support just causes through action and financial support (such as The Micah Mandate advocacy ministry), we would treat others impartially and fairly, we would provide for the poor, the needy and the oppressed through the means available to you (with what you have or in ways that you can), we would want to serve others probably thru volunteering in the local community. 

Adele Ahlberg Calhoun suggests, “We would be people who fought unemployment with job training, illiteracy with education, pollution with technology, oppression with legal protection, disease with medicine, danger with safety, poverty with help, chaos with order, fear with love, hunger with food... we would grieve over injustice and oppression. We would courageously use our gifts and talents to oppose the result of the Fall.”

Let Justice Roll on like a River

In his book Jubilee, Mel Lawrenz outlines 4 practical steps to becoming a Jesus-Justice Advocate:

1.      Open My Eyes to Injustice at the Personal Level

2.      Open My Eyes to Injustice in My Community

3.      Open My Eyes to Injustice Around the World

4.      Do Something about What My Open Eyes See

Let Justice Roll on like a River

And with that he concluded (and this is how I would like it to end), “I cannot straighten out the world today and never will. But any little thing I do today to straighten out something in my life and to help straighten out someone else’s life is a small victory in God’s campaign for order.” The truth is total justice will not happen, not until Jesus’ second return to bring back the fullness of God’s Kingdom order to the world. But even though there is no total justice is available, well, at least not yet, we as the followers of Jesus are to share our resources and work and with all the might that the Holy Spirit given to us to let justice roll on like a river  against the evil that robs the world of God’s care and love. 
Think Big. Start Small. Go Deep.

“But let justice roll on like a river,

Righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24)

What is Grace?

“My grace is enough for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

What is grace?

On my previous article on ‘grace’, I write: Grace is everything for nothing. Grace is God’s special favor freely given to undeserving people. Grace is getting something from God that doesn’t belong to us. Grace is like doing a big favor for someone without expecting anything in return. The word ‘Grace’ mean that “God is generous giver toward us even though we do not deserve it.”

What is grace?                                                                                                         

In his official website, Philip Yancey try to explained,

“I don’t even try.  Jesus talked a lot about grace, but mainly through stories.  I remember once getting stuck in Los Angeles traffic and arriving 58 minutes late at the Hertz rental desk.  I walked up in kind of a bad mood, put the keys down and said, “How much do I owe?”  The woman says, “Nothing.  You’re all clear.”  I said I was late and she smiled, “Yes, but there’s a one-hour grace period.”  So I asked, “Oh really, what is grace?”  And she said, “I don’t know.  [They must not cover that in Hertz training classes.]  I guess what it means is that even though you’re supposed to pay, you don’t have to.”  That’s a good start to a definition.”

What is grace?

Max Lucado noted, “It’s what someone gives us out of the goodness of his heart, not out of the perfection of ours. The story of grace is the good news that says when we come, he gives. That’s what grace is . . . Grace is something you did not expect. It is something you certainly could never earn. But grace is something you’d never turn down.”

Who gives such grace?

I might not know what grace is or how to really define what it is, but I had experienced it. I have experienced it. I am experiencing it – daily. But I know, really sure, very deeply convince, who is THE giver of Grace; Jesus Christ. He said “my grace is enough for you”.

God of Grace be with you,

Richard

THINK BIG. GO DEEP. START SMALL.

They Mistreated You... They Spat on Him

In his book You Can Win! Roger Champbell told of a woman who had been treated wrongly by her church and came to him for help. He was sympathetic to her plight, but he also realized she would not be delivered from her hurt feelings until she got a glimpse of the suffering of Christ.

“Has anyone spat on you yet?” Campbell asked.

“No” she replied, shocked by his question.

“They did on Jesus,” he told her.

Campbell went on to say,

“Suddenly she saw my point. While she had certainly been mistreated by people who should have known better, she had not endured the pain and shame experienced by Christ in His suffering and death for her sins. My simple question changed her attitude about her persecutors and she was able to forgive those who had snubbed and avoided her.”

During the arrest of Jesus “…they spat in his face and beat him…” (Matthew 26:67TEV) Yet in his pain, suffering and shame… even when people mistreated him, he still said, “Forgive them, Father!” (Luke 23:34) Now, how much more you ought to forgive those who had mistreated you?

THINK BIG.START SMALL.GO DEEP.

"Forgiveness is simply giving up your right to exact the penalty for the wrong done you,
refusing to take revenge. In the Christian’s view, it is allowing Jesus’ crucifixion
to pay not only for your sin, but the sin of another against you.”

(Jim A. Talley and Jane Carlile Baker)