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How do Christians understand the functions of sacraments?

Pat Lam — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:13:49 +0000

To understand how Christians develop their understanding of the functions of Sacraments, this essay will first look at the definition for Sacraments, different Christians’ understanding of what they comprise, and then progress to examine how Christians throughout history understand their significance with regards to Christ.

Augustine explained that “Signs are called sacramentswhen they have reference to divine things”[1], which Kelly expanded by stating that the Churchs sacraments are those external rites, more precisely signs, which Christians believe convey, by Christs appointment, an unseen sanctifying grace[2]. Augustine stressed that The sacrament itselfis one thing, and the power (virtus) of the sacrament another.[3] Their numbers has been reckoned differently at different times, partly due to the vagueness which still attached to the term sacramentum. In 1562, the Anglican Articles of Religion define Sacraments ordained of Christ be not only badges or tokens of Christian men’s profession, but rather they be certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace, and God’s good will towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our Faith in him.[4]

To Schanz, (the early apostolic church saw) the gospel actualised, and demanded a faith response from hearers in the sacrament[5]. From scriptures, we can find evidence of baptism as the rite of initiation into the early Christian community and forgiveness of sins from Acts 2:38, 8:12-13, 10:47-48, 16:15,31-33 following Jesus command for his disciples to do so in the Great Commission (Mt 28:19). Equally, we can see that following Jesus institution (Mk 14:12-25, cf Mt 26:17-30, Lk 22:7-23, 1Co 11:23-25), the Lords Supper were also shared in the early churches, as one can see from Act 2:42, 1Co 11:17-22, though the generalised concept of sacrament was not yet fully developed then.

In the 12th century, Western theology narrowed the meaning by regarding institution by Christ as an essential characteristic [6]. Today, most Christians agreed sacraments to comprise of Baptism and Holy Communion, which is also known as Eucharist or Mass. Roman Catholics and some high Anglicans also consider Confirmation, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders and Matrimony as sacraments. This essay will mainly look at the sacrament of Baptism and the Holy Communion as examples of how different Christians throughout history understand the functions of sacraments.

The gospels stressed that unlike the baptism of John for repentance of sins (Lk 3:3), the baptism Jesus instituted is a baptism with the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11, cf Mk 1:9-11, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:33), the same Holy Spirit promised by Jesus before he went on the Cross (Jn 14:15-27) , Baptism is not a simple washing away of sin, but a melting down and remoulding; thus Chrysostom emphasizes the genuine re-creation involved- the cross, the death and resurrection- is more than symbolic[7], reflecting what Peter wrote, this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience towards God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1Pe 3:21). From Jn 3:1-15, the theology behind Jesus baptism is expounded as a symbolising a new birth as a precondition to entering the kingdom of God. As Neville Clark explained, only at this point [at the cross when one of the soldiers pierced Jesus side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water (Jn 19:34)] does Christian baptism become possible. The death of Christ marks the institution of the sacrament[8] As the apostle Paul wrote, Christians were baptised into his death (Ro 6:3) and our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin (Ro 6:6). However, throughout the ages, Christians do no merely see baptism as signifying uniting with Christ in death, but also, as Paul wrote again in order that just as Christ was raised from dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live as new life (Ro 6:4, cf Ro 8:11). Throughout history, Christians of all background see baptism as a rite of commitment to Christ and initiation into the Christian body and community. In expounding 1Pe3:21, Peter Davids explained the salvific aspect of baptism arises from the pledge of oneself to God as a response to questions formally asked at baptism.[9] However, scriptural evidence suggests that very early Christians response to accept baptism in response to hearing the gospel were quite immediate, as one can see from the account of the Pentecost (Ac 2:41). The most striking account is when Pauls jailers then immediately he and all his family were baptised (Ac 16:33), but the same immediate response to get baptised were repeated in Ac 8:12-13, 8:37, 10:47-48, 16:13-15, 16:8). As the church developed, candidates for baptism were expected to go through a period of teaching or catechism prior to receiving baptism.

