Category Extra Thoughts

Just some of my many thoughts…

The Church and The Marketplace

andrewong2024 8 Comments

I think it is not wrong to say that in today’s age of globalisation, the Church is presented with a greater opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission in winning the nations for Jesus by engaging our global marketplace.

The marketplace is the battlefield for souls. Therefore, the Church of Jesus has the onus to position herself in a way that is seen not only in touch with the marketplace, but an asset to society rather than a white elephant.

As a country, the US not only creates jobs for the world’s economy, but their influence also impacts the social values of the world and stretches beyond the economic value. This can be observed how their MTV pop culture and Hollywood movies shapes the way our kids behave, and their Mac’s and Starbucks changes the way we eat.

The US has, indeed done well in achieving control and influence over the nations of the world even without waging in any war over the years.

Singapore’s emergence as a powerhouse

Taking the cue from our own country, it is a fact that Singapore cannot spread her presence or territory by waging wars in order to conquer more land from our neighbouring countries. That would be an out-of-date and a crazy strategy.

However, with the aid of our cash-rich soveriegn wealth fund (SWF) empires of Temasek Holdings and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), Singapore of late has discreetly gained global prominence and influence with its investments in Merril Lynch, UBS, CitiGroup, British’s Barclays.

Temasek HoldingsFew people would realise how much these two vehicles (Temasek & GIC) have ploughed into Australia since 1995, buying many sensitive and prestigious assets such as Optus, Myer Melbourne and large parts of the old State Electricity Commission of Victoria.

With established strongholds in the marketplace, one is able to positively influence the people, culture, economy and the governments of nations.

The Church engaging the marketplace

Similarly, the Church of Jesus Christ- not referring to any organisation or church building but the Body of believers- should not just see extending the kingdom of God by means of geographical missions, but having a paradigm shift of doing missions through our global marketplace which would eventually transit towards geographical expansion.

Therefore, there’s a need for the Church to unite; tapping on our unique and diverse God-given talents to ride the waves of globalisation in adopting a similar strategy that engages the marketplace in order to spread God’s presence and influence.

The Church cannot forfeit her rightful place and role in the marketplace where she must be able to extend her influence beyond the walls of the church or it will be seen as irrelevant.

For too long the Church has been confined and conforming to the world, it is time that the Church demonstrates the power and presence of God in engaging and transforming the world. If this isolation continues, the Church will eventually lose her God-given authority and inheritence as the head and becomes the tail.

The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.

The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Deuteronomy 28:12-14

To do just that, the Church needs to establish a stronghold in the marketplace. Through winning the marketplace, she wins the nation.

And in my opinion, that’s how the Great Commission can be relevantly and effectively accomplished; nation by nation with the presence and influence of God through the marketplace.

Fighting the Battle in the Ring

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A boxer isn’t a boxer until he steps into a ring to face his opponent.

Likewise, he doesn’t become a world-class champion boxer by merely throwing punches at a punching bag.

All those gruelling training and diet the boxer subjects himself to isn’t going to count, if he doesn’t take the step into the ring.

Cos in the ring, that’s where the real battle begins. One can expect the opponent to attack and retaliate with punches, unlike a punching bag that doesn’t fight back.

And it is in a real battle that the boxer’s reflexes, stamina, mental and physical strength is truly tested and built up.

The battlefield for our faith

What about us, especially Christians?

Are we really fighting in the battlefield for the faith against the enemy- satan? Or are we just playing it safe and merely punching bags or the air in our daily life?

And what could be worse is that we might be even thinking that we are fighting in a battle and afflicting damage to the enemy when we aren’t.

The battle today for us Christians are in our global marketplace- in the arena of politics, arts & media, education, healthcare, science & technology and business; to penetrate and engage our marketplace where we can influence and transform lives in this world towards Jesus!

The challenge for us

Let’s challenge ourselves today! This could even mean for some of us to uproot ourselves and work/do business overseas for missions in order to extend the frontiers of His Church.

