Author andrewong2024

Some Insights for a Marketplace Minister

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Recently, I was re-visiting the book of Daniel and was led to some interesting insights from the marketplace standpoint.

In chapter 1 from verses 3 to 4, it mentioned that the king ordered to bring in some Israelites to serve in his palace and these were the pre-requisites: “young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand.”

Lesson One- Outward appearance matters

I believe in this list of pre-requisites that the king was looking are similar qualities that our employers or bosses look for in promoting us or entrusting us for higher tasks.

Likewise, whether we are employees or not but as business-owners, we should strive to have this qualities as this would lead us towards upward mobility for higher influence.

Notably, physical appearance was highlighted by God citing that Daniel was handsome. Much to conventional christian thinking where heart is more important than looks, this provides an added perspective that looks do matter. If it didn’t, it would not have been included in this passage.

This means that as marketplace ministers, it is equally important that we pay attention to our outward appearance where we’re well-groomed. As people will normally judge our personality and character from our appearance, therefore we should dress to impress in order to impact positively.

I believe this is true as there have been many examples that I have personally witnessed where the boss did not appreciate the good work of his staff just because he (the boss) didn’t like his face or his style. Or how someone who dresses sloppily does not pass a job interview or sales pitch in spite of having a good portfolio.

Lesson Two- Attitude seals the deal

It was only after getting pass the physical test (as indicated by the order of pre-requisites), the king was then able to look further into the inward traits of desire for learning, being well-informed and quick to understand.

This clearly shows that we need to be people that keep learning and improving on the job. Employers are looking for people who display competence and a spirit of excellence that are ready and quick to produce and contribute to their ‘kingdom’ or organisation.

Having these inner traits speaks of forward-thinking people, who do not wait for things to happen, but make things happened because they see the things ahead that are coming their way.  With their progressive intelligience, they are able to respond and not react to the changing market forces.

Like Daniel who was able to interpret visions and dreams, as effective marketplace people we should also be able to interpret the trends in our industry. For example, understanding the trends would help in identifying the opportunities that might be present ahead and to seize it before our competitors do.

This simply means that we also be thinkers who give solutions to problems and not merely doers with our jobs.

Conclusion- My personal prayer

Many of us usually hope to see changes in our results or outcome, but I have come to discover more and more than it begins with ourselves first. It begins in redefining who we are, and upping our commitment to ‘play the game’ in the marketplace as a professional.

Once our thoughts and attitude changes, our actions changes, and so do our results.

With these simple insights, I pray that I will avoid complacency at work by just meeting the basic expectations. I want to strive in exceeding the normal expectations by putting more effort in taking my work to another new level with God’s anointing.

I believe every word that is written in the bible is inspired by God, is meant to teach you and me invaluable lessons for living successfully.

Some Ramblings at Work

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Lately, work has been a dread. I dragged my feet to work almost everyday.

Not that I do not enjoy what I do, as I do (at least the main part of it). But things have not got any better, if not worse after the new term.

I have lost my enthusiasm for my job as I see us spending more time boot-licking and politicking when we should be focusing and spending our energy on delivering our KPIs if not exceedingly.

I really do not enjoy doing things just for the sake of doing things, which do not contribute to the growth of the organisation or truly benefit our clients in the long term. Everything we do seems to be reactive and not proactive.

I am almost reaching my second year with my present employer and I want to believe that my time there is almost up. Though I know what my next step should be, I am still waiting for the next door to open and his cue for me to leave.

Surprise by this post? I thought of showing the more human side of me that also experiences frustrations and disappointments in the humdrum of life. Ha ha…

Hmmm… I think its time to really plan for my exit. This recession might be a good period to take a sabbatical break.

 

The Four Levels of Loyalty

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In this modern age, loyalty is a difficult and controversial subject.

For instance, employers or leaders expect their employees or followers to be fully loyal to their company or cause.

But in threatening times like a recession, we see that they do not hesitate to retrench their staff in order to survive.

