Eking out a Living

Ting Ting Stall along Jonkers Street Melaka

'Those go out weeping, carrying seeds to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying their sheaves with them.' Psalm 126:6

7 Jul 2007, Pat and I were walking along Jonker’s Street, Melaka. We chanced upon a family of six. The parents were setting up a stall, which was no more than a simple 3-legged wooden stand supporting a cylindrical container about 30 inches in diameter and 5 inches high. Seated on a stool each, they began selling hardened maltose flakes that we used to call ting-ting sweets. The name is derived from the sound of hammer and chisel the hawker makes as he breaks off bits of hardened maltose in the cylindrical receptacle. The children are about ages 7, 6, 3 with the youngest, an infant. 

I was impressed at how the children were able to fend for themselves. The older daughter probably 6 years old carried her baby brother in her arms so securely and comfortably as any adult would. These children could have been playing computer games or watching cartoons on TV on a Saturday night. Instead they were with their parents at a 'pasar malam' along Jonker's Street in Melaka on a Saturday night. Probably the parents wanted every chance to earn an honest living, even if it is meager and the kids must come along in tow.

'Hawkers' uploaded by simalem

That's life but an honest day's living nonetheless. Many people in Malaysia and Singapore try to make an extra dollar working hard setting up make-shift stalls to sell their wares at night. This is called the Pasar Malam. There is a lesson to be learnt here about honest industry as a means to get out of the poverty cycle. 

People who are born to poor families are often trapped. Poor nutrition, poor education, poor work habits, and poor family relationships can easily condemn an individual to perpetual poverty. But those who make their way out, do so by grit and hard work, seizing every opportunity to earn a living. 

St Paul told the church in Colossae,

'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. It is the Lord Jesus Christ you are serving.' Colossians 3:23 and 24b

He advised the young Timothy, his disciple,

'It is the hard working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops' 2 Timothy 2:6

Working hard was one of the themes of Paul's advice to the early Christians on practical living

'Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so your will not be dependent on anybody.' 1 Thessalonians 4:10b - 12

The apostle spoke strongly against idleness,

'For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor do we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat." 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10

The founder of the Methodist church John Wesley took this advice on practical Christian living very seriously. Wesley preached “Gain all you can. Gain all you can by honest industry. Use all possible diligence in your calling. Lose no time. Every business will afford some employment sufficient for every day and every hour. That wherein you are placed, if you follow it in earnest, will leave you no leisure for silly, unprofitable diversions. You have always something better to do, something that will profit you, more or less. And "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

Not only were the hawker parents at Jonker Street working hard, but by having their four children accompany them, they are imparting to the children a lesson on honest industry. Perhaps these children will seize the opportunities that come their way, opportunities, the parents never had or missed, e.g. a good education. Then they will be able get a better break, a better start. 

Hard work whether secular or spiritual will be blessed and rewarded by God. There is a song, 'Bringing in the Sheaves', that celebrated this fact.

'Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seeds to sow, will return with songs of joy, bringing sheaves with them.' Psalm 126:5-6

1. Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
   Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
   Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
   We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
   • Refrain:
     Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
     We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;
     Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
     We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
2. Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
   Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
   By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
   We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
3. Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
   Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
   When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,
   We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

As I sat there watching this family in their current struggle, I knew that the example the parents were setting will help this family. Eventually, they will be set free from their current poverty not by the charity of others but by the industry of their own hands.

Lionel

Updated 1st published 20 Jul 2007

Being Holy

Norwegian Skies

 

'Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. For it is written: "Be Holy, because I am Holy.' 1 Peter 1:15-16 

1 Peter 1:13-25 calls for lives of holiness and attention to righteous living. Expounding on this theme of holiness, Rev Peace Choi in a sermon on the 28 Aug 2022 made two comments:

• A Holy Life is a Thoughtful Life. Our mind matters. St Peter urged Christians to stay alert and fully sober. 

'Therefore, with minds that are alert and sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming.' 1 Peter 1:13

St Paul wrote us that as Christians, our minds are renewed

'Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you be able to test and approve God's will - His good and perfect will.' Romans 2:12

We are to be enabled by the Spirit, spurred on by scripture, transformed in our minds. We are to integrate our beliefs with our lives.

