Ache is a Four Letter Word

"No matter how much a person has let you down, just keep on loving them to the person you know them to be."

- Jason Mraz (HUGELY paraphrased) 

I had a blast at Jason Mraz's concert last night. I was squashed, sticky and was violated of my personal space in so many ways but it was so AWESOME. I expected the vibe to be different, watching Jason live and he did not disappoint. Even though I have problems hearing through my right ear and may have difficulty speaking without sounding like Marilyn Monrone gone wrong, I wouldn't have it any other way. :3

I decided to reach the venue (Gardens by the Bay!) around 6.30pm thinking that I would beat the crowd. No. It did not happen that way. Close to a hundred (and counting) fans were already stationed right in front of the stage and I was fortunate enough to secure a place that's 5-6 row from the front. Oh, did I mention that it was free standing? That's right. I stood for over 4 freaking hours!!! 

I wish I was taller...or possess longer arms...maybe a camera designed to take awesome clear, crisp close up pictures in dim lighting whilst tip toeing and raising it above your head. ^^

Some patrons might not get the same experience but I suppose it's up to the individual. If you come in with the right attitude and mindset that you want and are going to have fun, you usually do. If you're going to get critical and be all "Oh, the soul of the music wasn't what it used to be." or "The bass could be better." then yeah, talk to the hand.

Kinda reminds me of worshippers on Sunday services. I'm not saying you just take in everything blindly....just don't get too crazy critical and pedantic, that's all. 


But I digress. Here's some photos!!

I spy someone with the longest lens right in front of stage right. While I envy the quality pictures that guy would have gotten, I'd prefer to just be in the moment and enjoy the music.

Blessed to Bless

"Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” 

-The Bible (Matthew 21:12-13)

Truth be told, I've never been a big fan of City Harvest Church. The wealth unsettles me and the whole operation just makes me uncomfortable. I remember one time many years ago I attended their service and the whole worship atmosphere is like one huge sleek concert. Of course it is, there's one huge DISCO BALL hanging in the middle of the congregation for crying out loud.

The opulent decor leaves me cold. I recall vaguely someone saying that this is to show other people the rich blessings God has given the church. Really? Because I thought using the money for, oh I don't know, FEED THE POOR, SPONSOR A <INSERT DISABILITY> CHILD, SUPPORT MISSIONS WORK, would be more effective to show how God has blessed the church. But what do I know?

Pastors and office workers by right don't earn that much. They are not poor people per se, just enough to survive and buy normal things normal people buy. They certainly don't have millions of dollars lying around to finance their spouse's music career (and what a career!). Any person with a brain know something's up.

For me it was never about the legality of their action; It's more about the rightness of how funds have been managed. Just because the members are willing to set up a fund to support the pastor's wife's music career doesn't mean you have to oblige them on it. Geez. It's like saying some members want to start a fund to buy a Lamborghini for the pastor's son because they heard he just got his license and wanted that car and the pastor LET THEM give him one. By the way, I don't buy into the spiel saying the music career is suppose to reach out to the non-christians and is considered missions work. *rolls eyes* Seriously? You don't need me to explain how stupid that explanation is right?

A normal pastor should say, "I'm touched by your generosity but we believe the money should be put in better use in a more tangible way. Like FEEDING THE POOR, SPONSORING A <INSERT DISABILITY> CHILD, SUPPORTING MISSIONS WORK." But NNnnooooo.

I know there are other christians who are taking the stance that we should not judge them so harshly and be loving in our rebuke. 

I agree. 

As long as there is rebuke. 

I don't know if other church leaders ever said anything to Pastor Kong Hee or his team about their concerns. If there are any. Perhaps no one said anything because no one sees anything wrong (not likely) or maybe no one dared to offend and appear nosey (highly likely) or maybe they are guilty of doing the same thing but on a smaller scale (yikes!!!). 

