Obi-Wan Kenobi and Easter

For those who read the Sunday Time's comics religiously (like I do), you'd have come across the Foxtrot comic strip. For those who didn't manage to read it, click here.

Chuckling at the strip and humourous as it was, it kinda reminded me of the urgent need for good, faithful, straightforward Bible teaching. This is a comic strip no doubt, but may our answers to those who ask us questions never be "The Bible came first" :p

"[4]Pray that I may proclaim it (the gospel) clearly, as I should. [5]Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. [6]Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Col 4:4-6[NIV]

Also, its sad to some extent that Jason knows more about Obi-Wan Kenobi & Star Wars (I'm a fan myself) than the gospel. Exaggerated as it may seem, I personally think that there's its pretty true. Borrowing some terminology from John D.Woodbridge, there are many cultural Christians today and a lot fewer authentic Christians. Jesus himself warned about them in Matthew...

"[21]Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22]On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' [23]And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'

Matt 7:21-23 [ESV]

I've taken a seemingly grave tone from a mere comic strip but I assure you, I'm not condemning Foxtrot or comics as a whole. In fact, I think comics are an excellant way to destress and to take a step back to laugh at yourself and the world. :)

Rather, may we never be ignorant about the state of our world and rest on our laurels thinking that all is fine and dandy. May we understand that time is indeed of the essence and every oppurtunity that is given to us to share the gospel is indeed a gift and a blessing

Lastly, may we be prepared and equipped to even use Obi-Wan Kenobi as a launching pad to share the gospel

May the Force be with you

Via Dolorosa

Via Dolorosa

Down the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day

The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street

But the crowd pressed in to see

The Man condemned to die on Calvary

He was bleeding from a beating, there were stripes upon His back

And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head

And He bore with every step

The scorn of those who cried out for His death

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering

Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King,

But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me.

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way...

to Calvary.

The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men

Made its way to the heart of Jerusalem.

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering

Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King

But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way...

to Calvary.

Visit this site, it has the actual song in audio and a wonderful flash presentation...
http://www.andiesisle.com/viadolorosa-highspeed.html

What does it all mean?

Havn't blogged in a long while... while one reason's cos my com's been giving me immense trouble (continuous trouble for 2 whole weeks--I was tempted to buy a new laptop at IT show but decided to save the$) the main reason is cos I wonder what to blog about.

From the start, I wanted this blog to be a blessing. A place where I can share with others what God has taught me and the lessons I've learnt. And frankly, it seems that the past few weeks have been nothing but depressing.

Its not physicaly depressing. Nope, God has blessed me with enough in that aspect. Rather, I'm kinda down mentally and spiritually. After preaching, I realised that its really, really hard work. I now respect and admire those who do it week in and week out. After just one time, I feel exhausted at all the reading I had to do, all the preparation.

But the worst thing about everything is that... why does everything seem so academic? What has happened to the joy that I had when serving? When reading the Bible meant so much? When the Holy Communion was really a time I spent praying and thanking God with all my heart for what He has done for me. Why does it seem that the more head knowledge I obtain, the less I feel for my ministry. I mean, when I plow through the Bible, read commentaries, etc I feel glad that I'm able to share what I've learnt and read up with everyone else... but why is it that I don't feel joyful at what I'm learning? Is everything that I've learnt just head knowledge? Have I become so critical and cynical at things around me that my heart has turned cold?

But yet, that can't be cos I still feel and experience the different poles of emotions. Great sadness and joy fill my heart over many areas in my life. Though they all seem to lead back to the same road... but I won't dwell on that now. When ministry comes into the picture, it becomes academic and worst of all, I have become critical about everything. Why?? Why??

I really don't know. And though I know, in theory, that this is what the Lord wants me to go through, it doesn't feel that way. Too many negative thoughts, reactions and emotions seem to have clouded the way I see, think and feel.

The question that haunts me now is this: What does the gospel mean to me? I mean really... I don't want the gospel to merely be just a bunch of verses. The gospel should be so much a part f my life that I want to spend my life proclaiming this good news. The gospel should be so intertwined with my human nature and actions that every minute where I'm still breathing, my heart yells "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!" But no... I have to say that it's not. It's something that I'm obliged to do... not something I'm compelled and hyped up to do.

The Cross... The Resurrection... this redemption plan... what does it all mean to me?

And why do I feel so lonely?

I've got some major thinking to do...

My first experience at preaching

After a 2-week preparation, I gave my first sermon on Heb 1:1-3 yesterday during the youth service. Upon reflection, I do realise that my sermons leave a lot to be desired. However, I think I did OK. OK in the sense that I know that I was faithful to the gospel, preaching it faithfully, plainly and clearly :) However, what I would need to improve is to come up with more and better illustrations and examples to make my points :)

Really wanna thank God for all the things He has taught me from His Word as I read up on Hebrews :) Hallelujah!


P.S. for the youth who are reading, I would really appreciate the feedback ;) thanks!