August 12, 2018

The Shepherd's Corner

[:en]THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

As I write this, many of you are in the church, making final preparation for our brother and sister, Bram’s and Natalie’s wedding. It’s already late into the night but you are still here, fully energized. Some of you came from far away, some came straight from work; and some have been tirelessly working for many days. I cannot thank you enough but more than that, I cannot help but be touched by how much you care. You’ve taken care to a higher level.

As I write this, I cannot help but also remember that right about this time, our sister Heny—and all her siblings—are in the cemetery at the outskirt of Jakarta. They are laying the body of their father, our brother Bun Hua, next to their mother. Even though we are not there with them, we can certainly feel the grief they are feeling.

With Bram and Natalie, we share their joy; with Heny and all her siblings we share their grief. As Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 poignantly reminds us, “There is a time for everything . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance . . . .” God is with us in every season of life. He never backs away from us when we are in pain, and He doesn’t draw closer to us when we’re in joy.

This week is a rather sad week for Santy and me; a minister-friend of ours passed away a few days ago. We knew Linda from the day she entered seminary; we followed her and maintained contact with her years after she left school. We were always encouraged by her exuberance and zest for both life and ministry. Diabetes did not weaken her spirit and kidney failure could not stop her from laughing. She remained constant because of God’s promise, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” He has a good plan.

Pastor Paul[:id]THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

As I write this, many of you are in the church, making final preparation for our brother and sister, Bram’s and Natalie’s wedding. It’s already late into the night but you are still here, fully energized. Some of you came from far away, some came straight from work; and some have been tirelessly working for many days. I cannot thank you enough but more than that, I cannot help but be touched by how much you care. You’ve taken care to a higher level.

As I write this, I cannot help but also remember that right about this time, our sister Heny—and all her siblings—are in the cemetery at the outskirt of Jakarta. They are laying the body of their father, our brother Bun Hua, next to their mother. Even though we are not there with them, we can certainly feel the grief they are feeling.

With Bram and Natalie, we share their joy; with Heny and all her siblings we share their grief. As Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 poignantly reminds us, “There is a time for everything . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance . . . .” God is with us in every season of life. He never backs away from us when we are in pain, and He doesn’t draw closer to us when we’re in joy.

This week is a rather sad week for Santy and me; a minister-friend of ours passed away a few days ago. We knew Linda from the day she entered seminary; we followed her and maintained contact with her years after she left school. We were always encouraged by her exuberance and zest for both life and ministry. Diabetes did not weaken her spirit and kidney failure could not stop her from laughing. She remained constant because of God’s promise, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” He has a good plan.

Pastor Paul[:]

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

The Shepherd's Corner - December 18, 2016
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER On Tuesday we cremated Oom Tek Bien and on Friday, we released his ashes to the Pacific Ocean via Long Beach. We will not see him at church—or anywhere on this side of the heavens—because he is already on the other side of the heavens. Based on John 5:24, we can say [&hel...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - August 21, 2022
In his devotional, Victorious Living, E. Stanley Jones quotes the words of someone who said that in the field of music, “pauses are music in the making.” We know that songs have pauses; we can’t sing from beginning to end without pauses. But pauses are not only for us to take a breath; it is [...
Read More
Shepherd's Corner - November 02, 2014
The other day I stumbled upon an old picture of me and our three little children standing at a beach north of Jakarta, smiling and so happy.  When I was looking at the picture, I was wondering where Santy was.  Suddenly it occurred to me that she was not in the picture because she was […]...
Read More