Published November 3rd, 2008 by socka
For the past three months …
There is a season for everything. For the past three months, the season of my life has swung towards making the above a reality.
Published August 8th, 2008 by socka
“What do you want to do when you grow up?”
I do not remember how many times I was asked this question.
I do not remember how many times I have asked others this question.
For the life of me, I have never thought that I would become what I am today. I could not even begin to imagine. No wonder most of us will deem the title question absolutely pointless. The answer has always been and is: “I don’t know.”
Then the thought of becoming the winning goal scorer in the championship game at the World Cup; the thought of being able to cure cancer; the dream of building my own house on a tropical island and the thought of tele-transport to travel around the world and space do flash once in a while in the corner of my mind.
In reality, most of these dreams are just dreams. They will never come to fruitation. No wonder the most common answer to “what do you want to do when you grow up” is still “I do not know.”
What if some of these dreams are not dreams but are truly God’s implants for my future.
“This is what I want you to become. This is what I want you to do.”
Can I find out? Will I find out?
As a Christ follower, I know that me life story on earth is going to end up with the presence with God forever at another realm. The in-between is really a discovery. The in-between is how God wants me to live life here on earth.
I may not have the clearest blueprints to this in-between destination. I do have a voice that guides me in each and every step. My job is to walk these steps one at a time.
In high school, I did not know what I want to do when I grow up. I was given the opportunity to study in the States. I went.
In university, I did not know what I want to do when I grow up. I was steered into studying hotel, restaurant and institutional management. I submitted.
Upon graduation, I did not know what I want to do when I grow up though I have grown up fast. I was given the opportunity to manage a fast food restaurant. I managed.
For a few years afterwards, I did not know what I want to do when I grow older. I decided to get married when the opportunity presented itself. I married.
I changed jobs. I still do not know what I want to do when I grow older. I encountered depression and failure. I took it in. Then I really met Christ again.
They say that God has a plan for your life. I still do now know what I want to do when I grow older. I just spent time with God. Then one day, God said that I am to serve Him in a full time capacity. Now I know. I want to serve God as a pastor.
Two decades has gone by fast. Now I am face with the question again: what do I want to do when I grow older? Do I know? Yes and No.
Yes, I want to serve God forever. No, I do not know exactly how this will turn out. Then the voice of God come again.
“Get up and go.”
“But God, I am old now. It is not easy to get up and go.”
“I know. Get up and go.”
The story of Abraham happens to me.
“Go where?”
“Get up and go.”
It has been almost seven years now. Do I have the answer to the question: what do you want to do when you grow up? Not really. The questions has since evolved into a statement from God: “This is what I want you to do.” I am at the edge of engage into something that I have never thought possible: helping my wife in owning and managing a food establishment.
It is important to ask the question what do you want to do when you grow up. This is to keep us dreaming and thinking about life. At the same time, we are to expect that the answer is not even going to come from ourselves. The answer usually comes from God. His grace is shown from letting us involve into his eternal plan by fulfilling a role that is meaningful for us on earth.
It is important to ask the queston what do you want to do when you grow up periodically. It will open up a dialogue with God. Since the answer of this question is usually ‘I don’t know.’ It will direct us to ask ‘God, what do you want me to do?’ From that, God reveals his plan when we humble ourselves.
Published August 2nd, 2008 by socka
Wordless …
What if everything could be undone?
What if we could go back in time to fix things?
After hearing the dreadful news of the resignations of two out of the three pastors from a church whom I hold dearly, my response was: what if this church could gather all parties (pastors, deacons, members) and make things right? Wouldn’t it be a testimony to the kingdom of God?
The pastors, the deacons and the church memberships had made decisions that were right to the acts of a business corporation. Then, should a church be different? Couldn’t they cocoon themselves into a time machine, travel back and fix the past?
Whatever happened to this beloved church of mine is not of surprise. I have seen and heard worse. Then paradoxically, I was left wordless but with plenty of questions.
Why do we continue to set up churches like a corporation?
Why do we still treat pastors as ‘employees’?
Why do we not deal with the realities outside the four walls of the church but spend overtime in building an empire called ‘whatever name church’?
Why do we still not recognize that the enemy of Christ followers is _________ but not one another?
How come it is always those people who know the most Bible that cannot live out it’s simpliest command: love God and love one another?
I have my share of disappointment and mishaps with Christ followers and issues within a local church. Then I pray that I have learnt my lessons. I hope that I will not repeat what goes on daily in the kingdom of God in regards to the unity and testimony of a local church.
My beloved church has shattered the hopes of many people.
My beloved church has ceased to be a ‘church’ but has evolved into a full fledged ‘corporation’.
Could my beloved church be the church that Jesus Christ sacrificed his life to build?
Wordless.
Then, again, Jesus Christ and His followers do have the last words one day.
Published July 14th, 2008 by socka
How come I am wearing a Brasilian jersey?
“This is what Canada, my country, would want me to do.”
It is the most ridiculous answer for a Canadian.
“Where is your sense of pride of being a Canadian?”
“This is treason! If there is no freedom of speech, you could have been hanged.”
“What happen to patriotism?”
Well, let me give you my reasons.
First of all, it is much easier to buy other soccer-giant-country’s jersey than that of the Canadian National Team soccer jersey. It seems like the Canadian National Soccer team is too shameful for people to support them.
