Reflection from my Viva

God has been so faithful and good to me. He never let me journey alone in the academic journey I undertake. When I read my thesis, I am amazed how I could write such. I am thankful to my Supervisor Rev. Dr. Lim Kar Yong, examiners Rev. Dr. Batara Sihombing from Indonesia,Rev. Dr. Tan Jin Huat and Rev. Dr. Philip Siew.Their questions, comments and suggestions for changes are treasured. It will make my Thesis a better one. After going through all the questions..they passed me with minor amendments. Well, minor amendments are normal for Master study. Praise God!!!
I thank my home church Minglardon EFC, my sponsoring church Hope EFC and EFC Malaysia. Thanks also for the prayers and the best wishes I received from many lecturers, staffs and students. I treasured all these. Praise God.
My Thesis is on "The Concept of Indwelling Presence of Spirit-Paraclete in Jesus' Farewell Discourse in John 14-16. I am thinking of posting the Abstract from my Thesis... Here it goes...

This thesis argues that the concept of indwelling presence of the Spirit-Paraclete is crucial to the understanding of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse in John’s Gospel.
First, this thesis explores the various possible backgrounds of para,klhtoj, in order to determine why the Fourth Evangelist chooses to use the word para,klhtoj in his Gospel. This thesis argues that the concept of para,klhtoj finds its background in both the Old Testament and New Testament teachings.
Secondly, this thesis argues that the notion of the Spirit-Paraclete’s indwelling presence in John’s Gospel is grounded in the book of Ezekiel. The giving of Yahweh’s Spirit (Ezek 36:26-27; 37:25-27) with reference to the new Temple in Ezekiel 40-48 is echoed in Jesus’ promise to send a;llon para,klhton to indwell the disciples in his Farewell Discourse (John 14-16).
Thirdly, this thesis argues that the indwelling presence of the Spirit-Paraclete in Jesus’ Farewell Discourse is promised to the believing community for permanency. This indwelling of the Spirit-Paraclete functions as an advocate, as a teacher, and a witness.
Finally, this thesis offers a reflection of how the indwelling presence of the Spirit-Paraclete can be applied in the life and ministry of the contemporary churches in Myanmar.

"God is good.. He never let us journey alone, He promised His presence indwelling with us both now and forever..."

HOPE EFC Camp

We HOPE EFC members and friends have church Camp at Grace Hill, Bukit Tinggi. I praise God that He has showered His many blessings to my wife Zovi and me.
I was surprised by the celebration of my birthday. The church does not really have a tradition of celebrating Birthdays, but thank God and thank to all church members for celebrating mine and the love gifts. In my childhood/boyhood I never know birthday celebration as I grow up in a jungle. But after knowing God, I acknowledge with Jeremiah who praise God saying "....our lives are not consumed... just by His grace...they are new every day..." (Lam.3:21-23). Praise God for giving me the church that cares me.
All the sessions and programs are good and meaningful. The speaker messages are challenging... the good thing is we are given opportunity to discuss and reflect in small groups. In my group I have my country men..altogether 8 of us..their sharing and reflections are challenging for me as a pastor.
Moreover, we have opportunity to reflect on the messages we heard from the book of James on "church and society" at solo hour. We all were guided by Mappers and were placed by the road side at night for an hour. This is basically to reflect and to listen from God. As I reflected on the message the question came to me "what is true Religion that God desire?" The answer is given in James 1:26-27...to care the needy, orphans, widows...." so am I in the true religion God desires of me? I was reflecting and praying honestly that "I will take care of the needy, orphans and widow." But how was the question since I myself have nothing. My answer was to look upon God for the needs... If God is willing and happy in my commitment He will provide the fund.
Finally, but not least.. I came to the point that as a pastor... my deeds..works..character speak louder than what I preach in the pulpit. This thought brings me to see closely to my personal walk with God. To see closely to my preaching and my life, deeds, character. I conclude that if I loose my character, I loose the trust of God.. and moreover....I LOOSE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY.
Praise God for such blessings he has bestowed on me at the church Camp.

“What are you doing? Getup and eat” (1Kings 19:7)

As we begin our second semester, we started by having Silent Retreat. Since, I am doing master course in STM, I am exempted from joining pastoral group. I took opportunity to trying to have a nap this afternoon, but could not. As I meditated on the word I read from 1Kings 17:1-19: 9, I felt God speaking to me, “What are you doing? Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” I got up and talked to God, submitting myself, second semester, and rededicated myself to God. I am reminded of myself that I am here not just to do thesis, assignment, etc. but to eat much of the living Word of God for the future
ministry. So that I might able to feed the sheep. Thank God for speaking to me in such away, refreshing my calling for full time ministry.