We need to step into the ring and pit our faith to the test. And yes, we might risk ourselves getting hurt and falling, but we need to trust in His leadership and grace for our lives.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Maybe we might be in the ring, but are we fighting or hiding in some safe and comfy corner to avoid the challenge.

I think we need to understand that there is no such thing as failure, but only feedback. When we fall, get up, re-group, evaluate, re-strategise and attack again and again and repeating the whole process again and again.

So unless we fight, we can never fully experience the power and presence of God working in our lives.

Following the Apostle Paul’s example, we should cease our fight only when we reach the day where we see our Maker face-to-face in heaven!

Managing CHANGE in Our Lives

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Change Your Life!The only constant in life is CHANGE.

Living in an ever-changing environment where change is inevitable, it is interesting to observe how we react or respond to change.

Just as how everything is moving up the value chain in our globalised economy, likewise we as humans also have a value chain to climb.

Climbing up this chain enhances our development (in particularly spiritually) as a person and being able to be a value-add to society. 

Our resistance to change

But I think it is safe to say that as humans, it is our nature to get easily caught in habits, routines and traditions. Cos due to our need to be secure, we some times or most times rely on these “patterns” in defining who we are.

Even when these “patterns” may be hazardous or unhealthy, we may still keep them as they can be very difficult to unlearn once ingrained in our lives.  The difficulty may arise from the efforts needed to be invested in re-learning.

CHANGE though good, may not necessary come about so easily. And so it seems that we people some times want a change, but don’t want to change.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9

Besides it being troublesome, resistance (I believe) is mainly an attitude issue. This is where we become too comfortable or used to to our current position that we do not desire to and change at all.

This could be a fear factor or a case of being arrogant/ignorant.

Change begins with our attitude

In managing change effectively, what is most vital is having a right attitude with a positive outlook. This would provide the flexibility factor in the face of change. And of cos, the key is being able to see circumstances in the light of God’s purpose.

With change emerging some times without warning, flexibility provides us the reflexes to respond appropriately with the new situation.Understanding that change is the only constant, we should also always be prepared. By being aware and keeping in touch with our environment and its going-on’s, we do ourselves a big favour in studying the tide and wind direction as how a sailor would at sail.

Throw away any status quo kind of an attitude, or else when change happens we will be “caught with our pants down” and the consequences would only be ours to solely bear. 

Uniquely Being Human

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To love and to be lovedHave you ever wondered why it seems that we, human beings are the only creatures on the face of this planet that is constantly looking for LOVE?

Or why we it seems that we are uniquely able to LOVE and not other creatures?

For certain, we can never expect animals to exhibit compassion, kindness or mercy. These virtues can only be expected and seen in us, human beings.

Why is this so?

Uniquely created by God

According to some readings, our primary motivation as human beings to love is to expand the self and to increase our abilities and our effectiveness. And one of the ways we accomplish this is through our relationships with other people.

But this does not explain how we attain this potential and the ability to love.

Opposing to Darwin’s theory that human beings evolved from apes, I am more convinced that our unique existence is crafted by none other than GOD.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Genesis 1:26-28

And I think there’s a good reason why his (Darwin’s) theory since 1838 has still remain as a theory till today.

Created in God’s image

Besides being Scriptural, this also seems like a more logical reason to why we, as human being have this innate desire to love and to be loved. Cos God is LOVE, and so that is precisely why we who are made in His image have that ability to reflect His love.

Secondly, Scripture explains that we are made above all other living creatures, which explains our superiority in intelligence and the ability to innovate; rising above the merely live-to-survive mode and being able to contribute to the betterment of life on earth.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

Therefore, looking hard at human beings actually points us to the existence of a God and a special relationship that we share with Him.

So wouldn’t you agree that we, human beings are exceptionally unique with a divine heritage and calling?

