One of the most unpopular ministries is the ministry of listening; far more popular is the ministry of speaking, isn’t it?  We don’t usually get praised for listening, do we?  We get recognition for speaking.  One day Henri Nouwen drove through Los Angeles and saw so many billboar...

One of the men that God has used mightily is John Wesley, who along with his brother, Charles, started a movement that became the Methodist Church.  While John was known to be a prolific preacher, Charles was known to be a prolific hymn writer.  Some of his hymns have become the church’s...

A long time ago, when I was still actively involved in giving family seminars, from time to time I got questions from participants about the role of wife and mother, whether wife and mother should be full-time homemakers.  You can perhaps guess that it’s the women who asked this question, and...

In their book, They Call Me Pastor, seasoned pastors, H. B. London, Jr and Neil B. Wiseman share their observation that at some points, every church ministry experiences “obstacles.”  Be that as it may, “Turning obstacles into opportunities, with God’s help, is something Christians do w...

Last Monday, Our Lord Jesus came and took Pei Pei home. She was the niece of our sisters Jenny, Enge, and Citra; so, she was one of Tante Lydia’s grandchildren.  Most of you did not know her because she did not come to church regularly.  From the very first time I met her, she was [&hell...

If God’s willing, we will have our Thanksgiving Retreat again.  The topic that I have prayerfully prepared is “I am but a pilgrim,” taken from Psalm 119:19. The messages will center on preparation for the day of our departure.  We’re pilgrims, we’re walking home; so, let’s be p...

For months we prayed for Oom Gie Vong and for months God heard our prayers by restoring him to relatively good health until three weeks ago.  Due to difficulty breathing, he was taken to the hospital where he remained till Jesus Our Lord came and took him home on Friday, August 21.  Surrou...

Men propose, God disposes.  At the end of the day, we can only make plans and try to realize them; there is no guarantee! Hence, the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, the second century Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, that says, “What any man can do, you can do” is not always true.  Ther...

I have learned a lot from you who must weather the storms of life.  I marvel at you for being strong in the face of adversity and for not giving up.  I honor you for not only surviving but also thriving, for not letting life’s hardship bog you down. Week after week you still come [&helli...

The Bible tells us that it was in Antioch, now located in the southern part of Turkey bordering with Syria, that the disciples of Jesus were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26), followers of Christ. It was not a name chosen by the disciples but rather a name given by others. Jesus did not sta...