7th Wedding Anniversary

God has been so good to my wife and my self. By His unfailing grace and guidance we celebrate our 7th Anniversary. We watched our wedding video. Wa!! Years are passing by quickly. It seems not long ago, but seventh Anniversary. God is so good. We give thank and praise God for his wonderful guidance and blessings. Until today He binds us by His love. We both enjoy our wonderful years together.
We have been praying for a child almost seven years. There are times we even lost faith. God seems to be late….but He is on time. My wife is now pregnant; we are expecting to have a baby in Sept. We praise God for his wonderful plan. God is good…. All praises and thanks are due to Him.

To Impact Community

After serving in the church for almost ten years now, I have been reflecting my impactor influence and have to conclude that I did not impact any body to the community beside the church members - beyond four walls where I serve.
We Christians claimed to be the salt and light of the world. But then I did not impact at all to the world. If I claim to be salt and light, there must be some kind of impact to the community, the society I live in.
My prayer is to impact the community, to bless the community, to see there is some changes in the society. I want to see that they see the light of Christ in me...

Myanmar Mission Trip

A team of us from Hope EFC and Rev. Dr. Chan Ah Kee went for a short term mission trip to Myanmar. We ministered among Myanmar EFC. This is to strengthen our partnership with EFCM and to follow up the help being distributed to Nigris victims.
As far as the Nigris relief ministry is concerned, we are happy to see that many families were helped, water purification systems were built, and cash and rice were distributed. However, the need in Myanmar is great there are still families who did not receive any help from NGOs or government. We appreciated and amazed how people in Myanmar reestablished their lives. They really struggle life.
We ministered in Yangon District EFC Conference. The church pastors, leaders, elders, from various churches and members from Yangon and Minglardon Local churches attended the worship services and two days training. In the training about 60 people attended.
In the training Rev. Dr. Chan Ah Kee and Pastor Barnabas talked on Cell Group and prayer, Cell group and Bible study. Elder David Tan talked on Micro-finance - Self help group and Sister Choy Ying talked on the vision of planting Girls Brigade ministry in Myanmar. We were quite tired.
From the people’s response: I did not hear many responses since the pastors and leaders were rushed for EFCM National Conference. Let’s not expect them so high, this is the first time:- changes will be there but it will be slow in Myanmar. We Myanmar pastors and leaders are quite slow…… in my experiences with for the past six years in serving….. ha ha ha ha…
1. There are some women who said that there is a great need to form a prayer group. They see the needs to pray for EFCM leaders and also for the country. They see that the prayer night (Saturday night- which the church set) is occupied with other things. They need to re-examine their prayers meetings.
2. There are some members who see that there is a great need Myanmar to have such cell group to produce lay leaders. Some church leaders say that they need to improve the kind of cell groups/ home church they have. Bible study and prayer is to be focused.
3. There are some women who would like to form Self-help group but they said there is no leader who would form a team and have a kind of discussions on the possibility, treat etc…
4. Over all, the people said they could see joy and happiness in our faces, conversations, preaching and teachings. They said, all are well equipped and prepared in respected areas. They are more than happy to have us all and looking forward to have us once again. I am looking forward to hearing some more responses from them and practical lessons being put.
I personally praise God for the wonderful time we had with Yangon District EFC Conference delegates and members. I am thankful to all group members from Hope EFC and Rev. Dr. Chan Ah Kee. May the good Lord bless you all. I would also express my heartfelt gratitude to church leaders and members for the many efforts being put to welcome us like youth bamboos dance, women dance; some presentations…more people come for the Conference… etc.

Preparing to go back to Myanmar

Hope EFC pastor's family, David Tan, Tan Ching Meng and Rev. Dr. Chan Ah Kee- Malaysia EFC Chairman, my wife and I are planning to go back to Myanmar for a short period of time. As we plan, we are excited,buying things, packing books, looking luggages to bring,preparing messages to preach and lessons for two days training etc.
But on the other hand, our arrival day will also be a day mixing with sorrow and joy because my father in-law (Zovi's father) is no more. He passed away in our absent. Our programs include to visit the tomb.I pray that our presence and message will bring comfort for the family.
I will be preaching in Youth Conference on the topic of "WE ARE CHRIST'S AMBASSADORS"(2 Cor. 5: 20). And we will be joining Yangon EFC Conference for almost one week and then followed by two days trainings for pastors, mission workers and some church leaders.
I pray that our short trip to Myanmar will bring comfort to our bereaved family and encouragement to the pastors, mission workers, members of the church in their journeys of faith. I also pray that we will build a stronger relationship between two EFCMs.