Social Media Revival?

Couple years ago, I attended a workshop on the topic about "Revival" by our former Bishop, and he shared this interesting trend of how technological advancement over the years has cause various revivals.

First, it was the invention of "Roman paths" - Led to Early Church Movements

Secondly,the invention of "Prints"- Led to the Reformation

Now, with the invention of "Internet"-  possible a "Virtual Revival" through the social media?

That set me thinking, especially now with the social media being a great source of influence in many peoples' life. The world has control over the social media, and most of the time, we see a side of people that we may not see in person. Some would hide behind their blogs or their tweets as a platform to let out steam, anger or the worries of life by just ranting or complaining about all kinds of issues. 

However, WHAT IF we can reclaimed it back by allowing the light of Christ to shine through us in the social media? 

“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Ever since God transformed my life many years back in 2005, I was convicted to use my blog as a platform to share my own personal Journey of faith. First by sharing my testimony in my profile, and to be open to share my joys & struggles as I journal God's fingerprints in different season of my life. 

I will occasionally receive an email or comment from people asking me about my faith all over the world, and it eventually led me to share my faith with a few people over email or Facebook messages. One of whom, I had a long email correspondence with, he was apparently a long time believer who seemed to have gotten burn out and lost faith in people after serving in this particular church for the longest time. After praying alongside him, and just encouraging him via email, he actually shared how he came back to the faith and started attending another church again. 

Even as I write this, just this morning someone whom I do not know came up to me after my sharing at this church, that he stumbled across my blog about my journey through OCS, and was apparently very inspired by what I shared there. I realised that it could be my posts about the fellow believers that i've met in OCS and how we constantly make time to meet, pray and be accountable to one another. 

One of my latest convictions right now, is to post a summary of my daily readings of christian literatures that I read in the morning. Not only does it help me internalized what I read better, I pray and hope that it can bless and encourage others just scrolling in their Facebook newsfeed. 

So who knows, if we can allow God's light to shine through the social media, maybe this a great platform for the light of christ to shine forth in this dark and fallen world. Where Faith, Hope & Love can be the common topics that is on going in the social media, and encouraging comments to one another instead of putting one another down can be a norm instead, 

Just like what the apostle Paul shared, 1 Corinthians 9:22 "... Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some."

Since the social media is used by almost everyone in the world today, why not allow that to be that common ground that one can just be real to his faith and share their life of Christ light through their Words, their Actions & their Faith?

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25).

So who knows, Now, with the invention of "Internet"-  possible a "Virtual Revival" through the social media one day?

EPIC Mt Rinjani Adventures (16-21 Dec 2013)

A complete adventure trekking experience this last 4D3N in the active volcano of Mt Rinjani, Lombok Indonesia. Long treks up, down, around through heavy downpours, dense clouds, a tough freezing rainy 6hrs hike just to reach the 3.736 m summit, to scaling up & down rocks around this cliff as steep as 75 degrees at one point, to catching the majestic view of the crater lake to seeing a volcano that freshly erupted during our trek, to enjoying a nice warm bath by the hot spring, camping in 3 different locations from the top of the mountain to all the way down by the lake & the last night camping in the forest where we saw fire-flies by the trees & gazed at the indescribable starry night sky to end this wonderful trekking experience! 

Wesley YM Camp 2013: Journey of Faith

Wesley YM Camp 2013: Journey of Faith is the 9th YM Camp that I've attended in my own Journey of Faith, since my milestone, first life transforming YM Camp in 2005! Coming back again to serve as a mentor after a 6months hiatus from YM has certainly brought back many wonderful memories of why this youth ministry is still very close to my heart. 

I believe it was yet another milestone camp for many of this youths in Wesley, hearing the testimonies, seeing so  many young youths stepping up to serve, seeing lives being touch, transformed & even hearing a couple of them who got their call into full time ministry! Such stories always brings a Joy in my heart to know that at least we are not off the race that is marked out for us! 

