My son's first prayer

Son: Susu...susu ..susu...

Parent: You just had yours....

Son: "Lord Ci-ces...thank ku...for today...be-less....papa and mama and Cemy....amen..ho-lu-yaaa."

*silent for a while, then he continued*

Son: "Tuhan adalah gembalaku....takkan ko-ko-na-ngan...aku...."

*then..he shouted*

"Minta susu!"

For which the parents were gladly preparing the milk for him :)

Love and better husband

One of my close friend, once responded to my question of what is his vision in life with 'to be a better husband'..

oh how true is his word....he is indeed very wise....one of the wisest among my friends...

love grows in marriage, much different than the way it did during the teenagers' courtship. It takes sacrifice, it filters out bullshit but it brings hard work. It makes you eliminate your angers in daily life, it makes you stop certain hobbies, it makes you spend less time for yourself, those are sounds mundande, but that is part of love too.

I see Jesus as an example. His love was not 'wishy washy'. It was simple, direct, clear then He died on the cross. It was not out of 'storming' emotion, misleading feeling, etc., it was simply out of love, then He died for you and me.

Isn' t that love all about?

So to be a better husband, is to mature our love to our wife.

Benny Hinn and the Divine Marriage

Suzanne Hinn filed the papers in Orange County Superior Court on Feb. 1, citing irreconcilable differences, after more than 30 years of marriage. The papers note the two separated on Jan. 26 and that Hinn has been living in Dana Point, a wealthy coastal community in southern Orange County.

I am in no way judging Hinn at all. I don't have the right neither intention to do so. The story of Hinn, is like, he is 'the chosen one' in Harry Potter, or 'the prophecised ones' like the 4 kids in Narnia, he is like Frodo of Lord of the Rings, he is like the King Arthur with the Excalibur.

I am sure, just like many of us, you were shocked of the news. I remember when I was a very young youth, filled with zeal and fire, his book was my favorite, 'Good Morning Holy Spirit'. And one of my most favorite section is the story about how he got married with Suzanne. It was a divine appointment. And still very fresh in my memory, that story to me was an amazing true story-fairy tale. It was more beautiful than any romance fairy tale story I ever know. Hinn met with a senior pastor, and the pastor had a very beautiful young daughter. They met. God told him that she is "the one". And Hinn asked God, if she is the one, please made her tell him, that she would make a cake for him. And God gave him 'the SIGN'. And they lived happily ever after. It was a perfect story. Really.

Oh..for a young teenager melancholy boy, that piece of story is more than everything. I carried it to my university days, all the way till I grew up. Most of very renown pastors in Indonesia would cite this miraculous story too. I dreamed of this too. That one day good Lord will give me the sign, in a beautiful setting and background just like Hinn's.

I don't care when Ted Haggard had sex with a male prostitute and used drugs. I don't bother that Paul Cain drunk in real alcohol and he was really drunk. Not my concernt that Paula and Randy White got divorced. Just laughed when I heard at the big Bethel Sinode Assembly Meeting, the pastors were exchanging pyhsical fists and abusive words for the fight of the Chairman position. Or when many-many mega church pastors messed up church finances.

But Hinn's story with Suzanne is a true fairy tale I used to keep preciously. It was like a dream. God matchmade you and the princess, you are the chosen one, you are so special. I knew then, I would never get Hinn's status, the way he befriended with God and the way God made special ararangement for him for his soul mate. But that story kept inspiring me, it's like the piece of treasure you'd remember with smile.

All I see now it's like the movie 'UP'. The man found out that all his childhood dreams, his super-idol-role model, his dream hanging waterfall....all are vanity and meaningless.... Or perhaps like a boy who used to adore the Santa Claus, felt so happy when he saw his mom kissing Santa Claus, kept singing that 'I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus'...until he grew up to realise that his mom had an affair with that "bloody santa claus".

God did not give me the sign then. I mean, the sign as I wanted it to be. There may be many signs, but not as I wanted. Or if there were any, I did not accept it, I rejected it. I did not have the beautiful fairy tale background and setting like Hinn had. But, all I know that I love my wife. And I know that love is difficult and not an easy word and should not be taken for granted like a sign of star in the sky.

All I know that love is a verb and choice. I choose to love my wife not because of the sign of stardusts in the sky, or the flowers and butterflies formed a heart-shape dance..... I choose to love my wife, regardless of the setting and background.

All I ask from God is not the sign and the beautiful setting. May His love stays in my heart and enables me to keep loving my wife till the end.....

Wise Words from Elder

Trading appears deceptively easy. When a beginner wins, he feels brilliant and invincible. Then he takes wild risks and loses everything.

Money symbolizes freedom to many people, even though they often do not know what to do with their freedom

Many traders are loners who abandon the certainty of the present and take a leap into the unknown

The unstructured environment of the market makes it is easy to develop fantasies. A successful trader must identify his fantasies and get rid of them.

If their systems worked, why would they sell them?

The market is not your mother. It consists of tough men and women who look for ways to take money away from you instead of pouring milk into your mouth.

When I was growing up in the former Soviet Union, children were taught that Stalin was our great leader. Later we found out what a monster he had been, but while he was alive, most people enjoyed following the leader. He freed them from the need to think for themselves.

Emotional reactions are a luxury that you cannot afford in the markets.

People change when they join crowds. They become more credulous and impulsive, anxiously search for a leader, and react to emotions instead of using their intellect. An individual who becomes involved in a group becomes less capable of thinking for himself.

Markets do not care about your well-being. Successful traders are independent thinkers.

Our society glorifies freedom and free will, but we carry many primitive impulses beneath the thin veneer of civilization. We want to join groups for safety and be led by strong leaders. The greater the uncertainty, the stronger our wish to join and to follow.