As this essay have introduced earlier, like baptism, there were scriptural evidence that the Lords Supper were shared right from the early churches. Although most Christians could generally agree that at the Eucharist a sharing community is celebrated, in accordance with Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread (1Co 10:17), Roman Catholics and reformists have different understanding of this Sacrament. The official Roman Catholics Eucharistic doctrine stem from transubstantiation, which was fixed as a dogma at the Lateran Council of 1215, as the body and blood of Christ are truly contained in the sacrament of the altar under the forms of bread and wine, the bread being transubstantiated into the body and the wine into the blood by divine power.[10] and was formally defined at the Council of Trent in 1551, as where the change of the substance of the bread and wine into the substance of the body and blood of Christ, leaving the accidents (i.e. the appearances of the bread and wine) intact, so that the faithful do not literally touch Christ’s body. The elevation and adoration of the host were practised in the Latin Church as early as the twelfth century[11]

On the other hand, most Protestants do not believe that a change in substance takes place. According to the Anglican Communions Thirty-nine articles of Religion, Transubstantiation…in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions….The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was not by Christ’s ordinance reserved, carried[12] As Richard Bewes, the former evangelical Anglican Rector of All Souls Langham Place, London put it These outward emblems should never be confused with what they symbolise- the body and blood of Jesus Christ. To Bewes, these symbolise taking advantage of his sacrificial death for us.[13]. Way back in the 11^th Century, Peter the Venerable from the Roman Catholic Monastery of Cluny, France “(renounced) the doctrine of transubstantiation on the round that Christ gave up his body on the night of the betrayal once for all[14]. Similarly, when Chrysostom faced the paradox that there is one Christ who died once for all, and yet countless and repeated celebrations of the Eucharist (where he once held that the Eucharistic bread and wine actually constitute the body and blood of Christ slain on the altarChrysostom (resorted to explain that at the Eucharist we celebrate a memorial of a sacrifice[15] Duns declared that the doctrine of transubstantiation cannot be proved with certainty from the Scriptures[16],

During the reformation, Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin agree, negatively, in opposition to the dogma of transubstantiation, the sacrifice of the mass, and the withdrawal of the cup from the laity; positively, in these essential points: the divine institution and perpetuity of the Lords Supper, the spiritual presence of Christ.[17]

Lutherans believe that Jesus body and blood co-existed with the bread and wine by the power of the Word of God as believers assurance of forgiveness of sins. Zwinglian however, believe that only Christs spirit is present, whilst Calvins view is somewhere in between Luther and Zwingly regarding the corporal presence.

The differences in Roman Catholics and Protestants understandings of salvation account for their different understanding on the Eucharist. To Catholics, “the doctrine of the eucharist in the universal Church, ‘outside of which there is no possibility of salvation.’”[18]. In the Catholic system justification (dikaivwsi”) is a gradual process conditioned by faith and good works; in the Protestant system it is a single act of God, followed by sanctification. It is based upon the merits of Christ, conditioned by faith, and manifested by good works.[19]

To Roman Catholics, the Church (is) the sacrament of salvation for the world (appearing) in all the important textsLumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 1 and 48)Decree on the Churchs Missionary ActivityConstitution on the Sacred Liturgy..[20] and that Sacraments actually cause something to happen. This efficacy must be tied in with the continuation of Christs ministry in his community of faith, the Church[21] Regarding this efficacy, during the Donatist Controversy in 2^nd century AD, Donatists developed Ex opere operantis, in that Priests who have apostatised cannot validly celebrate their sacraments, whilst Augustine held the view of Ex opere operanto, that those priests can on the basis that the validity depends on grace of Christ. Right up to 1947s Pius XII encyclical, the Roman Catholics still held the view of ex opere operato whilst stressing Mediator Dei (Christs presence in the sacraments) once more.

Although ex opere operato is reflected in Anglicans Article XXVI of Religion, efficacy of sacraments are not generally thought about amongst protestants today. Instead, it is justification by faith that matters to most protestants.

By the aid of Staupitz and the old monk, but especially by the continued study of Pauls Epistles, (Luther) was gradually brought to the conviction that the sinner is justified by faith alone, without works of lawFor faith in Luthers system is far more than a mere assent of the mind to the authority of the church: it is a hearty trust and full surrender of the whole man to Christ; it lives and moves in Christ as its element, and is constantly obeying his will and following his example.[22] Similar, for Anglicans, Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine[23] This, however, has been condemned by the Council of Trent, by Roman Catholics.

