When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I am not shouting "I am saved;"
I am whispering "I get lost"
"That is why I choose this way."
When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I do not speak of this with pride.
I am confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.
When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I am not trying to be strong.
I am professing that I am weak
and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I am not bragging of success.
I am admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I am not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are too visible
but God believes I am worth it.
When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His hame.
When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority
I only know I am loved.
Carol Wimmer
Friday, March 31, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
Weight lifting?
Abdul RahmanPerhaps our heroes of faith must not be based on giants of faith of the past like Charles and John Wesleys, or even Martin Luther, or even Watchman Nee or Jim Elliot or even the early church during the Roman empire. But let us be come to see for ourselves the unsung heroes of our days, heroes within our generation, heroes that are willing to stand firm for the faith they have in Christ Jesus no matter how insignificant they are. My salute and honour goes to Abdul Rahman for his firm conviction that nothing in this world, even death can separate him from the truth of God.
Forsaken by his own family, accused by his people, mocked and insulted, Abdul Rahman must have done a lot of 'weight-lifting' through out the 12 years of his salvation, counting the cost of such a extraordinary and radical choice of following Christ. Even as he is charged in the Afghan court, he said he chooses this path and is willing to die for it. He is no lesser Muslim or an infidel, he is just a person that 'submits his life to God' through the Messiah (A Muslim means one who submit himself to God).
How I wish that all could rise up from their complacency, to see the harsh reality of following Christ, the narrow path. I wish that they will begin to look for things that really matters in life; not success, nor wealth, nor comfort, nor health, nor glory, nor anything else but an eternity with the Saviour. Blessed assurance!
Luk 9:57-62 As they went on their way, a man said to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go." (58) Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest." (59) He said to another man, "Follow me." But that man said, "Sir, first let me go back and bury my father." (60) Jesus answered, "Let the dead bury their own dead. You go and proclaim the Kingdom of God." (61) Someone else said, "I will follow you, sir; but first let me go and say good-bye to my family." (62) Jesus said to him, "Anyone who starts to plow and then keeps looking back is of no use for the Kingdom of God."
Luk 12:51-53 Do you suppose that I came to bring peace to the world? No, not peace, but division. (52) From now on a family of five will be divided, three against two and two against three. (53) Fathers will be against their sons, and sons against their fathers; mothers will be against their daughters, and daughters against their mothers; mothers-in-law will be against their daughters-in-law, and daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law."
Joh 12:24-25 I am telling you the truth: a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains. (25) Those who love their own life will lose it; those who hate their own life in this world will keep it for life eternal.
Mat 10:17-22 Watch out, for there will be those who will arrest you and take you to court, and they will whip you in the synagogues. (18) For my sake you will be brought to trial before rulers and kings, to tell the Good News to them and to the Gentiles. (19) When they bring you to trial, do not worry about what you are going to say or how you will say it; when the time comes, you will be given what you will say. (20) For the words you will speak will not be yours; they will come from the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (21) "People will hand over their own brothers to be put to death, and fathers will do the same to their children; children will turn against their parents and have them put to death. (22) Everyone will hate you because of me. But whoever holds out to the end will be saved.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Zainah Anwar: Let the be public debate on laws
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Zainah Anwar: Let there be public debate on laws
New Straits TimesTHE fact that three daughters of current and past Prime Ministers in Malaysia were moved enough to share the same stage, the same passion and the same commitment to speak out their convictions in public on the imperative of justice for women in Islam shows a collective concern about disturbing trends in this country.
Last Saturday was a moment in history in Malaysia when we saw Hanis Hussein, Marina Mahathir and Nori Abdullah join hands to open the Sisters in Islam International Consultation on Trends in Family Law Reform in Muslim Countries. It is also a source of hope that change in the Muslim world is inevitable.
All three felt compelled to lend their voice to the growing force of Muslim women throughout the world who now speak out publicly to demand justice and equality and a stop to the use of Islam to justify continuing discrimination against women.
In much of the Muslim world today, it is women who are at the forefront in challenging governments, religious authorities and Islamist groups who hide behind the infallibility of the divine word to perpetuate patriarchy and to silence dissent.