Your human nature prepares you to give up your independence under stress

Vertical Limit, Up

Some of the movies that left some 'touch' in my heart are the above mentioned.

I watched Vertical Limit, when I was in my "presumably" lowest point. I said 'presumably' because that's what I felt at that time, and not necessarily right... I was distressed because I made a wrong decision of leaving my comfortable job and pay in a modern country and went back to start a business in my homeland. Lots of personal struggle too. Full of dilemma too because I felt that I was neither here nor there and I did not know what to do, felt nothing but fear. I was so fearful until I was paralyzed. Of course, again, it was just what I felt at that time.

Then I watched Vertical Limit, a story about 2 siblings, a man and woman, of a journey finding their adventure after the accidents when their father passed away. As a mountain climber, their father has sacrificed his life, to save the life of his children, by forcing his son to cut the robe, so that only the father would fell...and died.

The daughter grew up bitter and went all out for this extreme mount climbing, whilst the son grew up bitter and forsook that sport adventure. They were reunited in one event, and in that season, every human being showed their true color. The rich businessman who sponsor the event, if possible would kill everyone, to save himself. Some are willing to help for money. The brother went up in bid to save his sister.

One semi-insane weirdo appeared in the scene. And he repeated the scene of the sibling's father. He cut the robe himself, so again the scene was repeated, the two siblings was saved because of his sacrifice.

When I watched that I could really feel the thrill of life and death and all these were just defined in moments of seconds or minutes. Whatever problem and burden we have, after all will hit the ceiling of 'stop order' called death. And here it is, I watched people, playing with death. I mean I know it's just a movie, and most of movies just portrays the same game of fake death. I know, I know. But I felt that genuine things in that movie - and that weirdo is willing to give his life to save the life of the two youngsters.

I was reminded then, no matter how tough and humiliating my situation is, it is not near the situation at that snowy mountains.

...I will write about Up later...

What kind of church (2)

9. Serving

Church activities are always the center of the church's understanding of serving God, of doing good works, etc. So much so, that it is more important than mercy outside the wall of the churches. Remember the story of the good Samaritans? All the church workers that passed by the poor fellow, got more important things to do, which is their church ministry schedule, than helping that poor beaten up fellow. Some more it would involve some sacrifice of time and money, whereas if they went straight to the church, they would receive honor, respect and money...they will be hailed just like God's angel, bringing the message on God's behalf...but helping that unknown infamous stranger on the street....? Who would appreciate me? If that robbed fellow is Donald Trump...maybe...hmm...

I would teach that serving can be anywhere, not only within the church walls. I dream that my members won't judge the spirituality of others just because they are not active in the church. They may have an elderly person to take care, instead of the time to be involved in church activities. And oh, by the way, I hope members are not racing to serve in the "public display" ministry, becoming singers, worship leaders, musicians for the sake of adrenalin of being admired and adored by people. You think, this is American Church Idol??

I remember once, one of my close friend, who was criticized, rebuked, etc. because he failed to turn up on one of music practice session. Nobody asked and knew that on that moment his wife was bleeding. Hello..???

I know love has become a too cheap word now, but still I dream that there's real love among the members and out to the people.....

10. What kind of building do you want for your church?

This is the hot topic. The church building is often the symbol of the prosperity of that church and the Senior Pastor of that church.

I would say just be pragmatic and realistic. The building is just a place that we use for gathering. Anything that can be used for people to sit down for some hours comfortably will do. I understand the measure of "comfortable" can be relative. Yes, in Singapore city and in Tasikmalaya, a small town in Indonesia, might be different. After all the humidity level is also different. Church building is NOT the place where God dwells, it is just a place for us to sit down together. We are the House of God. Please, Paul has already made it clear to the Athens long long time ago. Don't sell God's name for our comfort, please.

But, please...I remember one pastor was trying to raise fund for buying new church building and kept on mentioning on how God is longing to have a house, as if he was some homeless guy on the street. As we were using hotel's boardroom to worship, he also emphasize that this is displeasing God, as the hotel might be contaminated with some drunk party atmosphere.

I would think just being pragmatic and practical. If my church in some villages, maybe can just use home churches, if in the city follow what is available in that city. Building just built for function. Of course, if there are some members who are artists and want to design the church artistically, as their form of service to God, you're welcome.

What kind of church..

I recently accidentally asked my friend in email, what kind of church - if he has a choice - he wants to build? A church filled with prosperity and miracles teaching, nice building, etc that easily grab 10,000 members - or a church just a few thousands, solid teaching, plus you got a brain cancer...?

By strange "coincidence" I now have families (and friends) of many pastors, from struggling-handful- members church to megachurch. Well, of course, I fully realized even if I start a church, that will surely join the crowd of imperfect -very imperfect - churches.

But, still my minds wondering and wandering....and if I can use my imagination, day dream, if you will....

1. The church will teach strongly on grace, grace and grace. Just like my lecturer in SBC once said, Grace is scandalous. Grace is unfair. I would think our lifetime and the whole mankind history cannot unravel the mystery of grace. That would lead to the implication of there's no double predestination, there's no chosen man or woman to be punished. At the same time, we still shall believe in the paradox, that we are all chosen by grace, and predestined before the world was even formed. Nothing we could do to afford his grace, and nothing we have done could make grace closes the door. And this will reject the teaching of 'we could lose our salvation' plus we have to keep the ticket to heaven by good works..

2. How about money and prosperity? How about Financial Freedom? How about success? Must we or must not we become rich, successful, influential, public figure, etc?