Most protestant denominations have similar rites or practices to what the Roman Catholics count as sacraments. For instance, most protestant pastors would go through an ordination ceremony, and marriages are celebrated and can be held in most protestant churches, whilst most Protestants believe in the importance of confessions in prayers. Whilst, for the Anglicans, Those five commonly called Sacraments, that is to say, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and extreme Unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel, being such as have grown partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles, partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures; but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.[24]

The stress for most Protestants, unlike the Roman Catholics, who have developed an understanding that all (seven) sacraments are linked with the Church as the sacrament of salvation for the world, is that access to God can be directly obtained through Christ (without the church), by faith alone. Whilst most Christians agree on Baptism as the rite of initiation, and that Christs death & resurrection are remembered and His return are reminded of at the Holy Communion, most Protestants today deny Christs corporal presence in any form.

Bibliography

Book of Common Prayer 1662, John Baskerville, 1762

Bgueric, Philippe, et al How to Understand the Sacraments, SCM Press, 1991

Bewes, Richard The Top 100 Questions, Christian Focus Publications Ltd,

2002

John Bowker The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions.

Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Assessed at Birkbeck College. 10 March 2008

http://www.oxfordreference.com/

Browning, W R F A Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford University Press, 1997.

Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Assessed at Birkbeck College. 10 March 2008

http://www.oxfordreference.com/

Clark, Neville An Approach to the Theology of the Sacraments,

SCM Press, 1958

Davids, Peter H The First Epistle of PETER, Eerdmans, 1990

Kelly, J N D Early Christian Doctrines, 5th Edition, A & C Black, 1977

E. A. Livingstone The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church.

Oxford University Press, 2006.

Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.

Accessed at Birkbeck College 29 February 2008

http://www.oxfordreference.com/

Schaff, Philip History of the Christian Church, Volume VI: The Middle

Ages. A.D. 1294-1517, Grand Rapids, 1882

Schaff, Philip History of the Christian Church, Volume VII. Modern

Christianity. The German Reformation, Grand Rapids, 1882

Schanz, Paul Introduction to the Sacraments, New York: Pueblo

Publishing Co, 1983

Young, Frances M. From Nicaea to Chalcedon, SCM Press, 1988

[1] J N D Kelly, Early Christian Doctrines, 5^th Edition, A & C Black, 1977, p423

[2] J N D Kelly, Early Christian Doctrines, 5^th Edition, A & C Black, 1977, p193

[3] J N D Kelly, Early Christian Doctrines, 5^th Edition, A & C Black, 1977, p422

[4] Article XXV of Religion, Book of Common Prayer 1662, John Baskerville, 1762

[5] Paul Schanz, Introduction to the Sacraments, New York: Pueblo Publishing Co, 1983, p42

[6] “sacrament” The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Ed. E. A. Livingstone. Oxford University Press, 2006. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Birkbeck College. 29 February 2008

[7] Frances M. Young, From Nicaea to Chalcedon, SCM Press, 1988, P153

[8] Neville Clark, An Approach to the Theology of the Sacraments, SCM Press, 1958, p28

[9] Peter H Davids, The First Epistle of PETER, Eerdmans, 1990, p145

[10] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Volume VI: The Middle Ages. A.D. 1294-1517, Grand Rapids, 1882, p481

[11] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Volume VI: The Middle Ages. A.D. 1294-1517, Grand Rapids, 1882, p487

[12] Article XXXVII of Religion, Book of Common Prayer 1662, John Baskerville, 1762

[13] Richard Bewes, The Top 100 Questions, Christian Focus Publications Ltd, 2002, p86-87

[14] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Volume VI: The Middle Ages. A.D. 1294-1517, Grand Rapids, p324

[15] Frances M. Young, From Nicaea to Chalcedon, SCM Press, 1988, P153-154

[16] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Volume VI: The Middle Ages. A.D. 1294-1517, Grand Rapids, 1882, p464

[17] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Volume VII. Modern Christianity. The German Reformation, Grand Rapids, 1882

[18] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Volume VI: The Middle Ages. A.D1294-1517, Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 2002, p118

[19] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Volume VII. Modern Christianity. The German Reformation, Grand Rapids, 1882, p86

[20] Philippe Bgueric, Claude Duchesneau (eds), How to Understand the Sacraments, SCM Press, 1991, p96

[21] Paul Schanz, Introduction to the Sacraments, New York: Pueblo Publishing Co, 1983, P52

[22] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Volume VII. Modern Christianity. The German Reformation, Grand Rapids, 1882, p85

[23] Article XI of Religion, Book of Common Prayer 1662, John Baskerville, 1762

[24] Article XXV of Religion, Book of Common Prayer 1662, John Baskerville, 1762

Reflecting on a small fire at work

Pat Lam — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:08:48 +0000

I have been working at the IT department of an investment bank for about three years.? At approximately 3pm on 25th February 2008, the an evacuation warning is sounded at the office’s tannoy system, asking us to await further instructions.? Within two minutes, an announcement is heard on the tannoy instructing that my floor will undergo evacuation.

