Forgiveness

If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will aslo forgive you. Mathew 6:14

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossian 3:13

Thank You for My Life

MY Thanks

People eveywhere in life,
from every walk and station,
From every town and city
and every state and nation,
Have given me so many things
intangible and dear
I couldn't begin to count them all
or even make them clear.
I only know I owe so much
to people everywhere,
And when I put my thoughts in verse
it's just a way to share
The musings of a thankful heart,
a heart much like your own,
For nothing that I think or write
is mine and mine alone..
So if you found some beauty
in any word or line,
It's just your soul's reflection
in proximity with mine.

Helen Steiner Rice

Salt Shakers and Light Bearers to the Community

Once again our Church is thankful that Pastor Isaac Yim is here to speak to us.

Pastor Yim preached on the above subject.

In Matt 5:13-16, Christians are instructed to be salt and light to our community. In what context we are called? At present we are not mocked or persecuted like the old days. However, we have many problems and trials. When we want to do good things, the devil will attack us.

What Jesus Taught – Purity in our lives makes our lives most influential. The influence can be positive or negative. As salt and light we should live simply and let our lives be examples to the world.

Four Cs of Salt and Light – Charge, Commission, Challenged and commanded to be salt and light. These are like the instructions of our Lord Jesus.

What do we do as salt? –we preserve the moral value, we improve the quality of life, we promote healing in relationships, we are to live a life that is pure, we are to create thirst for Christ by our exemplary lives.

Everything is rotting, in the government, in society and many areas of our lives. We are called to be salt to be righteous. Many peoples’ lives have become “tasteless”, they find no meaning in life. The salt brings healing of the hurts in us. We may be better in helping people who are hurting because we know them better, not necessary the work of the pastor. Many are also in need of spiritual healing, and Jesus is the greatest Healer. Salt also represents purity and we are to live a pure life. Salt give us thirst physically, and it represents an attraction to others if we live exemplary life, people will want to know. If salt loses its taste what happens? It will be thrown away and trampled upon. Similarly if we lose our “saltiness” we are of no use to Jesus. If we have no more “taste”, we will lose our influence. If we lose our testimonies, others will turn away from Christ.

Our Source of Light is Jesus – “You are the light of the world” Matt 5:14.
As light we dispel darkness, as light we reveal the truth, and as light we give warmth. As Christians we give light, in our work place, in public or wherever we are. Position yourselves to be light of the area where you are.

Application – how to apply the principle of salt and light?
1. Speech – be careful with our speech when we speak to others.
2. Behaviour – behave according to Biblical teachings
3. Faith – show your faith in God at all times, not only during good times
4. Love – love your neighbour as yourself
5. Purity – live a pure and godly life as an example to others.

By His Wounds

Wounded For Me


He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. —Isaiah 53:5

A man who was deeply troubled by his sins was having a vivid dream in which he saw Jesus being savagely whipped by a soldier. As the cruel scourge came down upon Christ’s back, the onlooker shuddered, for the terrible cords left ugly, gaping wounds upon His bleeding, swollen body. When the one wielding the lash raised his arm to strike the Lord again, the man rushed forward to stop him. As he did, the soldier turned, and the dreamer was startled to see his own face!

He awoke in a cold sweat, conscious that his sin had inflicted this grievous punishment upon the Savior. As he thought of Christ’s suffering, he remembered these words in Isaiah 53:5, "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."

How wonderful that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died to redeem a sinful and lost world! He was wounded for our transgressions. "All we like sheep have gone astray," but praise God, "the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).

In one sense, Good Friday was the darkest day in human history. But because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, the cross was actually the greatest victory of all the ages! — Henry G. Bosch

Wounded for me, wounded for me,
There on the cross He was wounded for me;
Gone my transgressions, and now I am free,
All because Jesus was wounded for me. —Ovens

source: Our Dailybread

Sibu Kong Bian

Just read a story in the Star about the passing of the great Kong Bian ( or Gong Piah ) maker Mr.Ting Ming Sing. His shop is the famous Seng Kee in Sibu. I always enjoyed his gong piah especially when they came out from the oven. Wah...very good! Now he is gone, but forunately his children are still continuing his legacy.