I would teach the church, that God cares for us so much. God loves us so much. I don't want to define what is "care" to each of individual, for everyone has special and unique and existential relationship with God, and so does God has unique, special, detail plan and thought for each of us. Only God knows. I will teach, that bring your cares to God, God may do miracles about your dollars. But not only that, about all personal struggles too, kids, spouses, families, earthquakes, etc.

For a businessman who has not been sleeping well over a one billion business trouble, God may open the door and pass him some billions of dollars. For a 'cabai' sellers on the street, God bless him with a few dollars for the day. Of course, he may do something 'fun' too by turning around a cabai seller to become a bank owner, that is his prerogative right.

But, Jesus is not about money!

The point is, success is defined as how much we are resembled to Christ. Our spirituality cannot be measured whether we are rich, successful in wordly terms, become a public figure, etc. If we are given that portion, then it would become our responsibilities to distribute it to those who are less well. If we are rich in money and we want to take the measure of Christ, dare we to follow His path, the path of giving and sacrifice?

I would also teach that the real financial freedom is found after Peter's example. He got the miracle of fishes, his net was full with fishes, but then he forsook all to follow Jesus. I think, Peter has really achieved the true financial freedom. He is a free man, man!

So, the focus is never on material achievement but on spiritual. I would not be interested in theological discussion of 'Was Jesus rich or poor when he was on the earth?'

3. I want the church to be inclusive. I imagine, that my church members would welcome a prostitute, poor widow, as much as they welcome a rich, religious and influential public figure. I dream that my members would not ever judge anyone, whether someone wears a short skirt, color the hairs, use tattoo, or if someone has backslided, etc.

I remember in a church leader meeting, we discussed about disciplining some members. And we were using the section on which Jesus taught us, to treat the "fallen brother/sister" as tax collectors. So the pastor and other leaders discussed the need to ex-communicate the persons. I was so naive, to raise my hand, and ask how come in my Bible I read it, that the way Jesus treated the tax collectors is, that Jesus ate and fellowship with them and not driving them away.

They looked at me as if I was insane. By the way, the member we were talking about discipline did not do some sort of murder or adultery, it just that she was busy doing other ministry outside the church and that she may have missed out some church meeting....

4. Cultural Mandate

I don't wish our member to judge. Culture is relative and a lot of bible text are contextual to the culture of that age. Yes, I would believe that we are not from the world, and there will some form of world culture that is not good, yet still we cannot judge the people.

It's good to use the latest music trend in youth service, if they like it. And we can have the 'soft&slow' music for the elderlies. You want rock music, rap, blues, jazz? Bring it on, man..for Christ all the glory!! But I don't want we go to the extreme side, that we are purposely making everything like the world, for the sake of filling in the seats and offering bags.

I remember once, when my youth was about to perform in the main service, he wanted to wear the 'trendy glasses and writs bands', and one of the pastor rebuked him. I was just speechless.

Yes, there are many things permissible but if that stumble others, let's not do it. It's just that it will take God's wisdom every minute to guide us what is best for us on that time.

5. Miracle and Healing

I will fully teach all these miracle teaching and ask for the fullest power of God to be released to the members and people. Yet I will not shy away of the difficult things to explain about, why are there people not healed, why are there sufferings and pains. I would still use CS Lewis teaching about pain and Angus' experience in "Faith Like Potatoes" and admit that we don't have all the answers. After all, it is not our task to 'answer' but just to display the glory of God. See also http://bit.ly/b3JoG4

6. Satan and Deliverance

I would free my members from the teaching about generational curse. I will strongly teach the members, that once we are freed by the Son, we are totally free. No curse, no demon possession. If Satan is still at work in some members, that's only the power of deceit. If that person knows that he is actually has already been fully paid, and he has all the authority to kick out the Satan, he shall be free!!!!! Oh, Hallelujah!! Do I believe in the deliverance ministry? Yes, but on the basis, that the Blood of Jesus has cleansed us once and for all!!!

7. Speaking in Tongue

Yes, that's the gift of God. But I will teach them that speak in tongue is just a beginning in speak in Spirit's language. When we are united with the Triune God, the Spirit is so dear and close to us, that makes our life just like His language. Our body movement, our tongue movement becomes the language and the fruit of the Spirit. When you think, the Spirit's mind fills your mind, that's to me is Speaking in Spirit's Language.

8. Tithing and Offering

I will reject the teaching that likes to sell God, like the Chinese Kitchen God. You think, we can bribe him? Tithing and Offering, refers to above points about Money, comes from our resemblance of Christ and that we have achieved financial freedom like Peter.

I will not scare the members with the cliche sermon..."give it to God, oh you cheapskate, you owe God, give it to the church....if not ....there will be army of grasshoppers coming like flood eating your harvests....and God will take away his fences of protection....." ('Cause, we need a bigger and prestigious church, and I need to buy a new BMW....). Well, in Indonesia we have a group of people who like to ask for protection money, they are called 'preman'. And if we don't give them, something will happen to our property. If you think that this is caused by them...well...you know.... so, please don't portray God just like another preman.

No..and no. There's no tithing. No point you do tithing, because you are scared of God and church, yet you abandon your parents and never give them allowance. You feel so righteous and religious because you give money to church's fund but you close eyes to your own parents?? Ho ho ho....

If you are really blessed and want to give 90%, be it, please do so, give to Him! ...it's between you and God...