As the bank’s evacuation marshal volunteer, I put on my fluorescent vest on hearing the message and proceed to evacuate staff on my floor together with other marshals.? Actually, I knew it must be some sort of real fire (as evacuation marshals are usually told of evacuation drills in advance).? Within a few minutes, I heard about a fire escape being blocked.? This had happened before when certain fire escapes become bottle-necked, and I simply followed established procedures to direct staff to other fire escapes.? However, within a few minutes, although my nose is blocked, I could smell a strange smell and immediately I could hear a hastily spoken voice “This is a full building evacuation”.? My immediate response is “O dear!”, as I remember how the fire protection system has been boasted during our evacuation training and that evacuating the whole building is very rare indeed.? Perhaps we all knew it was a real fire, all of us evacuation marshals took extra precaution to ensure all staff on our floor are safely evacuated.

During the evacuation, I see different group of staff wandering out into one escape and back from another ones (some of the escapes were in fact filled with heavy smoke).? On the other hand, I also saw a trader support staff who refused to finish his phone call and leave despite being warned that it was a real fire.

In about two hours’ time, we were allowed back in the office, though local management allowed us home early as the floor is still filled with fume.

From this small fire, I have the following reflections:
I remembered a few weeks ago, my church fellowship watched the movie Flood, which had been show on the BBC before.? At that time, I thought that when it come to the end of the ages, I would proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus.? Though this is merely a small fire that was put out in 40 inutes with no casualties, but when I saw that a fellow Christian is also an evacuation marshal, I merely concentrated on the evacuation at hand, and sadly, neither thought about God nor prayed.
I remembered a few weeks back, I heard a lunch time talk from a CEO of our bank, preaching on And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel?s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:34-36)

How do you account for the conversion of Paul? Is the heart of his teaching to be found in this experience?

Pat Lam — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 22:31:47 +0000

This essay would look at the background of Paul prior to his conversion and his conversion experience. By examining Paul’s epistles and the book of Acts, this essay seek to identify the impact his conversion has to his teaching, including changes to his view on Jesus, the Law with regards to food, circumcision, gentiles and salvation.

An essay on the Kingdom of God

Pat Lam — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:24:28 +0000

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)

Read this essay I wrote, entitled Give an outline of the teaching of Jesus on the kingdom of God Is there one essential idea in this teaching?

COCM’s South England Easter Conference (SEEC)

Pat Lam — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 21:16:00 +0000

2007 is the second I went to SEEC. It was different and yet similar to 2006’s. So, why did I go in 2006? Well, this is mainly due to testimonies of sisters who went in previous years. To be honest, the experience in my first year did fall short of my expectation. This was in part due to the stress from taking up a group leading position, which in hindsight had in parts sinfully to do with my personal pride. However, the Lord was gracious and guided me throughout SEEC2006, allowing me pick up and learn from things I never have done before, like leading a discussion group straight after each talk, with no guidance, for instance. I remembered the sleepless nights and the tight schedules as well as the group leaders’ meetings that at times went through midnights. But I learnt:

1) I should be a humble servant

2) I grew in faith

3) SEEC is packed with strong teachings

4) A lot of people experienced God and converted to Christ there

5) SEEC is “exhausting”- full of Christians from all over the UK.

So when the time came for 2007, you wonder what my responses were?

1) I want to encourage (younger) fellowship members to go, so they can learn

2) I don’t want to go, because it is too exhausting and I am too old. In the end, I did sign up to SEEC and also volunteered as a group leader, musician as well as first-aider, although they didn’t need my help with music. I only had one regret of not responding to the call to full time ministry!

