Things I remember about Stephen

In Dec 2007, we completed the dry run of Project Timothy in CBC SEA Park. I approached Stephen Choi, the head tutor to express my desire to be a tutor. Kathleen and I were the only ones from the Chinese church. He smiled and said ok. I have been with PT-Asia since. I have gone through 1 complete cycle of PT and I am now in the 2 of 6 semesters of the 2nd round.

Here are some of the things I remember about this friend, mentor, sifu of mine.

• His smile
• His trademark moustache
• His love of God
• His love for the Word of God
• His love for the people of God
• His humour

I always enjoy the PT tutors meeting where Stephen would wait for the others tutors to share their thoughts, and then with a smile, bring up some of the things he observed from the Bible. This is usually followed by dumbfounded silence and a few daring attempts to answer his questions. He'd then share his suggestions. I always enjoy learning from my fellow tutors but Stephen made learning a very interesting and enjoyable experience.

I am very inspired by his faith in God especially during his times of trial. He really kept his eyes on the author and finisher of his faith.

Stephen is now back to be with Jesus. I will miss him very much.

On the 4th day of Chinese New Year ...

Today is the 4th day of Chinese New Year.

I have with me the cough that had been bugging me since 1 week before Chinese New Year. I will go see Dr. Chau (my own doctor) if necessary. The panel clinic doesn't work for me.

I am very thankful for the following:

• Son, Jesse is doing his A-levels in the Methodist College Kuala Lumpur. I hope he gets back his motivation. He can be unstoppable when he is in form. He got 7 As in his UPSR. Perhaps too much success to early. I never really recovered from my 8 A1s in SRP. I got arrogant. I hope he doesn't.
• My dad is free from tube and urine bag. The medicine worked well. He could pass urine just fine. To quote Wei Lymn, the new standard is no long being able to eat and sleep, but also to be able to take in and discharge.
• SOL 1 and SOL 2. Jesse and Kathleen both finished their SOL 1 and they are waiting for me. Due to a mistake in my schedule, I missed out one class for SOL 1 last year. I am going to take it on 11/02/2012 and I can graduate together with them. We have a few group studies to do for SOL 2. All in good time.
• Family - we love and care for one another. Being the eldest, I should go home more often. I will do just that.
• The wonderful people God put in my life. I have said it once, and I will say it again (plagiarized from Eric Bischoff from one episode of Monday Nitro) - you people put a smile on my face and a teas in my eye. Thank you for the hugs too. Wife thinks physical touch is my language of love.

During the few days away, I have been constantly praying for 2 friends in particular. I have regular people I pray for but I pray for these 2 in particular. One has cancer. One has a delayed dust mite allergy.

I am looking forward to a year of promotion as Pastor Daniel said. No, not just in terms of position but in terms of responsibilities. If we are faithful with the little things, God will give us bigger things. At this age, I am really learning to come back to God and no longer think I am very clever. I have been 'clever' for many years and the last few years of 'doing nothing' has humbled me a lot.

I am glad we are in DUMC. I think my dreams will come alive. And my shattered dreams will live again. With so many brothers and sisters to look after me, I will make it. I am counting the blessings of God everyday and I am looking forward to the end of 2012 when I will look back at a great year.

All glory to Jesus.

S2T1: Challenge to Faithful Discipleship #sermon #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, 08/01/2012
This is the Anniversary Gift Weekend and we are trusting God for RM4 million.

The sermon is the first in the S2T1 series or Study in Studies in 2 Timothy (S2T): Paul’s Last Words (Discipleship & Leadership Development)


2Ti 2:1-8  You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  (2)  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.  (3)  Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  (4)  No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.  (5)  Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.  (6)  The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.  (7)  Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.  (8)  Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,

2011 has gone so fast. It’s like a toilet roll, the faster we use the faster it goes away. (There’s a new roll once the 2011 roll is gone. ~Loong.) Pastor Daniel said every year is better than the last and the best is yet to come. (I remember one camp speaker during a CBC camp said, 好戏在后头.)

Last year, we lay foundation, we built depth. In 2012, we build distance. There are 3 elements – making disciples, multiply leaders and in a certain kind of culture.

I'm in the office before 0700

Dad's appointment with the urologist is rescheduled to Thursday. The urologist's dad passed away (God be with them.) I spoke to boss and move my leave to Thursday.

I dropped Jesse at the Kelana Jaya LRT station (well, technically, I dropped him opposite the LDP). I didn't accompany him. Now that I am in the office, I am thinking I should have gone with him.

He should be ok. I perhaps worry too much. He dressed up so smart today.

I am so early in the office. I will get something done in the quietness of the morning.

