February 22, 2015

The Shepherd's Corner

THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

Despite the turbulent flight we made it home Friday evening. Santy and I are happy to be among you again and we want to say, thank you, for keeping us in your prayers. By the grace of God, He has blessed our time and ministry in Indonesia. Particularly we count it as a special blessing to be able to spend the whole month with our son, who took time off from Solo to be with us in Malang. Last but not least we also want to take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year. May the Good Lord always keep you in His Loving Arms!THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

Despite the turbulent flight we made it home Friday evening. Santy and I are happy to be among you again and we want to say, thank you, for keeping us in your prayers. By the grace of God, He has blessed our time and ministry in Indonesia. Particularly we count it as a special blessing to be able to spend the whole month with our son, who took time off from Solo to be with us in Malang. Last but not least we also want to take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year. May the Good Lord always keep you in His Loving Arms!

In 1991 when we first went back to Indonesia, my generation was the youngest faculty members at the Bible College where I teach. Today my generation—the close to 60s—is the oldest. My predecessors—who were in their 50s then—are now in their 70s. A week before I arrived in Malang, one of them, David Iman Santoso, the brother in-law of our beloved Cie Giok Wang, passed away.

I first met him in Los Angeles in 1980s while he was studying at Fuller Seminary. When I visited Malang in 1990 before our eventual move to settle there, I met him again at the Bible College. He graciously invited me in to have tea at his home on campus. Knowing that I was in the midst of seeking the Lord’s will in regards to future ministry, he then shared with me a verse from the Bible. It was Colossians 3:15, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”

Pastor David explained to me that the word “rule” came from the word for referee, who officiates at a game of sport. A referee will closely watch the game and make decision as to who wins or loses. So, let the peace of Christ be the referee in your heart. Let the peace of Christ decide where you go, Pastor David advised me. Sound and godly advice! Thank you, Pastor David.

Pastor Paul

In 1991 when we first went back to Indonesia, my generation was the youngest faculty members at the Bible College where I teach. Today my generation—the close to 60s—is the oldest. My predecessors—who were in their 50s then—are now in their 70s. A week before I arrived in Malang, one of them, David Iman Santoso, the brother in-law of our beloved Cie Giok Wang, passed away.

I first met him in Los Angeles in 1980s while he was studying at Fuller Seminary. When I visited Malang in 1990 before our eventual move to settle there, I met him again at the Bible College. He graciously invited me in to have tea at his home on campus. Knowing that I was in the midst of seeking the Lord’s will in regards to future ministry, he then shared with me a verse from the Bible. It was Colossians 3:15, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”

Pastor David explained to me that the word “rule” came from the word for referee, who officiates at a game of sport. A referee will closely watch the game and make decision as to who wins or loses. So, let the peace of Christ be the referee in your heart. Let the peace of Christ decide where you go, Pastor David advised me. Sound and godly advice! Thank you, Pastor David.

Pastor Paul

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

The Shepherd's Corner - January 29, 2023
We don’t always understand God.  What I mean by that is that we don’t always understand His plan and the way He works or carries out His plan.  I remember talking to a man who was struggling spiritually.  He was full of anger and bitterness and on the brink of giving up.  In ...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - October 29, 2017
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER Before I left for Indonesia, I talked to Oom Djaja over the phone; he told me he was feeling better....
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - April 10, 2022
Today is Palm Sunday.  In John 12:12-15 we can read the account of Jesus’ entrance to Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, and being greeted with an honorific and loud welcome, “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the King of Israel!” The residents o...
Read More