You can read the full story here:
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/3/26/sarawak/5788424&sec=sarawak

Those who are from Sibu will have fond memories of this special bread. Of course visitors who have tasted and enjoyed this bread know what I meant.

Praise God! for giving us such wonderful unleaven bread! Thank you Lord, Amen.

Name Above All Names Christian Music Video

Name Above All Names Christian Music Video | Church Video

Posted using ShareThis

Note: click on above link to watch the video.

Jesus, the Name Above All Names, is stunningly represented in this new Christian music video from Sharefaith. With a rousing musical score and a poignant depiction of the names of Christ, this Video sermon illustration and Christian short film will make an impact on your congregation as it moves through names like the "Great Shepherd" and "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." Use this Christian film in your main service, at youth meetings or in small groups to bring honor and glory to the name of our glorious savior, Jesus Christ.

What Good about it?

Good Friday is around the corner. Let us ponder the meaning of Christ great sacrifice for us. He uses evil for good so that we may be redeemed from the pits. What awesome sacrifice!

We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son. —Romans 5:10

When faced with an ugly, unrelenting problem, we often cry, "I need a miracle!" A miracle may come, but if it doesn't, does that mean God's goodness isn't at work?

Let me ask another question: Why is Good Friday, the day Jesus hung on a cross, called "good"? If ever a miracle seemed appropriate, it was then. Even the mockers demanded, "If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him" (Mt. 27:42). But Jesus didn't come down. Author Philip Yancey describes it as "a time of No Miracle."

Jesus certainly wasn't deserving of crucifixion. But God, in keeping with His loving purposes, used the evil that Jesus had to endure to accomplish the good that we so desperately needed--to be "reconciled to God through the death of His Son" (Rom. 5:10). That's why that awful day can be called "good."

Are you feeling that a miracle is your only hope of seeing God's goodness at work? Consider what Christ accomplished—not in spite of His sufferings but because of them. Also ponder Good Friday, Christ's day of "No Miracle." One day you'll be able to look back on the dark times in your life and honestly call them "good." — Joanie Yoder

While Jesus hung on Calvary's cross,
The devil and his demons smiled;
Disciples grieved and mourned the loss,
But God and man were reconciled. —Sper

God uses life's reverses to move us forward.

Source: Our Dailybread

Sunday Service 21st March 2010

Today two visiting pastors spoke at our Church.

Pastor John Leroy originally from Australia and now serving in Sanggau, Indonesia. He ran a boarding school for about 240 children. It is called the New Hope Ministries. The boarding school gives a home to the children from the villages so that they can attend government schools. They also have computer classes for the children. The school is in need of used clothes for the children. Our members are encouraged to donate these clothes to them. Those who would like to sponsor children there can do so. According to Pastor Leroy it is for RM60 per child per month.
(The picture on the right is Pastor John Leroy and his wife)

Dr.David Sheddan is from International Mission Board. He preached on John Chapter 4 about Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well, and her conversion and how her testimonies helped many Samaritan to believe in Jesus. Like this woman we in Church should commit ourselves to evangelise. The harvest is plenty but workers are few. He advised us to actively share the Good News with the lost.

Generosity is evidence that someone is a Christian

On Friday night our LG studied the first portion on "generosity", and here is a video that shared some similar points as well as adds on to what we shared.

Messages in Water - Dr.Masaru Emoto

Facination! Watch it!

Amazing 100 year old Doctor

Paneled House

I came across a devotion in the Daily Bread about building paneled house and the message is similar to the one shared by Dr. Chung. Please read..

Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins? —Haggai 1:4

The prophecy of Haggai is often overlooked in Scripture, but it holds much for us. This brief book consists of four messages from God to the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon. Their mission was to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
They started well, but then their enthusiasm waned and they turned to building houses for themselves. In his first message, Haggai asked, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" (1:4).
In message two (2:1-9), Haggai asked if anyone remembered the temple Solomon had built, and that King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed. A few elderly exiles could recall the former glory. By comparison, the abandoned work looked pitiful.
Let's think for a moment about our work of building the church. For us, the church is the body of Christ—the believers themselves (1 Corinthians 12:27). Our mission as followers of Jesus is to become a strong, dedicated, growing, witnessing church.
How is your local congregation doing? Is it busy doing the work of God? Are you personally involved? Or have you become distracted with the work of building your own "paneled houses"?
— David C. Egner
God gives us talents to be used for Him.
Should then His work for lack of zeal decline?
His kingdom first! Our light must not grow dim—
Through faithful servants may His glory shine! —Mollon
Commitment to Christ goes hand in hand with commitment to His church.