Torn ... in many directions

Tomorrow, I am accompanying my dad to see a specialist for his prostrate issue. The appointment is scheduled to be very early to make it for the appointment in Klang. It's 0730! What kind of doctor is so hardworking? A urologist no less. He's a classmate of my sister. That's how. I hope we can find out how to fix it and my dad can be at ease again.

Due to time clash, I cannot accompany Jesse to his first day in college. The first two days will be orientation but still ... I wanted to much to go with him.

At another front, Kathleen has hated me more because I think helping her in her assignment is cheating. I think she is right. If others (read 'other female friends') ask me to help them with their school assignments, would I decline? Even Jesse think I should help.

The one that really tugs at my heart is the year end closing in the company. For the record, my colleagues are more than capable of doing their work on their own - even without me standing by and cheering them on. I was in the office on Saturday and today. But I won't be there on the first official working day of the year with my COMrades. I wonder how many will miss me. I know one may. The others I don't know. To make up for it, I have done what I could. I churned up some data when I came home from dinner plus last minute shopping for Jesse. The lunch arrangement today was a disaster. We have to each went our own way because one particular sandwich joint did not get our order ready and did not remember to call us to tell us.

In DUMC, we are told 2011 was a BETTER year. and 2012 is a year of PROMOTION. I don't care about the title I am given at work. I think I am being promoted to do more. I wish I can do just as much as I was doing 1 decade ago. I don't want to think I am already pass my prime or over the hill.

The best is yet to come! I am a work in progress.

Vision Weekend 2012 - Make disciples … multiply leaders #dumcMY #sermon #fb

Pastor Dr Daniel Ho, New Year 2012
Mat 28:19  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
2Ti 2:1-7  You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  (2)  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.  (3)  Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  (4)  No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.  (5)  Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.  (6)  The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.  (7)  Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
This New Year is going to be a great year. It is going to be better than the year before. Tiap-tiap hari, God is good. God is good, tiap-tiap hari.
2011 is about building depth and lay strong foundation to prepare for what is to come. The Word of God continues to be crucial in the foundation.
Forecasts around the world do not paint a pretty picture. We don’t know what the future holds but we know who holds the future. Pastor Daniel challenged us to fast 1 meal a day for the next 14 days. Malaysia badly needs prayer.
2012 is to build distance and to build a structure that lasts.

1. Making disciples
2. Developing leaders
3. Serving a certain kind of culture

The call to make disciples

Character of a disciples

A learner, pupil, a follower

Mar 1:16-18  As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  (17)  Come, follow me, Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  (18)  At once they left their nets and followed him.
The word disciple and the word discipline came from the same root word. A disciple is a discipline person. To this end, DUMC has designed a few things for us.

Firstly, the CG. Over 200 leaders have been raised up throughout the years. Secondly, the SOL, to train us up as strong follower of Jesus Christ. We also have many conferences, the first being the Miracle Rally with Rev. Dr. Colton in Jan. This year, the ASOL (the Advanced School of Leadership) begins. This is done in partnership with the Malaysian Theological Seminary.

“When Christ calls a man He bids him come and die.” ~ The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

The Greek for disciple is μαθητής (mathetes or martyr). For those who want to follow Christ, there is a price to pay.

2012

I just got back from the Watch Night Service at the Dream Centre. This is what I posted on Facebook.

"Just came back from the Watch Night Celebration. It was good. It sent a clear message how everyone can get involved in discipleship, CG and missions. I felt that God reminded me to trust in Him, to count on Him, to live by faith and not by sight. And that's something I want to do in 2012."

It was Søren Kierkegard who said that life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. I have heard this during sermons in DUMC at least twice. Once by Pastor Daniel on Boxing Day, 2010.

Year End Reminiscence #fb

It's 0201 in the morning. In the past week, I have either slept very late or dozed off.

I am normally very careful with my glasses. And I am adamant that Jesse puts his glasses in the case before he sleeps. But after I got this new and very costly pair of glasses, I have been sleeping while wearing it almost everyday. This is not right.

My company does reviews regularly. I think it will do me good to do my own review on my life (spiritual life, family, health, etc.)

There are 3 more days before we usher in a new year. For a colleague / friend (whom I refer to as my GM, i.e. gan mei or 干妹), it's another 16 days to her ROM (registration of marriage.)

I am bringing my department to a good lunch tomorrow. There are many things to do before the year is over.

I think I have done something right. I also think there are many things I could have done better.

I still sorely miss serving God and His people like I used to. Then again, perhaps it's just a matter of switching the focus from the church to the workplace. Either way, I don't want to waste my life away. I can most certainly do more (hey, I used to do more.)

Let's see what comes to mind in the next few days.

With Luv
Loong

Scandal in the Kampung #sermon #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, Christmas morning

Scandals are outrageous and utterly shocking.