It really has been a truly enjoyable SEEC and it was such a privilege to lead such a wonderful group of 5 brothers and 5 sisters, where we had wonderful sharing. My group is blessed to have a pastor from HK’s who is currently studying towards a PhD spending so much time with our group. I asked my group on the first day what they want out of SEEC, and frankly for me, there was not a lot other than wanting a good meditation on Good Friday, but God has graciously granted me more than that!. So this is what I got out besides reminders to STAND FIRM as Paul urged in his letter to the Ephesians:

1) Reinforcing earlier learning about science and Christianity the Lord has planted in my life earlier this year.

2) Learning from the boy/girl relationship workshop that we should always rejoice in the Lord whether single, dating or broken up.

3) Open, deep and frank discussions on the subject of Holy Spirit and Evil Spirit with my group and also Pastor Li.

4) I wanted a good meditation on Good Friday! I have never been ’sentimental€, but the Lord has touched me at the Good Friday meditation:

l The hymn ‘The Servant King€ touched me and I want from then on to follow Him to be a humble, servant King.

l Although I have heard ‘This is the blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins€ many times, but I have not been truly touched by this until Good Friday, 2007.

l I have grasped the theological meaning behind Jesus saying ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?€ on the cross is because he bore our sins, but again I have never felt so much that he bore my sins.ï¬ We were asked to write down the sins that are standing in between us and God and nail them onto the cross. I knew that with the help of God, these sins would be killed off and I now pray for me to put on the full armour of God 24×7 and Stand Firm.

5) Another group member and I at one of the group discussion shared that we often come out of these camps with ‘Spiritual high€ which subside, but Dr. William Ho pointed out that we don get the strength from the Lord like getting him to fill a fuel tank only to find it being used up, but we get it In Christ. I pray that all of our spiritual lives will only grow but not die!

6) 4 of my group members responded to the calling to full time ministry

7) A sister from St. Martins committed to Christ, and another truly touched by the Lord’s salvation.

Totally exhausted- no doubt- in fact I had 2 nights sharing/praying till beyond 4am with less than 4 hours’ sleep, but with no regret! So, what happened with the calling? Well, I do have an interest in missionary work and got a good insight from the Missionary workshop. But my heart struggled when the time came for calling. I was of the view that if I hear God’s calling, I will respond, but I wasn’t in a state to ‘volunteer€ as Isaiah responded ‘Here am I, send me€(Isaiah 6:8). Satan was attacking me, saying ’surely my biblical foundation is not strong€ and ‘you had hardly evangelised€. So, my heart sank and I had no peace at all. I was ’shocked€ to see my 2 group-mates seating besides me stood up immediately upon the calling, but I didn’t have the urge/courage to stand up. My peace were further disturbed when I saw another sister in my group stood up 5 minutes after the rest have done so, but still I had no courage to stand up. At the end, I knew I need to speak to someone. Thanks be to God that OMF’s Rev. Dick Dowsett kindly agreed to speak to me and pray with me. I have regained my peace and now pray for the Lord’s guidance to stand firm to serve Him.

Photos taken at SEEC can be found at my photo gallery.

Read if interested (even if you’re BUSY (or perhaps especially if you’re BUSY))

Pat Lam — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:35:23 +0000

What does BUSY mean??

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

          In his opening address he said,

>> >           “We can’t keep Christians from going to church.”

>> >           “We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the

>> >           truth.”

>> >           “We can’t even keep them from forming an intimate

>> > relationship

>> >           with their saviour.”

>> >           “Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over

> them

>> >           is broken.”

>> >           “So let them go to their churches; let them have their

>> > covered

>> >           dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don’t have time

>> > to

>> >           develop a relationship with Jesus Christ..”

>> >           “This is what I want you to do,” said the devil:

>> >           “Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and

> maintaining

>> >           that vital connection throughout their day!”

>> >           “How shall we do this?” his demons shouted.

>> >           “Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent

>> >           innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,” he answered.

>> >           “Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow,

> borrow.”

>> >           “Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the

> husbands

>> >           to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can

> afford

>> >           their empty lifestyles.”

>> >           “Keep them from spending time with their children.”

>> >           ”As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no

>> >           escape from the pressures of work!”

>> >           “Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that

> still,

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>> >           small voice.”

>> >           “Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever

> they

>> >           drive.” To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going

> constantly

>> >           in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant

>> > in

>> >           the world plays non-biblical music constantly.”

>> >           “This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.”

>> >           “Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.”

>> >           “Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.”

>> >           “Invade their driving moments with billboards.”

>> >           “Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs,

>> >           sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional

>> >           offering free products, services and false hopes..”

