Rich Malaysians in an Age of Hunger

What a typical Malaysian family would need to give up if we were to adopt the lifestyle of a typical family living among our marginalized, unseen and poor neighbours? Let us imagine:

“We begin by invading the house of our imaginary typical Malaysian family to strip it of its furniture. Everything goes: beds, chairs, tables, Astro and television set, lamps. We will leave the family with a few old blankets, a small kitchen table, and a wooden chair. Along with all of these, so goes the clothes. Each member of the family may keep in his ‘wardrobe’ his oldest suit or dress, a shirt or blouse. We will permit a pair of shoes for the head of the family, but none for the wife or children.

We move to the kitchen. The appliances have already been taken out, so we turn to the cupboards… The box of matches may stay, a small bag of rice, some sugar and salt. A few sweet potatoes (or ubi kayu), already in the rubbish bin, must be hastily rescued, for they will provide much of tonight’s meal. We will leave a handful of onions, and a dish of long beans. All the rest we take away: the meat, the fresh vegetables, the canned goods…

Now we have stripped the house: the bedroom has been dismantled, the running water shut off, the electric wires taken out. Next we take away the house. The family can move to a smaller house with no fan… Communications must go next. No more newspapers, magazines, books, smart phones, tablets, computers – internets! – not that they are missed, since we must take away our family’s literacy as well. Instead, we will allow only one old radio instead…

Now government services must go. No more policemen, no more firemen, no 1Malaysia shops. There is a school, but it is three miles away and consists of two classrooms… There are, of course, no hospitals or doctors nearby. The nearest clinic is ten miles away and is tended by a midwife. It can be reached by bicycle, provided that the family has a bicycle, which is unlikely… by boat if the family can afford to buy petrol… Finally, money. We will allow our family a cash of RM15 daily. There are no way to apply for BR1M because nobody care for marginalized people anymore, not even valid Malaysian citizen with I.D. card. The family may get a one-time cash of RM6k if only they ‘sell’ their soul and faith for a religious. Most of the time, ignored.”*

How many of our brothers and sisters confront that kind of grinding poverty today? (Maybe less, but surely happening today). Probably at least hundreds (or thousands, who know) of people in Malaysia are as poor as this. They know hunger in a way that most of us have never known. Why? Not because it doesn’t exist, but because we don’t care to know and see. Jesus through the apostle John is telling us now: “[If] anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:17-18, ESV). For the sake of Christ, are we identified with the hunger and the poor (as above imaginary family situation)? Do we care for the marginalized and the oppressed? Do you love Christ?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

*I use and modified the imaginary family analogy above from Ronald’ J. Sider’s Rich Christians in An Age of Hunger book (Introduction, Part 1).

When a Woman Who Had Been Married 5 Times and Now Living with a Man meets Jesus

There were many in Jesus’ day who found life hard, who had become disillusioned and dissatisfied and were looking for something better, more fulfilling. There are many like that in our society too, hunger for something more… could it be you?

Take for example, in John 4, a story of the Samaritan woman that Jesus met when he stopped by a well to rest on a journey. The fact that she had come alone to draw water in the middle of the day (v.6) suggests that all was not well. Gathering water was normally an early-morning, communal activity… there was something wrong here. When we read the story further, it becomes apparent that her problem was a moral one, involving men. But Jesus, with his keen perception, realized that her real problem was much deeper. So Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water [from the well] will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water [Himself] that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14, ESV. In bracket mine).

Understandably, just like me, the woman initially didn’t really comprehend what Jesus meant. She thought Jesus was talking about actual water. In fact, Jesus was addressing himself to her real problem which was not a thirst for water, nor even a thirst for sex, but – a thirst for life. But before she could begin to drink the life-giving water, Jesus had to help her see what she was really like, and challenge her to change her ways. So, in his infinite wisdom, Jesus asked her to fetch her husband – and then the truth was out! She had been married to five men but the man with whom she was now living was not really her husband (read John 4:16-18).

For a while she struggled with Jesus’ offer of life-giving water and its implications for her, but slowly she was released and was able to receive that offer. As a result, even though we’re not told exactly what she was thinking after that, she was obviously transformed and immediately began to bring others to Jesus. The Jesus whom she and others now realized was “the Saviour of the world” (John 4:42). Questions: Are you looking for something better? Do you dissatisfied with your life now? Is religion burn you down? Do you thirst for more, more than mere water, sex, money and power? Do you thirst for life? Come to Jesus and he will give you the life-giving water so that you “will never thirsty again.” Satisfied guarantee! Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Free Book: Eat this Book (The Art of Spiritual Reading)

“I don’t like to read long and boring theological books. Yet, Eat This Book is a deep theology book disguises as storybook to me. I ‘hate’ the truths in this book, but I love the way Eugene says it and I’m persuaded to read it anyway - and be changed. Reading this book makes me want to read and living the Book, the Bible ever more faithfully. I fully recommend this book!”