...i will continue later

The Ca'my Language

My little one has his own unique language, that reminds me of Na'vi language of Avatar. Born into English-Indonesian speaking parents, he struggles to introduce his vocabularies, such as:

E-fe-ten = elephant = gajah

Ko-non = Carry me = Gendong

Do-Kok = Frog = Kodok

Vi-ti = Television = teve

Ah-me = Aeroplane = pesawat terbang

No-no = Forbidden ..well no prize for this :)

Nya-yen = Lion = Singa

Woff = Love = cinta

Ta-fa-fay = Butterfly =Kupu2

Potato in the dry land

Oh..I am confidence that my God will supply me with all I need according to His riches.

The Joy of Fatherhood

I have been following one pastor's twitter. I emphatized with his struggle as he has an international pop star wife who lives in US with their son. That leaves him with limited time with his 4 years old son. He would share in his twitter his joy of fatherhood when he has that limited time to spend with his son, such as sending him to music school in LA or just carrying him asleep.

I think I am very blessed then, as I don't have to part with my little one. I could carry him to sleep, as I watched X-Men last night, I can be irritated as he would bug me as I type this, and many other little things :)

It’s Christmas Day

Saya tidak tahu apakah renungan berikut ini bisa jadi renungan Natal
atau tidak. Yang jelas, dimulai ketika saya mendengar sebuah lagu
‘It’s Christmas Day’ yang dinyanyikan oleh Mandisa dan Michael W
Smith. Saya terpesona mendengar lantunan merdu lagu itu.

Nah, saya tahu siapa Michael W Smith, tapi saya tidak tahu itu
Mandisa. Jadi saya meng-google nama itu dan menemukan keterangan
mengenai penyanyi itu di wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandisa.

Ternyata dia adalah salah seorang finalis American Idol 2006,
hmmm….namun tiba-tiba ada sesuatu yang menarik perhatian saya. Di situ
diceritakan bahwa salah satu juri, Simon Cowell ternyata melecehkannya
karena penampilan fisiknya. Simon Cowell mengeluarkan beberapa
komentar tentang berat badannya sewaktu audisi. Waktu pertama kali
melihat Mandisa, Simon dengan sinis menyindir bahwa sekarang kita
memerlukan panggung yang lebih besar.

Saat Mandisa menemui para juri sesaat sebelum sesi final untuk 24
semi-finalis, dia berkata pada Simon, “Apa yang saya mau katakan
padamu, ya, bahwa engkau menyakiti saya, dan saya menangis saat itu,
dan benar-benar sakit, ya itu benar-benar menyakitkan. Tapi saya ingin
kamu tahu, kalau saya telah mengampuni kamu dan bahwa kamu tidak
memerlukan seseorang untuk minta maaf, untuk mengampuni orang lain.
Saya temukan, bahwa kalau Yesus rela mati supaya semua salahku dapat
diampuni, tentulah saya dapat memberikan kasih karunia ini juga kepada
engkau..”

Mandisa kemudian memenangkan beberapa Grammy dan Dove award dan
menelurkan beberapa album seperti It’s Christmas, Christmas Joy dan
True Beauty dan beberapa singles seperti God Speaking, Voice of a
Savior, dan lain lain.

Pagi ini saya bertemu dengan seorang kawan lama. Dia adalah seorang
mantan CEO salah satu perusahaan asuransi terbesar di Afrika Selatan,
yang kemudian di puncak karirnya memutuskan untuk datang ke Asia
Tenggara dan menjadi misionaris.

Sambil nongkrong di warung kopi, kami berbincang-bincang dan saling
berbagi pergumulan kami masing-masing. Saat saya berbicara tentang
‘kemalangan’ dan ‘ketidak-adilan’ yang baru saya alami di kantor, dia
tiba-tiba dengan semangat bercerita tentang satu kisah dari Afrika
Selatan.

Ketika pemerintahan apartheid di Afrika Selatan baru berakhir, Nelson
Mandela mengeluarkan suatu keputusan, bahwa siapapun yang dulu
melakukan kejahatan, asalkan mau mengaku di pengadilan maka akan
diputus-bebas oleh pengadilan. Nah, seperti yang Anda tahu, Afrika
Selatan adalah tanah berdarah, di mana banyak terjadi peperangan sipil
antara kulit hitam dan kulit putih. Kalau Mandela tidak mengeluarkan
keputusan itu, dapat dibayangkan berapa banyak orang yang harus masuk
penjara dan penjara akan penuh sampai 20-30 tahun ke depan.

Adalah seorang polisi bernama van de Broek mengaku bagaimana dia
menangkap seorang anak muda kulit hitam, memukuli dan menyiksanya,
sebelum kemudian dia membunuhnya. Kemudian karena mereka hendak
berpesta, mereka juga mem-‘barbeque’ anak itu. Delapan tahun kemudian
van de Broek kembali ke rumah anak itu dan menangkap bapaknya,
kemudian di depan istrinya, ibu si anak, Broek mengikat bapak tersebut
dan membakarnya hidup-hidup.

Desmond Tutu, pemenang Nobel perdamaian, mengepalai acara ‘hearing’
tersebut. Dia bertanya kepada wanita yang merupakan ibu si anak itu,
“Apa yang Anda mau dari dia?”

Ruang pengadilan itu menjadi senyap.

Wanita itu minta tiga hal. Yang pertama dia minta supaya van de Broek,
membawanya ke tempat di mana mereka dibakar dan mengumpulkan abu
mereka, supaya mereka bisa dikebumikan secara layak, dan dia ingin
Broek menghadiri acara pemakaman itu. Sang polisi itu mengangguk
setuju.