Besides that, this the first time Wesley YM have explored having our youth camp overseas too. And I was so excited to be part of this camp as the Camp Theme verse has been one of my personal life mottos especially for an avid runner like me! 

Hebrews 12:1-21 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

 (Enjoyed the 4 days spent getting to know this amazing youths from HOT AIR BALLOON! Interacting and playing the cross-trainer games with them and especially the last night when we spent 2hrs 30 mins during the love feast to edify one another by sharing & hearing everyone's testimony of their own Journey of Faith!)

 

 

 

(It's always such an encouraging sight to see so many leaders coming together to pray before the service starts at camp!)

 (Celebrated the love feast liturgy for the first time at the last night of YM camp! As we had a time of worship, Holy Communion, prayer, followed by a meal together, as my camp group spent that dinner edifying one another with their testimonies & journey of faith with The Lord. :)

 

YM Camp 2013 Sermon Notes 

(Permission from Ps Shih Ming to share this notes that i've taken with you all)

 (Our very own PIC of Wesley MC, Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming, key note speaker for YM Camp 2013)

Session 1- Training for the race

1 Cor 9:24-25

- Goes into strict training 

A lot of us compartmentalise our life... Spiritual, mental, physical, relational... 

We are Spiritual beings embodied by a physical person:

Mental 

Physically 

Relational 

1) Mental training 

1 Tim 4:6-7

- the truth of the faith

- good teachings

- godless myths & old wives tales

Be a faithful & fruitful Christian!

You are to bear fruit!

"You cannot be truly faithful if your not fruitful or you cannot be truly fruitful if your not faithful."

How to have right thinking:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Constantly fill your mind with God's truth everyday! 

Memorise God's word! 

2) Physical training

Romans 7:15

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

Romans 6:12

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

James 3:2

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

1 Tim 4:8

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Train our appetites 

- The discipline of fasting

3) Relational Training 

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Romans 15:6

That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

James 4:11

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

Galatians 6:1-2

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Concluding remarks:

- Train everyday (e.g. Get into the gospel everyday, have honest conversations with one another)

- Keep your eyes on the prize

- Be specific in your training 

Set goals how you want to grow in Christ the following year!

The spiritual life is not about training harder, it is training wisely!

Jesus has already finished that work!

We don't have to try! We just train wisely...

Session 2- Running the race 

THROW OFF

- the sin that so easily entangles

Romans 7:15, 17-18

15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

All this struggle with bad habits despite good intentions lead us. 

- confusion

- frustration

- discouragement 

The secret of throwing of your sin

John 8:32

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

LIE.

Behind every self defeating act is a lie I believe in...

What is truth?

Truth is a person! Truth is what God says!

How do you set free from the sin that a easily entangles

Sin is playing God, doing something when I take control! When we are on the throne of our own life!

1 John 1:8 

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

John 8:34

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

A) We need to acknowledge the root of the problem! 

B) believe that Christ can change us!

C) Confess our sins to one another 

D) Dedicate myself completely to Christ

Change in our life is not a method, it's Jesus Christ! 

Romans 7:24b-25a

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Romans 8:2 

For the new spiritual principle of life in Jesus Christ lifts me out of be old vicious cycle

Romans 6:12-13

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

A) Admitting that u have been trying to at God

B) Admitting that you can't change on my own.

C) Giving Jesus Christ total ownership of our life 

"Don't be a committed Christian, Be a surrendered follow of Christ!"

It's not about just commiting, but it's total surrender! 

Throw off...

The good things that hinders ...

The hidden wounds that hinder ...

1) Reveal my hurts...(Psalms 32:3)

2) Release those who have hurt me (Romans 12:17&19,Psalm 56:8, Hebrews 12:15)

3) Replace old files with God's truth

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephesians 1:4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

Psychologist has said that what is that most important person in your life say about you is the most impactful to one. 

So Make Jesus the most important person in your life! 