In Iran, women, including daughters of mullahs and conservative families, are forced into the public space to confront the realities of an Islamic revolution driven by a punitive and legalistic Islam. The Islamic utopia promised where everything would be perfect because God’s law is perfect was anything but.
The women woke up to a reality that Islam, as Imam Feisal Rauf of New York said, was not a pronoun. Islam does not speak. It is human beings who speak in God’s name. It is human beings who use the authoritative text for authoritarian purposes. The justice of God is an ideal at the textual level. At the reality level, so much injustice is perpetrated in the name of God.
For me and my group, Sisters in Islam, it is an article of faith that Islam is just and God is just. If justice is intrinsic to Islam, then how could injustice and discrimination result in the codification and implementation of laws and policies made in the name of Islam?
It is at this level that Muslim women all over the world have begun to organise and demand reform of laws and policies to uphold the principles of justice, equality, freedom and dignity in Islam.
For most Muslim women, rejecting religion is not an option. We are believers, and as believers we want to find liberation, truth and justice from within our own faith. We feel strongly that we have a right to reclaim our religion, to redefine it, to participate and contribute to an understanding of Islam, how it is codified and implemented — in ways that take into consideration the realities and experience of women’s lives today.
For many women today, our lives are at a collision course with patriarchy’s construction of the "ideal" Muslim woman. For too long, men have defined for us what it is to be a woman, how to be a woman and then used religion and tradition to confine us to these socially constructed limitations that reduce us to being the inferior half of the human race. For too long, we submitted, seeking their approval and applause because the power of reward and punishment lay in their hands.
But not anymore. Women today are educated and economically independent. They will not be cowed into silence in the face of injustice. If the injustice is committed in the name of religion, then today’s women will go back to the original source of the religion to find out for themselves whether it is the revealed text that perpetrates injustice or is it an act of interpretation by human beings.
For those of us in civil society, as feminists, as believers and as activists living within a democratic constitutional framework, it is important that we assert and claim our right to have our voice heard in the public sphere and to intervene in the decision-making process on matters of religion.
The fundamental question needs to be asked: Who decides which interpretation, which juristic opinion, which traditional practice would prevail and be the source of codified law to govern our private and public lives and punish us if we fail to abide? Which opinion from the rich corpus of our heritage would fall by the wayside, forgotten? On what basis is that choice made? What are the guiding principles used in choosing one juristic opinion over another? Whose interests are protected and whose interests are denied?
This process of deriving "the right" opinion to codify into positive law is a human construct. The product of this very human engagement with the divine text is not the divine law of God. It is human knowledge and understanding, limited by human experience, human frailties and the context of time, place and circumstance.
The Islamic Family Law recently passed by Parliament, the Hudud passed by Kelantan and Terengganu and the Syariah Criminal Offences Law are all a product of this process. They are not divine law just because they bear the name Islam or Syariah. It is human beings who codified and drafted the laws, it is human beings who passed them through the legislative assemblies.
Thus, when Islam is a part of public law and public policy as in Malaysia, then by necessity such laws and policies must be opened to public debate and public feedback. This is how governments are held accountable in a democracy.
The writer, a former journalist, is a women’s rights activist and is the executive director of Sisters in Islam.
Zainah Anwar: Let there be public debate on laws
New Straits TimesTHE fact that three daughters of current and past Prime Ministers in Malaysia were moved enough to share the same stage, the same passion and the same commitment to speak out their convictions in public on the imperative of justice for women in Islam shows a collective concern about disturbing trends in this country.
Last Saturday was a moment in history in Malaysia when we saw Hanis Hussein, Marina Mahathir and Nori Abdullah join hands to open the Sisters in Islam International Consultation on Trends in Family Law Reform in Muslim Countries. It is also a source of hope that change in the Muslim world is inevitable.
All three felt compelled to lend their voice to the growing force of Muslim women throughout the world who now speak out publicly to demand justice and equality and a stop to the use of Islam to justify continuing discrimination against women.