Ironic isn’t it? With such acts being carried out, it is not surprising that the idea of loyalty has become vague and often with wrong emphasis.

True loyalty

What is loyalty? In a simple definition, it means faithfulness. Faithful to commitments or obligations; faithful adherence to a sovereign, government, leader or cause.

“And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

Luke 14:27

However, let me submit to you that the first loyalty anyone should be committed to is God. That’s because He represents TRUTH which is the foundation for us to stand upright.

The reason why many of us are insecure because we have seek security through following a flawed concept of loyalty. We mostly put the greatest stress on loyalty to our boss or leader. In a church, it could be our pastors.

Priorities of loyalty

The first loyalty should be to God- our relationship with Him. Are we right with Him? Are we worshiping Him in spirit and truth? Are we following His will according to His word? Are we committed to His kingdom cause?

The second loyalty is our God-given assignment. Doing what we are called to in serving His purpose. We are His servants and are called to use our talents, gifts and abilities to serve His Church for the lost.

Therefore, it is our obligation to discover our personal assignment, our talents, gifts and abilities. Through this journey of discovery, we need to eventually blend all of these elements to fully optimise our lives in fulfilling His will for us.

The third loyalty is to the government, company or church we are working for or belong to, because we do not bite the hand that feeds us. If we want to be part of the organisation, then it is only right that we submit to their goals and direction.

The fourth and the last is loyalty to our boss or leader who surely needs our support, advice and assistance. But remember that he is not and cannot be the first loyalty.

Conclusion

However, if submitting to either the third or fourth violates our first loyalty or even second, then we should align our lives according to those priorities and stand by them.

Likewise, the same measures should also be carried out if the fourth violates the third.

As you can see, understanding and having a proper priority of loyalties will be the first step in building a sense of security.

This will ultimately and greatly help in building a strong and intimate relationship with God; walking in faith and obedience to His will.

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My Doodling:

Pssst… Don’t say I didn’t tell you. Just bring any old and worn-out pair of jeans of ANY brand to a Levi’s store and exhange it for any NEW pair of Levi’s of your choice at S$50 less the original price. Cool rite?! This promotion is for a limited period only, so hurry get yours today. I got mine oredi! =p

My Revelation on ‘Thoughts’

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Some time ago, I had a dream. In this dream, I was having a conversation with a friend and it went something like this:

“How is heaven different from earth?”

“Thoughts”

“Thoughts??”

I woke up mulling over this and wondered what thoughts had to do with heaven and earth. Finally, I understood this ‘revelation’.

Having big thoughts of big dreams

It is not wrong to say that in heaven there won’t be any need for thoughts as we would when we are on earth.

Thoughts can also refer to as our dreams. Usually when we think of thoughts, it is something related to the future. It can be thoughts for the immediate or distant future.

We think about what to eat for lunch or what to wear for the next appointment. Those are for the immediate. But when we think what will I do for the next 5 years or I want to be a social entrepreneur when I am 30, those are for the distant future.

Big thoughts of big dreams require faith. And faith is what we need in order to think big and dream big. With thoughts and faith closely intertwined, it was clearer for me to understand why thoughts would no longer exist in heaven.

Because in heaven, faith is no longer required as we are with God and all things will be perfect.

More decoding on thoughts

If it is true that thoughts are no longer needed in heaven, it means that our thoughts should be regarded as something sacred and precious while we are living this life on earth.

But what thoughts are we mostly thinking? Negative or positive? Backward thinking or forward thinking? Destructive or productive?

I submit that if we just have this one life to live and use, we should be thinking big and dreaming big for God. Cos it is the only chance we have in exercising faith and to experience the thrill and adrenalin of seeing dreams becoming a reality.

Our attitude and outlook of life should be one of enjoyment and not one crippled by fear and false security. Since we have this one life to live, let’s live it to win rather than living a life avoiding loss.

Having thoughts of godly purpose

It’s important to be thinking big dreams of fulfilling our God-given destiny. “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp,” as Robert Browning said. That’s what keeps us going in life.

