Fellowship by Napkin Theology

Being a Christian is about so many things, but some essential things are basic to our growth, and to our purpose on this earth. Reading the Word, prayer, spreading God's love and also fellowship with one another.

Let us meet together, not just for social benefits, but for a purpose.

"Fellowshipping with other believers on a deep and meaningful level is not a luxury, it is a necessity." ~ Quoted from an unknown person

Rebuilding our Homes

Let us be ever ready to help and to support our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us continually offer up prayers and to show concern so that none of us would be trapped by the sin of holding an offense against another.

Let us release all unforgiveness, and not let anger cause our fire for Him to grow cold.

word, faith and ACTION

Ever wondered what is the difference between us and our pre-believer friends? Does going to church make us different? Regularly attending CF? Knowing John 3:16?

The thing that makes us different is that we believe, while unfortunately our friends don't. In believing, we also accept what the bible says about us being the salt and the light.

Read the following article and think about how we can change ourselves, and change our CF.

Are we willing?

The Best Book We Can Ever Forget to Read

Courtesy of Derk for crafting out this post.

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Americans seem to do interesting surveys all the time. Take a look at a few statistics I found:

-Fewer than half of all adults can name the four gospels.
-82 percent of Americans believe “God helps those who help themselves” is a Bible verse.
-A survey of graduating high school seniors revealed that over 50 percent thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife.

Now what do we Christians understand about the word of God?

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”

Paul of Tarsus, to Timothy
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Yeah it’s obvious that the Bible is completely crucial for all the undertakings that Christians will be called for, but what jumps out to me is that it is GOD BREATHED.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Author Unknown (Some say it’s Paul)
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

Though it may not necessarily have that kind of link, when I read “GOD BREATHED” I think about when God first breathed the breath of life into that physical container that became Adam. And then I think about “life” in a wider sense. Life!

Sometimes when we discuss Bible study techniques we talk about how to make Bible Study more “interesting” or make it less “boring” by adding pictures or activities because “let’s face it, it’s boring etc etc”. But then ah, yeah maybe going in with this kind of pre-set attitude isn’t the best way to do it.

What we need to ask ourselves is whether in our heads we’re putting the Bible alongside other things we Have to Do, but reluctantly, like cleaning the toilet or Pengajian Malaysia. How about we think of the Bible as something indispensable, like one of the three things we’d take with us if we got stranded on a desert island or in some far-off place like Banting =P

When my dad was young he met this elderly English man named Mr. Impit. He was about 80 at that time, and he had arthritis that was so bad that when stood up his head was level with his shoulders and he wasn’t any taller than when he was sitting (about four feet). Besides that, his eyesight had deteriorated to the point where he could not read any more. (Kinda like Isaac in Genesis 27)

But the thing is, every time the assembly gathered to worship, Mr. Impit would always stand up and share from the Bible – anything from a Psalm or the Gospels or Paul’s letters. He had memorized the entire Bible so it didn’t matter that he couldn’t read anymore.

Bibles come in lots of pretty shapes and colours these days. They even come with pretty informative footnotes, maps, illustrations... whatever. But it’s a crying shame to think about how many of those are just collecting dust somewhere just like how my Bible used to collect dust when I was younger.

But I’m not a kid anymore. WE are not kids anymore.

Leaving aside the fact that through the Bible God provides comfort for those who are distraught or the fact that God sometimes chooses to reveal his purpose for our lives through the Bible (Psalm 119:105) or that with the Spirit and the Word we are to do the work of apologists (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) or many many more.

First and foremost, we should study the word simply because it is obvious that God WANTS us to and that should be enough reason for any Christian.

Week 7 - BGR Talk

"Begin with the end in mind"

This phrase has been so widely used, we don't even know where it came from. At least I don't. This phrase describes a principle of life, and can help us determine whether our boy-girl relationships (bgr) will turn out as He wanted it.

Some will quote 1 Corinthians 7:9 and say that there are different types of people. Those who can stand being alone, and those who cannot stand being alone and thus must get attached at all times. This seems to justify our need to perpetually look out for a potential boy or girl friend to get ourselves attached to, but note the word "marry" used in the verse.