In much of the Muslim world today, it is women who are at the forefront in challenging governments, religious authorities and Islamist groups who hide behind the infallibility of the divine word to perpetuate patriarchy and to silence dissent.
In Iran, women, including daughters of mullahs and conservative families, are forced into the public space to confront the realities of an Islamic revolution driven by a punitive and legalistic Islam. The Islamic utopia promised where everything would be perfect because God’s law is perfect was anything but.
The women woke up to a reality that Islam, as Imam Feisal Rauf of New York said, was not a pronoun. Islam does not speak. It is human beings who speak in God’s name. It is human beings who use the authoritative text for authoritarian purposes. The justice of God is an ideal at the textual level. At the reality level, so much injustice is perpetrated in the name of God.
For me and my group, Sisters in Islam, it is an article of faith that Islam is just and God is just. If justice is intrinsic to Islam, then how could injustice and discrimination result in the codification and implementation of laws and policies made in the name of Islam?
It is at this level that Muslim women all over the world have begun to organise and demand reform of laws and policies to uphold the principles of justice, equality, freedom and dignity in Islam.
For most Muslim women, rejecting religion is not an option. We are believers, and as believers we want to find liberation, truth and justice from within our own faith. We feel strongly that we have a right to reclaim our religion, to redefine it, to participate and contribute to an understanding of Islam, how it is codified and implemented — in ways that take into consideration the realities and experience of women’s lives today.
For many women today, our lives are at a collision course with patriarchy’s construction of the "ideal" Muslim woman. For too long, men have defined for us what it is to be a woman, how to be a woman and then used religion and tradition to confine us to these socially constructed limitations that reduce us to being the inferior half of the human race. For too long, we submitted, seeking their approval and applause because the power of reward and punishment lay in their hands.
But not anymore. Women today are educated and economically independent. They will not be cowed into silence in the face of injustice. If the injustice is committed in the name of religion, then today’s women will go back to the original source of the religion to find out for themselves whether it is the revealed text that perpetrates injustice or is it an act of interpretation by human beings.
For those of us in civil society, as feminists, as believers and as activists living within a democratic constitutional framework, it is important that we assert and claim our right to have our voice heard in the public sphere and to intervene in the decision-making process on matters of religion.
The fundamental question needs to be asked: Who decides which interpretation, which juristic opinion, which traditional practice would prevail and be the source of codified law to govern our private and public lives and punish us if we fail to abide? Which opinion from the rich corpus of our heritage would fall by the wayside, forgotten? On what basis is that choice made? What are the guiding principles used in choosing one juristic opinion over another? Whose interests are protected and whose interests are denied?
This process of deriving "the right" opinion to codify into positive law is a human construct. The product of this very human engagement with the divine text is not the divine law of God. It is human knowledge and understanding, limited by human experience, human frailties and the context of time, place and circumstance.
The Islamic Family Law recently passed by Parliament, the Hudud passed by Kelantan and Terengganu and the Syariah Criminal Offences Law are all a product of this process. They are not divine law just because they bear the name Islam or Syariah. It is human beings who codified and drafted the laws, it is human beings who passed them through the legislative assemblies.
Thus, when Islam is a part of public law and public policy as in Malaysia, then by necessity such laws and policies must be opened to public debate and public feedback. This is how governments are held accountable in a democracy.
The writer, a former journalist, is a women’s rights activist and is the executive director of Sisters in Islam.
It is God who touches life, like this...
Executive Director of the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled
- Pastor Sia Siew Chin
This article is from The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my) URL: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2005/1/6/features/9806623&sec=features
Thursday January 6, 2005 'Learning To Cope'
By PANG HIN YUE
She is a pillar of strength to her flock. Pastor Sia Siew Chin may have muscular dystrophy that impairs her movement and confines her to the wheelchair most of the time. But one of the winners of the 2004 Disabled Persons of the Year Award, Sia is a picture of grace and gentleness.
There is not even an iota of bitterness or self-pity in this petite 38-year-old mother of one, given the many trials and tribulations she has gone through because of her inherited genetic problem. Five of her siblings have the same disorder as her. And last year, Sia found out that her daughter who is now five, has not been spared either. “At first, there was pain in my heart. It was very hard for me to accept this. But in the end, I trust and believe that God will lead my daughter in life.”