>> >           “Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so

> their

>> >           husbands will believe that outward beauty is what’s

>> > important,

>> >           and they’ll become dissatisfied with their wives. “

>> >           “Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.”

>> >            “Give them headaches too! “

>> >           “If they don’t give their husbands the love they need, they

> will

>> >           begin to look elsewhere.”

>> >           “That will fragment their families quickly!”

>> >           “Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their

>> >           children the real meaning of Christmas.”

>> >           “Give them an Easter bunny so they won’t talk about his

>> >           resurrection and power over sin and death.”

>> >           “Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.”

>> >           “Have them return from their recreation exhausted.”

>> >           “Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God’s

>> >           creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events,

> plays,

>> >           concerts, and movies instead.”

>> >           “Keep them busy, busy, busy!”

>> >           “And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in

>> >           gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled

>> >           consciences.”

>> >           “Crowd their lives with so many ‘good’ causes they have no

> time

>> >           to seek power from Jesus.”

>> >           “Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing

>> >           their health and family for the good of the cause.”

>> >           “It will work!”

>> >           “It will work!”

>> >

>> >           It was quite a plan!

>> >           The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing

> Christians

>> >           everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and

>> > there

> .

>> >           …

>> >           Having little time for their God or their families ….

>> >          Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to

> change

>> >           lives ….

>> >

>> >           I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his

>> >           schemes?

>> >

>> >           You be the judge!!!!!

>> >

>> >           Does “BUSY” mean:   B-eing (or Burden) U-nder S-atan’s Y-oke?

>> >

>> >           (Are you feeling that life’s pressures are hardly bearable?

> If

>> >           they are, you are probably not bearing Jesus’ yoke, for His yoke

>> >           is easy and His burden light. (Matt 11:28-30)

>> >

>> >           Please pass this on, if you aren’t too B-U-S-Y!

>> >

Blue-screened BT Pay-Phone

Pat Lam — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 22:34:15 +0000

Here goes something you don’t see every-day:

A Blue screened BT Internet enabled pay-phone in London.

And now a closer look at the blue-screen:

IDMF conference 26-28 January 2007

Pat Lam — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 14:39:02 +0000

Four of us from St. Martin’s Chinese Congregation went to the Intentional Discipleship Making Fellowship conference at the COCM Mission Centre at Milton Keynes.

These 3 days are one of the most memorable days in my journey with the Almighty Lord. I went with igorance of not knowing what IDMF is, with doubt on the credibility of the speaker, but these 3 days are just amazing “holiday” with God. I call it a holiday because it is a truly enjoyable experience, but not to say it is anyway “relaxing”. Rev. Edmund Chun enlightened me with his compassion for the Word of God and his ministry journey as well as his sound teachings, which not only drew us back to the living the bible out provoke thoughts.

My dear brothers and sisters, the talks, etc. will be uploaded shortly, but these memorable experience is not something that can be reproduced with these words or the MP3, the teaching and sharings from Rev. Edmund and others in the conference has truly revitalised me! Thanks be to God!

CRISIS @ 2006’s Christmas!

Pat Lam — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 22:50:42 +0000

Spent 3 shifts with the West Day Centre of CRISIS‘ Open Christmas for the homeless this Christmas- 13:45-20:30 on 23-Dec-06 and 07:30-14:30 on 26-Dec-06 and 30-Dec-06.

It is truly a remarkable eye opening 3 shifts and it changed my attitude towards the homeless. Some of guests I met were rough-sleepers, though a lot a “hidden” homeless people, which is within CRISIS‘ charter. They live in temporary accommodation such as hostels.

Without God’s love and guidance, I think I probably would not have the courage to shake hand with guests who had dirty hands or hug them. OK, some guests obviously have a problem with alcohol, and a small minority of the guests are drug users, but I see true companionship amongst the guests, which is arguably deeper and more genuine than that amongst our society. The image of a very well spoken and courteous elderly guest who just left hospital with a size 10 feet from water retention and couldn’t find in a flip-flop and could not find any shoes big enough for him at all charity shops he tried shocked me most, and I so wanted to help him on that very first shift ever with CRISIS. Regrettably, the most I could do for him is to take down his needs and passing it to the people responsible for the clothing store, which was not ready on the first day. Thank God that on my return to the centre on Boxing Day, I saw him in a reasonable pair of shoes!