(Richard Angelus)

Eugene Peterson is convinced that the way we read the Bible is as important as that we read it. Do we read the Bible for information about God and salvation, for principles and "truths" that we can use to live better? Or do we read it in order to listen to God and respond in prayer and obedience?

Peterson's Eat This Book challenges us to read the Scriptures on their own terms, as God's revelation, and to live them as we read them. With warmth and wisdom Peterson offers greatly needed, down-to-earth counsel on spiritual reading. In these pages he draws readers into a fascinating conversation on the nature of language, the ancient practice of lectio divina, and the role of Scripture translations; included here is the inside story behind Peterson's own popular Bible (paraphrase) translation, The Message.

Countering the widespread practice of using the Bible for self-serving purposes, Peterson here serves readers with a nourishing entree into the formative, life-changing art of spiritual reading.

[Description is taken from: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/97852.Eat_This_Book]

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

FREE BOOK OF THE MONTH

If you want a copy of this book for FREE, you can e-mail me your name and postal address to Adam_son_no7@hotmail.com. All information given is strictly for delivering the book only. For Malaysians ONLY. Thank you.

Iblis ialah Bapa Segala Pendusta

Yesus berkata kepada orang Yahudi yang degil, “Mengapa kamu tidak memahami apa yang Aku katakan? Hal itu demikian kerana kamu tidak tahan mendengar ajaran-Ku. Bapa kamu Iblis dan kamu anak-anaknya. Kamu lebih suka menurut kehendak bapa kamu. Sejak permulaan, Iblis itu pembunuh. Dia tidak pernah memihak kebenaran, kerana tidak ada kebenaran padanya. Apabila Iblis berdusta, hal itu memang sudah sewajarnya, kerana dia pendusta dan asal segala dusta” (Yohanes 8:43-44, BM).

Sungguh tegas dan keras firman Yesus ini! Dia berkata Iblis ialah pembunuh dan bapa segala pendusta. Salah satu dusta yang seringkali Iblis katakan kepada kita ialah dia menjanjikan pelbagai tawaran hebat kepada kita jika kita mengikutnya, seperti apa yang dia lakukan kepada Yesus semasa percubaan-Nya: “Semua ini akan aku berikan kepada-Mu [kerajaan, kekayaan dan kemuliaan dunia],” katanya, “jika Engkau sujud menyembah aku” (Matius 4:9). Sekarang, Iblis mungkin berkata kepada kita, “Saya berjanji hidup kamu akan senang-lenang; saya akan memberi kejayaan bagi kamu; saya akan mengembirakan kamu; saya akan mengkurniakan kamu dengan harta kekayaan dan nama baik.” Ada juga suara Iblis berkata, “Serahkan imanmu yang tidak boleh membawa kemana-mana itu.., ambil duit dan kesenangan ini sekarang.” Ingatlah firman Yesus ini: “Apa gunanya jika seseorang memiliki seluruh dunia ini, tetapi kehilangan hidup yang sejati?” (Matius 16:26, BM)

Iblis juga suka berdusta kepada kita supaya kita (mengingini) menjadi seorang yang “tersangat” rohani. Seorang Kristian, contohnya, tidak mahu mendapat rawatan daripada doktor kerana dia beranggapan ‘hanya Tuhan boleh menyembuhku.’ Saya memang percaya bahawa hanya TUHAN mampu menyembuh dan memang benar kita harus mencari Dia lebih daripada keperluan fisikal, mental dan rohani kita. Tetapi, kita harus berhati-hati juga. Walaupun TUHAN boleh dan mampu menyembuh kita hari ini, kebenaran yang terlalu ditinggi-tinggikan lebih daripada kebenaran yang lain boleh menjadi kesalahan juga (dalam kes ini, kita harus berdoa dan mendapat rawatan). Kebenaran yang tidak diseimbangkan dengan kebenaran Alkitab yang lain akan menjadi penghalang iman kita kepada-Nya. (Contohnya, kebenaran tentang Keselamatan yang memerlukan keseimbangan di antara kasih-kurnia Allah dan respon kita kepada-Nya). Oh, Iblis memang suka mendustai kita!