Sia, the executive director of the Petaling Jaya-based Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled, has this message for the physically and mentally disabled: “You must fight negative thoughts about yourself.”
She should know, having faced ridicule while growing up in Sungai Rambai, a small village in Malacca. Neighbours used to shun her and her siblings because they feared that their disorder was “contagious” and any association with the Sia family was a “curse”.
“I felt rejected. I couldn’t accept my disability.” But Sia’s turning point came when she was in Form Two. “I went to church and saw the light.”
Sia did not allow herself to wallow in self-pity as her condition worsened over the years. “I used to be able to run until I was eight years old. But as I grew older, my muscles became weaker. I can only manage to walk a short distance now. Breathing can be painful too at times.” Sia is indeed a model of courage. She is always upbeat, no matter what obstacle or adversity lies in her path.
“Don’t get discouraged. You have to persist,” Sia advises the disabled. It is largely because of her determination and drive that Beautiful Gate was set up in 1993. At that time Sia who has a degree in divinity, was an active member of the Society of Chinese Disabled Persons. One day she had a vision in which she saw many sad, desperate people crawling around on their hands and knees. She realised that there was a need to reach out to the disabled, to provide an avenue for them to learn so that they could earn a living and live independently.
Thus Beautiful Gate was set up under the aegis of the Chinese Methodist Church. Since then, three other centres have been set up in Kepong (Kuala Lumpur), Kampar (Perak) and Seremban (Negri Sembilan). Another centre in Batu Berendam, Malacca, is being planned. There are also two group homes in Balakong, Selangor, to enable former trainees of Beautiful Gate to lead independent lives.
For Sia, it is imperative that the disabled be healed spiritually and emotionally to be able to get on in life.
“It is important that we take care of our heart, without which one can easily succumb to self-condemnation and inferiority complex. Many of us ask ‘why me’ in times of trouble. I believe that whatever happens, God allows it for a reason,” says Sia.
The important thing for the disabled, says Sia, is to strive for independent living. And this is what she has been trying to teach to those who come to Beautiful Gate.
The centre’s daily activities are open to all, irrespective of race and religion.
There are five areas of skill-training being offered at Beautiful Gate. Living Skill training involves cooking, washing, cleaning, marketing, motor-cycle riding and teamwork living practices. To help members to be gainfully employed, Beautiful Gate offers computer lessons with help from Lim Kok Wing University College. Systematic College Petaling Jaya, Lion Clubs of KL Central and Jen Software have also joined forces to provide IT training.
Beautiful Gate also conducts language classes, book-keeping and handicraft services. Physiotherapy and sport activities are available. In fact, annual tournaments of wheelchair badminton and table tennis are held to encourage group participation. More importantly, Beautiful Gate provides counselling for the disabled and their families.
In 2003, Beautiful Gate set up its own Performing Art Troupe.
To help members who are unable to find employment, Beautiful Gate set up a recycling workshop at its premises in SS2, Petaling Jaya, last year. Members are tasked to sort and pack recyclable items before selling them to the respective factories.
“We urge the public to donate their recyclable items to us,” says Sia. Despite a tight budget of RM17,000 per month per centre, under Sia’s leadership Beautiful Gate is able to provide accommodation, training services and fee advancements to 150 resident-members. So far 25 disabled persons have set up their own businesses with the support of Beautiful Gate.
Beautiful Gate welcomes donations and volunteers who can teach IT, English, and book-keeping among others.
The main centre is located at No. 29, Jalan SS2/59, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor (Tel: 019-2198440 / 03-78756739 or Fax: 03-78762686)
Friday, March 03, 2006
Loneliness
A person could be around thousands of people (at an athletic stadium, in a shopping mall, at school, etc.) and yet be a very lonely person. On the other hand, a person could be in the middle of a desert with the nearest person miles away and not be lonely. It is possible for a person to be alone but not lonely.
What is LONELINESS?
Below you will find several statements which describe loneliness. As you consider these statements, see if there are any that may apply to you.
