Making Good Progress

When I started about a month ago, I prayed to the Lord that I would finish the second volume of the commentary on John’s Gospel in 52 days, the time Nehemiah took to finish building the walls of Jerusalem. I have probably written for 21 days now with 31 days to go. If I write every day with the Lord’s help I might finish by Resurrection Sunday which would be amazing, God answering my prayers. In 21 days I had written 22,000 words, about 1,000 words a day which does not seem a lot.

Betrayal & Departure

Since early February, 2nd month into my notice of resignation given early January, I started writing again my commentary on John’s Gospel 13-21. For about 6 weeks before I became the church pastor, from early September 2024, I commented on John 13 to 16 with just a few verses on ch. 16 left when I stopped writing mid-October 2024 after I had signed up to be pastor starting officially on 1st Dec 2024. In fact, I worked 6 weeks for the church even before official starting date as I had to prepare for two seminars early in the year 2025, first a leaders’ retreat and then a seminar on our church’s constitution as we were having our election year, first the local church, then the District and finally, our HQ statewide.

Saddest Sunday

Today is supposed to be the start of my 16th month as pastor, but I found myself outside and without a church. It is my saddest Sunday, more so than when I was barred from entering church premises during the vaccination mandate. That lasted less than 6 months until 1st May 2022, but some leaders even after SOP was relaxed still insisted on vaccination as a requirement for leadership contest.

41,000 Words

I have surpassed 41,000 words for my commentary on John’s Gospel which is more than half the length of this book that I plan to write in the next two months. I am now into John 19 only three more chapters of commentary to go before a long appendix which I plan to write about the theology of John’s Gospel overall from ch.1 to ch.21.

Suffering from the Blues

I don’t know whether I will suffer the blues from my recent departure from my role as pastor. I told the congregation in my last address that I would miss the worship team. I spent almost every Saturday night with them in practice and rehearsal making sure everything was done right. Little by little I hope in the Lord that I had made an impact. Even last Sunday, I gave a rebuke to singers who sing for singing sake without loving the songs and singing unto the Lord. I told them I sang one song 100 times in the past 6 months (Kau menungguku) and many songs multiple times even before they sing it in church or when I learn a new song and if I liked it, I would worship the Lord weeks with it or even months.

Fire & Earthquake (Psalm 18)

Without prophetic interpretation, every thing that happened or happens just by chance or just the run of the mill event. For sure, many things happen naturally and there is no interpretation needed. But I do not believe the massive earthquake (7.1 Richter Scale, some say it is 6.8) happens per chance. One Emeritus Professor of Tectonics in Scotland asked the question: Why there? Why just about 100kms from where I live in Kota Kinabalu?

A Vision: Sabah Earthquake

I had several visions over two days. It came in twos. The first vision came during my last rehearsal with the worship team. I was worshipping the Lord, and suddenly I saw a vision of angels. I saw the vision of angels a few times already and I thought the vision was just above me at church. Then after a minute or two as I worshipped, I saw another vision. This time I saw angels with banners and the map of Sabah drawn in red (Sabah’s borders were in red and the angels hovered over the West Coast where Kota Kinabalu and Kota Belud were located.

17 Hours

It’s been quite a ride. It’s the Year of the Horse. At my age, some people might think I am riding into the sunset. But as I preached from the Jacob’s narrative last Sunday after Jacob had wrestled with God, the sun rose on him as he crossed the river Jabbok. Tomorrow I am crossing the river of Bundusan and returning to my home base. For me to have a home is already a miracle. 12 years into ministry, no money and no house and when I left for Singapore in 2008, I was penniless. I sold my one last car in order to support my son studying Form 6 in New Zealand.

24 Hours

There was a mini series by the name of 24 hours, one of my favourites series on TV. Now I am entering my final 24 hours as church pastor. I just received the order of service on tomorrow's Sunday service which will be my final act, preaching for one last time as the church pastor. There will be six people making speeches and a few special prayers. It will be good if we could finish by 11.30am, but if I preach one last long sermon I'd afraid that the finish time could be as late as 12 noon.

When God Opened Doors

My first foray into overseas ministry outside of the State of Sabah came in early February 2008. I had resigned from my pastorate in July 2007 with my HQ's blessings, and then informed my elders before telling the church council in August 2007. I officially handed it my resignation letter on 1st October giving 6 months' notice concluding on 31st March 2008. As I had almost two months of annual leave not taken, I would end my active ministry in church on the 2nd week of February 2008 when I preached my farewell sermon. But many things intervened before that.

Celebrating with my Family

This year is especially difficult for me. My beloved mother passed away suddenly just over two months ago. If she were still alive, I won't be writing this blog as we would be having our reunion dinner. But this year my brothers had made other plans. So I shall be celebrating with my true family, my church. But the irony in a few days' time, I shall be bidding them farewell.