Here is a presentation on internet addiction by Dr. Alex Tang a re Known Malaysian Christian author and blogger. What he presented here is informative. In a way, it reminded me to check myself in case I fall into the trap. Hope you can learn from his presentation.
I have asked Dr. Alex Tang's permission to put it here.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Difference Prayer Makes
Personally, I feel that prayer does make a difference in our life and what we may want to do. Recently, our Church completed a very successful Alpha course, and some of our guests came to know Christ as their personal Savior. I believed that this result was from our Church's prayers well before the start of this course. Literally the hands of God moved for us. Praise God!
Read this article by Philip Yancey ( Daily Bread )
Does prayer have any real impact on our world? Or is it merely a private conversation with God?
When a New Jersey couple learned that a man had been released from prison and had moved into their area, they started praying for him. Then they paid him a visit and opened their home to a weekly breakfast for ex-offenders like him. Now, 22 years later, the area’s most despised men have one place to go where they are welcomed and treated respectfully.
What would happen if we followed literally Jesus’ command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? What if we became known for approaching heaven on behalf of outcasts and disagreeable people?
In a scene recorded in the book of Revelation, the apostle John foresees a direct linkage between the visible and invisible worlds. At a climactic moment in history, heaven is quiet. Seven angels stand with seven trumpets, waiting. Silence reigns, as if all heaven is listening on tiptoe. Then an angel collects the prayers of God’s people on earth—all the accumulated prayers of praise, lament, abandonment, despair, petition—mixes them with incense, and presents them before the throne of God (8:1-4). The silence finally breaks when the fragrant prayers are hurled down to earth: setting off a storm of “thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake” (v.5).
The message is clear. The prayers are essential agents in the final victory over evil, suffering, and death.
God’s work is done by those who pray.
Listen to this song written by a Malaysian Pastor Ng Wah Lok. This song is sung regularly in Malaysian Churches. Enjoy it.
Read this article by Philip Yancey ( Daily Bread )
Does prayer have any real impact on our world? Or is it merely a private conversation with God?
When a New Jersey couple learned that a man had been released from prison and had moved into their area, they started praying for him. Then they paid him a visit and opened their home to a weekly breakfast for ex-offenders like him. Now, 22 years later, the area’s most despised men have one place to go where they are welcomed and treated respectfully.
What would happen if we followed literally Jesus’ command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? What if we became known for approaching heaven on behalf of outcasts and disagreeable people?
In a scene recorded in the book of Revelation, the apostle John foresees a direct linkage between the visible and invisible worlds. At a climactic moment in history, heaven is quiet. Seven angels stand with seven trumpets, waiting. Silence reigns, as if all heaven is listening on tiptoe. Then an angel collects the prayers of God’s people on earth—all the accumulated prayers of praise, lament, abandonment, despair, petition—mixes them with incense, and presents them before the throne of God (8:1-4). The silence finally breaks when the fragrant prayers are hurled down to earth: setting off a storm of “thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake” (v.5).
The message is clear. The prayers are essential agents in the final victory over evil, suffering, and death.
God’s work is done by those who pray.
Listen to this song written by a Malaysian Pastor Ng Wah Lok. This song is sung regularly in Malaysian Churches. Enjoy it.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Alpha Celebration 24th Oct 2010
On Sunday 24th Oct 2010, our Church celebrated the completion of the very first Alpha course conducted by our Church. Thanks to all committee members as well as the elders of our Church, the course was successfully completed. We also thank Alpha Malaysia, especially Bro Foo Lai Wei and his team for helping us. Praise God! After more than 10 weeks of the course this celebration is most appropriate and meaningful especially when we see lives touched by Jesus. It is all about Him! Hallelujah!
Our Bro elder Tung Hui said it was by divine appointment that Sis Cynthia from Alpha Malaysia was in Kuching yesterday. She was invited to our celebration and we were honored that she could give out the gifts to our guests who diligently attended the whole course.