Arise, build and experience the splendour of re building

Sermon by Dr. Chung on 14 th March, 2010

1. Don’t let the past hold you back. (Haggai 2:3). You have experienced past glories, how does it look to you now?
Don’t dwell on the past, and don’t let it hold you back. Satan used it to hold us back.

2. Restoration time. (Haggai 2:4). Take courage said the Lord and do work. The message for FBC is to get involved. Everyone must get involved to restore our Church. Quoting Dr. Chung, “Engaged the Holy Spirit in all we do, and you will see the fruits”.

3. Promise & reminders of God. (Haggai 2:5). God said since He delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He had no problem helping the remnants who went back to Israel. Quoting Dr. Chung, “God never promise more than He can deliver”. God will fulfil everything He promised. The Holy Spirit is a reminder, He reminds us. Dr. Chung quoted Zechariah 4:6 “So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit”, says the Lord Almighty.

4. Revival will come. (Haggai 2: 7-8. God will shake heaven and earth and revival will come. Dr. Chung said this is also a message for FBC. God will fill this house with splendour. The gold and silver are mine said the Lord, so don’t keep what are not yours. Which mean don’t grab glory for yourself. Also message for FBC, (Haggai 2:9) “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, says the Lord Almighty”. God replaces gold and silver with a different kind of splendour. The splendour of the presence of God in Jesus.

Dr. Chung finished his sermon with the following quotes:

Zechariah 10:1 “Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime, it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone.”

Hosea 6:3 “Let us acknowledge the Lord, let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises he will appear, he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth”.

A Hokkien Worship song on Discipleship

Two-day Seminar 11 - 12 March 2010

Once again our Church is priviledged to have Pastor Ben Wong from Hong Kong to teach and guide us as we move from the old to the new.

The leaders of our Church all attened, there were about 25 to 30 members.

Pastor Ben asked many pertinent questions about the Church past, and also how the leaders see the Church going forward. From the discussions he summarised the follwoing Core Values:

1. Strong Relationship
2. Equipping and empowering
3. Focus on Jesus
4. Compassion for the lost
5. Networking with others
6. Structure of the Church

We were asked to formulate the ethos of each value.

It was a very good meeting and thanks to Pastor Ben in guiding us. Our Chairman Dr. Tiong said he was very pleased that so many leaders took leave to attend this two-day seminar.

Thank You- Katinas

Thank You Lord for all you have done in my life. Thank you for the many blessings. Thank You. Amen.

Shane Claiborne

Shane's Short Intro from The Simple Way on Vimeo.

Shane’s Bio

Shane's headshotBestselling Author, Prominent Christian Activist, Sought-after Speaker and Recovering Sinner

With tears and laughter, Shane Claiborne unveils the tragic messes we’ve made of our world and the tangible hope that another world is possible. Shane graduated from Eastern University, and did graduate work at Princeton Seminary. His ministry experience is varied, from a 10-week stint working alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta, to a year spent serving a wealthy mega-congregation at Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago. During the recent war in Iraq, Shane spent three weeks in Baghdad with the Iraq Peace Team. Shane is also a founding partner of The Simple Way, a faith community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped to birth and connect radical faith communities around the world.

Shane writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice, and Jesus. He is featured in the DVD series “Another World Is Possible” and is the author of the several books including The Irresistible Revolution, Jesus for President, and Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers. Shane speaks over 100 times a year in a dozen or so countries and nearly every state in the US. Shane has given academic seminars at Vanderbilt University, Duke University Pepperdine University, Wheaton College, Princeton University, Goshen College and Harvard University. Shane also speaks at various denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences around the globe. Shane’s work has been featured in everything from Fox News and the Wall Street Journal to CNN and National Public Radio.

Source:www.thesimpleway.org

Sunday Service

Dr.Tommy Chung sermon was on Haggai.

