为什么？

我想我们在感情投资上不应该太随便。但是，我们往往对投缘的人投资我们的时间和生命。

她是一个牙尖嘴利的小妮子。我们很快就习惯了彼此抬杠。我很享受我们在言语上的争锋。

她很勤快，办事能力高，是个人才。跟她讨论事情是往往举一反三，所以解决问题是事半功倍。

我乘着帮她的机会敲诈了他三次麦当劳。到了今天，尚欠一次。她劝我在请完我之后不要再吃了。

她将在１２月与多年男友缔结连理，也已经口头上邀请了我。

但是好花不常开。她面临一些问题，不方便我插手。我只能干紧张。唉。

恐怕我从曼谷回来之后，已经面目全非。如果是这样，也只能接受。

希望一切都好。

Six Benefits of Not Changing Churches

This is a good read.

You Can Keep At It, Ps Richard Toh, SEA Park CBC on 22 Feb 2009

Every change is always accompanied by pain.

When we talk about love, we often think about 1 Cor 13. There is another verse in 1 John 3:16.

1Jn 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

This is the highest expression of love. Love is kind, gentle and patient. But love is expressed in the highest level when we can lay down our loves for our brothers. It is not just love in words but also in deeds.

Ps Richard went to Mugale, Myanmar. He brought offerings from the church members together with the Malaysian Baptist Convention to build a school there. He experienced Mark 16 (take poison and won't die) when he used a mosquito as toothpaste. A school is built with a shelter in case of another disaster with the scale of Nargis.

Background of 2 Thess 3

In spite of Paul's instructions and encouragement in the first letter, many were still struggling with 3 problems:

Chapter 1 – Is God fair? Paul told them they would suffer a bit.

Chapter 2 – Will Jesus come again? Paul told them wrong teachings had crept in.

Chapter 3 – Then, how should we live? The people wanted to know what they could do besides praying. Paul told them God is in charge. They should not become idle. Paul's counsel – serve consistently.

1. Pray for a spread of the Gospel (v1-2)
   

2Th 3:1-2 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, (2) and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.

Paul wanted the message of God to run quickly. We, the carriers of the Gospel should run swiftly.

1. Pray for spread of Gospel rapidly and victoriously
   
2. Engage in spiritual warfare against evil people
   

   There are people with their own personal agenda.
   

3. Intercede for those without faith.
   

   There is another group without faith, who had not heard about Jesus. Paul called for the church to intercede for them.
   

1. Persist in Faithfulness (v3-5)
   

2Th 3:3-5 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. (4) And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. (5) May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

1. God will establish you because He is faithful and protects his people
   
2. You are reliable and obedient and will do what has been commanded
   
3. You have endurance because the Lord fills your heart with love
   

1. Pursue a Responsible Behavior (v6-12)
   

2Th 3:6-12 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. (7) For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, (8) nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. (9) It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. (10) For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. (11) For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. (12) Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

Idleness and false teaching disrupted church.

1. Withdraw fellowship with them (v6, 14)
   

   There are people in the church who were using the imminent coming of Christ not to do anything. They are taking advantage of the others. Paul told the church to cut support from such people. Paul were not talking about people who are handicapped but those who are capable to work but refused to work.
   

2. Engage in self support, even though to demand support (v7 & 8)
   

   The suggestion for imitation is very strong in the Bible. First Jesus then Paul. As Christians we sometimes look at another Christian as our model. If you are a leader, you are responsible to walk straight with God. Paul encouraged the Thessalonica church to follow him.
   

3. Be responsible to work and not engage in being a busybody.
   

   Paul is clearly referring to people who are capable but instead of working spend their energy and time to unproductive work.
   

1. Persevered in Doing Good (v13-18)
   

2Th 3:13-18 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. (14) If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. (15) Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (16) Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. (17) I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. (18) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Paul now turned his attention back to the church.

1. Continue the good works (v13)
   
2. Bad company ruins good moral. Warn them. (v14 & 15)
   

   The wrong group of people can lead us to the wrong path, either morally or financially. Paul asked the church to admonish such people and to tell them what is from the Bible.
   

3. Paul's benediction of peace and grace upon them.
   

   We know that God is in control and it's just a matter of time before He put everything in order.
   

Questions:

• Do we have names we can pray for salvation?
  
• How would you measure your persistence in service?
  
• Who would you choose as a role model as a responsible behavior?
  
• Do you see opportunities for ministry in your work place?
  

  Will you be able to stand firm and strong despite the economy and pray for the company?
  

• What makes a temptation hard to resist?
  

Christian Comedian an oxymoron?

Read the blog here entitled When people you are witnessing to think you are hitting on them.

It's taken from the Stuff Christians Like blog, which was voted the 2008 Reader's Choice Award for Best Faith and Pop Culture Blog. Read more about the blog here.

Is there no place for humour and fun in the church?

If anyone who has a copy of Lord, Save Us From Your Followers, please lend it to me.