To celebrate this auspicious event, our worship team sang a few popular songs. The trainee teachers from Batu Lintang Teachers Training College present three songs, our members presented line dancing, our youth Aaron break dancing to thunderous applause of the audience, our youth also made a presentation of teaching from the Bible. We can see people appreciated the presentations.
Two teacher trainees shared their testimonies. A Chinese student from Swimburne University also shared his hilarious testimony. He found God in Kuching! Hallelujah!
All in all about 260 people turned up for this celebration. This was the work of God. We thank our Lord Jesus for this opportunity. Our Church look forward to the next Alpha course.
Our Bro elder Tung Hui said it was by divine appointment that Sis Cynthia from Alpha Malaysia was in Kuching yesterday. She was invited to our celebration and we were honored that she could give out the gifts to our guests who diligently attended the whole course.
To celebrate this auspicious event, our worship team sang a few popular songs. The trainee teachers from Batu Lintang Teachers Training College present three songs, our members presented line dancing, our youth Aaron break dancing to thunderous applause of the audience, our youth also made a presentation of teaching from the Bible. We can see people appreciated the presentations.
Two teacher trainees shared their testimonies. A Chinese student from Swimburne University also shared his hilarious testimony. He found God in Kuching! Hallelujah!
All in all about 260 people turned up for this celebration. This was the work of God. We thank our Lord Jesus for this opportunity. Our Church look forward to the next Alpha course.
Pastor Norbert Knoell
On Sunday, our Church had the privilege of having Pastor Norbert Knoell from Germany. He pastor a church is Nuremberg called "The Father's House. Simon his youth pastor came with him. About 18 years ago Pastor Norbert went to Kalimantan on a mission to the Dayak people there, and he still holds special memories about his trip. After his visit here in Kuching, he will be going to Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Before, Pastor Norbert came, his church members, a couple Wolfgang and Heidi had been visiting our church. Together with Pastor Norbert they will travel to Kalimantan on mission. Wolfgang and Heidi had been on mission in Kalimantan for several years now.
Isaiah 61:1-4
Pastor Norbert preached on the above verses on Sunday. He had there main points:
1. Spirit of the sovereign Lord.
2. Sending.
3. Service.
At the end of his preaching, Pastor Norbert called those who which to serve the church to go forward to be prayed for. He and youth pastor Simon prayed for our church members.
Note: above picture is a part of Nuremberg city.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Crystal Cathedral Mega Church is Bankrupt
The recent financial crisis not only hit secular businesses but also churches like Crystal Cathedral Church, California.
Foundered by Robert Schuller who wrote a popular book "Tough times never last, but tough people do."
Here is the report :
GARDEN GROVE, Calif. – Crystal Cathedral, the megachurch birthplace of the televangelist show "Hour of Power," filed for bankruptcy Monday in Southern California after struggling to emerge from debt that exceeds $43 million.
In addition to a $36 million mortgage, the Orange County-based church owes $7.5 million to several hundred vendors for services ranging from advertising to the use of live animals in Easter and Christmas services.
The church had been negotiating a repayment plan with vendors, but several filed lawsuits seeking quicker payment, which prompted a coalition formed by creditors to fall apart.
"Tough times never last, every storm comes to an end. Right now, people need to hear that message more than ever," Sheila Schuller Coleman, the Cathedral's senior pastor and daughter of the founder, told reporters outside the worship hall decked with a soaring glass spire.
Read more here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101018/ap_on_re_us/us_crystal_cathedral;_ylt=ArP2k0F0Q22xQPn91hCSsrR0fNdF
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
What Are Your Kingdom Priorities ?
Talking about priorities, especially Kingdom priorities, it is very challenging for many people when you have everything you needed. In this modern world, most of us have more than what we need. Of course in many other parts of the world they do not e.g many places in third world countries. Recently popular Christian writer Philip Yancey wrote that it is very hard to be a Christian in the US when you have all you needed. In a way, most Malaysians have most of their needs met. In fact, Malaysians are over eating and diabetes is on the rise.