“Go support other countries, we are never good enough.”
I do not know whether this is true but this is the feeling I got.
Secondly, on being proud of embracing multi-culturalism, it seems that Canada has lost its identity of being a nation. I want to be careful here so that I won’t be labelled a racist. Then how could I? I am not even a Caucasian.
I am of a visible minority living in Canada for almost two decades. I love Canada. I am patriotic. I do not hold duel citizenships. I gave up the opportunity to become a U.S. citizen. Then it bugs me.
In the name of embracing a ‘yet-to-be-defined’ form of multi-culturalism, Canada has lost the basic characteristics of that of a nation. Many argue that multi-culturalism is our uniqueness and we should be proud of it. Sure we should be proud of it, this makes Canada as the world itself but not a nation.
For my humble opinion, a nation should be united by it’s language and culture. A single language and a single culture if I would say. It is for the benefit of all those who live together as a nation. It will facilitate communication and foster harmony within the boundary of a country.
But it is not happening here in Canada. Ethnic groups are bringing their countries into Canada. We can even communicate at times with one another; needless to say, understand each other.
“Be proud of your heritage!” has been misinterpreted to mean “build your country here in Canada!”
This attitude is reflected in the sport of soccer. More people are cheering for their country’s team than that of the Canadian team when the game is played on the Canadian soil.
Nationalism and patriotism towards Canada is eroding and eroding. But the sadest part is that Canada is allowing this to happen - it is more difficult to buy a Canadian soccer team jersey than that of other country’s team.
Therefore, I am wearing a Brasilian jersey when I attended the game between Brasil and Canada.
Published July 14th, 2008 by socka
Journey?
We heard it often these days:
‘Life is a journey.’
‘Faith is a journey.’
If this is true, where is the destination?
As I grow older and hearing more of my elderly relatives have passed, the question of destination become more relevant.
When you are younger, you can afford to waste a few years here and a few years there. Mistakes are okay. There is time. You can circle around the wagon a few more times before you will make the decision to attack or to withdraw. ‘Life is a journey.’ Destination? I am not sure and it does not matter.
Then suddenly, it seems meaningless to circle the wagon. A decision is needed. To attack or to withdraw and move on.
“We know the journey has value, we know the roses need our attention along the path, but instead of making time we keep kidding ourselves, faking polls, and pretending to live something increasingly foreign to us.” Leonard Sweet
Journey or destination? Either-or? Both-and?
If there is a destination, will this journey take me there?
If these is no destination, what is the point of this journey?
Saying ‘I do not know what is journey is all about and I do not know where I am going’ on your death bed could be the most agonizing moment of your life.
‘Faith is a journey.’ Then how come the apostle Paul says, “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” It seems that Paul’s faith had a destination - finish.
What is the destination of our lives? What is the destination of our faith?
Deep
is where it is dark
where there is mystery
where the way is not known
where it is easy to become fearful
and even turn back.
but
Deep
within your heart,
God,
is where
there’s always strength to go in
where truth becomes known
where your love holds me close
where I need not be afraid.
my hidden self,
Deep, Deep down
in the womb of Yourself:
safe
nourished
guarded
enlivened.
take me there, God.
I want to go.
-JOYCE RUPP
Published June 30th, 2008 by socka
“We have dug our own cistern!”
Read this.
How do you react to such news?
What do you think is at fault here? The father? The daughter? Society?
My thoughts steered towards this saying from an ancient prophet, Jeremiah: “For my people have done two evil things: They have forsaken me - the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” (Jeremiah 2:13)
As a parent, I often have heard how other parents say that it is so difficult to raise a kid these days. Kids do not do much these days except camp themselves in front of the computer screen. Parent cannot tell kids what to do but have to give them choices. Parents cannot even discipline kids or there will be legal ramifications.
I do sympathize with these realities because I as a parent know how hard it is to raise a kid these days. But then, could we have deviated from the “Owner’s Manual in Kid Raising” that have brought on such demise to us?
If God is the creator of us and our kids, should we not follow God’s “Owner’s Manual in Kid Raising”? There are many wonderful directives for parents in the Bible. One of such is “Don’t fail to correct your children. They won’t die if you spank them. Physical discipline may well save them from death.” Before you cry foul and cite all those experts researches on the ill effects of spanking, let me assure you the following:
First of all, not all kids will need spanking. A responsible, loving and discerning parent will know. Secondly, spanking out of anger is wrong but spanking that is in control and out of love is needed. Thirdly, spanking is specific: it is not smacking on the face or other body parts but restricted to the buttocks area. The force of spanking has to be careful not to cause permanent damages. Fourthly, some stubborness can only be cured by the experience of pain. For example, the leper can lose fingers and toes as a result of contacting dangerous objects because they do not feel pain (which is a warning system). A child will not know that he or she is in danger when experiencing the perils of that danger.
Sometimes my kids will complain that I “nagged” them too much. I agree. However, I also say to them if I do not nag them, who will? If I do not correct their mistakes. who will? If I do not discipline them, who will? If I leave my job to the states and other people, I have ceased to be a parent. God’s “Owner Manual to Kid Raising” is there for me to do my job according to God’s design. He is the creator of me and my kids and He knows what is the best for me and them. He knows the best way to raise kids in the past, present and future.
I as a parent must always remind myself not to dig my own cistern in child raising though my kids and the states may not like God’s method.