Lalu dia melanjutkan, “Tuan van de Broek telah mengambil keluarga saya
dari dia, padahal saya masih memiliki banyak kasih untuk dibagikan.
Sebulan dua kali, saya minta dia datang ke ghetto saya dan
menghabiskan sehari bersama saya, supaya saya bisa menjadi ibunya. Dan
saya ingin agar Tuan van de Broek tahu, kalau dia telah diampuni oleh
Tuhan dan bahwa saya telah mengampuni dia juga. Dan saya minta untuk
memeluk dia sekarang, agar dia tahu kalau pengampuan ini nyata….”

Spontan, orang-orang menyanyi lagu Amazing Grace di ruang pengadilan
itu, saat wanita tua itu melangkah ke depan. Tetapi Broek tidak dapat
mendengar lagu itu, dia jatuh pingsan dalam kekagetannya.

Allah juga melangkah ke dalam dunia ini waktu hari Natal. Untuk
memeluk dunia yang gelap dalam pengampunan. Dia datang sebagai bayi
kecil, agar dunia dapat melihat bahwa pengampunan itu nyata…

Feng Shui

I just had an interesting accidental discussion with some of my colleagues. They were discussing my "bad luck". And the cause is clear to them. It's the feng shui.

They told me, as we just moved to a new place, and my new seat is backing the glass window, that's is the symbol of hollowness and some more I am sitting with the light that comes through the window on my rear.

I smile politely, I don't want to argue. Maybe they mean well.

But as for me, I know that it is in God's hand my destiny is. I know that for me personally the drought has attacked, and the land I stand is dry. But I will put my seeds of potato into the soil, what may dry it seem.

This year is gonna be my harvest year filled with God's blessings!

The Christmas I Want

Sepanjang jalan Orchard di Singapura sudah dihiasi lagi dengan megah dan
gemerlap menyambut hari Natal ini. Orang-orang lalu lalang dengan gembira, di
tengah banyak bangunan mall-mall yang baru dan mewah.

Singapura bukan negara Kristen tentunya, dan orang Kristen tentu cuma minoritas.
Tetapi musim Natal disambut dengan gembira oleh banyak orang. Pertama-tama
karena musim liburan. Pada umumnya beban kerja di kantor menurun, holiday-mood,
lah. Orang banyak mengambil cuti, kesibukan menurun, dan siapa tidak suka
melihat hiasan-hiasan Natal yang gemerlap, Sinterklas yang lucu dan pohon Natal
yang indah. Natal, juga mendekati akhir tahun, dan kebanyakan karyawan
menantikan bonus akhir tahun mereka. Dan tentu saja, selalu ada hal yang menarik
hati yang disediakan untuk kita semua. Diskon Natal untuk Christmas fashion
terbaru, menu khusus hari Natal yang menggoda lidah, dan berbagai sale dan
diskon bertebaran.

Jadi siapa yang tidak suka hari Natal?

Benar, memang bagi banyak orang yang berbeban berat, suasana di atas tidak
banyak menolong. Karyawan yang baru dipecat, sulit untuk menghamburkan uang
untuk Christmas shopping. Orang-orang yang sakit, sulit melihat harapan di
tengah mall-mall mewah bertaburan luxury goods.

Namun suasana Natal yang gemerlap itu tentu nyaman untuk sekedar `take a break'
setelah sepanjang tahun penat membanting tulang, bagi banyak orang.

Tapi, kan, Anda mungkin menyanggah, Natal bukan soal itu, ada pesan Natal yang
sesungguhnya karena kedatangan seorang bayi di palungan 2000 tahun yang lalu…

Saya bertanya-tanya, kalau misalnya Anda sedang terjerat dan terjepit dalam
masalah yang sangat berat, lalu mendengar pesan Natal, yang itu-itu lagi, yang
sudah Anda dengar mungkin puluhan kali, akankah pesan Natal itu membawa arti
bagi Saudara?

Kita tahu, sepertinya tidak ada yang mengena di hati kita (lagi), tinggallah
Natal itu soal gemerlap hiasan lampu Natal dan Sinterklas yang lucu…

Teringatlah saya, kejadian 2000 tahun yang lalu itu, adakah hari itu benar-benar
membawa arti dan mengubah hidup banyak orang?

Ya, bagi para gembala, mereka bersuka cita dan membawa berita kesukaan besar
kepada banyak orang. Cerita tentang gembala bertemu bala tentara malaikat tentu
cepat menyebar di kota kecil itu. Tapi, tidak banyak orang "menerima" berita
itu, Alkitab cuma mencatat mereka heran. Titik. Lagipula, kalau semua orang
sekota itu dan daerah itu bertobat, 30 tahun kemudian tentu pelayanan Tuhan
Yesus akan lebih mudah.

Ya, bagi Simeon dan Hana, yang membawa berita sukacita itu di Bait Allah, saat
Yesus berumur 8 hari. Kedua orang ini tentu tidak berbicara bahasa sandi saat
itu, kesaksian mereka nyata, dan Hana adalah seorang nabi yang tinggal di dalam
Bait Allah itu sendiri. Jadi mengapa cuma dua orang di dalam Bait Allah itu yang
melihat `makna' itu dan tidak para ahli Farisi, imam-imam, ahli Taurat, dan
segala macam orang yang datang ke Bait Allah? Kalau mereka menerima Yesus pada
saat itu, tentunya mereka tidak akan mati-matian menentang Yesus, 33 tahun
kemudian…

Ya, bagi orang Majus yang mengarungi jarak yang jauh dan mempersembahkan
barang-barang mereka yang paling berharga. Tetapi tidak bagi penduduk sekitar,
yang bisa dengan mudah datang dengan berjalan kaki.

Mengapa?

Kita tahu bahwa Allah mengasihi kita, kita tahu bahwa Bayi yang datang 2000
tahun yang lalu itu adalah suatu perkara yang besar. Tetapi kenapa berita itu
sekarang tidak lagi mengena di hati kita?

