My Reflection on the past Semester (2nd Sem, 2007)

For some of the people it may be very simple but for me it is a very big issue. There was a time in the semester, my spirit had no rest. I could not enjoy the whole two days. I did not want to share my deep feeling to any one. I bear within me. Even to pray was difficult. I tried to read the Bible, I could not get spiritual meaning. I prayed to God, and as I begin to study I just turn the Bible and it comes to James.

James 1: 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7Those who doubt should not think they will receive anything from the Lord; 8 they are double-minded and unstable in all they do.

I count my spiritual dryness as a testing of my faith, a testing of my calling, a testing of my perseverance, a testin gof my commitment etc. Then I could pray as follows giving thanks to him and renew my commitment.

Lord thank you! You have been my guide; you have been helping me until this day. Please help me to accomplish the task that is set before me. My people are eagerly waiting for me to go home with success. May you help me please LORD!

Myanmar Government Vs. Roman Imperial in Paul's Day

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) joined First Lady Laura Bush in decrying human rights violations in Burma, describing it as "a land where 3,000 villages have been destroyed, 6,000 political prisoners are in jail, 70,000 child soldiers have been forcibly recruited, and over 500,000 people are internally displaced." U.S. Ambassador Jackie W. Sanders said Burmese military forces systematically rape women and girls, especially those of the Shan, Karen, Karenni, Chin and other ethnic minorities. An estimated 90 percent of Burmese people live below or near the poverty level, subsisting on a dollar per day or less, Charles Petrie, the United Nations humanitarian chief in Burma told the Associated Press in August, 2007.

Roman imperial conquests and economic exploitation had in fact devastated villages and fields, deforested mountains, and eroded the natural environment in general. The stability imposed by the Roman imperial order surely meant insecurity for many if not most urban people. Most of the cities Galatia, Philippi, and Thessalonica among which Paul carried out his mission were would likely have experienced local disruption Paul addresses the world as “groaning and travailing” as it awaited its liberation, along with that of “the sons of God”, from the futility which it had been subjected by implication by arrogant and sinful imperial practices (Romans 8:19-23). Robert Jawett takes this as anti-imperialism.

How about for Myanmar Christians? What should be the role of Christians in Myanmar? Is there any possible way to involve in politics for Christians? Where are the Christians in Myanmar whereas the Buddhist monks are actively involving?