4) Refocus on the future  on the future 

5) Reach out to help others! 

2 Corinthians 1:4

 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Session 3- Finishing the race! 

1 Corinthians 9:27

 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

- The race marked our for us!

-We need to run the right race, that God has plan for us to run!

Hebrews 11

The bible hall of faith!

Hebrews 11:23-27

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

1) Be who God created you to be! 

- Moses was clear of his identity (v.24)

2) Accept responsibility of your own life

-To select, to decide 

- what you choose today will determined your tomorrow

- your character is determined by the choices you make in this life 

3) Established a value system for your life

- Moses considered God's will of greater value than of Egypt. V.26

- if not others will establish values for your life

The World standard

- pleasure (I want to feel good)

- possessions (I want to be rich) 

- power (I want to be popular)

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

- God's purpose is more important than popularity 

- People are more valuable than pleasure (v.25)

- God's peace us more valuable than possessions  (v.26)

4) Never take your eyes of the goal

Story of the box:

What's in your box?

➕ or

Everyone longs to know what's our purpose in our life! 

Proverbs 16:4

The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. 

General purpose! 

E.g. We are to give our best in everything that we do that points others to Christ! 

Focus on the goal & not the problem 

2 Cor 4:17-18

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

5) Never Give Up

- Moses persevered (v.27)

"My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race." - John Stephen Akhwari, 1968 Summer Olympic

How long can you wait?

These clouds of witnesses are telling us that we can run this race just like them!

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author & perfecter of our faith

Jesus finished the race, & is waiting for us to finish it as well!

Keep your eyes on the goal!

For Jesus, the goal is to be seated on the right hand of God. 

For us, our goal is our master happiness!

Mathews 25:21

His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'

This video really remind us how this is like a depiction of what our Heavenly Father would probably do to carry us through when we run this race marked out for us!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCAwXb9n7EY

2 Tim 4:7-8

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.

Day 4

Towards the Goal- Ps Jeremy

What's next?

Philippians 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

- Keep our eyes on the finishing line!

1) We have not yet arrived

2) Have to forget our past failures

3) We have to press on

Reflections of a Young Seminary Student!

I first want to take this chance to thank and appreciate the pastors, leaders, mentors, friends and my beloved small group who have supported me so much this past semester! Many who have gave occasional advices and tips or simply just praying for me! Especially, to members in Wesley Methodist Church whom I may not know personally but I know have been praying for us theological students since our prayer request are up in the Wesley Bulletin every week. 

This photo expresses my life as a seminary student! 

This first semester has been such an arduous yet fulfilling journey thus far! I had this thought after going through my OT 1 & NT 1 exams that i've learnt so much more in this 5 mths alone compared to participating & even leading in Disciple 1 classes the past couple of years! Covering the entire Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy), Deuteronomic History (Joshua to 2 Kings) & the 4 gospels and the Acts of the Apostles! Writing all those papers, ruminating on different scripture texts, reading countless of commentaries, mind-mapping the theological concepts for my NT1 exam has allowed me to internalised and see God's Word come alive in such a fresh new way! And this is not including my other core modules Church History 1, Christian Theology 1 & our Missions & Evangelism module which i've thoroughly enjoyed & learnt much too!  

As mentioned in my last reflection note here,  Reflections from a Young Theologian , i'm extremely grateful to God for providing me with such a wonderful community in TTC! If not for such amazing classmates & seniors I would not have survived this first semester without each of them! It's really such an honour to know this people and to even interact with this like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ. Some of them even offered to proofread my papers and guide me in writing academic papers as they know that i'm fairly new to such writings since this is my first degree. 

Another area which i've learnt much from is actually visiting the different churches around Singapore. Besides the first 7 churches which was organised by out school field education. A group of us continued to visit more churches from different denominations. Just this 5months alone i've visited a total of 15 different churches! From a few Methodist churches, Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Pentecostal, a couple of Mega churches, even small family churches and my most recent visit to an international church called EveryNation which was held in a Bar! Such visits have opened up my theology so much on why different churches and denominations do what they do. Such exposure has continued to resonate in my heart in supporting this whole ecumenical movement of our different roles in different churches/denominations serving together in God's kingdom church! 