Satu lagi taktik Iblis untuk mendustai kita ialah dengan menyebarkan berita palsu dan mengumpat tentang saudara-saudari Kristian kita yang lain. Ini akan menyebabkan pekerjaan Allah diantara kita terganggu dan anak-anak TUHAN akan mula berpecah dan bergaduh sesama sendiri – dan apabila kita terlalu fokus dengan perbalahan antara satu sama lain, kita akan mula lupa untuk melakukan Amanah Agung Tuhan Yesus (Matius 28:18-20) dan tidak lagi berjuang untuk memenangkan jiwa-jiwa yang hilang kepada-Nya. Marilah kita tegus bersatu dalam iman dan jangan membiarkan Iblis mendustai kita!

Jadi, bagaimana kita boleh tahu atau membezakan diantara kebenaran Allah dan dusta Iblis? Alkitab mengatakan – dengan mendengar ajaran Yesus. “Jika kamu taat kepada ajaran-Ku, kamu benar-benar pengikut-Ku. Kamu akan mengenal Allah. Oleh itu kamu akan dibebaskan” (Yohanes 8:31-32); “Aku mengatakan apa yang ditunjukkan oleh Bapa-Ku kepada-Ku” (8:38); “Yang Aku lakukan hanyalah memberitahu kamu kata-kata benar yang diberitahukan oleh Allah kepada-Ku” (8:40); “Aku mengatakan apa yang benar” (8:45); “Orang yang berasal dari Allah akan mendengar firman Allah” (8:47). Firman Yesus ialah firman Allah, dan firman Allah adalah kebenaran!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Iblis menyamar Sebagai Malaikat Cahaya

Dalam 2 Korintus 11:13-15, Rasul Paulus menulis tentang nabi palsu: “Mereka rasul palsu. Mereka berdusta tentang kerja mereka dan mereka menyamar seperti rasul Kristus. Hal itu tidak menghairankan! Iblis pun dapat menyamar seperti malaikat yang gilang-gemilang. Oleh itu, tidaklah menghairankan jika hamba-hamba iblis menyamar seperti hamba yang melakukan kehendak Allah. Akhirnya mereka akan menerima balasan yang setimpal dengan semua perbuatan mereka” (BM).

Iblis selalunya akan menggunakan hamba-hambanya untuk menyampaikan ajaran-ajaran baru dan mengajar tafsiran Alkitab yang tidak betul. Dan mereka seringkali akan bersaksi bahawa mereka mempunyai hubungan yang ‘unik’ dengan TUHAN (berbanding dengan orang lain) atau mendakwa bahawa mereka mendapat ‘wahyu istimewa’ dari syurga atau apa sahaja yang bertentangan dengan Firman Allah yang benar. Kadang-kadang mereka akan berkata dan kelihatan seperti sangat rohani – malah begitu mistik – seperti ajaran-ajaran sesat pada masa ini.

Bagi saya, apa yang sangat menakutkan ialah mereka suka mencampur-adukkan kebenaran dengan ajaran sesat yang sangat berbahaya bagi kehidupan rohani kita. Ada sesetengah daripada mereka juga mendakwa bahawa mereka menulis buku-buku yang ‘diilhami’ oleh TUHAN sendiri dan sama pentingnya dengan Alkitab. Selain itu, oleh kerana iblis suka “menyamar seperti malaikat cahaya” dan “menyamar seperti hamba yang melakukan kehendak Allah”, mereka sangat mahir dengan Alkitab dan mampu memetik Firman keluar dari conteks ayat. Kita harus berhati-hati!

Jadi, apa yang kita harus lakukan? Kita diingatkan oleh Firman Allah dalam 1 Yohanes 4:1-3, “Janganlah percaya kepada semua orang yang mengaku bahawa mereka mempunyai Roh Allah, tetapi ujilah mereka untuk mengetahui sama ada roh yang ada pada mereka itu berasal daripada Allah atau tidak. Hendaklah kamu berbuat demikian kerena banyak nabi palsu telah pergi ke serata tempat. Inilah caranya kamu boleh mengetahui sama ada roh itu Roh Allah atau tidak: Sesiapa mengakui Yesus Kristus datang ke dunia sebagai manusia, orang itu mempunyai Roh yang datang daripada Allah. Tetapi sesiapa menafikan hal ini tentang Yesus, orang itu tidak mempunyai Roh Allah. Orang itu mempunyai roh daripada Musuh Kristus. Kamu sudah mendengar bahawa roh itu akan datang, dan sekarang roh itu sudah di dunia ini.” Selain daripada itu, biasakan diri dengan Firman Allah kerana hati dan pemikiran yang dipenuhi dengan Firman-Nya, akan lebih mudah mengenal samada suara itu datang daripada-Nya atau tidak. Berdoa dan biarlah Roh Allah yang memimpin kita. Amen.