God says "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33)
Read this article from Chrisma magazine :
When your priorities are out of order your life is filled with confusion.
My first word of counsel to every leader is drawn from biblical wisdom—"seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33). When a person's priorities are out of order, his life will be filled with confusion and God's given purpose will not be fulfilled.
Confirm your status as a citizen of the kingdom of God by acknowledging His authority over your time, talents, opportunities and treasures. When seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness is top priority, you will be able to experience faithfulness as a steward of God's blessings.
Second, "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Prov. 3:5-6). It is essential for servant leaders in the kingdom to maintain an ongoing, intimate relationship of trust and obedience to God. Challenging situations tempt us to lean upon our own understanding. Always remember that God has promised to be with us at all times and that He delights in our acknowledging and trusting in Him. The kingdom is His kingdom, and we belong to Him; we are God's responsibility.
God's call to ministry is a call to preparation. It is not a call to success, but a call to faithfulness.
Bishop George McKinney is pastor of St. Stephen's Cathedral Church of God in Christ in San Diego and a member of the denomination's 12-member General Board.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sunday Service 17th Oct 2010
Pre-service Prayer - Praise God! Hallelujah! We had about 20 members who came to the prayer meeting this morning. Praise God that more and more members are coming to pray. Prayers are powerful, it is the lifeblood of a Christian. All are encouraged to come.
Conflict with the pharisees - Clean vs, unclean Mark
7:1-23
Bro. Malcolm shared on the above topic this morning. Praise God for this Bro. who is dedicated and knows the Word very well and he also can explain in easy to understand language. Our Church is blessed with brothers like him.
The pharisees took issue with Jesus because his disciples did not wash their hands before eating. This was after the feeding of the 5,000 , but Jesus saw their physical needs more than ceremonial washing. Jesus rebuked the pharisees saying that they were following man's tradition instead of God's commands. He said instead of honoring their fathers and mothers as instructed by God, they placed giving of an offering (Corban Mark 6:11)a higher priority than honoring their mothers and fathers. Jesus said that nothing from outside of a man can make him unclean, but what comes out of him that can make him unclean. Because what goes in his mouth goes to the stomach and not his heart. From man's heart comes evil thoughts, sexual immorality,theft,murder. adultery, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
This is valuable lesson for us Christians, as to distinguish between what is clean and unclean. More so our priorities as too the things of God verses traditions.
If you want to watch a video go to :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEsCso2Qnrk&p=DC4B70ECB8672FB6&playnext=1&index=8 ( embedding disabled by you tube)
Conflict with the pharisees - Clean vs, unclean Mark
7:1-23
Bro. Malcolm shared on the above topic this morning. Praise God for this Bro. who is dedicated and knows the Word very well and he also can explain in easy to understand language. Our Church is blessed with brothers like him.
The pharisees took issue with Jesus because his disciples did not wash their hands before eating. This was after the feeding of the 5,000 , but Jesus saw their physical needs more than ceremonial washing. Jesus rebuked the pharisees saying that they were following man's tradition instead of God's commands. He said instead of honoring their fathers and mothers as instructed by God, they placed giving of an offering (Corban Mark 6:11)a higher priority than honoring their mothers and fathers. Jesus said that nothing from outside of a man can make him unclean, but what comes out of him that can make him unclean. Because what goes in his mouth goes to the stomach and not his heart. From man's heart comes evil thoughts, sexual immorality,theft,murder. adultery, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
This is valuable lesson for us Christians, as to distinguish between what is clean and unclean. More so our priorities as too the things of God verses traditions.
If you want to watch a video go to :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEsCso2Qnrk&p=DC4B70ECB8672FB6&playnext=1&index=8 ( embedding disabled by you tube)
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