Loneliness is having your closest friend miles away with no one else to share your pain or your joy.
Loneliness is missing a few days at school or work, and having no one notice.
Loneliness is the dread of going to the cafeteria and thinking there will be no one to sit with while you eat.
Loneliness is that deep, hollow feeling that says, "My opinions are not important to anyone."
Loneliness is that disturbing feeling that no one wants to talk to you.
Loneliness is wondering which of your "friends" are really true friends and which are just trying to use you.
Loneliness is that gnawing feeling that few, if any people, really care about you.
Loneliness is having no one notice or pay attention to you, acting as if you were not there.
Loneliness is thinking that everyone seems to be ignoring you and avoiding you.
Loneliness is seeing yourself as Mr./Miss Unpopular!
Loneliness is wondering why so few seem to care about your real needs and those things which are of greatest concern to you.
Loneliness is when others fail to give you what you feel you deserve, such as praise, recognition and gratitude.
THE SOLUTION
Here are two essential steps that must be followed if you are to successfully CONQUER loneliness
I. Forget Self and Draw Near to God
The living God wants to be your CLOSEST FRIEND! He is the nearest and dearest and best Friend that a person could ever have.
Is He a Person who should be closer to us than even our parents (see Psalm 27:10)?
Is He a Person that we should love far more than any other person (see Matthew 10:37)?
Is He a Friend who is true to the very end, even when all others should fail (see 2 Timothy 4:6,7,10,11,14,16,17)?
Is He a faithful Friend who will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5–6)?
In every man there is an emptiness and loneliness that only God can fill. Can you think of other reasons why not the living Lord perfectly qualified to be the best Friend of all?
Loneliness is only a surface problem. The real deep-seated problem is nothing but SELF-CENTEREDNESS. This is the ugly sin which actually causes and produces that terrible feeling of loneliness. The lonely person is the person who sees only himself and his own needs and desires. The lonely person has a "Me, Myself and I" complex. Instead of developing a concern for others, he is all wrapped up in himself.
What is LONELINESS?
Below you will find several statements which describe loneliness. As you consider these statements, see if there are any that may apply to you.
Loneliness is having your closest friend miles away with no one else to share your pain or your joy.
Loneliness is missing a few days at school or work, and having no one notice.
Loneliness is the dread of going to the cafeteria and thinking there will be no one to sit with while you eat.
Loneliness is that deep, hollow feeling that says, "My opinions are not important to anyone."
Loneliness is that disturbing feeling that no one wants to talk to you.
Loneliness is wondering which of your "friends" are really true friends and which are just trying to use you.
Loneliness is that gnawing feeling that few, if any people, really care about you.
Loneliness is having no one notice or pay attention to you, acting as if you were not there.
Loneliness is thinking that everyone seems to be ignoring you and avoiding you.
Loneliness is seeing yourself as Mr./Miss Unpopular!
Loneliness is wondering why so few seem to care about your real needs and those things which are of greatest concern to you.
Loneliness is when others fail to give you what you feel you deserve, such as praise, recognition and gratitude.
THE SOLUTION
Here are two essential steps that must be followed if you are to successfully CONQUER loneliness
I. Forget Self and Draw Near to God
The living God wants to be your CLOSEST FRIEND! He is the nearest and dearest and best Friend that a person could ever have.
Is He a Person who should be closer to us than even our parents (see Psalm 27:10)?
Is He a Person that we should love far more than any other person (see Matthew 10:37)?
Is He a Friend who is true to the very end, even when all others should fail (see 2 Timothy 4:6,7,10,11,14,16,17)?
Is He a faithful Friend who will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5–6)?
In every man there is an emptiness and loneliness that only God can fill. Can you think of other reasons why not the living Lord perfectly qualified to be the best Friend of all?
Loneliness is only a surface problem. The real deep-seated problem is nothing but SELF-CENTEREDNESS. This is the ugly sin which actually causes and produces that terrible feeling of loneliness. The lonely person is the person who sees only himself and his own needs and desires. The lonely person has a "Me, Myself and I" complex. Instead of developing a concern for others, he is all wrapped up in himself.
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