Uji setiap roh yang ada.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

The Royal Path of Reading

In the late 1800s, a six hundred pages book entitled, The Royal Path of Life, written by T. L. Haines and L. W. Yaggy, M.S became popular both in refined East and in the pioneer West (It’s hard to get this book, but there is website http://royalpathoflife.com/ where you can get to read it online). It is filled with great maxims, observations, and homespun wisdom. Here are some parts from the chapter entitled “Reading”:

There are four classes of readers. The first is like the hour-glass; and its reading being on the sand, it runs in and runs out and leaves no vestige behind. A second is like a sponge, which imbibes everything, and returns it in the same state, only a little dirtier. A third is like a jelly bag, allowing all that is pure to pass away, and retaining only the refuse and dregs. The fourth is like the slaves in the diamond mines of Golconda, who, casting aside all that is worthless, obtain only pure gems.

One's reading is, usually, a fair index of his character... "A man is known," it is said, "by the company he keeps." It is equally true that a man's character may be, to a great extent, ascertained by knowing what books he reads.

You cannot afford to read a bad book, however good you are. You say, "The influence is insignificant." I tell you that the scratch of a pin has sometimes produced the lockjaw.

To those who plead the want of time to read, we would say, be as frugal of your hours as you are of your dollars, and you can create time in the busiest day.

Master your reading, and let it never master you. Then it will serve you with an ever-increasing fidelity. Only read books aright, and they will charge your mind with the true electric fire. Take them up as among your best friends; and every volume you peruse will join the great company of joyous servitors who will wait around your immortal intellect. Then, too, your daily character will bear the signatures of the great minds you commune with in secret. And, as the years pass on, you will walk in the light of an ever-enlarging multitude of well-chosen, silent, but never-erring guides.

To read with profit, the books must be of a kind calculated to inform the mind, correct the head, and better the heart. These books should be read with attention, understood, remembered, and their precepts put in practice. It depends less on number than quality. One good book, well understood and remembered, is of more use than to have a superficial knowledge of fifty, equally sound. Books of the right character produce reflection, and induce investigation. They are a mirror of mind, for mind to look in. Of all the books ever written, no one contains so instructive, so sublime, and so great a variety as the Bible. Resolve to read three chapters each day, for one year, and you will find realities there, more wonderful than any pictures of fiction that have been drawn by the pencilling of the most practiced novel writer in the dazzling galaxy of ancient or modern literature.

“We are what we read” (Anonymous)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Let People See Jesus through Us

Healing touch: Mother Teresa and Sisters with patients at a mobile leprosy clinic in Kolkata

I like what I read from Mother Teresa, she writes:

“Once, someone asked me, ‘Why do you go abroad? Don’t you have enough poor in India?’ So I answered, ‘I think Jesus told us to go and preach to all the nations.’ That is why we go all over the world to preach his love and compassion.

When our Sisters were in Ceylon, a minister of state once told me something very surprising. He said, ‘You know, Mother, I love Jesus Christ but I hate Christians.’ So I asked him how that could be. He answered, ‘Because Christians do not give us Christ; they do not live their Christian lives to the full.’ Mahatma Gandhi said something very similar, ‘If Christians were to live their Christian lives to the full, there would not be one Hindu left in India.’ Isn’t it very true? This love of Christ should urge us to spend ourselves without ceasing.

A Mohammedan Mulvi was standing with Father Gabric and looking at a Sister bandaging the wound of a leper with so much love. She didn’t say anything, but she did something. He turned to Father and said, ‘All these years I believed that Jesus was a prophet, but today I know He is God because He has given so much love into the hands of this Sister.’ Even today, that Sister does not know that her action brought Jesus into the life of that man.”

The light, O Jesus, will be all from you – none of it will be mine.

It will be you shining on others through me.

Shine through me and be so in me

that every soul I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul.

Let them look up and see Jesus.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.