Physical versus Spiritual Attraction

andrewong2024 8 Comments

Here’s a dissertation which I think is worth a read to provoke our mindset or attitude in determining the main factor which appeals most to us when we look for in a partner.

What is stronger sexual/physical attraction or spiritual attraction?

If you watch commercials on TV, go to the movies, read magazines or have any contact with the current culture, one would say that sexual attraction is king.

One would easily come to believe that sexual/physical attraction must be the main attraction point between people. Even those who agree that physical attraction is not the core of a relationship will often say that physical attraction must first be present to attract people together and then the spiritual attraction and bonding happens.

As I look at the major romantic relationships that I have had in my life, while I was physically/sexually attractive to each person, I would have to say, that the people whom I were attracted were more attractive because of who they were and not because of how they looked. (….cont’d)

Read the rest of it here>>>

Trusting God with Our Lives

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In His Hands

Funny isn’t it, how we listen to our doctors’ prescription for us to whatever remedy/operation that is fitting for our sickness?

Funny isn’t it, how we can hand over our hard-earned money to our financial advisor to invest in stocks and bonds in a volatile market?

Funny isn’t it, how we believe our Prime Minister on his upbeat message on our economy in spite of the clear signs of a gloomy recession heading our way?

I guess most of us trust these people as it is their profession. They are expected to know how to solve these problems.

However, sad but true, they too can make mistakes that would implicate our lives.

Trusting ourselves

In our lives, who do we trust to lead and guide us in navigating the storms of life or to get us out of a difficult situation or to rectify a wrong?

Do we have someone whom we can turn to when we need to solve some of these issues in our lives?

I think that is a very important question that each one of us have to come to terms one way or another. And the right answer would determine how we end our life journey: well-wasted or well-lived.

I am sure that most of us would trust ourselves above anything or anyone else; in our ability, experiences or on our resources such as wealth, material possesions or people.

But then again, ain’t we grossly limited and falliable?

Trusting God

Similarly as how we trust so easily these people, we can also trust God if not more, in leading our lives.

Not only it is His “profession” to lead us as our Shepherd, but it is also His responsibility as our Father . Therefore it is both on a “professional” level and a personal level that He relates with us.

Therefore we can expect and trust God to fulfill His role to perfection if we allow Him to cos HE IS perfect and He is GOD after all. And He doesn’t make mistakes.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

My prayer:

God teach me more to trust You fully. Help me surrender my everything to you; with my heart, ambitions, possessions and life subjected to Your will and purpose.

Amen.

Our RESPONSE-ability is Our Responsibility

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Looking thru God's lensDuring one of my regular jogs last Saturday, I started my route with the weather bright and sunny. 

But without any warning, it suddenly poured heavily. 

I was presented with two choices: (1) to forgo my weekly goal and return home, or (2) to work through the present circumstance and still achieve my weekly goal.

I was glad that I chose the latter and still achieved my goal despite the abrupt problem that I encountered. 

Encountering problems 

Similarly, life often presents to us problems that come in many forms or proportions that threaten to change our progress in life towards our goals.  

At such times, these emerging problems could be unexpected or out of our range of control. This may include a retrenchment exercise, being betrayed by someone, hit by an illness or accident and the list goes on.

Looking at problems

In life, there are mainly two ways that people can approach problems.

One way is to see problems as problems. So the only response to this would be to carp, condemn and complain. Then give up and remain status quo.

The other way is to see problems as God-given opportunities. This would provide us the confidence to respond by facing the adversity as we KNOW that He is in control and faithful.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4

And more importantly, we UNDERSTAND that beyond the problem, there is a higher purpose to accomplished- the moulding of our character towards Christ-likeness.

Solving problems with God 

This God-given “problems”, in whatever situation actually provide us with opportunities to learn from, to evaluate and re-strategise or to apply and test our acquired knowledge and skills.

This way (the second) reflects adaptability and flexibility to work through the problem in order to achieve the goal.