But now that the law is taking action, maybe we as fellow brothers and sisters in christ should be somewhat relieved that something is being done; That at the very least, a level of awareness is brought out to the public. If nothing else, the CHC team should now be more prudent in how they use the tithes and offerings (one can hope). 

My point is, all of us are guilty by not saying anything and doing something about it. How many of us are comfortable with how CHC manage their funds? Yet how many people actually went and have their voices heard? If saying harsh things online is tearing down the body of Christ, not doing anything to stop fellow christians (or false prophets, take your pick) from doing damaging stuff is even worse.

I acknowledge that no church has the authority to tell another church the right and wrong way how to run things. But surely an email from a concern leader to another, offering some feedback is not asking too much? Just so you know, I am painfully aware how apathetic I am about it too. Even as I write this, I endeavour to be more pro-active (and in a nice way). Even if CHC (or any other church) don't heed well meaning concerns, at least we've done our part and the burden of action and accountability lies with them. 

I just hope no one gets too traumatized and reject God because of what men has done.

Music on a Sunday

Paving the Way with Good Intentions

"It's human to lie. Most of the time we can't even be honest with ourselves."

-Rashomon

So during Bible Study group, we are asked to watch a sermon preached by Henri Nouwen, a very popular Dutch catholic priest and a writer of many books. 

And what was supposed to be a simple straight forward topic about what it means to be a beloved of God and what blessings really are, quickly segue into a heated discussion on whether Henri is even a legit preacher. There are a few dubious points that Henri brings up time and time again which seem to contradict the very core of what Christianity is about.


The very basic understanding about the faith is what Jesus Christ has done on the Cross. Because we are sinners and can't free ourselves from the bondage of sin just by our own efforts, we need Jesus to die on the cross for our sake; without him, we can't have eternal life. That self-sacrificial act plays a huge role in why we believe what we believe.
 
The famous line "I am the way, the truth and the life; No one comes to the Father except through me." speaks for itself. There are no room for negotiation. Jesus is the only way.


Henri, however tend to lean towards a more "inclusive" way of thinking. Without getting too theological and dry, Henri in a nutshell appears to merge some ideas on Hinduism, New Age feel (think Jason Mraz) and a dash of the bible to concoct his brand of ideology. He preaches that everyone is chosen by God and that all of us can be saved. Even without going through the "proper" route so to speak. 

So if let's say a tribal leader in Africa does not speak a word of English and has never spoken to a missionary or a minister of some kind, somehow believes in his heart that there is a God, then he is saved. Now that's just crazy talk.


At the risk of sounding like christians are assholes (ok, there are some but again, another post for another time), hear me out. If we are all to subscribe Henri's way of thinking, then essentially the sacrifice that Jesus made is pointless. Freewill is just non-existent. We don't need to choose because we don't have to. It'll be nice if everyone gets to be in heaven but realistically that can't be the case. Statistically, we know it can't be the case.

If you read more about Henri, you'll find that he has a rough life growing up and I suspect that he never possess any nefarious plan to dupe anyone. I think it's his earnest hope that somehow everyone will get to have salvation and his message is nothing but a feel good placebo.


My point is not to lynch Henri. I feel sorry for him. Because he did touch many people's life and one of our member was ministered by his words. But being a preacher and a popular one at that is a double edge sword. With much power, much is expected (Spiderman!) Because of his breakdown and the desperate search for a spiritual balm for his pained soul, he has created his own version of what he wants to believe and made others believe with him. And we know a great lie is always mixed with the truth.


This is merely a cautionary tale. That no matter how much you may idolize a writer, pastor or any religious leader, remember they are only human. You got to be discerning and be careful with what is being taught. Always ask questions, think it over, chew over the words and ask some more.

Giving of Oneself

"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."

-Albert Einstein

Growing up as a young christian has led me to discover a lot of rules that were hard to swallow. Killing isn’t one of them. Neither is theft. There are a couple of so called doctrines that I struggle with, not because I know it’s wrong but I love to do it (Like spending too much time on the internet. I know I should cut down a little, but that’s for another post), rather it’s the fact that I disagree with what seems to be the accepted norm amongst the church goers. It makes me wonder, am I being stubborn, am I trying to find a loophole to avoid "punishment" or is this a classic case of the emperor’s new clothes?