Karena walau kita tahu bahwa Allah mengasihi kita, kita punya kemauan dan
keinginan akan `apa yang kita mau' dari perwujudan kasih itu. Dan apa yang kita
mau, mungkin berbeda dengan bagaimana Allah menyatakan kasihNya...

Orang-orang Yahudi menantikan datangnya Mesias selama beratus-ratus tahun, dan
dalam penindasan dan penghinaan yang berat oleh orang Romawi, tidakkah yang
mereka nantikan seorang Mesias yang perkasa, yang datang dengan Pedang dan Api
yang menyala-nyala, dan memulihkan Kerajaan Israel pada masa itu?

Bagi para orang Farisi dan ahli Taurat, tidakkah mereka berharap, bahwa Mesias
itu akan datang sebagai Imam yang megah, dalam kelebatan efod sorgawi,
diselubungi awan kemuliaan yang menggentarkan semua orang, yang kemudian akan
kemudian mengangkat para imam dan orang Farisi itu sebagai orang-orang penting
untuk menghakimi umat Allah?

Tetapi Bayi itu datang dalam keadaan sederhana, lahir di palungan. Dia menaiki
keledai saat memasuki Kota Raja, Yerusalem. Dia mengajar dan mengecam
kemunafikan para ahli Taurat dan mengajak umat Allah datang langsung kepada Bapa
mereka, dan dengan demikian membuat posisi para imam "terancam". Dia duduk
dengan anak-anak. Dia bercakap-cakap dalam bahasa Aram (ibaratnya Jowo ngoko)
dan bukan bahasa terpelajar Yunani (ibaratnya bahasa Inggris). Dan…ya ampun…dia
bergaul dengan pelacur, dia makan semeja dengan para koruptor…

Jam menunjukkan lewat tengah malam. Hening dan sepi. Lagu Natal melantun sayup
memecah keheningan. Puluhan Natal berlalu sudah.

Saya berdoa, supaya Natal ini, saya dapat melihat kasih Allah sebagaimana kasih
itu yang sejati. Seperti yang hati Allah pesankan. Bukan seperti apa yang saya
mau. Supaya saya tidak kehilangan pesan Natal itu seperti orang-orang Israel
menantikan Mesias dengan pedang, atau seperti para ahli Taurat yang kecewa
melihat kesederhanaan Kristus.

Saya ingin saya dapat melihat dan merasakan kasih itu, bagaimanapun Allah
menyatakan dan mewujudkannya dalam hidup saya.

Mungkin tak seperti yang saya mau. Mungkin tak seperti yang saya harapkan.
Mungkin tak seperti impian liar masa muda saya. Mungkin tak seperti yang akal
praktis saya paksakan. Mungkin tidak seperti yang saya pernah bahkan dapat
bayangkan.

Saya berdoa, agar saya dapat percaya. Dan melihat. Dan mengecap. Kasih Natal itu
yang sejati.

The seeds of potato

I was on my way to work in the train

Still dangling in my mind what I wrote in the blog the night before

As I sat, .. suddenly..

.. yes just suddenly...

I put my seeds of potato into the dry land

And I had a moment of strange warm feeling

Short...a glimpse...but enough to bring the joy and faith

I know nothing changes

I do not need to leap into the dark

But I have changed my mind like Jacob

And one day this shall serve as a testimony

that God has always prepared something better in advance

I feel peace....

..so it comes

so it comes...

you know it, that it's coming

you have been preparing and telling yourself everyday

still you feel a bit tingling

so it comes...

you know that the El Nino is coming

and the drought is felt

I just have to put my seeds of potatoes

against the nature against all hopes

...can I?

when I feel the heat?

when I am burn?

when I see no water?

Faith Like Potatoes

Malam itu saya iseng jalan ke DVD rental shop langganan kami. Tadinya saya ingin pinjem Transformer, tapi ngga ada. Lalu melihat ada Harry Potters, tapi istri saya ngga setuju. Lihat-lihat lagi...tiba-tiba saya melihat ada satu DVD dengan judul yang aneh 'Faith like Potatoes'. Hmm..kelihatannya seperti agak boring, tapi ngga apalah, saya pikir.

Film itu ternyata tidak boring sama sekali, bahkan mengubahkan hidup saya. Film yang diangkat dari kisah nyata, ini berkisah tentang perjalanan Angus Buchan (http://www.shalomtrust.co.za/), seorang petani dari Afrika Selatan.

Luar biasa...

Saya bisa menulis panjang dan panjang, dari film tersebut. Tetapi untuk kali ini, biarlah sedikit saja dulu, yang saya mau tulis.

Seorang petani yang pemarah. Yang merasa beban seluruh dunia sedang ditanggungnya. Baru saja dia dipaksa keluar dari tanah pertanian-nya di Zambia karena perang, dan dengan berbekal sedikit uang, dia mencari kehidupan di Kwa Zulu, Afrika Selatan. Tak ada rumah, hanya karavan butut. Tak ada listrik dan air. Traktor yang dimilikinya dirusak oleh pegawainya. Tiap minggu, ada saja berita di mana petani kulit putih terbunuh. Istrinya sedang hamil 6 bulan, dan 3 anak lainnya masih kecil-kecil.

Jadi bagaimana?

Siang itu, setelah pertengkaran yang panjang soal dasi dengan istrinya, akhirnya dia mau juga duduk di gereja. Dan hari itu menjadi sejarah titik balik dalam hidupnya, ketika ia menyerahkan hidupnya kepada Kristus.

Siang itu juga, damai sejahtera Allah mengubah hidupnya.