The Consequences of Spiritual Neglect

1. God has not changed. God has not changed and His Word had not change. His Word will be fulfilled. The old testament is as relevant to us today as in the past.


2. Operation of Holy Spirit. The Book also teaches under the new covenant, the operation of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit comes, it manifested in Spiritual gifts. It helps discouraged people in Haggai’s time as well as our time. The Israelites gone back to Israel from Babylon and they felt defeated. They were not ready to rebuild the Temple. They started to build their own house instead of God’s temple. They wondered what were they going to build the temple with as they had nothing.
- The Word of God was addressed to the leadership of the local government as well as religious leader. Haggai 1:1. These represented “faith” and “work” working together.
- There was a suggestion of divine rebuke, God calling the Isrealites “these people..” verse 2 instead of my people.
- There was a lack of direction because they did not have the materials to rebuild the temple.
- The Israelites were playing delay tactics in wanting to delay the building of the temple.
- They were bargaining with God.

3. God made us think. God made people think about their priorities Haggai 1:4. They were building their own luxurious house first instead of God’s temple, therefore God’s questioned the Israelites. God told the Israelites that they were struggling in vain if they did not put him first, Haggai 1:6. The same applies to us Christians. Put God first and all will be given to you. The Israelites were instructed to repent and obey God, Haggai 1:8 – 10 and to build God’s house. When the Israelites obyed God, He brought revival and renewal, Haggai 1: 14.

4. God will not forget us. God told the Israelites that He will
remember them. God will not leave nor forsake us.

Dr. Chung ended with a Jewish saying, “You will be chasing a living if
you are not chasing God”.

Friday - Life Group Meeting

Yesterday evening we had our Life Group meeting at Dr.Wong's residence. Once again many thanks to Dr.Wong and Sister Chiue Lian for opening their home for our meeting.

We studied the sermon of the previous Sunday, that was Titus Chapter 3. It was about doing good. we had a very lively and interesting discussion. Many sharings by members I believe blessed many.

One important aspect of the study is what we all take away from the dicussion? I call it what had we "ta pua?". Well, our group reconded that there were two areas, that was a) doing good work b) our motive must be godly and not self promoting.

Henri Nouwen on Relationship

The Balance Between Closeness and Distance

Intimacy between people requires closeness as well as distance. It is like dancing. Sometimes we are very close, touching each other or holding each other; sometimes we move away from each other and let the space between us become an area where we can freely move.

To keep the right balance between closeness and distance requires hard work, especially since the needs of the partners may be quite different at a given moment. One might desire closeness while the other wants distance. One might want to be held while the other looks for independence. A perfect balance seldom occurs, but the honest and open search for that balance can give birth to a beautiful dance, worthy to behold.

source: Ramdom musings blog of Dr.Alex Tang

Win or Lose, Do Good

Last Sunday, Brother Ho shared on Titus Chapter 3. The main theme was doing good no matter whether we agree with the people or not. This can be difficult but Paul stressed that we must do good in this chapter. Read below an article on this subject.

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work. —Titus 3:1

When the results of today's presidential election are known, US citizens will either be glad or sad, depending on their political persuasion. Those who voted for the winner are likely to accept the authority of the government he establishes. Most others will submit, though grudgingly.


Christians are to go beyond mere submission to governing authorities and follow the guidelines given in the Bible. In writing to Titus, Paul said we should also be peaceable and considerate, and we should do good without slandering anyone (3:1-2).
Titus was working among believers in Crete, a place notorious for its unruly inhabitants. There were good reasons to say bad things about the people living and ruling there, but Paul warned Christians not to do it.
In fact, seven times in his short letter to Titus, Paul mentioned the importance of doing good: loving what is good (1:8), teaching what is good (2:3), doing what is good (2:7,14; 3:1-2,8,14).


Paul's letter is a timely reminder that as Christians we are to do what is good for people, regardless of whether we approve of their values and agree with their policies. It may not be easy, but it's the right thing to do.
— Julie Ackerman Link


From the example of Jesus,
Who went about doing good,
We are to honor our Savior
By helping wherever He would. —Hess

Christians can be constructive if they refuse to be destructive.

Source: Our Daily Bread