One of the most popular accepted practices among christians are tithing and that's what I have issues with. I remember when I was around 14-15 years old, my pre-believing mum came up to me and said she heard church members are required to give a certain percentage of their salary every month. My first reaction was indignation. That’s a slanderous lie! I was so sure that MY church wouldn’t exercise such a blatant form of extortion from their members. Taking a percentage of our pay? EVERY MONTH? We are not a freaking cult man. Who’s actually stupid enough to obey such a tyrannical command? WHO?

So after I assured my mum that I am not brainwashed by my church and that I’ll get to the bottom of this, I went to Jenny, a church worker in my church. I remember the ranting and the raving; I remember me expecting Jenny to confirm what I thought I knew all along and I can report to my mum that her source is not accurate. But alas...

I remember the “Actually....” look on Jenny’s face before she confirms that there is such a thing call tithing and went on to explain the rationale behind the act. Boy, did I feel stupid. So for the next decade or so, that’s what I did. Or at least I try to. I feel good when I do, I feel guilty when I don’t/can’t. It doesn’t help too when I hear sermons on the importance of tithing or testimonies by other Christians on how God provides even when they still tithe when money was tight.

Let me just put it out there that it’s great that there are people who are able to consistently tithe 10% or even more. It’s also awesome that God provides even more than just the bare minimum (NO, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE PROSPERITY MESSAGE, YOU WON’T FIND IT HERE, SO THERE!) to survive. But I don’t believe that he won’t bless anyone else less if they tithe less than 10% or none at all. I also don’t believe the blessings that these people receive are a direct result of them giving tithing. I believe it’s the act of faith which can come in any shape, size and form, not just in tithing. Oh, and you know, because God loves us so much.

And you know what? Sometimes, I think that act is a little misguided. There. I said it. I have totally lost my way, the blasphemous heathen.

It all started when I considered one of the most popular explanations why we should tithe. “It’s an act of furthering God’s Kingdom”, they said. Well, if that’s the case, do I have to just give my 10% to the church? After all, aren’t we supposed to be the light of the world, love our neighbours and all that? If I’m supposed to give back to God a little of what I have, why should it be the church? Why not a poor family? Or a non-profit organization? While we’re at it, how about sponsoring someone to go for mission trip or a missionary family?

Not that I don’t trust the church to handle all that cash...err...offerings. But if I want to help further the spread of THE Good News, why can’t I do it in a way that I am comfortable with? Heck, if it’s for a cause I’m passionate about, I might throw in another 5% and maybe volunteer.

If the origin of tithing is to further God's Kingdom or to demonstrate an act of faith, then why don't I do something to further God's Kingdom and can't I demonstrate my faith in some other way? The argument that I'm to have faith that the church know what to do with the monetary offering seems weak if you ask me. Or maybe I just lack faith. *shrug*

Look, I know how all this sound. It's crazy radical and threatens the very foundation of what is a very long, traditional christian practice. But guess what? It's not biblical. It's not. 

Read for yourself. (And check out the "Disinformation" bar)

No way am I instigating that we don't give. Not at all. After all, God loves a cheerful giver. But a giver of what? And to whom and for what purpose? If we are chosen and loved by God and are co-heirs to an eternal kingdom, then surely our actions, thoughts and behaviour must stem from a common source, which is God.

Logically speaking then, we can't help but want to give to our fellow men, whether it's in financial support, providing free tuition or just being a shoulder to cry on. I wouldn't need a preacher to tell me what to give and how much. I would just give.

But don't take my word for it. Please do your research, study the scriptures closely and hear what others have to say about the issue. As for me, I honestly believe that we are suppose to give according to how God has blessed us and our ability to give and the leading of the holy spirit.