Siang itu juga, dia mulai mengabarkan injil kepada orang-orang yang ditemuinya, kepada para pegawai-pegawainya.

Hidup tidak menjadi langsung mudah setelah hari konversi itu. Ladangnya terbakar, dan Angus tahu kalau api sampai melalap ke ladang sebelahnya, dia bisa diseret ke pengadilan. Di tengah keputusasaan-nya, dia mengajak mandornya, Simeon Bhengu untuk berdoa meminta hujan. Simeon cuma berkata dengan bingung bahwa sekarang bukan musim hujan. Jadilah Angus berdoa sendiri.

Satu jam kemudian.

Hujan lebat itu turun dan api itu padam.

Iman Angus pun tumbuh dari hari ke hari. Ladang jagungnya menjadi gereja hijau-nya, tempat dia bercakap-cakap dengan Allah...

Blood Pressure Chart

from http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/medicine/blood-pressure.htm

Melukis Kasih Karunia

Saya belajar melukis. Ya, ngga tahu apakah terlalu telat untuk orang seusia saya? Waktu kecil saya suka menggambar dan mencorat-coret. Entah berapa kali saya dimarahi papa karena menggambari dinding rumah, dan karena lama tidak dicat ulang, corat-coret itu terdampar di sana untuk waktu yang cukup lama. Waktu tambah besar, saya mengerti kalau menggambar itu harus di atas kertas, dan mama saya suka memuji kalau gambar saya bagus.

Saya berhenti melukis waktu kelas 2 SMA kalau tidak salah. Yang saya ingat, guru seni rupa saya mengacung-acungkan lukisan saya di depan kelas dan mengejek-ejeknya serta mempermalukan saya di depan murid-murid.

Sejak itu saya selalu berpikir kalau saya tidak bisa melukis. Saya tidak punya bakat.

Dan waktu pun berlalu.

Sebulan yang lalu saya iseng menemukan kursus melukis di sebuah website. Benar-benar kebetulan, karena saya menemukan link-nya di Google Ads Word di dalam Gmail. Lebih kebetulan lagi, tidak lama setelah itu saya ketemu makan siang dengan kawan saya, seorang Professor di Singapore Management University, setelah lama sekali tak bersua. Ngobrol-ngobrol kanan kiri atas bawah, saya tiba-tiba iseng menyebutkan soal kursus melukis. Singkat cerita dia juga tertarik, dan jadilah kita berdua mendaftar untuk ikut kelas permulaan. It’s acrylic on canvas. Kalau tidak ada temannya, mungkin saya tidak berani mendaftar.

Nah, tulisan ini bukan artikel tentang teknik melukis, ya. Saya cuma tertarik dan terperanjat ketika instruktur kami (seorang seniman impressionist) mengatakan, “Melukis itu tergantung dari bagaimana kamu melihat dan bukan dari keahlian tangan…yang penting itu harus melihat dengan benar, karena kalau kamu melihat dengan benar, niscaya tangan akan mengikuti…”

Saya jadi melihat analoginya dalam hidup. Kalau kita melihat dengan benar, maka tangan kita akan melukis dengan baik pula. Kalau apa yang kita percayai benar, maka hidup kita akan benar pula. If we’re believing right, then we will live right.

Kalau saja kita tahu, melihat dan mengecap betapa dahsyat dan tak berkesudahan dan tanpa pamrih, kasih karunia Tuhan, hidup kita akan diliputi dengan kekuatan ajaib untuk hidup benar. Mana yang akan membuat kita hidup benar? Apakah aturan-aturan agamawi dan hukum-hukum serta ketakutan akan api neraka? Ataukah kelimpahan kasih karunia, pengampunan tak berkesudahan, kebaikan tanpa pamrih yang akan mendorong kita hidup benar?

Penghakiman dan hukum penuh dengan tuduhan dan daftar kesalahan. Seperti guru seni rupa saya di atas, ketika dia mengacung-acungkan “keburukan” lukisan saya. Demikian juga, dalam hidup, selalu ada oknum yang tak hentinya menuduh kita, mendakwa kita, mencap kita “tidak layak” dan mengacung-acungkannya di depan pikiran kita.
Tapi, lihatlah.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, kata surat Roma 8:1. Ngga ada lagi penghukuman, kita udah bebas. Kita hidup dalam kasih karunia. Kita hidup karena kita melihat dan mengalami dan hidup di dalam Roh dan berbuah. Ngga ada hukum yang bisa menentang itu, kata Galatia 5: 23.

Kalau kamu melihat dengan benar, tanganmu akan mengikuti…..

Kalau kita dapat melihat dan merasakan dan mengalami betapa besar kasih karunia Allah, maka kaki dan tangan kita akan mengikuti….

*****
Singapura, Oktober 2009
Dedicated to my dearest wife, RP.
Thanks too to GT (SMU) & CK (myartspace).

God, Prosperity and Reality

I had an interesting encounter recently, that more or less giving me some answer to a neverending question I have, in regard to mega church, prosperity theology and reality.

I attend a few mega churches and as commonly they are, they encourage the building of wealth as God's will. If you ask me, I think they are men of God (at least those that I attend or know), they are God's chosen servant notwithstanding the fact that it does not mean that ALL their teaching is correct. Neither does it mean, that all they say, behave, or their church policy is all accurate. I think they all are possible making mistake both in their teaching and thought.

Sounds like contradicting? Well, I think we all now see the blur reflection on the mirror, till the day we'll see God face to face. That day, we'll understand him fully, not as now.