If you ask me what's the one thing I have taken away and having tasted a little of what seminary life is like for this first semester?  

I will respond with just 2 words, learning and experiencing what "Spiritual Formation" is!

Below is an extract of a reflection paper I wrote from the book "Trials of Theology" a compilation of theologians of the past and present on their perspective of the praxes and learning of theology. 

Spiritual FormationHaving just started this journey in a seminary the tension of chasing grades and just enjoying the process of learning theology has been a constant challenge for me. I came in with much apprehension and fear that I will lose my passion and heart one day with the constant focus on this academic pursuit alone. As the term progressed I witnessed classmates who felt the pressure of readings, assignments and devotion life to be affected. I cannot agree more with what Warfield said, that familiarity with ‘divine things’ might actually be one’s greatest danger [1]. God convicted me of this need to ensure that I do not fall into the trap of racing towards an academic pursuit per se and to recognize the importance of spiritual disciplines as a means of spiritual formation. These considerations have compelled me to ensure I wake up earlier for personal devotion, to attend evening chapels, as well as to form a morning prayer group with my classmates to keep each other and the school in prayer.

I also believe that spiritual formation is also shaped as a community, inferring from what Woodhouse said, ‘… since the knowledge of God involves the use of our mind, we also gather as a community of scholars’. [2] We hold firm to God’s truth together. Even Carson, have stressed on the importance of such communal learning, having friends that hold informal theological discussion with one another critiquing each other’s work and just learning from one another.[3] Like said in Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”.

At the end of the day, B.B. Warfield have beautifully summarized how I see one can grow in Spiritual Formation.

“You will never prosper in your religious life in the Theological Seminary until your work in the Theological Seminary becomes itself to you a religious exercise out of which you draw everyday enlargement of heart, elevation of spirit and adoring delight in your Maker and your Savior.” [4]

Lastly, I believe that the process towards spiritual formation can be summed in one word, “Humility”. Spurgeon summarized it very well; humility is such a crucial character trait for the preparation of ministry. Especially, the story of the ‘humility test’ that allowed the interviewer to see this young men demonstrate a response of ‘self-denial’ from the questions asked. [5] There’s this familiar saying of ‘practicing what you preach’, but I like to suggest that we also need to ‘preach what you practice’. We need to be consistent in our lives first before we can actually preach about it. It is of outmost importance of having a private prayer life. [6] Luther shared about praying for humility and earnestness [7] while Warfield said, ‘theological study is undertaken through a lessening of oneself’[8]. There’s so much emphasis on humility that I myself am now convicted that I need to lay down my pride, my ambitions, my reputation, my desires and just allow God to fully be on the throne of my life. Edmund Chan once said this, “Ministry is the outflow of your life… take care of the depth of your life and God take care of the breadth of your Ministry”.

ConclusionIn the process of writing this reflection, God has actually taught me a deeper message by allowing me to have a first hand experience of what this theologians have shared. This had reminded me of what a seminary graduate once shared with me, which I will paraphrase.

“As we journey in this academic pursuit of studying theology, we also need to be aware of the side curriculums that God is constantly planning to teach us that we will not find in our main curriculum.”

I like to conclude with what Carson have said that seminary education should not be just be a means to a job, but more of a continual lifetime of study and reflections in preparations for the vicissitudes of ministry ahead. [9]

Endnotes:Cameron, Andrew J. B., and Brian S. Rosner. The Trials of Theology: Becoming a 'proven Worker' in a Dangerous Business. Fearn, Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Pub, 2010.
[1] p.56.
[2] p.105.
[3] p.128.
[4] p.58.
[5] pp.31-48.
[6] p.43.
[7] p.28.
[8] p.71.
[9] p.116.