In 1995, a young man created a huge scandal. The young man, Nick Leeson, 28 then brought Barings down with the loss he caused. He was sent to 6.5 years in prison.

Another scandal involves a young girl who had an encounter with an angel.

This Year in Review: 3 Crucial Lessons for 2011 #sermon #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, Christmas Eve

Act 4:18-31  Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  (19)  But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.  (20)  For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."  (21)  After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.  (22)  For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.  (23)  On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.  (24)  When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.  (25)  You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: " 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?  (26)  The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. '  (27)  Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.  (28)  They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.  (29)  Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  (30)  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."  (31)  After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Sep 11 2011 is a defining moment in human history. On that day, a few people brought one of the strongest nations to its knees. Defining moments / turning points / watershed may not be publicly known. Sometimes it comes quietly.

The Shakings of God #sermon #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Chew Weng Chee18/12/2011

Heb 12:25-29  See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?  (26)  At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."  (27)  The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken-- that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.  (28)  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,  (29)  for our "God is a consuming fire."

The word ‘warn’ was used on 2 occasions (v25) – on the earth and from the heaven.

There are 4 things about alarm:

1. To detect an abnormal event
2. The measure the severity of the problem/
3. Guides the user to diagnose the problem
4. Allows sufficient time to correct the situation

What kind of alarm did God provide to us? Is it an alarm clock that wakes us up from our slumber or an alarm bell to warn us of danger? Both.

God is going to shake 7 things, and all at the same time.

The Pitfalls of Partial Obedience #sermon #dumcMY

Pastor Chew Weng Chee, 17/12/2011

2Ch 17:1-6  Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel.  (2)  He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.  (3)  The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed. He did not consult the Baals  (4)  but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel.  (5)  The LORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor.  (6)  His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.

Pastor Chew mentioned his book Is Life Worth Living?

Pastor Chew told us this is the 10 time God sent him to talk to us in DUMC.

Obedience is better than sacrifice. It’s absolutely fine to give to God. However, one thing the enemy will tempt us not to do is to be obedient. Even partial obedience (which is partial disobedience) is not acceptable to God.

The High Call to Jesus’ Disciples #sermon #dumcMY

Pastor Dennis Belcombe, 10/12/2011

(The PowerPoint background showing possible Jesus and his disciples really kicked posterior.)

Rom 1:1-2  Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God--  (2)  the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

Rev 5:9-10  And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.  (10)  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

The theme today is the High Call to Jesus’ Disciples – Present yourself as living sacrifice and preach the Gospel.

SoP119 VII – God’s Word in Challenging Times #dumcMY #sermon

Pastor Daniel Ho, 03/12/2011

This is the 6^th in the Studies on Psalm 119 Series.

The Word of God, prayer and involvement in ministry are three things we need to do to grow. We want to be one stop closer to God and one step more open to the Lord.

We face all kinds of challenges. How should our responses be?

Mission Weekend #sermon #dumcMY #missions

Elder Wee Tiong Howe
We are all missiological people because mission is the heartbeat of God.

Lake Baikal is the largest fresh water lake in the world. Elder Wee worked with the Mongolian people there.The Omul fish is found there.

Joh 4:34  My food, said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
The true currency of heaven are souls. As kingdom people, we must invest into the kingdom of God.

Elder Wee recognized the Dream Centre as a world class facility of powerful preaching, worship, prayer and healing.

FiCT V–Nehemiah’s Response to Opposition #dumcMY #sermon #fb

Pastor Datuk Kee Sue Sing, 10/09/2011

This is the fifth installment of the Faith in Challenging Times series.

Faith in Challenging Times III–Daniel’s Response in Government Service #dumcMY #sermon #fb #dumcMPconf

Senior Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, 03/09/2011

This is session 3 of the Marketplace Conference, featuring Datuk Seri Michael Yam, Dato Paul Low and Dato Seri Idris Jala, together with our senior pastor.

It is wrong to called those who work in the government sector government servants. They are not there to serve the government but the public. They should be called civil servants or public servants.

Facing Challenging Times #sermon #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Dr. Daniel Ho, 20/08/2011

When we are doing something right we will face challenges.

SJG XVI – The Master’s Resurrection #dumcMY #fb #sermon

Pastor Chris Kam, 06/08/2011

Introduction

“I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted upon the minds of men, OR it is the most fantastic fact of history.”
~Josh McDowell (Evidence that Demands a Verdict)

SJG 14a: The First Betrayal #dumcMY #sermon #fb

Dato’ Dr Kim Tan, 23/07/2011

This is the 14^th installment of the Study in John’s Gospel series. The sermon tomorrow is on the second betrayal but it will still be considered as #14.