Now, coming back to this prosperity problem, I always have problems. Some are just logical dilemmas. For example:

• If you teach that God wants the best property for us, i.e finding house for us. Mind you, the preacher spesifically said, the best in town for us. This lead to a mathematical problem, because the best is only one, and there are more than one Christian in town
• Mathematically, you can't have all members to be rich persons. And economically, some professions can't compete with others. For example, being a teacher or a maid, would make it incomparable to compete with a Wall Street analyst or bankers. So, how would a member who coincidentally is a taxi driver feel about the teaching?
• Case studies in pulpit are always about the 'absolute' rich people. The preacher would proudly announce how he knows this and that rich Indonesian businessmen, of the replica house like White house, etc. I understand marketing and packaging. The moment you share a story about a maid. that she feels so financially blessed, because today she could earn additional $10, would just really piss off most the attendees.
• Biblically, they love to quote all examples of rich people and forgetting the case that Jesus himself, Paul, etc were not typical Warren Buffet of the day.
• Just take a quick surveys..most of the richest in town or country, they are not Christian. Forbes would agree with me.

I had a long day and in the middle of tense anxiety. Very tense. And very worried. That night I took a cab. I chatted with the taxi driver, whose name and race is not really typical in Singapore. 80% of my experience listening to taxi driver is that they always complain and bicker about their job and the hard life they go through. So now I started with this topic.

He shared with me, that he drives cab after being retrenched from his company after the Asian Financial Crisis. He shared how his skill is useless, because he doesn't have paper. I shared with him too, that's life in Singapore is tough, bla bla bla..that I might think to go back to my homeland, bla bla bla, at least I could start a business, bla bla. He agreed with me, that starting a business in Singapore is tough.

So suddenly I saw that piece of cross made of paper hanging in front. Casually I asked if he goes to church. He replied yes, and yeah...he goes to one of the biggest mega church in town, which I attend too. So, we chatted more openly.

So he started to share, how intially he was reluctant to drive after being retrenched, till he surrendered to God, and how God has miraculously been taking care of him. He doesn't drive every Sunday, that is a loss of $480 of taxi rental, yet he is still able to give tithing in between $400-450 per month. One day his son decided that he wanted to go to university, he did not have any money, he trusted God. Thereafter the problem was solved, as his son got a loan from the bank. He shared with me the little things God help him daily, like the fact that he got me as passenger, as it is the same way he was going home.

He was full of energy of excitement when he shared this. "Just rest...don't need to do anything to be blessed by God.." shared he enthusiastically. "God will provide..." Of course, what he meant not just sleeping at home. "And for you, if you want to be here, you don't worry, 'cause God will provide..."

I asked a rethorical question if he felt bitter because he drives taxi now, as oppose he used to work in office. The answer is clear of course...he sees this as his life calling....

The taxi reached my place. He smiled at me, when I paid. Inside the dark cab, I had a strange sight, perhaps just my eyes. I saw as if his face was celestially glowing in the dark.

I kept on thinking about it that night and talked about it with my wife. I never hear in those mega churches, how they would be proud of God's way to bless the realtively-not-rich people financially. It is awkward if they share in their spectacular pulpit, stories about taxi driver or maid or teacher in the context of prosperity theology. Because their concept about prosperity and/or financial is absolute. A dollar is significantly different with a million dollars. Or even they do not really think it is absolute, they cannot share the story of the little ones.

I somehow see from different perspective from now on. I see how God's invisible hand work miraculously in interpreting the pulpit's message to all His little lambs. God has His way, he knows what's happening and know what to do. The little ones, by God's grace, will see the light himself, and find the ways as God opens them.

I believe wholeheartedly that God blesses us in every way as He pleases. That includes money. But the metrics for that does not follow man's principle. God knows what is best for us. It might be a CEO post in Lehman or any Wall Street, it might be a five digits salary in USD, it could be that he blesses us while we drive taxi, yet He will make us lifted.

I know, were I be the one became taxi driver, I would feel bitter to God and would see it as a failure. And maybe the mega church pulpit would think the same too. But really, God cannot be packaged into our own formula.

I would think that God was a failure when Jacob had to migrate to Egypt to escape the famine. I mean...He is Almighty...and if I were the prosperity teacher then, I would teach that, in Jacob's land, there should be miracle, that their crops will yield harvest, even though the lands next to them were all destroyed. But He is not. The Bible said, that that was God's way. He prepared Joseph long way back to prepare this sophisticated salvage mission. I might think otherwise, that God should just make some miracle and open the heaven's gate, what is so difficult?

But that's not His way. And Jacob, old age, before Pharaoh said, "The years of my sojourning are 130—a short and hard life and not nearly as long as my ancestors were given."

Jacob, the man who cheated his brother in the chase of prosperity finally found the real prosperity.

always be nice

i have learned some lessons throughout the recent titanic episode. it's quite sad perhaps, that i think the lesson is a basic one.

always be nice to everyone.
you never know, who will stretch their hands to reach you when the titanic starts to sink. one touched my hand and told me 'relax, God is watching us' despite i had numerous fights with the person. the other one said 'don't let them look down on you, you have to know that you are good..' despite i ever had hours on the phone quarelling. one just came into my room said nothing..but 'how are you' with the face expressing deep sympathy. one sent sms-es from outside, despite we were not that close when we were on the same ship, 'things happen for a reason, keep faith in god'. the funny thing, i don't even know what religion those people are who mentioned god, yet it was just so nice.

use brain and be rationale all the time (this one i got it from my seefoo).
the persons that i have tried to be over-nice, were the ones that then put the darts on my back. the fact that i was hurt, because perhaps i was not sincere then, i was nice to them to get their support during my reign time. lesson, don't need to overdo it...

so, in future, just be nice to everyone in sincerity.