Can Christians have Tattoos?

Check out Ps. Kong’s timely exposition on this topic in his blog.

I think it is a very balanced approach to the subject, and it gives us the “extra edge” when we need to handle questions surrounding this topic.

This week, we are back at having our morning and evening prayer meetings, at various venues around the island.

It was good to wake up early in the morning again…though it was quite a struggle

It was also good to see some of my friends like Stanley and June there as well!

We prayed for Easter as it is next week. The church will be putting up a production, which is set in the future…I will definitely be inviting my parents and friends for it!

We prayed for Sun as well. She has just been discharged from the hospital, but she is still a bit weak and recovering at home. Check out the latest updates at Ps. Kong Hee’s Blog!

Hopefully, she will get well really soon!

One of the blogs that I always look forward to, is Ps. Kong Hee’s!

That’s right! Our very own Ps. Kong has started a blog and you can find it here! 

I think Ps. always amazes me in that, he is always willing to try out “New things!”

In the last month, he was one of the 1st ministers I know that is on Twitter!

Next, he was on Facebook…

And now, we get to read his weekly blog entries on the Internet!

If you are looking for a Pastor’s view on the current economic situation. Check out what a pastor of a 26,000 Congregation has got to say about it!

Asia Conference finished formally for us on Monday with a meet-the-pastors sessions at Jurong West. Currently, the whole family is recovering from the late nights and we have been trying to get our body clock back in sync.

I felt the conference was a real breakthrough for us, as it solidifies the cultural mandate message for us.

Ps. Kong Hee kicked off the series with the 3 "Spaces".

The 1st Space  – The Church

The 2nd Space – The World

The 3rd  Space -  A place for society’s elite in the world e.g. Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Steven Spielberg, David Beckham

 

We were reminded once again about how as a church, we love to isolate ourselves and stay within our 1st space. Although we were in the world, we are afraid to engage the world.

 

Dr. AR Bernard added to the sermon by speaking about:

John 17:13-16

13But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

14I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

15I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Through his messages, he reminded us that God did not say that he will take us out of the world, but instead we should ‘insulate’ ourselves from the world.

"Insulation" comes from our Spiritual Disciplines (Prayer, Fasting, Studying the Bible, etc…) and we should not be afraid of culture. In fact, Culture or Society (the world) is one of the greatest competitors for Christianity, as it creates mind-sets and attitudes against Christianity.

The crux of the whole conference is that we should redeem culture and transform it for the glory of God.  

Isolation is not the key, but insulation through the Word of God, and Penetration comes as we engage the world!

I think this message really embodies the message for us as a church!

That’s why we are not afraid of loud music, colorful lights, hip-hop fashion and technology.

Let’s keep on walking with the grace of God, as we INSULATE ourselves and engage culture!

On a recent trip to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), something really struck me.

It was early in the morning, and I was having breakfast with some friends in a cafe. Looking across me, I noticed a family having their breakfast there as well.

They were having their Sunday Family Ritual – Breakfast with their morning papers and a DVD playing their child’s favorite cartoon (So that she will be distracted).

Throughout the whole meal, not a single word was uttered, but they seemed to be in a little world of their own.

It struck me that – Quality time is very different for every family.

I tend to believe, that just being together is not enough, but intelligent, engaging conversation is needed. Spending time with my kids, means playing hide-and-seek or just bringing them somewhere new.

Whenever, I have the privilege to drive my boss (Ps Kong Hee), I am always amazed by his work ethic. He is always on the move and planning something new. Yet, despite his busyness, he always  finds time to call his wife SUN on the phone.

After preaching in Singapore every weekend, he is on the next plane out and off to spend time with his wife and children.

If a successful minister does not forego family time, how much more so for someone like me.

Before I go, If u like Korean Dramas, u will like this commercial. A bit long, but very touching.