What happens when we do not think big and shrink? This leaves us at the level of mere survival in living our lives and it is not what God has created us for.

In truth, Jesus promises a life that is full in Him; one lived as a conqueror (scripture says more than a conqueror!). Let us be daring enough to dream big towards fulfilling His purpose in our lifetime.

Moreover on earth, we can place our faith in a living God that will accomplish exceeding and abundantly more that we can ever imagine through us.

Let our reality begin with our dreams, and our dreams will become our reality.

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My Read of the Month:

Title: For One More Day
Author: Mitch Albom
Published: 2006
Genre: Fictional/inspirational
Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars

After reading Mitch’s two earlier best-selling books, The Five people you meet in Heaven and Tuesdays with Morrie, I decided to give this book a chance. And I was not left disappointed.

The story of this book started off very slowly with the introduction of its main character Chick Benetto and I nearly wanted to quit reading. But once the story got off, I could not put it down. I finished the book within a week.

The story mainly drives at loving and appreciating your loved ones while they are alive, and the setting was that of a divorced family (something that I could identify). The author managed to tell this story in such a poetic manner that tugged many of my heart strings and left me sobbing. Yes I cried.

A homage to all mothers, Mitch does an awesome job with this book. Do pick this up if you are in some nostalgic mood. And don’t say I didn’t warn you, please have some tissue while reading.

Who should read it: Anyone who loves a good sentimental story.

Looking Onwards, Moving Forward

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The Message:

Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.”

Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”

New International Version:

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:61-62

Crossing the Line of Faith

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Its been almost a month since my faith decision to transplant myself to another church.

The entire phase from the point of God’s revelation and to where He has led me now is almost unreal.

I would be lying if I said it was an easy process. In fact, it was one of the most difficult decision I had to face.

God matters to me

The opinion of others mattered a lot to me, but the will of God mattered too. God’s opinion had to count for more.

After six months, I finally yielded to Him and made the decision. God’s vision and call was just too loud to shut out or ignore.

At the Asia Conference, God provided more confirmations of that decision and provided glimpses of where His Church was heading.

Now I can only say that the road ahead looks promising and exciting in spite of the challenges that are tied to it.

You matter to me

Looking back, the process of making this decision was mostly a lonely and emotionally-bearing experience.  But I’m blessed that my experience was made more enduring with the love and understanding of some of the brothers and sisters who believed in me.

To those that I may have disappointed, please forgive me. I can only explain my decision with this underlining truth that each of us have our God-given race to run, and I’m obeying God in running mine.

The lessons learnt from this experience are ones that I will not forget. One day, I hope to pen down this experience in a book when this faith decision bears fruit.

Cos I believe that there will be many others who will go through a similar cross-road situation at one point or another, and I hope my personal experience will help them make a prayerful, calculated, balanced and biblical decision.

Impetus of the Contemporary Church Movement

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During the Asia Conference, a well-known pastor called the leader of a local mega-church a driving force for the transition of the Asian Church from a traditional model to a contemporary one.

THE CHRISTIAN POST
By Edmond Chan

When the pastor asked Pringle about how the Asian Church can transit from a traditional church to a contemporary one, the latter replied, “Two words: Kong Hee.”

Kong, who founded the mega-church 19 years ago, is known for his emphasis on fulfilling the Cultural Mandate – a movement by which the Church attempts to penetrate society and transform it.

The pastor, who leads his church with his personality and gift of preaching, believes that the key to church growth lies in the importance of the leadership of the pastor. A pastor, according to him, needs to be effective in communicating the vision of the church to its members, and in motivating members through his or her messages.

Evangelism is also high on the agenda of the 44-year old church leader, who believes in mobilising his masses to spread the Gospel where they are based in the workplace and even in closed groups normally inaccessible to ordinary people.

He adapted this concept of “3rd Space” from author Erwin McManus, which explains Christianity in terms of space and how we need to connect with people in their space and help them to experience God.

Read the full article here>>>