• A Holy Life is an Obedient Life.  Our lives matters. Obedience cannot be partial, our obedience will be the test of our genuineness. 

'The proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.' 1 Peter 1:7 

 'Now that that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love each other deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.' 1 Peter 1:22-23

The Hebrew word translated to holiness, qadowsh literally means to cut. That is to say that to be holy means be stand out, to separate and be distinctive.

But how do we live holy lives? Before Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, He ushered the Holy Spirit into our lives. The Holy Spirit will enable us to become holy. 

'And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate (comforter in the KJV) to help you and be with you for ever - the Spirit of Truth' John 14:15

'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.' Acts 1:8 

There are serious divergence amongst Christians as to what this power really means. Some understand this to mean the ability to work miracles by which actions many will be led to Christ. Others, countermanded such spectacular displays and prefer to become silent, gentle witness. I believe that this power is the enablement to live holy lives; lives so well respected and uplifting that many will be inspired. This empowerment by the Holy Spirit enables us to become good ambassadors for Christ.

Max Lucado wrote, "I now call the Holy Spirit our heaven-sent helper. He is the ally of the saint. He is our champion, our advocate, our guide. He comforts and directs us. He indwells, transform and sustain."

Empower Me should be the cry of every Christian, not so much to act powerfully but live holy lives as God is holy.

  

Nobody knows how weak I am, better than you;

Nobody sees all of my needs, better than you.

And nobody has the power to change me,

From what I was born to be.

Jesus be strong in my weakness, empower me!

Empower me, like a rushing river flowing to the sea.

 Lord, send your holy spirit flowing now through me.

Till I’m living as your child,

Victorious and free, send the power of your love,

Empower me.

Nobody’s eyes see through my soul,

Better than yours;

Nobody’s love can make me whole,

No one but yours.

And nobody has the power to lift me,

To reach for eternity.

Jesus break through all my defenses, empower me.

Empower me, like a rushing river flowing to the sea.

 Lord, send your holy spirit flowing now through me.

Till I’m living as your child,

Victorious and free, send the power of your love,

Empower me.

O Lord, send Your Holy Spirit flowing now through me!

Lionel

The Good Ruler

'Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will shelter them in His presence.' Revelations 7:15

On 8 Sep 2022, Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom's longest serving monarch,  died peacefully at the age of 96 years. She was a well-loved queen. There is a continuing outpouring of messages of grief as well as of praise from all over the world. The people of the United Kingdom and many citizens of the world respected her for her strong sense of duty and dedication, an anchor of stability in a world that is marked with  phenomenal changes during the 70 years of her reign.

The success of her reign in the turmoil of politics and power play of the modern world is in no small part due to her belief in God and recognition that there is a higher throne above hers. Throughout her reign and in the many speeches she gave she never fought shy of expressing her faith. She put her trust in God.

"For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, He stretched out His hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ's example has taught me to seek, to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none." 

"Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive... It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord."

"I have been – and remain – very grateful to you for your prayers and to God for His steadfast love. I have indeed seen His faithfulness."

This great lady now stands before the throne of God alongside her loved ones who have gone before her and the many more men and women of faith.

There is a hymn, popular in the churches of the UK, 'Before the throne of God Above.' It was written by Charitie Lees Smith (1841-1923) and first published in The Praise of Jesus (London: James Nisbet, 1863)

Before the throne of God above

I have a strong and perfect plea

A great High Priest, whose name is Love

Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is graven on His hands

My name is written on His heart

I know that while in heaven He stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart

No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within

Upward I look, and see Him there

who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free

For God the just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me

To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb

My perfect spotless righteousness

The great unchangeable I am

The King of glory and of grace!

Like St Paul, Queen Elizabeth was humble enough to recognise in Jesus Christ, a greater king and may we all too.