And as a saying goes, “pessimism is seeing opportunities as problems, while optimism is seeing the opportunities in problems.”

Therefore, it is obvious that our progress in life is largely determined by our choice of approach towards problems. Cos even if we cannot control the constant emergence of problems in our lives, but what we have is the ability to control our response to them.  

Our RESPONSE-ability is our responsibility.

Relying on Him thru’ Prayer

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Jesus prayingI think most of us (Christians) know the importance of prayer, but not many of us actually adopt a lifestyle that centres around prayer.

And I must confess that I am one of the guilty ones.

Some of the common reasons can be how unpractical prayer may appear to us or the busyness that steals us away from a time of prayer. 

Jesus our role model 

Despite prayer being simply conversing with God, it has always remain a challenge for many of us especially in a urbanised age with so many forms of distractions.

Jesus was the best role model for prayer. He not only taught His disciples how to pray, but He also led as an example of a power prayerful life (c.f. Mark 1:35) 

With prayer playing a strategic role in our spiritual growth and for the advancement of His Kingdom, it is precisely why our enemy want us not to pray. 

When we do not pray, we become spiritually weak and ineffective.

Our need to pray 

Just as how we breathe to live, we need to pray to sustain our spiritual life. Prayer is our spiritual input to give us life for our inner man.

Incidentally, our indifference towards prayer also reveals our independent spirit from God; that we do not rely on Him. And it can also suggests our depth of intimacy with Him. 

Hence, it is clear that we need to rely on Him and immerse ourselves in prayer to draw His strength.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray

1 Peter 4:7

It is with His strength (not ours) that we have power to live a victorious life over temptations and to tear down the enemy’s strongholds in this world we live!

Jesus Christ In The Marketplace

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Below is a very encouraging article that was featured in TODAY two weeks ago:

* Click over image for enlarged version

CEO Jesus

His (South Korea’s President-elect Lee Myung Bak) bold proclaimation reaffirms the relevance of Christianity in operating in our global marketplace!

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

I say that our jobs are not provided merely to earn a living.

Our God-given vocations are meant to be an extension of Jesus and His Church in the marketplace to reach out- influence and win people over with His love and truth- in a lost, cold and dark world!

My Thoughts On Resolutions

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From observation, I think the world views new year resolutions as if they are mostly lofty ideas or ho-hum wishes.

Weekly PlannerBesides it been the year-end and the beginning of a new year, I think our lives are more important than we think it actually is.

Thus, we should be seriously thinking of how are we in tune with our vision or life purpose on a daily basis rather than when only the year-end approaches.

“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.”

Psalm 39:4

Taking stock  

In fact, I strongly believe that we need to take stock of our lives on a regularly basis- monthly or quarterly, depending on the level of responsibilities we bear.

Which means we need to constantly evaluate and keep tabs with how we are living in tandem with our goals and purposes.

If business organisations take their year-end reports and yearly projections seriously in order to stay on top of the competition, how can we not do the same with our lives?

Our lives is just too short to merely drift and cruise along. Cos you might not know where you will end up after doing so many things.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Ephesians 5:15-17

An un-examined life is not worth living for. 

Making plans  

As a saying goes, “Fail to plan and you plan to fail.”

Therefore, I think a better term to use for resolutions would be plans. Plans are achieve-able and calculated with commitment involved in the process.

Nonetheless, I think there should be no difficulty in drawing up “resolutions” when we are constantly focus on our goals and purpose in life.

That’s because when the vision is clearer, the options are lesser with the decisions that need to be made easier to make.  

Towards our destiny

And if the next question that pops is, “I do not know my life purpose and goals.”

Then welcome to this adventure called life with God your creator in discovering your destiny and the meaning why you exist in this life! =P

Pick up a Bible (Acronyms of BIBLE- Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) and search for His will for you.

I guarantee that you will find your answers in the world’s most-printed and number 1 seller book!