Cousin Teresa celebrated her 18th birthday earlier this month.
Boy, time sure flies. This was the LAST time I met her...with my "analogue" Hasselblad! (Oops! Correction - this was not the last time. Goes to show memories aren't that reliable. Last time was '98 instead of '94.)
Hey, your many cousins are waiting for u here back in Malaysia lah!!! Happy Birthday!
It is true that many Asian churches are becoming "Charismaniacs" and seeking/treating "feelings/experiences" higher than the understanding of the Word of God... but at the same time I am definitely not a Cessationist.
Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
"The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins. (Romans 11:25-27)
Tonight my Church has a baptism ceremony for the new believers. And once more tonight is a very special night by the grace of God.
By the mercy of God, one of our "new" relative is getting baptised! And a staff from my sister's shop too!
But MOST awesome of all - Chin's father is getting baptised TOO! Hallelujah!!! O it all seemed so impossible just a couple of years back! But our God is a miracle working God, amen?
And yes, I got a few more relatives for God to "deal" with... ;)
How do u deal with ur sin? How can ur sins be forgiven? Most religions have a simple mechanic for solving that issue.
Well, u could always PAY ur way out by giving a substantial sum of worthless paper...err...I mean money in the name of some good deeds.
Or u could do some self sacrificing labours, like fasting or go for a long holiday...err...I mean ardous journey to atone for ur sins, like go some holy place to dip in water or get pray over...
Or u could always say - Sin? What Sin?
But for Christians, sin is a most terrible thing. So terrible that it requires GOD HIMSELF to come and DIE on my behalf.
O thank God for the Cross!
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14-15)
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions (2 Timothy 4:3)