'This saying is reliable and deserves full acceptance: "Christ came to the world to save all sinners" - and I'm the biggest sinner of all. But this is why I was shown mercy so that Christ Jesus could show His endless patience to me first of all. So I'm an example for all who are going to believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King of all ages, to the immortal and invisible, and only God, may honour nd glory be given Him forever and always! Amen' 1 Timothy 1:15-17

Lionel

The Way of Suffering

Via Dolorosa

'He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain' Isaiah 53:3

There is a street in Jerusalem upon which I have walked about seven times in my life. It is an alley way lined by small shops on both sides where the Arab merchants sell their merchandise of copper and silver ware, decorated pottery, carpets and souvenirs. Meandering upwards of, a now imperceptible, low hill, this street led to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher – Calvary. Someone else walked that street, nearly 2000 years ago. 

It was not an easy or pleasant 'sight-seeing' walk. This street, then, was the last walk for a prisoner condemned to die and on his way to the gallows. Jesus, having endured torture, carried the cross and trudged up this hill, with difficult, painful and stumbling steps. On both sides of his path, the multitudes, many of whom were pilgrims celebrating the Jewish passover, scorned, mocked and derided him. 

The street is called the Via Dolorosa, the way of suffering. Pilgrims can walk the 14 stations of the cross beginning from the flogging of Christ into the streets to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Down the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day

The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street

But the crowd pressed in to see

The man condemned to die on Calvary

He was bleeding from a beating, there were stripes upon His back

And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head

And He bore with every step

The scorn of those who cried out for His death

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering

Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King

But He chose to walk that road out of

His love for you and me

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary

The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men

Made its way to the heart of Jerusalem

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering

Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King

But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary

On Sunday 4 Sep 2022, several members from Charis Methodist Church journeyed to Oberammergau to watch the Passion Play. About 400 years ago, the residents of this small Bavarian village prayed for God to spare them further losses from the Black Death. With prayer, the town witnessed the last of the plague's victims. They vowed to perform a play of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ every 10 years since.

Legend has it that ever since 1634, when the villagers of Oberammergau first performed their passion play, no more epidemic hit the village. However they could not escape Covid-19. Like so many places on earth, Oberammergau experienced several deaths forcing the village to postpone the event until 2022. 

We were able to relive the experience and sense of the suffering of Jesus Christ in His last few hours on earth. Then we celebrated the resurrection of Christ along with many others. 

Charis Methodist Church at Oberammergau

This experience of Jesus, tortured, scorned and derided, is a hallmark in the history of Christianity. Christianity began in pain. For several centuries afterwards, the early Christians, endured the same risk Jesus endured whenever they professed their faith. 

With the passing of time, Christianity became an internationally accepted faith; persecution stopped and Christians began to enjoy the bountiful blessings of God. Christians now enjoy acceptance, security, peace and well being. 

We become surprised and disoriented when we face a different experience. But pain and suffering can become a cross that some Christians will experience. When this happens it is easy to blame God. We live with the presumption this could not happen to us. 

How can a good God, who bestows goodness, allow this to happen? Woody Allen was purported to have said, “How do you expect me to believe in God, when only last week I got my tongue caught in the roller of my electric type-writer?” We do not have to respond with Woody-Allenian smugness. There are many fine examples of people who have endured suffering and come out more mature; their responses more elegant and erudite. The Via Dolorosa is a poignant reminder, etched upon the pages of history, of the suffering of Jesus Christ and that pain can and will happen to Christians.

Thomas Dorsey's "Precious Lord" presents itself to us a song of hope and faith. People around the world know it, sing it, and love it because of its profound message. 

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Few know the song was inspired by a horrific tragedy in the life of its composer. In August of 1932, Dorsey was scheduled to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting in St. Louis. At the time his wife, Nettie was pregnant with their first child. He kissed her goodbye and made his way to St. Louis for the revival meeting. The next night, as soon as he finished playing, he received a telegram and pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: 'Your wife just died.' Nettie had given birth to a boy but later the baby died. In the midst of despair, a friend visited Dorsey and arranged for him to be left alone in a music room with a piano. For the first time in many days, he sat at a piano using his fingers to browse the keys. Soon, the young artist experienced a personal revival, "I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, one I'd never heard or played before, and words for "Precious Lord" came into my head—they just seemed to fall into place." 

'Weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning.' Psalms 30:5 

Lionel 

Updated 1st Published 22 Feb 2008