God created humans for a reason. Similarly, He also made man and woman differently for a reason. I believe the main takeaway from yesterday's talk is the principle of having a purpose. This is contrary to what the world tells us, but as Christians, the only reason why we should enter into a close and intimate relationship with another should be for the sole purpose of considering marriage.

So then, for those already attached, some of us were wondering where should we draw the line. After casual kiss but before passionate embrace? After passionate kiss but before petting? All the way? If you weren't there, or did not catch Uncle Jason when he explained about the line, the line that tells us where should we stop in our intimacy with our dear ones, let me paraphrase what he said.

THERE IS NO LINE

Really, there is no line. The line has been cheating us for the whole session. If by casual kissing, it arouses sexual desires that makes us sin, shouldn't the line be taken one step higher? If by gazing, we sin against God, shouldn't we check our hearts again? The line is a guideline, but the principle is that our relationships should be in such a way that it honors God.

What is the purpose of BGR? And for that matter, what is the purpose of our life? I believe the answer to these questions will help us go a long way.

For more readings, click [here].

Week 6 - Bible Study

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds...

Hebrews 12:2 shows us the same thing, of having joy in the midst of trials and temptations, from Jesus's perspective. Have joy! When we are in trouble, have joy! But, how many of us can do that? Having joy does not necessary mean that we must smile and laugh. Jesus did not smile and laugh on the cross! Having joy is to have the perspective of God, His assurances, His salvation in the midst of our troubles. Our joy comes from knowing that Jesus has died on the cross for us, and with that, we are more than conquerors over our trials and temptations!

I love this definition of trials and temptations from Su An (is this how you spell your name?), very well defined.

"A trial is something that you are put into, you don't have a choice but to go through it. A temptation is something that you can choose not to do, and it leads you to sin."

Some of us are in the midst of a trial now, some of us just came out of it. Some of us are wondering, :"What trial?". Whatever your situation, just remember that trials are meant to build us up, to teach us something. When God takes time to create a trial for us, it means that he has prepared something to be given to us. Something that without the training, we cannot handle.

Think about Jonah. He struggled by running away, he struggled and was swallowed up by a whale. However, after he obeyed, a city turned back to God. Think about Paul. He probably went through the most trials among us mere humans. However, think about the things that God has given to him, the ways that God has used him. Paul is probably the greatest evangelist of all time. Now think about Jesus. Just his suffering on and before the cross would be enough. The emotional, physical and spiritual sufferings. The end result? The salvation of YOU and ME.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Be strong, persevere, and focus.

CNY + Valentines Special

Gong Xi Gong Xi Gong Xi Ni! Cai Shen Dao! Cai Shen Dao Wo Di Jia Men Kou!

恭喜恭喜恭喜你！财神到！财神到我的家门口！

Happy Chinese New Year to all. A merry occasion indeed it is for the fellow Chinese around, and a long happy holiday for the other fellow brothers and sisters around. Before most of us proceed to meet up with our extended families for a reunion dinner, it is good to take a little time of to reflect on Rev Yong's words.

We are constantly bombarded with cheesy CNY songs singing about all the good things for the season. Sometimes, the songs get so cheap, there is practically no purchasing value to it. However, we still listen to it for a simple reason. Chinese New Year. Many things we do defy common sense, but we still do it. Chinese New Year.

It is important for us, as rational humans, not to mention the fact that we are Christians too, to rethink the purposes of this highly anticipated celebration. Is the focus of the season on the food? The songs? The shopping? The cleaning? The Ang Pows? Or is it about reuniting family and friends?

Let us not be brain-dead, following the flow of the season, brainwashed by the mindless customs and practices and forgetting the purpose of Chinese New Year. The things we have been doing may be brainless, but the evil one is not.

Remember Jehovah Jireh, our God, is our provider, not 财神爷. Remember that this season is for our relationship with one another, not for the customs and practices that we have always been doing.

Lastly, have a good holiday everyone! See you guys soon!

The four words written above is a pun using the same pronunciation for a phrase that means "smile always".